Filed In: fragrance

Antica Farmacista | Home Ambiance Fragrances & Scented Candle

June 8, 2015

When I was recently introduced to the fragrant world of Antica Farmacista from my friend and fellow blogger Jane of Daly Beauty (aka: the Perfume Whisperer – her knowledge in this field is unequalled), it was love at first sight: then, I looked over this brand’s extensive catalog of room scents, bodycare & hand creams, scented candles, as well as nickel-plated accessories … and I basically melted. Beauty overload.

With their glamorous vintage look, unique scent combinations, and attention to detail – from the labelling/packaging to the actual products themselves – nothing has been overlooked: exquisite craftsmanship, luxurious indulgences, and pampering ideology being the backbone of this brand.

Founded in 2003 by Seattle-based best friends Susanne Pruitt and Shelley Callaghan, they were the first to bring home ambiance diffusers to the US (which now includes over 20 scents) and since then, Antica Farmacista products have made their way into several high-end retailers and luxury hotel markets.

As a beauty blogger, it’s always about the details for me, and surrounding myself with the intoxicating yet soothing fragrances of these products while I work, only adds to my inspiration. There’s something about a lit scented candle that keeps one centred and I cannot begin to describe the sensorial experience of walking into a room that’s been touched by the subtle kiss of one of Antica Farmacista’s home ambiance diffusers.

*Please note that my original product photos seem to have mysteriously disappeared from my computer and I had to retake them all; since I [stupidly] assumed all was fine, I began my testing of the home ambiance diffusers – which should explain the discrepancies shown in the product usage between the bottles.

Antica Farmacista | Home Ambiance Fragrances in Santorini and Vaniglia, Bourbon e Mandarino (tray, my own)

Vaniglia, Bourbon e Mandarino (US $26.00/100 ml includes white birch reeds) | Available in 3 sizes including the one shown here, along with US $66.00 for 250 ml and US $94.00 for 500 ml. From the brand:

‘A delightful twist on a Vanilla-based fragrance. The sweet richness of warm Vanilla is paired with Mandarin of Sicily, a crisp full-bodied citrus fragrance. Rounding out this warm blend is the spicy essence of Bourbon. These combined elements result in something very unexpected and wonderful’

Housed in retro apothecary-style bottles tied with a small satin ribbon at the neck and capped with a cork topper, each home ambiance diffuser comes with its own set of white birch reeds. Once inserted into the bottle, it is recommended to reverse the reeds every few days to refresh the scent. Vaniglia, Bourbon e Mandarino is a warm and sultry scent, made youthful and fresh with its touches of citrus — a perfect combination which prevents it from coming across as cloying. I can get a little obsessive about anything vanilla-scented, although I steer clear of those nauseating artificial fragrances, a far cry from the beautiful and subtly sophisticated blend of this elixir.

Santorini (US $26.00 includes white birch reeds) | Available in 3 sizes including the one shown here, along with US $66.00 for 250 ml and US $94.00 for 500 ml. From the brand:

‘A medley of crisp citrus and green notes artfully paired with exotic spice and natural wood essences. Top notes of vibrant italian bergamot sweet verbena and fresh vetyver are enhanced by the subtle sweetness of rosewood, warm sandalwood and aromatic cardamom’

When I’m not leaning towards orients and warm amber/vanilla aromas, the other fragrance groups I gravitate towards are crisp greens with woody tones; the addition of sandalwood and spicy cardamom adds a whole new level of beautiful to this scent. Then there the name – Santorini – which speaks to the Greek in me (and which also happens to be an island that’s situated across from the one I usually stay at when in Greece).

Lighter and more playful in tone than Vaniglia, Bourbon e Mandarino, Santorini has a mysterious & sensual side as well that that greets you with whisper-light touches, elevating this fragrance above anything traditionally green, and unlike any I’ve come across before.

