fragrance

Fragrance Friday: D&G 3 L’Impératrice

by PJ on Friday, June 18, 2010

in -Dolce & Gabbana, fragrance, stash focus

Apart from the annual Sheer Stellas, I have not bought any fragrance for the last couple of years. I often test new fragrances that I see in shops, but I am not on the hunt for a new favorite. Stella McCartney’s Stella, Bulgari’s Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert, and Ayura’s Spirit of Ayura are still my solid favorites, and I have other scents to suit different moods and occasions.

D&G’s 3 L’Impératrice came as a surprise. It is part of The D&G Anthology, which was launched last summer and includes five fragrances. It is one of my favoites among all the new fragrances that I have tested in the last couple of years. After testing it for a few more times just to be sure, I got it a few months ago (with my Boots points).

Top notes: pink pepper, kiwi, rhubarb
Middle notes: watermelon, cyclamen, jasmine
Base notes: citrus wood, musk, sandalwood
(information from Osmoz.)

Osmoz classifies it as a floral fruity, which I agree with. (It is not a fruity floral.) On me, the most pronounced notes are perhaps kiwi and watermelon, but overall the scent smells peachy to me. Fresh with a hint of sweetness, it is like a jug of zesty, cooling, and refreshing fruit punch. It is young but not too girlie. (There are many other scents that are a lot more sugary-sweet.)

It is perhaps not the most multi-dimensional fragrance since it does not develop very much during the course of wear and the base notes are very subtle. It is simply a fresh and light-hearted scent that is very easy to wear.

I do like fresh, straightforward and easy-to-wear scents, which is mainly why I really like 3 L’Impératrice. It would not be my choice of fragrance for formal occasions, but it is a lovely daily scent (particularly for spring and summer) that I find delightfully uplifting and invigorating. While my top three scents remain unchanged, 3 L’Impératrice is most definitely among my favorites.

SUQQU Sanzekan

Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace

Dolce & Gabbana Makeup Line in Selfridges

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Fragrance Friday Review: Bond No. 9 Harrods for Her, for Him, and Swarovski Limited Edition

by PJ on Friday, June 11, 2010

in -Bond No. 9, fragrance

(images from www.bondno9.com)

After Saks Fifth Avenue for Her & for Him, Harrods for Her and Harrods for Him, launched in July 2009, marks Bond No. 9‘s second collaboration with one of the world’s retail emporiums.

Harrods for Her (right in photo):
Top notes: neroli petals, mandarin, wild chamomile
Middle notes: tuberose, clary sage, nutmeg
Base notes: amber, leather, sandalwood, vetiver

Harrods for Him:
Top notes: rhubarb leaf, star anise, chamomile
Middle notes: lavandin, pimento berries, violet leaf
Base notes: birchwood, musk, sandalwood

Harrods for Her is a woody floral. On me, the woody note is quite dominant towards the beginning. Then the scent gradually becomes a balance between the floral and the woody notes, and the drydown is soft and almost surprisingly un-woody. It is overall a dry floral scent with a hint of powderiness.

The first word I thought of to describe Harrods for Him is “elegant”. Compared with Harrods for Her, it is more rounded, less angular, less dry, and less woody. It is not overly masculine, but the muskiness keeps the scent identifiable as a male scent.

Bond No. 9 also released Harrods Swarovski Limited Edition, which is adorned with 1600 Swarovski emerald and white crystals.

Top notes: black pepper, cumin
Middle notes: amber, myrrh
Base notes: oud, vetiver

The key note of the fragrance is oud, the resin from aquilaria trees. According to Bond No. 9, oud, with its earthy and animal scent, has been playing a prominent part in perfumery in the Gulf Region for over two thousand years.

The fragrance is peppery, gently spicy, incense-y, and mysterious, with a hint of milkiness. Like the aroma from incenses, the scent seems to linger on and on. I think it will appeal to those who enjoy deep, rich, and intense fragrances and those who want to steer away from floral and fruity scents.

The latest addition to the Bond No. 9 Harrods family is Harrods Rose (above), with notes of white narcisse, tuberose, white rose, musk, amberette seed, and cashmere wood.

