The Joy Of Taking Your Time – Thoughts On Slow Perfumery
Persolaise – By all accounts, back in the 1990s, when it first appeared, Mugler Angel was a flop. However, key figures such as Mugler himself and, crucially, Vera Strubi, believed in…
2026
Chanel Coco Mademoiselle Crush Absolu (Olivier Polge; 2026) and ‘new’ No. 5 eau de toilette reviews
If Gabrielle is the Chanel perfume I most frequently forget exists, then Coco Mademoiselle is the one I most struggle to understand. Goodness knows, I’ve smelt it enough times. Since…
Speaking The Same Language – An Interview With Calice Becker At The Launch Of The Merchant Of Venice Renaissance
I’m teaching at a perfumery school for 10 years, and we look at what our elders have done, and what history has to teach. The first thing we learn is…
A Scented Odyssey – Top 10 Perfumes For Greek Gods
Unless you’ve been held captive on a remote island by a lusty witch for the last few months, you’ll be aware that the most anticipated movie of the summer is…
Van Cleef & Arpels First, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess, Jovoy showcase and other reviews – 2026
Please click on this link for my YouTube and Substack reviews of: the entirety of the Jovoy range, vintage Davidoff Zino, Guerlain Absolus Allegoria Florabloom, Estee Lauder Bronze Goddess (2026),…
The Best Perfumes Of 2026, So Far
For my rundown of the best perfumes of the year so far, please click on this Substack link: the best perfumes of 2026, so far. Persolaise
Les Indemodables Cafe Arabesque, The Merchant Of Venice Renaissance and Fine Scents reviews – 2026
Please click on this link for my YouTube and Substack reviews of: Les Indemodables Cafe Arabesque, The Merchant Of Venice Renaissance and Fine Scents Joie De Sannes, Eminence, Fashionably Late…
Top 10 Perfumes For Summer 2026 – Scents That Are Good For The Soul
As the longest day of the year approaches, it’s time to present another seasonal Top 10. The loose theme for this summer’s list — no doubt a response to the…
Christian Dior Dior Paradise, Neela Vermeire Creations Neith, Etat Libre D’Orange Let’s Pretend, L’Objet Delphes reviews – 2026
Please click on this link for my YouTube and Substack reviews of: Christian Dior Dior Paradise; Neela Vermeire Creations Neith; Etat Libre D’Orange Let’s Pretend; L’Objet Delphes. The post is…
An Evening At Harrods With Etat Libre D’Orange & Jordi Fernandez
At 5:30 pm on Wednesday 15th July, I’ll be hosting a Meet The Perfumer event at Harrods in London, during which I’ll be talking to Givaudan perfumer Jordi Fernandez about…
Don’t Mind My Shoulder Pads – Top 10 Perfumes Leading The Eighties Revival
Please click on the following link for my Substack post on new scents that are taking us back to the eighties: Top 10 modern eighties perfumes. Persolaise
Serge Lutens La Nuit Tombee, Trudon Carmen, Tauer Patch Absolue and other reviews – 2026
Please click on this link for my Substack reviews of: Tauer Patch Absolue; Liquides Imaginaires Ame De Fleur; Nez 1+1 Symbiosa; Les Eaux Primordiales Elevation; Matiere Premiere Metal Lavender; Born…
Guerlain Tabac Sahara, BDK Velvet Tonka extrait, Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder extrait and other reviews – 2026
Please click on the following link to be taken to my Substack reviews of the perfumes below: Guerlain Tabac Sahara, BDK Velvet Tonka extrait, Matiere Premiere Vanilla Powder extrait and…
Marc-Antoine Barrois B87.135, Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Cologne Forte, Montblanc Neroli Letters and other reviews – 2026
Please click on this link for my Substack reviews of: Guerlain L’Homme Ideal Cologne Forte; Diptyque Orpheon eau de toilette and new candles; Marc-Antoine Barrois B87.135; Balmain Rose De Soie;…
Barbara Herman and Jo Fairley live interviews
Two new interviews for you. The first is with Eris founder Barbara Herman, in which she discussed her latest release – Mother’s Milk, composed by Antoine Lie – as well…
Penhaligon’s Lily Of The Valley review – Michael Pickthall; 1976
– As I type these words, the fragrance world is abuzz with the news that Estée Lauder might be purchasing Puig, the company that currently owns several perfume brands, including…
Hermes Un Jardin Sous La Mer and Musc Pallida, Van Cleef & Arpels Les Classiques and Ode Ona reviews – 2026
– Here’s a link to my Substack post on Hermes Un Jardin Sous La Mer, Hermes Musc Pallida edp, Van Cleef & Arpels Les Classiques and the debut trio from…
Eris Mother’s Milk, Gucci Ylang Ambrato, Demo Accords by Pia Long and other reviews – 2026
– Here’s a link to my Substack reviews of Eris Mother’s Milk (Antoine Lie), Gucci Ylang Ambrato (Jean-Christophe Herault), Gucci Lignum Idealis (Alexis Grugeon), Olfiction Lab Editions (Pia Long), the…
Tom Ford Figue Erotique review – Shyamala Maisondieu; 2026
– Amongst the divisive genre of green perfumes, perhaps none are more contentious than those which attempt to capture the smell of fig leaves. The vegetal, green-pea-and-bell-pepper compositions such as…
Top 10 Perfumes For Spring 2026 – The Scents Of Friendship
Call me a dewy-eyed softie, but I think the world would be a better place if we spent a bit more time on maintaining friendships. So for my list of…