Antica Farmacista | Scented Candle in Damascena Rose, Orris & Oud

Damascena Rose, Orris & Oud (US $44.00/9 oz) | Brand new from Antica Farmacista and introduced for Spring/Summer 2015, Damascena Rose, Orris & Oud is “an exotic fragrance encapsulating the delicacy and femininity of rose in its many forms“. Housed in a clear glass vessel with platinum leaf details and packaged in a pedestal presentation box (*this collection features exclusive custom packaging featuring rose gold foiling on pearlescent paper), each candle is created from a blend of premium soy and parafin waxes featuring all-natural and lead-free wicks for the cleanest burn, providing approximately 60 hours of scented illumination. From the brand:

‘An exquisite floral fragrance built on fresh Damascus Rose absolute, sensual Violet and rich Tuscan Orris root. Tart rhubarb and dewy apricot add a hint of lush fruit, while the warmth of rare Oud and Amber lend an exotic earthiness. A soft drydown of musk and cashmere result in an intoxicating warmth to this complex floral scent’

As someone who historically stays far away from florals, I am truly captivated by the fragrance of this candle; the combination of earthy Orris root with the hints of fresh fruit round out its floral notes to not only balance the predominant rose scent, but adds a silky modern touch, complex and traditionally accurate at the same time. And seriously, absolutely beautiful.

*As always, never leave a lit candle unattended and make sure to trim the wick after each use to ensure an even burn.

Antica Farmacista | Scented Candle in Damascena Rose, Orris & Oud

White birch reed diffusers and wooden matches

Our sense of scent is the most highly developed of them all, as well as tied in to so many of our memories; therefore it stands to reason that we need to have fragrance in our lives. I personally have had a love-hate relationship with many aromas, but as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized the importance and difference a scent can make in my own life: some inspire, some soothe, some invite, but no matter what, scent always sets a ‘mood’. Surrounding myself with fragrance in the home – such as with these intoxicating products from Antica Farmacista – completes the equation; setting free my creative juices when I want to work, or enveloping me with a beautiful touch when I simply just wish to relax. The fact that my home smells so amazing, is the icing on the cake.

Find more information by visiting anticafarmacista.com

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

L’Occitane | Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc, Collection de Grasse

April 22, 2015

This May, L’Occitane en Provence launches their latest in the La Collection de Grasse series of fragrance products: Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc – a beautiful union between the heady & intense blue iris from Grasse, and the more evanescent white iris from the Mediterranean. Once overflowing with fields of fragrant flowers, the region of Grasse (France), has been feeling the growing pressure of real estate; the amount of cultivated land has dropped from 1,300 hectares in the 70’s to approximately 60 hectares today, but with the support of L’Occitane en Provence founder Olivier Baussan, this region is now experiencing a floral, cultural, & economic revival.

In a nutshell, every product from L’Occitane’s Collection de Grasse series, helps to maintain this time-honoured vocation, and brings flowers back where they belong – I can’t think of a better way to honour our planet for Earth Day.

Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Shower Gel (CAN $26.00/250 ml) is a transparent silky fluid gel that transforms into an ultra-rich lather when in contact with water and rubbed onto the skin, all in a lightweight plastic bottle with an easy flip-top dispenser for quick one-handed use. A lighter version of this collection’s fragrance, this gel serves as a great layering ‘scent’ foundation before application of the Eau de Toilette. As an added bonus, skin is left feeling soft, supple and nourished.

L’Occitane | Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Shower Gel, ingredients list

L’Occitane | Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Eau de Toilette

Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Eau de Toilette (CAN $75.00/75 ml) is a warm/cool floral scent, filled with interesting – yet simple – fragrance contradictions. The bottle, created by founder Olivier Baussan, bears a mirror effect via the iris bouquet traced in hot-stamped gold on one side, an image which passes through the two thicknesses of glass tinted by the blue shade of the fragrance within and thus provides this lovely optical illusion. Part of the Iris Floral Family, some of the raw materials are a floral water extract of blue Iris Pallida from Grasse and extract of white Iris Florentina from the Mediterranean which form a singular and velvety blend of intense blue iris and evanescent white iris whose notes are:

Top: blackcurrant & citrus
Heart: iris, ylang-ylang & peach
Base: iris, cedar & white musk

While the flowers are the same (both irises), there manages to be a contrasting encounter between them, beginning with the lighter white iris – the first to greet your senses, followed by hints of fruity blackcurrant and green citrus as the fragrance begins to open up. The sensuality of ylang-ylang combined with the freshness of peaches moves in at this point, only to morph into a white musky delicacy and the powdery accord of the headier blue iris, ultimately leaving a final whisp of dry cedar to remember it all by.

