Bvlgari has extended its Blv fragrance line with the introduction of its newest perfume for women, Blv Eau de Parfum II. According to the Moodie Report, this perfume is inspired "by a modern vision of the colour blue." It represents women who are full of "femininity, magnetism, harmony and grace." Blv Eau de Parfum II begins with violet, star anise, licorice and mandarin. Its heart is iris absolute, patchouli and Haitian vetiver. Its base is amber notes, benzoin, ambergris, cistus flower and musk. It will be available in three sizes -- 30 ml, 50 ml and 75 ml bottles.
According to this week's news, three major celebrities will launch new fragrances in the near future. Gucci has created a new web site for its fragrances. Two established perfumers will launch new scents in the American and Asian markets. Finally, the Fragrance Man writes about his trip to New York. For more details, read "The Report" below.
A special group of postings on Fragranceman.com and Twitter discuss New York City's complex fragrance make up. Click here for more info.
50 Cent will launch his new fragrance, Power, in the fall. "The juice, which Jackson, [50 Ccent], concocted with Firmenich’s Harry Fremont, has top notes of lemon leaves, black pepper and artemisia; a heart of dark woods (which Spilka said was inspired by the wood panels used in Bentleys), coriander and nutmeg, and a drydown of patchouli, musk and oakmoss," states WWD. Power will be sold as two sizes as an eau de toilette -- a 1.7 oz for $50.50 and a 3.4 oz for $68.50.
Gucci with Procter & Gamble Fine Fragrances will launch a new website for Gucci's fragrances this week. The site's url is guccifragrances.com. Customers will be able to purchase fragrances directly from the site.
I Loewe You Tonight, the newest perfume from Loewe, will hit the Asian market in September. The fragrance begins with bergamot, tangerine, blackberry and pear; its heart is jasmine, clove, magnolia, cyclamen and peony; and it dries down to patchouli, mouguet, sandalwood, musk, and amber.
Niche and luxury perfumer Frédéric Malle launched Géranium Pour Monsieur last month. This men's fragrance base is Geranium with notes of mint, cinnamon, clove and white musks added.
Paris Hilton will launch Siren next month. According to WWD, Siren begins with juicy mandarin, apricot nectar and frangipani, which leads to a heart of of honeysuckle, coconut orchid and water lily notes. It ends with vanilla beans, sandalwood and creamy musk. It is available in two sizes as an eau de parfum: a 1.7 oz for $45 and a 3.4 oz for $55. It is expected to be sold in 2,000 stores.
Patrick Dempsey and Avon will launch Patrick Dempsey 2 in November. According to WWD, the cologne's top notes are saffron, mandarin and nutmeg; its middle notes are spiced wood accord, green fig and cistus; and it dries down to olibanum, patchouli, guaiac wood and skin musk accord. It will be available as a 2.5 oz bottle for $35.
The trip to New York City was too short. We, you the reader and me, needed many weeks to fully explore its sights and its scents. The Big Apple is truly a magnificent and beautiful city. So, let us recap our fragrant tour of the City.
As soon as we got off the plane, our tour began. On our way to the Hudson, our hotel, we saw the retro-futuristic architecture of the John F. Kennedy International Airport. We also noticed the beautiful tree-lined residential areas of Queens and the steel skyline of Manhattan. The smell of rush hour and visitors from overnight flights were the predominate notes.
Since we were unable to checked into our hotel immediately, we explored the south Central Park area. We visited the Shops at Columbus Circle, which is in the Time Warner Center. We paid homage to the beautiful monument in the center of the Circle. We also saw the southern entrance of Central Park. Later, we walked West 60th St., West 58th St. and 9th Ave, and explored the many restaurants in this area. We decided to settle on a cute little eatery called Route 66. We enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast. As I mentioned in the first post, the initial scent of this area was lively, green and very human.
Later that afternoon, we explored the Times Square area and Fifth Ave. We almost saw Johnny Depp outside of the David Letterman Show's studio. We explored Saks Fifth A venue many luxurious departments and took an in depth look at its oceanic beauty and fragrance area. In the evening, we saw a humorous play called Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe and toured the Christopher Street area. The predominate notes of Times Square and Fifth Ave were the scent of millions of tourists, exhaust and luxurious perfumes and materials. The play smell of old theater, sweaty entertainers, fragrant oils and expensive perfumes. Notes of mid-priced colognes, testosterone and buffalo wings were noticed for Christopher St.
During our last full day, we visited New York Public Library's main library, Lord's & Taylor and Macy's at Herald Square. We spent hours at these mammoth sized landmarks. Colorful cosmetics, delicious fragrances and dusty old books were the predominate notes. Later that evening we partied at Tavern On The Green. Musty old world luxury was the main note for the Tavern's fragrance.
These our are highlights of our tour of New York City. Our trip was full and very exciting. Thank you readers for exploring the Big Apple with me. Our next fragrant tour will be San Diego. I can't wait!
