Category Archives: Fragrance Reviews

Shalimar For Beginners – Review: Guerlain Shalimar Parfum Initial

Posted on November 28, 2012 by Olfactoria

By Tara If I was forced to vote for the greatest perfume of all time I may well plump for Shalimar. The only problem is that I hardly ever wear it. It just seems very “evening-y” to me and that … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Gourmand, Guerlain, Iris, Oriental, Vanilla | Tagged , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Sweet Little Thing – The World Of Vanilla Part I

Posted on November 23, 2012 by Olfactoria

Editor’s Note: This series of posts is written by my friend Neil, an Englishman living in Japan, who is an extremely knowledgeable perfume enthusiast with what I suspect must be an amazing vintage collection. A warm welcome to Neil! Hello, … Continue reading →

Posted in Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Guerlain, Sweet Little Thing, Vanilla | Tagged , , , , , | 40 Comments

A Bit Of Glamour – Review: Xerjoff Casamorati Dama Bianca

Posted on November 21, 2012 by Olfactoria

Dama Bianca is a classic case of: attractive bottle drawing in shallow perfume blogger. Aside from the eye-stabbingly dangerous looking top, this bottle and even more so the packaging are gorgeous! Or are they? The strange thing is, one moment I’m bewitched, … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Vanilla, Violet, Xerjoff | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 38 Comments

Who Needs Pink Elephants? – Review: Dior La Collection Privée Grand Bal

Posted on November 16, 2012 by Olfactoria

When I think about Dior, I don’t think of the botched new versions of great classics, of the demise of some of the most important scents in perfume history, no, strangely enough and quite contrary to my usual character, when … Continue reading →

Posted in Dior, Dior La Collection Privée, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Jasmine | Tagged , , , , , , , | 37 Comments

Luxurious Bargain – Review: Hermès L’Ambre de Merveilles

Posted on November 13, 2012 by Olfactoria

Lately my perfume habits have changed dramatically. I’ve gone from testing four of five perfumes a day, to craving and wearing a single one for a week or more at a time. That development has it’s positive and negative sides. … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Fragrance Reviews, Hermès, Musk | Tagged , , , , , , | 54 Comments

The Heroine Of Summers Past – Review: Yosh Ginger Ciao

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Olfactoria

Yosh Han, Californian perfumer extraordinaire, says the name of this perfume, Ginger Ciao, is actually the name of the heroine of a novella she has written. Ginger Ciao, evocative of every overblown female lead somewhere between James Bond and Austin Powers, surely … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Gourmand, Lily, Spicy, Woods, Ylang Ylang, Yosh | Tagged , , , , , , , | 44 Comments

A Smaller Empire – Review: Parfum d’Empire Cuir Ottoman

Posted on November 2, 2012 by Olfactoria

Leather – I have to say, I love it. That is fairly new for me and therefore I’m still somewhat  amazed at the fact. I had good experiences with the Parfum d’Empire line, so to try their leather scent was a must. … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Incense, Iris, Jasmine, Leather, Oriental, Parfum d'Empire, Resins | Tagged , , , , , | 45 Comments

Calling In Sick – London Report Delayed

Posted on October 31, 2012 by Olfactoria

I’m sorry to say that the cold I brought home from London (Shall I say thank you Monsieur Persolaise, who I totally blame for this? 😉 ), is still taking its toll, I just can’t make my brain work in … Continue reading →

Posted in Fragrance Reviews | Tagged | 25 Comments

My Kingdom For This Horse! – Review: Parfum d’Empire Equistrius

Posted on October 26, 2012 by Olfactoria

I wanted to re-post this review, since Equistrius made a major comeback in my perfume-wearing habits. Over the summer I completely neglected this gem in my collection, because it somehow did not work at all, but now that temperatures are down again, I’m once more reveling in its … Continue reading →

Posted in Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Iris, Parfum d'Empire | Tagged , , , , , , | 28 Comments

Elegance Is Timeless – Review: Ann Gerard Cuir de Nacre

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Olfactoria

Bertrand Duchaufour created a trio of perfumes for Parisian jewellery designer Ann Gerard. The first I tried was Cuir de Nacre, an iris-leather perfume. It sounded divine from what I have read about it, and fortunately I have not been disappointed. … Continue reading →

Posted in Ann Gerard, Fragrance Reviews, Iris, Leather | Tagged , , , , , | 35 Comments