It has been an awesome response and I thank all of you for entering into the spirit of fun. We all have such different tastes in fragrance which makes me happy to see. APJ has some INCREDIBLE giveaways coming up in 2013 and I hope you come play them too.
Costume National Giveaway Winners
What’s In The Packs?
There are THREE packs to give away this week, the three winners will receive 1.5ml each of
Costume National Scent Gloss
Costume National Scent Intense
Costume National Homme
Costume National So Nude
with P&H anywhere in the world
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
How Could You Win?
Open to everyone worldwide who is a follower of AustralianPerfumeJunkies, all you needed to do this week was go over to Libertine Fragrance at http://www.libertineparfumerie.com.au/w1/i2/ and tell me any product there that took your fancy. NO DOUBLE UPS!
You could earn an extra chance each for Tweeting and FaceBooking
Winners were chosen by putting names on same sized papers, folded similarly, put on a tray and TSO Jin picked them.
. Photo Stolen berryreview
ChrissyLNoz Poodle Shiloh
CONGRATULATIONS!! Winners have till Wednesday December 19th to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or I will give the prize to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.
.
Do go and have a squiz at Libertine Fragrance if they get loads of extra traffic then I am positive we will get even bigger and better giveaways from them in future.
People don’t believe me when I tell them how incredible Mardi Gras is in Sydney. 3 weeks, over 70 events and the world comes down to play. It is an AWESOME time to come down to Oz and we’d love to see you all for our 35th Mardi Gras. Come join in the fun.
Hey Perfume buddies,
Tonight we are TOTALLY off topic. Sorry. I have a blocked nose and can’t even smell a fresh blast of Montale Black Aoud. KAPUT!!
Don’t worry I’ll be back and better tomorrow, I’ll just let it ride for 24 hours.
.
Photo stolen izismile.com
So what are you getting instead? The most amazing show on earth. Victoria’s Secret 12/13 Runway. It is beyond words, please enjoy,
Portia xxxx
Today we are looking at the last of the Neela Vermeire Creations for me to fall madly in love with. I have been wearing Mohur for months now. That glorious hit of sweet and spicy rose is hard to beat. Loved Trayee on first sniff and quickly went through my sample and then 10ml in the Discovery Set and never really got to Bombay Bling.
Bombay Bling by Neela Vermeire Creations 2011
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Fragrantica gives the featured accords: Top: French labdanum, caraway, mango, litchi, blackcurrant, cardamom Heart: Jasmine, rose, tuberose, yang-ylang, gardenia, frangipani Base: Virginia cedar, sandalwood, leather, patchouli, woodsy notes, vanilla
As you may know I am so not a fruity patchouli fragrance wearer, those sweet plastic mass produced headache inducers are just not how I wish to smell. Why am I telling you this? Because that’s what I thought Bombay Bling was going to be, and in some ways it is but so much better, more interesting, wearable and exciting. This is the Empress of Fruit-chouli, the benchmark that all others must set themselves against and unfortunately most are found wanting. This is what other Fruit-choulis dream of becoming when they grow up.
Bombay Bling opens loud and sweet and fun, though it does invoke the sweltering streets and stalls of summertime Mumbai it could equally be a South American or Pacific Island marketplace. Freshly cut fruits including the majestic mango, are spliced with spice and a creamy warmth, like a masala fruit salad and cream. This rich and intoxicating fruity swirl lasts for ages, nearly an hour and makes me want to go out dancing, flirting and cha cha cha-ing. The bouquet opens up slowly, streaming through the fruit over a long period, unnoticed till near complete take over has occurred and it’s a hot, white and green sensation still with an undercurrent of sweet fruits that slowly becomes sweet woodsy patchouli till the only thing left is a whisper of vanilla and butter that stays for hours and hours and hours. TSO Jin early on claimed Bombay Bling for his own and on him it is glorious and super long lasting, I can smell it next morning and into the day.
Neela Vermeire has kindly given me some wonderful things to be given away on the Perfume Posse this week. So you have THREE chances to win!!
What’s In The Packs:
There are three 2ml vial sets of Bombay Bling, Mohur & Trayee. Each winner will get one set.
How Do You Enter?
Your answer must be entered in the comments on the Perfume Posse where the Neela Vermeire Creations LIVE Video Sniff is happening right now.
