Boy by Olivier Polge for CHANEL Les Exclusifs 2016

July 24, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 20 Comments

Post by Anne-Marie

Hi all,

it’s Anne-Marie here with a question: how much does the season influence your daily fragrance choice?

My answer: quite a lot. Generally, it’s winter fragrances for me in the winter and summer in the summer.

I would not dream of stepping out of the house on those winter mornings when the temp struggles to even reach zero in a summer eau de cologne. Conversely, warm orientals and ambers stifle me in summer, like a jacket I long to fling off.

But there are exceptions. It’s winter where I live and today was probably the most miserable day we have had so far: wet, windy and cold. I wore Chanel Boy.

Boy by Olivier Polge for CHANEL Les Exclusifs 2016

Seasonal Somersaults! Do You Wear The Weather?

Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Lavender, rose, lemon, grapefruit, rose geranium, orange blossom, sandalwood, heliotrope, vanilla, musk

Is Boy a summer or a winter fragrance? It’s a fougère with notes including lavender, grapefruit, and lemon, and that sounds pretty cologne-ish to me. Normally I’d keep this kind of thing for warm weather. But those cool, fresh notes can sometimes be welcome in the winter. You know those days when you tire of overheated rooms and heavy layers? You open a window, or step out into the rain, and revel in the rush of cold air against you face and in your lungs.

In Boy there is also a contrasting warmth to the base (musk, vanilla, sandalwood). I’m only just getting acquainted with it but so far I’m thinking that Boy may be one of the most versatile fragrances I own.

Flickr

The rain was belting down when I left work this evening. I had to catch two buses instead of one, and I missed my final stop because I had been too busy reading. Darn! I struggled home with an inside out umbrella, leaking shoes, and the sole nearly off one shoe. Flap flap flap.

What did I do when I got home? More Chanel Boy, of course!

Further reading: Now Smell This and Bl’eauog
CHANEL Beauty, Fashion and some large Department Stores. We go to David Jones
CHANEL Online in the USA

What about you? Do you match cool notes with warm days, and vice versa? Or do you spritz merrily at whatever takes your fancy?
Bye for now!

Rose Jam Shower Gel by LUSH

July 21, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 10 Comments

Post by Portia

Hi there APJ Bathers,

Yes, you’re reading it right. That ultra cool, Limited Edition, shower gel that you just missed out on because they usually sell out in SECONDS is back. Be quick.

Rose Jam Shower Gel by LUSH

LUSH

LUSH says: Inspired by our love for roses and the benefits of nourishing Argan Oil, this shower gel is as decadent as it gets! Skin brightening Goji Berry Juice and Sicilian Lemon give your skin a boost, while Rose Oil and Rose Absolute leave it soothed, softened and beautifully fragranced. A luxuroius way to start each day.

Sure, the blurb is nice but I wait till the afternoon to bathe because I get ready for work, which usually happens at night. One of the ways I really love to pamper myself is by drawing a bath. Now what better way to laze away the better part of an hour than laying in the warmth (or cool in summer) of a glamorously scented bubble bath? NONE! I tell you truly that it is the most relaxing, turn off the world, indulgent me time that I have.

Portia in the bath

Rose Jam Shower Gel makes a wonderful bubble bath. It foams well, smells great and leaves me with a soft skin tinged with the fragrance of a sweet garden rose in full bloom that then creates the perfect base for some of my favourite rose scents. Mohur by Neela Vermeire Creations, Rosa sur Reuse by SOIVOHLE, Ballets Rouges by Olympic Orchids, Diabolo Rose by Parfums de Rosine, Midnight Oud by JHaG and Agent Provocateur to name just a few of my faves, there are oodles more.

I bought my Rose Jam bottle in the sale at the end of the last time it was in. The last bottle too because I thought I should get an extra and by the time I went back in the next day to get another they were sold out. Anyway, I bought it and tried it and thought it was awful. So it sat here for ages unloved. Not so long ago as I was organising the frag room I stumbled across it again and have been using it a couple of times a week since. The sweet jammy rose is so much like putting your nose right up to a garden rose that is in full bloom, so simple but also so incredibly nuanced.