(The press samples (for Harrods for Her, Harrods for Him, and Harrods Swarovski Limited Edition) are provided by Bond No. 9.)

Calvin Klein Secret Obsession

Untitled by Maison Martin Margiela

Tiempe Passate by Antonia’s Flowers

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Kanebo Milano Collection 2011

by PJ on Thursday, June 10, 2010

in -Kanebo, -Kanebo Milano Collection, 2010 Holiday, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, makeup, makeup - base makeup

(image/info from www.nikkei.com)

The annual pre-order-only Milano Collection from Kanebo is usually released for the holiday season. Here is more information on the two items for Milano Collection 2011:

– Face Up Powder (Milano Collection 2011) (24g, SPF14, PA++, 12600 JPY)
Pre-order period: mid-June – late September
Release date: December 16th

(powder case)

(powder)

– Eau de Parfum (Milano Collection 2011) (30ml, 10500 PY)
Pre-order period: mid-June – late August
Release date: November 16th

(The Eau de Parfum features notes of teatopia, orange blossom, and rose.)

Milano Collection 2010
(with an image of all the designs of past Milano Collection powder cases)

Milano Collection 2009

Sofina Raycious Foundation Case Galore

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Fragrance Friday Review: Acqua di Gioia by Giorgio Armani

by PJ on Friday, June 4, 2010

in -Giorgio Armani, 2010 Spring, 2010 Summer, fragrance

I was expecting Giorgio Amarni’s latest fragrance, Acqua di Gioia, to be a very aquatic scent. It turns out to be sweeter and more floral, but it still presents a balance between a marine sensation and floral sweetness.

Top notes: mint, Italian lemon
Middle note: water jasmine
Base notes: cedarwood, brown sugar, labdanum

I would describe the scent as a fresh floral aquatic (though I nearly decided to describe it as an aquatic floral). The scent starts with a citrusy, effervescent, and cooling feel, as both the mint and the lemon have a clear and defined presence. The body of the scent is sweeter, and the water jasmine provides the scent with gentle sweetness and powderiness. But the overall composition remains relatively fresh and not overly syrupy.

I like the drydown of the scent. The floralness seems to be slightly reined in and the marine tone of the scent re-presents itself. The overall feel is quite intriguingly serene and comforting.

Compared with the previous two summery scents that I featured, SJP NYC is the sweetest of the three while Elemis Eau de Parfum is the least sweet. Acqua di Gioia is in the middle of the two, both in terms of sweetness and aquaticness.

Acqua di Gioia, available in eau de parfum in 30ml, 50ml, and 100ml, will be launched in the UK in July.

(The product featured in this article is provided by Giorgio Armani.)

Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert

SUQQU Sanzekan

Bond No. 9 Astor Place

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Fragrance Friday Review: Elemis Eau de Parfum

by PJ on Friday, May 28, 2010

in -Elemis, fragrance

Elemis is a UK-based skincare brand with a considerable variety of products for the face and body. Last month, the brand set foot in the world of fragrance by releasing its first scent, Elemis Eau de Parfum.

Top notes: elemi, sweet grass
Middle notes: vetiver, marine accord
Base notes: patchouli, gaiacwood, oak moss

I would describe Elemis Eau de Parfum as a citrus marine. Even though, strictly speaking, there are no citrus top notes, the scent opens with a citrusy sensation, which appears to be from elemi. (According to Wikipedia, aromatic elemi oil has a pine and lemon-like scent). Citrusy top notes generally appeal to me, and the freshness of elemi certainly does too.

Then the scent swiftly takes on a breezy and airy marine dimension. The marine accord is what characterizes the scent. It is slightly sweeter than the top notes, but it is a fresh, green, and somewhat dry sweetness and not a fruity, syrupy, or floral sweetness. (Notice that there are no floral notes in this fragrance.)

The woody note is soft and subtle. It adds substance to the scent to prevent it from being one-dimensional, but it is a low-key supporting note and doesn’t overtake the lilting and relaxing marine feel of the scent.

Elemis Eau de Parfum is a very pleasing daytime scent for summer that reminds me of a carefree afternoon by the beach with the scents of sea air, driftwood, and zesty lemonade.

