Men’s fragrance ideas for Valentine’s Day

Bottega Veneta

With a mix of modern and classic influences, Bottega Veneta's debut men's scent, which arrived in the fall, mixes Andalusian labdanum (a fragrant resin obtained from cistus shrubs) with essential essences of Calabrian bergamot, Siberian pine, and Balkan juniper. At the heart of the fragrance is the intense marriage of allspice and Mediterranean clary sage. Prices are €65 (about RM297) for a 50ml spray in Europe, and US$80 (about RM267) for 50ml in the US.
Armani
Armani has released a box set of the classic men's Acqua di Gio fragrance, which mixes salty sea water notes, mandarin, bergamot, oakmoss, patchouli, coriander and jasmine. The box comes with an eau de toilette spray, an aftershave balm and a shower gel and is priced at €59 (around US$81).
Issey Miyake
L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme Yuzu by Issey Miyake. — AFP picPerfumer Alberto Morillas (who created the original CK One as well as various hits for Dolce & Gabbana and Kenzo) has recently freshened up the woody men's fragrance L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme with a twist of yuzu (a traditional Japanese citrus fruit), fresh ginger and nutmeg. It's available in two sizes - 75 ml (€56) and 125 ml (€80).

Gucci
Available worldwide this month, Gucci has added a kinky, studded twist (it's “bottled rock attitude” according to creative director Frida Giannini) to its Gucci Guilty scent. With a mix of lavender, lemon, orange blossom, cedar and patchouli, Gucci Guilty Stud is US$88 for a 3-oz. eau de toilette bottle.

Prada
Created by Givaudin nose Daniela Andrier, Luna Rossa Extreme has a rich amber heart surrounded by a mix of black pepper, bergamot, labdanum, juniper, vanilla and lavender. The Yves Behar-designed bottle comes in two sizes - a 50ml eau de parfum (€66) as well as a larger 100ml version (€91).

Diesel
Diesel has created special Valentine's Day boxes for its Only The Brave and Only The Brave Tattoo scents. The eau de toilette sprays are packaged with matching aftershave and shower gel. Only The Brave offers violet, cedarwood, amber and incense, while Tattoo comes with apple, sage and pepper accents, and both box sets are priced at €61.60.

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Finally, A No-Fail Gift For Fragrance Lovers

As much as we appreciate being on the receiving end of gift cards, whenever we're the ones doing the gifting, we can't help but feel like we're copping out on some level — if only we could gift something more personal without worrying about the inevitable issue of could-be returns or exchanges. Looks as though perfumer Christopher Brosius feels us, since his latest plan may revamp our gift-giving practices.

CB I Hate Perfume's just-announced Benefactor Packages allow gift-givers to purchase a designated amount of in-store credit redeemable for the recipient's scent of choice. “This offer ...should solve a good many problems for all concerned," says Brosius. "You’ll have the gift you want to give, and the person to whom you give it will get just the perfume they wish."

Plus, by purchasing a package, you're supporting Brosius' efforts in more ways than one: All profits from the Benefactor Packages will be used to help move the brand's "gallery" space, a laboratory of sorts wherein Brosius allows the public to view his process, to a new location. Though the packages start at $100, those who purchase a $1,000 credit will score two tickets to the grand opening party. Needless to say, if we get our way, you'll be seeing us there.

CB I Hate Perfume 7 Billion Hearts Collection, $30-$230, available at CB I Hate Perfume.

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Smells like a perfume launch

LAHORE: It seems that launching fragrances has become the latest vogue. With many international fashion houses and celebrities jumping on the fragrance launch bandwagon, it was inevitable that the trend would transcend borders and permeate into the local fashion scene. And the first to catch the wave are designer brothers Nabeel and Aqeel Iftikhar. Going by the label Nabeel & Aqeel, the two have launched their signature perfume line for both him and her.

Although France is the hub of fragrance manufacturing,  and most designers and celebrities seeking to make perfumes go to perfumeries in the country for desired scents, the Iftikhar brothers took a different direction. In order to make affordable and quality products, the duo went to Spain to get their perfumes manufactured. “Our signature fragrances are inspired by glamorous, age-old perfumeries, where exquisite ingredients are used to create one-of-kind scents of sophistication and luxury,” says Nabeel.

Nabeel & Aqeel fragrances comprise five Eau de toilettes – four for men and one for women. “It took us six years to conceptualise this range and bring it to the market,” shares Nabeel. “The reason why we opted for Eau de toilette rather than Eau de parfum is that the latter are generally stronger and much more expensive; the former easily last for about four to six hours and are not very strong,” he further says. Nabeel & Aqeel acknowledges the personal significance of perfumes, and that the mark of a good perfume is how long it lasts.

