Category Archives: By Tara

Reclusive Beauty – Review: Lancôme, Cuir de Lancôme

Posted on March 2, 2012 by Olfactoria

By Tara How often can you get luxury for a bargain basement price? Not often, but with Cuir de Lancôme you can smell like a million dollars by spending relatively few. Released in 2007 as part of Lancôme‘s “La Collection” … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Lancome, Leather | Tagged , , , , , , , | 67 Comments

Monday Question – Which Perfumes Do You Wear To Work?

Posted on February 20, 2012 by Olfactoria

By Tara Are there certain perfumes you think are appropriate for work? Have co-workers ever commented on your perfume? Which perfumes make you feel more professional and businesslike? Are you happy wearing any one of your perfumes to work and … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Monday Question | Tagged , , | 72 Comments

Oh Tannenbaum! – A Blogging Event

Posted on December 21, 2011 by Olfactoria

Tara and I have been invited to take part in this year’s Holiday Blogging Project called Oh Tannenbaum! The idea is to investigate perfumes inspired by trees and wood. This is a genre I like a lot, but it has … Continue reading →

Posted in Armani Privé, By Tara, Fragrance Reviews, Guerlain, Guerlain L'Art et la Matière, Incense, Serge Lutens, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 84 Comments

Luxe Leather – Review: Chanel’s Cuir de Russie

Posted on November 29, 2011 by Olfactoria

By Tara There’s no getting around it, you really have to like birch tar to like Cuir de Russie. Historically, the bark of the birch tree has been cooked-up and used to cure leather. The synthetic birch tar accord used … Continue reading →

Posted in Aldehydic, By Tara, Chanel, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Leather, Les Exclusifs de Chanel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 53 Comments

Monday Question: Which Perfumes Have Won You Compliments?

Posted on November 28, 2011 by Olfactoria

By Tara Have you had unsolicited compliments on your perfumes, if so which ones? Are the compliments only from friends and family or have you received them from strangers? Do you live in hope that someone will one day recognise … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Monday Question | Tagged , , | 44 Comments

Season of Mists and Mellow Fruitfulness – Review: Ginestet Botrytis

Posted on November 11, 2011 by Olfactoria

By Tara  I’m interested in alcohol notes in perfume and heard about Botrytis by Ginestet while sampling the Frapin line. Ginestet is a wine producer that has created three perfumes in collaboration with an unnamed Parisian perfumer. One of the … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Gourmand, Reviews By Tara | Tagged , , , , , , | 24 Comments

Monday Question – How Do You Feel About Decants?

Posted on October 17, 2011 by Olfactoria

By Tara Do you think decants are the sensible and economical way to own a lot of different perfumes? Do you own many more decants than full bottles? How do you decide whether to buy a decant and not a … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Fragrance Reviews, Monday Question | Tagged , , | 59 Comments

Easy Elegance – Review: Chanel Les Exclusifs 31 Rue Cambon

Posted on October 14, 2011 by Olfactoria

By Tara  31 Rue Cambon is a mass of contradictions; modern yet timeless, spare yet luxurious, elegant yet relaxed, chypre yet without oakmoss. In my capsule Chanel perfume wardrobe, Bois des Iles is the little black dress, Cuir de Russie … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Chanel, Chypre, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Les Exclusifs de Chanel | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 40 Comments

Silver Haze – Review: Dior La Collection Privée Bois d’Argent

Posted on September 9, 2011 by Olfactoria

By Tara I was sniffing my way around the new Dior perfume boutique in Selfridges when the Sales Assistant gave me something sprayed on a card, without telling me what it was. I was bowled over immediately and asked for … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Dior, Dior La Collection Privée, Fragrance Reviews, Incense, Iris, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , | 61 Comments

Then And Now – Review: Dior Diorella

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Olfactoria

By Tara Before I discovered Diorella a number of years ago, summery perfumes never seemed to quite hit the spot. Traditional colognes, fruity perfume cocktails and summer florals were too simplistic and bland.  They just didn’t feel like “me”. Then I found … Continue reading →

Posted in By Tara, Chypre, Citrus, Cologne, Dior, Floral, Fruity, Reviews By Tara | Tagged , , , , , | 31 Comments