MY FAVOURITE FRAGRANCES {2022}

 I currently have 4 fragrances on rotation in my "Fragrance Wardrobe" and

 as to which I choose, depends on my mood, the occasion and the weather.

I'm one of those people that loves to wear a fragrance daily and I

always have been, for as long as I can remember.

Fragrances have also been a huge part of my very long career in beauty,

 yet I have very few favourites and as one would expect they have 

changed over the years.

To be very honest I'm not one of those people that love all fragrances,

as I actually dislike way more than I like.

I generally enjoy the more citrusy-fresh genre, but even that has changed

slightly over the years.

Fragrance is very subjective and one fragrance doesn't suit all and it

can often take some time to find the ONE that has you lifting your

wrist to your nose often to just take in more of a beautiful scent.

My four current faves have remained constant now for several years

and it would take something exceptional to knock any of the below

off their fragrance perch.

CLEAN RESERVE

 CITROEN FIG

EDP

I love my Clean Reserve Citroen Fig and if I'm not mistaken I'm on

 my 3rd 100ml bottle. 

It really has become one of my all-time favourites, as I just love the

 top notes of fig, ginger, and lemon oil that will brings you an immediate 

burst of citrus, followed by the middle notes of cardamom, mint, 

copaiba, and mandarin, then the base notes of sandalwood, cedarwood,

 and musk will ensure that you have an exotic scent to last throughout the day.

I have reviewed 3 Clean Reserve fragrances and we now find ourselves being 

a Clean Reserve family, as I use the Citroen Fig, 

my hubby uses Warm Cotton and the youngest 'Kiddiewink" uses Rain

 and best of all we can create more fragrance options by layering with other

 fragrances in the Clean Reserve range and creating a unique fragrance.

To read my original reviews

~~~~~~

It took me several years to get onboard with the Jo Malone hype, simply

 because after trying so many of the fragrances, over so many years, 

I couldn't find one

that I was head over heels in love with.

After a slow start with Jo Malone I now have 2 JM fragrances included in my

"Fragrance Wardrobe" of four.

JO MALONE

EARL GREY & CUCUMBER 

COLOGNE

A fragrance with a burst of bergamot, the distinction of Earl Grey, and the

 coolness of crunchy cucumber, with a sweet base of beeswax, vanilla and musk. 

It's both reviving and refined and I adore it...

To read my original review

JO MALONE

WOOD SAGE & SEA SALT

COLOGNE

Complex Ingredients include ambrette seed, sea salt and sage, along with

 red algae and grapefruit. 

Sea air is mixed with salty and mineral texture of sand and stones and the 

scent of driftwood adds a natural and fresh sophistication.

Wood Sage & Sea Salt Cologne was created with the intention to evoke

 the feeling of pleasure, freedom and escape into nature, inspired by 

the unique character and quality of British beach. 

To read my original review

Both the Earl Grey & Cucumber and the Wood Sage & Sea Salt are lighter

Citrus/Woody/Aromatic fragrances and for me are ideal for daily Summer wear.

Both are unisex and my hubby also is partial to a spritz of

Wood Sage & Sea Salt...

~~~~~~

PENHALIGON'S

QUERCUS

COLOGNE

A cologne of some sophistication, named for the iconic English oak.

Basil and lemon as fresh as a mountain stream, sweet jasmine,

and a woody, mossy depth that brings one happily back to earth.

I fell in love with Quercus from the first spritz and was introduced to the

fragrance by my BFF in the UK, yet it wouldn't have been a fragrance that

I would have ever considered, however its become a firm favourite of mine

 to wear on those cooler days.

To read my original review

I also have written other fragrance posts that you may find useful :

Tips on How to Choose Fragrance Gifts for Women

Fragrance Evokes Memories

For The Love Of Fragrance Part 1

For The Love Of Fragrance Part 2

FLORAL STREET ARIZONA BLOOM EDP {REVIEW}

For this past week I have been spritzing some

ARIZONA BLOOM by FLORAL STREET

and it has been my first encounter with this UK brand that

is based in Floral Street, Covent Garden in London, hence the brands name.

