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.

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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THE FRAGRANCE NAMING SCENT EVENT

Posted by Unknown 05 July, 2011 2 comments

WANT A CHANCE TO NAME A FRAGRANCE?
This is your chance to name a one-of-a-kind Natural perfume that is in existence but NAMELESS.
We look forward to the knighting of this ROYAL fragrance by all interested Fragrance Devotees.
More information COMING SOON!

PHOTO CREDITS: BY CLIPATOF.COM

F.H.

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PATCHOULI: The Dark Scent of Dignity

Posted by Unknown 29 June, 2011 1 comments

PATCHOULI

The Dark Scent of Dignity

I, like most people appreciate the people, culture, language, food, architecture and cultivation of the Far East.

The scent of Patchouli through testimonies, books and documentaries has stated that Patchouli is associated with the Hippies era of the 60’s and 70’s here in the US and in Europe. These testimonies indicate that Patchouli was the signature scent for Hippies but to set the record straight, Patchouli (Pogostemon Cablin)-(Benth) has been around for many centuries.

It did not become in existence during the hippie movement but the real heritage of this plant is native to tropical regions of Asia and now is extensively cultivated in China, Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam and West Africa.

The intense and bewitching scent grows well in warm to tropical climates and it thrives in hot weather but not in direct sunlight. So for those who are new to scent events, the recent and new scent event that I am involved takes place in the summer, the theme is a throwback to the Flower Power, Peace-Love days and it has everything to do with Patchouli!

SUMMER OF PATCHOULI LOVE 2011 PERFUME PHARMER AND THE PATCH TEST BUNNIES is the scent event created by Monica Miller who recently decanted and sent 13 sample size roller ball vials of Patchouli perfumes created by 13 natural perfumers to be tested by bloggers and celebrities who are called "Patch Test Bunnies".

The object of this is to choose three most favorite scents from the samples and for bloggers like myself, to write why I like it and what I suspect the notes are without being told anything about it.

So, this is what I will do but with one additional scent that I like and respect after sniffing these samples for the third time! I put this in the Honorable Mention category.

#13 This is my most favorite because it is sweet with a gourmand flair. It has a woody decadent with a layer of rosewood, oak moss and vanilla that is so smooth and tranquil. However it is light enough for day wear.

#14 This scent is composed with the most beautiful robust clear brown color. It looks simply gorgeous in the bottle. It has a citrus scent with a lemony note, a hint of lavender and undertone of vetiver.

#1 This scent is deeper than the last two, it has more of a leather scent with Tonka bean, civet and it brightens with orange blossom. It is a smooth scent for both men and women.

#11 (Honorable Mention) I make reference to this scent because it is a wonderful and classic scent with a twist of modern essence of chocolate (cacao) and gardenia. This is more of a evening scent for both men and women.

PURCHASE: Summer of Patchouli Love 2011 Sample Box contains 13 samples (retail value over $100). Go to perfumepharmer.com/organic-perfume-skincare-remedies

PHOTO CREDITS: Patchouli Wall-Paper (scenicreflections.com), photo of hands (magnoliahealthandhome.com), logo and sample perfume box courtesy of Perfume Pharmer (perfumepharmer.com/organic-perfume-skincare-
remedies

F.H.

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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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PAN, Wild about Nature

Posted by Unknown 23 June, 2011 2 comments

PAN

Wild about Nature

The most talked about fairy in A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare is Puck. Puck was the obedient servant of Oberon, King of the Fairies.

Whatever had to be done, you could always count of Puck to complete the task. There is another version of this story but it comes from a Greek legend. In Greek mythology there is a figure that is not quite considered a fairy but he is considered a God.

Pan, is the God of Nature and that would include meadows, forests, beasts and even human nature.

The character of Pan can be quite controversial between Christians and Pagans but nevertheless, there are qualities about Pan that are worth mentioning. First, Pan speaks for the innocent such as the children, he protects all animals and especially women.

I honestly see Pan has a passionate God, he sees the good in the living and protects it from destruction. Shouldn’t we all be like this?

