Victoria's Secret Holiday 2011

Victoria's Secret holiday is online now and  this year includes a new scent- Victoria's Secret Angel  as well as gift sets like the Must Have Perfume Set , $40  and the cute fragrance ornaments that come in several scents at $ 10.

 http://www.victoriassecret.com/

My 1st Betty Confidential Post

I have begun  contributing to Betty Confidential. I hope to cover a wide range of topics but first, naturally, was fragrance with my  Fall Fragrance Preview .  

The Little Book of Perfumes by Luca Turin & Tania Sanchez

The  husband and wife duo behind Perfumes : The Guide  have a new , smaller release called The Little Book of Perfumes.

This new book takes a look at what the authors feel are are the best 96  perfumes .  It also includes a rare look at four scents no longer available  and now only at the Osmotheque  museum in Paris.

The book is a slim, narrow volume making it a fun gift idea for the perfume lover. It's not always easy to know what fragrance to buy someone, but a book on perfume? That's a great idea. If you really love perfume, you love to read about it. Seriously, I need a book club for perfume books.  Now that would be interesting.

 Scents are discussed by Turin and Sanchez in their original form and if they've been re-formulated  or updated then that information is included also.

Favorites of  mine  included - Fracas, Parfums MDCI Promesse de l'Aube and oldie but goodie Calyx.

The Little Book of Perfumes ( Viking , $ 18.00) will be on  sale beginning October 31st .

Harajuku Lovers Jingle G

Get ready for some  cute. This new for holiday Harajuku Lovers, Jingle G, is so darn adorable. I usually don't go for cutesy but I loved the original girls and a Christmas one is the best yet. I can't imagine there aren't many who wouldn't love  to find this under or on their tree.

Jingle G is is dressed in her Christmas finery and comes in a case that has a to-from tag and a ribbon to loop on the tree. Once opened , she has another ribbon  and the top cap comes off the perfume so Jingle G can be an ornament long after the fruity/vanilla fragrance is used up.

 Jingle G is  LE for the holidays and $ 25.00 for .33 oz EDT , exclusive to Sephora and  Sephora.com

Acqua Di Parma Gelsomino Nobile

I haven't met , truly, an Acqua Di  Parma fragrance I haven't liked or usually, loved. I'm beginning to think that despite my love of so many vaunted fragrance houses, that the Italians just may have most of my heart. They love to reference villas , palazzos and gardens overlooking the Mediterranean and I am so there, in  my mind at least. So perhaps that's part of it. It helps that they really do smell that good.

So we have  Acqua Di Parma's newest -Gelsomino Nobile, based on Calabrian Jasmine, known for being green and fresh. There is a trio of Nobile fragrances now ,with the previous two being the equally gorgeous Iris Nobile and Magnolia Nobile.

Gelosmino Nobile is all  sweet jasmine ( and I don't mean super candy sweet but that it's not indolic)  It's a full bodied white floral ,  incredibly pretty  and yes fresh, as the jasmine is said to be.

The jasmine is mingled with mandarin which makes a fabulous combination  and orange blossom builds the white flower presence  and then the cedarwood and musk notes temper the flowers a little bit and  ground it. I don't find it to be very green , but there is just enough there to balance those white flowers and not send into hothouse territory ( not that there is anything wrong with that .) The overtly big floral theme doesn't suit here, and Gelsomino Nobile is fine just as it is.  It's elegant but not never too much and has a sparkling zip to it which might be the mandarin. That note sticks around here much longer than usual as citrus is so  volatile .

It will wear well  most any day and anytime.  Sillage is medium and it lasts nicely .

3.4 oz/100ml EDP Spray: $170
1.7oz/50ml EDP Spray: $108
5.25oz/150gr Body Cream: $80 (4% concentrated fragrance)


Avaialable at Neiman Marcus, Sephora.com  Bergdorf Goodman, Saks and select Nordstroms .