You must follow AustralianPerfumeJunkies via RSS, Email, WordPress, please tell me RSS/eM/WP in your comment. Yes, you can join and follow to be eligible. EASY!
You must also tell me any Indian (Subcontinent not Amer-Indian) State/Union Territory or State Capital City. NO DOUBLE UPS!! There are 35 States/Union Territories and their Capitals before we need to repeat anything. Once the comment number reaches 140, that’s your comments and my replies, then we can start doubling up. Got It? EASY PEASY!! Here’s a list to help you
Housekeeping
Entries Close Saturday December 8th 10pm AEDST and winners will be announced in a separate post on Perfume Posse on Sunday. Winners will be chosen by putting names on same sized papers, folded similarly, put on a tray and TSO Jin will pick them. He doesn’t even stop watching TV to do it usually.
Winners will have till Wednesday December 12th to get in touch (portia underscore turbo at yahoo dot com dot au) with their address or I will give the prize to someone else.
No responsibility taken for lost or damaged goods in transit.
With the Christmas gift shopping window of opportunity slowly getting smaller in the lead up to Christmas do you get stuck on what to buy? Perhaps you do a Chris Cringle like my family. Sometimes I am wandering aimlessly around under pressure, amongst holiday crowds scratching my head thinking of what they would like.Out of all the people in my family I buy for it’s my Grandma that I find I am at my most inspired when things need to be wrapped and under the tree by the 25th. Bless her heart, she excitedly accepted my presents given over the years. Sometimes fragrant, sometimes not. This year I’m
I’ve been referencing the past to find new interpretations and variations on the popular and classic fragrances that were trending at a time when our grandmas were becoming women. I have included some new flankers of vintage classics from iconic houses and beautiful compositions she will relate to and make a new connection with. These are a festive selection of fragrances suitable for a woman.
Chanel, No 5 Eau Premiere 2008 by Jaques Polge. An inspired choice for a Classic Alderhydeic floral. Fresher and lighter on the Alderhydes, it strips away time and date, softening the edges and modernising the famous formulation. Eau premier presents a little rosier than iconic No 5. Grasse grown jasmine, neroli and ylang ylang from the Comoro Islands keep it luxe. Generous in 125 ml bottle .
Photo Stolen dezire
Chanel, Crystal eau Vert 2009 by Jaques Polge. Introducing an ozonic citrus white floral. Retaining the original ‘honeysuckle’ accord and adding magnolia with abstract white flowers, 1974 classic Crystal has been given a breath of fresh air, greener and cleaner. Sicilian lemon noticeably flaring on opening, quickly settling into a powdery green heart that wears fresh and cool, this to me feels perfect for summer.
Christian Dior, Les Creations de Monsieur Dior, Dioressence 2009 original by Guy Robeert. Everything old is new again is the theme song of this classic chypre. Representing a review on a vintage edition, Dioressence presents a timeless opus of Dior which resists time and trends. An olde worlde opening of alderhydes under tart citrus which fades to a bouquet of violet, tuberose, jasmine, carnation, Lily of the valley , ylang and iris root. I’m hoping for a bottle too. Hint hint.
Estée Lauder Private Collection, Jasmine White Moss 2009 by Aerin Lauder , nose Jean Mark Chaillan. Hardly stock standard or obvious, this release is packing earth moss and wet woods. Rumour has it this is an unfinished fragrance from 1980, there are subtle hints of jasmine floating through this superb mossy green floral. New notes added by Aerin are mandarin and black current absolute, this is a fragrance created to honour heritage and family tradition.
Chanel, No 19 Poudre 2011 by Jaques Polge. A new directions for this classic green alderhydeic floral. Sheer powder, more balmy and musky. Iris is the angle on the tree in this rendition of my personal favorite No 19. Poudre is adorned with jasmine, galbanum, vetiver and hyacinth which subtly floats into a soft focus musk with sweet tonka bean. My favourite Chanel flacon.
Guerlian, Shalimar Parfum Initial 2011 by Thierry Wasser. Entirely representing the outer trappings of the original and giving it rose coloured glasses. It’s vaguely related to the famous Shalimar, but think of it as the basics rethought, while still being able to tie it back to the original. No dirty bits to be found anywhere with white musk , Wasser uses popular iris paired with nutty almond nuances, over time drying down to woods and amber; less smokey and vanillic than the original.
