Miracle Forever: the latest from Lancôme

What is it that makes us pick up a bottle and anoint ourselves with its jus tentatively in the first place? The inviting colour, the presentation, the name, the brand imbued in history, the luring advertising? For me and Miracle Forever it was surely the beautiful colour of the bottle. Cradled in a simple architectural glass vessel of intense rosy-tinged purple Lancôme’s latest offspring will surely catch the eye. Justifiably so.

Lancôme is no stranger to perfumery. In fact its founder Armand Petijean, a Frenchman who had been François Coty’s student, started his company in 1935. While vacationing in the French countryside, Armand Petitjean happened upon a castle ruin that intrigued him- Le château de Lancôme. Inspired by the delicate, fragrant roses which grew among the weathered stones he went on to choose the rose as the symbol of his new ... (more)

Fragrant news: soon it might be Eau de Kate and Gwen

Coty Inc., that firm of an illustrious past and a perilous present, has signed a new deal for a fragrance licencing deal with the naughty super-model Kate Moss of innovative fashion sense and snow-sniffing affinities and another one with singer Gwen Stefani.
What is not-so-affectionately known among perfume-loving circles as a celebrity scent, that is.
Coty has under its belt fragrances either in the lower or the upper division (through the network of Lancaster cosmetics) that bear famous names and is in fact the leader in that specific market segment. Names of such famous people as Céline Dion (Céline Dion , Céline Dion Notes, Fever and Belong), Jennifer Lopez (Glow, Miami Glow, Glow in the dark, Still, Live), Sarah Jessica Parker (Lovely, Lovely liquid satin), Kimora Lee Simmons (Baby Phat), David ... (more)

A fragrant tour of Paris

Paris has a mythical status in the consiousness of every perfume afficionado and a stroll along the boulevards visiting the perfume boutiques could be an adventure of exploration in itself. For those who haven't planned a Christmas trip there, the best alternative I have come up with is this spectacular Flash presentation offered by Osmoz and Nicolas Olczyc. Click the link to begin the journey into the heart of Paris.

You can browse the boutiques of Colette, Comme des Garçons, Annick Goutal, Jean Patou, Maître Parfumeur et Gantier, Fredéric Malle, ... (more)

You're the touch of wind, that surprises my body

For reasons of symmetry with my previous post, and antithesis as well (taking into account the above song talks about a never-ending internal winter that the singer cannot put up with anymore), I have decided to present you a list of male perfumes that could be used throughout winter; so as to "be a touch of wind, that surprises the body".

The song above can be listened to by clicking on the window. (courtesy of mpanikos on Youtube). It is sung by Greek songwriter Alkinoons Ioannidis from a record composed by Nikos Zoudiaris and is called "I cannot". The title of today's post is actually a line from the lyrics. ... (more)

Years go by and I'm here still waiting, withering where some snowman was

Today is cold and gloomy. And despite all odds, I feel elated, "a little warm in my heart when I think of winter". The meteorologists have predicted the first snow around the area I live in. Although I know I probably won't see any, as I'd have to drive quite a bit to escape the smog that prevents snow to fall, just the thought of the silent, white blanket craddling our hopes and yearnings is enough to make me dream.
Winter has always been a favourite time for me for reasons beyond logic. It's an instinctive preference, formed at a very early age. As my mother, firm in her belief that children should brace the cold so as to become sturdy (and I did), took me for a stroll as a toddler ... (more)

News for 2007, just before the end of the year

As the year draws to an end, it is time to ponder a little on how many new perfumes have launched and are set to launch next year. About 650 every year is the average for the past couple of years per studies, a staggering number that shocks me for the sheer inability to be tested, appreciated and fully understood before something new comes along yet again. It is no wonder that very few survive in the 5-year margin that is the point of great success in the perfume world now. It is also no wonder lots of those do get launched as an ephemeral thing in the first place. It seems we are stuck in an era that idolises novelty value (market-wise) and we are manipulated like sheep to the cult of the new.
Do I condone that, since I often report on new items? Not entirely, no. But it is better to make an informed decision on what exactly to sample, so that one ... (more)

