This perfume seems to be quite ambitious, categorized as “floral, fougère, fresh, fruity, green, musky”—surely it must be some of those things! I find it mineralic as well, personally. Continue reading Extinct past personas (and Dodo by Zoologist)
My first experiment with galbanum essential oil. Continue reading Twigonometry
A lovely, spring-summery, fruity floral that inspires dreams of fun travel. Continue reading I dream of a getaway (and Rêve d’Escapade by Givenchy)
Have you ever had the same perfume smell different in various environments? Continue reading When in Rome… (perfumes behaving differently in other places)
Shapeshifters that elicit visceral reactions at both extremes. Continue reading Two-faced perfumes (love and its opposite, delivered in one spritz)
Thanks to those of you who commented with your favorite perfumes, I now have a sizeable list to try! Continue reading Zeroing in on a must-try list of perfumes
Sharp, yet honeyed, like fruit ripened; soft like wrinkled, yellow satin. In perfume, you’ll know its presence—so impassioned is this essence! Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: Y is for Ylang-Ylang
The undeniable thrill of accelerating from zero to anything, and a few perfumes that have recreated the feeling for me. Continue reading eXhilaration is on the steep part of the learning curve
It adds flair to warm, woody scents and smooths out some eager spices. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: W is for Whisk(e)y
A dashing and distinguished scent. It’s an earthy note, full-bodied with a hint of smoke. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: V is for Vetiver
Ups and downs and neutral-rating perfumes. Continue reading Upward and onward in uncertain times
Is it chocolate? Or a liqueur? Known to mix well with tobacco, tonka complements woods also. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: T is for Tonka
Rich, milky scent of mysteries—how well sandalwood has become a favorite base note in perfumes. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: S is for Sandalwood
By any other name, a rose would be as gorgeous in perfume. Is a perfect one hard to find? Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: R is for Rose
The sun peeks through the clouds enough to remind me that external circumstances are temporal, and galbanum is strong stuff. Continue reading Quietude in quotients
This cousin of mint is a base note commonly employed with rose and woods. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: P is for Patchouli
This sweet resin has been, in fact, used in perfume since ancient times. It reminds me of a dried fruit that’s called, in Chinese, “dragon eye.” Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: O is for Opoponax
Nutmeg goes under “fresh spicy.” In perfume, it’s done a long stint. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: N is for Nutmeg
Acacia or cassie are other names. It plays well in mixed floral things. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: M is for Mimosa
It’s versatile, familiar—a smell most people recognize. You’re bound to encounter it in perfume. Continue reading Perfumed Alphabet: L is for Lavender
Nose Prose 