I had a blast in NYC yesterday. What was I doing? First, I visited the Shops at Columbus Circle, which is in the Time Warner Center and is directly across from Central Park. It reminded me of many of the high end malls in Las Vegas. Sephora, True Religion, Aveda, Bouchon, Coach and other upscale establishments populated this retail space. Next, I spent some time at the monument in Columbus Circle. It was of Christopher Columbus. He was standing on a very tall granite column. Three bronze reliefs decorated the column, which represented Columbus's three ships -- the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. An angel holding a globe was at the monument's base. Benches and a huge pedestrian circle surrounded it. A beautiful fountain encircled the entire area. After I was done with Columbus Circle, I walked around the south Central Park area until I found a cute restaurant called Route 66. A simple decorated establishment, I enjoyed a delicious and well scented breakfast of thick French toast, plumb and juicy sausages, tasty scrambled eggs and two cups of coffee. The feel, the taste and the smell of the area was intoxicating.
Later that afternoon, I decided to go on an adventurous and purposeful walk on Broadway. I planned to visit the flagship store of Saks Fifth Avenue. On my way to the Fifth Avenue retailer, I passed by the theatre or studio where the David Letterman Show is held. As I walked by the studio, a large crowd of people on its side caught my attention. They were waiting to get a glimpse of Johnny Depp. He did finally arrive and I only saw the back of his brown leather jacket.
After this spectacle, I continued my walk down Broadway until I saw a huge ad for Sean John's I Am King cologne. The ad featured a dapper looking Sean John in a white Tuxedo Coat. The fragrance's name was underneath him to the left and its image was also underneath him to the left. A "Times Square" sign hugged his ad. I took a picture of the ad and continued to my retailing "temple."
After passing Radio City Hall, NBC Studios and many other fine retailers, I finally made it to Sak’s Fifth Avenue Store. When I entered it, I knew I was in heaven. Built in 1924, this behemoth retail space is ten floors of luxury. You'll find every high-end designer that you can imagine in it. It also features many designer boutiques, such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel.
As the Fragrance Man, I spent most of my time in the fragrance department, which was very huge. It took up almost the entire first floor of Saks. Nearly all the major names in upscale perfumery were there. I sniffed Yatagon by Caron, an Arabic inspired fragrance by Tom Ford as well as Tom Ford for Men Extreme, four scents from Bond No. 9 and several scents from Penhaligon's. At the very end of my adventure at Saks, I decided to purchase Endymion by Penhaligon's and Bleeker Street by Bond No. 9.
Later that night, I went to see an interesting play called Archbishop Supreme Tartuffe in Theater Row Studios. It was hilarious. It was about a charlatan preacher who preyed on women and wealthy men. That's all I'm going to tell you. If you want to know more about it, see it. After the play, I found myself on Christopher Street. I visited two interesting pubs -- The Hanger and Chi Chi’s.
Today will be jus t as adventurous. I’m planning to visit the world’s largest department store, Macy’s on Harold Square, and later this evening, I will be partying in Central Park. Ciao for now.
I've finally made it to New York after a long night flight from Las Vegas. Unfortunately, I cannot check in to my hotel until about three; so, I'm forced to do some sightseeing while being a little tired at the same time. I don't expect to get much sleep anyway. Sleep in America's largest city is an oxymoron.
So, what is my take of the scents of NYC so far? Right now I'm near the Central Park area, specifically the southern area. I'm also close to Columbus Circle. The notes of this area are a slight scent of sweet humidity, exhaust, a slight hint of urine (this seems to be a standard note for many American cities), expensive perfumes and a mixture of ethnic and American restaurants. I can also sense a leathery note and a small hint of green. The smell of the City is very ripe. It is a scent of a crowded and bustling city.
I know this news may be a little late, but I'll tell it to you all anyway. Niche and luxury perfumer Frédéric Malle launched Géranium Pour Monsieur last month. This men's fragrance base is Geranium with notes of mint, cinnamon, clove and white musks added.
As mentioned in "The Report" for week May 3 - 9, Paris Hilton will launch Siren next month. I now have more details about her newest perfume.
According to WWD, Siren begins with juicy mandarin, apricot nectar and frangipani, which leads to a heart of of honeysuckle, coconut orchid and water lily notes. It ends with vanilla beans, sandalwood and creamy musk. It is available in two sizes as an eau de parfum: a 1.7 oz for $45 and a 3.4 oz for $55. It is expected to be sold in 2,000 stores. Source:WWD
I must apologize for posting "The Report" late. I was preparing for my job interview yesterday that took placed today. It was one of the hardest interviews that I had experienced in my professional life. I'm glad it's done! I'm now free to blog. So, let's get to the news.
