Beautiful bottles in time for Christmas

Just in time for Christmas, perfume companies have issued or re-issued beautiful bottles for their precious fragrances to entice us to buy perfume for ourselves and others. The packaging of perfume does play a part in our choosing a particular fragrance and although I for one would go for my holy grail even if it were packaged in a milk carton, I have to admit that pretty bottles and evocative design does make me daydream. Sometimes the bottle proves to better than the scent, which seems like a disappointment but at least you are left with a beautiful bottle on your dresser, which is better than being left with a bad one (and aren't there lots of those?) That's some sort of consolation for the visual part at least.
Some of the bottles that have caught my eye recently are the following. I amassed them here for your delectation.

First comes the limited editionCaprice de star by Thierry Mugler, the new bottle for his infamous Angel for Chistmas 2006, pictured above. ‘Caprices de Star’ translates as “On the Whims of a Star” and is the bottle for the parfum/extrait. A stunning blue-and-white star-shaped crystal objet which cradles an ultra-concentrated scent (and Angel being what it is, you can only imagine) built around the eau de parfum’s mouth-watering oriental facets. The parfum retails for €160 for 20ml or 2/3 fl.oz. Available from major department stores.
The Dior offering for this Christmas, named Midnight Charm, is a fresh and sparkling departure that mingles Italian mandarin orange with green and fruity notes. The heart reveals a "peach-skin accord" blooming over a floral bouquet of Egyptian jasmine and Moroccan rose. The base has a mouthwatering touch of "glazed chestnut" (a French Christmas specialty; marron glacé which is really really yummy, it makes me salivate as we speak), amber and the musky sweetness of "skin" notes, all enclosed in a bottle that is inspired by the classic Dolce Vita bottle, now interpreted in silver and mauve. Avaialble at major department stores.

For our gentlement friends the bottle that has captured my fancy is none other than that of Victor and Rolf's Antidote. "While Flowerbomb (for women) is preventive, Antidote is a cure", the advertorial on Osmoz says. Which explains how avant-garde couturiers Viktor & Rolf chose the name for their first foray into men's fragrance. An olfactory extension of their ready-to-wear line Viktor & Rolf Monsieur, Antidote has a complex construction, like a bespoke suit. It blends sensuality, freshness and elegance by using an amber-wood potion; the emerald-hued juice is contained by a black cap with a wax seal that seems about to reach meltdown and is very much to my liking indeed.
Antidote is described as a lush woody Oriental, overloaded with flowers. It has been built around 4 facets. A floral facet, (encompassing a bouquet of jasmine, violet, peony, freesia, orange blossom and more), a spicy facet (blending cinnamon, cardamom, black pepper and nutmeg), a woody, almost leathery facet (blending patchouli, gaiac wood, white cedar, sandalwood and oak moss) and for the final course the amber facet, tinted with vanilla and musk. Fragrance designers: Alienor Massenet and Pierre Wargnye, IFF. Available at major department stores.

The bottle of Nuit d'amour, the latest boutique Guerlain following Plus que Jamais from last year, on the other hand is very exclusive; but it is so old fashioned and heavy in its bacarrat crystal that is bound to procure little cries of excitement by the lucky lady that receives it. The juice purpotedly is not as interesting, which is a shame, but today we are focusing on the packaging and the superficial rejoice of seeing a pretty bottle, so for once I am willing to bypass that. For those interested however it includes notes of pink pepper, lychee, rose, violet, iris, sandalwood, musk. Available from Bergdorf Goodman in the US and directly from the Guerlain boutique in Paris. The baccarat crystal flacon is priced at $2600; while the regular 60 ml size is $390. It might as well stay on the screen for all I care...
On the contrary, the limited edition of Mure et Musc by L'artisan parfumeur is a re-issue of one of their best selling fragrances and the succulent crystal bottle is good enough to eat which prompted them to bring it back again for those interested in adding it to their collection. A very tempting, gorgeous presentation. Available at Aedes in the US and from L'artisan boutique.