Fragrant news: Secret touch

A liquid onctuous parfum gel, following in the footsteps of the very successful Chanel #5 Sensual Elixir or the rather new Velvet Sheer Aromatics Elixir by Clinique, L'instant Secret Touch by Guerlain hopes to cater to a market of women on the go, busy but also refined, who like to use this as a final embelishment before a rendez-vous. L'instant was perfumer's Maurice Roucel's previous effort at Guerlain, before Insolence (the latter sparking even greater controversy than his first foray into the iconic house). ... (more)

8th December

Angelical demons or how something so dark can smell as sweet?

One might wonder what a picture of the Austrian actor Helmut Berger has to do with the legendary perfume commissioned by Marlene Dietrich to the house of Creed, Angélique Encens. And yet there is an unmistakable connection.

As is often the case with Perfume Shrine, obsessions take on many forms, one of which is cinematic. Helmut Berger, né Helmut Steinberger in Salzburg, Austria in 1944 was director Luchino Visconti’s preferred actor and also partner for the length of Viconti’s last 12 years of life.
In the latter’s magnum opus “The Damned” (also featuring a very young Charlotte Rambling, another one of Perfume Shrine's fixations; the film is originally named “La Caduta degli dei”, meaning Fall of the Gods, and has influenced both “Cabaret” and ... (more)

Magical elixir

Elixirs have long held a place in the collective unconsious as they denote the depths of erotic potions and amulets. The word elixir also alludes to the healing properties of such alloys and a portal to youth. Enter todays' scent, Elixir de Merveilles by Hermès, which is a modern spin on the alluring subtext of such a term.
Medieval blends included herbs and balms of various sources, once of which was melissa officinalis. Paracelsus called this herb "the elixir of life", and combined it with carbonate of potash in Primum Ens Melissae, a mysterious alloy.
It is also recorded that one of Louis XIV's physicians, named Lesebure, tried the brew on an elderly chicken, which within a few days lost its tattered plumage, grew fresh feathers and started to lay eggs again. ... (more)

December is Natural Perfume Month

The fact that yesterday I reviewed the resinous spicy festive season perfume that is Fκte d'Hiver by natural perfumer Ayala Moriel was totally concidental in relation to the news I received just a few hours before. (time zones can do that to you!) The choice to review it had to do with the aroma alone, as it conjured up December to me perfectly.
Imagine then my amazement that the Artisan Natural Perfumers' Guild has has named December Natural Perfume Month in recognition of the growing interest in natural fragrances. ... (more)

Winter is here, let's celebrate!

The official start of winter in the calendar always brings a rush of joy and anxiousness as well in my psyche. The stress of the looming holidays in the end of December is enough to send my heart in palpitations wondering if I will have the time to meet my deadlines, to buy gifts for everyone, to prepare the home for the festivities and everything. In this context I need something soothing and reminiscent of the better aspect of December: nights by a log-fire, walks in the cool air, sipping mulled wine and lighting incense sticks and spice-laced candles. To that effect Fête d'Hiver by Ayala Moriel perfumes comes to the rescue.

As Ayala herself describes this at her site, Fête d'Hiver, which means Winter Festival, "is a heart-warming mélange of incense, amber and resins, along with tropical white flowers, warmed up by spices. ... (more)

Fragrant news: report from the scented front

Today I have amassed some noteworthy news for you. It seems that the world of perfume is constantly moving, especially now with the holidays looming up and it's hard to catch up, so a little shifting and selecting is needed.

Mypa, a mass market brand, has offered a different twist to calendars this year. Besides their Maquillage calendar (which has a set of 24 cosmetics & accessories), they have issued a Perfume calendar in a Marylin-look box. The appeal of a new calendar coming January is indeed strong and what better idea than one that features perfume miniatures signed Laurent Dormel? The total will be 24 minis and it sounds lovely for sure. The price isn't bad either: 19.95 euros in selected department stores (source: Osmoz) What better way to start the New Year with a smile? ... (more)