What are Fougères?
Often relegated to the dad zone, fougeres are often unfairly seen as washed up, out of juice, and boring. We’re here to tell you that couldn’t be more false. In perfumery, there are six main olfactory, or scent, families that the industry can be systematically broken down into. One such family is the fougeres family. […]
What Does Tonka Bean Smell Like?
From traditional South American cuisine, to French sensuality and “fièvre tonka,” this unassuming, shriveled bean plays a larger role in our world than many of us realize. Multipurpose in its aromatic profile, the tonka bean is a fantastic perfume ingredient you’ll be better off knowing about. I know what you’re thinking: “A bean? In perfume?” […]
What is Indole?
Fecal matter? Moth balls? Perfume? What is this crazy chemical substance, and why should you care? If you’ve read anything about perfumery — particularly florals or chemical compounds — you might have come across indole. A fascinating chemical compound, indole is extremely attractive in a perfume. I know what you’re thinking — attractive? […]
What Does Tuberose Smell Like?
In a world of floral scents, tuberose is the black sheep; the dark horse; the unexpected phantom in the night. A flower of the highest erotic character in perfumery, this is one ingredient your nose should be quickly acquainted with. A narcotic flower, tuberose smells sweet, voluptuously creamy, and very full. Taking over Europe in […]
What Does Jasmine Smell Like?
A beautiful introduction to the world of white florals, jasmine is the kind of scent that floats to you on a magical breeze and leaves you spellbound. Floral, yet muskier and more animal than your typical flower, jasmine can be found in a number of perfumes for both men and women all over the world. […]
What Does Vanilla Smell Like?
One of the most recognizable perfume notes of all time (and we really do mean all time, people have been using this stuff for literal ages), there’s nothing quite like vanilla. Be it in baked goods, perfume, confectionery, or you name it, there’s something uniquely universal about vanilla. First used in fragrance in the 20th […]
Azzaro Wanted by Night: Are You Scared of the Dark?
Let’s talk about Azzaro’s Wanted by Night. If you’re new to the world of heavy winter or nighttime fragrances, this one is an amazing segue into that world. It’s quite good; sweet, but not cloying, heavy but not too heavy, warming but not unpleasantly so. This is more than some generic, sweet-synthetic mess; it’s a […]
Bleu de Chanel EDT Review: As Blue As Can Be
Bleu de Chanel — more like bl-ew de chanel. Or bleh de chanel. Or maybe just ew de chanel? Launched in 2010, Bleu de Chanel has made a name for itself as a professional office scent more than capable of keeping any man smelling savvy, and for grabbing the occasional compliment. To its credit, it […]
Guerlain Vetiver Review: A Sexy Standard
Guerlain Vetiver is, at its heart, a perfect representation of vetiver from all angles. Vetiver is one of those fragrance notes that, while you might think you know what it smells like, you don’t. Guerlain’s Vetiver is here to remind you that nothing is certain. If you’re looking for a more wearable scent like Terre […]
Lalique Encre Noire Review: A Forest, But A Lonely One
Lalique’s Encre Noire is a perfume akin to wearable art. Less a cologne in the mass-produced, spray-and-forget sense of the word, Encre Noire is an abstract composition that exudes introspection, loneliness, and darkness. As such, I was expecting to like it. I was expecting right. It’s easily one of the most expensive, premium smelling scents […]