Bond No. 9, who usually creates fragrances inspired by New York City, will launch a fragrance based on a British institution. Three song birds will release new fragrances. Creed is inspired by Italy. Giorgio Armani has a new face for its newest perfume. Elizabeth Arden and Alberta Ferretti will finally launch Ms. Ferretti's newest fragrance for women. Thierry Mugler is revamping a perfume ad. Finally, two British perfumers will be launching new fragrances. For more details, read "The Report."
Bond No. 9 is going British with its newest fragrance! Named after the UK's most famous department store, Harrods, this perfume will capture the scent of London. It will be available for men and women. Harrods for Her "contains notes of Neroli, Mandarin, Wild Chamomile, Tuberose, Clary Sage, Nutmeg, Amber, Leather, Sandalwood and Vetiver," according to Basenotes. The primary notes for Harrods for Him are lavender, violet leaf, sandalwood, musk, rhubarb leaf, star anise, chamomile and pimento leaves.
Creed has launched Acqua Fiorentina in the UK. Available for £130, this fragrance begins with greengage and plum. Its middle notes are pink carnations, roses, bergamot and lemons, and it dries down to cedarwood and sandalwood.
Elizabeth Arden and Alberta Ferretti announced that supermodel Claudia Schiffer will be the new face of Ferretti's newest fragrance for women.
Elizabeth Arden and Alberta Ferretti will launch Alberta Ferretti in Europe in September and in the U.S. in April 2010.
Faith Hill, Queen Latifah and Usher will launch new fragrances in the fall.
Giorgio Armani has signed actress Kasia Smutniak as the new face of Armani's newest perfume for women, Idole d’Armani.
Hello Kitty, an international bestseller children's fragrance, has won the "Best Kid Perfume" award at the Cosmétique Mag Oscars 2009.
Luxury British perfumer Ormonde Jayne has just launched its newest fragrance for men, Zizan.
Penhaligon's will launch a new fragrance line called Anthology. The line will comprise of four fragrances: Extract of Limes, Gardenia, L'Eau de Verveine and Night Scented Stock. Each fragrance will cost 110€.
Thierry Mugler fragrances recently unveiled a new ad campaign for Alien. "Young British model Felicity Gilbert incarnates a goddess-woman haloed with a golden aura in a dreamlike, very 'Muglerian' decor," states Osmoz.
A perfume outlet will usually have a large variety of discount cologne products along with its cheap perfume. Next time you are shopping for perfume online, look through the discount cologne offerings on the website. You might find that there are some great choices for the men in your life.
Although you may enjoy searching for the right discount perfume for yourself, most men will not buy discount cologne for themselves. They wait for someone else to buy it for them. If they do buy discount fragrances for themselves, they will usually go with the brands they have heard of all their lives, such as Old Spice and Aqua Velva. This is especially true of middle aged to older men.
If you are unsure about men's discount cologne, try looking through the top sellers. There is usually a section on a perfume outlet website where the most popular products are listed by category. One category would be men's fragrances. Read about the colognes and evaluate them just as you would when you buy any perfume online.
For the sportier male, Adidas offers a whole line of discount fragrances. There is Adidas Classic, Adidas Dynamic, Adidas Game Fever, Adidas Team Force, and so many others. These are all strongly male fragrances with scent ingredients that are associated with manliness and sports.
Aramis has a scent that you can get from a discount cologne outlet for a fraction of the original cost. There are several variations on the discount fragrances, such as Aramis 900, Aramis Gold, Aramis Life, and Aramis Summer. The discount colognes are good for both evening and day use according to customers who buy the products from any perfume outlet.
There are also several varieties of Stetson on the discount cologne market. Men love the sound of the name, and the scent is masculine with a woodsy and citrus spicy aroma. Most people say they like to wear these discount fragrances mostly at night. Stetson Black and Stetson Sierra are two other choices.
For a more romantic scent, many men will appreciate getting a bottle of Oscar by Oscar De La Renta. It has subtle fragrances of bergamot, fern and moss, along with carnation and cinnamon. As a romantic fragrance, this discount cologne is worn mostly in the evening.
This is just a sampling of the hundreds of choices available in men's discount cologne. Read through the reviews and have a good time making your choice for your man. Whether you are buying for your father, your mate, or your son, you can find what you need at a perfume outlet.
BigDiscountFragrances specializes in Discount Cologne and discount perfume online. Shop now and see this amazing selection of designer discount perfume and colognes at up to 90% off retail prices at http://www.BigDiscountFragrances.com.
Luxury British perfumer Ormonde Jayne has just launched its newest fragrance for men, Zizan. It is "a perfume like no other because it has everything a man could possibly want in a single spectacular scent. This is a powerhouse perfume. Expect a deluge of boisterous Sicilian lime, lemon and bergamot but to smooth the biting edge, a brilliantly refined concentration of vetiver. Zizan belongs to the domain of the worldly, highly sophisticated and cultivated. It also belongs to the strategist - the man who knows how to seduce," stated Ormonde Jayne. It is available as a 50ml eau de parfum for £68.00.
