Posted by Kevin
on
17 February 2010
Ancient Egyptians believed sycamore trees grew on the border between the land of the living and the realm of the dead. Greek myths tell of humans transformed into trees. In Japan, pine trees represent longevity (even immortality) but cherry trees’ fleeting blossoms are a reminder that life is brief. Where I live, several Northwest Coast Indian tribes carve clan histories into revered cedar wood, creating large totem poles and house posts. I’ve always loved the story of Siddhartha Gautama reaching enlightenment (and becoming the Buddha) while meditating in the shade of the Bodhi Tree at Bodh Gaya in India.
Trees are interesting as cultural and religious symbols, but they’re also beautiful plants whose bark, wood, roots, resins, leaves and fruit make perfumes smell “divine.” Infusion Organique Buddha’s Fig Eau de Parfum was inspired by a particular Bodhi tree — the ancient Sri Maha Bodhi located in Sri Lanka.
Buddha’s Fig contains certified organic fig extract, rose geranium, lemongrass oil, hyacinth, iris, wood, and amber. Buddha’s Fig begins with notes of fig leaf and “green”/barely opened hyacinth flowers…
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Posted by Robin
on
19 June 2007
I think that monogamy is artificial. I do not think it’s something that comes naturally to us.
Yep, that's Tom Ford*, source of all wisdom. Whether it is true for human relationships is outside of our subject matter, but I can certainly relate when it comes to fragrance. I already have a holy grail fig scent, Diptyque Philosykos, and I must talk about it more than I realize because several people mentioned in the comments recently that they thought of it as my signature fragrance. But the road of monogamy is long and hard, and when a new fig fragrance is launched, you can bet I want to try it. If it's reasonably priced, all the better. Pacifica's new Mediterranean Fig caught my eye right away. The notes include sweet fig, palm, cyclamen and sandalwood, and it runs just $19.95 for 36 ml…
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Posted by Anjali
on
21 April 2007
Last year, former actress and model Diana Barton introduced Diana B., a line of body lotions, bath gels, candles and scrubs that claimed to revolutionize skincare. The rather high price point ($28 – $45) initially made me dismiss the line as yet another instance of overhyped, celebrity-endorsed nonsense, but a rave from a friend convinced me to pick up the scrub and give it a try; I was soon kicking myself for not having given the products a chance before.
The scrub is remarkable, really unlike any I have used before…
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Posted by Pia
on
11 March 2007
I first smelled Diptyque's Figuier on a cold grey October afternoon at a friend's weekend home, as we prepared tea and sat down for a major catch up session. I left feeling cheered by not only the conversation, but also by the lovely warm scent that had permeated the living room by the time I left.
Warmth could be seen as a contradiction in this scented candle that is described by Diptyque as coming “from the crushed leaves of the fig tree….slightly fruity, but mostly green”, but nonetheless, it is there. The same perfume essence that is used in the beloved Philosykos scent is used in this candle…
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Posted by Robin
on
31 May 2006
Wickle is a gift & toiletries company founded in the UK in 2004 by illustrator Scott Wotherspoon and cosmetics expert Elisabeth Henrikse. Chestnut & Vetiver is one of the line's four fragrances (the others are Muskmallow, Periwinkle and Scented Tea Leaf) and features notes of toasted chestnut, woods, warm amber, musk and vetiver.
The idea of toasted nuts over earthy vetiver immediately called to mind Hermès Vetiver Tonka, but they are nothing alike. Chestnut & Vetiver is a simpler and fresher fragrance, without the deep rich notes of the Hermès…
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