The way the scent is presented conveys an on-the-move summer holiday feel as well. The travel-friendly 28ml eau de parfum comes in a compact and slender bottle. It comes with a drawstring pouch in turquoise, and the color seems to reflect the character of the scent. The fragrance seems to be gently whispering, “Take me away with you…”

(The product featured in this article is provided by Elemis.)

Other summer scents:

Bond No. 9 Coney Island

Escada Moon Sparkle

Stella McCartney Sheer Stella 2010

Fragrance Friday Review: SJP NYC

by PJ on Friday, May 21, 2010

in fragrance

(image from Coty Prestige)

Sarah Jessica Parker is among the many celebrities that are part of the celebrity fragrance empire. Following the success of Lovely, she brought out Covet and The Lovely Collection. This year, SJP NYC has been launched to coincide with the release of Sex and the City 2.

Top notes: wild red strawberries, Italian mandarin, white osmanthus
Middle notes: gardenia, honeysuckle, red rose damascenia, mimosa
Base notes: rum flavor, sandalwood, creamy musks

The scent is classified as a fruity floral. It opens with a sweet and citrusy sensation with strawberries and mandarin. The sweetness carries through and joins the middle notes as it subtly takes on a floral dimension. The base notes are light and not too woody or musky. On me, the sweetness of the strawberry note lasts all the way to the drydown.

The scent somewhat reminds me of Escada’s Moon Sparkle. They share a few notes (strawberries, citrus accord, sandalwood, and musk), and I think it is the sweetness of the strawberries that is mainly responsible for the resemblance.

Overall, SJP NYC is a fresh and sassy scent that is very suitable for summer. It is more fruity than floral and it has a vibrant and tropical feel. Compared with Parker’s other fragrances, I think it will probably be popular with slightly younger consumers.

SJP NYC Eau de Toilette is available in 15ml, 30ml, and 60ml (with slightly varied bottle designs). The range also includes a 200ml Body Lotion.

(The product featured in this article is provided by Coty Prestige via The Perfume Shop.)

Marc Jacobs Daisy in the Air

Sheer Stella 2010

Michael Kors Very Hollywood

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Ayura Fall 2010 Collection

by PJ on Monday, May 17, 2010

in -Ayura, 2010 Fall, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, fragrance - room fragrance, makeup

(images/info from www.joseishi.net/voce)

Ayura will release its fall 2010 makeup collection in Japan on July 23rd. The collection includes:

– Aura Feel Oriental Eyes (6 variations)
– Aura Feel Colored Black Mascara (4 shades)
– Aura Feel Gloss Pot (2 shades)

On the same day, Ayura will also release an incense burner with two types of incense.

All the items above are limited editions.

Fragrance Friday Review: L’Occitane Paeonia

by PJ on Friday, May 14, 2010

in -L'Occitane, fragrance

I don’t really have a favorite fragrance note, but the ones that tend to appeal to me are rose, lily, citrus notes, and berry notes. After trying L’Occitane‘s latest fragrance, Paeonia Eau de Toilette, I think I might be adding peony to the list.

Stella in Two Peony is one of the fragrances that I have tested that use peony as one of the predominant notes. Overall it is a rose-peony accord, and, on me, it is mainly a rosy scent with a hint of peony. With L’Occitane’s Paeonia, peony is the key note while rose takes on a supporting role.

Top notes: bergamot and grapefruit
Middle notes: peony and rose
Base notes: sandalwood and white musk

As with most other fragrances from L’Occitane, it is superbly wearable and not overly complicated. It is fresh, light (though perhaps not the longest-lasting), and very spring-like. Woody and musky notes are not my favorites, and the fact that, on me, the base notes happen to be very subtle does appeal to me.

The peony note has a blissful and uplifting quality, and it also has a warm roundness, fullness, and completeness to it, which doesn’t always exist in floral notes. The shape of the bottle, which is based on the fullness of the flower, seems to echo the feel of the note itself too.

The Paeonia Beauty Milk is one of the bodycare products in the range. It is a lightweight lotion that is lightly scented with the Paeonia fragrance. Some of the main moisturizing ingredients in this product are glycerin, grape seed oil, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil.