Unfortunately, I could not spend much time blogging today. I had to go to work; I'm usually off the "9-5" on Fridays. Fortunately, today's workday was actually fun. It was staff day! So, my employer closed all of its branches and gave us time to meet old colleagues, to eat too many sweets and to learn something new. I must admit that going to work can be a little stressful even if it is a fun day, which can make me a little cranky. To relieve my crankiness, I need to do something fun. So, I'm going out tonight to have a few cocktails and to hang out with some buddies. Lastly, I want to share my fun spirit with you. This post will show video parodies of men's fragrance commercials. Enjoy! Arrogance Cologne for Men
Bud Light Real Men of Genius Mr. Way Too Much Cologne Wearer
Celibacy Cologne for Men
Jocque - Underwear Pour Homme
Perfume Commercial
Waterboarding - the fragrance
WD-40 Body Fragrance for Real Men (AXE Body Spray Parody)
"When buying cologne for men, figure out what type of person that man is, smell a variety of different colognes, and pick something that fits with the man's personality. Consider strong, mellow and woody men's cologne with ideas from a fashion consultant in this free video on cologne." -- eHow.com
Faith Hill, Queen Latifah and Usher will launch new fragrances in the fall. Read the details below.
Faith Hill: Named after the award-winning country singer, Faith Hill will enter the fragrance market in October. This scent for women begins with aromatic crisp pear, neroli and pink peony; its heart is southern magnolia, jasmine and gardenia; and it dries down to cashmere skin musk, iris and smoky vetiver. It will sell for $17 for .5 oz, $24 for 1 oz and $31 for 1.7 oz.
Queen Latifah: Queen Latifah's new perfume will be called Queen. Its top notes are Italian bergamot, Mediterranean mandarin and golden tequila. It's middle notes are Baie rose, jasmine noir, cognac and Moroccan coriander, and it ends with Indonesian patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla and Tonka Absolutes, Egyptian incense and musk. Queen will be available in two sizes as an eau de parfum: $49 for 1.7 oz and $59 for 3.4 oz.
Usher: VIP is Usher's newest scent for men. It begins with tangerine, bergamot, kumquat and nutmeg; its heart is violet leaf, lotus flower and saffron; and its drydown is vetiver, oakmoss and suede. VIP's collection will be available in two sizes: 1.7 oz for $50 and 3.4 oz for $65. Source:WWD
Giorgio Armani has signed actress Kasia Smutniak as the new face of Armani's newest perfume for women, Idole d’Armani. Smutniak will be featured in ads that will debut during Paris couture week in July.
Elizabeth Arden and Alberta Ferretti will launch Alberta Ferretti in Europe in September and in the U.S. in April 2010. This perfume begins with freesia, pink pepper and Sicilian bergamot; its heart is sweet pea, ylang-ylang and Casablanca lily; and its drydown is patchouli and golden amber. It will be available in two sizes, a 1 oz eau de parfum spray for $55 and a 2.5 oz eau de parfum spray for $80. Source:WWD
Elizabeth Arden and Alberta Ferretti announced that supermodel Claudia Schiffer will be the new face of Ferretti's newest fragrance for women. Speaking to GCI, "It's an honor to be chosen as the face of the Alberta Ferretti fragrance. Alberta and I have worked together for many years, and it's wonderful to be able to collaborate on this exciting project together. Alberta's designs always embody femininity and elegance, which are reflected in this fragrance," said Schiffer. Ferretti's fragrance is inspired by the sensuality of women. The ideal woman for this perfume has a modern and sophisticated style.
"Find the right cologne by trying on different scents, picking a cologne that matches your personality and using light citrus scents for day-to-day wear. Wear woodsy-scented colognes for special occasions with advice from an image and etiquette consultant in this free video on cologne." -- eHow.com
Hello Kitty, an international bestseller children's fragrance, has won the "Best Kid Perfume" award at the Cosmétique Mag Oscars 2009. Cosmétique Mag is a French beauty trade journal. Source: The Moodie Report
Gucci by Gucci pour Homme is a first rate fragrance for men. It represents expensive modern Italian design. This fragrance has a refined and sleek scent. Launched last year, it begins with bergamot, cypress and violet. Its middle notes are black pepper, frankincense, leather and tobacco. Finally, it dries down to patchouli, cedar and amyris notes. It is available as a 1.7 oz eau de toilette for $55 and a 3.4 oz eau de toilette for $70. It can be purchased at all Gucci boutiques, fine department stores and online perfumeries.
This report is really long this week. So, to save me some time and to save your eye vision, my summary will be really short. The fragrance world has been really busy this past week. For details, read The Report.
Azzaro has launched Aqua. The main notes of this fragrance are citrus, cassis, mint, tarragon, basil, cedar, nutmeg and woody notes. It is currently available at major department stores.