Chanel N°19 Poudré

Chanel's No 19 can truly be called an iconic scent. It's been awhile since I smelled it but I, like so many perfume fanatics, was really anticipating the new Chanel No 19 Poudre.  The original is of course still very much available and now there is  an updated version, something more modern I guess you could say, and very different from the  first one which is a big scent in all aspects of the word  and bold. With the new one,   Creator Jacques Polge says he " wanted to underline the importance of iris at Chanel while giving a new facet to No 19.

No 19 Poudre is based on the iris note ( as is the original),  iris pallida to be exact here, which happens to be a favorite  note of mine. It starts off all rooty iris and green just the way I like it. The top notes of neroli and mandarin are there but not strong to my nose. The iris is so very much there right at the beginning  and stays throughout, albeit much lighter as it goes on.

As it begins to dry into the middle , No 19 Poudre softens and  becomes more floral  and a hint of powder comes in. Despite the name Poudre, this is not a powder fragrance. It has touches here and there but no  big powder presence which is fine by me. The powder comes from light white musks. By the full drydown the fragrance is very soft and light actually but still retains a green-ness. It stays closer to the skin than expected and also doesn't quite last as long as I would like, or like a Chanel usually does.  Despite that, I quite like it.  It's  a pretty perfume and  easy to wear .  Do I wish it lasted longer ? Very much. To many who adore the original, I know they haven't been thrilled. I like  and respect the original but do not love it ( my fav of the No 's =22 ). Perhaps that helps in how I feel about No 19 Poudre. 

Full note list:

Top-
Grasse Neroli
Mandarin Orange

Middle-
Jasmine Absolute
Iris Pallida

Base-
White Musk
Haitian Vetiver
Tonka Bean

$ 85.00 for 1.7 oz
 $ 115.00 for 3.4 oz

Avaiable at Saks and http://www.chanel.com/



 2nd Bottle image© CHANEL - Philippe Galowich
Chanel Iris Fields- Chanel

The Perfume Magazine Debuts

Two friends of mine are launching The Perfume Magazine online. These two lovelies, Raphaella Barkley and Mark David Boberick have amazing taste in fragrance and so much knowledge. Mark and I have try to have a couple "sniff" sessions a year  . We take over the kitchen table with samples galore and have a ball. 

If you love perfume even a little, you'll want to check out the site , which they are calling
" a professional on-line “super magazine” devoted to everything fragrant."

Raphaella used to direct a different online magazine and  with that was nominated for 4 Top Five Finalists in the Fifi Awards for Editorial Excellence in Fragrance Coverage, Blog. Mark was one of the nominees and I had the pleasure of writing for  her several times.

 The magazine opens on September 10th but you can check them out across their various social networks now.  There is also an online forum for sharing all things fragrance including your scent of the day.
  

 FACEBOOK – www.facebook.com/theperfumemagazine

 TWITTER - @PerfumeMagazine

Visit our Forum at: http://www.perfumemagforum.com/

Oscar de la Renta "Live in Love" Perfume Ad

I think this may be the best looking fragrance ad in a very long time. Notice it looks different? Illustrated by  David Downton, it's very retro and  has no models, no photo. It's elegant and in these times, unique. Oscar said he wanted just such an ad.  To paraphrase,  he said he couldn't differentiate between any of the models and what perfumes they fronted. He knew their names, but that was it. Basically he is saying , they all look the same , which is true enough. And many don't look that appealing either.

Now I don't  try a fragrance based on the ad and frankly I would try most of them if there were no ads. But I love this ad and would give it the time of day in magazine if I saw it. Good for Oscar for bringing class as he always does.

The new perfume , by the way, will hit stores this fall and is said to be a green floral. It has hyacinth in it, so it's got my antennae up.

Tom Ford Violet Blonde

Violet Blonde is the newest fragrance from Tom Ford.  From the name, you might think this is for the violet lovers out there, but you'd be wrong. It's actually more for the iris lovers. I love violet and iris, so this is  good.

