Persolaise 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,…
Twenty Blotters For… Etienne De Swardt
Okay, like last Tuesday’s post, this one isn’t by a guest either, but it does hand the microphone to someone other than myself, which means it’s very much in keeping…
Review: Blessings eau de parfum from Belinda Brown (2011)
I think my brain’s vocab centre has had a slight melt-down. I need a synonym for ‘fuzzy’, but none of the ones I’ve come up with so far capture the…
Melon Feta… And Other Cultural Matters
If you’ve come here hoping to find out who my next guest blogger is, I’m sorry to say that, this week, you’re going to have to put up with me.…
Lily Of The Valley Winner + IFRA Interview + Silly Searches
I hope your weekend’s treating you well so far. As I type these words, the trees outside my window are being manhandled by the wind and the clouds are threatening…
Review: Week-end À Deauville from Nicolaï (2011)
Generally speaking, there are two types of perfume labelled with the word ‘leather’: those which take their inspiration from the stench of a tannery and those which aim to evoke…
Guest Post: A Brief Exploration Of The Sense Of Smell by Ronny Geller
What was the first smell of significance you remember? And the first perfume you loved? When Persolaise asked whether I might be interested in doing a guest post on his…
A Brief Pause + Link To Basenotes Dior Article
François Demachy; photo by Dior A brief, utilitarian post today. I just thought I’d come up for air to let you know that the Invasion Of The Day Job is…
Sample Give-Away + Review Showcase: Angela Flanders
96 Columbia Road must surely be London’s best kept fragrance secret. A cosy shop decorated with Venetian masks, Rajasthani puppets and antique European furniture, it’s one of only two places…
Guest Post: Burning Desire – Candles From Editions De Parfums Frederic Malle by Olfactoria
Who doesn’t love Frederic Malle’s perfumes? Anyone? Well, I certainly do, so when he introduced a home scent line in 2009, I paid attention. But somehow, I never got around…
Reviews: Lumiere, Cepes & Tuberose, Honey Blossom & Parfum De Maroc from Aftelier + Thoughts On Natural Perfumes
I wonder if I would’ve detected an unfamiliar quality in Mandy Aftel’s perfumes if I’d first smelt them without knowing that they contain no synthetics. I’d like to think that…