Actress Zoe Kravitz, who happens to be the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, will be the new face of Vera Wang's Princess collection. She will replace Camilla Belle, whose contract will end in July.
Academy Award-winning actress Reese Witherspoon is collaborating with Avon to create a new fragrance. Called In Bloom, it is set to launch in November.
Based on the television show 24, ScentStory has launched 24 The Fragrance. The cologne is only available in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It will be available globally in the near future. It begins with lavender, mandarin orange, bergamot and lemon. Its middle notes are nutmeg, cinnamon, pink pepper, mint, caraway and anise. It finally dries down to amber, musk, oak moss, vanilla and wood. It will sell for AED250 (USD68.00) for a 100ml bottle.
Diptyque has recently launched its newest perfume, L’Eau de Tarocco. This fragrance is inspired by the scents of oranges.
Jo Malone will introduce Vanilla & Anise in September. The key ingredients of this fragrance are bergamot neroli, wild fennel flower, star anise, oldeander, tuberose, frangipani, purple vanilla orchid, clove, white amber, vetiver bourbon, vanilla bourbon absolute and tonka. It will sell for $55 for a 1 oz bottle and $100 for a 3.4 oz bottle.
Josie Natori will launch Natori, her new fragrance, in August.
Nina Ricci will release Ricci Ricci in November. This new fragrance for women features rhubarb zest, bergamot, moonflower, tuberose, centifolia rose, patchouli and sandalwood notes.
Socialite Daphne Guinness will launch Daphne, her first commercial fragrance, in September.
Stella Nude will be Stella McCartney's newest fragrance. This perfume is a variation of Stella. According to Now Smell This, "The notes include Moroccan rose, grapefruit, peony, pink pepper, vanilla and amber."
Swiss Army Knife maker Victorinox will launch two new fragrances in the near future. Swiss Army Mountain Water For Her will be officially introduced in mid-June. This light and fresh scent begins with bergamot and neroli; its middle notes are violet and mate; and its drydown is cedarwood and hay absolute. It will retail for $65 for a 100ml bottle. In addition, Victronix will launch Victronix 125 this month. This limited edition fragrance for men celebrates the company's 125th anniversary. According to the The Moodie Report, it "contains top notes of cardamom and grapefruit, and middle notes of bitter cacao powder and larch wood. Base notes consist of hay and tonka beans, resulting in a refined and masculine scent. " It will sell for $69 for a 100ml bottle.
Tim McGraw with Coty will launch a new fragrance called Southern Blend this summer.
Tom Ford shows his softer side with his new perfume collection, White Musk Collection, which will launch in September. This collection consists of four perfumes -- Jasmine Musk, Urban Musk, Musk Pure and White Suede. Jasmine Musk’s notes are ylang-ylang, jasmine, patchouli, orris, vanilla, sandalwood, vetiver, cistus, amber and musk. Urban Musk is composed of ambrette seed absolute extra, white pepper CO2, notes of cumin, white honey, jasmine sambac, black plum, Tonkin musk headspace and benzoin Laos orpur. Musk Pure main ingredients are bergamot, pepper, ylang-ylang orpur, jasmine, lily of the valley, orris butter, orris absolute, jasmine sambac, tonka, benzoin tears and Laotian beeswax. Finally, White Suede is comprised of Bulgarian rose, saffron, thyme, mate tea, olibanum, lily of the valley, amber, suede and sandalwood. Each perfume will sell for $180 for a 50ml bottle.
Is your dad still stuck in the seventies or eighties? Does he still listen to music on his eighties boombox? Do computers scare him? If this is your dad, I highly recommend that you give him fragrances from his past. Many colognes that are oldies but goodies are still being sold. You can usually find them in discount fragrance stores, perfumeries that specialized in rare fragrances or online retailers. I highly recommend these nostalgic fragrances for your dad . . .
Antaeus by Chanel (1981)
Antaeus is a strong, luxurious and very, very sophisticated scent. The beginning notes of this woody-chypre fragrance is lemon, lime, coriander and clary sage. Its middle notes are thyme, basil, rose and jasmine. It finally ends with patchouli, castoreum, labdanum and oakmoss.
Aramis by Aramis (1965)
Aramis is considered to be a fragrance masterpiece. This classic yet modern fragrance has a universal, timeless appeal. It begins with artemisia, bergamot, cinnamon, gardenia. Its middle notes are pelargonium, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, and its base is leather, oakmoss, amber.
Aspen by Coty (1989)
This fragrance takes me back to my college years. I always wore this alpine aromatic scent. I should have known that I had good taste back then; it won a FiFi in 1991, and Luca Turin, a well known scent scientist, gave it four stars. Aspen is classified as a refreshing, spicy, lavender and amber fragrance. This masculine scent blends woodsy, citrus and spicy notes.