The brothers explain how working with perfumes is a risky business: “There is a lot of financial investment required and we are talking big numbers,” says Nabeel.

Without revealing the name of the perfumery, Nabeel & Aqeel share with us that their product line is launched at an introductory price of Rs2,600 per bottle.
The collection features the following five perfumes:

1. Phantom: A strong, woody fragrance with notes of citrus that might not be everyone’s taste. Top notes of the perfume are orange, shiso, grapefruit and pepper, while heart notes include flint, mineral and geranium leaves. The base notes are those of oak, moss, vetiver, patchouli and benzoin.

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5 Tips for Finding the Perfect Perfume for Your Wedding Day

When it comes to your wedding day, you'll want to smell as amazing as you'll surely look. That's why finding the right fragrance is just as important as picking out your dream wedding dress. Before you start spritzing, you'll need to know when to shop, how to test out various perfumes, and what will determine the best scent for your body. You—and everyone who catches a whiff—can thank us later.

1. When you embark on shopping for a wedding-day fragrance, go in the afternoon, when your sense of smell is at its peak.

2. Find your fragrance type. Are you "fresh" (i.e., a fruity floral) or "warm" (e.g., a spicy musk)? Picking one will help you tailor your search, says Chris Wyatt, head of global education at Jo Malone.

3. Don't be a follower. Body chemistry can change the way a perfume smells, so what works for your BFF—or your favorite celeb—may not work for you.

4. Skip the blotting strips—because you won't know how a scent smells on your skin until it's, well, on your skin. Aim the atomizer at pulse points like your wrists, neck, and décolletage. And limit yourself to two scents per shopping trip to avoid olfactory burnout.

5. Sit with it. Most perfumes take at least half an hour to dry. And until one does, you won't be able to smell the top, middle, and base notes. So take a little walk before you commit.

And if buying perfume over-the-counter doesn't do the trick, why not try a custom blend? Hello, you're personalizing your cocktail—why not your fragrance? Bespoke perfumer Sarah Horowitz just launched Original Scent (from $99) helping brides and grooms create totally one-of-a-kind wedding fragrances. You can even have yours made into a unity candle for your ceremony. Love that!

Clockwise from top: Elie Saab Le Parfum eau de toilette, $75, neimanmarcus.com; Stella McCartney L.I.L.Y. eau de parfum, $100, sephora.com; Victoria's Secret Beauty Love Is Heavenly eau de parfum, $42, victoriassecret.com; Michael Kors Gold Rose Edition eau de parfum, $98, michaelkors.com; Salvatore Ferragamo Signorina eau de parfum, $74, nordstrom.com

—Written by Brides

Provenance Tales Perfume Collection

Provenance Tales, is a new perfume collection that is wonderfully designed! The bottle being textured and colored black is a definite stand out. The inspiration behind this design is that of the four elements: Fire, Water, Air and Earth - something that comes through the design of the bottle with the textured features.

"Trinity of opulent scents that shape the second collection. Each fragrance glows with the power of divination, manifesting its auspicious story through a beautifully crafted aroma that promises a more vibrant, magical way of living. Choose from shadowed-grey flacon engraved with fire, horns or wings and revel in the release of your personal augury."

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'The Nose' knows perfumes — and shares his knowledge

It's not every day that one can attend a master class taught by a perfumer so prominent he's known simply as "The Nose.''

"Every day I have to wear a perfume," said Beatrice Schindler of Orlando, a collector of perfumes. "I know a lot of brands, but for a perfumer to explain the process — it's like an artist about to do a painting."

She and about 30 people attended an invitation-only seminar by Parisian Francis Kurkdjian held at the Neiman Marcus at Orlando's Mall at Millenia.

In fact, Kurkdjian's process is like that of many artists. A spark of inspiration soon leads to a product that not only smells good, but more importantly, tells a story, he told the champagne-sipping group. After his lecture, the attendees sniffed individual scents from one of his creations.

Kurkdjian, 44, who started his perfuming career when he was 20 years old, is one of the biggest names in the industry. Having created dozens of best-selling fragrances, including a commission to re-create the favorite perfume of Marie Antoinette, his work has earned him numerous awards and an exclusive partnership with Neiman Marcus.

"I have a nose like everyone here," Kurkdjian said. "There's only one difference: My head is capable of envisioning smells and scents that don't exist."

The master perfumer says that the entire process of creating a new scent takes roughly 18 months from conception to sale and distribution. Kurkdjian rejects the idea that fragrance making is a haphazard process of mixing random scents.

