#Thursday w Brent (& Max) Leonesio @smell bent + Dr. Dreidel 3000 and Ice Station Pineapple New Holiday 2014 Perfume Draw

brentandmax leonosio smell bent

 (L) Brent Leonesio of smell bent with his brother and business parter Max

One of our favorite indie perfumers is L.A. based Brent Leonesio of smell bent who we  first featured in our CaFleureBon Profiles in Perfumery series three years ago.  His tongue in cheek fragrance names, hand illustrated labels say “Let’s have Fun!” but he creates some seriously fabulous scents. Former Managing Editor Tama Blough once quipped.  "Smell Bent is giving my Guerlain collection serious competition for most bottles owned".  Brent recently took on a business partner, June of 2014, his younger brother Max joined smell bent. @Cafleurebon  follows @smellbent on #instagram and their #instaphotos always make me smile, so welcome to a day in the life of the smell bent bros.

brent leonosio smellbent

LOLA (and Brent Leonosio)

Thursday @smell bent

7:16 am … Good morning says my cat Lola as she walks all over my face

7:18 am … Feed the kitties and make my way to the office

7:22 am … smell bent customer service reporting for duty   

7:31 am … I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay. I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay. I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay

7:32 am … Distracted by vintage magazines on eBay

7:49 am … Grab my sneaks and run out the door

7:55 am … Life During Wartime by the Talking Heads

8:01 am … I’m the only boy in this gym class.

9:00 am … Sometimes I think I only workout for the milkshakes smoothies. 

maxfillssamples

Max Leonosio

9:15 am … Max, my little brother and the business brains behind smell bent, is filling orders to I’m Gonna Make You Love Me.  I’m very proud.

9:31 am … Morning smell bent powwow.  Yesterday’s site changes seem to be working.

9:53 am … A Little Lost by Sufjan Stevens

10:13 am … Evaluating yesterday’s batch of new holiday scent prototypes

smellbent instagram november 2014

#regram  the making of Dr. Dreidel 3000 #holiday #2014 #perfume #instaphoto  #smellbent

10:24 am … Tinkering with the proportions of Dr. Dreidel 3000

10:37 am … coffee o’clock

11:03 am … The coffee just kicked in.  I come across a bottle of copal.  It might level out the harshness of Dreidel’s oud note and get us to where we need to go

drdreidel3000

The Rx from Dr. Dreidel 3000

11:24 am … The copal is working, but has Dr. Dreidel become too incense-y?

11:45 am … The lab gets a visitor – Sam Pancake stops by to find some new perfume!

12:01 am … Sam loves FIVE (our newest scent created to celebrate smell bent’s 5th anniversary) and leaves smelling like a caramel cigar box

12:34 pm … Grilled cheeses and latkes for lunch! #dietfood

smellbent theyardnext door

1:05 pm … Time to get our instagram on … photo shoot with a plastic hedgehog.  Are you following us yet?  Why not?  @smellbent

1:35 pm … Espresso extract has arrived from the Perfumers Apprentice.  I inhale the deep, green, woody scent.  I’ve thought about doing a coffee perfume for a while.  Does the line need a character named Tall Americano?

2:01 pm … Read an article about smell bent in England.  They call me an LA Hipster … if they only knew 😉

2:14 pm … CVS run

3:01 pm … A Little Lost gets its 2nd play

3:39 pm … Chocolate Twizzlers are my downfall

4:04 pm … Pick up the new scent I was working on Monday – Ice Station Pineapple.  How pineapple is too pineapple?  Should this new perfume be subtle and sophisticated or “Florida on steroids”?

4:32 pm … Elliott calls on facetime. 

5:21 pm … Time to clean up the lab.  Still debating Dr. Dreidel’s copal.  But I won’t really know until today’s sample rests and I sniff it in the morning. 

6:15 pm … pick up my pal Daniel and mosey on over to Hollywood for dinner and a movie

6:34 pm … salad and celebrity gossip for dinner

6:55 pm … I resolve to be a grown up.  Ice Station Pineapple will be sophisticated!