In the Founder, Michelle Feeneys own words:

“My mission is to bring fine fragrance to the modern woman, so that she 

might build an entire fragrance wardrobe which can express the many 

facets of who she is. 

I find urban, British women so inspiring: they are strong, confident and 

inquisitive, so I decided that Floral Street would be a collection of incredible fragrances built with them in mind and created by 

one of the best noses in the world. 

And, it was important to me that it should be accessible and affordable, too.

I think of Floral Street as an ‘up-start’ brand. 

Yes, we’re a start-up, but we’re also doing everything differently, from making recyclability and sustainability the core 

of our brand, a first in fragrance.

 I’m also against the use of using sexuality to sell scents, it’s degrading and old fashioned, we want to change the conversation around that.”

At Floral Street, their products are vegan and sustainable. 

Consciously sourced and lovingly made.

 Powered by flowers and inspired by London, they match fragrances

 with our moods so however you’re feeling,

they’ve got a wardrobe of scents for you. 

And with all of their award-winning Eau de Parfums containing a 

20% oil concentration, they’re super long-lasting.

They also offer Discovery Kits, which allow you to discover your

 favourites from a wardrobe of 8 sample sizes.

Floral Street also offer a selection of fragrant candles, reed diffusers

room scents.

Arizona Bloom 

is inspired by the flora and fauna of the desert landscapes, 

with subtle hints of Balinese coconut evoking a nomadic sense of freedom.

Classified as a dry floral amber it has quite a 

mix of very recognisable fragrance ingredients: 

Blackcurrant

 Pink Pepper

Sicilian Lemon

 Pink Berries

 Pink Guava

Violet 

Peony Accord 

Raspberry Flower

 Vanilla Bean

 Pink Candy Floss 

Cedarwood and Vetiver

Despite many of the above ingredients being just up my 

"Floral Street" 

(Excuse the Pun)

I sadly found that this combo didn't float my "Fragrance Boat".

Whilst the fragrance was super long lasting, as claimed, on me

Arizona Bloom was just a "pleasant scent" and nothing more.

However her collection of fragrances have a distinct leaning towards all

things floral and having a dozen or so scent options there must be one

that appeals to me and several have already caught my eye like

Electric Rhubarb and Neon Rose, so onwards and upwards with trying more

scents from Floral Street.

FLORAL STREET

ARIZONA BLOOM

10/50/100ml

R

545/1355/2215

£

25/64/100

$

32/84/130

LETS TALK ABOUT - NEW MENS FRAGRANCES

Fragrance has always been a huge part of my life and keeping

up with all the latest fragrance launches was not only a part of

my work but it was also a great passion. 

Sadly I've lost touch a little with what's new and seeing that Fathers Day

is on Sunday I decided to check out the more recent mens fragrances

that have been launched here in SA.

Here are 4 that piqued my interest for one reason or another.

Enjoy!

1.

Emporio Armani

STRONGER WITH YOU ABSOLUTELY

This new, masculine fragrance pays tribute to the absolute

power of love.

STRONGER WITH YOU ABSOLUTELY 

is a Fougère

Oriental Ambery scent for men that is invitingly liquorous, 

sensual, and addictive.

This powerful and sensual fragrance is boosted by an 

addictive new rum accord, while

lavender is irresistibly enhanced with liquorice and fruity facets. 

Warm vanilla and

smoky cedarwood round up this powerful scent.

If your man loves to make a sensual and bold statement then this 

could be one to consider.

