Laurent Le Guernec

Lovely by Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry for Sarah Jessica Parker 2005

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Post by Ainslie Walker

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Last year I read Chandler Burr’s book “A Year In The Perfume Industry, which I highly recommend. The book follows, every second chapter, Jean-Claude Ellena, in Paris, creating a new fragrance for Hermes…every other chapter takes us to New York, in 2005, where Sarah Jessica Parker is ‘art directing’ the development of her first fragrance, with the help of Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry from Coty. The book does far more than, but helps the reader to understand how perfumes go from someone’s idea, right through to sitting on the shelves in the mass market. It is jam packed with history, ingredients, methods etc etc. A must read!

Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker 2005

Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry

 Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Nectarine, bergamot, rosewood,  lavender, apple martini
Heart: White daffodil, orchid, orchid, patchouli
Base: Amber, cedar, woody notes, salt, white musk.

That brought me to actually smelling Sarah Jessica Parker’s “Lovely” – something I would NEVER have tried, as my preconceived ideas of it being massmarket/cheap/celeb etc etc kept me well away. My curiosity got the best of me, and I was intrigued however as the starting idea was Sarah’s favourite mix of scents which included Egyptian musk oil, a cheap drugstore scent and and expensive fragrance.

Lovely Matthew_Broderick_Sarah_Jessica_Parker WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

On first whiff I can really smell the Egyptian and white musks…this develops on skin over time and is a sexy, sultry intriguing part of the fragrance. There’s a touch of patchouli and spice adding to this which makes it sexy-cooling. I am also hit with some major ‘fresh and clean’ notes. Like a breezy layer on top of the sultry base. Reminiscent of the scent of shampoos I used as a kid…apple, orange, lavender, possibly a little peachy. Pretty, feminine, but somehow managing a womanly feel.

I feel like it has given me flashbacks of the bodyshop scents we wore in the 80s/90’s, first body lotions, special soaps, hairspray and the perfumes which came as part of make up sets. (Maybe a few cheaper ingredients in this one.) Descriptions and reviews mention woody, in particular cedar – I don’t get much…maybe some sandalwood…maybe a little cedar after 30mins or so.

Descriptions also mention addition of a ‘martini’ note…I’m not sure if that’s just marketing, but I agree, there is some subtle, salt/savoury edge (maybe a dirty martini) that keeps the sweet, clean musky frag from spreading too far and taking over a room, or in fact from being too ‘lovely’, and gives it more classy-sparkle. I’d call it a fresh floral musk, but putting my finger on which flower exactly deems almost impossible!! Rosewood? It is like a lighter version of Agent Provocateur’s first fragrance, less naughty, and without the depth.

lovely-Sarah-jessica-parker-ShoppingHeavenPhoto Stolen ShoppingHeavenDotNet

This fragrance is comfy, distinct and still classic in some way…wear it like your favourite jeans and heels combo, for any occasion, when you want to feel feminine AND comfortable.

Further reading: Scents Memory and Now Smell This
Fragrance Shop has $21/50ml
My Perfume Samples start at $2/ml

A 30ml bottle cost me $21. I almost DIED. At that price it is not only LOVELY but super affordable too. The packaging is so cute and great to throw in your handbag for use throughout the day as a top up. I am sure it would be great layered under or over some richer scents, especially with scents that don’t have much staying power…this one lingers and could in theory help hold those – have a play and let me know what works for you.

Ainslie Walker XXX

Lovely by Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry for Sarah Jessica Parker 2005

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Post by Katrina

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Lovely from Sarah Jessica Parker is the perfume I reach for when I have a stressful day ahead. When I’m feeling a little worried about something I need to face in my day like a meeting or doctors appointment I will normally choose to wear Lovely. I spray on Lovely, inhale deeply and feel myself relax a little. I feel a bit more confident to face the day. Lovely is elegant and understated and I wouldn’t hesitate to wear this perfume for these types of meetings.

Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker 2005

Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry

Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives the following notes.
Top: Nectarine, bergamot, rosewood and lavender.
Heart: Apple martini, white daffodil and orchid.
Base: White amber, cedar, woody notes and white musk

I mostly smell lavender and rosewood when I first spray on Lovely with a hint of zest and sweetness from the light citrus and fruit notes.

I find lavender so relaxing and use a few drops of essential oil if I’m having trouble sleeping. I also have lavender growing in my garden and can’t help but pick some to smell as I walk past. It’s not that I love the smell of lavender; it can be strong and sharp. It’s the feeling of well-being I get from lavender’s scent that draws me in. It has a soothing effect.

