Filed In: fragrance
Mugler Les Exceptions · Woodissime Eau de Parfum
If there’s one word to describe the unconventional Mugler universe, then ‘classic’ would not be the first thing that comes to mind (this is the same house that has given us both Angel & Alien, after all) and yet one look at Woodissime from the Les Exceptions fragrance range, and all I see are the pure classic lines of its Art Deco-inspired bottle. I’d actually stop here, but the beauty has only just begun …
Woodissime Eau de Parfum (CAN $185.00/80 ml) | It all starts with the details: housed in a heavy-gauge rigid black cardboard box that is held securely shut with a metal clip on one end (embossed with the Mugler star), it flips open to reveal the treasure inside: the stunning bottle nestled snugly upon a sueded white bed. Made in France, it draws inspiration from Art Deco design and has metal banding the cap and sides of the luxe glass bottle, but it’s the actual fragrance that’s the real star of the show. According to the brand, ‘Woodissime is characterized by its overdose of sensual Oud wood, stirred with the softness of Osmanthus flower. Woodissime’s mesmerizing unisex fragrance trail captures an unexpected harmony between woody intensity and floral sparkle’. Some of the notes include:
- Oud Wood
- Cedar
- Gaiac Wood
- Sandalwood
- Osmanthus
- Patchouli
- Vetiver
“I’ve used superb natural raw materials to bring out the facets I like most and create a composition of great character. To soften its animalic dimension, I balanced it with Osmanthus blossom, which adds a sophisticated touch of soft suede and succulent fruit reminiscent of apricots or juicy plums” JEAN-CHRISTOPHE HÉRAULT (creator of Woodissime)
Labelling Woodissime as a unisex fragrance might seem a bit of a stretch, although given that everyone’s body chemistry composition is unique, it could still be made to work. Meant to invoke the lushness of a forest, the fruity-floral tones balance out the earthiness of the patchouli, rounding things off beautifully and adding subtle pops of softness. I got a sense of a boozy tone upon initial spritzing but that quickly gave way to something more fey & mysterious; like flowers in fog, if that makes any sense. After a while, the fragrance settles down to something more powdery but as in the soft-skin variety (and nowhere near ‘old lady’ territory).
As someone who is rather ‘fragrance-sensitive’ certain scents can give me an instant migraine, regardless of how temptingly gorgeous the packaging may be. So I’m almost delirious happy that Woodissime works out so well for me, as I probably would have gone into mourning if I couldn’t wear something so special but could only stare longingly at the stunning bottle. With seven glorious Les Exceptions fragrances to choose from, each is a standout composition that gives a new & unexpected twist to the classic genre as only Mugler can — and thus basically continuing to defy our expectations of what a classic really is or can be.
On another ‘note’, this beauty would also make for one totally amazing gift for the luxe fragrance aficionado on your list (then you can borrow it too. Win-win).
Available at select Hudson’s Bay stores and online
PRsample/As always, all opinions are my own
The Loop Duty Free Montréal The Joy of Giving
If you plan on travelling for the holidays (or any time, really) and find yourself at Montréal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, I highly recommend you make it a point to stop at The Loop Duty Free Montréal. For starters, it’s a one-stop shopping mecca of all things beauty (cosmetics, skincare, suncare, bodycare, haircare & fragrance … not to mention everything else the store offers, but that’s for another post) and sweetening the pot even further are the prices: easily 20% less than downtown retailers, with the exception of MAC at 15% less and … no tax. So basically, the price listed is the price you pay; I can’t even begin to express how happy the no tax part makes me.
Right now, The Loop is running their ‘Joy of Giving’ campaign with tons of amazing new products and collections having just arrived in-store; from a vast array of fragrance options (prepare to be blown away by the choices), limited edition boxed sets, unique palettes & original pieces, to the most adorable fragrance minis you’ve ever seen — you’re guaranteed to find that perfect little treat for yourself. After all, you’ve been good all year, am I right? BONUS: you can also pre-order online from The Loop’s website; this way all you have to do is show up & pay — your purchases will be waiting for you!
Follow along to stay “in The Loop” as I explore everything this amazing store has to offer!