Burberry seems to be on an roll with their hugelly successful Brit scent witness the limited edition of Brit Red last year) and for this Christmas they brought out a trully spectacular limited edition bottle with golden tassels on a faceted crystal to resemble the brand's plaid in relief. Available from major departement stores.


The 24 Faubourg extrait is not new, but it is so beautiful in its crystal bottle with the golden drop of the jus inside that it merits a place in this post today. Trully classy scent of orange blossom on a bed of amber and one could not go wrong with getting some. One of the cases when there is no deceptive apperance. A modern classic that never fails. Highly recommended.
And because no crime is accomplished if the starring culprit isn't yet involved, Yves Saint Laurent parfums have gone out of their way to present this smashing new collector's edition of their mesmerising Opium fragrance. Enamel designs of oriental flowers over the solid lacquered black of the bottle, it's eye-catching on the screen as it is live in the shop, making mouths water from the loveliness. Which begs the question: do I need to add this to my massive Opium stash? I guess it does.


Pics come from Escentual, Amazon, Guerlain rep, L'artisan rep and fashionmag.fr. Many thanks! thirteen comments

Eye candy !
Seriously, it's like being in a museum- sometimes they get it right, and it's a joy...
Even more so, if the jus corresponds.
That 24 Faubourg is simply breathtaking in its magnificent minimalism, and I do love Baccarat {who doesn't?].

I'm also an immense fan of all of the beauty which hides itself...
I secretly confess, that's my favorite of all...

Enjoy your holiday !
chayaruchama () - 22 11 06

They are lovely, aren't they? The 24 Faubourg one is one of my favs in style. But the jus is also great!
As to the hiding beauty, of course there is beauty hidden; it's the joy of revealing it that ignites our passions.
BTW, I am not American. Nor am I a native speake ;-)
perfumeshrine - 22 11 06

Drools over Nuit d'amour. It's just as well the juice is not drool-worthy (so I've read) because I cannot afford the Baccarat crystal bottle.
IrisLA () - 22 11 06

Oooooh I'm in lust over the 24 Fauborg bottle. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

Next I would pick the Mure Et Musc bottle and then the Caprice de Star.

They would all look wonderful on display in my house.

Have a great day.

Dawn
Dawn () - 22 11 06

Iris, I think it's lovely to look at (especially the black cameo!)but if the jus isn't on a par, then it's not for us. We can still admire it from afar though.
perfumeshrine - 23 11 06

Seems the 24 Faubourg has struck a chord! I do hope, Dawn, you will get something along the lines of the above for your dresser this Christmas! Fingers crossed.
perfumeshrine - 23 11 06

See, this is where my maleness comes through. The bottle is of very limited importance to me. I don't display any perfumes, partly because of good sense, partly because my lovely partner is a clutter hater, partly because they don't excite me. I'm trying to think of a favourite bottle, but strangely enough I can't. I even find the bell jars more cute than elegant.

Help me! The bloke inside is taking over! I'll soon be limited to wearing Gucci pour homme, Yatagan and Brut...
Leopoldo - 23 11 06

You could do much worse than those, I think and I personally love the Gucci pour homme bottle! (Brut though, as much as I like the scent per se the bottle is another matter ;-) }
perfumeshrine - 23 11 06

Well, my dear-
I can't say that that surprises me...
Want to divulge your origins?
If I send you the wishes- a la Schubert- "Sei mir gegrusst, sei mir gekusst", surely you follow me...
BTW, I'm 1/2 Alsatian [French, ostensibly, but who knows, really ?], and 1/2 Belorussian- I resemble neither, look thoroughly Italian !
So much for origins...
Now, WHO was the milkman...?
chayaruchama () - 23 11 06

Oh and why does it not surprise you? (I am curious on that).
I come from the land of Homer ;-)
perfumeshrine - 23 11 06

Your sensibilities, and way of expressing yourself belies it.
That's not a bad thing- It's simply that I'm overly vigilant about everything...well- conditioned, I suppose.
chayaruchama () - 24 11 06

Makes sense. So, now you know. :-)
perfumeshrine - 24 11 06

wow awesome bottle shape.....
by http://www.perfumeinside.com
Nasir () - 29 12 09

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