"I create a perfume because I have an idea," he said. "There is real thinking that goes into it and without a story, there is no perfume."

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Fragrance-free Odor Eliminating Sprays Now Available on SmellsBeGone.com

By choosing a fragrance-free air freshener option, you can discretely protect yourself and others from harmful chemicals and annoying smells while keeping the air around you fresh and clean.
Auburn Hills, MI (PRWEB) October 05, 2013

Fragrance Free Odor Eliminating sprays, which have quickly become some of Smells Begone’s flagship products, are now available on SmellsBeGone.com, the official online store for bio-degradable air freshener company, Smells BeGone. The new offering on the web store was offered due to overwhelming customer demand for fragrance free sprays via their website.

Tyler Smith, SmellsBeGone.com spokesman said, “Our all-natural air freshener sprays are a great alternative to those that contain heavy chemicals and scents, because they can be used daily in any home or office without bothering those who reside in them. By choosing a fragrance-free air freshener option, you can discretely protect yourself and others from harmful chemicals and annoying smells while keeping the air around you fresh and clean.”

Besides fragrance-free solutions, Smells BeGone air fresheners come in many light scents that eliminate odors and leave behind light floral, citrus, or other fresh fragrance note that leaves the air in the home or office smelling clean. Smells BeGone odor neutralizing solids and the Clear Air Odor eliminating Beads, which freshen the air without the need for a flame or electrical outlet, and the Smell BeGone air freshener sprays, are available in these fragrance options. The Smells BeGone scent-free air freshener spray is a healthy choice for offices and homes that are looking to freshen up a room, but want to keep it natural and neutral smelling.

Smells BeGone products from Punati Corp. are the original air-freshening products that provide air purification without the need for heavy fragrances or toxic chemicals. The Smells BeGone product line, perfect for use in both the office or home, offers a full line of scented and scent-free air fresheners that change the protein that odor-causing bacteria feed on, resulting in fresh air throughout every room in the home. The products are safe for use around pets and young children, and contain biodegradable ingredients. For more information, please visit SmellsBeGone.com.

Olympic Orchid’s Siam Proun: An Earthy, Floral, Fall Fragrance

From the moment I signed up for Olfactif, a monthly perfume subscription box service, my nose has been in heaven. I could barely pick a favorite scent from my July and August collections, and September’s box did not disappoint. This time, however, picking a favorite was easy — the orange blossom, lavender, and mint notes highlighted in this highly concentrated and long lasting scent make me feel nostalgic for the present day in the best way possible. Priced at $65 for 30ml, Olympic Orchid’s Siam Proun is an instant classic.

According to Olfactif:

“Siam Proun is a radiant oriental fragrance, a Mediterranean garden atop a bright, rich, amber base. It is named after a villa in the south of France where perfumer Ellen Covey spent time with her family as a teenager, and recalls the scent of herbs and flowers carried on the seaside breeze.”

I mean … who doesn't want to smell like that?

Win-Win: Anthro's New Scents Are Affordable AND Smell Divine

We love perfume, but part of us wishes it was more democratic. Oftentimes we find a scent we love, only to find out it cost more than our monthly beauty budget. Why can't there be quality scents at an affordable price. Anthropologie to the rescue!

The retailer is releasing a perfume collection, called Eaude, on October 3. The four scents, developed in-house at Anthropologie, will retail for $28 apiece. There's Citrine, a fruity-floral with notes of peach nectar, raspberry, mandarin flower, Egyptian jasmine, rose, and vanilla; Lilas, with notes of liquid amber, cooked plum, and musk; Paeony, a spicy floral with notes of freesia, jasmine, and spiced musk; and Verte, which features bergamot, carrot, magnolia, and fresh mint accords.

Our team is pretty divided on which scent is the best, but at that price, you can afford to snap up more than one. Cough, Citrine, cough.

Anthropologie Eaude Fragrance Collection, $28 each, available October 3 at Anthropologie. 

Crabtree & Evelyn Celebrates Forty Years of Fragrance With the Limited Edition Heritage Collection

WOODSTOCK, CT--(Marketwired - October 01, 2013) - Since its inception, Crabtree & Evelyn has been telling stories through scent, not just with the finished perfume, lotion or soap but also with carefully chosen ingredients sourced from around the world.

