Persolaise Review: Métal Hurlant from Parfumerie Générale (Pierre Guillaume; 2015)
Persolaise One man’s tiger is another man’s kitten, so it’s with some hesitation that I type the word ‘animalic’ today. In recent months, it’s been used in relation to a few…
Persolaise Review: Sotto La Luna Tuberose from Tauer Perfumes (Andy Tauer; 2015)
Wearing Andy Tauer‘s Tuberose – the latest addition to his Sotto La Luna range – made me wonder whether his success has, in part, stemmed from his ability to straddle…
Tauerville Advent 2015 Give-Away Winner
I can’t thank you enough for the comments all of you left on yesterday’s give-away post. Honestly, if ever I’m feeling down, I shall scroll through your generous, warm-hearted words…
Advent 2015 Give-Away – Win A Flash Perfume From Tauerville
We’re more than half-way through Advent, which means that those of us who haven’t yet ticked off all the names on our gift list had better get a move on.…
Left Pleasantly Unmoved
For the last few days I’ve been thinking about the d-word. Derivative. It’s an issue to consider in the analysis of any creative pursuit. But I’d say it’s particularly pressing…
Persolaise Review: Black Orchid eau de toilette from Tom Ford (2015)
I’ve always been suspicious of Black Orchid. Something about its strident assertiveness – its poking, prodding, finger-stabbing insistence – has made me feel that its facade conceals a quagmire of…
Perfume Mini-Reviews From Twitter – July to September 2015 [part 2]
Here’s part 2 of my latest round-up of Twitter mini reviews. Aqua Divina from Bulgari (Alberto Morillas; 2015)* Intriguing, weirdly nutty, earthy composition. Burnt, yet quiet. Grated, rather than powdery.…
Persolaise Review: Perfume – A Century Of Scents by Lizzie Ostrom (Hutchinson; 2015)
Perfume is more than a smell. That’s the premise of the wonderful new book by Lizzie Ostrom, the unashamed scent aficionado whose alter ego, Odette Toilette, has provided London with…
The 2015 Persolaise Christmas Gift Guide
This year, I’m turning to social media for my annual thoughts on how best to indulge in the consumerist orgy that is Christmas. I’m posting individual recommendations on Twitter, marked…
“A Little Italian Girl From Brooklyn” – An Exclusive Interview With Estée Lauder’s Karyn Khoury [part 2]
Karyn Khoury exclusive interview by award-winning perfume critic Persolaise
Perfume Mini-Reviews From Twitter – July to September 2015 [part 1]
It’s that time again: another round-up of my Twitter mini-reviews, covering the period July to September 2015. Ultra Male from Jean-Paul Gaultier (Francis Kurkdjian; 2015)* An interesting, edible lavender, with…
Persolaise Review: Ryder from Ex Idolo (2015)
Indie scent creations tend to be either reactionary monsters or paeans to the past (or both, come to think of it). Ryder, the latest from Matthew Zhuk‘s UK brand, Ex…
Twenty Blotters For… Karyn Khoury
Exclusive interview with Karyn Khoury, creative director at Estee Lauder
Persolaise Review: Habit Rouge Dress Code from Guerlain (Thierry Wasser; 2015)
Thierry Wasser has had the thankless task of creating flankers for classics such as Shalimar, L’Heure Bleue and Habit Rouge (could any other perfumery endeavour be more worthy of the…
Century Of Scents Instagram Winner
Once again, heartfelt thanks to each and every person who entered my Century Of Scents draw over on Instagram. The winner is: Amusedarcher Congratulations! Please send your postal details to…
Give-Away: Win A Signed Copy Of Lizzie Ostrom’s Perfume – A Century Of Scents
The arrival of any perfume book is an exciting prospect, as there are so few around. But this year, the pre-Christmas season brings us a particularly enticing treat in the…
Persolaise Review: 1 Million Cologne from Paco Rabanne (Olivier Pescheux & Michel Girard; 2015)
I have written precisely nothing about the commercial phenomenon that is Paco Rabanne’s 1 Million, but the arrival of this new ‘Cologne’ version provides an opportunity to make amends. I…
Connecting With Ancestors
We’ve been seeking comfort lately. At Maison Persolaise, that means candles. I’ve often wondered why such a simple object should be as soothing as it is. How does a single…
Persolaise Review: Madagascan Jasmine from Grandiflora (Michel Roudnitska; 2015)
He may not be prolific, but Michel Roudnitska must surely be one of the most fearless perfumers working today. With an apparent disdain for the path of least resistance, he…
Persolaise At You Magazine Big Beauty Weekend
I’m extremely excited to announce that on Saturday 10th October, I’ll be taking part in You Magazine’s Big Beauty Weekend in London: Jo Fairley will be chatting to me about…