7:45 pm … Birdman is strange and beautiful movie– go see it

9:54 pm … Drive home to Kate Bush’s Song of Solomon

10:09 pm … Catch a peak at the nearly half moon as I pull into my driveway.  I wander back out for a better look

10:17 pm … A "Little Lost" gets its 4th and final play of the day

10:45 pm … Brush my teeth and get in my bed

11:01 pm … A dancing pineapple mambos through my dozing brain.  Who am I kidding? Ice Station Pineapple should be outrageous and pineapple to the max!

11:11 pm … Nod off with a little black cat under my arm, the pineapple will have to wait till tomorrow

#GuestContributor, Brent Leonesio @smell bent

Notes: Ice Station Pineapple – A scoop of pineapple sorbet buried under an avalanche of pine, mint, coconut and icy musk

Notes: Dr. Dreidel 3000- A recording studio full of exotic and expensive woods – hiba, oud, Malaysian sandalwood and guaiac wood – spun with vetiver, copal and designer musk 

smell bent instagram

Dr Driedel 3000 and Ice Station Pineapple will be released November 11, 2014 (50 ml/ $50 USD), will be available on the smellbent.com site and at their stockists (Hey Brent, is there a L.A.  hipster name for stockist??) To celebrate the debut of the new Holiday 2014 smellies we have a worldwide draw for either a bottle of Dr. Driedel 3000 (A dreidel is four sided spinning top used in a gambling game for Hanukkah, a Dr. is a person who  studies hard to practice medicine  and use their earnings to pay back student loans)  or Ice Station Pineapple. Unless you want a sampler of both. To be eligible please leave a comment with the Diary entry you enjoyed  reading the most ,your choice should you win and if you have a favorite smell bent scent. Also, for extra credit…  if you think Brent should create  a coffee perfume named Tall Americano.  Draw ends 11/10/ 2014

We announce the winners on our site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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30 comments

  • cdb73110 says:

    Funny diary but I liked the 4:04 pm comment on the new Ice Station Pineapple. Florida on steroids yes, yes.
    11:01 entry….dancing mambos, I was invisioning Carmen Miranda ha ha. I’m in the USA and without a doubt choose Ice Station Pineapple. Sounds like you all have a lot of fun and hard work. My favorite of Smell Bent is St Tropez Dispenser Apres Soleil and Blimey Limey. Oh also really enjoy Horny Little Devil. I Never got to try Lemon Cowboy but oh so wanted too. Oh well. Thanks for the awesome draw.
    Brent do create Tall Americano.

  • Amy K says:

    Ice Station Pineapple sounds like so much fun! That would be my choice. Our music choices and eBay distractions sound eerily similar, so those are my favorite entries. And yes, Tall Americano is a no-brainer. Of course we need a coffee perfume. I haven’t tried any Smell Bent fragrances yet, but so many of them sound interesting.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    I could not help but notice how guilty pleasures such as coffee and choclate play a huge role in the lives of the founders. I would like to thank for the Birdman movie recommendation and it is now on my watchlist.

    For this draw, my choice will be Dr. Dreidel 3000 because it has oud and incense note..my favorite smellbent perfume is debonair and I am in the US.. I might not have recommended Tall Americano but one should do what one loves and it is clear coffee is quite dear to Brent and Max. Thus, they should go ahead and convert coffee into an olfactory form.

  • MikasMinion says:

    Thanks Cafleurebon for making my day. Cute boys with cats and good perfume, you’re making me swoon. I Really appreciated that the brothers Leonosio have the pleasure of the same alarm system employed at my place. Nothing like a tiny jellybean toe in your eye to start the day off right! Also loved the milkshakes/smoothies comment and am glad the copal stayed in.
    My current favorite SB is Five but Brussles Sprouted is awesome too. I’m pro Tall Americano, still haven’t found a coffee scent to suit me
    I am in the US and would love to try both scents so the sampler for me please.

  • Ginny M says:

    🙂 This just made me smile! Tall Americano? Absofrickinlutely! I may go make myself a coffee right now! This was my fave entry: “I resolve to be a grown up. Ice Station Pineapple will be sophisticated!” I couldn’t posssssibly decide between the two, so I’d adore the chance to try them both–and, I’m sad to admit, I’ve no Smell Bent experience thusfar! Dying to, though! Thanks for the entertainment, and I live in the US!