Violet Blonde is heavy on the iris, using both natural Tuscan  orris root and  butter.  The violet comes along in the form of violet leaf which is less sweet than many violet scents  and more green. Both violet and iris can be powdery and there is definitely some of that here, but  not a lot. I like my iris rooty, thank you. There is also a small bit of the  cool metallic that Iris can bring.

Other notes that play a large part are benzoin and sambac jasmine, cedarwood  and musk. ( Notes also listed as part of the fragrance are  mandarin, baie rose, haitian vetiver and soft suede).

The jasmine gives it a floral heart while the cedarwood and musk bring  a soft touch of woods . All the time though, there is the iris and violet leaf. They remain throughout . This is no , sorry I have to say it, shrinking violet fragrance . It is bold , rich, has great sillage and lasts incredibly well. I rarely divide fragrances into day vs evening, but if I were, this would be more evening. It fits the Ford aethestic of slinky sexiness and a bold red lip.

1.7 oz $ 100.00

3.4 oz $ 145.00

Currently at Saks,  more stores to come in September.

Fan di FENDI

Fan di FENDI is the fragrance that is the re-launch of Fendi  in the world of fragrance. In years past they have made some famous ones, including  the hard to find Theorema which is one I have heard many perfumista friends talk about in revered tones.

Created by Francois Demachy, Fan di FENDI  is a rich ,deep and warm floriental .  The opening notes are listed as fruits mainly, but aside from a bit of blackcurrant and the pink peppercorn  on me it heads right into the floral territory with the Damascus rose and jasmine . As it dries down the leather note gives it that richness and a cozy-ness. It's like wearing a black cashmere sweater under a leather jacket . The leather isn't too prominent but there enough to make this more than simply a floral. Patchouli rounds out the bottom notes and  gives enough woods to pull the flowers and leather together. It's a very elegant perfume , one that has the feel of luxury and is strong, and a bit sharp,  but not overdone.

I  also have to  mention the bottle here as well , since it's quite beautiful. Based on the famous Fendi baguette  bag's buckle , it's gold , bold and makes a statement.

Note list:
-Top Notes: Pear blackcurrant accord, tangerine from Calabria and pink peppercorn from Reunion Island
-Heart Notes: Damascena rose and yellow jasmine
-Base Notes: Soft leather accord and patchouli from Indonesia


Fan di FENDI is available exclusively at Saks Fifth Avenue  in  August and in September it will be available in specialty and department stores.
$ 76.00 for 1.7 oz

pureDKNY a drop of Verbena

pureDKNY is back with a new, second scent called a drop of Verbena, based on the Verbena -Basil variety of the plant.

Initially it's a burst of  bright lemon and  then quickly has a little hint of the green herb that that actual verbena plant has. I've grown Lemon Verbena and it does have a lovely smell. Nothing strong but it's long stems do have scent. The scent tends to be stronger when infused , such as in tea or in this case, perfume.  I really don't smell any basil in there, but I can't say I've ever smelled Verbena-Basil.
As a drop of Verbena  dries down it's less lemon and more herb but the citrus is still there  as well as a light floral undertone. By the full drydown it's definitely more stems than zest but still very nice and if you love citrus, it's one to try.

This is very green  and  refreshing. Nothing complicated and lovely for  the hot days we are still having and certainly fine for the fall to come.  An anytime, anywhere scent .

As with the previous pureDKNY fragrance, Verbena is is packaged in a bottle made from 100% recyclable glass  and with a 100 %  recycylable aluminum cap as well as the outer wrap being derived from renewable wood pulp and not basic clear plastic.

1 oz.  $45.00
1.7 oz.  $65.00
3.4 oz.  $85.00
Also available in Body Butter and Body Wash

On sale now at Nordstrom and http://www.dkny.com/
More outlets to come in September.