Founder Cy Harvey's inspiration was 'to explore everything and keep the best'. With this in mind, his fragrance architects set sail on their aromatic adventures to discover such natural treasures as Spanish neroli, Italian bergamot and Sicilian lemon. These superior varieties were then brought back to vast fragrance archives, the legacy of Crabtree & Evelyn. The Heritage Collection is infused with 40 years of expertise in fragrance foraging and draws on the knowledge of where to source the most beautifully scented botanicals. The resulting seven compositions exalt the classic aromas of the Mediterranean coastline and Europe's ancient cities, expressed as exquisite Flower Waters and Eau de Colognes.

Begin a fragrance journey inspired by sun-ripe aromas that transport the senses to distant shores. The eclectic range of emotive scents is redolent of the grandeur of their provenance and rich heritage. Precious, vintage ingredients with a timeless beauty are given the modern Crabtree & Evelyn English touch. Explore elegant, feminine florals and polished citrus scents with a masculine edge, each one destined to become a contemporary collectable.

Sevillian Neroli Eau de Cologne 
When Arabian traders settled in Seville they planted bitter orange trees to create perfumed gardens. Today the ancient trees continue to line the streets and courtyards, providing the scented signature of Seville. In the refined scent of Sevillian Neroli, the aroma of Spanish neroli sparkles with notes of grapefruit, lemon, tangerine and white tea, blended with cedarwood and clove.

Old Windsor Eau de Cologne
Set upon the river and surrounded by ancient oak forests, the village of Old Windsor was once the domain of kings and queens. Today this area of natural beauty continues to be a much-loved place for traditional English pursuits. Old Windsor Eau de Cologne exudes English refinement and luxury through notes of bergamot, bitter orange and verbena blended with English lavender and sandalwood.

Hungary Water Eau de Cologne
In the 14th Century, tales were told of a unique scented tonic, presented to Budapest's royalty along with the promise of eternal youth. With strange coincidence they became famed for their youthfulness and beauty, allegedly bestowed by the tonic's rejuvenating scent. Hungary Water continues the legacy, taking influence from the original Crabtree & Evelyn rosemary recipe and blending with uplifting notes of pink pepper, spearmint, cypress and geranium.

Neapolitan Bergamot Eau de Cologne
Bergamot is famous for lending its zesty signature to the very first eau de cologne, inspired by the scented impression of an Italian morning. With the same innovative and romantic spirit, Neapolitan Bergamot is an aromatic rendering of time spent exploring the Mediterranean coast. The classic aroma of Italian bergamot and lemon articulate the rising sun over the bay, while the modern accords of ginger, lavender and thyme are reminiscent of the embracing scent of the coastal breeze.

Florentine Freesia Flower Water
Florentine Freesia is the scented expression of a journey across bridges of gold to the magnificent floral havens surrounding villas and castles from a bygone Renaissance era. The enticing scent of Italian freesia, cyclamen and muguet are blended with orange, pear and amber in this elegant, fruity-floral composition.

Venetian Violet Flower Water
In the historic, floating city of Venice, the violet is as enduring as the opulent architecture. This graceful flower decorates the bridges reaching over the canals and resides in paintings and poetry as a symbol of purity and modesty. Discover a scent that translates the classic elegance of violet with modern, fruity notes of lychee, raspberry and peach.

Old World Jasmine Flower Water
Jasmine, one of the oldest known botanical scents, is native to the temperate regions of the Old World. On arrival in Europe, via the Silk Road, it was quickly adopted and loved for its exotic fragrance. Become enamored again with the unreservedly feminine scent of white jasmine, gardenia and cyclamen blended with a sparkling citrus signature.

Heritage Collection
Eau de Cologne 100mL $59.00
Flower Water 100mL $59.00

NEST Fragrances Launches Fine Fragrances Collection at Sephora

NEST Fragrances (NEST), a leading designer and manufacturer of luxury scented products for the bath, body and home, today announced the launch of the NEST Fine Fragrances Collection at Sephora. The collection of five distinctive fragrances will be available for purchase starting this week in 160 Sephora stores across the United States and on Sephora.com. Based on the original NEST Fine Fragrances Collection that debuted in the fall of 2012, which was inspired by the botanical artworks of 18th Century British artist Mrs. Mary Delany, the new collection was designed and developed exclusively for Sephora.

“We are so thrilled that Sephora asked us to develop a Fine Fragrances collection tailored exclusively for their client, and we are very pleased with the final result,” said Laura Slatkin, Founder and CEO of NEST Fragrances. “We have worked extremely hard over the past year to perfect this remarkable collection of exquisitely designed fine fragrances and we are tremendously excited to now share it with Sephora’s vast community of discerning beauty clients.”
 
