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Acqua di Giò – The Film starring Jason Morgan – Giorgio Armani 2015

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Hey Hey Crew,

Just when you thought it was safe to get back in the water Jason Morgan comes along and heats it up. Acqua di Giò was created by Alberto Morillas in 1996 and has been massively popular ever since. It’s favoured by sporty suits in Australia and still smells good on the right person.

Acqua di Gio Giorgio Armani FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Parfumo gives these featured accords:
Top: Bergamot, Jasmine, Lime, Mandarin, Orange, Lemon
Heart: Cyclamen, Freesia, Hyacinth, Coriander, Marine notes, Peach, Mignonette, Rose, Violet
Base: Amber, Oakmoss, Musk, Patchouli, Cedar

Acqua di Giò - The Film starring Jason Morgan YouTube
This is Jason Morgan, you can watch him in the video below. It’s worth the watching.
Enjoy
Portia xxx

Acqua di Giò – The Film starring Jason Morgan – Giorgio Armani

Bright Lipstick for EVERYONE!

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 33 Comments

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Post by A F Beauty

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Hi APJ,

I have been on this planet many years but in that time, I’ve never really cemented my relationship with lipstick. I have tried multiple variations, colours and brands. A few months back I was a maid of honour at a wedding and the bride asked me to bring a lipstick that I could wear for the day, or I could buy one from the makeup artist. I knew I had a few lippies on the go, so I gather them all to take with me so all eventualities were covered. I counted them; I have over 60 lipsticks!! With that many you’d think I was wearing lippy every day, but I’m not – I still struggle with colours and textures, things like how long it’ll wear, how it matches my clothes, my skin tone. Of all make up, this is my nemesis!

So it’s odd, you’ll be thinking, that I would choose to write about lipstick, but I’ve had a bit of an angels singing moment when it comes to lippy, so I thought I would share.
Last year on Australian TV a couple of twins on a cooking show would appear nightly with some variation of THE brightest lipstick I’ve ever seen and instead of thinking about the food, I’m thinking, “Why can’t I wear lipstick like that without looking like a clown. Harrumph!”

Bright Lipstick for EVERYONE!

Fast forward a few months and I’m celebrating my birthday and want to look lovely for the day, recalling that cooking show, I think to myself, “Dammit! I’m going to buy a new lippy to celebrate!” I wasn’t brave enough to head to a luxury store to buy a delicious lipstick, Chanel and Tom Ford stand out in my mind as future purchases! No, I was in Target, glamorama (!), I found a L’Oreal Colour Riche lipstick in shade Raspberry Rush. I put it on and I LOVE IT!! I swear heavenly trumpets played and angels sang.

L'Oreal Paris Colour Riche Lipstick, Raspberry Rush

Creamy texture, bright colour, texture not too soft, colour not quite pink, not quite red, not quite orange! For all occasions it has become my go-to lipstick, it is soft enough to apply lightly for work, or apply strongly for a night out. And since then, I’ve ventured more into colours and brightness, Maybelline ColorSensational in 904, Vivid Rose – bright but amazing and several of Revlon’s Lip Butters, a great first leap into colour, soft in texture but with varying colours – a gateway lipstick!

I thoroughly recommend you all to try just one bright lipstick – not just because I suggest it, but because… now this is our secret… people treat you differently. I know, I sound like a mental case and I’m prepared to be shouted down, but I feel people in shops are more engaging, the bus driver acknowledges me and the people at work – well I can tell they are bursting to comment.

Bright Lipstick Francisca Ulloa FlickrPhoto Stolen Flickr

I’d love to know your favourite lipstick, are you bold enough to try colour? Have you had an angels singing moment?
A F Beauty XX

Fragrance Inspired Cocktail Recipes #1

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Post by Ainslie Walker

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Fragrance Inspired Cocktail Recipes

Hope you have a lovely weekend planned. I have some scent inspired cocktail recipes to help you on your merry way!

These delicious cocktails I tasted recently in Melbourne at Galerie de Parfum’s Cocktail and Perfume Masterclass in Myers Melbourne. Mixologist Justin Ryann Forsyth has been extremely generous giving me access to the recipes for his own scent cocktail creations.