LUSH Australia has $18.50/250g

Do yourself a favour. Go grab it.
Portia xx

Hedonist by Viktoria Minya 2013

July 18, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 60 Comments

Post by Azar

Hedonist by Viktoria Minya – 2013 – The Power of the Peach III + a Give-away

Hello Perfume Pals,

Have you ever coveted a perfume for years, made short work of several carded samples but couldn’t quite bring yourself to purchase a full bottle? Did you finally give in to temptation only to abandon your pricy love, leaving her to gather dust on the dressing table? It is sad but true that for many of us, in this realm of desire, obsession fades quickly with acquisition and the full bottle of our dreams will, sooner or later, be tucked back into its original box to join an ever growing collection of ignored and forgotten fragrances. I don’t know about you, but it seems I’m always craving a new scent experience, no matter that I haven’t completely explored what I already own.

A perfect example of my problem with acquisition and abandonment is my recent purchase of the original Hedonist by Viktoria Minya.

Hedonist by Viktoria Minya 2013

The Power of the Peach III

Fragrantica

Fragrantica lists these featured accords:
Top: Rum CO2, bergamot, peach
Heart: Jasmine absolute, orange flower absolute, osmanthus absolute, tobacco
Base: Vetiver, cedar wood, vanilla

Viktoria Minya’s Hedonist made a big splash when introduced in 2013 and no wonder! The fragrance is the quintessential peach – warm, fuzzy, decadent, juicy, oozing with nectar and what I perceive to be honey. It smells, at once, edible, elegant and sexual with a hot, ripe, buttery opening, a cool, citric, floral heart and an earthy, woody dry down. The addition of lime keeps this big, boozy fruit from spoiling. The osmanthus and vetiver ground the white florals and the lavish use of absolutes creates an expensive smelling, rich and vibrant scent trail that lasts for hours on skin and clothing. This fragrance is so long-lived that, when I drained my first group of samples, I simply added perfumers alcohol to the empties and was able to eek out a recognizable ghost of Hedonist from the thin film of EdP left on the inside of the vials.

Pixabay

So why is my beautiful cut glass bottle of this perfume (complete with sparking crystals sloshing in the jus) nearly as full as it was the day it arrived on my doorstep? I find myself wondering if my craving for novel olfactory experiences eclipses the beauties I already own and if the unknown (or unattainable) is more intriguing and desirable to me than the familiar.

Further reading: Perfume Shrine and Candy Perfume Boy
LuckyScent has $200/45ml
Victoria Minya has €145/45ml with FREE Sample Kit

We have a GIVEAWAY below!

Azar xx

Hedonist GIVEAWAY

WHAT CAN YOU WIN?

This week we will have 2 winners who will receive:
1 x .7ml decant of Viktoria Minya’s Hedonist
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

Please describe which beautiful full bottle are you ignoring or have you tried the Viktoria Minya Hedonist and what did you think?

HOUSEKEEPING

Entries Close Thursday 21st July 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 24th July 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.

Vetiver Des Sables by Montale 2004

July 16, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 12 Comments

Post by Portia

Hi there Fumies,

Mondale gets some love from perfumistas but they also get a whole bunch of snark. Mainly due to their seemingly endless range, the oh-so-Montale-synth-oudh and their bro-woods. I get it, an enormous range with only the merest difference between them and so many having the half life of uranium, they are an easy target. What sometimes gets lost in the sneer is that they also do some really yum frags. I own a few bottles Dew Musk, Sandflowers and Sweet Oriental Dream. There are a couple on my list too Red Vetyver and Intense Pepper. Today I found this sample in my box and thought it might be fun to give it a whirl, you’ll be getting a first impression ride with me

Vetiver Des Sables by Montale 2004

Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Vetiver, mahogany, sea notes, Indian spices

Salty woods. An aquatic woodsy summertime dream. Vetiver Des Sables is a spicy and salted version of the 1990s aquatic. A grown up version that leans heavily on the buff middle management lunchtime gym locker room. The opening is so refreshing and seaside reminiscent, even having that weird greasy petrol and electrical sparks vibe from the outboard motors. I can see why this has been soundly panned because it is such a synthetic feeling blend but it isn’t bad to me.

Respritzing over the top I find the vetiver (grassy, dry reeds, everlasting daisy, salty woodsiness) is much more pronounced. It has some smoky qualities and the spices make a better showing (maybe cinnamon, ground black pepper, cardamom and/or paprika) giving Vetiver Des Sables more nuance and a warmth not experienced on the first spritz, it’s cool and fiery which is a wonderful combination. I also detect some orange zest and dark rum through the heart, but I could be fantasising.

