fragrance

Fragrance Review: Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Union Square

by PJ on Saturday, March 29, 2008

(Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Union Square)
(image from Bond No. 9)

After Silver Factory, Union Square is the second fragrance from Bond No. 9’s Andy Warhol series.

Andy Warhol’s two Union Square studios, in one of which he created the portfolio of colored flower screenprints, inspired the name of this fresh floral scent.

Top Notes: Lily of the Valley, green stem notes
Middle Notes: sweet blue freesia, white birchwood
Base Notes: amber, silver-cloud musk accord

This vibrant yet elegant scent is appropriately described as a green floral. As the scent opens, the floral note from Lily of the Valley is merged with the cooler green notes. For me, the two top notes create a harmonious balance. As I don’t particularly enjoy floral fragrances that are overly sweet, I find this delicate balance very appealing.

As the scent develops, it takes on depth with subtle touches of woody and musky notes, which provide a great backdrop for the floral notes. This seamlessly coordinated partnership is able to continue right to the end.

For me, it is a wonderful early-spring fragrance that exudes fresh energy. It is also one of those scents that get better and better as the notes unfold themselves. This makes the scent especially pleasant to wear, explore, and appreciate.

(Andy Warhol Union Square Flowers Portfolio,
consisting of 10 different 100ml bottles)

Bond No. 9 has also launched a recycling initiative in the US. When you bring an empty perfume bottle (from Bond No. 9 or any other brand) to the Bond No. 9 boutiques or Bond No. 9 counters in Saks Fifth Avenue stores, you can receive a refillable pocket spray, free with any purchase.

(For a great overview of Bond No. 9, please visit Autumn Masquerade.)

Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace
(one of my favorite Bond No. 9 scents)

Bond No. 9 Coney Island
(getting ready for summer)

Sheer Stella 2008
(new member to join the Sheer Stella family)

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Thymes Red Chérie Collection

by PJ on Friday, March 14, 2008

in fragrance

(Thymes Red Chérie Collection)

(image from www.thymes.com)

Thymes’ Red Chérie is one of the latest scent collections from the brand and is particularly welcome at this time of year.

Both the scent and the packaging of this range evoke the colorful vibrancy in the springtime. I especially like the pink and red cherries against the minty green. The whole packaging is elegant and has an organic feel.

The sweetness of the scent is both fruity and floral, as the aroma is a combination of pomegranate, red cherries, passion flower, jasmine, lycee, and musk. It has an uncomplicated fresh and effervescent vibe that dries up to a sweet and slightly creamy finish.

I wouldn’t say this is an all-year-round fragrance, as it can be too bouncy and sweet for me in colder months. But, as the warmer weather approaches, a bit of sweet indulgence seems well justified…

Sheer Stella 2008
(a must-have for me, definitely)

SUQQU Sanzekan (Eastern Orchid)
(a recent favorite)

Bond No. 9 Coney Island
(welcoming warmer weather)

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Sheer Stella 2008!

by PJ on Tuesday, March 11, 2008

in -Stella McCartney, 2008 Summer, fragrance

(Sheer Stella 2008)
(image from www.cosmoty.de)

This is the look of the new Sheer Stella 2008.

For the first time, the bottle design of Sheer Stella is not incorporating the romantic plum/pink color theme and goes for a fresh peachy pink tone, which reminds me of Stella in Two. Also, the cap appears to be silvery or white instead of the usual black.

According to Now Smell This, Sheer Stella 2008 has been updated to include notes of spicy white rose, peony, white freesia, pink pepper, white musk, and raspberry. To me, all the Sheer Stella fragrances (from 2004 to 2007) have been very similar. I am curious to see how different this will turn out to be.

In the UK, according to Debenhams, Sheer Stella 2008 will be sold exclusively in Debenhams in-store (from March 16) and on-line (from March 14), priced at £35. However, I suspect it will at least also be available at the Stella fragrance counter in Selfridges Oxford Street.