Fragrance Inspired Cocktail Recipes #1

My recent APJ post shared with you the Empressa cocktail, inspired by Penhaligon’s new fragrance for the season

Today I will share some lovely winter warmers, perfect for a cozy evening:

Frapin1270 Frapin FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

1270 by Frapin

You can read Portia’s APJ 1270 review, which first alerted me to one of my now favorite fragrances

30 ml Drambuie
15 ml glenmorangie 10 yr scotch whisky
15 ml Lillet Rouge
3 dashes plum bitters

Add all ingredients to mixing glass, and then fill up with ice. Using a bar spoon, begin to stir the drink quickly, being careful not to break any ice. Stir until desired dilution is reached, then double strain into a coupette or similar short glass. Garnish with a dash of orange bitters or orange peel if desired. We didn’t do this for the presentation, but as a cocktail itself, the orange really brings it together.

Loukhoum Keiko Mecheri FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Loukhoum by Keiko Mecheri

I fell in love with Loukhoulm during the Myers/Galerie de Parfum masterclass evening (and the moment was photographed, unbeknownst to me). For me it is smooth, sensual and womanly. Summed up, it is vanilla-almond-honey-rose notes, inspired by Turkish delight, which is far from my usual fragrance choices. However Loukoulm is much more than a sweet mess, having depth, warmth and providing some immediate comfort. The “comforting” component may be down to an almost Johnston’s and Johnston’s baby powder/oil-esque note….but far more deluxe. Loukoulm hugged close to my skin and was still there many hours later. Much creamier and deeper than other Turkish delight inspired fragrances such as Jo Malone Rose Water and Vanilla Cologne. There is the hint of the rose and iris smells of makeup -now so trendy with the release of Chanel’s Misia-but this is rounded and less screechy in its rose notes. Mixed in with almond nuttiness, the smell of hawthorn, one of my favorite cool weather notes. Something motherly and beautifully warm.

I would love to wear this on a date, as I am sure it would be perfect for an intimate candlelit dinner for two….followed with the following cocktail for dessert:

15 ml Crème de Cacao (or desired chocolate liqueur)
15 ml Cherry Heering liqueur
15 ml Amaretto
10 ml Monin Orgeat Syrup
5 ml Campari
2 dashes Fee Bro’s orange bitters
Egg white (optional)

Combine all ingredients in cocktail shaker, and shake hard until all ingredients have combined evenly. Double strain into a chilled coupette or similar short glass. If using egg white, wet shake as above, then double strain into another shaker, then shake without ice to create a thick white foam. When finished, garnish with a cherry and 3 dashes Bob’s chocolate bitters.

Enjoy your weekend!

Xx Ainslie

Justin Bieber + Lara Stone – Calvin Klein Jeans Spring 2015

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Heya APJ Family,

No matter what you think about Justin Bieber, he has charisma and having been to his concert in Sydney a couple of years ago I think he also has some talent. The show was fun and he danced his pretty little ass off. I like him even more now he’s doing all the stuff a regular wealthy teenager/young adult does, and doing it large.

I hope you like this little bit of B&W advertising. I think it’s cool.

Portia xx

Justin Bieber + Lara Stone - Calvin Klein Jeans Spring 2015 Calvin KleinPhoto Stolen Calvin Klein

Justin Bieber + Lara Stone – Calvin Klein Jeans Spring 2015

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra-Nourishing Oil

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 15 Comments

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Post by Willa Zheng

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When it comes to personal fragrance, I don’t think perfume body oils get enough love. They condition your hair, give your skin a healthy fresh-from-vacation glow, and smell ah-mazing for hours. A good quality perfume body oil will outlast any cologne, and most EDP’s.

And that’s the one I’m going to introduce to you today – Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra-Nourishing Oil, nosed by none other than superstar perfumer, Francis Kurkdjian.

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra-Nourishing Oil

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra-Nourishing Oil EscentualPhoto Stolen Escentual

Fragrantica gives these featured accords for the fragrance:
Top: Mandarin orange, grapefruit, cumin
Heart: Fig leaf, fig
Base: Fig nectar, cedar, musk

Now, the deal with body oil fragrances is they’re pretty linear. What you smell from the first spray is generally what you’re still smelling 5hrs later. No hidden unexpected notes. I know that some connoisseurs enjoy the three-stage transformative experience à la Serge Lutens, I personally prefer honest, linear fragrances that can hit the mark from the get go.