Where’s Waldo, beauty edition
These are seriously the happiest bottles EVER
I’m addicted to fragrance minis and now I want all of these sets so badly …
Like macaron lip balms, minus the guilt
So many irresistible Victoria’s Secret goodies
Many thanks to The Loop for partnering to sponsor this post/As always, all opinions are my own
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Charlotte Tilbury · Scent Of A Dream, Eau de Parfum
It almost goes without saying that Charlotte Tilbury, a woman whose name has become synonymous with major glam, would deliver her first fragrance along the same vein — and in that respect, A Scent Of A Dream Eau de Parfum hits all the right notes. Created in collaboration with perfumer François Robert, this is meant to envelop the wearer in an abundance of positivity … and that’s always a good thing, no?
Click here for previous Charlotte Tilbury reviews
Kate Moss for Scent of a Dream
Scent of a Dream Eau de Parfum (CAN $119.00) | Ibiza-born, Charlotte Tilbury has long worn a ‘secret mix’ of essential oils as her signature scent, a combination that went on to become the inspiration for her first fragrance. Housed in an Old-Hollywood vintage style bottle that just begs to be displayed on a vanity, its heavy glass bottom is beautifully faceted although the cap is actually plastic — possibly to keep it from feeling top heavy. This original floral-chypre is meant to impart a sense of joy as well as attract ‘love, light, positivity and sex’ to the wearer. Ummm, ok.
Joy Top Notes:
- lemon, peach, black pepper, saffron, mandarin, bergamot
Fleurotic Heart Notes:
- tuberose, jasmine, frankincense, Hedione, violet, muguet, orange flower, rose oil, Tea Rose, green ivy, magnolia
Magic Molecule Base Notes:
- Fire Tree, ISO E Super, patchouli, Ambroxan,precious woods, cistus, amber, castoreum, musks
Out of necessity, I have to be extremely particular with fragrance in order to avoid triggering an instant migraine and thankfully Scent of a Dream passed the test, merging well with my body chemistry. The first spritz calls to mind something vintage-y and almost old-fashioned, but not necessarily in a bad way — more along the classic appeal of a black & white movie, if that makes any sense. As the fragrance progresses, it becomes at once softer but still retains its potency (true fact: I could still smell remnants on my wrist, even after showering!), reminding me of freshly done laundry, a scent that I happen to really like. After several hours of wear it rounds out further, leaving behind a fresh soapy vibe upon the skin. Personally, I find Scent of a Dream to be at once light-hearted and lingering, but not exactly ‘sexual’ as the brand’s copy alludes to. One thing I do wish, however, was that the cap were glass instead of plastic, as that would be significantly more in line with the entire boudoir luxe image.
Speaking only on what type of scents I like and how they perform with my body chemistry, I’m somewhat torn here; for starters, my preferences tend to run towards spicy warm orientals and/or anything with vanilla. Secondly, florals and I have not always gotten along, although lately that’s been changing thanks in part to a whole new genre of aromatic combinations. So while Scent of a Dream is not something I would normally gravitate to, I find myself oddly attracted to it just the same — maybe because I can’t really pin it down and it almost seems to remind me of something, something I can’t quite explain; like a memory that stays just out of reach. I’m still not sold on the whole idea of it attracting sex, but it does appear to have that elusive lean-in-close factor along with an intriguing je-ne-sais-quoi. Plus I’m a sucker for pretty bottles #canthelpmyself
Available at select department stores and online
Press sample/As always, all opinions are my own
Guerlain · La Petite Robe Noire, Eau de Parfum Intense
In early July, I was incredibly thrilled to attend the media launch of Guerlain’s La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Parfum Intense, the latest chapter from this fragrance range, an event that was made even sweeter by getting the opportunity to meet & chat with the scent’s creator, Thierry Wasser (side note: this man is not only über-charming, but so incredibly hilarious — we literally spent the better part of an hour laughing together). Launching officially today at select counters nationwide, La Petite Robe Noire Intense (LPRNI) has been graced with a warm candy-coated vibe that still manages to exude a lush sultriness; picture that sexy little black dress you pull out when you want to make a statement, and you’ll get the idea.
With Thierry Wasser, the creator of the fragrance
La Petite Robe Noire Eau de Parfum Intense (CAN $117.00/50 ml) | Available in 3 sizes, the bottle with its iconic “upside-down heart” stopper now comes in a delicious blue colour and bears a flirty black dress — most likely inspired by the white version made famous by Marilyn Monroe in the scene from The Seven Year Itch (1955), where she stands over a subway grate and the wind rushing underneath blows it up teasingly around her.
Apparently created with the North American market in mind, LPRNI is a sweeter rendition of past iterations but still displays subtle touches of the brand’s ‘Guerlinade’ playing teasingly in the background, a composition of notes that permeate all Guerlain fragrances in one form or another and are the backbone of this scent continuity.