I am not going to say no to this…and I thought I was doing so well with my March beauty budget……

Sheer Stella Showcase
(featuring Sheer Stella from 2004 to 2007)

Stella Velvet Edition
(fully clothed)

My Fragrance Favorites
(when East meets West)

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Fragrance Review: Tsi-La Iland Ilang Natural Eau de Parfum Mini

by PJ on Saturday, December 29, 2007

in fragrance

(Tsi-La Ilang Ilang Natural Eau de Parfum Mini)

(image from www.tsilaorganics.com)

Skincare-wise, I react negatively to alcohol. Sometimes, I think the alcohol in perfume can slightly irritate my skin as well. The skin with perfume on can get slightly itchy and it does occasionally bother me.

if you have similar concerns, then you might want to try alcohol-free perfume. The Natural Eau de Parfum Mini range from Tsi-La (pronounced “chee-la”) uses plant-based oil to carry the fragrance instead of alcohol and provides a good alternative for people who find alcohol irritating on the skin.

There are six fragrances in this range and the one I tried is Ilang Ilang. The 4ml bottle comes with a roller applicator. When I apply it, there is not any of the typical waft of fragrance, which is obviously due to the absence of alcohol. The subtle aroma spreads very slowly and steadily.

This is a very good fragrance for winter. It has a mellow ginger-like spiciness which I find very warm, cozy, and calming. The scent is quite gentle, but it lasts relatively well and dries to a slightly creamy finish.

Apart from being suitable for people who have an issue with alcohol in perfume, this fragrance is a good choice for people who simply like a comforting and stress-relieving scent. I, for one, certainly find it soothing and calming…

(The Tsi-La Natural Eau de Parfum in 50ml (not the mini ones) does have alcohol, which is organic and GMO-free.)

Fragrance Review: The Scent of Peace by Bond No. 9

by PJ on Friday, December 7, 2007

in -Bond No. 9, fragrance

(Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace)
(image from Bond No. 9)

What should “peace” smell like?

To me, it should smell simple, serene, comforting, and joyful. Bond No. 9 set themselves a big challenge of creating a fragrance emulating the aura of peace, and I think they did a remarkable job.

Top notes: grapefruit and black currant
Middle note: lily of the valley
Base notes: cedarwood and musk

To me, The Scent of Peace demonstrates a successful attempt in combining fruity and floral notes and not making the combination overly sweet and syrupy. I think the key is the straightforward simplicity of the chosen notes.

As someone who loves citrusy notes and floral notes like rose and lily, I am delighted with the complementary match of grapefruit and lily. Cedarwood and musk are very subtle base notes here as they add a swift and quiet depth to the beautiful citrusy and floral effervescence.

Gentle and elegant, the scent is wonderfully fresh without being too cool. It certainly smells serene, comforting, and… peaceful. I adore it.

Two other treats are on offer if you enjoy The Scent of Peace: the scented candle and the Body Silk.

(Bond No. 9 The Scent of Peace scented candle)
(image from Bond No. 9)

The Scent of Peace Body Silk is a luxuriously rich body cream. It does take some time to apply and spread evenly, but it keeps the skin very well moisturized and the scent is pleasantly long-lasting.

(Bond No. 9 Body Silk)
(image from Bond No. 9)

For the holiday 2007 season, The Scent of Peace also comes in a limited-edition Swarovski crystal embellished bottle, with amethyst, while and opalescent crystals.

(The Scent of Peace Holiday 2007
limited-edition bottle with Swarovski crystals)
(image from Bond No. 9)

For an even more extravagant gift-giving experience, The Scent of Peace is also featured in the gift set which includes 11 other Bond No. 9 fragrances.

(I Love New York Double Decker Gift Set)
(image from Bond No. 9)

So far, The Scent of Peace shares the title of my favorite Bond No. 9 fragrance with Coney Island. Both are light, uplifting, and very easy to wear. While the summery Coney Island is fun and energetic, The Scent of Peace is soft and elegant and is a great fragrance all year round.