So what does Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier smell like? Is it fruity and florally? Yes and yes, but in a classy, expensive and French kind of way. Fleur de Figuier is not a green fig that recalls Diptyque Philosykos, nor a sweet milky one like L’artisan Premier Figuier. If you’re after a photorealistic, heavy lactonic and green fig fragrance, look to those houses. Fleur de Figuier is the sweet juicy inside of a fig, combined with sweet juicy mandarin and some grapefruit so it doesn’t become too saccharine. It’s the fruity floral fragrance for the fruity-floral loving gal (and older woman) who doesn’t want to smell so mass market generic.

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra-Nourishing Oil Roger & GalletPhoto Stolen Roger & Gallet

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra-Nourishing Oil is a dry oil so you can put clothes on right afterwards, and you’re not going to feel sticky or greasy. It’s made from a mixture of fruit oils and sweet almond oil. 96% natural origin ingredients, apparently. Sweet almond oil is thin and light, so it’s not as nourishing as other cult oils on the market but you shouldn’t use it primarily as a skincare product. This oil is so perfume concentrated, you’re going to knock your nose out.
Instead, treat it as a perfume body oil, another way to deliver fine fragrance to your person. I tend to do two sprays on each arm and get juicy sweet scent wafting throughout the whole day. And even picking up the bottle is nice because Roger & Gallet is a proud French company that cares about how its products are presented. This oil comes in an attractive, quality glass bottle with a solid clear Perspex lid. Very dignified.

Roger & Gallet does other fragranced body oils in its line. Even if you’re not a fruity floral person, I recommend giving the other dry oils a go. You might just get converted.

Roger & Gallet Fleur de Figuier Ultra-Nourishing Oil Figs _Nini_ PixabayPhoto Stolen Pixabay

Further reading: Fluff & Fripperies and Make Up For Dolls
Escentual has £25/100ml

Now, do you have a favourite perfume body oil?
Willa Zheng x

Sharp by Richard Ibanez for Andrea Maack 2010

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 8 Comments

Hi there APJ,

When I first fell in love with the Andrea Maack range I remember there being a lot of chatter about it being derivative and boring. There were some bloggers and some of my mates who seemed very upset about this brand. I’m sorry but I never felt them to be either boring OR derivative. First to admit I’ve not smelled everything ever produced, also first to admit my memory is shot but few houses hit me as hard in the heavenly eye roll and full body purring shiver as Andrea Maack’s do. There are two FB in my collection Silk and……..

Sharp by Richard Ibanez for Andrea Maack 2010

Sharp FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

Fragrantica gives this list of featured accords:
Orange blossom, angel skin, sweet vanilla, white musk, soothing softness

To my nose Sharp has a remarkably complex fragrance story. The orange blossom is not at all as expected, like they have added some herbaceous spiciness, and the vanilla is an inedible warmth that is fuzzed up by the musk. At once bright and cozy like the smell of brand new polar fleece with dirty, morning bed-hair. Sharp is feral and cuddly, pithy, furry, smooth and enfolding.

Sharp has a sweet indolic weirdness that is at once repulsive and alluring up close but merely pretty and inviting from further away. The name Sharp seems to be a complete misnomer here and I wonder if that is intentional? Sometimes when I wear Sharp my feeling is as if I’ve been up in an attic rummaging and my hair is thick with dust and old air,. Other times the feeling given is that I’m cuddled up in front of a fire near a recently beeswaxed table and the fires heat is warming the scent through the room and I feel warm, safe & loved. There’s even something of dog paws.

 Sharp Andrea Maack FragranticaPhoto Stolen Fragrantica

I get a nearly linear lifespan that weaves rather than evolves but as it dries down Sharp by Andrea Maack is sweet vanilla dribbled over musk, the feral has disappeared and it’s all about clean (but not too clean, there’s still an element of humanity).

Who would I spritz with Sharp? That’s hard to say, I think some of my friends who like fragrance very much but aren’t perfumistas would love this as a go-to daily scent regime. Certainly the art connection, lack of ready availability, simple, stylish bottle and the reasonable price bracket would make it a good choice for them. Considering they would pay around these prices for a bottle of designer/department store fragrance Andrea Maack’s scents are a much better and more interesting buy.