Donated by my BFF Kath

I’d like to smell how this is on a woman. I think it could be very Catherine Hepburn on the right person. It’s certainly interesting and better than I expected after reading some fairly unimpressed reviews. If you already hate Montale fragrances Vetiver Des Sables will probably not change your mind but if you are on the fence or like their work then you’ll find this one of their more easy wear fragrances, it’s aimed at the men and I can easily place it on almost any guy who likes to smell like the modern image of manliness.

Once the open and heart have calmed down Vetiver Des Sables becomes a fairly linear cool vetiver/woods scent, imagine how just picked up from the beach at night driftwood would smell if you could amp it up 10,000x. That’s basically it. Or, better yet, here’s a pic of my mate Michael, he looks EXACTLY how Vetiver Des Sables smells in dry down. Enjoy!

My mate Michael looking like some hot driftwood

Further reading: Scent For Thought and Scent Critic
First In Fragrance has €94/100ml
Surrender To Chance has samples starting at $4/ml

Do you do Montale? Which ones have caught your fancy?
Portia xx

Ikat Jasmine by Firmenich for Aerin 2013

July 13, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 32 Comments

Post by Poodle

Hey there fragrant juice junkies!

OMG! Jasmine! I love a good jasmine. You know those perfumes that are heavy on the jasmine that just make you swoon almost immediately? That almost narcotic blast of white floral that almost blinds you with intensity upon first sniff. A jasmine that makes your eyes roll back in your head as you are overcome by the indoles. A jasmine so intoxicating you’re convinced that you are that hot, sexy someone that you see in the perfume ads.

Well…sorry, this definitely is NOT that jasmine.

Ikat Jasmine by Aerin 2013

Ikat Jasmine by Firmenich

Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Egyptian jasmine,jasmine sambac, tuberose, honeysuckle, sandalwood

Ikat Jasmine is described as “the embodiment of the modern woman”. That right there should give you a clue that this is not that kind of jasmine. It’s clean, fresh, terribly pretty and most definitely unoffensive. Very PC. It’s jasmine that has been washed, dried, plucked, and powdered. It’s all buttoned up to the neck. There’s no cleavage or too much leg showing. No dirty or exciting bits at all.

Wikipedia

Even at the start it’s a clean jasmine with some hint of citrus although it’s not listed in the notes. It’s settles in quickly and becomes somewhat office friendly on my skin. Within 30 minutes I’m barely able to smell it unless I get up close and sniff. If I wore this I don’t think anyone would think I’m wearing perfume. On me it smells more like a whiff of whatever functional scents I had used; shampoo, lotion, fabric softener, soap. It’s so soft that I can’t even pick it apart note-wise. It is what it is from start to finish. A clean whitish floral with a slight powdery aspect that fades to a faintly chemical wood base.

In an hour or so it’s basically gone on my scent eating skin. You may have different results.

Pixabay

I know that this will be the perfect jasmine for many people who like that scrubbed up type of scent. Ikat Jasmine is just not my cup of tea. It’s not a bad perfume but I need a little more oomph and a bit more than 45 minutes of wear time to get excited. It might be nice as a candle scent. Beyond that I can’t really think of a thing to say about it. *sigh*

Further reading: Now Smell This
Estee Lauder has $165/50ml and FREE SHIPPING in Australia

So, what jasmine perfumes make you swoon? Or maybe, what perfumes bored you to tears? Oh, and don’t be upset if someone hates a favorite of yours. It happens. One man’s trash is another’s treasure even in perfumeland.

Until next time, my sweets.
Big hugs
Poodle

Opus X by Pierre Negrin + Annick Menardo for Amouage 2016

July 12, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 22 Comments

Post by Val the Cookie Queen

Hey Hip APJ Cats.

Ever taken acid? When you place it in your mouth there is a distinct metallic sensation and a little apprehension for what is about to come. Are you familiar with (electric) Kool-Aid Magic Twists? Normally Kool-Aid dissolves to match the colour of the packaging. The Twists don´t. You empty the green powder into the jug, add water and it turns red. Pretty cool, and weird if you don´t expect it.

Amouage Opus X by Amouage 2016

Amouage Opus X by Pierre Negrin + Annick Menardo

Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: May rose, red rose, rose
Heart: Geranium, leather, varnish accord
Base: Metallic notes, laotian oud, ylang-ylang, ambrarome

“”Everyone smiles as you drift past the flowers, that grow so incredibly high.” (The Beatles)

Opus X erupts with droplets of green and an aluminium red blast, roses dripping in metal and varnish. Your consciousness needs a little time.

