Posted by Robin
on
27 February 2005
Another very interesting perfume article (link no longer working, sorry) discovered by Karen, this one from the Scotsman. It seems that Italian archaeologists have uncovered a 4,000 year old perfumery on a hillside in Cyprus, and used fragments from clay bottles to reconstruct some of the fragrances made there. From another article on the same subject (link no longer working) in Reuters:
And, archaeologists have discovered, modern preferences are not too different from those of 4,000 years ago.
“I smelt this one and immediately thought, Pino Silvestre!” said Belgiorno…
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Posted by Robin
on
26 February 2005
My vote in the “most calming fragrance” category is easy: Luctor et Emergo, released in 1998 by the funky Dutch design house The People of the Labyrinths (aka POTL), and included in Style magazine’s 2002 list of the top 5 cult perfumes. The notes are listed as fresh grasses, various white flowers, vanilla and precious woods.
Luctor et Emergo starts as a slightly smoky, very resinous wood scent, with a touch of incense and a bit of grass or hay. The top notes are very soft and subtle. Over the next 30 minutes or so, it takes on hints of cherries and almonds, and slowly evolves into what is essentially a dead ringer for the smell of Play Doh.
The Play Doh stage does not last long on me…
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Posted by Robin
on
26 February 2005
Thank you to Holly for pointing out guillotapothecary.com. I am not familiar with the store, but they still have the "old" L’Artisan prices.
Aedes has L’Artisan Tea for Two back in stock.
Lusciouscargo has The Different Company’s Jasmine de Nuit in stock. The lines Acqua di Parma/Blu Mediterraneo and Amouage are coming soon, as is Parfums de Rosine Une Folie de Rose, to be followed by Rose d’Homme(!!).
Posted by Robin
on
26 February 2005
Aroma M has repackaged their original Geisha collection, which includes O-Cha, Nobara-Cha, and Hana-Cha. The bottles are now wrapped with Japanese Yuzen papers and come in a kimono fabric bag.
Very pretty! I can't say I loved any of the perfumes, but my favorite was O-Cha, a blend of green tea, sweet orange, and clary sage. Apologies if this is old news; see their press release here (link no longer working, sorry).
Posted by Robin
on
25 February 2005
Houbigant first released Aperçu in 1925; it was re-launched (and presumbably re-formulated) in 2000. The fragrance notes are bergamot, neroli, jasmine, tuberose, lemon, green leaf, sandalwood, oak moss, patchouli, clove, and cassis, bois de rose, geranium, cinnamon bark oil, ylang ylang, vetiver, and chypre.
Aperçu is a classic woody chypre. It starts rather heady and perfume-y, and I find the first 5 minutes rather hard to take. I would think this has aldehydes, although they aren't listed in the notes. As it starts to calm, it is a lovely blend of neroli, green notes and florals with a nice spicy kick…
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