Brut by Faberge (1964)
Brut always reminds me of a hardworking man. This masculine scent blends citrus top notes with a spicy woodsy base. Lavender and amber are also included in this fragrance.
4711 by Muelhens (1792)
Created in 1792, this fragrance was the original eau de toilette. 4711 begins with orange oil, peach, basil, bergamot and lemon; middle notes are cyclamen, lily, melon, jasmine and bulgarian rose; and its base notes are patchouli, tahitian vetiver, musk, sandalwood, oakmoss and cedar.
New West by Aramis (1988)
If this list did not include this classic and rare fragrance, it would not be complete. This unusual lemon peppery and rare scent always leave me in awe. It is hypnotic. New West begins with calone, bergamot, geranium leaf and mint. Its heart is rosemary, oregano, lavender, bay leaf, nutmeg, sage and juniper and it ends with patchouli, sandalwood, cedarwood, moss and musk.
Old Spice by Proctor and Gamble (1938)
Men have love this "oldie by goodie" for years. It is always reasonable price and smells terrific. This cologne is the original man's man fragrance. According to the Fragrance Foundation Fragrance Directory, Old Spice has "top notes of Italian bergamot and Californian lemon[, which is] blended with florals of carnation, jasmine and rose. The heart is spicy and warm. Amber, rich vanilla and opoponax notes define the incense/spice base and are blended with East Indian sandalwood, ylang [ylang], nutmeg, lavender and patchouli to give it its spice/fougère character. The drydown reveals warm, sensual musks. Touches of Haitian vetiver and Yugoslavian oakmoss serve to complete this complex distinct and definitive fragrance."
Pour Monsieur by Chanel (1955)
The first and only men's fragrance made during Coco Chanel's lifetime, this highly sophisticated fragrance blends lemon, mandarin and cardamom into a woody base. This old beauty may not be available in many stores. You may want to try its 2001 version, Concentree, if you cannot find it.
Pour Monsieur Concentree is more intense than the original version. It has top notes of petit grain, lavender and mandarin orange; its middle notes are nutmeg and cardamom; and it dries down to opoponax, vanilla, oakmoss and vetiver.
Royal Copenhagen by Royal Copenhagen (1970)
I love this cologne. I highly recommend it to all men who want a great smelling, masculine and nostalgic fragrance. Royal Copenhagen is classified as an oriental and woody scent. It blends orange, lemon, jasmine, moss and amber notes.
Santal Imperial by Creed (1850)
This 200 plus year old classic is a soft and earthy fragrance with a spicy base. This fragrance is considered to be a "universal" eau de toilette. Its main ingredient is Indian sandalwood.
Tim McGraw with Coty will launch a new fragrance called Southern Blend this summer. "Southern Blend’s a little lighter. I always picture a field when I think about [the new fragrance]," said McGraw to WWD. The cologne begins with grapefruit, star anise and bergamot; its heart is lavender, violet leaves and whiskey accord; and it dries down to vetiver, amber and tobacco. It will be offer in three sizes as an eau de toilette: 0.5 oz for $17, 1 oz for $23 and 1.7 oz for $30. Southern Blend's bottle will have the same shape as McGraw, Tim McGraw's first fragrance. Source:WWD
Calvin Klein's fragrances represent my personal history. Obsession was my first introduction to designer fragrances. This 1980s oriental-woody scent helped me to become a man in the early nineties. It represented my youthful virility and vitality.
Eternity was the next fragrance by Calvin Klein to enter my life. I was in my mid-twenties when I started to wear this cologne. I just finished graduate school, and I entered into the professional world. My attitude was fresh, which meant it wasn't polluted by years of bad experiences. Opportunities seemed limitless to me. I was also ready to settle down. I wanted it all -- a beautiful partner, lovely children and a great career. Eternity's scent represented my attempt to create stability in my life.
Presently, Man is the Calvin Klein fragrance that I wear. I'm now in my mid-thirties. I have experienced many different and difficult things since my Eternity days. My life has become more streamlined, and my appreciation for refinery has increased. My taste has become matured. Man's scent accurately represents this stage in my life.
Even though I have mentioned to friends that I have outgrown Calvin Klein's scents, I know I'm not being honest. I still love his colognes. They represent my past and present. And, I'm sure that Calvin Klein's colognes will always have a place in my life and in my heart.
Obsession, Eternity and Man can be found at most retailers and online perfumers. I encourage you to make one of these scents as member of your fragrance wardrobe.
