Muguet Porcelain by Jean Claude Ellena for Hermès 2016

May 25, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 53 Comments

Post by Sandra

The 1st of May has a long history of being a celebration for spring and more recently it has become known as May Day – an International Labour Day. Living here in Europe it gives us a day off and we can celebrate outside with family and friends.

France has a beautiful tradition of gifting a loved one with muguet – lily of the valley – on 1 May. This dates all the way back to 1 May 1561 when King Charles IX of France received a bouquet of lily of the valley as a gift. According to Wikipedia, King Charles IX enjoyed the gift so much that he „decided to offer a lily of the valley each year to the ladies of the court. At the beginning of the 20th century, it became custom to give a sprig of lily of the valley, a symbol of springtime, on May 1. The government permits individuals and workers’ organisations to sell them tax-free.“ The tradition lives on today with people receiving a bunch of lily of the valley flowers or if one is lucky enough a bottle of perfume centered around the flower.

Just in time for the 1 May celebrations, Hermès has launched the 13th fragrance in the exclusive Hermessence collection – Muguet Porcelain – signed by in house perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena. Several of his creations are all time favourites of mine and I could not wait to get my greedy fingers on a sample of the Muguet Porcelaine. Looking at the bottle and seeing the stunning green leather around the cap hints at what we are about to experience.

Muguet Porcelain by Hermès 2016

Muguet Porcelain by Jean Claude Ellena

Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Lily of the valley, green notes

Muguet Porcelaine opens up with a beautiful air of lily of the valley. It is green, fresh and bright early in the morning with dew still clinging to the flowers with a smidge of jasmine thrown in for interest. It is a cool perfume at the start, temperature cool, which I can only assume will be great in the heat of summer. But as it warms on my skin magic begins to unfurl and it is as if the sun has peeked through the canopy of trees to warm up the blanket of flowers covering the forest floor. The memory of sniffing a bouquet of lily of the valley lingers and slowly fades. It is a delicate and elegant perfume just like the flowers themselves– quite gauzy and dewy in feel.

This is my experience with the new Muguet Porcelaine and I have begun to question my nose and my sanity after smelling it with two lovely perfume loving friends who strongly stated “ooh melon and ooh how indolic“! Seriously, I get no melon whatsoever and certainly no dirty, decaying, poo smell at all. Is it my nose or is it my understanding of dirty or sensual? Who knows. I chalk it up to everyone will interpret perfume differently.

Hermès

About the perfume’s longevity, my skin devours certain perfumes and unfortunately Muguet Porcelaine falls into the category of „oops – gone in a flash“ perfume. I have to spray generously and on clothing as well.

So, in honour of the tradition of giving lily of the valley on 1 May, I would like to offer one 4 ml sample of Hermessence Muguet Porcelaine to one lucky winner. Please let me know if you are fond of indoles and/or fresh perfumes and if you have ever interpreted a perfume quite differently from a friend.

sassisamblo

Muguet Porcelain by Hermès GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

The winner will receive:
1 x 4ml Muguet Porcelain by Hermès
P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me so I know. Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Tell us if you are fond of fresh perfumes or have you interpreted a perfume differently from a friend

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Saturday 28th May 2016 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Wednesday 1st June 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

La Colle Noire GIVEAWAY WINNERS

May 23, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 1 Comment

Post by Portia

WOO HOO APJ!
Great response for todays giveaway. It’s exciting when a new DIOR gets released.

Let’s see who won,
Portia xx

La Colle Noire GIVEAWAY WINNERS

Parfumo

Parfumo gives these featured accords:
May rose absolute, Ceylonese sandalwood, White musk, Spices, Amber

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 2 winners who will receive:
1 x sample La Colle Noire (decanted from my sample)
1 x 8ml DIOR Privee manufacturers sample
(Cologne Royal or New Look 1947 – NO you don’t get to choose)
P&H Worldwide

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 22nd May 2016 10pm Australian EST
Winners were chosen by random.org

markmontanoblogs

Edward

Ellen M.

CONGRATULATIONS! The winners will have till Thursday 26th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

La Colle Noire by François Demachy for DIOR 2016

May 19, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 44 Comments

Post by Portia

Hello Fragrant Fumies,

François Demachy has created a new fragrance for the DIOR La Collection Privée line. Cue interest, excitement and some small rejoicing in the perfumista community. Named for Christian Dior’s favourite holiday home in later life: Château de La Colle Noire. So I google translate looked it up and colle can mean mean glue, adhesive or problem. I think something does not add up and if there are any French speakers in the house could they please tell me what it means.

