Fragrance Belles-Lettres Magazine

Fragrance Belles-Lettres: The Magazine is an online fragrance magazine established in 2009 dedicated to niche perfumes which includes natural/organic perfumes. This magazine is created to explore vintage and modern with a journalistic approach and an aristocratic flair. This magazine consist of perfume reviews, articles and exclusive interviews conducted with industry leaders, perfumers and authors. Fragrance Belles-Lettres: The Magazine is published through NOBLESSE LUXE PUBLISHING LLC.

Showing posts with label natural perfume review. Show all posts

TRAVAILLER FEMME SENTEUR by SPA SPACASSO

Posted by Unknown 14 October, 2011 0 comments

Maria Murphy

SPA SPACASSO is a leading organic skincare company located in Des Moines, Iowa. It was established in 2005 by Founder & CEO, Maria Murphy who envisioned a skincare line that would be a safe and elegant for men and women.

Since then, Maria has decided to broaden the product line with an organic parfum dedicated to working women. Maria created the parfum but she could not decide on a name for it. After a few months and a scent event contest was held for submissions for the name of this parfum, a winner was revealed.

Victoria Palumbo

Victoria Palumbo won by submitting TRAVAILLER FEMME SENTEUR (means Travailler Femme "working women" and Senteur pour Lieu de Travail means "workplace fragrance" in French for women. This fragrance is ready to be launched but first here are the details of TRAVAILLER FEMME SENTEUR. It features TOP NOTES: Australian sandalwood oil, MIDDLE NOTES: citrus, fruits, vanilla bean BASE NOTES: tuberose, orchid and organic soy

What makes this velvety and smooth fragrance so regal is too to one of the most important ingredients and that is soy. TRAVAILLER FEMME SENTEUR is very soft and sweet but not too much of a fuss because the idea is to wear this scent in the workplace.

It will not cause an allergic reaction and your co-workers will not be bothered by this elegant and warm scent. TRAVAILLER FEMME SENTEUR is most appropriate for work and after hours. Just had stilettos and pearls and you are good to go. Plus it lasts on your skin for hours!

TRAVAILLER FEMME SENTEUR will officially launch on November 15, 2011 just in time for the upcoming Holidays.

More information will be available soon for purchasing online at SOY SPACASSO.

INFORMATION: www.spacasso.com

PHOTO CREDIT: logo of Soy Spacasso and photo of TRAVAILLER FEMME SENTEUR by Soy Spacasso, picture of Maria Murphy courtesy of Maria Luttrel-Murphy; photo of Victoria Palumbo courtesy of Victoria Palumbo (Facebook).

Note: Review based on sample received by Soy Spacasso.

F.H.

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WILD CHILD#13-THIS SUMMER SCREAMS A WINNER

Posted by Unknown 14 August, 2011 0 comments

WILD CHILD #13

A Summer SCENTSATIONAL Winner

I must say in the World of Perfumery, this summer for me has been one of the most interesting and emotionally entertaining aspects of my summer experience. I took part as one of the “patch testers” with Monica Miller’s eclectic and unique scent event, SUMMER OF PATCHOULI LOVE 2011 PERFUME PHARMER & THE PATCH TEST BUNNIES soiree dedicated to the Patchouli fragrance note.

I eagerly tested 13 patchouli sample creations by various natural perfumers and I was instructed to indicate my 3 most favorites. This was a very hard task for me, as I loved many of them but I did what I was told and my most favorite is #13.

Grant it at the time, the bottles were just numbered not named. So, like all of the patch testers, we had no idea who created them. This is why I call this scent event “unique”. You had to concentrate on the notes, not the person who created it. So much of the time I notice in this industry that we are caught up in “who” created the fragrance and not the character of the scent and the inspiration that prompt its arrival. Finally when the unveiling occurred and I found out that my first pick was created by Kedra Hart of OPUS OILS, I wasn’t surprised because it’s the unique character that she leaves behind every perfume creation and for that reason, WILD CHILD #13 was the overall favorite among voters in SUMMER OF PATCHOULI LOVE 2011.

The criteria for the natural perfumers were to create a patchouli fragrance with the theme of the 60’s/70's era Peace, Love and in this case, Patchouli.

Reports indicate that during the famous “hippie” era in the US and in the UK, Patchouli was the most favored scent, especially in the form of incense.

What struck me about WILD CHILD#13 is the smoothness of the scent yet there is an edginess that represents the artistic and charisma of the musical geniuses of that time such as The Doors’ Jim Morrison and the world’s best guitarist, Jimi Hendrix. Jim and Jimi were masters at engaging the audience into their world of musical embellishment that has become an icon in the music industry.