Elie Saab Le Parfum

Elie Saab , red carpet dress maker and coutourier extraordinaire is coming out with his own fragrance. He has teamed with not only one of my all time favorite perfumers, but also one of the best , Francis Kurkdjian.  Kurkdjian has created masterpieces like Guerlain Rose Barbare and Acqua Di Parma Iris Nobile. ( I dream of one day being able to afford a bespoke fragrance by him, le sigh).

Elie Saab Le Parfum is a woody floral with a big emphasis on the woods. It is strong and full bodied . No lightness or  sugar sweet here.

As it starts the woods come right off with patchouli ,  along with jasmine and orange blossom  florals.    As it heads into the mid notes , I get an underlying tiny sweetness from the honey note , just enough to ground the woods and soften the edge.

As it dries down there is more floral  but  the woods really take center stage by the drydown , predominately cedarwood along with the patchouli still going strong.  

 They list a rose honey  note , the honey I mentioned earlier ,  and  I do  get the slightest hint of rose in the bottom notes, which makes it really pretty and tempers the  woods notes that anchor the drydown.

Elie Saab Le Parfum is very elegant,  reminding of a real woman who isn't afraid  to be bold with her perfume.  It has  major sillage and will be one of the fragrances that goes the distance lasting time wise.

I think , too, that this is especially a fall into winter scent.  You can wear what you want when you want, but my personal taste runs to  certain  types of scents depending on  warm vs. cold weather.  This come sweater season will be perfect.

Elie Saab le Parfum will be available in September at Bloomingdale's, Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue  and will  have a bath and body line as well as the perfume.

1.0 oz EDP $60.00
1.7 oz EDP - $90.00
3.0 oz EDP - $120.00
6.7 oz Body Lotion - $50.00
6.7 oz Shower Crème - $42.00
5.0 oz Body Crème - $85.00 [Saks Fifth Avenue Exclusive])

Givenchy New- Ange ou Demon le Secret Elixir

Givenchy will release in August the next installment in the Ange ou Demon line - Ange ou Demon le Secret Elixir.


This is a an EDP Intense and it does have solid lasting power and nice light sillage.

It begins with lemon right off at the top , green tea and then the jasmine comes in with a slightly menthol bent that could also be the neroli but that fades fast and the fragrance becomes more and more floral until the drydown brings in the cedarwood note most predominately to my nose with a touch of vanilla

Ange ou Demon le Secret Elixir is sweet but not candy sweet and I freely admit I like sweet fragrances sometimes. Not all of them but I liked this one at first sniff. I think it was the citrus top that grabbed me. If it's citrus, it's me. The overall scent though is definitely floral and softly pretty .

Top Notes: Italian lemon, green tea and neroli

Heart Notes: Sambac jasmine, orange blossom and frangipani flower

Base Notes: Vanilla, patchouli, cedar wood and white musk

Ange ou Demon le Secret Elixir will be available in August at Macy’s, Dillards, Lord & Taylor and Sephora .

30ml Eau de Parfum - $56.50
50ml Eau de Parfum - $80.50
100ml Eau de Parfum - $99.00

Ormonde Jayne- A Personalized Visit in London

This Spring  my good friend Mark went to London for the first time.  Not only did he get to see many of the amazing sites London has to offer but being a perfume aficionado of the highest order , he also  looked  into the unique to London shops. Here he shares his personalized visit  to   Ormonde Jayne , home of some truly beautiful perfumes. 

An American in London: Ormonde Jayne, Sloane Square.

In the Spring of 2011, I traveled to London with a list of perfume destinations that I would not forgive myself if I didn’t visit. At the top of that list was the exclusive London Perfumery of Ormonde Jayne. For an American, there are few perfume houses left in the world whose treasures are unobtainable on our own soil, but Ormonde Jayne, established by perfumer Linda Pilkington in 2002, is one of them. It was with great excitement that I arrived one Sunday afternoon at the Slone Square boutique in the heart of Chelsea on time for my scheduled Perfume Portrait with the store manager, Monica.