Sheer Stella Galore
(See all my Sheer Stella collection)

My Fragrance Favorites
(my ultimate top-three)

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Fragrance Review: Bond No. 9 Saks Fifth Avenue for Her & Him

by PJ on Sunday, November 25, 2007

in -Bond No. 9, fragrance

(Bond No. 9 Saks Fifth Avenue for Her & for Him)

(image from Bond No. 9)

Saks Fifth Avenue for Her & for Him mark an unique collaboration between Bond No. 9 and one of New York City’s retail landmarks. Named after the store, the two scents explore a unique dimension in retailing.

Saks Fifth Avenue for Her–

Top notes: jasmine, tuberose
Middle note: gardenia
Base notes: vetiver, vanilla

With jasmine, tuberose, and gardenia, this fragrance is like an elegant and sophisticated white bouquet. Floral and sweet, the uncomplicated scent has a intriguingly powdery tone.

It reminds me very slightly of two Marc Jacobs fragrances: the jasmine-based Blush and the gardenia-based Marc Jacobs Perfume, which I prefer since they are very pleasantly soft. On the other hand, Saks Fifth Avenue for Her has more of a punch.

Saks Ffith Avenue for Him

–

Top notes: chili, black pepper, cardamom, bergamot
Middle note: incense
Base notes: guiac wood, amber

A few slightly more unique notes, like guaiac wood, were incorporated to render an edge against popular notes like bergamot and amber. Chili, black pepper and incense don’t tip the balance to their side and I think they play the supporting roles very well.

Young, fresh, lively and upbeat, this is a very wearable men’s fragrance that is not overtly masculine.

For the Holiday 2007 season, Bond No. 9 releases a limited-edition Saks Fifth Avenue for Her bottle with dazzling Swarovski crystals.

(image from Bond No. 9)

Not surprisingly, these two scents are sold exclusively in Saks Fifth Avenue apart from Bond No. 9’s boutiques.

My favorite fragrances
(my ultimate top three)

Stella Velvet Edition by Stella McCartney
(wearing a tailored jacket)

Bring It Back! Bulgari Skincare
(featuring some of my Bulgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Vert bottles)

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Fragrance Review: Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Silver Factory

by PJ on Sunday, November 25, 2007

in -Bond No. 9, fragrance

(Bond No. 9 Andy Warhol Silver Factory)
(image from Bond No. 9)

On December 1, Bond No. 9 launches Silver Factory, the first fragrance in the Andy Warhol series.

All the Bond No. 9 fragrances are named after landmarks in New York City, and the upcoming Warhol scents will be no exception. They will be named after Warhol’s favorite haunts, and Silver Factory, his original studio in the 1960’s, commences the series.

The bottle design reflects Warhol’s creation of a series of colored Campbell’s Soup cans in 1965. It features blocks of turquoise and purple (which happen to be two of my favorite colors) and the script in yellow.

(image from Bond No. 9)

Even the higher-than-usual 28 percent perfume concentrate in this eau de parfum is inspired by the “Condensed” Campbell’s Tomato Soup.

Top notes: bergamot, grapefruit, lavender

Middle notes: violet, incense, jasmine, iris
Base notes: amber, wood resin, cedarwood

Despite the floral notes, I find that the scent remains essentially woody, with the aroma of smoky incense forming the fragrance’s core identity. Almost mysteriously aloof, this deeply brooding scent conveys a confident and assertive undercurrent of energy.

Andy Warhol Silver Factory will be available in Bond No. 9’s boutiques and website, as well as Saks Fifth Avenue and saks.com.

SUQQU Sanzekan (eastern orchid)
(My recent favorite!)

Bond No. 9 Coney Island
(one of my favorites from Bond No. 9)

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Finally Got It! SUQQU Sanzekan Eau de Toilette

by PJ on Tuesday, November 13, 2007

in -SUQQU, all about Japanese cosmetics, fragrance, stash focus

(The photo in the leaflet shows off
the angular shape of the bottle.)

