blog ARchive

Tag: Perfume Review

Miss Dior Perfume (2021): Modern Rose, Timeless Charm

Miss Dior: a timeless fragrance that has evolved alongside the modern woman. Born from the ashes of World War II, this iconic scent embodies the elegance and spirit of Christian Dior’s ‘New Look.’ Today, the 2021 Eau de Parfum offers a fresh take on the classic chypre, captivating hearts with its vibrant floral symphony and enduring allure.

A Poetic Ode to The Mariner’s Rhyme by Francesca Bianchi

A majestic sailing ship battling a stormy sea, with dark clouds overhead and waves crashing against its hull. A bottle of The Mariner's Rhyme perfume is placed in the corner of the image, with the title "A Poetic Ode to Francesca Bianchi's The Mariner's Rhyme" written underneath.

Unwrapping Francesca Bianchi’s newest creation, The Mariner’s Rhyme, felt like discovering a treasure chest filled with aromatic treasures. As an admirer of her work, I’ve always been drawn to the evocative stories and emotions her fragrances bring to mind. In fact, as a collector, I’ve amassed more of her fragrances than any other perfumer.

Hemlock: Parfums Quartana’s Toxic Love Affair with Black Vinyl

A gloved hand in black vinyl holds a cobalt blue Hemlock Parfums Quartana bottle, emphasizing the fragrance's seductive and forbidden nature.

Hemlock is an audacious fragrance that defies convention, a scent that commands rather than coos. Forget delicate florals and soft touches—Hemlock by Parfums Quartana is here to take charge, to leave its mark. Its beating heart? A black vinyl accord, a synthetic note that evokes the restrained power of a vinyl corset, its glossy surface hinting at the exquisite tension between surrender and control.

Voodoo Chic Perfume: Smoky Seduction at the Crossroads

Voodoo Chic perfume bottle on blue and gold accented piano.

Voodoo Chic is for anyone who writes their own rules. It’s bold, a little dangerous, utterly captivating. Imagine a spotlight on a smoky stage, a lone figure bathed in blue light. This is the power Voodoo Chic aims to embody – the smoky voice of a blues singer holding an audience mesmerized, leaving an imprint long after the last note fades.

Bon Parfumeur 603: Redefining Leather for Every Season

Bon Parfumeur 603 perfume bottle with lemon slices, sage leaves, and purple flowers on a reflective dark surface with smoke in the background.

Born in the ateliers of artisanal French perfumery, Bon Parfumeur 603 subverts expectations from its first citrusy breaths. The opening interplay of lemon, nutmeg, and violet leaf offer a fresh vibrancy not commonly associated with leather compositions. Yet as the scent unfolds, 603 remains faithful to the exoticism of leather through its countered with aromatic incense, herbs, and tonka bean’s balsamic sweetness. Masterful arrangements and patient maceration allow each facet of 603 to speak. From its green vibrancy to leather’s inherent provocativeness – all is elevated to olfactory poetry. 603 makes a case for leather as a transcendent note, shepherded by zesty spices, smoldering incense, and sweet woods that enable year-round enjoyment.

Coffee & Jasmine Make Scents: Cortile by Milano Fragranze

Cinnamon sticks and Cortile Milano Fragranze perfume bottle

Introduction This past January I set out on an aromatic adventure that brought me to a niche perfume house nestled in Milan’s bustling fragrance district – Milano Fragranze. As part of my #samplingthrough2024 project, I uncovered a scent that instantaneously enthralled me – the beautiful Cortile eau de parfum. This transportive elixir captured my imagination […]

A Message in Lipstick: Francesca Bianchi’s Sticky Lips Seduces the Senses

Francesca Bianchi Sticky Lips displayed on a dresser.

I still remember that January night when Francesca Bianchi’s daring new elixir first sparked temptation. Entering the dim bedroom greeted by a sultry new scent infused in the very air. Traces of tobacco, hints of iris and spice beckoned deeper as crimson confession stopped me in flashes of lipstick: “Sticky Lips”.

Inhaling further, facets emerged and evolved on skin – cinnamon flirting with roots, animalic resins persisting with insistence. This was no demure bouquet but a femme fatale reducing me to primal craving with mere 30 mls. A year later I still seek out whatever rare magic Bianchi bottles next…

Café Cabanel: The Coffee-Lover’s Perfume Dream

Close-up of Teo Cabanel's Café Cabanel perfume bottle laying across an open book page.

“Step inside the sensory world of Teo Cabanel’s Café Cabanel, where each spray is a homage to the beloved coffeehouses of yore. Crafted with a connoisseur’s precision by the distinguished Cécile Zarokian, this fragrance is not merely a scent but a narrative in a bottle. From the invigorating top notes of mandarin and cinnamon to the warm embrace of vanilla and musk at its base, Café Cabanel is a fragrant ode to the timeless tradition of coffee culture. It’s an olfactory journey that promises to transport you to those cozy corners of the world where coffee is not just a drink, but a ritual.

Andrea Maack Reviewed: A Coven Beyond Scent

A collection of Andrea Maack perfume sample boxes in a row, with a bottle of 'COVEN' lying across them.

Encountering Coven was like uncovering a hidden gem in the world of perfumery. This fragrance, with its enigmatic blend of vanilla, labdanum, and a hint of whiskey, immediately captivated my senses. Its complex character, evolving from a bold opening to a deeply resonant heart of cedarwood and oakmoss, illustrates the artistry behind Andrea Maack’s creations. As I explored each scent in the collection, from the vibrant Lightsource to the serene Soft Tension, I discovered a world where each fragrance tells its own unique story. Join me as I delve into the intricate tapestry of these scents, each a masterpiece in its own right.