Obsession: First Love Top Notes: Mandarin, Grapefruit, Lavender and Coriander Middle Notes: Carnation, Jasmine, Rosewood and Pine Needle Base Notes: Patchouli, Vetiver, Vanilla and Amber
Eternity: Unlimited Possibilities Top Notes: Bergamot, Lemon, Petitgrain and Lavender Middle Notes: Orange Blossom, Coriander, Juniperberry and Lily of the valley Base Notes: Sandal, Rosewood, Musk and Amber
Man: Maturity Top Notes: Rosemary, Mandarin, Bergamot and Violet Leaf Middle Notes: Bay, Nutmeg, Incense and Spearmint Base Notes: Cypress, Guaiac, Sandalwood, Amber and Musk
Starting today and ending next Saturday, I will be celebrating the allure of "The Male Scent." As a man, I know that I feel more confident when I wear a great smelling cologne. I transform from a "Clark Kent" type character to a virile man's man. A good cologne always give me back my swagger. I'm sure that many men have the same experience as I do when they spray a quality fragrance on their bodies. Additionally, you will receive a practical benefit during this week's celebration. You will get great last minute Father's Day gift ideas for your special man. Well, readers, enjoy this week!
"How to combine aromatherapy oils to make an uplifting daytime fragrance oil; get expert tips and advice on aromatherapy ingredients and techniques in this free personal health video."-- ExpertVillage.com
Actress Zoe Kravitz, who happens to be the daughter of Lenny Kravitz and Lisa Bonet, will be the new face of Vera Wang's Princess, including Rock Star Princess. She will replace Camilla Belle, whose contract will end in July.
About a year ago, I mentioned that Philippine-born lingerie designer Josie Natori signed an agreement with Parlux to create a fragrance line for her company. It will finally come to fruition in August. Her collection will be simply called Natori. Ms. Natori stated to Cosmetic World, “Lingerie and fragrance are quite possibly the most intimate products a woman can wear. And in a way, fragrance is even more personal than lingerie. It’s a way of expressing yourself to yourself, like a secret.” The fragrance is a floral oriental, and it opens with aldehydes, rose petals and dark plum. Its middle notes are ylang ylang, purple peony and night-blooming jasmine, and it finally dries down to black patchouli, amber and a satin musk accord." It will sell for $80 for a 1.7 oz eau de parfum and $110 for a 3.4 oz bottle. A body creme and a shower creme will be included in this collection.
Diptyque has recently launched its newest perfume, L’Eau de Tarocco. This fragrance is inspired by the various scents of oranges. The main notes of this fragrance are grapefruit, Florida oranges, cinnamon, Bulgarian rose, safraline, cedar and Somali frankincense. It is available as a 3.4 oz bottle for $98.00 and a 6.8 oz bottle for $135.00.
Socialite Daphne Guinness will launch Daphne, her first commercial fragrance, in September. Her perfume will be produced by Comme des Garçons. Daphne begins with bitter orange, incense and saffron. Its heart is Tunisian jasmine, tuberose and iris notes, and its base is patchouli, oud, amber and vanilla notes. The fragrance will be available as a 50ml spray for $140.
Here is the dirt in the fragrance world for this week. Retailer the Banana Republic and jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels will launch new fragrances. Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Girls will get cute outfits. Perfume designers -- Al Qurashi, By Kilian, Guerlain, Issey Miyake and Lolita Lempicka -- will introduce new fragrances in late summer or in the fall. On a somber note, fashion guru Jean-Claude de Givenchy has recently passed. For more details, read The Report.
The Banana Republic, a retail brand of Gap, Inc., will launch Republic of Men and Republic of Women in September. These new scents are for the urban sporty crowd.
Gwen Stefani’s Harajuku Girls will get new outfits. They will be dressed in their winter best. According to WWD, "The five limited edition dolls are bundled up in winter clothes, befitting the moniker — Snow Bunnies."
Guerlain will launch Idylle in September. The primary note in this floral is Bulgarian Roses.
Jean-Claude de Givenchy, one of the patriarchs of the fashion world and one of the founders of the House of Givenchy, recently died on May 18 in Cannes, France.
Jeweler Van Cleef & Arpels will introduce a new high-end fragrance line called "Collection Extraordinaire." This collection will consist of 6 perfumes: Bois d’Iris, Gardénia Pétale, Lys Carmin, Orchidée Vanille, Muguet Blanc and Cologne Noire. It will be available in select retailers.
Lolita Lempicka will launch a new perfume in the fall. It will be called Si Lolita. The main notes for this spicy floral is mandarin, bergamot, pink peppercorns, sweet pea note, elemi, amber, patchouli and tonka bean.
Luxury perfumer By Kilian will introduce its newest fragrance in the L’Oeuvre Noire / Black Masterpiece series. Called Black: Aphrodisiac, it is "is an olfactive composition built on notes that range from honey to fruity, to woody and ambery, combined to reconstitute a “tobacco” accord," according to Madisonperfumery.com.
Middle Eastern perfumer Al Qurashi will launch four new fragrances in the fall according to Cosmetics International: Essence of Soul, Hello October, Life and Dubai Blend.
In mid-August, Japanese designer Issey Miyake will introduce a new perfume called a scent by issey miyake.