WILD CHILD#13 screams with celebration and liberation of a time when going against the establishment was within your rights and being yourself and expressing yourself in peace, love and happiness was the way of life.

Kedra left a trail of “character and inspiration that “spoke to mind, heart and soul of us who were so fortunate to be a part of this scent event and the first to smell it before it was known as WILD CHILD#13.

Obamas at Martha's Vineyard

Now that summer is coming to a close for SUMMER OF PATCHOULI LOVE 2011 in Martha’s Vineyard, a good time was had by all and we will always remember this beach party and WILD CHILD#13 that made it happen for us just like it was done over 40 years ago for them. Goodbye!

WILD CHILD#13, “The Primal Scream in a Bottle” features…

TOP NOTES: saffron, cabreuva, blood cedar wood, peach tree leaf, Clementine, yellow mandarin and wild orange

MIDDLE NOTES: honey, milk accord, black currant bud, tuberose and peach accord

BASE NOTES: aged dark patchouli, sandalwood, ambergris, dark amber, vetiver and vanilla

NOTE: WILD CHILD#13 is available in both Alcohol & Fractioned Coconut Oil, but please make that request.

PURCHASE: opusoils.com

To read more about SUMMER OF PATCHOULI LOVE 2011 PERFUME PHARMER & THE PATCH TEST BUNNIES go to perfumepharmer.com/organic-perfume-skincare-remedies

Photo Credits: photo of Perfume Pharmer design banner is designed by Katlyn Breene(mermadearts.com) and Summer of Patchouli Love 2011 banner is designed by Elizabeth Whelan (elizabethwehelanillustrator.com)

F.H.

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"TAKE MANDY AFTEL WITH YOU"- The Letter (review)

Posted by Unknown 31 July, 2011 1 comments

Advice to two Ivy League students:
“Take Mandy Aftel with you”

I have two very good friends whose daughters will be attending Harvard and Princeton Universities this fall. What I didn’t know is that Diane and Kimberly are big Mandy Aftel fans!

Word got out that I had some samples of Mandy’s products and I was contacted by Diane asking if she and Kimberly could try them.

“Sure that is no problem”, I replied and shipped them off to the east coast where they live. Diane asked me what I would advise them to wear of Mandy’s products. Diane continued to explain that they will be among some of the brightest students in the world and they wanted the finest products for two of the finest universities in the land.

So, I thought the best way to handle this is with a letter. My letter to Diane and Kim on advice on Life and why they should take Aftelier Perfumes’ Pink Lotus Perfume, Chocolate and Saffron Body Oil and Rain Perfumed Bath Oil with them to school.

Dear Diane & Kim,
I am so proud of your accomplishments! You both have certainly grown to be such lovely and smart young ladies. Harvard University and Princeton University are blessed to have you in their wonderful midst.

Mandy Aftel

I know you both are busy gathering items to take with you to school but I have a few items that I would like for you to take. They are made from a Master Perfumer who is quite accomplished in her profession and admired by many worldwide. So, my advice is to take Mandy Aftel to school with you.

I do not mean this literally but Mandy creates awe-inspiring perfumes, bath and body products that have met the challenge and she is the 2011 FIFI AWARD FINALIST for Indie Perfumes, the first ever in the history to be nominated for such prestigious award from the Fragrance Foundation.

Diane and Kim, you are no strangers to success in your own right and for that reason that is why you both were accepted to two fine institutions. So, I thought you should take products that represent YOU.

First, there is PINK LOTUS PERFUME. It is part of the chypre family of fragrance notes. The reason I love it is because it has orange in it and it is centered on lotus which stems back to Ancient Egypt. The scent is enduring, delightful and it has a very pretty orangery-pink color. Ladies, what is equally impressive is the beautiful French flacon pendant that you can have filled with PINK LOTUS and this gives you two ways of wearing this perfume.

Next, is the delicious scent of chocolate interwoven with the world’s most expensive spice, Saffron into romantic body oil. CHOCOLATE and SAFFRON BODY OIL is a beautiful blend that will glide easily and smoothly on your skin without the greasy feel.

This will be great to use after you come from the gym to relief some of the stress after an exam!

Lastly, but definitely one of the beauty regimen for the morning is to add a few drops of RAIN PERFUMED BATH OIL in your bath. After you press the snooze button for the third time and you still don’t get out of bed, keep in the mind the aroma of a fresh rain coming from the sky quiet and pure that is sweetened with ravensara and chamomile. Now, I got your attention! Let’s proceed with running water from the faucet and plop you are there. See what I told you. It so good for your skin as it soaks in leaving your skin scented, smooth and glossy.