The Ormonde Jayne boutiques are luxuriously contemporary and refined jewel boxes that house some of the best fragrances that English Perfumery has to offer. While other renowned English perfume houses such as Penhaligons and Floris have had many decades to establish themselves, (with several Royal warrants to help), Ormonde Jayne has already established itself with exceptional renown and has done so in only 9 years. Once inside, it was not difficult for me to understand why – the attention to detail could be found in abundance throughout the space, from the jet black abstract display shelves holding everything from ancillary products and candles to the perfumes in the brand’s signature pumpkin orange packaging.

I brought along my dear American friend and current London resident, Deirdre to the appointment and we were invited to sit at a desk to begin my Perfume Portrait. This service is for someone relatively unfamiliar with the range of 12 scents that Ormonde Jayne offers, but I wanted the true Ormonde Jayne immersion experience, even though I was already familiar with several of the scents. Monica served us jasmine tea and chocolate truffles and I was asked to fill out a questionnaire as to which fragrance families and notes that I knew I already enjoyed. It was not surprising to me that once I was finished with the questionnaire, that I realized I had checked every single box on the form. I silently hoped Monica knew what she was getting herself into.

Monica began the Perfume Portrait by placing a tray in front of me that contained black glazed porcelain squares labeled with individual raw materials that recurred in many of the fragrances in the range. These porcelain squares were constructed like stoppers with the bottoms infused with each individual scent. She started with the lightest and the brightest such as rose, lavender, and osmanthus and she ended with the heaviest and the darkest - tolu balsam, cedar, and hemlock oil, which adhered to the stopper like a resinous glue. After introducing each raw material, she would ask if I liked it. The problem for a perfume enthusiast such as myself is that even if I didn’t personally enjoy them, I still respected them and recognized their importance to the greater picture and so I ended up telling Monica that I enjoyed them all. Remember – the goal of the Perfume Portrait is that at the end, the administrator is supposed to be able to suggest the perfect fragrance for you. In my case, I told her upfront that I would inevitably like everything. And true to my word – I did.

I was very much intrigued by the Hemlock Oil. I knew that it was somewhat of a signature ingredient in many of Linda Pilkington’s creations and I wanted to know more about it. Monica told me that when Linda started using it, it was seldom seen in modern perfumery. The oil itself is a thick, tar-like sap that comes from the bottom of the Hemlock as opposed to the top, which is poisonous. To smell it alone, outside of the perfumes was an amazing experience. I was transported to a wet forest in autumn; the peat and the soil of the earth were very much detectable against the semi-sweet woodiness of the plant, itself. Like so many raw materials, one sniff entered the mind into a complex world filled with layers of scents that can only happen with the finest of natural ingredients. I am not a natural perfumery purist, by any means. I recognize the gift that synthetic ingredients bring to the table when they are paired with high quality naturals, but smelling Hemlock oil was like kneeling at the altar of Mother Earth.

Monica moved on to the range of Linda’s 12 fragrances. Osmanthus was the first scent that she had me smell and it was appropriate as it was also the very first perfume that Linda Pilkington launched after she had great success with her candles. We moved through the entire line and to no one’s surprise – I liked all of them. Monica then led me on a short tour of the boutique, introducing me to the exceptional candles and bath and body products. She paused on the dusting powder made from 24-carat gold flakes and housed in a heavy black glass jar with a swiveling gold plated lid that revealed a gracious feather puff inside. Priced at well over $500, it is the most luxurious product that Ormonde Jayne sells and because this is, after all, a Haute Parfumerie, it is infused with the fragrance of one of their best-selling fragrances, Orris Noir. Deirdre held her composure, but deep down, I knew she was completely enthralled, now. Truth be told – so was I. In the privacy of my own home, I would rather enjoy dusting myself down with solid gold and frankly, I wouldn’t believe anyone, male or female, who said that it wouldn’t thrill them to cover themselves with gold, as well. Meanwhile, I reminded myself that I was there for perfume.