Sharp Andrea Maack Dunrobin Castle GeographPhoto Stolen Geograph

Further reading Persolaise and ConfessionsOfAPerfumeNerd
First In Fragrance has €85/50ml
LuckyScent has $135/50ml

Have you tried the Andrea Maack fragrances? Do you think it makes sense to add olfactory experience to visual arts?
Portia xx

DIOR Secret Garden IV: Rihanna

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OMG!

If you loved the previous DIOR Secret Garden movies then be aware that they are day compared to this vision of night. Rihanna is the model and both she and the soundtrack are beautiful and ethereal and menacing. She is like the perfectly dressed and presented evil queen wandering through her deserted palace in the black of night.

Dior Secret Garden IV featuring Rihanna YouTubePhoto Stolen YouTube

Unbelievably gorgeous….
Enjoy,
Portia xx

Dior Secret Garden IV featuring Rihanna – Versailles

OMG! The Panty Dropper

/ australianperfumejunkiescom

Hey there APJ,

This is a well loved sentence from the more dude-ish of the fragrant communiry and a few of us were chatting about it the other week which inspired me to write a post both serious and completely tongue-in-cheek. I am so proud to be writing for My Perfume Samples and I think they have a wonderful business model and are a super great crew to work for.

Please drop over and have a little laugh at my Panty Dropper post. It comes with a 15% Discount Code across the entire store too. My Perfume Samples<<JUMP

OMG! The Panty Dropper

portia-post-4
Photo Stolen My Perfume Samples

I hope you’re all having a lovely Sunday and that we catch you over there.
See you

Portia xx

NEW APJ Beauty Editor: Night Cream

/ australianperfumejunkiescom / 15 Comments

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Post by A F Beauty

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(ED: Please welcome our newest member of the APJ Family, APJ Beauty Editor: A F Beauty)

Night Cream

There are two types of people in the beauty world; sniffers and feelers. Here’s how you know which you are. Imagine, you are in a beauty emporium and in haste you have agreed to try a new wonder crème. Following a brief sales pitch, a blob of crème will be applied to the back of your hand and the assistant will gently sweep your skin and offer your hand back to you. A sniffer will, without second thought, lift their hand to their nose and hope to smell something that reminds them of indulgence. A feeler, will follow the sales assistant with a further touch of their hand to experience the texture of the crème applied.

L’Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 NIGHT

revitalift-laser-x3-night-cream-maskPhoto Stolen LorealParisAU

Now I am assuming you fumies are sniffers, like me! Smell is important, nay critical I’d guess. But fellow sniffers, you must, for the sake of your skin, learn also to touch and feel, especially now, as seasons are changing, you will probably have noticed your skin is starting to feel different. Down here in the Southern Hemisphere, it’s getting cold. I felt, it seemed overnight, my skin feeling and looking dry. My skincare routine was letting me down! There are options, change cleanser, serum, day or night cream, but I’ll argue your quickest fix is a different night cream. My present favourite is L’Oreal Revitalift Laser X3 NIGHT. They have to draw attention to NIGHT in case you accidentally think night means day!

 

The texture is one of the most unusual I’ve found, a thick cream but with a slight jelly like texture and appearance that settles back to perfect evenness by the time you come back to the jar the following night. I’ve wondered, but not yet investigated, whether it has similar properties to Astalift Jelly, now only available in Asia – tell me if you know! Now I lack sophistication in describing smell, to me it smells like chemical flowers, which I know sounds hideous, but it’s not overly offensive and once on, I can’t notice it.

It’s definitely thick and takes a while to settle in. You’d not tolerate it as a day cream, but just before bed is fine. Even 20 minutes after applying my skin feels slightly greasy and almost velvety to the touch as it sinks in, but sink in it will and what I particularly like is no oily residue on my skin in the morning.

Since reverting back to this a fortnight ago, I’ve already noticed much less dryness in my skin and it has become a key part of my winter routine. Don’t underestimate your night cream, the right amount of moisture helps tackle those fine lines from drying skin, it provides the best base for make up as well as keep your skin looking bright without makeup. I’d love to hear whether you’ve used this cream or whether you have a different favourite.

Next time: Bright Lipstick!