(SUQQU Sanzekan Eau de Toilette 50ml)

It may appear as an impulse purchase, since I decided to buy this within seconds of seeing it. (It was launched on the day when I was at the counter, and I hadn’t come across any information about the launch.) But it really was not, and I will explain why.

This fragrance is based on the scent of Sanzekan (the eastern orchid), which is used in all SUQQU’s skincare products. Personally I dislike any prominent scent in skincare products. (It is simply unnecessary and may cause irritation.) But, purely as a scent, I really like it. Unique, sophisticated, and instantly memorable.

(Sanzekan, the eastern orchid)

(image from www.suqqu.com)

The first time SUQQU released this scent as a fragrance was when they launched the holiday collection in November 2005 (seen below on the left).

(SUQQU holiday 2005 collection)
(image from www.suqqu.com)

It is a 18ml travel-size bottle. The collection (sold as a set) also included a lipstick and a nail color based on the rich red hue of Sanzekan.

The full-size fragrance was released in Japan a year later in November 2006 but also as a limited edition. This was around the time SUQQU was launched in the UK. The actual fragrance was not available in the UK, but I fell in love with the scent of Sanzekan in the skincare products.

Around that time, there was a Gift with Purchase offer which included the 18ml fragrance (seen in the 2005 holiday set above). But the qualifying amount for the GWP was too high so I decided not to get it.

At the time, the sales assistants didn’t know whether the fragrance would ever be available in the UK. So I simply gave up the idea of ever owning the fragrance. But I liked the scent so much that I would constantly sniff the toner sample I got.

So you can imagine how excited I was when I saw this bottle in its full glory at the SUQQU counter last week. (I thought I’d never see it.) Without no hesitation, I decided to get it.

As mentioned, the prominent note is the eastern orchid Sanzekan. Feminine and lilting, it is a beautifully delicate and elegant scent.

Top note: eastern orchid (Sanzekan)
Middle notes: rose and jasmine
Base notes: vanilla and sandalwood

Like AYURA‘s Spirit of AYURA, this has a unique oriental flavor to it that I really enjoy. Not a generic scent, to say the very least. I am so glad I finally have it now…

Sheer Stella 2007
(featuring all the previous editions)

Bond No. 9 Coney Island
(summer bottled up)

My Favorite Fragrances
(What about yours?)

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Fragrance Review: Surround Yourself with Tropical Scents with Roxy

by PJ on Friday, October 12, 2007

in fragrance

(Roxy Eau de Toilette 100ml)

Roxy is a fun fashion line which focuses on women’s outdoor apparel, and it is only fitting that its first fragrance, Roxy, reflects the brand’s outdoorsy edge.

The bottle is designed to emulate the shape of a pebble at the beach. The fragrance smells like a sunny tropical beach surrounded by fruit and flowers. For me, the combination of the notes gives a scent of freshly squeezed pineapple juice.

Top notes:
citrus, berries, pink grapefruit, white peach, lemon leaves, organic ylang-ylang

Middle notes:
magnolia, lily of the valley, violet

Base notes:
salty amber, musk, sandalwood, Frangipani flower

I love the two body products. The Delicate Shower Gel is mildly scented and doesn’t dry out the skin. The Delicate Body Lotion is more liquidy than most of my body lotions, but it is very moisturizing and leaves the skin smooth. The scent is pleasantly light but long-lasting.

(Roxy Delicate Body Lotion
and Delicate Shower Gel)

Even though Roxy is only an eau de toilette, the sweet notes can be slightly overpowering. For me, the best way to wear this fragrance is to have only one or two very gentle sprays after the use of the body products. The typical way of layering really brings out a soft, breezy, and floaty feel of the fragrance.

Overall, this is a pleasantly summery scent and I shall go back to enjoy it when the weather gets warmer here in the UK again.

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