“Fragrance is a beautiful and very personal exploration, of which Laura and her team has worked extensively to deliver a gorgeous fragrance experience for our clients,” said Margarita Arriagada, Chief Merchant for Sephora. “We are delighted to welcome this wonderful collection of NEST Fine Fragrances to our scent family.”

With Mrs. Delany’s extensive library of lush, botanical artworks serving as her inspiration, Slatkin worked with longtime collaborator Alexander Solodukho, a Russian-born artist, to perfect the original botanical artwork that adorns the NEST Fine Fragrances Collection’s unique and luxurious packaging. Meticulously formulated by the world’s most accomplished master perfumers, NEST Fine Fragrances is a sophisticated and elegant collection of extraordinary fine fragrances featuring three existing fragrances, Amazon Lily, Midnight Fleur and Passiflora, and two new Sephora-exclusive fragrances, Dahlia & Vines and White Sandalwood.

Amazon Lily is a radiant fragrance that blends a medley of delicate florals with the sparkling citrus essences of Brazilian lime, tangerine and bergamot over a base of Galapagos driftwood and white musk; Dahlia & Vines is an opulent combination of beloved floral notes. The essence of a lush bouquet of peony, dahlia, rose and daffodil is wrapped in green garden vines and blended with hints of pink pepper, lychee and raspberry; Midnight Fleur – a 2013 Fragrance Foundation Awards Finalist for Women’s Prestige Fragrance of the Year – combines rich notes of patchouli, black amber and vanilla with nuances of jasmine, rhubarb and blue cyclamen. This sultry blend is bold and irresistible; Passiflora is a vibrant floral that blends citrus notes of bergamot and clementine with passion flower, water hyacinth and lily of the valley. Dewy-green nuances, Anjou pear and a hint of black currant provide a modern twist to this elegant fragrance; White Sandalwood is a sophisticated fragrance that combines white sandalwood from India and Australia with creamy almond, white musk and exotic spices. This alluring fragrance balances sensual woody notes with decadent essences.

When launching the original NEST Fine Fragrances Collection in 2012, Slatkin said: “While Mrs. Delany’s work was highly regarded for its exacting and meticulous technique, what really moved me was the remarkable beauty of her botanicals. There is an elusive, sensual quality to them that resonated with me. Her botanicals are beautiful works of art and they were the inspiration for me to create the NEST Fine Fragrances Collection.”

Each fragrance is available for purchase in a specially designed 1.7 Fl. Oz. (50mL) Eau De Parfum Spray flacon for $65, and a 0.27 Fl. Oz. (8mL) Eau De Parfum Roller Ball for $25. All five Eau De Parfums are also available for purchase together in a coffret set that retails for $38, with each fragrance contained in a 0.25 Fl. Oz. (7.5mL) mini flacon, and a Luxurious Hand Cream Set, which also retails for $38, with each fragranced hand cream contained in a 1 Fl. Oz. (30mL) tube.

The NEST Fine Fragrances Collection for Sephora is available for purchase now on Sephora.com and, beginning this week, in 160 select Sephora stores across the United States. In addition, Sephora.com now features a wide assortment of NEST Fragrances’ luxury home fragrances and personal care products for purchase.

About NEST Fragrances 

Founded by renowned fragrance expert Laura Slatkin, NEST Fragrances (NEST) is a leading lifestyle fragrance brand that designs and manufactures a wide assortment of luxury scented products for the bath, body and home. Featuring a variety of exceptional personal care, home fragrance and fine fragrance collections, NEST combines chic packaging with exquisite fragrances specifically designed to enhance one's everyday living and entertaining experience. Well-known for her impeccable sense of style, Laura Slatkin created NEST Fragrances for those who aspire to enrich their lives and environments with the essences of luxury, sophistication and beauty through fragrance. NEST Fragrances products are sold at Bergdorf Goodman, Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Bloomingdale’s, select Nordstrom stores, and a wholesale customer network of more than 1,200 boutique stores across the U.S.

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Bigger Stink Means Higher Price as Men Crave Rare Oud Fragrance

The first time Mike Perez wore dehn al-oud -- an essential oil distilled from the resin of Asian Aquilaria trees -- he was so appalled by the smell that he hid inside his home.

“I put on way too much, and frankly, it smelled like animal butt,” says Perez, a 42-year-old manager for Barclay’s Real Estate Group in Miami.
Fragrances reveal their true nature as they evaporate on the skin, Bloomberg Pursuits magazine will report in its Autumn 2013 issue, so Perez resisted the temptation to wash.

Fragrances reveal their true nature as they evaporate on the skin, Bloomberg Pursuits magazine will report in its Autumn 2013 issue, so Perez resisted the temptation to wash.

