Archive for August, 2006
To consider Divine by Divine underrated is akin to saying Chanel No 5 is a myth. The nose behind it is Yvon Mouchel in Dinard, France, who used to be a perfume shop owner and later decided to create his own fragrances. That’s about all I know about him (if you happen to know more, feel free to comment). So how come I classified it as underrated? Well, if nothing but for the fact it’s very rarely mentioned and not very well known. I feel like it deserves all the praise I can give it and then some. Let me also add I feel immense pride for recently converting March to be its unadulterated lover which I realize is a utopia when it comes to us, perfume fanatics, but it sounded good together (wishful thinking).
The scent starts out with a pulpy peach note that’s on the verge of smelling like bruised peaches. March at Perfume Posse labeled it as “animalic skank” which I must say I had not noticed before in Divine but now it makes total sense. I find it quite fascinating how animalic/stinky notes make so many perfumes absolutely irresistable. While I don’t get much of animalic action here, a rotting fruit note is definitely present. But don’t you worry, it smells gorgeous nonetheless for the peach is immediately seasoned by coriander, and with other white florals coming into play, namely, gardenia, tuberose, and rose, the whole effect is very much along the lines of the legendary Coco by Chanel (that also combines peach and coriander) – the difference being in that Coco is much spicier and ambery. The white florals are very much subdued in Divine exposing just enough warmth and charm to allow oakmoss to be their partner in crime. And a crime they do commit for they manage to steal my affection before I know it, leaving a most stunning sillage.
For me Divine is a very French perfume. It embodies sophistication, maturity, and class that are so distinctly present in the classics of Guerlain, Jean Patou, Chanel, Piguet. If it were a fabric, it’d most certainly be satin in a deep, opulent color.
I highly recommend to also read another gorgeous review by Cait on Legerdenez.
Divine fragrances are available at The Perfume Shoppe, Luckyscent, Aus Liebe zum Duft, and directly from the Divine online shop.
Image source: www.divine.fr
August 3rd, 2006
No, this is not a perfume review. I just felt like making an exception to the rule and talk about hair care. After all, March and Patty talk about eye make-up and foundation, so I figured I’d be excused, too. Today I want to rave about Lucia Iraci line. I received some of the hair care samples in my Beautyhabit order (who are always super generous with samples!) and after just one try, I had to order the full sizes. According to Beautyhabit, Lucia Iraci has over 20 years of hairstyling experience and “her range of hair care is based upon her profound knowledge of traditiional Mediterranean plants and their uses along with her passion for treating the hair and scalp in its entirety.” Good quality hair products are essential for me. I have very fine (despicably so!) hair that also tends to get oily at the roots. On top of everything, I also shed quite a bit of it – how I haven’t gotten bald yet is a mystery. So, here’s what I’ve tried and adored from the Lucia Iraci line:
Ocean Dream Shampoo for Fine Hair – besides doing everything a shampoo should do, it smells amazing! Cardamom oil and myrtle extract – how can it not smell amazing?
Silk Detangling Baume with Lemon Pip Essential Oil – awesome texture and a Mediterranean-lemony scent. It detangles everything there is to detangle and leaves my hair super soft.
Cleansing Masque with Mediterranean Garden Lavender Essential Oil – I don’t usually do masks/deep conditioners on my hair but this one is specifically designed for oily hair, and I had a sample, so what the heck, I tried it. Mamma mia! I feel like I got a whole new head of hair! Well, the head is the same, the hair is clearly not my own.
So, I highly recommend this line, especially if you’re on the lookout for the next best shampoo/conditioner (which I always am). Even if you’re not and are happily satisfied with your Head & Shoulders, you should still try it, for the scents alone. If I haven’t convinced you yet, the products are available exclusively at Beautyhabit (in the U.S.), and their packages are out of this world – that is a good enough reason in itself.
Image source: www.beautyhabit.com
August 2nd, 2006
I just found out the meaning behind the name of Orris Noir. From the press release: “The Iris flower is named after the Greek Goddess of the rainbow, the messenger of the Gods and the Black Iris of Amman is the Royal symbol of the Kings of Jordan. Thriving in a landscape of ample sun, it is a rich, purple black flower of smouldering beauty.” Also, the notes have been slightly updated below. What can I say… this just makes me love it even more! 50 ml of parfum is priced at £112, and 50 ml of eau de parfum – £58.
August 2nd, 2006
Orris Noir is the newest addition to the Ormonde Jayne line, created by its owner Linda Pilkington. Ormonde Jayne is a small niche perfumery located in London’s West End. I had an opportunity to visit the shop almost two years ago, and had a nice little chat with Linda who’s an absolute delight. I’m fascinated by her creations, Tolu and Ormonde being amongst my most favored ones but since the news spread about her latest one with such an intoxicating name, I was sure I was destined to love it. And love it I do.
While I adore the name, nothing about the scent strikes me as particularly black. When I see “noir” in a perfume name, I immediately envision some sort of a dark quality the perfume possesses – whether it’s the darkness of patchouli/oakmoss, incense or dry, heavy spices. I’m not sure what exactly is behind the name here but I’ll certainly try to find out (see above post). Orris Noir starts out with a very aromatic, almost minty smell. The pink pepper note that seems to permeate the scent throughout is very similar to that in Ta’if. Cardamom and coriander sort of tame the initial aromatic effect revealing an almost chypre-like accord which I’m interpreting as the iris and jasmine pairing. The iris here is quite ingenious. It’s unlike any other iris I’ve smelled, certainly not related to the iris in Hermes Hiris or Serge Lutens Iris Silver Mist. It’s a dry, spicy iris if that makes sense. While in top notes the scent produces more of a bright and verdant effect, the middle stage is a parade of spices and resins. This is also my favorite part, I think, as I’m particularly fascinated by how soft the spices/resins are – nothing too sharp or heavy. There’s something just a little Tolu-like in this stage, and I cannot figure out what exactly it is. I’m also getting just a touch of sweetness of myrrh on a very gentle woody base. Another scent it reminds me of purely in effect is Rosine Poussiere de Rose. Overall, it’s a complex yet very wearable spicy floral that will undoubtedly become very popular in no time.
Orris Noir is classified as a spicy oriental and features the notes of davana (aromatic Indian herb), pink pepper, cardamom, iris, sambac (Indian jasmine), coriander seed, bergamot, pimento, bay cinnamon, incense, myrrh, patchouli, Chinese cedar, saffron, civet, Gaiac wood.
The scent can be purchased directly from the Ormonde Jayne online shop. To my knowledge, the parfum version is available for sale now, and the eau de parfum concentration will be available in September.
Image source: www.ormondejayne.com
August 1st, 2006
Next Posts