In the center of the boutique is a stand that houses the perfumes and more black porcelain stoppers. This is the preferred way that Ormonde Jayne lets guests smell their fragrances and is probably one of the most effective presentations that I have come across. The “stopper” on the underside of the square is left unglazed and really soaks up the scent. When you turn it over and bring it to your nose, you experience the perfume in its longest phase – the drydown. It is the most accurate representation of the Perfumer’s vision for the fragrance and allows the buyer to get a truer sense of what it is they are sampling before the ultimate skin test.

The appointment came to an end and I thanked Monica for her time and for the amazingly informative Perfume Portrait. Like any good American, I then pulled out my credit card and asked for 3 bottles. I decided to buy a bottle of Ta’If - a glorious rose fragrance and their best seller; Zizan – a fantastic dry, woody vetiver concoction which was designed by Linda Pilkington as the answer to dozens of interviews with men as to what they would want their ultimate cologne to smell like; and Ormonde Man - the signature men’s fragrance that centers around one of my new favorite ingredients – Hemlock.

I bid Monica farewell and gleefully skipped towards the Picadilly line Tube station with my purchases in hand, beautifully packaged and my best friend Deirdre, covered in Gold and shimmering in the London sun. Yes, sun.


http://www.ormondejayne.com/ ( and they  do ship to the US).
________________________________________________________________


MARK DAVID BOBERICK - "MD" is an Interior Architect and Perfume Enthusiast who has been in love with scent for as long as he can remember and has been collecting fragrances since the age of 12. He is an alumnus of The Art Institute of Philadelphia. MD has written extensively on perfume, especially for Sniffapalooza Magazine and has been published in Men's Health Australia. For his article "Scents My Sister Loved" published in Sniffa Mag in October of 2009, MD earned a spot as one of the Top 5 Finalists for the American Fragrance Foundation’s prestigious FiFi award. He is also the first person in ten years to be granted an exclusive interview with Fragrances of the World author and perfume expert Michael Edwards. In 2009, MD conducted the first of what has become an in-demand workshop entitled "The Poetry of Perfume" in which he familiarizes his guests with perfume history and composition, and introduces them to many different perfumes from the classics to the niche and obscure. A lover of art and music, MD frequents museums, theatre, and the opera. He is also an accomplished theatrical set designer having already amassed a large portfolio of work for only being 26 years old. MD is an avid supporter of Nationwide Greyhound Rescue programs and adopted his 9-year old retired racer in 2009. MD currently resides in Cape May County, NJ.

Shalimar Parfum Initial

My first thought on Shalimar Parfum Initial- Stunning. That word sums it all up. Any update on inconic scent like Shalimar worries. And full disclosure, even though I admire the genius of Shalimar and am mad crazy for all things Guerlain, the original is not a favorite of mine. Just simply not me ( I'm not much for  vanilla ). Not so for Parfum Initial . This I love .

Shalimar Parfum Initial is a truly feminine scent,  not girly , but not so sophisticated as to be above it all. It has great sillage and lasting power and makes me want  to sniff my wrists all day.

It's Rose and Iris in the beginning with a  nice big hit of the Iris-powder and root.  There's a a little of the original's  Vanilla,  and then  lots of Tonka  at the drydown, which brings in the legendary "Guerlainade" that marks Guerlain fragrances  as their own.   Parfum Initial blessedly keeps the Iris note all along giving it a slightly dry and powdery feel  of softness at the drydown .


Shalimar Parfum Initial is available now at  Neiman Marcus and Saks  for 2 oz at $84.00 and 1 oz at $ 67.00

Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Bouquet

Miss Dior Cherie Blooming Bouquet is a Nordstrom exclusive new Dior fragrance. 

