Olfactics

  • Memoir Man by Amouage

    Memoir Man by Amouage

    As one gets a feel for fragrances, they inevitably begin to pick out notes that appeal to them; these may even be broad classifications, as wide as colour schemes or using a musical and/or visual-art based lexicon to grasp fragrance. I was lucky with this one, Memoir Man, as it…

  • Portrait of a Lady for Frederic Malle

    Portrait of a Lady for Frederic Malle

    This review, as with all reviews really, is dedicated to Connie. In one respect, she is my source for effortless intellectual rigour, but on the other hand, she keeps me in check. My rock, my weight, and my inspiration – I wouldn’t be in this position without you. I thank-you…

  • Prada Candy by Prada

    Prada Candy by Prada

    “I was captivated by Prada Candy before I was even captivated by the art that is perfume…” In reality, I was captivated by fashion much before perfume, and these two elements happen to work hand-in-hand with each other. To this day I still adore the Prada aesthetic. Clean lines and cuts,…

  • N°5 by Chanel

    N°5 by Chanel

    Note: The following history/review discusses the original Extrait de Parfum (1921) of No. 5. No one wore N°5 in my family, so a lot of this is a new experience for me. It’s not that any mothers or aunts in the family couldn’t wear it, it’s just that a particular register is demanded…

  • Rose Poivrée by The Different Company

    I was tempted to start this review by proclaiming that Rose Poivrée by The Different Company was a feminine rose. I had opened my notebook to take down some notes but immediately crossed out the words ‘feminine’. I measured myself and sniffed my wrist containing Rose Poivrée, and I thought…

  • Héritage by Guerlain

    Héritage by Guerlain (1992) is the almost forgotten masculine from this legendary house. It smells slightly dated on my nose, with it smelling a bit like a watercolour on a Guerlain scale. Héritage too smells familiar, in a vaguely captivating manner much like all Guerlain fragrances are. However, this eau de…

  • Allure Homme Sport by Chanel

    Allure Homme Sport by Chanel

    Allure Homme Sport is the scent of the sea smelled days later on a towel. This towel has been used multiple times and has been used to wipe off sweat, a saline body after a dip in the ocean, and then finally used to towel dry hair washed with citric shampoos. Allure…

  • Antaeus by Chanel

    Antaeus by Chanel

    When one thinks of the 1980s it is impossible not the think of powerhouse clothing and smells. Strong shoulders, oversized lapels and popped collars for men, with women’s clothing somewhat luridly mimicking that trend. Pagoda shoulders went oversized as it translated from men’s to women’s clothing into an almost bulbous state.…

  • Hyper-Natural Scent from Design to Art by Chandler Burr

    Hyper-Natural Scent from Design to Art by Chandler Burr

    Hyper-Natural wrapped up late November – and I loved every bit of the experience and the exhibition. I think Hyper-Natural is important for me personally. If I had to thank one individual in the fragrance world, it would immediately be Chandler Burr. Looking back, I can thank Chandler for many of…

  • Ambre Narguille by Hermès

    Ambre Narguille by Hermès

    Ambre Narguille is the quintessential gourmand. Depending on how you see it that is either a good thing or a bad thing. Myself and many other perfume enthusiasts treat fragrances as an art. We view it as an evolving three-dimensional work. It evokes emotion, and it sets a scene. Art requires…