Guerlain Figue Iris, Laurier Reglisse, Cruel Gardenia : New Fragrance Launches

After discussing the elusive scent of figs yesterday, I was surprised to open my issue of Cosmetic World and discover a mention of an interesting new launch from Guerlain.  Figue-Iris was created by Jean-Paul Guerlain in collaboration with Sylvaine Delacourte, Guerlain's creative director. As Ms. Delacourte described in the article, "Today, fig is very well known and popular... I wanted to contrast it with something very chic." Figue-Iris combines the green freshness of fig with warm, powdery iris.

Valentine's Day Perfume: Seven Romantic Notes Part II

Please see Part I of Romantic Notes.

Furs and Ambers

The Ukrainian winters of my childhood were frigid enough to require a heavy fur coat. I still remember the warm scent of fur and its contrast with the crisp mineral winter air. Although I no longer wear fur, the memories are strong enough to make this aroma special. For me, the notes evoking the warmth of fur in fragrance tend to fall into the amber category: the rich resinous ambers like the amber gold standard Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan, the spicy sweet ambers like Armani Privé Ambre Soie , the baroque ambers like Guerlain Attrape-Coeur / Guet-Apens or Hermèssence Ambre Narguilé. While the ambery notes of Hermès Eau des Merveilles are of a salty ambergris variety, wearing this fragrance, especially in the parfum concentration, is not unlike being wrapped in a fur stole.

Valentine's Day Fragrance : Seven Romantic Notes Part I

What fragrance should I wear/buy for Valentine’s Day? This question remains one of the top reader queries I get around this time of the year (although nothing beats the good old “what turns wo(men) on?”) The fact is that there is no perfect fragrance that would suit all moods and all personality types. At the same time, some notes have distinct romantic connotations because of their sensual quality. Rose is the first one that comes to mind; however, since this topic has been covered extensively by me and others in the past (for instance, please see my article “From White to Red, From Chaste to Seductive: Many Faces of Rose”), I decided to look for a fresh approach. I chose seven notes which are undeniable sensual and aphrodisiac and which provide an endless source of fascination. Of course, while the list below strongly reflects my own preferences, I am eager to hear your thoughts.

Back from Faraway Lands

Dear readers, I am back from my unexpectedly extended trip, and while the jet lag is keeping me up, I am using the time to write and fill the pages of Bois de Jasmin once again. Please come back next week to read about exploring the frankincense trails of the Arabian Peninsula, the Indian wedding scents and the spice markets of Mumbai.

Tomorrow: all about love and fragrance.

Photo: Dried chili lane and a proud vendor in Thane, India. Copyright Bois de Jasmin.