Lovely-Sarah-jessica-parker Lavender WikimediaPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

The heart of the perfume leads to beautiful, feminine florals and the calming lavender lingers. The rosewood leads to a solid base with wood and musk. The lasting power of Lovely is excellent and at the end of the day I’m left with a gentle amber scent on my skin.

SJP Lovely is often compared to the more expensive Narciso Rodriguez for Her and has received favourable reviews from many perfume bloggers.

Lovely-Sarah-jessica-parker WikimediaPhoto Stolen WikiMedia

Further reading at Bois de Jasmin and Katie Puckrik Smells
FragranceNet has $19/50ml
My Perfume Samples starts from $2/ml

If you are interested in more Celebrity Perfumes, check out my website at Celebrity Perfume Store

Katrina x

Michael by Laurent Le Guernec for Michael Kors 2000

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Post by Gabriella

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Hello perfumed peeps!

Well, I had a totally different post planned for today but something happened fragrance-wise over the weekend that I felt compelled to share with you.

I became reacquainted with one of my old favourites. The sexy, sultry tuberose had been sitting in one of my drawers for ages, silver cap taken off as the bottle had leaked from time to time, looking forlorn and neglected. I spritzed some on Saturday morning and haven’t looked back since.

Michael by Laurent Le Guernec for Michael Kors 2000

Michael Michael Kors FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Freesia, incense, Chinese osmanthus, tamarind
Heart: Tuberose, iris, peony, orris root, arum lily
Base: Musk, cashmere wood, vetiver

Michael has been in my collection ever since I first tried it back in 2001. I was living in London with my brother and a friend. Most Saturdays we’d wander down to the local shopping centre at Brent Cross and we’d part ways for about half an hour or so before going grocery shopping at Tesco. They would look at useful stuff such as clothes and household goods and I’d go sniffing at Sephora and a department store, Fenwick’s. Once they’d come back, I’d annoy them for ages, wrists held aloft with the command: “Sniff!” It was on these sojourns that I first became acquainted with Creeds, Diors, Fracas and finally, Michael. I’d gladly take one of the textured camel spray blotters from the SA each visit and tuck in in my handbag. I sniffed and sniffed for months before I begged my brother to but me a bottle for my birthday.

Michael Michael Kors Tuberose WikipediaPhoto Stolen Wikipedia

The scent is powerful throughout its development and a complete sillage monster, which is exactly how I like it. It starts off with a big blast of tuberose, tempered with the bright sweetness of osmanthus and freesia. The lily appears and then the woody spices unfold, providing some depth to the heady tuberose core. It stays pretty much this way throughout its development.

I did say in a recent review that I thought Nasomatto’s Narcotic Venus is a poorer, albeit much higher priced, relation of Michael. I still stand by this claim. The main difference between them is that the spices are rounder here, whereas in Narcotic Venus, they feel more angular and almost metallic. If you have Michael, Narcotic Venus does seem like a bit of a extravagant frippery.

ball gown simple pretty strapless wedding dressesPhoto Stolen July staff Sino  Flickr

Needless to say, I love that I rediscovered this and that it remains part of my collection. There are naysayers though: Luca Turin and Tanya Sanchez gave a scathing review in Perfumes the Guide, and I concede that overspraying it could lean towards suffocation territory. But I think it is a lovely tuberose for the price point and it’s always been a compliment getter for me.

However, the thing I like about it most is that it was part of that old bastion of department store scents that took a chance and developed something with attitude and personality and very un-focus group like before Aquolina Pink Sugar and the sweet fruity patchouli things became the new normal.

Michael Michael Kors spices Filip Maljković FlickrPhoto Stolen Filip Maljković  Flickr

Further reading: The Scents of Self
Michael is available in most department stores and online discounters.
FragranceNet has it starting at $58.19/50ml (before coupon)
My Perfume Samples starts at $2.50/ml

So, have you tried Michael? What are some of the best department stores scents in your opinion?