Blooming Bouquet , as one would imagine,  is a floral. It's a soft, pretty  floral with notes of peony  and rose at the top, along with a little citrus zip (sicilian mandarin essence) that works it's way into  a sparkling slightly powdery floral by the drydown. Bottom notes are white musks and patchouli but to my nose they play  but a small part in this bouquet.

It is very pretty and easily wearable anytime. It's sweet and feminine but more than simply a fruity floral scent.

Of all the Miss Dior Cheries , I think this is my favorite.



Available ay Nordstrom during the Anniversary sale that begins on July 15. It's LE and  $64.00  for 1.7oz EDT Spray

Juliette Has A Gun " Miss Charming"

Charmed, I'm sure. Well I was. With Miss Charming  and her blooming bouquet of the softest scented roses  that never feel heavy.

If you are a rose lover , and I am, then you too will most likely find this to your  taste. Created by one of my all time favorite perfumers , Francis Kurkdjian for niche fragrance house Juliette Has a Gun,  this rose  is a very true rose  with only a hint of powder .  It's more green and fresh. Miss Charming begins all rose and then some of the fruit notes come in. It never gets too sweet but  you can definitely detect the berry notes. They mesh well with the rose here . Many scents can go too fruity and be all about just that. That doesn't happen here and the ingredient quality is high .

By the drydown a little musk is there but it's still very much a rose scent. Miss Charming is  very feminine  and ladylike  with light sillage and  lasting power  that wears quietly. It's simply pretty .

Juliette Has a Gun and Miss Charming are available at websites  http://www.juliettehasagun.com/ , http://www.luckyscent.com/ , and http://www.beautyhabit.com/  and Henri Bendels in store .

More outlets listed on website as well as the rest  of the perfumes. Check out Lady Vengeance for rose with an edge.

Retail is $ 85.00 for 50ml.

Heidi Klum's Shine Perfume

Give Heidi Klum props for being honest when she talks about  what she  did and did not want in her new fragrance Shine, debuting in September.

She tells WWD that " I wanted it to be sensual and feminine, but still luxurious and expensive-smelling - because I think there are so many perfumes out there that smell cheap and too sweet.'

No one ever says that even if it's  sometimes the truth. Now what will be interesting is to see what the three perfumers , including well regarded Aurelien Guichard for Coty,  will come up with. Said to be an oriental it will include top  notes of of pear, pink peppercorn, and mandarin ; mid notes of  mimosa absolute, sunflower, and lily of the valley in the middle; and Venezuelan tonka bean, vanilla, and musk cosmone at the drydown.

My quick non sniffed thoughts?  That it's an oriental is a good sign. That it has pink peppercorn maybe not so much .  The note list is good and it has solid perfumers behind it.  We'll see or smell, soon enough.

Pricing is  $17 for 15ml , $28 for 30ml and $35 for a 50ml bottle .


All info/images: WWD

My Summer Staples

Summer brings it's own special makeup , skincare and accessories. With my oily , perspiring skin, nothing heavy will do  and I like to get a bronzed glow on.   I  also love big bracelets as opposed to necklaces that sit on a warm neck this time of year.

Here are some of my every day staples of summer. Links lead back to my original review if there was one.

Havaianas- I used to think what's all the fuss about these flip flops? Then I got a pair. Now I have 4 and feel like I need many more. Far more sturdier than most and  very comfortable .

Guerlain Terracotta LipGloss- They release these in summer for a reason, they're totally right for the season. Usually they have SPF , unfortunately this time they don't. But the new bright coral shade is sheer and juicy,  and really not overly bright.  Perfect for a  pop of color. Still using last  year's more neutral bronze shade as well.  Doesn't hurt either that the packaging is so hot.

Dusting Powder- I live for dusting powder when it's hot. They refresh, cool and add light scent. Right now I am loving Caswell Massey's Lilac and Honeysuckle scents and Penhaligon's Violetta ( when do you ever see violet powder ? I've hoarded my tin for years now).