“Turn off your mind, relax and float down stream …” (The Beatles) The cacophony of notes smooth down into reds, cerise to crimson, cherry,
scarlet and vermilion. Layers of roses, the deeper you look into the mirror the more you see. The hovering silvered sheen prevents you
from going to deep. Never look into the mirror for too long. The Opus X meanders into a gentler territory softening up with leather, oud, and the
duskiness of a pile of rose petals. Stellar longevity. Bewitching.

The Rose with Kaleidoscope Eyes.

Flickr

Further reading: Chemist In A Bottle and Candy Perfume Boy
Libertine Parfumerie has $487/100ml with FREE AUSTRALIAN POSTAGE
First In Fragrance has €320/100ml

From First In Fragrance: The wealth of rose facets in Opus X reflects all the stories that the red violin experiences on its journey through the centuries. The centifolia pluck the first string of the violin and play a magnificent, radiant and sensual melody. From the second string a dark rose chord resounds, which lends mystery to the composition. On the third string, rosebuds play a lyrical ode full of brilliance and luminosity. The rose oxide lies like a fine veil upon the composition, culminating in a vigorous and multi-faceted rose. In different pitches, it shows all its perfect beauty and its olfactory richness. The sensual texture of leather, woven with fine geranium notes, accompanies and intensifies the fragrance. The final impression of this woody-floral composition is created by the warmth of ambrarome, the seductive aroma of ylang-ylang and the elegance of Laotian Oud. Opus X lives through its contrasts of light and darkness, innocence and seduction.

The Red Violin Official Trailer – Carlo Cecchi Movie (1998)

“The ´60s aren`t over; they won´t be over until the Fat Lady gets high.” Ken Kesey

Do you see perfume as a drug?

Groovy Bussis
CQ

Still Life in Rio by Dora Baghriche for Olfactive Studio 2016

July 11, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 12 Comments

Post by TinaG

Hi there APJ!

Friday 5 August 2016 marks the beginning of the XXXI Olympiad, with the start of the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Summer Olympics being held in a city which is renowned for its celebrations and colourful festivals, wide open beaches, and friendly people. We have quite a large Brazilian contingent here in Sydney and whenever our paths cross I feel like I’ve been swept up into one large loud colourful party – It’s not optional! You must relax and have fun! Well, OK then…. 🙂

Still Life in Rio by Olfactive Studio 2016

Still Life in Rio by Dora Baghriche

Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Yuzu, ginger, lemon, mint, mandarin orange
Heart: Pepper, black pepper, pink pepper, coconut milk
Base: Rum, copaiba balm, leather

On either side of the party you have the warm relaxed recovery times, lazy days by the beach enjoying the long sunsets, drinks and food. I feel that this is where Still Life in Rio fits in. As a fragrance, it is bright and invigorating. It opens with a burst of lemon pith and juice that is tart at first then warms with ginger and mandarin, with a touch of mint and a general milkiness (is that coconut?) behind it all. It’s a fragrance you want to wear on sun kissed and salty skin, the lemon taking centre stage for the first few hours. The ginger gets stronger by way of a ‘taste’ sensation on the back of my tongue, however I’m not sure that I pick up the peppers which are listed in the notes for this fragrance – the ginger is predominant as a spice.

After about 4 hours I find that I’m really enjoying the mandarin, and realise that the whole effect of the fragrance is like a mandarin caprioska, juicy and refreshing. I don’t find there’s much development in the fragrance after this but it has a good longevity of at least 10 hours, and I’ve noticed the fragrance wafting around me as I’ve been going about my day so it has a decent sillage. A great summer scent, light and easy wearing. You might head toward this if you enjoy the freshness of a cologne but enjoy the sophistication & longevity of a well-crafted perfume.

Olfactive Studio

I remember the Sydney Olympics back in 2000, it was such a fabulous time! A relaxed happy party atmosphere, the trains actually ran to their timetables (!!!), and you could stop and chat to anyone on the street with a smile and a laugh. Really great times. We had a ball. And although the world is a different place now to then I sincerely wish the best of everything that the Olympics holds for Rio.