With much love till next time,

M x
Michael Kors talks Signature Fragrance

Katy Perry Killer Queen by Laurent Le Guernec for Katy Perry 2013

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Post by Katrina

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Katy Perry Killer Queen 2013

Killer Queen Katy Perry FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Wild berries, dark plum, bergamot
Heart: Celosia), Sambac jasmine, plumeria
Base: Cashmere, patchouli, praline

The highlight from the celebrity perfumes of 2013 is Katy Perry’s Killer Queen. I wrote of my excitement about the impending release of Killer Queen in my review of the first two fragrances from Katy Perry – Purr and Meow!. Killer Queen is stronger and more sophisticated than Purr and Meow! This is not a sugary sweet girly fragrance. It smells quite intense in the beginning with sweet fruity notes combined with jasmine and patchouli. Along with the sweet berries there is deep plum, tart bergamot and strong florals. The perfume softens after a few hours and the liquid praline and patchouli smells fantastic.

I love the advertising and packaging of Killer Queen, the regal theme is fun, irreverent and dramatic. The gorgeous ruby-like bottle with its gold crown cap lays on its side.

Killer Queen Katy Perry launches pursuitistPhoto Stolen Pursuitist

Although Killer Queen is more sophisticated than the previous Katy Perry fragrances, it isn’t as edgy as I was anticipating and gets a lot of comparisons to Flowerbomb. In the same way that Lady Gaga Fame didn’t live up to its deep dark promise, Killer Queen is not as dramatic as its advertising campaign but I do love the plum, patchouli and praline in this fragrance. Killer Queen by Katy Perry is a rich floriental fragrance that is perfect for evening wear.

Further reading at Musings of a Muse and Now Smell This
FragranceX has $46/100ml
My Perfume Samples starts at $2/ml

Don’t forget to check out my website for more celebrity perfume news and reviews

Katrina xx
(Ed: Here is one of the super fun ads)

Twilight by Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry for Sarah Jessica Parker 2009

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Hey Fellow Fumies,

Ever get taken by surprise? Do you ever think you have a handle on perfume, pretty much know what you are going to smell when you read the notes, are already looking down your perfumista nose at a fragrance because you have pre judged it before spritzing? Well then you already know this story. I was out with TSO Jin just trolling the mall and we needed to go to TARGET of all places and OMFG they now have a PERFUME SECTION!! The SA Charlotte was excellent and had been dutifully sniffing her way through most of the stock. New perfumista alert!! Charlotte was loving it sick.

Photo Stolen trixiliniboutique

They have quite a range including some DIOR, GUCCI, D&G and YSL at prices about $20-$40 cheaper than the Department Store directly above them. Celebuscents are their main stock in trade though so we were trying some to see what is going on in the world of celebrity fragrance. OH GODS IN HEAVEN!! What have we done to deserve some of this liquid shit? Kate Moss is cool and I love that she is portrayed as this completely gorgeous drug pig and life wreck but have you smelt what she is selling as perfume? Feck Me Dead! There were some good surprises though. Well not HOLY GRAIL GOOD but not travesties either.

Dita Von Teeze is a lovely green spicy cheap and cheerful in a super great flaccon. I already own it. Lasting power is poor on me but at this price respritz.
Beyonce has one that hits my amber and musk bone nicely but has a slight chemical incident waft after a while.
Halle Berry has about 6 perfumes now, I love Halle (which Twilight is a little bit like) and its body lotion and think I might like Purple Orchid.

Photo Stolen biz.ratebe

Fragrantica gives these acccords:
Top: Bergamot, galbanum, mandarin, pink pepper
Heart: Peony, jasmine
Base: Amber, sandalwood, incense, musk

I had seen this matching 3 pack from SJP and been wondering about it. The noses, Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry, who created this also did SJP Lovely together and are responsible for quite a bit of my fragrance library separately. WOW! I was expecting a spiky green sizzling pepper citrus blast to open but it is a warm resinous amber and incense laden floral. There was so little sign of the pepper and citrus, just a wafting whisper keeping the rest afloat and interesting. It has good sillage, nice scent bubble, is distinctive, takes a journey, lasts a while and is generally good. Yes, you can tell its a mass produced fragrance, there are no artisanal touches or big fragrance surprises once you get over the shock of it being a very decent celebuscent and perfect for cool Autumn/Spring afternoons and nights. Today Twilight, and the other 2 in the set, was reduced to $20 for 75ml. So I bought the damn thing and I’m glad I did. I’ve even included the ad below for your enjoyment.

CheapSmells has Sarah Jessica Parkers Twilight $14/75ml

Moral: Don’t judge a book by its cover.
Funny how you have to keep being reminded of life’s most obvious lessons.
Wishing you the best of everything till we see you tomorrow.
Portia xx