Yves Saint Laurent, Opium Vapeurs de Parfum 2012. The tender salmon pink bottle that was once home to super elixir Opium. Pink pepper in the opening gives it initial sparkle, orange blossom and mandarin take it up a notch as the oriental citrus incense becomes gentle and caressing. The Vapeurs edition has less spice than the original and is thankfully low on the sugary calories.
Lancôme, La Vie est Belle 2012 by Oliver Polge, Dominique Ropion and Anne Phillip. The latest mainstream release representing the gourmand sweet fruitchouli category. With three noted noses behind its release, 5000 claimed variations and given a three year probation you would hope ‘life is beautiful’ with this latest from Lancôme. Well I can say it is, grown up and elegant. Feeling over all polished in it’s composition, reflected through the pretty glass bottle design. Heart notes praline and patchouli mix festively with vanilla and the almond-like accords in the base pushing it well into a gourmand territory.
Today Margeaux (David) and I are thrilled to bring you a vintage Quelques Fleurs by Robert Bienaime for Houbigant in 1913. It is the only fragrance created by him that Fragrantica has listed. Soon I will bring you a full post on Quelques Fleurs.
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Fragrantica gives these featured accords: Top: Orange blossom, green notes, tarragon, bergamot, lemon, citruses Heart: Carnation, tuberose, orchid, lilac, orris root, jasmine, heliotrope, ylang-ylang, lily-of-the-valley, rose, violet, iris Base: Sandalwood, tonka bean, amber, musk, civet, oakmoss, honey and vanilla.
Buying for tweens, teens and young adults can be hard. Perfume buying for same a NIGHTMARE! Not only because they are mainly so indoctrinated and brain washed to think that sweet, fruity, patchouli and clean musks are the only things that smell good but also because they are often so damn ungrateful about the time you’ve taken to get something that you feel is just right. In the end it’s easier to go with the flow.
Dot by Marc Jacobs 2012
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Fragrantica gives these featured accords:
Top: Pitahaya (Dragon Fruit), red berries, honeysuckle
Heart: Coconut, orange blossom, jasmine
Base: Musk, vanilla, driftwood
When I first saw that Marc Jacobs was doing Dot with the super crazy bottle I was all, ” Oh Gawd! What a freakin’ SHOCKER! Why bother with that gimmicky CRAPOLA! He has insulted our intelligence with BLEAGH!” And then I read the note list and thought maybe this will be a little different. Still I only gave it a mini spritz as I was wandering the department store counters and smelled sweet fruits, went immediately to the bathroom and after that washed my hands, so the only impression I got of Marc Jacob’s Dot was the Gawd awful bottle and sweet fruit. Then I saw the below interview and read a bit about the 2 perfumers responsible for Dot who between them are responsible for some super great fragrances, Annie Buzantian, Pleasures & Puredistance 1 and Ann Gottlieb, CK Contradiction & SJP Covet. Maybe it’s time to revisit Dot with Christmas coming up because if I buy the young ones fragrance that I would wear then it will sit unused forever.
So it was with great trepidation I decided to go back to the mall. At this point I just finished reading PerfumePosseHATEList and guess what? Dot was #2 after Marc Jacobs Lola. Oh Dear!
OK. Dot was nice, but not amazing, and not something I could imagine myself wearing. I can see the youth market enjoying it and it lasted about 5 hours before I lost it completely. Opens big and bright and fruity, calms quickly and then pretty linear but the fruity sweetness becomes more vanilla towards the dry down. I did not hate it and can’t imagine anyone being offended by your wearing it.
I hope this has been some help when searching for a more youthful fragrance and idea. It’s pretty and safe but will be an excellent gateway product for budding perfumistas, they will have a cut above their peer celebuscents but not be out of their league.
Good luck,
Portia xx
Today EmmaKate and I take a little look at 3 entirely different perfumes, not only in scent but in price and availability. As usual we only give you the top notes and development is left for full posts which may happen in the future.
If we have made mistakes, left anything out or generally have misfired in any way, please leave us a message in the comments so everyone else can have a good laugh at us too. We don’t mind but we do like be put straight when we’re wrong.
