Behind the Scent is a blog and YouTube channel run by Kirstie, a ‘perfume enthusiast, candle hoarder and makeup magpie’ from Leicestershire. As soon as we read the intro, in which she states: ‘I have an unhealthy addiction to biscuits, leopard print and black ankle boots. Oh, and if you’re going to the bar, mine’s a Gin & Tonic,’ we just knew we’d love her. So when Kirstie kindly filmed herself exploring the many fragrant delightes of our Latest Launches Discovery Box, we were thrilled to be included on her list of perfume launches for spring.
There’s something about watching people ‘unbox’ that leads us to an immediate adding to our ‘must buy’ lust lists, so we get even more exhilarated when lovely bloggers share their excietment over our Discovery Boxes with their audience. The sense of unpretentious sharing and encouraging others to make up their own minds is what we’re all about at The Perfume Society, so settle down with a cup of tea and watch along with us, now…
We think Kirstie does a great job of describing the notes of the fragrances – taken from the helpful postcards you’ll find in our boxes that explain a little of the history of that house, what you should expect to be smelling and some intriguing questions to challenge your emotional reaction to the scents themselves.
What we particularly enjoyed is that Kirstie had some immediate loves, but those she wasn’t so sure of she made a list to come back to later and smell properly on the skin. That’s the joy of trying fragrances in the comfort of your own home, don’t you think? You get to live with the scent and see how it develops on your skin rather than feeling forced in to making a snap decision!
Of the Latest Launches Kirstie tried, her ultimate favourites included Parfum de Marly’s Delina – a ‘tribute to luminous and sensual femininity’ and perfumer Quentin Bisch’s fragrant tribute to the historic concept of King Louis XVth’s ‘Perfumed Court. The delicately blended rhubarb, lychee and rose notes were a standout for her, with the sumptuous freshness perfectly balanced against a sprinkle of powdered elegance.
The second favourite of Kirstie’s fragrances in the box was Annick Goutal’s Tenue de Soirée – a wonderfully contemporary chypre for any age that’s inspired ‘…by the special feeling of a promise that precedes a night in Paris.’ With oodles of iris and an earthy, addictive base of patchouli, it’s gloriously and unashmedly meant to sashay through the night like a cashmere stole caressing your skin.
With nine new perfumes to coo over to your heart’s delight, including a super-generous 10ml of E.Coudray’s not-yet-available Rose Tubéreuse, a stunning day and night duo from Miller Harris and two extra scented gifts for you to enjoy, which will YOUR favourite fragrances be, do you think? Only one way to find out, so get those senses tingling and unwrap your own Discovery Box right away…
Written by Suzy Nightingale
Tag: bbloggers
I Scent You a Day honour The Perfume Society with Fellowship Award – follow a fragrant journey…
Dedicated fragrance blogger I Scent You a Day set herself the challenge of wearing a different perfume every single day of the year, without bankrupting herself by buying 365 differing bottles of scent! One of the ways she’s been able to follow this perfumed pilgramage, and write about it so entertainingly, is by regularly purchasing our Discovery Boxes of fragrance minis and samples – many of which are impossible to find elsewhere, and have led to a love for rising-stars of the niche world along with classics of the genre and even pre-launch sneak-previews.
We were absolutely thrilled to hear that in her round-up of ‘the very best of scents’ for 2016 – a.k.a The Iscents – The Perfume Society were honoured with a Fellowship Award!
Indeed, the Fellowship Award was specifically invented for us, because we ‘[defy] other categopries.’
As explained in the post describing the award categories and why the winners were chosen, ‘Not only do they provide white boxes of treasure that even the most jaded perfume palate would salivate at, but they’re a sort of Mothership that we can all turn to when we get a bit lost in the murky depths of fruity-florals-chypres-colognes-my-nose-is-confused-help! Ever had a day like that? I have. The Perfume Society Scented Letter magazine also makes me settle down with a contented sigh and think “I’ve found my tribe” as I read what other perfume obsessives are up to. Fumeheads, you are not alone.’
Blushingly, we gratefully accept this award, and are so glad to have played a significant part in I Scent You a Day’s continuing fragrant journey… and hopefully, in yours!
Written by Suzy Nightingale
Terre de Lumière – feel the warmth of "the golden hour" as we take a sneak-peek at L'OCCITANE's new fragrance…
Dappled sunlight dipping low, skin still warm, running through corn fields in a crisp, white gown as the sun sets… ah, how the dreary days of January make us yearn for such simple pleasures. Even going outside without a coat and brolly right now would be a luxury! But fear not, for L’OCCITANE have bottled the sunshine from that ethereal, other-worldly time of day often termed “the Golden Hour“, and infused the glow into their new fragrance (to be launched in February): Terre de Lumière…
L’OCCITANE say: ‘As the day draws to a close, the sky is set alight, embracing all the shades of gold. Beauty is suspended in time and this stunning spectacle reaches its height. Light infuses the ingredients in this fragrance, enhancing them in a rich, faceted creation that evokes the intense sensoriality of a walk through the fields of Provence at the Golden Hour.’
Oh yes, take us there now, please…!
We were lucky enough to be present at the press launch of this perfume, and so excited to discover this will be the very first gourmand fragrance for the brand. We predict gourmand as a genre will be huge news once again in 2017 – the comforting, deliciously food-inspired fragrance family seems only natural to turn to in times of uncertainty – and far from the 90s scent bombs that truly began this trend, gourmand has taken a fresh turn of sophistication and wearability – for men and women alike.
Top Notes: bergamot, ambrette seed, pink pepper
Heart Notes: lavender, honey
Base Notes: acacia flower, bitter almond essence, tonka bean, white musk
Renowned perfumer Calice Becker was chosen for Terre de Lumière, closely collaborating with Shyamala Maisondieu and Nadège Le Garlantezec; Calice explains how the talented trio worked on the fragrance so that it ‘…plays on the tension between masculine freshness and delicious feminine softness. It’s a very innovative scent, the first gourmand aromatic fragrance from L’OCCITANE, absolutely addictive.’ Talking about the inspiration for composing the scent, Calice describes the Golden Hour as the time ‘…when the light is at its most beautiful. It is also when scents are at their height.’
And so what does it smell like? Well, close your eyes, imagine the setting sun still warm on your skin (move closer to the fire or add another layer of clothing, if necessary!) and let us take you to the glowing fields of Provence…
Aromatically zesty from the first spritz, there’s almost a sigh of delight as the fizz of bergamot and pink pepper suddenly melts into the true heart of honey infused with lavender and balanced by the milky freshness of acacia blossoms, the almond-like nuttiness of tonka beans and the balsamic warmth of the earthier base. Perfectly evoking that moment when the day slips impercitibly to dusk, it’s the sensation of contemplative contentment while sitting on a hay bale, having romped barefoot in flower meadows and paddled in cool streams. Deliciously revivifying and fragrantly soothing all at once, we bet you can’t wait to try it…
…And on that note, we suggest [*wink wink*] that you keep your eyes peeled for an exciting announcement, for you could be one of the first people to Discover Terre de Lumière with us. [*hint hint*]
Written by Suzy Nightingale
…And on that note, we suggest [*wink wink*] that you keep your eyes peeled for an exciting announcement, for you could be one of the first people to Discover Terre de Lumière with us. [*hint hint*]
Written by Suzy Nightingale