“The barnyard note started changing into something intensely woody, damp and complex,” recalls the fragrance enthusiast, who has a collection of almost 1,500 scents. “It lasted 24 hours, and by then, I understood why some have described oud as transcendent. I invited a friend over to try a tiny swipe; after the initial shock, he became emotional as it evoked memories of a boyhood vacation by a lake and the smell of his skin and bathing suit and even the dock drying in the summer sun.”

Akin to such potent, primeval scents as ambergris and Himalayan deer musk, oud (the name means wood in Arabic) is an alluring mystery even to those who know it well. Used by the Ancient Egyptians for embalming and mentioned in the Bible’s Song of Solomon, the resin is produced by a rare and little-understood defense mechanism: When disease-carrying microbes breach the trunk of an Aquilaria tree, a dark and extremely aromatic resin is secreted, invisible beneath the outer bark.

Burned as Incense
For reasons still unknown to science, fewer than 2 percent of wild Aquilaria trees ever produce resin. For centuries, scent hunters have indiscriminately cut down old-growth forests in search of the substance, which is burned as incense, carved into ritual objects or distilled into the most valuable natural oil on earth.

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Celebrate Tory Burch's fragrance and beauty launch

It’s finally here – Tory Burch’s highly-anticipated fragrance, makeup and body collections.

And to honor the occasion, the designer will make an appearance at Bloomingdale's on 59th St. at 6 p.m. tonight, to sign fragrance bottles for fans who purchase the eau de parfum.

The feminine scent has floral, citrus and woodsy notes – clean and crisp in typical Tory fashion. Buy it at Bloomingdale's or online, $82 for 1.7 oz. and $110 for 3.4 oz.

The collection also includes a body cream, lotion, bath & shower gel and candle in the same scent.

Makeup includes a lipstick, a lip & cheek tint, a bronzer-blush palette and a face brush. Packaging alone is enough reason to buy – the gold and orange fretwork makes these products gorgeous vanity accessories.

Priced between $32 and $48, they’re available exclusively at Tory Burch stores and online.

One Direction have fastest selling perfume of 2013

One Direction's perfume Our Moment has become the fastest selling perfume of the year.

The 'Little Things' boy band - consisting of Niall Horan, Zayn Malik, Liam Payne, Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson - are once again smelling sweet success as their first ever fragrance, marketed towards their ever-loyal female fan base, has sold more than any other scents in 2013 in the UK.

Our Moment is also retail chain The Perfume Shop's best selling fragrance in history and the company was even forced to bring in extra staff to meet demand from the group's obsessed admirers.

Faye Langworthy of One Direction's management firm, Modest! Management, said: "The success of Our Moment is something One Direction are very proud of. The incredible level of sales we've seen so far of Our Moment and the overwhelming feedback given by fans is a reflection of the band's involvement in every stage of its creation and their desire to make a personal and unique product for their fans."

The heartthrob band are no strangers to sending their fans into a tizzy, with more than 20,000 devotees congregating in London's Leicester Square in anticipation of the world premiere of their 3D documentary 'One Direction: This Is Us' in August.

Meanwhile, the 'Best Song Ever' hitmakers are set to give back to their fans with an entire day dedicated to their global supporters.

The group will present a seven-hour global live stream, interacting with fans around the world, on November 23.

Liam said: "1D Day is all about giving back to our amazing fans for supporting us for the past three years. When we suggested it we never thought anyone would let us loose live all day - we cannot wait!"

Source 

Eau de Toast perfume hits London Fashion Week

Size zero models are more readily associated with carrot sticks and lettuce leaves than freshly buttered toast, but for how long?

The Federation Of Bakers has come up with Eau de Toast, a perfume designed to fight back against the bread-free diets many woman undertake to lose weight.
Models at this week’s London Fashion Week have been invited to sashay down the catwalk wearing the scent, which has yeasty top notes and a hint of caramel and malt, and was created by The Aroma Company.

“The limited edition scent was created by The Federation of Bakers to challenge the fashion for bread-free diets. With just 80 calories per slice, bread provides at least 10 per cent of the adult daily intake of protein, fibre, calcium, iron, copper, zinc and manganese. What’s more, the Government’s Nutrition Survey shows that people who eat the most bread, consume the fewest calories” the perfume’s website states.

A study last year published in the Journal of Psychology also found that the smell of fresh bread makes us kinder.
And while it remains to be seen whether any of the models took up the toasty offer, it has certainly created the media buzz the Federation were after.

This story originally appeared on News.com.au.