It spreads effortlessly and it leaves the skin adequately hydrated with no sticky residue. Both the scent and the texture of the product are suitable for spring and summer.

Other items in the Paeonia range includes Shower Cream, Intense Eau de Toilette Roll-on, and limited-edition makeup items.

(The products featured in this article are provided by L’Occitane.)

Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace
(with black currant and lily of the valley)

Sheer Stella 2008
(with peony)

Aways Alfred Sung
(with pink poeny)

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Fragrance Friday Review- Untitled by Maison Martin Margiela

by PJ on Friday, May 7, 2010

in -Maison Martin Margiela, fragrance

Maison Martin Margiela was established in 1988 by Belgian designer Martin Margiela. Conveying a feel of simplicity, neutrality and pragmatism, the brand features collections for women and men as well as eyewear, fine jewelry and other accessories. Earlier this year, the brand launched Untitled (eau de parfum), its first fragrance.

Top notes: galbanum essence, box green, bitter orange blossom absolute
Middle notes: lentiscus resinoid, jasmine, galbanum resinoid
Base notes: musk, cedar, incense resinoid

There is something deeply alluring about this scent. As someone that generally likes fresh fruity florals, I surprised myself by being drawn to this dry, bitter, smoky, and woody green scent. It has a sharp, dry, and citrusy start and then it warms up with the smoky and woody notes. The notes of bitter orange blossom and incense seem particularly pronounced on me.

The fragrance radiates a comforting sensation not because it is soft, sweet, or smooth but because it feels solid, secure and dependable. Also, its angular, assertive, and uncompromising traits give the scent a well-rounded character.

I also like the coherent design details of the bottle. The string that secures the stopper, the white (the label’s key color) paint that surrounds the bottle, and the typewriter prints of the names of the fragrance and of the fashion house all create a feel of a work of an artist. It reflects the nature of the brand, which is rooted in experimentation and craftsmanship.

Untitled is not about creating a wide mass appeal. It is about sculpturing a distinctive character, one that is poetic, instinctive, and sophisticated. For me, it is quite a revelation.

In the UK, Untitled by Maison Martin Margiela is available exclusively at Selfridges. It is available in 30ml, 50ml, and 75ml.

(The product featured in this article is provided by Maison Martin Margiela.)

My Fragrance Favorites

Tiempe Passate by Antonia’s Flowers

Brooklyn by Bond No. 9

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Fragrance Friday – Sheer Stella 2010 by Stella McCartney

by PJ on Friday, April 30, 2010

in -Stella McCartney, 2010 Summer, fragrance, stash focus

From today and throughout the next few weeks, I will be looking at a different fragrance each Friday. The series begins with Sheer Stella 2010.

Stella by Stella McCartney is one of my favorite fragrances. Since 2004, a limited-edition Sheer Stella Eau de Toilette has been released each summer. The notes of these Sheer Stella editions are more or less the same, and each edition features a different packaging. I came across the 2010 edition in my local Boots earlier this month, and, again, I decided to get it with no hesitation.

Most editions of Sheer Stella feature citrusy/fruity top notes. The 2010 version does too, but I find that its fruity top notes are subtler than those of many other editions. It features notes of organic rose and amber, and, overall, Sheer Stella 2010 seems rosier and more mellow than most other editions.

The bottle is designed by Philip Jones, a British painter and sculptor. I like the soft and quiet elegance of the design. It also reminds me of Chinese ink landscape painting.

As lighter versions of Stella, most editions of Sheer Stella are relatively long-lasting. I tend to wear Sheer Stella in spring and summer and Stella (and Stella Rose Absolute, the deepest of all the Stella McCartney fragrances) in fall and winter.

I hope that we will have a warm summer this year in the UK. It is always nice to enjoy Sheer Stella on a lovely summer day…

(The fragrance is my own purchase. The press information is courtesy of Stella McCartney via The Perfume Shop.)

StellaNude

Sheer Stella 2008 & 2009

Sheer Stella 2004 – 2007
(The bottle designs of the 2005 and 2007 editions are still my favorites.)

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