I’ve stated many times that I have a difficult relationship with floral scents; they don’t always want to play nice with my body’s chemistry, but every now and then a fragrance comes along that just seems to ‘fit. Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc is one such fragrance, a scent that seems to embody fields of flowers blossoming under the hot Mediterranean sun, but never one that will overpower the wearer – a bonus that makes me very happy, indeed.

L’Occitane | Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Eau de Toilette, ingredients list

Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Hand Cream (CAN $12.00/30 ml) is a hand cream in the cult-fave L’Occitane formula, made with 20% shea butter and lightly scented with the twin iris fragrance of this collection. There is a fresh crispness to this scent for a pleasant olfactory sensation, but not so strong as to overcome the senses either. As a long time fan of this brand’s hand creams, this tube has definitely taken its place in my makeup bag, all while providing such a delectable aroma – perfect for those days when I race out of the house without any fragrance on.

L’Occitane | Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc Hand Cream, ingredients list

I may not be versed enough in perfume lore to discuss notes or what makes a fragrance stand out (for that, I refer to my Perfume Guru – Jane Daly), but I do happen to know what I like and more importantly, what works for me. Shunning florals has become second nature for me – although the contradiction is that I love being surrounded by flowers – but Iris Bleu & Iris Blanc is one scent in this family that not only can I wear, but truly enjoy. If you’re anything like me, then I urge you to give this collection a sniff next time you find yourself visiting a L’Occitane boutique – it will pleasantly surprise you … as also makes for a perfect Mother’s Day gift, since this is one bouquet that will last long after fresh flowers have faded away.

Available in May across all L’Occitane boutiques across canada.

Press samples kindly provided for my unbiased consideration

The 7 Virtues | Patchouli of Rwanda

September 21, 2014

Launching today to happily coincide with, as well as in honour of International Day of Peace, Patchouli of Rwanda from The 7 Virtues® is the latest fragrance created from the Canadian brand with the most beautiful mission ever: “Make Perfume Not War” (to make rebuilding more exciting than destruction) – the words of wisdom that founder Barb Stegemann has been actively embracing since the day she began her company. What makes this brand stand head & shoulders above so many others, is the love instilled within each and every bottle, along with Barb’s personal interest in helping war-torn and impoverished nations, rebuild. The way this noble pursuit is being achieved, is by the flexing our buying power: in purchasing essential oils directly from farmers who are trying to rebuild, it not only encourages further fair trade, but helps them to support their families, educate their children, and frees them from the tyranny of poverty.

But in tandem with all the good, there’s even more: the AMAZING scent of Patchouli of Rwanda itself – something that absolutely needs to be personally experienced.

The 7 Virtues | Patchouli of Rwanda

Background information on Rwanda: After the war and genocide of 1994 which claimed the lives of approximately 800,000 individuals, Rwanda continues to stabilize politically and economically. The country’s first legislative and presidential elections were held in 2003.

Rwanda is the only country in the world with a female majority in government and and they are passing laws to ensure genocide never happens again. Despite progress, poverty remains higher than pre-1994 levels. In a country where more that 90 per cent of the population is tied to the agricultural sector with a high dependency on subsistence farming, introducing profitable cash crops (such as patchouli) is critical to the continued development of Rwanda’s economy.

How The 7 Virtues Beauty Inc. works with Rwanda farmers: The 7 Virtues Beauty Inc. buys patchouli oil from a Rwanda company called Ikirezi, which represents four associations/cooperatives made up of more than 500 farmers. Widows and orphans comprise 80 per cent of current members, as Ikirezi is dedicated to working in partnership with Rwanda’s poorest and most vulnerable populations.