Current Beauty Stuff: Historical Perfumes And Colognes

When I was in Capri recently I kept seeing displays in the pharmacy windows of beautiful bottles of perfume (this was when I wasn’t trying to take covert snaps of VALENTINO wandering around the town with his entourage and pug). One evening we took a stroll down the hill and just past a stand selling fresh lemon granita, discovered the source of the bottles – the original lab where the perfume was first produced.

It’s still working today and has a shop whose walls are covered in photos of Jackie O and other glamorous stars of yesteryear stocking up on bottles of the stuff. I came away with a bar of soap shaped like a lemon (seriously, there are lemons everywhere – I even ate my lemon risotto out of a bowl made from a lemon one night) and a fistful of tester cards sprayed with different scents.

I love a good beauty story and Capri’s Carthusia perfumery has a cracker: apparently it all dates back to 1380, when the prior of the Carthusian monastery received a surprise visit from Queen Joan of Anjou. He hastily picked a bouquet of flowers for his VIP and after three days, noticed that the water they’d been standing in smelled amazing. A friar identified the source of the scent as the ‘Garofilium Silvestre Caprese’ and so Capri’s first fragrance was born (I don’t care if this story is true, it’s lovely).

Aqua di Parma unisex cologne is one of my mum’s signature scents and I love it too. Dating back to 1916, this Italian (made in Parma) eau de cologne is slightly warmer and spicier than the S3, but still fresh and light, thanks to a combination of Sicilian citrus, jasmine, verbena and Bulgarian rose with woody base notes of vetiver, cedar and sandal.

The Full Article On XOJane

Sniffing out a new signature scent? LUSH Gorilla Perfume offers intoxicating options

LUSH Cosmetics is known for its minimalist packaging, ethical campaigns and delightful handmade soaps, cosmetics and scents. Now the company is creating some of the most intriguing fragrances ever concocted with dynamic British perfume kings Mark and Simon Constantine. From Devil’s Nightcap to Voice of Reason, which was inspired by the courage of the Beat poets, the dynamic father/son duo creates scents based on art, music, people and feelings. Unlike many perfumes on the market today, which are all about the elaborate packaging, Gorilla Perfume is completely about delivering a top shelf scent. The fragrances range from $14.95 to $174.95 providing options for every budget.

“We don’t have any particular interest in what is happening in the wider market when it comes to fragrance,” said Simon Constantine, LUSH Cosmetics Head Perfumer and Head Of Ethical Buying for LUSH UK. “Our criteria for creation are very different to other companies. We have more emphasis on delivering quality ingredients to the customer and use more expensive materials in our products. We avoid using cheaper synthetic blends of natural materials and opt for using good quality naturals where it is applicable.”

3 Perfumes Brides Will Love and More Wedding Fragrance Tips

Finding your signature scent is one thing, but deciding your wedding-day perfume can be a little daunting. Renee Bukowski, senior product development manager of Tru Fragrance, gave us her insight to choosing, wearing, and even gifting fragrance for a wedding. So whether you're the bride, bridesmaid, or guest, we have tips to help you decode wedding-day perfume.

What are your tips to help brides choose a wedding-day perfume?

Renee Bukowski: Scent is very powerful, as it often acts as an emotional trigger for special moments and memories. When choosing a wedding-day scent, brides should pick something special that has a shared significance with her partner — a scent that her partner will recognise her by. I recommend brides reference flowers they have chosen for their bridal bouquet, as these usually are flowers they like, and they're usually in bloom that season.

What are some classic fragrances or notes you would recommend for a bride on her wedding day?

RB: Floral fragrances work well for a bride on her big day, as they suit the femininity of the dress and the occasion. There are a lot of modern roses and classic floral notes, such as white floral, which have been modernised for today, and fragrance houses often combine them with fruity notes. Fragrances featuring the beautiful notes of modern rose include Chloé Eau de Parfum ($90), Chanel Chance, or Dior J'Adore ($199.95). If it is outdoors, I'd recommend a light scent opposed to an evening wedding or black-tie wedding, where I'd suggest a slightly stronger scent.

What steps can a bride take to ensure her fragrance stays on from ceremony to reception?

RB: Wedding days are usually long affairs, so I suggest brides keep a purse-size bottle or rollerball of their fragrance with them, allowing them to discreetly apply it throughout the day. I also recommend applying the scent to the neck and pulse points to ensure the fragrance is long-lasting. For tips on how to give fragrance as a gift, just keep reading.

Any tips for gifting fragrance to the bride?