Roses have been back and wearable again in frag circles and the general public since Stella McCartney’s 2003 eponymous radiant rose Stella. Since then we have been bombarded with all the roses that ever and never were. From the darkest, dankest to the shrillingly squeaky clean blow torch editions and yes, I have fallen for a few. Completely and utterly fallen for such luminaries as Mohur by Neela Vermeire, Ballets Rouges by Olympic Orchids, Contradiction by Calvin Klein, Rosa sur Reuse by SOIVOHLE, Midnight Oud by JHaG and in DIOR’s own privet lineup Mitzah and Oud Ispahan (there are more but these without looking).

La Colle Noire by DIOR 2016

La Colle Noire by François Demachy

Parfumo

Parfumo gives these featured accords:
May rose absolute, Ceylonese sandalwood, White musk, Spices, Amber

La Colle Noire opens with a sheer, wet, sharp rose, lightly metallic and already clean musky. My nose gets that soft fluffy feeling of pith and I am surprised theres no citrus, pepper, ivy or blackcurrant mentioned because I get a sharp fruity note in my nose and a dry tickle in my throat that I associate with those four notes. The opening fireworks are over in a couple of minutes and I loose 80% of the heft.

A sweet rose is left behind, sheer, wispy and pretty, bordering on functional or ambient but rising above and floating around me like a rosy zephyr, a dream of roses or of being in the middle of a rose garden in the coolest pale light of morning with only the merest breeze moving the scent to you. Here is a rose like the 2nd run of rose water, lightly warmed and set amongst a harmonious backdrop to murmer quietly around you for hours and hours. Considering how low key La Colle Noire is its longevity is astounding and sillage is very nice too.

Fragrantica

La Colle Noire is so perfectly measured and careful that it could easily belong to the CHANEL Exclusives line. It’s beautiful, fragile and a watercolour wash of fragrance. Elegant, under the radar fragrance for someone who wants to smell like money without having to be so gauche as to make a fragrant statement. Also a perfect background scent for someone who knows they have to smell nice but who don’t really like perfume. An amorphous whisper.

Christian Dior Privee line is available in stand alone DIOR stores and large airports + department stores
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $3.25/ml

TheTruthAboutMummy

La Colle Noire GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOW DO YOU WIN?

Yes, you can start following to enter, in fact it’s encouraged. Open to everyone worldwide who follows AustralianPerfumeJunkies via eMail, WordPress, Bloglovin or RSS. Please leave how you follow in the comments to be eligible. I must be able to check that you follow so if you have an email address on your gravatar that’s different to your follow address then please email me (portia underscore turbo @ yahoo dot com dot au) so I know.

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us a rose fragrance you love, or even hate and need to bitch about.

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 22nd May 2016 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org
The winner will have till Thursday 26th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Sample GIVEAWAY May 2016 WINNERS

May 16, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom

Post by Portia

Heya APJ Frag Family,

Hotly contested competition today. Thanks for getting involved.
Let’s see who our winner is,
Portia xx

Sample GIVEAWAY May 2016 WINNERS

Photo Stolen hemodernhome

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

The winner will receive one each of these samples:

Eric Butterbaugh Apollo Hyacinth
Tauer Sotto La Luna Tubereuse
Romance by Ralph Lauren
ELdO Remarkable People
Lutens Laine de Verre
YSL Splendid Bouquet
DIOR Ambre Nuit
Stella McCartney Stella In Two Peony
Osmonde Jayne Vanille d’Iris
Amouage Opus IX
Bulgari Jasmine Noir
Diptyque Eau Moheli
No 1 solid perfume
Mark Buxton Wood & Absinth
Tom Ford Noir

P&H Anywhere in the world

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Sunday 15th May 2016 10pm Australian EST
Winner was chosen by random.org

nodepositforum

Caroline

CONGRATULATIONS!! The winner will have till Wednesday 18th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Ellis Faas Cosmetics GIVEAWAY WINNERS

May 13, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 1 Comment

Post by Portia

Hey APJ

BIG excitement for the lipstick giveaway. Thanks to Ellis Faas and Val the Cookie Queen for their outstanding generosity.

Lets see who won,
Portia xx

Ellis Faas Cosmetics GIVEAWAY WINNERS

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 10 winners who will receive:
2 x samples of the Ellis Red Milky Lips
P&H Worldwide

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Thursday 12th May 2016 10pm Australian EST
Winner were chosen by random.org

Victoria Routhier
Sue Mills
Bernadette Winfield-Gray
Latai
Caroline
M.
Izzie A.
ArdentE.
Ceil
Neva

The winners will have till Monday 16th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Sample GIVEAWAY May 2016

May 12, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 68 Comments

Post by Portia

Hey There APJ!