Congratulations Di and Kim! You are official graduates of the Mandy Aftel school of AFTELIER PERFUMES.

Okay ladies, now that you know what to bring to school. I will let you go to finish packing and once again, Congratulations and see, bringing Mandy Aftel with you to school is not a bad idea.

Love,
Felicia

PINK LOTUS features…bitter orange, bergamot, tuberose, jasmine, ylang ylang, antique sandalwood, oak moss

CHOCOLATE AND SAFFRON BODY OIL features…chocolate, flowers, jojoba oil base and fractioned coconut oil

RAIN PERFUMED BATH OIL features…apples notes, ravensara, chamomile from South Africa, pure essential oils (no carrier)

PURCHASE: aftelier.com

F.H.

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BUTTERFLY NECTAR & HONEY

Posted by Unknown 25 July, 2011 5 comments

BUTTERFLY NECTAR & HONEY:

The fragrances that “float like a butterfly, sting like a bee”.

This famous quote is representative of the style of boxing by Muhammad Ali whose unorthodox style won him many championships and fans worldwide but it adequately describes two gorgeous fragrances composed by two natural perfumers who continue to put nature at the center of their fragrance collections.

Butterflies and Honey bees are synonymous to the summer season. It’s the first signs that indicate the weather is warm and the flowers have bloomed.

Butterflies and Honey bees go together because they both seek and eat nectar. Honey Bees eat nectar which is a sweet liquid made by flowers that then it turns into honey. Butterflies respond to sweet smells such as in certain plants and flowers. The flower secretes nectar by attracting the butterfly that is a pure nectar feeder.

Honey bees and butterflies are pollinators of crops and wild flora but there is a shortage of honey bees and also a shortage of butterflies disappearing without a trace.

So far, scientist cannot find the problem but if nothing is done about the problem there will be no bees or butterflies in the next century.

I am so proud to find two highly talented perfumers who are representing butterflies and honey bees with perfume creations that are divine and with these creations, these perfumers are making a statement on how important it is to preserve our insects.

NECTAR BUTTERFLY by DSH is a newer fragrance composed by Dawn Spencer Hurwitz who let the flowers speaks for themselves. It is a ravishing sweet honeyed scent that is perfect for walks in grand gardens filled with lush grass and freshly painted gazebos.

It is a light citrus and floral fusion with a woody base that can take you into the later afternoon horizons under a white tent for supper.

I love how this scent lingers with its clean and refreshing haze of honey subdued by its fruits and flowers that describe the butterfly’s attraction to sweet smells.

Butterfly Nectar is a lovely introduction for a young girl who wants to experience her first fragrance of the summer.

Top Notes: Apricot, Bergamot Green, Mandarin, Meyer Lemon, Verbena, White Peach

Middle Notes: Bulgarian Rose Absolute, Grandiflorum Jasmine, Green Clover Blossoms, Honey, Honey Beeswax, Orris Concrete

Base Notes: Australian Sandalwood, Benzoin, Civet, East Indian Patchouli, Musk, Tonka Bean, Vanilla Absolute

My other fragrance discovery is dedicated to the occupation of beekeeping. It focuses on the lives of honeybees and it is the bees that reign in this fragrance that is simply named, HONEY.

HONEY is created by Laurie Stern, perfumer and owner of VELVET & SWEET PEA’S PURRFUMERY in El Cerrito, California.

Laurie is dedicated and passionate about the lives of bees and has a beekeeper; she uses the honey from the bees in her garden in her solid perfumes. In the book “BACKYARD BEEKEEPERS OF THE BAY” written by Judith Adamson, there is a section in the book focusing on Laurie entitled ‘Perfumer & Beekeeper’ where Laurie uses the dried, crusty propolis which is the substance honeybees make or better known as bee-glue.

Laurie uses the scrapings of propolis in organic grape alcohol, the bases for many of the fragrances in the collection.

HONEY is as pure as you can get. It is dripping in the highest grade of honey and its natural sweetness is soft and cascading like the chiffon of melted butter on toast.

It last for several hours and with the addition of other notes, HONEY is in a class all by itself. It is a wonderful fragrance not just for its scent but to remind us that it is our duty to help preserve the life of bees and support our beekeepers worldwide.