RB: When gifting fragrance to the bride, I would not surprise her, but instead pick out a scent you're sure she likes and will enjoy. I would speak to the bride about her favourite fragrances — perhaps incorporate it into a bridesmaids get-together — or you could even go shopping together to find a special scent for her. You can help her discover a spectacular fragrance that can be her "something new."

Source

Pierre Loti, the Exotic Dandy Has His Perfume Loti Rose d'Amour 1913 Recreated for a Time {Scented Paths & Fragrant Addresses}

An exhibition consecrated to French writer Pierre Loti (1850-1923) at Quai Branly entitled "J'Arrive, J'Aime, Je M'en Vais"* is the opportunity for the recreation of a long lost fragrance called Loti Rose d'Amour, 1913** - the name of a sample really - a custom blend created at the beginning of the 20th century by a Parisian perfumer for the author of Pêcheur d'Islande, Aziyadé and The Last Days of Peking...

Pierre Loti is well-known for his writing but also for his eccentric streak, in particular his love of exoticism, developed during his career as a navy officer, which made him decorate each room in his Rochefort home in a different "world" style as one might put it today, and likewise wear costumes hailing from varied cultures. His nom de plume "Loti" is a nickname bestowed upon him in Polynesia, meaning "red flower".

Artist and nose Laurent-David Garnier happened on a perfume jewel containing the tenuous resinous remnants of a perfume concreta and decided to recreate it by analyzing it but also studying the environment of Loti. One of the writer's habits was to collect botanicals and mummify things like birds with arsenic salts and aromatic herbs, as he was obsessed with the idea of death.

The result, which is partly interpretative and partly based on the materials present in the tiny flacon of origin, is a perfume wafting of Damascean rose, lilac, mint and violet, which one can smell when paying a visit to the exhibition in the darkness of an alcova protected by black velvet curtains.

This will not be the first time that the memory and the universe of the author are honored by perfumers as both Parfum d'Empire and Lubin have each proposed a composition inspired by Aziyadé, the novel by Loti set in Ottoman Turkey.

*"Here I Am, I'm in Love, I'm Leaving"

** "Loti Rose of Love, 1913"

Via Culture Box; Musée du Quai Branly

Perfumania District Manager, David B Was Rude

This is my opinion of a phone conversation I had with the District Manager for one of Perfumania stores. His first name is David and last name begins with B.

I had an issue with a particular Perfumania where a discount was not applied. This is an advertised discount that the clerk failed to apply. When I checked out, I noticed the balance was not right--I am accounting by profession sorry. I brought to the clerks attention and he said "it looks like one of those discounts were not applied"  He asked me to fill a form ask for a refund, which I did and I was credited the difference. Now, this happened with me at least once before at the same store.

I went home and wrote to the Perfumania customer service email, asking them to make sure this does not happen again, I like two things perfume and like to be charged the advertised price. An agent was gracious enough and told me the district manger will call me to address this problem withing 48 hours he called. He did call, and he went on the offense...."we want to talk to you, you asked the store clerk for a discount", to which I said, "No, I did not" , he shot back like a kid who is about to win a pissing match "Yes, you did" I watched the footage and saw you did? I was taken aback! What footage? He kept telling me he saw me and the video from a month ago--which is also false my trip to the store was on July 6...he called me on the 18. Then he mentioned the loss prevention department and I was all confused. He kept I saw you on the camera, I was like it could not be if you say the video dates back to a month. I did not appreciate how he was telling me I asked for a special discount. This is so untrue, but for some reason he kept saying that.

I think two things are true he was impatient and standoffish--two toxic personal traits for anyone in customer service. I really did not ask for any special discount--he seems to believe so--from the video?  Then I suggested I give him the number of the transaction, he agreed. I gave him the item number he found one but not the other. Finally, he called the store and chatted with them and learns what had happened--something I stated in the email to the customer service. He told me, I am looking at your email and this is not what you said. I just did not understand what he was trying to accomplish. I was not asking for anything. I simply did not want this mistake to happen again to me or whomever.

I asked him to relax and to be professional. In my judgment the way he conducted himself on the call was neither. To a degree that I asked him, I wish this phone call being recorded. I have shopped in perfumania stores in  ten different states. I have always felt my business is welcome there. This conversation with the district manager was so bizarre. I conclude, an erratic approach is unfit for someone who should be working with people.

I hope he was having a bad day and hope he is not like this all the time. I know I felt intimidated by his talk and was not impressed by his style and constant scoffing throughout our conversation. While there's no alternative to perfumania and their line of products, I will shop at another branch--maybe the one in Columbia Heights or Pentagon City.