I picture in my mind the scene of the forest in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The fairies are always in the forest and this scene of enchantment deals with the fairies who deal with humanistic situations with serene tall trees, green grass and animals roaming freely.

Pan is known for taking the forms of different animals. I think of Nick Bottom for example, who was turned in a donkey.

When I think of nature, I think of green earthy tones that fill the air with a mossy scent buried inside a musky log hidden behind a pine tree that is bursting with a lemony smell.

I must confess, I am a fan of chypre. It gives me a deep feeling of completeness and wholeness that is actually indescribable.

Thank goodness for a fragrance that speaks for my indescribable feelings. PAN from Perfume by Nature leads you into a journey of a woody citrus forest that is guarded by Pan, God of Nature. You immediately notice patchouli that sings of a deep moment in the wild.

Then you are guided into a forest full of oak trees covered in moss. The tall dark trees towering over the forest with a heavy passion for dark and intense moments that arise in PAN.

Quickly PAN dries on the skin into a sweet passion fruit state of mind. I really enjoyed this journey with Pan, God of Nature. It showed me that nature is better when left alone without the use of chemicals and pesticides to ruin what is really intended for its goodness.

Now, I understand why Pan is so wild about nature. It is a wonderful place to be and thanks to Pan, Ambrosia Jones was able to compose a beautiful perfume with a beautiful message through her knowledge of the God who is passionate and respectful of all Things Living.

INFORMATION: perfumebynature.com.au

F.H.

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TITANIA by Bellatrix Perfumes

Posted by Unknown 22 June, 2011 1 comments

TITANIA

The solo flight to realization

Titania, Queen of the fairies married to Oberon, King of the fairies is a very proud creature that is always surrounded by her fairies who sing sweet lullabies while she falls to sleep.

Titania is a loving person who hasn’t experienced the horrors of life in respect to be dealt with wrongly. She has her fairies there to protect her from the unpleasantness of life such as snakes, spiders and beetles.

The fairies could not protect Titania for what is about to happen. No one figured the fact that jealously by her husband would become a major issue. He was jealous of Titania's relationship with the Indian Boy. It was only a friendship, so why would Oberon secretly be that angry with Titania for such an innocent reason. Shakespeare's version did not answer this question, so I can only come to my own conclusions.

Well, this issue for Oberon was bigger than it seem so therefore he had to do something about it. The fairies do not have powers over the King, so while Titania was sleeping, Oberon’s servant, Puck used the flower, “love-in-idleness” and placed the drippings of this flower onto Titana’s eyelids for her to wake up and be in love with the first thing she would see.

Oberon’s bet would be an animal in the forest but while Titania was sleeping, it was one of the most pleasant dreams of her life.

It was of the scent of rose buds and violets. It was the scent of perfume and with this in mind, Titania by Bellatrix Perfumes composed by Ankica Milic took the challenge boldly by preparing a scent depicting the dream of Titania in the woods where her faith would be tested.

TITANIA is a compelling fragrance that literally takes you inside the woods while Titania is laying down fast asleep with the scent of roses and violets and chypre scented grass and trees hovering over her like a full bloom Rosewood tree.

Puck takes center stage again as he uses a flower to help him make the spell a success. He doesn't care about the results. He just does what he is told for the most part but there are those times he adds his own version of the story. This time Puck stayed on course and took the “love-in-idleness” to Titania's eyelids but according to faith, that was not strong enough.

Ankica took the spell on Titania and placed it carefully and completely with the surrounding in the forest so beautifully in a poetic form that keeps Titania's dreams pure and pleasant.

Titania, the perfume features rosewood, pink pepper, menthe peperita, tuberose, rose damascene absolute, Neroli, Iris, labdanum, violet leaf, orris butter, sandal album, angelica root, ambrette, oak moss and patchouli

Titania's light and delicate spirit was something Oberon could not destroy when she awaken to have fallen in love with Nick Bottom who had been given the head of a donkey.

Through this trial and tribulation, Titania weathered the storm and she could never let the love and joy of the Indian Boy go away even under a spell.