Spotlight is Avon's newest perfume for women. Award winning actress Courteney Cox, the face of Spotlight, mentions that "this fragrance is about feeling good about yourself and being confident when you step into your own unique roles -- and into the spotlight." This floral-woody musk scent opens with icy silver accord, mandarin and bergamot. The heart of the fragrance is freesia, watery notes, tuberose and mimosa. Finally it dries down to these base notes: cashmere wood, vetiver and amber crystals. It is available as a 1.7 oz eau de toilette spray for $22.50. It can be purchased on Avon.com or through an Avon representative.
In mid-August, Japanese designer Issey Miyake will introduce a new perfume called a scent by issey miyake. "Minimalism, modern design and freshness are the three themes of the fragrance," according to Osmoz. It is a a woodsy-floral-green-citrus scent. It will be available in three sizes -- 1.7 oz, 3.4 oz and 5 oz.
The Banana Republic, a retail brand of Gap, Inc., will launch Republic of Men and Republic of Women in September. These new scents are for the urban sporty crowd. Simon Kneen, Banana Republic’s executive vice president of design and creative director, said to WWD, "It sits within the Banana Republic family — from a fragrance point of view — and [is meant to] appeal to a sportier, khaki-pants guy and white-shirt girl. It’s a very accessible perfume, the kind of thing everyone should have in their tote or messenger bag in the urban adventure of today.” Republic of Men is an eau de toilette, and it begins with clementine, plum, and fig leaf. Its middle notes are ambac, rosemary, basil, sage and freshly crushed hazelnut, and it dries down to sandalwood, cedar wood and skin musks. According to WWD, the women's version is an eau de parfum "that has top notes of sweet osmanthus, juicy lychee and spicy bergamot. The heart of the scent includes peony, pink jasmine and Moroccan rose, and it dries down into a base of soft musks and precious woods." Republic of Women will cost $48 and the men's scent will be available for $45. These fragrances will be exclusively sold in the Banana Republic.
Middle Eastern perfumer Al Qurashi will launch four new fragrances in the fall according to Cosmetics International. The new fragrances are Essence of Soul, a floral fragrance that begins with orange and rose; Hello October, a fresh and spicy fragrance that has top notes of orange and rose; Life, a floral scent that begins with mandarin; and Dubai Blend, a more masculine perfume that has top notes of lemon, bergamot, basil and mimosa. These fragrances are for both men and women. They are available in traditional Arabic sizes of 12ml. Essence of Soul, Hello October and Life will cost £48 each and Dubai Blend can be purchased for £1056.
"A perfumer who has helped create fragrances for stars like Hilary Swank and Kate Walsh shows us how you can create your own special fragrance." -- Voxant
Sometimes as a perfume blogger, I take myself too seriously. But, I think this may be the nature of most perfume lovers and makers. We consider perfume as an art, and good art must not be too humorous. So, I decided to temporarily ban seriousness from this site and show this funny commercial. You may be laughing your ass off. Enjoy!
Harajuku Lovers is Gwen Stefani's newest and award winning fragrance line. It has won two FiFi Awards for "Fragrance of the Year — Women’s Luxe" and "Best Packaging of the Year — Women’s Prestige." There are five fragrances in this collection: Love, Lil’Angel, Music, Baby and “G.” "Inspired by the electric street scene of the Harajuku shopping district in Tokyo, the Harajuku Lovers collection captures the lyrics and iconography from Gwen Stefani’s albums and appeals to anyone who appreciates a ‘fatal attraction to cuteness’," according to Osmoz.com. For more information about this collection, click here. Enjoy the video.
Many years ago, I did this same project with a group of teens. They all had a good time making colorful scented bath salts. This perfumed craft is a very simple project. The video below will show you the simplicity of this fragrance recipe.
Jean-Claude de Givenchy, one of the patriarchs of the fashion world and one of the founders of the House of Givenchy, recently died on May 18 in Cannes, France. He was 84. He opened the legendary fashion and fragrance house with his famous brother, Hubert de Givenchy, in 1952. He managed Givenchy's haute couture and fragrance businesses. Good bye Monsieur de Givenchy.
Bvlgari has extended its Blv fragrance line with the introduction of its newest perfume for women, Blv Eau de Parfum II. According to the Moodie Report, this perfume is inspired "by a modern vision of the colour blue." It represents women who are full of "femininity, magnetism, harmony and grace." Blv Eau de Parfum II begins with violet, star anise, licorice and mandarin. Its heart is iris absolute, patchouli and Haitian vetiver. Its base is amber notes, benzoin, ambergris, cistus flower and musk. It will be available in three sizes -- 30 ml, 50 ml and 75 ml bottles. 
agrance is lemon, lime, coriander and clary sage. Its middle notes are thyme, basil, rose and jasmine. It finally ends with patchouli, castoreum, labdanum and oakmoss.