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Jennifer Aniston (NOT- Lolavie) – Jennifer Aniston 2010 Fragrantica gives these featured accords
Top: Citruses, rose
Heat: Jasmine, violet, lily
Base: Musk, sandalwood, amber
Photo Stolen fragrantica
Amber Oud – by Killian 2011 Fragrantica gives these featiured accords in one line:
Amber, oud, Madagascar vanilla, benzoin from Laos
Hello Beautiful People,
If ever there was a time where my writing was superfluous, this is it. Please enjoy these 2 Cartier movies. you may have seen one or both before but it’s worth having another look.
Photo Stolen thesnapassembly
Until we see you tomorrow please be good to yourselves and those around you,
Portia xx
In this day and age where fragrances are sold through the art of embellished story telling, celebrity endorsement and multi million dollar advertising campaigns, I look to the past to see how much times have changed! In an era where themes were simpler, all you had to work with was the truth. We were not so seduced by faux inspirations, someone else’s ideal of femininity and masculinity or that sudden moment you fall in love. There was a different notion of what smelt clean and fresh. Fragrances were made with a vast variety of non synthetic accords, giving perfume outstanding character and brilliance. Although many fragrance category’s were still to be discovered it seems to me perfume had more to offer its wearer, a list of notes as long as your arm for example, and the simple promise of what fragrance was designed to do, to make u smell good.
Advertising quote-
“Aramis was created to be the most elegant mens cologne in the world.
Somewhere along the way it became the most provocative.
Aramis, the impact never fades”
If you research Aramis you will see the opinions in black and white! Love and hate, the men who can take it and commonly, the women who can’t . What could be more provocative than this, and I’m sure you already know it’s the fragrances that polarise opinions that are usually the most interesting and the bottles you want in your collection.
1966, Estée Lauder and her cosmetic chemist uncle Joseph Lauder formed brother company ‘Aramis’. Named after the fictional character in Alexandre Dumas vintage classic novel ‘The Three Musketeers’ they presented the world with the first line of prestige mens grooming products. This included the company’s debut namesake Aramis by Aramis , a leather chypre created by long time collaborator Bernard Chant (Estee, Azuree, Cinnabar) Aramis raised the bar higher and went on to become an instant best seller for the brand, and continues to be over 56 years later.
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Fragrantica lists notes –
TOP Artemisia, Aldehydes, Bergamot, Gardenia, Clover, Myrrh, Thyme
MIDDLE Jasmine, Patchouli, Orris, Sage, Cardamom and Sandalwood (PerfumeShrine also adds Cumin and Castoreum)
BASE Leather, Oakmoss, Vetiver, Amber, Sandalwood, Musk, Coconut
Aramis opens as discreetly as a king hit in a bar room brawl. Do you know that moment when a tradie sparks a blow torch and it ignites into a searing flame, well such is the first hit of Aramis. It’s challenging to describe perfectly the initial rush as it presents multi- dimensional and busy. My nose reads Body odour over antiseptic pine and parched grass enhanced by recognisable Lauder style Aldehydes. Any florals have been dialed down to give full impact to the spicy cumin kick start that aims to crash tackle you in the opening. At first it’s rank, dirty and unclean but before u have time to pinpoint what exactly your smelling it blends into one of the most overtly masculine openings of any fragrance I have. The Artemisia adds bite and bitterness which is wisely balanced out by the Alderhydes. This creates a manly playoff between unwashed arm pits with subtle hints of soap. It’s animalic and shockingly beautiful.
Photo Stolen crosswordcorner
You better be in it for the long hall as Aramis has stamina and longevity. The middle reads like a anthology dedicated to my favourite category…. leather! Chapter one through ten, the heart notes come together to deliver. The credit belongs to the leather, castoreum and musk which seem to meld early on to deliver a ballsy leather accord. Cumin lingers to give it undeniable carnal funk. A earthy patchouli manages to pull the bergamot a little further as I can detect citrus well into the first 2 hours wearing. Still spicy and ripe well into half a days wear Aramis is a obvious and unapologetic. I can only imagine the damage caused if allowed to fall in the wrong hands. Proceed with caution reader.
Photo Stolen Fragrantica
Photo Stolen berryreview
Australian Perfume Junkies 