Top Notes:
- Rose, Vanilla, Candy Floss
Heart Notes:
- Bergamot, Blueberry
Base Notes:
- Sandalwood, Patchouli, Musk
The initial burst prominently features the Candy Floss accord, a sweetness that’s tempered by the addition of Bulgarian Rose to keep it from ever becoming cloying. With the wearing, I find the Bergamot note tamps down the caramel-like sweetness even more, giving LPRNI a nice bite while still maintaining that candy-like edge. The genius of the base notes serve to not only round everything out so beautifully, but imparts a sensual whisper behind — the kind that makes people lean into you, usually without even realizing that they’re doing so.
Fragrance is something so incredibly personal that it’s actually quite hard to objectively review since what works for one person (me) may not always fit another (you). That being said, I happen to fall into the category of those who can be literally knocked out of the count with the wrong scent, which is why I’m so happy to say that La Petite Robe Noire Intense not only meshes with my body’s chemistry so completely, but is in fact the bottle I reach for most often for evening wear. There’s something at once familiar, comforting, yummy, and killer-sexy in the composition that I happen to love, and you don’t necessarily have to favour warm vanilla-gourmand fragrances like this to find something about it to adore. In other words, next time you’re at a Guerlain counter I highly recommend you take a whiff … and perhaps have your very own Marilyn moment while you’re at it (it could happen).
Press sample/As always, all opinions are my own
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Elizabeth and James · Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon
Like most people, fragrance is something extremely personal to me and very intertwined with both my personality as well as my mood. The right scent not only meshes with my frame of my mind, but can positively enhance all my feelings, while the wrong one can trigger an instant migraine — thankfully, both Nirvana Rose and Nirvana Bourbon, the latest releases from Mary-Kate & Ashley Olsen, fall into the former category. A good thing too, because it was love at first sight when these bottles landed across my desk.
As Summer’s heat filled with sunny citrusy scents gives way to cooler weather, that’s when I like to pull out something cozier to spritz on, aromas with both warm & sensual notes to reflect the changing season. These two latest releases in the Nirvana family come housed in display-worthy translucent textured bottles that are easily identifiable; scarlet for Nirvana Rose and amber for Nirvana Bourbon, and far from being one-trick ponies, they each have a unique combinations of scents that make them stand out and ready to withstand the test of time.
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Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray
Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray
Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray
Nirvana Rose Eau de Parfum Spray (CAN $107.00/50 ml, 1.7 fl oz) | Historically, florals & I have not always seen eye to eye, although every now and then something comes along that makes me stop dead in my tracks; Nirvana Rose, labelled a ‘seductive floral blend’ did exactly that at first sniff. The dark rose at the heart of this fragrance has been given a fresh and invigorating injection of lightness by the addition of vetiver, thereby eliminating any cloying sweetness and turning this into one of the most original, sophisticated and sexy florals I’ve ever come across. Yes, sexy + floral in one bottle.
- Notes: Rose de Mail, Geranium, Vetiver
Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray (CAN $107.00/50 ml. 1.7 fl oz) | The word ‘bourbon’ alone, conjures up an image of a dark and smoky club, filled with deep leather armchairs and heavy cut-crystal decanters — the entirety permeated with a heady sensual overtone … and that pretty much sums up what Nirvana Bourbon is all about. This oriental-woody scent is all about that intoxicating boozy lushness, but the hint of tuberose inserted in the mix prevents it from leaning too far into masculine territory, and thereby rounding out any rough edges with a light & feminine touch.
- Notes: Vanilla Bourbon, Oakwood, hint of Tuberose
Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray
Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray
Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray
Elizabeth and James | Nirvana Rose & Nirvana Bourbon Eau de Parfum Spray
I don’t know how many times I’ve dismissively said that I can’t wear florals; it turns out that I hadn’t come across the right combination — until now. Vanilla & I have a very strong relationship and if there’s one mainstay in my fragrance library, then that would be it. So it came as no surprise that I would absolutely love Nirvana Bourbon, but I never would have predicted that Nirvana Rose would so totally captivate me as it has. As an experiment I even combined the two and once again, was blown away by how harmoniously they meshed, although giving them each their due by wearing them solo is where they truly shine. Oh, and expect people to ask you what fragrance you’ve got on … happens to me every time I wear either one. And can we just take a minute and admire these bottles? Sigh
Available at Sephora
Press samples/All opinions my own
