Category Archives: Fragrance Reviews

No Boat Rides In Disneyland – Review: Mona di Orio Les Nombres d’Or Vanille

One of the four latest releases of Mona di Orios Nombres d’Or collection, Vanille is an atypical vanilla, a spicy ride into the darkest depths of exotic vanilla pods. A must for friends of the unusual gourmand scent. Vanille includes … Continue reading

Posted in Fragrance Reviews, Mona di Orio | Tagged , , , , , | 45 Comments

My Halo – Review: By Kilian Love And Tears, Surrender

Okay, let’s see what we have here – a jasmine soliflore. That is usually grounds for dismissal. Jasmine is loud and often indolic, and even if it is clean and whitest white, it is overbearing and acts like a diva. … Continue reading

Posted in By Kilian, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Jasmine | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 31 Comments

I Love The Way You Lie – Review: Aftelier Cepes & Tuberose

I often react to a perfume in a synesthetic way, I see a color or a texture, or more predictably like most people, I react emotionally. A memory is evoked or a certain mood is triggered. Mandy Aftel’s perfumes make … Continue reading

Posted in Aftelier, Fragrance Reviews, Tuberose | Tagged , , , , | 62 Comments

Drill Sergeant – Review: Olfactive Studio Chambre Noire

Chambre Noire, the dark chamber of a photographer, is the darkest of the three Olfactive Studio perfumes, and maybe the most unusual. “What happens in the darkroom? Mystery. In the darkroom, light is queen and darkness the heir apparent.  Light uses … Continue reading

Posted in Fragrance Reviews, Incense, Leather, Olfactive Studio, Woods | Tagged , , , , | 29 Comments

Cocktail Hour In Two Dimensions – Review: Olfactive Studio Still Life

Still Life is the brightest and happiest of the three Olfactive Studio perfumes. A woody citrus fragrance, Still Life is – contrary to its name – very effervescent and sparkling, very much alive, very dynamic and full of energy and movement. … Continue reading

Posted in Citrus, Fragrance Reviews, Olfactive Studio, Woods | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Reflections – Review: Olfactive Studio Autoportait

Over the next three days I am going to review the three new perfumes, Olfactive Studio is launching this week in Paris. I will start with my favorite, Autoportrait. It is probably saying something about my narcissistic tendencies that I am drawn … Continue reading

Posted in Fragrance Reviews, Incense, Olfactive Studio | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments

There’s A New Brand In Town – Introduction To Olfactive Studio

Frenchwoman Celine Verleure, formerly of Kenzo, Osmoz.com and L’Orèal, is a true perfume lover. She wanted to realize her dream and create her own perfume label. Said label existed long before any perfume did, since Celine decided to go down … Continue reading

Posted in Citrus, Fragrance Reviews, Fruity, Incense, Leather, Musk, Olfactive Studio, Oriental, Spicy, Woods | Tagged , , , , , , , | 33 Comments

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

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

Re-calibrating The Nose – Review: Parfums d’Orsay Etiquette Bleue

A true cologne in the classic style is a wonderful thing. It is timeless – traditional and utterly modern at the same time. It is genderless – nothing else works so perfectly without taking perceived boundaries between feminine and masculine … Continue reading

Posted in Citrus, Fragrance Reviews, Musk, Parfums d'Orsay | Tagged , , , , , , , | 22 Comments

A Worthy Ending – Review: By Kilian Sweet Redemption, The End

The tenth and last perfume in the L’Oeuvre Noire Collection is the one I was sure about from the moment I read the notes list. Sometimes you just know (or rather hope, and are afraid of taking the first whiff of the … Continue reading

Posted in By Kilian, Floral, Fragrance Reviews, Gourmand | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 30 Comments