Further reading: Scented Hound and Colognoisseur
First In Fragrance has €90/50ml + Samples
Libertine Parfumerie will have it in stock soon for the Aussies.

What fragrances do you wear in summer to beat the heat?

Till next time, Tina G. xx

Libertine Parfumerie SYDNEY Warehouse Pop-Up Sale

July 9, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 4 Comments

Post by Portia

Woo Hoo APJ Crew,

If you are in Sydney next week then one thing you MUST do is get your sexy ass down to the Libertine Parfumerie SALE! The bargains are real and you will save a bundle. It’s a great time to get your Xmas shopping started, and of course to splurge on yourself.

Every day has different stock on sale so you might want to pop in multiple times.

See you there,

Portia xxx

Libertine Parfumerie SYDNEY Warehouse Pop-Up Sale

Our Libertine Parfumerie SYDNEY Warehouse Pop-Up Sale starts Thursday July 14th at 4pm.
For 3 days only, save up to 75% on selected fragrances, testers, candles, and body products.

–––––––
Thursday 14th July 4pm – 7pm
Friday 15th July 8.30am – 5pm
Saturday 16th July 9am – 1pm
–––––––

Pop is located at 1-3 Taylor Street, Darlinghurst
For enquiries phone 02 80024488 or nick@agencedeparfum.com.au

WWW.LIBERTINEPARFUMERIE.COM.AU

CHANEL: The Self-Portrait of a Perfume

July 8, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 6 Comments

Post by Portia

Hey there APJ,

This video came out in May but it’s been so hectic here I haven’t gotten around to sharing it. One thing I have noticed over the last decade or so is CHANEL’s constant reinvention of ways to market themselves, and the way many other companies jump on board the idea. It’s not new to make videos upselling your product, what else are cinema and TV ads, but CHANEL seems to be in a class of its own.

Please take a moment out of your hectic day to be swept away by the modern dream of a vintage fragrance.
Do you love CHANEL No 5? How about the video?
Portia xx

CHANEL No 5 parfum

Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Neroli, ylang-ylang, bergamot, amalfi lemon, aldehydes
Heart: Iris, jasmine, orris root, rose, lily-of-the-valley
Base: Vetiver, musk, sandalwood, patchouli, oak moss, amber, vanille, civet

CHANEL: The Self-Portrait of a Perfume

Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo October 23 2016

July 6, 2016 / australianperfumejunkiescom / 2 Comments

Post by Suzanne R Banks & Julie Nelson

Hi APJ

We are botanical perfumers from the southern hemisphere passionate about educating the world on the beauty of natural Botanical perfumes. Be part of the revolution of natural fragrance, beauty, sensuality, health and wellbeing.

Our focus is Artisan Botanical Perfumery. We create beautiful and evocative scents made with Mother Natures gifts and love. Every perfume has a story and is as unique as you.

Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo

October 23 2016

Using natural ingredients, essential oils and botanical extracts, we strive to give you the best botanical perfumes in the world. Many of the essential oils and botanical extracts we use are from the world’s most remote places, grown and harvested under rigorous quality guidelines consistently preserving their finest essences. Let us not forget our distinctive Australian natives in some of the collections.

Our aim is to demonstrate that these gifts from Mother Nature are more than beautiful aromatic plants. They hold a life force of their own that when inhaled transport you to another place and time. This gives them healing properties, in addition to their captivating scents.

Join us at our event and experience the power of natural botanical fragrances for yourself!

Australasian Artisan Botanical Perfume Expo October 23 2016 1

The first 30 tickets sold will include a gorgeous gift bag with perfume samples and other lush goodies.
A door prize will be drawn for one attendee to the value of $500

WHEN
Sunday, October 23, 2016
11:00 AM to 3:30 PM

WHERE
Kirribilli Neighbourhood Centre
16-18 Fitzroy Street, Kirribilli, NSW 2061

We hope to see you all there,
Suzanne R Banks XXX

Suzanne R Banks Blog
Suzanne R Banks Aromatherapy
Suzanne R Banks FaceBook

Australian Perfume Junkies

Olfactory Opinions from Oz

shopping

Boy by Olivier Polge for CHANEL Les Exclusifs 2016

Boy by Olivier Polge for CHANEL Les Exclusifs 2016

Seasonal Somersaults! Do You Wear The Weather?

Rose Jam Shower Gel by LUSH

Rose Jam Shower Gel by LUSH

Hedonist by Viktoria Minya 2013