With the introduction of STRONGER WITH YOU ABSOLUTELY for him,

the Emporio Armani fragrance collection available in South Africa

now encompasses three masculine scents:

STRONGER WITH YOU

STRONGER WITH YOU INTENSELY

STRONGER WITH YOU ABSOLUTELY

Emporio Armani 

Stronger With You Absolutely 

50ml/100ml

R

1625/2120

available from

18 June 2021 

at all major retailers.

~~~~~~

2.

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN 

AQUA VITAE

COLOGNE FORTE

If heavy scents are not for you or your man then this freshly launched

Maison Francis Kurkdjian 'Aqua Vitae Forte' fragrance could be more

up your "fragrance Street" and is suited to both men and women.

As the colour suggests this fragrance is a sunny, fresh, bright yet

sensual fragrance with

 Top notes:

Mandarin Orange and Bergamot

 Heart and Base notes:

 Sandalwood and Musk

There are 3 fragrances in the Forte Cologne Collection and all feature 

Bergamot as the core ingredient which gives a fresh citrus depth.

I personally love Bergamot in fragrance, so one of these could be

just perfect for me...

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN 

AQUA VITA

COLOGNE FORTE

 70ML

R3,530

Available in South Africa at

 Skins Cosmetics

~~~~~~

3.

AZZARO 

MOST WANTED

 Is another bold, intense fragrance and one for a daring man, 

with an infinite power of attraction.

 Described as a Fougére Oriental and Woody fragrance.

A rather complex fragrance consisting of :

CARDAMOM

The dried bark and seeds of cardamom are distilled in

Guatemala, releasing a range of

complex notes, alternately spicy, green, balsamic or lemony.

CARAMEL

Evoking burnt sugar, vanilla or milky notes, caramel provides a 

balsamic and gourmand tone. Both warm and deliciously sensual.

WOODY AMBER

This bourbon vanilla and vetiver accord offers a complex sensation

 of softness and power.

Azzaro 

The Most Wanted 

EDP Intense 

50/100ml

R

 1490/1880

Azzaro The Most Wanted 

was launched on 10 June 2021 

and is available at all major retailers.

~~~~~~

4.

VIKTOR & ROLF

SPICEBOMB

INFRARED

The popular Spicebomb collection by Viktor & Rolf has a blazing 

hot new men's fragrance inspired by the intensity of a red habanero 

chili pepper with a sharp, piercing burn. 

Around this fiery pepper, red berry oil and tobacco, create a halo of

blazing warmth and magnetism.

Top notes:

 pink pepper, red fruits & cinnamon

Middle notes: 

red chilli pepper Habanero

Base notes: 

benzoin & tobacco

VIKTOR&ROLF

SPICEBOMB

INFRARED

EDT

 50/90ml

R

1640/2050

Launched on the 17th May 

and is available from selected

Edgars & Truworths stores.

~~~~~~

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN BACCARAT ROUGE 540 EDP {REVIEW}

               Over this past week both my hubby and I have been wearing          the unisex bespoke fragrance

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJAN 

BACCARAT ROUGE 540 

EDP

     

                  Maison Francis Kurkdjian was established in France in 2009                           Francis Kurkdjian, a renowned perfumer and at the young age           

    of 24 perfumer Francis Kurkdjian created the hugely popular

 Jean Paul Gaultier Le Mâle 

(which is one of my fave Male fragrances)

 and in 2015 Baccarat Rouge 540 was created.

Created for the French Crystals Company's 250th anniversary, 

Francis Kurkdijan's Baccarat Rouge 540 is a seductive unisex fragrance 

inspired by rare Beckert crystals. 

This complex fragrance combines flirty jasmine and rose with 

warm saffron and sultry cedar for a distinctive fragrance

and is made up of the below:

AmbroxanTM

AmbroxanTM emulates its various amber, dry woody and 

mineral facets. 

It is a kind of super-potent woody note

Hedione

When Hedione is isolated, it evokes the floral and very fresh delicacy 

of jasmine, with a slight lemony facet. 

In its natural state, it comes into the composition of the scent of 

tea and jasmine, even if it is quite different, more airy, more luminous. 

In addition to this transparency and lightness, it binds other ingredients 

and adds freshness.

Cedar from Virginia

This is the typical smell that comes out when you sharpen a pencil: 

woody, dry, slightly spicy and creamy. 