French orange blossom, Moroccan and Bulgarian roses, vetiver, Madagascar vanilla, honey, beeswax, propolis of bees, antique clove, pomegranate and pink grapefruit

PURCHASE: dshperfumes.com purrfumery.com

INFORMATION:
Book: BACKYARD BEEKEEPERS OF THE BAY AREA by Judith Adamson/Paperback ISBN-13:978-0-9762362-3-8 by Slanted Light Press
http://www.backyardbeekeepersbayarea.com/

*******************GIVEAWAY**************
Due to the generosity of Laurie Stern who will provide just for FRAGRANCE BELLES-LETTRES: THE MAGAZINE, one 6 ml bottle of HONEY PERFUME. This exquisite fragrance is in a pretty FRENCH BROSSE bottle that will come in a velvet pansy pouch.

To enter, please make a comment after the article indicating, WHAT FOOD(S) DO YOU USE WITH HONEY?

Thank you very much and Good Luck!

****************UPDATE***********************
***********************************************
There is a winner for the 6ml HONEY PERFUME! The winner is...Michael S. Congratulations! Michael and Thank You to everyone who participated. Please come again!!

NOTE: If you get a chance, please make a donation in whatever amount that is put upon your heart to JUSTGIVING.COM/Felicia-Hazzard
It is my fundraising project for BEES FOR DEVELOPMENT TRUST.

BEES FOR DEVELOPMENT USES THE MONEY FOR RESEARCH AND INSURING THE LIVES OF BEEKEEPERS IN THE MOST REMOTE AND POOREST AREAS WORLDWIDE.
beesfordevelopment.org

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OPUS OILS: DIVINE COLLECTION

Posted by Unknown 06 July, 2011 1 comments

OPUS OILS

Divine Collection… with a hint of Summer of

Patchouli Love starring Kedra Hart

Kedra Hart is no stranger to success. Ms. Hart is a perfumer and owner of OPUS OILS Jitterbug Perfume Parlor, a Perfume Atelier located among the stars in the sky and the ones in Hollywood, California.

Ms. Hart not only owns an Atelier but she offers an incredible array of products and services such as perfumes, skincare, perfumed teas, Bespoke service, Private Label service and a perfume school. Not only does Ms. Hart teach perfumery in California but also at OPUS OILS in Paris, France. Did I say that Ms. Hart is no stranger to success?

I had the honor of sampling two collections but I will talk about only one for this review, not that I am saving the best for last. There is no one best because both are equally engaging and spiritually uplifting with so much attention to detail, it is truly unbelievable!

My focus is on the Divine Collection that features four scents that are 100% All Natural. It’s composed using the world’s finest ingredients that are blended to perfection and leaves room for the imagination among your wildest dreams.

ISIS- An Egyptian goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs is the symbol of fertility and motherhood is blended with a note known to Ancient Egypt such as the Blue Lotus that grows along the Nile. This exotic scent of a divine deity brilliantly showcases the Blue Lotus. Reports indicates this flower opens in the morning, rising to the surface of water and then close and sink at dusk.

Ms. Hart’s attention and understanding of ISIS being and essence is truly visible in this fragrance that represents the opening of a womb and closing after childbirth.

ISIS is a temple of mystic blends that are smooth and soothing with a heady feature which represents the gem of the ocean.

Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood, Blue Lotus Absolute, White Water Lily Absolute, Jasmine Absolute

PAN- Is the controversial God that is wild and outlandish but loves and protects nature. This beautiful fragrance reminds me of the forest that led Alice in Wonderland into a blissful fantasy world filled with gigantic mushrooms, overbearing trees and the illusions of Peter Pan’s “Neverland”, but for only just a moment until Alice eats the cake and then…

PAN is also a representation of SUMMER OF PATCHOULI LOVE 2011, a scent event dedicated to the dark and mysterious Patchouli created by Monica Miller who provides a unique 60’s/70’s theme of Peace-Love and "Patchouli".

Fir Balsam Absolute, Patchouli, Oak moss, Vetiver, Mushroom Cepes Absolute, Violet Leaf Absolute and Wild Orange

VENUS- Who was a Roman goddess associated with love, beauty and fertility. This is a true representation of a fragrance that features the Pink Lotus, a flower that grows in aquatic areas like a pond. Its long time history dates back to Ancient Egypt were it grew along the banks of the Niles. The soft and feminine scent billows with an architectual essence and a guide for all women to aspire.

Rose, Pink Lotus, Ylang Ylang, Neroli, Choya Nakah (roasted crushed seashells), seaweed absolute, dark chocolate, beach found ambergris

EROS- The God of sexual love and beauty is worshipped as the fertility deity. EROS has the same meaning but called by different names pertaining to those religions. This unisex fragrance reaches its full capacity and peak of perfection with its citrus aroma and its deep and meaningful darker notes that speaks the only language, religion or belief that we should all care about and that is LOVE.