Citrus Fragrances- As much as I love fragrance, when it's really hot I can't do the heavier scents. I adore citrus always  but especially in summer. There are too many to show all of here, but Dior Escale a Pondicherry and Acqua Di Parma Arancia di Capri are two tops favs. Lancome's new O d'Azur  and Annick Goutal's Eau de Hadrien and Ninfeo Mio are  others that get a lot of use.

MAC Paint Pots- Cream shadow rarely  if ever lasts on me  but Paint Pots really work well. Better than powders often.  They are easy  and look great. Favorite  shade is  Indianwood.

Chanel Bronzer- I have two season's past version but they've released  one this year too. What makes this bronzer special is the bands of color. Just a hint of shimmer  and not too dark. You can skip the darkest ones if needed ( I  usually do) and just swipe across the shades that look best on you. I use the bottom ones for a nice light tan look.

Ray Ban Wayfarers- I wore these when they were cool the first time, I wore them when they weren't in style  and I wear them now that they are back again. I've never stopped loving  my Wayfarers and that's that. (  But somehow they got left out of the picture).

Clinique Acne Solutions Foundation- Kept my skin in top shape last summer, helping to hold back the oilies  and acne . It'll be back in the regimen this summer too. No messing with perfection.

Sunscreen (of course)- Hawaiian Tropic  Sheer Touch SPF 50 , this really holds up in water, best I've used for that. Anything with Mexoryl in it. It's the best SPF. Currently finishing my Ambre Solaire from France and have an Ombrelle waiting to be opened. For face- Clarins UV Plus HP  -no moisture, just SPF 40 , mineral and plant based. You never even know it's on. Skinceuticals Physical Fusion SPF 50 is my second fav  for face.

Bangle bracelets- Easy to wear when hot. Less sticking to your skin.  This one is  made of Mango Tree wood .  These are super fun, tribal looking, comfy and inexpensive. I also have a faux Ivory $3 one from H&M years ago that I wear all the time.

Blue Topaz ring- Thankfully I bought good jewelry  back when it was really well priced . This ring came from QVC at least 10 years ago and is Blue Topaz set in sterling. I have another similar one but set in a simple band. These are great for summer as the blue pops with a tan, is a summer color and  they are bold enough  to stand without other jewelry or look great with bangles  .

Phyto Sun Haircare-  For the past 2 summers the Phyto Plage Protective Sun Veil spray followed me to the pool. I use after swimming and run it through  my wet hair. It keeps it feeling soft and compensates for the drying and acidic effect of the water. If you have colored hair, it helps hold color in as well.

 What are some of your summer staples?  I'd love to hear .

Diane Von Furstenberg's New Perfume- Diane

One upon a time almost everyone or their mother had a Diane Von Furstenberg  perfume on the vanity- Tatiana . Named for her daughter it was a  big, beautiful floral. I am quite sure  The Mom still has a bottle somewhere.

DVF was huge then and her perfume even bigger. There was also a killer makeup line and more fragrances. Then the luster faded some, the perfume was around but not as big a deal and we didn't hear as much about Diane. 10 years ago or so her star rose high again, deservedly so. She's a force in the fashion world not just for herself but others.  And now we have a new fragrance from her - Diane.

A few details emerged this week via WWD on the scent which will not launch until October. What I've read gives me great hope. First off it's created by Aurelien Guichard,  well loved among the perfume fan base and the mastermind behind such greats as Bond No 9 Chinatown and Robert Piguet's revamped Visa and new Futur and Calypso fragrances.  Also the two notes ,or elements as she calls them , that Diane stressed the scent have are frangipani and violet. Since I love those two  notes very much, this is sounding good.

DVF says she wants a fragrance that is " powerful and seductive, without being aggressive"  and to be able to put " the power of wome in a bottle" . The scent is considered a woody floral.

In the US look for it at Bloomies, Sephora and Nordstrom exclusively this fall.



All info and top image:WWD
Tatiana image: Fragrantica.com