Persolaise Review: Beloved Man from Amouage (Alexandra Carlin; 2013)
Persolaise It’s not often I’m relieved to discover that a perfume is less than spectacular. I’ve got so many ‘must buy’ Amouages on my list, that the prospect of yet another…
Love At Chapter One: Perfumes For Valentine’s Day 2013
You won’t be surprised to learn that I think my book would make an ideal present for Valentine’s Day: it’s pretty, it’s entertaining and it might lead the scentusiast (or…
Persolaise Review: Marni eau de parfum (Daniela Andrier; 2013)
There are two, closely related opening statements I could’ve used for this review. The first is that debut scents from fashion houses have recently attained high standards of quality (check…
Notes On A Meeting With Thierry Wasser (London, November 2012)
Thierry Wasser doesn’t hold back. Or at least, he doesn’t appear to. With every expletive, wry quip and dropped name, he gives the impression of someone who speaks first, thinks…
Winding Down… And Wondering How Much Cash Santa Has In His Sack
It’s time to prepare Persolaise.com for its winter slumber. Friday will see the publication of the second instalment of my ‘catch-up’ reviews, and on the 28th I’ll reveal my list…
Persolaise Review: Ambre Doré from Maître Parfumeur Et Gantier (2012) + La Petite Robe Noire extrait from Guerlain (2012) + Miss Dior Le Parfum from Dior (2012) + Cloon Keen Atelier (2011)
In the same way that theatre producers use Macbeth to get bums on seats, perfume houses tend to use vanilla-based scents as their cash cows. And more often than not,…
You'll Always Have The Truth – An Interview With Mathilde Laurent
Image: Cartier I realise I’m probably being a bit mean, but there’s something about Mathilde Laurent that suggests she’s up for a fun challenge. She’s at London’s Savoy Hotel, launching…
Persolaise Review: La Petite Robe Noire + Déserts D’Orient from Guerlain (2012)
Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire perfume review by award-winning critic, Persolaise (2012, Thierry Wasser, fragrance)
Persolaise Review: Aqua Allegoria Lys Soleia from Guerlain + Nuit Étoilée from Annick Goutal (2012)
Since he took up his post as in-house nose at Guerlain, the quality of Thierry Wasser‘s creations for the house has been variable. Idylle continues to attract derision from fans…
FiFi UK 2012 – Hall Of Fame
Yesterday I showcased the finalists in this year’s FiFi UK Best Fragrance Commercial categories, so today I thought I’d publish the shortlist for the Hall Of Fame. The twenty fragrances…
FiFi UK 2012 – Best Fragrance Advertisements
The FiFi UK awards ceremony will take place on Thursday (expect live tweets and Facebook updates!) which means this is an excellent time to have a closer look at the…
Persolaise Review: Idylle extrait (2011) + Shalimar Parfum Initial L’Eau and Guerlain Homme L’Eau Boisée from Guerlain
I’ve always had time for Idylle. Its original, 2009 eau de parfum incarnation angered many critics – who proclaimed that Thierry Wasser had driven yet another nail into the Guerlain…
Persolaise Christmas 2011 Recommendations + Ormonde Jayne Give-Away
My love of list-making isn’t often reflected on my blog – mainly because I rarely seem to have the time to indulge in this most boyish of activities – but…
Paris-London from Guerlain & Apuldre from Molton Brown (2011)
Geographical locations are obvious sources of inspiration for fragrances because, unlike films, novels, photographs and sculptures, they come ready-made with their
Clemopatra + Thierry Wasser Interview
Day 9: Have mo, will seduce Roman emperor As I type these words, Day 9 is coming to a close and I think it’s safe to say that there’s mo…
Italians Don’t Like Shalimar + End Of Summer Give-Away
I need a few lessons in basic Buddhism. One of the main problems with having an extremely busy Day Job and a tendency to go away on long holidays is…
Review: Vitriol d’Oeillet from Serge Lutens (2011)
Uncle Serge and Christopher Sheldrake have been up to their old tricks again. Their latest release could easily be dismissed as an old-fashioned feminine, a woody floral stuck somewhere in…
If It’s Friday, This Must Be Grasse
Free Wifi hasn’t been as easy to find as I’d hoped, but I’m pleased to say that so far the holiday has gone very well (although I gather the situation…
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…
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…