NATIONAL MACAROON DAY
Today (May 31st) marks National Macaroon Day in the United States and what a treat it is!
I simply love the light, baked confection described as either small cakes or meringue-like cookies.
It is sweet but not overly sweet and when it is baked to perfection each incredible ingredient melts in your mouth when cooked at the proper temperature.
This reminds me of another delicacy in the form of a gourmand eau de toilette.
REGLISSE NOIRE features…Top Notes: White pepper, ozone, mint, shiso leaf
Heart Notes: Star anise, ginger, licorice, cocoa
Base Notes: Patchouli, cedar wood, vanilla, vetiver, and musk
Ms. Buchanan is not just satisfied with the scent but REGLISSE NOIRE has to be presented in a beautiful bottle.
The REGLISSE bottle is refillable and has a sleek and sexy vintage bulb atomizer that gravitates to the bygone era.
First, there is a beautiful ornate box layered with wax paper. The colorful macaroons are placed gently in the box side by side like a rainbow. The lid is put on very carefully and then the pastel color ribbon is placed over the entire box and slowly the ribbon is tied and then you have “presentation”.
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| Jessica September Buchanan |
It stays at the center of the heart and all the other notes are swept with a husky note of patchouli and musk for stability that makes a great scent for men, too.
So celebrate today with a French macaroon and the fragrance of REGLISSE NOIRE. Remember, it is the presentation that counts!
To celebrate National Macaroon Day, I spoke to Jessica September Buchanan about REGLISSE NOIRE. Ms. Buchanan expressed her joy in creating it.
THE INTERVIEW
Hi Jessica and thank you for spending time with me today.
You’re very welcome- it’s my pleasure!
First, Jessica when did it become a reality that you would own a perfume company and launch your very first fragrance line?
I have been developing my company since the mid 90’s, so being an entrepreneur was always a priority for me. I began by selling pure essential oils under my own label in 1996, and then slowly developed a collection of natural cosmetics that were aromatherapy based. Eventually this passion was to become focused in the direction of natural perfumery. After my time spent studying in France, I decided to devote myself entirely to a life path of refining my skills in the perfumed art.
Who are your mentor(s) in the perfume industry? The person(s) who inspired you and guided your career?
I have had many mentors along the way. While in France, not only did we have great teachers in our school, but I completed 2 internships (in Mane et Fils and Robertet), in large perfume houses in the Grasse region. During these sejours, I met and was taught by various perfumers, evaluators, chemists, and marketing specialists. I have also been greatly inspired by some of the masters of the perfumed art- those living and those who have passed on. I am very inspired by the teachings and philosophies of Edmond Roudnitska, by the creation style of Jean Claude Ellena (Hermes), and by the classic teachings of Jean Carles. My latest inspiration, a perfumer whom I admire greatly and who I actually pray to for guidance now and then, is Earnest Beaux, the perfumer who created, amongst many other fragrances- Chanel 5. That era, the 20’s and 30’s of perfumery is a fascinating time and the fragrances that were created then are, in my opinion, exquisite.
Jessica how did you come up with the idea of REGLISSE NOIRE EAU DE TOILETTE? Did it start with the fragrance notes?
I began with one raw material actually- Helional. I was fascinated with this material, by its modernity and transparence. I wanted to explore the idea of balancing opposites, of old and new, natural and ‘high-tech’, masculine and feminine. Mostly, I wanted to find a way to explore the place of connection where opposites meet. So to counter-balance Helional, the concept I chose was black licorice, and Liquorice Allsorts in particular. These old-fashioned candies also have personal meaning to me and are associated with my childhood. I decided to write a scent story that explored a merging of past memory with the present, and of familiar with new discovery, of technology and mysticism.
You describe REGLISSE NOIRE as “A CHIC SEXY GOURMAND”. Is this due to the Black Licorice?
Reglisse Noire holds notes of cocoa, spices and vanilla in addition to the black licorice- so as much as it can be considered a gourmand fragrance- it is not sugary nor a singular literal licorice scent. The perfume is an interpretation of licorice, while remaining sophisticated and elegant. There is a sexiness and sensuality as well, since the perfume is a warm and close ‘skin scent’, rich in wood and musks- one has to lean in close to fully appreciate it.
What does 1000 FLOWERS represent?
1000 Flowers represents the idea of limitlessness in flowers. It is associated with the Eastern concept of the thousand petalled lotus that can symbolize higher consciousness and freedom from illusion. The most beautiful perfumes on the planet are created by flowers- and flowers have been held in the highest esteem as expressions of love and celebration since the dawn of time. My company name pays homage to all that beauty.
Jessica, the packaging is simply beautiful! What is it about the packaging of the bygone era that inspires you to replicate it?
That’s very kind of you to say. Thank you. I worked for a long time to find a packaging solution that would be a thing of beauty to be kept, rather than just being thrown away like most packaging in the world. I have a small collection of old cigar boxes and I suddenly realized that this was exactly the idea I wanted to capture for my fragrance packaging. I also saw many examples of beautiful traditional fragrance and cosmetic containers in the perfume museums in Grasse. I spent most of the summer of 2010 working on the designs and prototypes of these boxes. Most people don’t realize that I do all the work by hand to bring each piece from raw cedarwood to the finished product.
Lastly, Jessica what is the message of REGLISSE NOIRE? What impression should it have on your customers?
Reglisse Noire is about fun. I wanted to play a bit and draw attention away from all the seriousness in the world. We are all far too serious and we could all do with a bit of ‘lightening up’! At the same time I have deep respect for classic perfumery, so I didn’t want to create some light confectionary cavity-inducing perfume. Therefore Reglisse is an elegant and well-constructed fragrance created with the best quality raw materials (organic cedarwood and wild French fennel for example). It’s possible to explore irreverence and play with finesse and sensuality !
PURCHASE: 1000flowers.ca indiescents.com
CONTACT: nectar@1000flowers.ca
PHOTO CREDIT: Picture of Macaroon Museum (dyingforchocolate.com)
*********************DRAW******************
Due to the generosity of Jessica September Buchanan & the 1000FLOWERS staff, there will be a draw for two samples of REGLISSE NOIRE EAU DE TOILETTE.
ONE sample will be given to each person. To enter the DRAW, please write a comment at the end of the review on this site and indicate that you want to be entered in the DRAW.
Thank you so much for participating!!
F.H.
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Thank you for this beautiful edition Felicia! It is so much fun to be paired with such a light and colourful sweet as the macaroon- and so French as well! And good luck to those who enter to win a sample of Reglisse Noire! xo
Love you interviews. :) I once spoked with J. and she was really friendly and great. I want to enter in the draw. :D
I am intrigued by the idea of a licorice-scented perfume (one of my favorite sweets) and would love to try this one...please enter me for the draw!
Leslie Robinson
leslierobinson@carlbrook.org