I have a bunch of samples that I have tried, written about and loved or not. They are lying around in my office and will probably never be looked for again. A couple of them are only half full but others are only 2 spritzes used or brand new, some I have bottles or doubles of. So what better way to share the love than a FABULOUS GIVEAWAY!!

Sample GIVEAWAY May 2016

Photo Stolen hemodernhome

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

The winner will receive one each of these samples:

P&H Anywhere in the world

HOW DO YOU WIN?

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Tell us a perfume on your wish list.

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Sunday 15th May 2016 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winners will be chosen by random.org
The winners will have till Wednesday 18th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Ellis Faas Cosmetics

May 10, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 32 Comments

Post by Val the Cookie Queen

Ellis Faas was born and raised in the Netherlands. She gave up professional photography to concentrate on her obsession and infatuation with make-up. Her biography makes for fascinating reading on http://www.ellisfaas.com.

As I wrote “Lipstick, Perfume and Pop Heroes: A True Story” I had no idea I would be back a year later having discovered the perfect red from a cosmetic house in Amsterdam, setting of the original post. Red lipstick junkies are on permanent lookout for new reds. How many times do we come home with a new red to find out that it looks pretty much the same as the others?

Ellis Faas Cosmetics

Red Lipsticks for One & All

I stumbled across Ellis Faas Cosmetics in Milan at the Esxence. (I have since found out that a number of my friends do know of the company but I was not familiar with it.) Immediately drawn to the red lipstick on the display, I grabbed one to try. Angelique, representing Ellis Faas explained to me why their Ellis Reds signature colour is different. The red is based on the natural colour of blood she informed me. Theory being that it will then match everyone´s skin colour. We all have the same blood, right? I grabbed a couple of samples to take home.

What can I say? The colour is absolutely fabulous. I squeezed a couple of drops out of the sample onto my
daughter´s hand and asked what she thought of it. “It looks like blood.” she said. Clearly we are onto a winnner here.

There are three textures of the Ellis Red. Creamy Lips, which has pretty much the feel of a normal lipstick. Milky Lips, which has a much lighter texture and is more of a lip stain. (This is what I have as samples and it needs to be applied sparingly preferably with a lip brush.) Great if you don´t care for the feel of lipstick on your lips. And the Glazed Lips, a highly pigmented, but non-sticky gloss. I have all three and cannot recommend them highly enough. Anyone who believes that red is not for them should give the Ellis Red a try.

The packaging is very sleek and stylish.. I was however warned to be careful of too much product coming out of the tube and then possibly drying out. It works by turning in clicks the bottom of the silver tube. I really took time with that and did it very slowly, patiently waiting for the product to squeeze out onto the brush or sponge applicator. It took me ten minutes and about thirty small clicks. I dispense only enough product for an application and then put the lid back on. Next time I go to use it I give it couple of clicks again and apply. Works just fine. If you do it impatiently you will end up with a ton of product though so be aware.

How stunning is the Ellis Red red? Stunning enough that I asked the company to send me some samples so that I could share them with you. I have ten x 2 samples of the Ellis Red Milky Lips to give away below. Many thanks to Ellis Faas Cosmetics in beautiful Amsterdam.

Red will change your life you know?

MWAH.
Red Bussis.
CQ

ThinkDigitalWorld

Ellis Faas Cosmetics GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 10 winners who will receive:
2 x samples of the Ellis Red Milky Lips
P&H Worldwide

HOW DO YOU WIN?

In the Comments Below,

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please tell us if you are already a red lipstick junkie or scared spitless of the colour?

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 12th May 2016 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org
The winner will have till Monday 16th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

2000 Posts GIVEAWAY WINNER

May 6, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 3 Comments

Post by Portia

Hey Crew,

Hopefully you are enjoying the fun over here at APJ too. Let’s see who won.
Good Luck.
Portia xxx

2000 Posts GIVEAWAY WINNER

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x 7ml vintage Guerlain Mitsouko umbrella bottle (about 4ml)
1 x vintage Guerlain Mitsouko soap
P&H Worldwide

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Thursday 5th May 2016 10pm Australian EST.
Winner was chosen by random.org

HighestSelf

Morrigan

CONGRATULATIONS!! The winner will have till Sunday 8th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Capricci GIVEAWAY WINNERS