  • Sun Mi says:

    I loved this line: 8:01 am … I’m the only boy in this gym class. Hehe so adorable. I’ve never tried a smell bent scent – but I’d love a bottle of Dr. Dreidel 3000 if I were to win the draw! Thanks for the draw, I live in the US. p.s. Tall Americano is definitely something that should be made!

  • Florin says:

    Thanks for the draw!
    My favorite funny entry : “6:34 pm … salad and celebrity gossip for dinner”. Excellent for a healthy diet 😉
    From what I tested until now, I love Incensed and Lemon Cowboy, and I’d like to win Dr Driedel 3000.
    A coffee scent ? YES YES YES ! ( not too many good ones on the market…).
    I live in France.

  • Marcopietro says:

    2:01 pm … BL is an LA Hipster!?
    He is certainly a man with a good sense of humor.
    I never tried Leonesio fragrances, this one could be a good opportunity for that. I think it’s a great idea a new coffee scent.
    I’d love to try Dr. Dreidel 3000
    Thanks for the draw and the funny diary.
    I live in Italy.

  • ring thing says:

    This is great, I too enjoy chocolate Twizzlers 🙂 The whole mental conversation about pineapple is entertaining. I would love a coffee perfume called Tall Americano! And Dr Dreidel 3000 sounds fabulous,it would be my choice. Thanks for the fun post and great draw, I’m in the US.

  • Timea says:

    Fantastic review. Unfortunately, I had never tried these perfumes. But from these article, I suppose there are great. My choice would be Gardenia Oud. I live in Europe.

  • Connie says:

    I would like to win Dr. Dreidel 3000, and there’s always room in the world for another coffee perfume. I don’t have a favorite Smell Bent yet, but samples of Prairie Nymph and St Tropez Dispenser are heading my way. I’m in the US!

  • Elia says:

    I liked the song choice with Sufjan Stevens. Played it myself today as a reminder.
    I’d like to win Dr.Dreidel 3000,
    tI’m in the EU, y

  • Martin says:

    Living in the USA I have been wanting to sample some of Brent’s work including his Violet Tendencies and Brussels Sprouted and will be placing an order soon. Even though I never drink coffee I sure do love the scent and I would bet that his Tall Americano would be a winner. If I were lucky enough to win the draw I would sure love to have his Ice Station Pineapple.

  • Jeannie 07 says:

    I enjoyed reading the diary entry “3:39 pm … Chocolate Twizzlers are my downfall” because chocolate twizzlers are my favorite chocolate and downfall as well 🙂
    I never had the chance to experience any smell from bent scents so I have no favorite one but in case I win I would love to have Dr. Dreidel 3000.
    Definitely Brent should create a coffee perfume especially if named Tall Americano since I am a coffee lover.
    I live in EU and I thank you for this lovely draw.

  • Steve A says:

    I identify with CVS run, unfortunately. I would like to win a sample of each. And my favorite of the line is, Blimey Limey. USA

  • Lean S says:

    I am in the US. Thank you for this great draw! I don’t currently have a favorite Smell Bent Scent, but I would love to try Ice Station Pineapple. My favorite entry to read was:

    ” 7:31 am … I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay. I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay. I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay

    7:32 am … Distracted by vintage magazines on eBay ” … I can relate to this…. but with fragrance blogs >.>

    Of course Brent should create a Tall Americano!!!

  • Nyal Dillimore says:

    Loved this, so good. Dr Dreidel 3000, clever name! Want it:) Ice station pineapple, over-the-topness, want it too! Tall Americano? Definite yes! I’m in aotearoa, I’m a kiwi:) I want to win so bad!!!

  • Lisa R says:

    It’s always. “Coffee o’clock”! I really enjoyed how his personality really came out in the medium he chose. Tall americano? Maybe if there wassomething to balance the expresso out. Too many coffeee scents are just COffEE since its a hard note to compete with. I havent gotten to smell Smell Bent yetbut they have been on my list to try!

    I am in the US and would love some Dr Dreidel!!

  • rivercitylizzy says:

    I have a hard time choosing a “favorite” from among the colorful diary entries here, but I especially enjoyed the desperately hopeful (and ultimately futile) chant of “I will not get distracted by vintage magazines on ebay…,” the insight into The Chairman’s perfume artistry (adding copal into the mix of Dr. Dreidel 3000), and the adorable little plastic hedgehog workin’ it in the photo shoot.