Titania, the perfume takes me through each chapter of Titania’s life with an elegant portrayal of love being tested by an evil-doer.

A walk through the woods doesn’t have to be a frightened experience, Ankica Milic’s version of Titania’s life through a fragrance so determined to give Titania the victory, is a spell I would not mind having cast on me.

INFORMATION: bellatrixperfumes.com

BLOG: be-bellatrix.blogspot.com

PHOTO CREDITS: Rosewood Trees at Morme Seychellois National Park (victorianogden.blogspot.com), Puck sprinkling spell on Titania (art.com), Titania's beautiful world (100prettythings.blogspot.com), Vivian Leigh as Titania (lib.washington.edu), Ttitania and the Indian Boy (by Joseph Paton 1821-1901) delivery.superstock.com

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June Celebrates National Rose Month

Posted by Unknown 21 June, 2011 3 comments

June Celebrates National Rose Month

Teo Cabanel and Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery

When it comes to flowers, roses are among the most popular type of blooms and for that reason in the United States, the month of June is chosen the symbolize the rose in its beautiful and regal scent for any occasion.

The month of June featuring roses will come from two outstanding perfumeries that have incorporated the rose scent into its extensive collection of fragrances.

Teo Cabanel of France and Velvet & Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery of United States were chosen for their powerful range on the rose scent with details to fine tuning this most admired bloom.

FRAGRANCE NOTES

*Alahine- Bergamot, Lavender, Ylang Ylang, Bulgarian Rose, Moroccan Rose, Orange Tree, Jasmine, Pepper Plant, Iris, Cistus, Patchouli, Benzoin, Vanilla, Sandalwood and Musk

Oha- Calabrian Bergamot, Tea Aroma, Bulgarian Rose, Moroccan Rose, Egyptian Jasmine, Guatemala Cardamom, Iris, Vanilla, Tonka Bean, Exotic Wood and Musk

Early Roses- Rose Esters, Notes of Fresh Morning Dew, Light Jasmine Scent, Bulgarian Rose, Pink Peppercorn, Jasmine, Musk, Amber and Woody Notes

Rose Jasmine- Rose, Jasmine and Tahitian vanilla infused in organic jojoba oil

Jewelry of Heaven- Turkish and Himalayan roses, Organic Jasmine Grandiflorum

Bed of Roses- Rose de Mai, Himalayan Roses, Damask Rose Otto, Persian & Moroccan Roses and Rose Alba Extract

DESCRIPTION

Alahine is a soft amber and romantic oriental scent that is layered with chypre notes featuring patchouli. Alahine is dedicated to SUMMER OF PATCHOULI LOVE 2011 PERFUME PHARMER AND THE PATCH TEST BUNNIES created by Monica Miller.

Oha is infused with roses from Bulgaria and Morocco. The jasmine continues to soften with a gentle touch while the tea aroma succumbs with relaxation. Oha warms the senses with pleasure and harmony.

Early Roses is a light version of a dark and sometimes robust rose scent. It gives a dewy impression of a quick mist from the sky to make this a moist and alluring scent for daytime.

Rose Jasmine will help spruce up any little black dress. Its base consists of Tahitian vanilla organic oil to give it that island oasis bliss. Its lively scent will give spirit to the heart, mind and soul of whoever wears it.

Jewelry of Heaven gives homage to the 19th century jasmine-rose fusion. Its sweet harmony from the past is regal and quite elegant for those ladies who are stuck in the past.

Bed of Roses is laced in Rose Leaf Absolute that makes Bed of Roses a one of a kind fragrance. The wide range of roses from all over the world is why Bed of Roses is a masterpiece and a scent for the most astute rose lovers.

INFORMATION: Alahine, Oha and Early Roses created by Teo Cabanel perfumery

Website: teo-cabanel.com

Rose Jasmine, Jewelry of Heaven and Bed of Roses composed by Laurie Stern and owner of Velvet and Sweet Pea’s Purrfumery.

Website: purrfumery.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