May 6, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 2 Comments

Post by Portia

Hey Crew,

I am enjoying the fun over here at APJ currently. Loads of great giveaways.
Good Luck.
Portia xxx

Capricci GIVEAWAY WINNERS

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 2 winners who will receive:
1 x Capricci by Nina Ricci sample from my bottle
P&H Worldwide

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Closed Thursday 5th May 2016 10pm Australian EST
Winner were chosen by random.org

Lindaloo

Bernadette Winfield-Gray

CONGRATULATIONS!! The winners will have till Sunday 8th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

2000 Posts

May 3, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 75 Comments

Post by Portia

Hello APJ Crew,

Momentous occasion. Can’t believe we have made this number. From the smallest inkling of an idea to this is quite remarkable for me.

2000 Posts

Thank you. Contributors past and present, Readers, Commenters, the Fragrance Businesses, Perfumers, Perfume Lovers one and all. We have done this together. All of us, a fragrance family that I am so grateful for.

Together we have made a place that I love to come to, a bunch of aficionados that love fragrance. Nothing too heavy, only the sheerest veneer of knowledge but boundless energy, excitement and dedication to all things fragrant. It feels like my living room with a bunch of perfumistas having a chatter and a sniff together, sharing our interest across the oceans and through time. Doing it in lunch hour, on the way to work, after the family is asleep or any time. Sometimes you guys are the one thing that keeps me grounded. Thanks.

Some special Thank Yous go to
Nick & Paige at Libertine Parfumerie who always make sure APJ has samples of the newest and best.
Patty and the crew at Surrender To Chance who make it easy for an Aussie to keep up.
Everyone at My Perfume Samples for support & kickbacks.
Adam, Franco & Steven at LuckyScent for their friendship & support.
George & the First In Fragrance crew who swap samples for cookies
Neela Vermeire of Neela Vermeire Creations who is always great value and a constant source of fun. I love you.

Please go shop with these guys because they are part of what keeps APJ running.

In the blogging community we also have an amazing group of friends, supporters and helpers.
Birgit, Lady Jane Grey and Sandra from Olfactoria’s Travels
Natalie from Another Perfume Blog (defunct)
Clayton from What Men Should Smell Like
Undina from Undina’s Looking Glass
Tara from A Bottled Rose
Denyse from Grain de Musc
Sheila from Alembicated Genie
EVERYONE at Perfume Posse
Thomas, Gaia, Vanessa, Lucy, Carlos, Neil, Pia, Lila, Musette, Magpie, Maxine, Daisy, Lucasz, Mals86, Steve, Freddie, Victoria, Arielle, Nick: There are so many more I’ve missed and you know who you are.

2000 Posts GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 1 winner who will receive:
1 x 7ml vintage Guerlain Mitsouko umbrella bottle (about 4ml)
1 x vintage Guerlain Mitsouko soap
P&H Worldwide

HOW DO YOU WIN?

You must tell me how you follow APJ

and

Please CONGRATULATE US on 2000 POSTS in under 20 words

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 5th May 2016 10pm Australian EST and winners will be announced in a separate post.
Winner will be chosen by random.org
The winner will have till Sunday 8th May 2016 to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or the prize will go to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.

Muguet Porcelain by Hermès 2016

Muguet Porcelain by Jean Claude Ellena

Muguet Porcelain by Hermès GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOW DO YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

La Colle Noire GIVEAWAY WINNERS

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

Edward

Ellen M.

La Colle Noire by DIOR 2016

La Colle Noire by François Demachy

La Colle Noire GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOW DO YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

Sample GIVEAWAY May 2016 WINNERS

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

Caroline

Ellis Faas Cosmetics GIVEAWAY WINNERS

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

Victoria Routhier Sue Mills Bernadette Winfield-Gray Latai Caroline M. Izzie A. ArdentE. Ceil Neva

Sample GIVEAWAY May 2016

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOW DO YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

Ellis Faas Cosmetics

Red Lipsticks for One & All

Ellis Faas Cosmetics GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOW DO YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

2000 Posts GIVEAWAY WINNER

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

Morrigan

Capricci GIVEAWAY WINNERS

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

Lindaloo

Bernadette Winfield-Gray

2000 Posts

2000 Posts GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

HOW DO YOU WIN?

HOUSEKEEPING

Victoria Routhier
Sue Mills
Bernadette Winfield-Gray
Latai
Caroline
M.
Izzie A.
ArdentE.
Ceil
Neva