Aromascope

Perfume Review: Phenomenon by Y O S H

I’m generally not a lover of perfume oils. As I said in one of my previous posts, most oils tend to turn on my skin, in spite of how gorgeous they might be in top notes. I have tried quite a few, of various price ranges, and have concluded that in order for a perfume oil to work, it has to contain excellent quality ingredients, especially in the base. The two brands that fall into this category are Jalaine and Yosh. I have already raved briefly about one Yosh creation, Ginger Ciao, and one Jalaine creation, Vetiver. Today I’d like to rave about yet another Yosh stunner, Phenomenon.

Phenomenon is created by Yosh Han, a San Francisco perfumer. It was created specifically for an event called Sniffapalooza that is put together by perfume mavens in the New York City. I wasn’t fortunate to attend the event but I received a sample of Phenomenon from a dear friend who was smitten by it, and knew it’d have the same effect on me. She warned me right away that it was not to be officially released, so I was not to fall madly in love. I did not heed the warning, however, and fell madly in love, unrequited as its fate would be. Much to my delight and general happy feeling, Yosh decided to release the scent – it will be availabe at Luckyscent September 15 in .25 fl. oz bottles. But do not be put off by the size – these perfume oils are potent, and a little goes a long way (you only need a couple dabs to last you a whole day). Besides, they are complex, exceptionally well balanced oils that develop on your skin just like any other high quality perfume, with all the top, middle, and base notes.

But what does it smell like? Phenomenon is said to be “a passionate fragrance with boronia, osmanthus, silver fir, rhododendron, vetiver, and Moroccan cedarwood”. Sadly to say, I’m not familiar with the scent of real osmanthus, so my attempts to describe the scent might turn out rather pathetic (pardon my ignorance – I’ll have to remedy that soon). If you’re familiar with how osmanthus is rendered in perfume, this is an herbal osmanthus (if you’re not familiar, I highly recommend sampling Osmanthe Yunnan by Hermes or Osmanthus by The Different Company). It starts out with an herbal fir tree/pine note that soon brings out osmanthus (from what I know of it) that has a slightly metallic, minty accord. It also features the note of rhododendron (another one I haven’t had a chance to smell in real life yet) that supposedly brings out an apricot-like aroma, and my nose detects it here as well. The drydown is a nectareous flower, on a base of earthy vetiver and dusty, slightly resinous cedar. I adore this stage – it’s so peaceful and delicate, yet so elegant and refined.

And now to the fun part – a sample giveaway! If you’d like to be included in the drawing for a sample of Phenomenon, please let me know in your comment! There’ll be 3 winners, once again.

Note: the drawing will end tonight at midnight.

39 comments September 6th, 2006

Post to Come…

Just popping in to tell you I’m back from a long weekend away and too tired for a post at the moment, so nothing for today but I’m working on something very exciting (read: another giveaway). Feel free to share about your new perfume loves or anything you feel like sharing. Later!

2 comments September 4th, 2006

Perfume Review: Bois D’Armenie by Guerlain

In line with yesterday’s post on my ultimate fall scents, today’s review is Bois d’Armenie by Guerlain, the newest addition to their L’Art et la Matiere collection (the others being Rose Barbare, Angelique Noire, and Cuir Beluga). I don’t envision it becoming my ultimate fall scent but it’s certainly one I’d reach for frequently in cold weather, mostly for its comforting effect. It was inspired by Papier d’Armenie, burning paper that produces an insence-like scent used as an air-freshener. Before I received my sample of Bois d’Armenie, I ordered the actual paper from Beautyhabit to get acquainted with the nature of its smell. I’m very glad I did, not just for comparison purposes but for sheer curiosity to discover yet another way to scent my apartment.

Bois d’Armenie is not a dead ringer for Papier d’Armenie. It uses the scent of the paper as its base, with added touches. At first it smells exactly like the paper when you just light it, smoky and slightly earthy, with some patchouli sneaking in, and coriander adding a little spice. It’s not really incense in its typical form. It’s just a very light, earthy smoke. It dries down smooth and creamy like the paper in its unlit form. I almost prefer the paper this way – unlit. It’s said to be soaked in benzoin, a substance with a soft, slightly sweet, almond-like balsamic scent. Bois d’Armenie is just that upon drydown – very much a skin scent, slightly powdery and creamy at the same time, tenacious, with but a hint of smoke. Its lasting power and sillage are excellent, however. The notes for Bois d’Armenie are: “pink pepper, iris, rose, coriander, benzoin, Indonesian patchouli, incense, precious woods, musk and balsams“. If Papier d’Armenie is said to possess healing properties that even “drive away negative energies” and “depressive tendencies”, Bois d’Armenie produces a similar calming effect that’s unbelievably comforting and warming. Therefore, it’d be perfect for those chilly and gloomy days ahead.

Since Bois d’Armenie is only available at the Guerlain flagship store in Paris at this point, and if you’d rather not spend money buying unsniffed, I highly recommend buying the Papier d’Armenie from Beautyhabit. In addition, if you find the smell of burning incense too strong, this is a very nice alternative.

For other impressions, please read Victoria’s review and Marina’s review.

Image source: www.museesdegrasse.com

28 comments September 1st, 2006