NEW FRAGRANCE REVIEWS Maria Candida Gentile Classic Collection + Reader’s Choice Draw

February 15, 2012February 16, 2012

I think as an American perfume reviewer it becomes very easy for me to keep my eyes trained on the bounty of independent perfumers that abound close to home. The latest perfumer to help cure me of my myopia is Maria Candida Gentile. . I soon ended up with the six fragrances which make up Mme Gentile’s Classic Collection in front of me and over the course of a couple of weeks let them impose their will and Mme Gentile’s vision upon me. A couple of them have left indelible imprints.

FRAGRANCE REVIEWS Strange Invisible Perfumes Zodiac Collection “Sign Me Up” + Zodiac Draw

February 11, 2012February 11, 2012

Probably the hoariest pick-up line of all time is “What’s your sign?” It truly takes someone of phenomenal talent to rehabilitate that corny come-on. Alexandra Balahoutis of Strange Invisible Perfumes has that level of talent. Ms. Balahoutis is easily one of the top botanical perfumers working and all of her compositions are examples of the complexity that natural perfume can reach.

The Winners of the Blue Jasmine Draw

February 11, 2012February 11, 2012

The heart of Blue Jasmine from Belly flowers is a subtle swirling of two kinds of lotus and three kinds of jasmine with a warm ylang ylang that adds just a touch of sensuality to the mix.

The Winner of Providence Perfume Co. Hindu Honeysuckle Draw

February 9, 2012February 9, 2012

Hindu Honeysuckle is a beautiful example of the complexity natural perfumers can achieve by using the best natural components. As far as Ms. Ethier is concerned Hindu Honeysuckle continues her ascension begun last year. One can only wonder how high she can reach before the end of this year.

Esscentual Alchemy’s TAROT Series “The Turn Of A Friendly Card” + Sample Set Draw

February 7, 2012

The Tarot is an ancient form of divination (a system of trying to understand one’s place and relation to cosmic forces beyond one’s control). There are many types of tarot decks and this line is based on the Gaian Tarot. It is the Major Arcana that Amanda Feeley of Escentual Alchemy has focused on, for her perfumes. If you tried the mass market line of Tarot perfumes (Anthology) and found them wanting and rather generic, I urge you to give these perfumes a try!

NEW FRAGRANCE REVIEW Di Ser Kaze “Japanese Elements at Elements Showcase”

February 4, 2012February 4, 2012

Every time I am at a trade show the best part of it is when I find a something completely new to me. That moment of discovery is where the magic is. At the most recent Elements Showcase that bit of serendipity occurred midway through the first day as I approached the Di Ser Eau de Parfums booth. What was there was a display of ten fragrances completely unknown to me and I’m guessing the rest of the attendees as well.