    My current favorite SB goodie is Sunshine, because sometimes I just don’t wanna be a grownup and this scent is PERFECT for those times!

    Tall Americano, definitely; he’s such a smokin’ hot order.

    I’m in the US and would love to hit the studio with Dr. Dreidel 3000.

  • Monoatomic says:

    Enjoyable read, interesting to read about the thought process about where to take these perfumes. Plus of course cute cat pictures don’t hurt! My favorite SB perfume is Florist Fridge.
    Normally I’d just choose Dr. Dreidel 3000 based on the notes but Ice Station Pineapple just sounds so freaking fun that I have to go with the sampler. I’m in the US. And I also vote yes for Tall Americano but agree with Lisa R that coffee alone is not enough.

  • Lyubov says:

    Hahahah, hilarious, Brent! ‘I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay. I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay. I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on eBay’. I can relate, especially about vintage perfume bottles!
    Thumbs up for Tall Americano! Yes, Yes, Yes! The perfume world needs more coffee-centered fragrances, indeed!
    I would like to sample both the holiday fragrances, Dr. Dreidel 3000, and Ice Station Pineapple. I am in Bulgaria (EU). Thanks for the great chance!

  • Ferris Égoïste says:

    My favorite diary entry is “Chocolate Twislers are my downfall.”I would love a bottle of Dr. Driebel 3000 and my favorite smell bent scent is Commando. I’m in the U.S.

  • Missi B says:

    My favourite diary entry is 7:31 I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on Ebay, I will not be distracted by vintage magazines on Ebay… in the morning I have the same problem, try not to be distracted and do what I wanted to do 🙂
    I have not smelled a smell bent scent yet. If I win I would like Dr. Dreidel 3000. And yes, Tall Americano scent sounds good! I am in the EU.

  • Patty P. says:

    11:11 pm … Nod off with a little black cat under my arm, the pineapple will have to wait till tomorrow. 🙂 USA

  • lionceau says:

    Thank you for the reviews and the draw! My favorite entry is: 8:01 am … I’m the only boy in this gym class.

    Both sound lovely, but I would choose Dr. Dreidel 3000. I live in the US and Incensed is my favorite.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    The Diary entry I enjoyed reading the most was “11:01 pm … A dancing pineapple mambos through my dozing brain. Who am I kidding? Ice Station Pineapple should be outrageous and pineapple to the max!” That’s usually when my decisions come to me. Should I win, I’d like to try the sampler because I have not yet had the pleasure of wearing a smell bent scent.
    I definitely think Brent should create a coffee perfume named Tall Americano!

  • Damir says:

    This is interesting and amusing article in the form of diary. I’m afraid, I have not tried smell bent fragrances yet. I just love entry from 1:35, so Tall Americano is certainly welcome. I also like early morning with Talking Heads and ” …The copal is working, but has Dr. Dreidel become too incense-y.” Oud and guaiac together in Dr. Dreidel 3000? I’m impressed by raw materials in Dr. Dreidel 3000, so it is my choice, although Ice Station Pineapple also sounds lovely and tempting. I’m in the EU, Croatia. Thank you.

  • Holly F. says:

    “9:00 am … Sometimes I think I only workout for the milkshakes smoothies.”

    Don’t we all, though?

    I would love to win Dr. Dreidel 3000. My current favorite is the Musk Frankensmellie, of which I totally wish I had a full bottle! I’m in the U.S. Thanks!

  • Travis says:

    “4:04 pm … Pick up the new scent I was working on Monday – Ice Station Pineapple. How pineapple is too pineapple? Should this new perfume be subtle and sophisticated or “Florida on steroids”?” I love pineapple notes in fragrances! I’m so glad Brent has decided to go over the top with this note! I would love to win Ice Station Pineapple. My current favorite Smell Bent scent is Mountain High, which is herbal and daring. I also think Tall American is a fantastic idea for a scent! I would love to see the little sketch that accompanies the fragrance.

  • brianlovessmellies says:

    My favorite comment is the one where he listens to Sufjan Stevens, I love Smell Bent’s Bewitched, Bothered and Bewilderness more than any other fragrance ever and I think that Dr. Dreidel 3000 could give it a run for its money!

    Oh, and definitely make a coffee scent. One of the few things missing from the Smell Bent repertoire!