Amber, Mandarin Orange, Rose, Vetiver

PURCHASE: opusoils.com

PHOTO CREDITS: photos of perfume, storefront and inside of store by opusoils.com, photo of Summer of Patchouli Love 2011 courtesy of Monica Miller perfumepharmer.com/organic-perfume-skincare-remedies

Next review is on WILD CHILD #13 by Opus Oils...The fragrance that "ROCKS" a culture and I will tell you why. Jimi Hendrix, The Doors, George Harrison, psychedelic...

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EVA LUNA EAU DE PARFUM, The Belle of the Ball

Posted by Unknown 24 June, 2011 2 comments

EVA LUNA

The Belle of the Ball

This my last review for A Midsummer Night’s Dream-A Scent Event. I must admit, I enjoyed this literary lesson through arts and perfumery. I love the idea of composing reviews that are based on artistic interpretation of literature and I further love fragrances that are composed with the interpretations from literature and historical fiction.

I am thrilled with this review because it allowed me to explore and stay on target with the William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy play with the use of the media for the 21st century.

Throughout the play there were many encounters of longing for the love not yet returned therfore leading to Puck to make it right only to find out that his mischevious ways got the best of him.

The moral of the story is that if you are deeply in love with someone and they are deeply in love with you, there is no need for a magic potion to make that happen. It just comes naturally. I find that the flower in this play is symbolic that represents purity, love and devotion. The flower is what Puck, the fairy uses to sprinkle on the eyelids of those who are to be put under a spell. Its that so-call magic from a flower that is needed to make someone love you but given the chance the love was always there but love also has to be kind and patient.

One of the most romantic aspects of this play is that it takes place under a shiny moon. The back drop for this story gives such a colorful glimpse into the enchanted forest under a bright and silvery moon.

It gives me great pleasure to introduce a fragrance that is created for this scent event that I find most romantic, vivacious and quite alluring.

The inspiration behind the name of this fragrance is taken from a very popular Spanish televised soap opera in 2010 named, EVA LUNA.

La Luna in Spanish means “the moon”. How most appropriate for such a fragrance to feature colorful and lively notes that represents the colorful and all too many lively personalities of those in the play.

EVA LUNA EAU DE PARFUM is a fragrance that delights the fairies with its array of flowers (the rose, which means love) and its late night dances under the moonlight.

EVA LUNA is composed by perfumer, Charna Ethier who is the owner of Providence Perfume Company in Rhode Island.

This is not my first encounter with fragrances created by Charna but I must say that when I received the package in the mail that included a sample of EVA LUNA and the flyer explaining the motive behind the creation, I was completely blown away with her brilliant interpretation of A Midsummer Night’s Dream and how it applies to our lives in this century.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream was written between the years 1590 and 1596, but if I were from another planet and not familiar with the concept of perfume, I would definitely say that during the time of this play was written EVA LUNA EAU DE PARFUM came right out of this enchanted story and onto the pages of books that we read today about this play. Yet, it comes across with a precious overtone that applies to perfumery that one who is not a student of perfumery would agree that they have smelled it somewhere else, but honestly that cannot be because EVA LUNA is one of a kind.

EVA LUNA is made with all pure ingredients right out of the green luscious woods of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with the following.

TOP NOTES: Russian Carrot, Fresh Mint Leaf, French Mimosa, Bois de Rose

Heart Notes: Tuberose, Plumeria, Rose de Mai, Jasmine, Violet Leaf

Base Notes: Oman, Frankincense, Ambrette, Orris

Even though, the many characters in the play have been through some very trying situations, in the end they are come together in celebration. I love a party and no other way to set the stage and get the music started then with EVA LUNA, Belle of the Ball, the fragrance the sums up this play as being romantic, seductive and a zest for life.

PURCHASE: providenceperfume.com

PHOTO CREDITS: Picture of The Faerie Ring (my.opera.com), Eva Luna telenovelas (mediabristro.com), Moon with Child (fanart-central.net), perfume bottle and flyer (providenceperfume.com)

F.H.

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Fragrance Belles-Lettres Est 2009 CHICAGO

The word "belles lettres" is a French phrase meaning "beautiful or "fine writing. Since this is a term to describe a category of writing, this will pertain to my passion about fragrances. I will review niche,natural, artisan and designer perfumes from all over the world. I write with passion but will use my journalistic skills that I obtained in college. Not only will I feature fragrances but I will feature new books on fragrances/perfumes, fragrance events and interview authors and perfumers.

I hope you take this journey with me and begin your own passion for the ART OF PERFUMERY!

Fragrance Belles-Lettres Magazine is a division of Noblesse Luxe Publication.

Felicia M. Hazzard
Publisher & Editor-in-Chief