The 7 Virtues | Patchouli of Rwanda

Patchouli of Rwanda Eau de Parfum Spray (50 ml/1.7 fl oz CAN $70.00) | A refreshing yet haunting unisex fragrance with lasting notes of patchouli oil. The rectangular glass bottle with its square acrylic cap, is both elegant and modern – a beautiful addition to anyone’s vanity table. According to the company, “soothing green hibiscus, red grapefruit, cedar flower and freesia notes compliment the earthy patchouli that has been harvested with love”. As with all the other fragrances from The 7 Virtues®, Patchouli of Rwanda is Vegan, as well as Paraben and Phthalate Free, with the patchouli coming from farms that practice organic farming methods (FACT: when Barb Stegemann visited the Rwandan patchouli farmers, she could hear birds singing in the fields – a clear sign of organic farming).

A far cry from the raw patchouli oil that was all the rage in the free-loving hippie days of the 70’s, Patchouli of Rwanda fragrance elevates this spicy, earthy, and musky oil to smoothly sophisticated levels. Never cloying or sickly sweet, it starts off with fresh and crisp green notes clearly present upon first spritzing, which give way a short while later to a soothing, warmer, and slightly caramel-like tone. On me, the patchouli notes emerge rather quickly and stay evident throughout the wearing, although this bouquet is tempered by the floral undertones in the mix that merge with my own body chemistry to create a uniquely redolent fragrance; at once sexy, fierce, powerful and somewhat masculine-leaning; as in the ‘wearing your man’s shirt and being enveloped by his scent’ kind of way. Which I so totally love.

The 7 Virtues | Patchouli of Rwanda

Having recently become acquainted with the fragrances from The 7 Virtues® (I’ll be reviewing the rest of the collection in an upcoming post), I cannot help but be so completely and thoroughly impressed with every facet of this brand. Owner Barb Stegemann, is the recipient of numerous awards (too many to list here), a mother of two, as well as a best-selling author (The 7 Virtues of a Philosopher Queen), but above all that, she is one of the nicest and most genuine people I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Her latest creation, Patchouli of Rwanda, continues the incredible work of her mission in the most fragrant way possible, and if you’re a fan of unisex scents like I am, I strongly encourage you to check it out – and in so doing, help make the world truly a better place (sounds cheesy, but happens to be 100% true in this case).

Available now exclusively in Canada through Hudson’s Bay (Lord & Taylor and online in the US), find more information via:

*Disclosure: Product sample provided by the company/PR for my unbiased consideration

Acqua for Life – a Giorgio Armani Initiative

April 4, 2014

It is believed that a person can only survive 3 days without water.

Now imagine living in areas where you literally need to walk miles to obtain fresh drinking water, all the while hoping it won’t run out before you get there. Or praying for a drop of rain after yet another prolonged & severe drought.

Horrifyingly scary statistics, aren’t they … especially for those of us blessed to be living in countries where all we need to do for that life-saving glass of water, is to turn on a tap.

Launched in 2011, Giorgio Armani in partnership with Green Cross International, created the Acqua for Life campaign, with the aim of bringing sustainable drinking water systems to underprivileged and water-scarce areas of the world, thereby ensuring they need never go without again.

In water-scarce communities, the task of fetching water home – often from distant and unsafe areas – has traditionally fallen to children and women. By helping these communities build their own drinking water systems and/or rainwater harvesting systems, it enables the children to stay in school and receive an education – which then translates to better living opportunities later on, while the safety of women increases along with their potential for earning a living.

Begun in Ghana, the Acqua for Life campaign has generated funds to help water-poverty communities in Bolivia, Mexico, and China. For the first time in 2014, Sri Lanka, the Ivory Coast and Senegal will be able to benefit from this initiative as well.

