Persolaise Ciao For Now – Summer Break 2011
It’s hard to believe, but almost twelve months ago to the day, I published a post saying that Madame Persolaise and I were busy packing for our summer holiday. Well,…
Reviews: Fareb, Sucre D’Ebène, Manguier Métisse, Ambre Céruléen & Naïviris from Huitième Art (2010)
The unifying concept behind Pierre Guillaume’s Huitième Art certainly seems promising on paper. “What would Chanel N° 5 be without its aldehydes,” asks the range’s dedicated website, “L’Eau Sauvage without…
The Lynx Effect – Episode 3 Of The BBC’s Perfume Documentary
If divisiveness is a measure of the quality of a piece of work, then Ian Denyer’s final entry in his Perfume documentary is probably the best of the series. Whilst…
Is That CK One Summer On Your Dressing Table?
For the last few days, the atmosphere at Maison Persolaise has been filled not with the scents of lilial, isobutyl quinoline and phenyl ethyl alcohol, but melting chocolate, hot butter…
Reviews: Shalimar Parfum Initial from Guerlain and Miss Dior Chérie Blooming Bouquet from Christian Dior (2011)
Okay, here we go. Time to bite the bullet and articulate my thoughts on what is unquestionably one of the most important perfume releases of the year, regardless of the…
To Snub Or To Scathe?
You know you’re exhausted when you place an order for what you think is a new raw material only to discover that you’ve already got it in your lab. In…
Mona Di Orio Draw Winner + Impossible Potion – Episode 2 Of The BBC’s Perfume Documentary
Despite the best efforts of an eccentric, pipe-smoking, kilt-wearing American, the trans-Atlantic battle in the second episode of BBC Four’s Perfume documentary is again won by France. In this instalment,…
Review: 02 Owari from Odin (2009)
You know the onomatopoeic ‘sound effect’ captions used in comic books? Well, Owari opens with a KA-POW, BANG, SHAZZAM! The top notes leap off the skin in a burst of…
Persolaise Inhales Again
I don’t want to speak too soon, but I think it’s safe to say that the Invasion Of The Day Job (Summer 2011) is just about over. If you experience…
Wake Up And Smell The PR – Episode 1 Of The BBC’s Perfume Documentary
Irony is alive and well… at least in the world of TV documentaries. After months of anticipation, those of us based in the UK finally got to watch part 1…
Sample Give-Away + Review: Vanille from Mona Di Orio (2011)
A perfume should be able to speak for itself. But on some occasions, hearing its creator explain the logic behind its formulation adds considerable depth to how the scent is…
Twenty Blotters For… Vero Kern
Vero Kern interview by perfume critic Persolaise (2011, Vero Profumo, Twenty Blotters)
Persolaise Goes Mobile + BBC Four Perfume Documentary Broadcast Date
I’ve already mentioned this on Twitter and Basenotes, but just in case some of you aren’t yet aware: episode 1 of Ian Denyer’s perfume documentary will be broadcast on BBC…
Review: Santal 33 from Le Labo (2011)
When I first sprayed Le Labo’s latest, I immediately went on Twitter and posted the word, “Wow,” thereby breaking my personal rule about jumping to conclusions. This was India in…
Guest Post: Fragrance Companies – Beware Of Men And Older Women by Elena Vosnaki
It’s a known fact that the fragrance industry generates the majority of its profits from purchases made by women. But men are buyers too, with the need to have their…
BBC Perfume Documentary + Aftelier Draw Winner
Some of you may remember that a few months ago I wrote about being interviewed for a three-part BBC documentary about perfume, directed by Ian Denyer. Well, I’m pleased to…
Review: Honour Man & Honour Woman from Amouage (2011) + Perfume Names
Amouage perfumes don’t exactly keep themselves to themselves. Bold and emphatic, they tend to conquer every lily-livered weakling in their path, showing no mercy and taking no prisoners. But Honour…
Guest Post: Strangers When We Meet – Revisiting L’Heure Bleue by Carrie Meredith
I’m sure you all know the saying “When you love something, set it free. If it comes back to you, it’s yours”. Does that also apply to perfume? I set…
Aftelier Give-Away + Penhaligon’s Link
You’re going to get sick of reading this pretty soon, but yes, the Invasion Of The Day Job is still going strong. I’m hanging on in there… and using lots…
Review: Aqua Allegoria Jasminora from Guerlain (2011) and Aqua Fahrenheit from Christian Dior (2011)
I’m often asked if price is a good indicator of the quality of a perfume. When I’m told that I must restrict my answer to one word, I always say,…