Safran

The most expensive spice in the world, nicknamed "red gold"  

natural saffron is not used in perfumery because it contains safrol, 

a highly allergenic compound. 

But its effect is reproduced with one of its derivatives, saffronal. 

Its very powerful perfume is bitter and slightly metallic with a leathery, 

tarred facet. 

Due to the high price of this fragrance I was expecting something rather 

unique and wonderful and whilst it is unique,

 in my opinion its not wonderful.

As always I must remind you that fragrance is such a 

personal choice and after reading many rave reviews I found it very

difficult to find any elements of this fragrance enjoyable.

Baccarat Rouge 540 is one of those Love/Hate type of scents and

sadly the latter was applicable to both my hubby and I.

This is not a frgarance that I would advise anyone to "Blind Buy".

I found it to be sweet, heady, too woody and too masculine for my liking.

The longevity of the fragrance was very good, which is a fantastic quality

in a fragrance, but only if you love it!

My hubby on the other hand described it 

"as a rather insignificant fragrance"

and whilst he didn't hate it, it certainly didn't develop into anything

memorable on him.

After disclosing the price of the fragrance he was somewhat shocked

and comically said "for that price I want it to smell expensive

 like Baccarat Crystal and not smell like a cheap Baccarat Crystal copy.

MAISON FRANCIS KURKDJIAN 

BACCARAT ROUGE 540 

EDP 

70ML

R

4305

$

264

£

215

JO MALONE LONDON ENGLISH PEAR AND FREESIA COLOGNE {REVIEW}

Considering the vast array of fragrances that 

JO MALONE LONDON

 have in their "fragrance stable" I have only ever found 2 that have

 truly unleashed my fragrance love and adoration;

Earl Grey & Cucumber Click here

Wood Sage & Sea Salt Click here

  Granted I haven't tested them all yet, so my journey with 

JO MALONE scents continues.

However with a recent JO MALONE order that I placed online I was 

gifted a rather cute 9ml spray size of their popular 

English Pear & Freesia Cologne

and Freesias just happen to be my favourite scented bridal flower.

I had freesias in my own bridal bouquet along with roses and still

to this day they both remain my favourite flowers.

English Pear & Freesia sounded like a match made in floral heaven.

JO MALONE describe this combination as 

The essence of autumn. 

The sensuous freshness of just-ripe pears is 

wrapped in a bouquet of white freesias, and mellowed by amber, 

patchouli and woods. Luscious and golden.

Top Note:

King William Pear

An unusual, innovative ingredient, this accord of mellow scented fruit is 

fresh and ripe with a juicy facet.

Heart Note:

Freesia

Quintessentially English, cool white freesias imbue the heart of the fragrance

 with a delicate yet distinctive scent.

Base Note:

Patchouli

A sensuously deep, woody note that enhances the longevity of the fragrance.

For the lovers of the English Pear & Freesia scent there is an 

extensive collection of scented products including: a Home Candle, 

Body Cream, Fragrance Diffuser, Body & Hand Lotion, Bath Oil

and a Body & Hand Wash, Hair Mist and a Hand Cream.

Unfortunately for me, this combo was not a match made in floral heaven,

as I found the fragrance was more dominant with the soft pear notes

 than my beloved bridal freesias.

Despite being classified as "Fruity" this isn't your usual fresh, citrus, 

sparkling, fruity offering, for me it leans towards being a more delicate 

floral scent.

I personally found the lingering woody base note of Patchouli

to offer little longevity, as on "moi" it soon faded.

As I've said in numerous fragrance reviews, it's all a matter of personal

taste (not literally) and sadly the rather nondescript 

English Pear & Freesia 

was not for me, so for now my JO MALONE "loves" still remain at two...

 JO MALONE 

LONDON

ENGLISH PEAR & FREESIA

COLOGNE

30/50/100mls

R

995/1500/2100

£

50/70/100

$

72/100/142

Let me know in the comments below what your favourite JML

fragrances are.