It’s next to impossible to NOT be moved by these facts and there’s nothing I love better than “beauty with a cause”

HOW THE ACQUA FOR LIFE CAMPAIGN WORKS & HOW YOU CAN HELP:

For every Special Edition packaging of 100 ml bottle of either Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò (CAN $99.00) or Acqua di Gioia (CAN $76.00) fragrance that you purchase, there will be 100 litres of safe drinking water for children – every year, for 10 years – donated, directly due to your generosity. In other words: 1,000 LITRES OF WATER PER CHILD total

Scroll down to enjoy the photos, and I encourage you to spread the word of this wonderful cause – thank you ♥

Acqua for Life Campaign – Bolivia

Acqua for Life Campaign – Ghana

Acqua for Life Campaign – Mexico

Acqua for Life Campaign, Ghana – drawings done by grateful children

Acqua for Life Campaign, China – Drawings done by grateful children

Mr. Armani, having grown up on the island of Pantelleria, off the coast of Sicily, was raised to revere nature and more importantly, life-sustaining water, and to that end, felt deeply about creating a organization that would benefit and greatly improve the lives of so many people who are not as fortunate as himself. If I didn’t already have such a high respect for this man, then knowing of his involvement in this philanthropic cause is all I need to take that respect to a whole new level.

Like I said: beauty with a cause. Doesn’t get better than that

L’Occitane en Provence – Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense

February 6, 2014

Every Spring when the cherry blossom trees of the Luberon region of Provence burst into flower, their redolent and heady scent fills the air, while their creamy petals carpet the ground (… that cherry blossom scene in Disney’s Mulan …) – nature’s fragrant & showy way of ushering in the season, I’m guessing. This year, L’Occitane en Provence launches Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense to the range, a vibrant fuity/floral bouquet in a beautifully detailed bottle that has me thinking: perfect Valentine’s Day gift. You’re welcome.

Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense (CAN $65.00/50 ml) – A contradictory long-lasting yet light scent, the initial citrusy burst of lemon & orange, complimented by fruity blackcurrant and raspberry notes and rounded out with touches of wild lily of the valley, give way to the heart of this fragrance: red cherry tree with actual cherry extract, to bind them all together into a pleasing accord that is at once vivid, delicate, and feminine. Created by L’Occitane’s master perfumer, Karine Dubreuil, her inspiration behind Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense was to “celebrate the beauty of cherry blossoms in the setting sun and the arrival of their glistening red fruits“.

The rhombus-shaped glass bottle (basically a slanted rectangle) with its signature aluminum embossed cap, comes in a gentle colour gradient of red to pink, perfectly capturing the hues found in cherry blossoms, while the surface bears raised & delicately rendered floral details – which also happens to provide a good grip (not sure if that part was intentional or not, but will be appreciated by anyone who’s every dropped a bottle of fragrance ahem).

I am ultra-picky when it comes to fragrances, as some can trigger almost instantaneous migraines – in particular certain florals (and anything by Calvin Klein too, for that matter), so I always approach these types of tests with a lot of care (and prayer). What surprised me the most from Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense, is that while the name says “intense” and I found out that it truly is quite long-wearing, it’s not overpowering at all. There’s a rather unisex tone overall and it manages to initially come off as fresh, unique & playful and after about an hour or so, settles into a smooth blend of delicate creaminess. I actually really, really like it – it’s invigorating in the way you know that Spring means Summer is around the corner kind of way.

L’Occitane en Provence – Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense

Are these blooms not absolutely stunning?

L’Occitane en Provence – Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense

L’Occitane en Provence – Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense, detail of raised design

L’Occitane en Provence – Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense, iconic embossed aluminum cap

L’Occitane en Provence – Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense

L’Occitane en Provence – Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense, info & ingredients listing

L’Occitane en Provence – Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense

I love how difficult is it to nail down this scent; one minute it’s feminine and almost dainty, then another whiff reveals a sexier, more coquettish side, while a third sniff makes you think of crisp linens drying in the sun – so original and my new favourite daytime scent (yay for being able to wear a fruity/floral!). With its red ombré bottle, Cerisier Rouge Eau Intense couldn’t BE a more perfect Valentine’s Day gift (to give or to treat yourself) – it even comes with its own flowers!

Available now through all L’Occitane en Provence boutique or online. Find more information via: