Blogs
Italian perfumer has launched blood-scented fragrances
Mon, 04/11/2011 - 09:36 | Wendy
It looks like an Italian company has beat Lady Gaga's blood and semen perfume to the punch. The perfumer, Blood Concept, created the blood fragrances in four versions to coincide with the blood types - A, B, AB, O. So, do they all smell like blood?
Unisex fragrances
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 11:48 | Wendy
Pink is for girls, and blue is for boys. Or so they might once have had us believe.
Such antiquated modes of thinking and brutal stereotypes have fortunately (for the main part at least) been put behind us - our social and moral consciousness has evolved enormously as compared to our awareness only 25 years ago.
Men are now nurses and caretakers of children, and women are pilots and engineers. Our dreams and aspirations are infinitely diverse, so we now seem to be striking a balance in our lives where gender plays a more peripheral role in our professions, relationships and interests.
So why then, would we support and observe the classification of perfume by gender? In the vast history of perfume that has spanned the millennia, “men's fragrances” and “women's fragrances” as a concept is a relatively recent one.
The late 19th century saw a shift in perfume production from single-flower essences to blended formulas, which began to target consumers based on their sex - but for centuries prior to this, fragrance was gender-neutral.
Let me ask you … what is the smell of a man? Or of a woman? Are we doomed to reek forever of the sexual division of labor - he as woodchopper, leatherworker and spice merchant, and she of a food gatherer and nurturing mother?
If we can remove social conditioning and the division of labor from the equation for a minute, then is the scent of a forest a male smell or a female one? Or rain on asphalt? And what about freshly baked bread? Or even a rose for that matter!
In today's market, “unisex” fragrances tend to represent the closest return to traditional values as they have mass appeal, irrespective of gender. But for the perfume aficionado, he or she is doing him/herself a gross injustice by not exploring scents marketed to the opposite sex.
For starters, you're reducing your chances of finding your fine fragrance “Holy Grail” by half! My challenge to you is to take a deep breath, ignore the funny looks, and truly explore the other side of your local perfume store.
Fragrance is something to be appreciated - not for the gender suggested on the bottle or box - but for the fragrance itself.
Here is our short list of opposite-sex alternatives for both men and women to experience on skin:
LADIES, TRY: Issey Miyake Pour Homme, Jean Paul Gaultier Fleur du Male, Kenzo Power, Christian Dior Homme.
MEN, TRY: Tom Ford's Black Orchid, Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant, Juliette Has a Gun Citizen Queen, Guerlain Jicky.
Such antiquated modes of thinking and brutal stereotypes have fortunately (for the main part at least) been put behind us - our social and moral consciousness has evolved enormously as compared to our awareness only 25 years ago.
Men are now nurses and caretakers of children, and women are pilots and engineers. Our dreams and aspirations are infinitely diverse, so we now seem to be striking a balance in our lives where gender plays a more peripheral role in our professions, relationships and interests.
So why then, would we support and observe the classification of perfume by gender? In the vast history of perfume that has spanned the millennia, “men's fragrances” and “women's fragrances” as a concept is a relatively recent one.
The late 19th century saw a shift in perfume production from single-flower essences to blended formulas, which began to target consumers based on their sex - but for centuries prior to this, fragrance was gender-neutral.
Let me ask you … what is the smell of a man? Or of a woman? Are we doomed to reek forever of the sexual division of labor - he as woodchopper, leatherworker and spice merchant, and she of a food gatherer and nurturing mother?
If we can remove social conditioning and the division of labor from the equation for a minute, then is the scent of a forest a male smell or a female one? Or rain on asphalt? And what about freshly baked bread? Or even a rose for that matter!
In today's market, “unisex” fragrances tend to represent the closest return to traditional values as they have mass appeal, irrespective of gender. But for the perfume aficionado, he or she is doing him/herself a gross injustice by not exploring scents marketed to the opposite sex.
For starters, you're reducing your chances of finding your fine fragrance “Holy Grail” by half! My challenge to you is to take a deep breath, ignore the funny looks, and truly explore the other side of your local perfume store.
Fragrance is something to be appreciated - not for the gender suggested on the bottle or box - but for the fragrance itself.
Here is our short list of opposite-sex alternatives for both men and women to experience on skin:
LADIES, TRY: Issey Miyake Pour Homme, Jean Paul Gaultier Fleur du Male, Kenzo Power, Christian Dior Homme.
MEN, TRY: Tom Ford's Black Orchid, Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant, Juliette Has a Gun Citizen Queen, Guerlain Jicky.
Fragrance affected by skin type
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 11:44 | Wendy
Fragrances smell different on different skin types because of the way the scent interacts with the skin's natural oils. If you have oily skin, go light on your fragrance for less intensity. Dry skin does not hold the fragrance as long; therefore, it is recommended you reapply your fragrance a few times per day.
The art of the perfume bottle
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 11:34 | Wendy
For millennia, perfume has been intended as a means to scent oneself, and has evolved from primitive oils and salves made in ancient civilizations to the modern "headspace technology" synthetics and essences that perfumers use in their palettes today. One thing is a constant though, and that is the way in which perfumes are presented -- in beautiful flacons that speak of the enchanting elixirs within.Fragrance review: Dior's Fahrenheit Absolute embraces darkness of original
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 11:03 | Dimitri
For many men who grew up in the late 1980s and early '90s, Christian Dior's Fahrenheit was a staple in one's fragrance wardrobe. Its unique blend of notes, including a resolutely masculine petroleum accord, helped it rocket to the top of the popularity polls.
Fergie introduces second fragrance, Outspoken Intense
Fri, 04/08/2011 - 09:55 | Wendy
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Black Eyed Peas singer Fergie has created a follow-up flanker to her Outspoken perfume. In conjunction with Avon, Fergie is launching Outspoken Intense, a bolder, edgier version of the original with notes of blackberry, starfruit and passion flowers. Tea-maker Tetley launches tea-scented fragrance
Wed, 04/06/2011 - 09:01 | Wendy
How about a spritz of tea? Tea-mogul Tetley has introduced a new fragrance that smells like a cup of tea. Le Brew was created after research showed that tea is one of the U.K.'s favorite aromas, according to the Daily Mail. Other favorite sniffs include fresh bread, cut grass and clean laundry.
The rise of celebrity fragrances
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 09:52 | Wendy
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In 1987, Elizabeth Taylor introduced White Diamonds perfume to the fragrance market, paving the way for the wildly popular celebrity signature scent. Her lightning-rod success inspired more and more stars to jump on the fragrance bandwagon. Today, everyone from movie stars to musicians to professional athletes has a fragrance to call their own. How to buy fragrances for women
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 09:40 | Wendy
If one object can embody the sum and soul of a woman, it would be a bottle of perfume … but often, it can prove a very difficult task to choose the right perfume for the right person. Here are some tips to help you buy a fragrance that will wow that special lady in your life.How to buy fragrances for men
Tue, 04/05/2011 - 09:24 | Wendy
Anyone who has a father or brother can attest to the fact they're usually impossible to shop for. Colognes are always an excellent option, but many find it frustrating to choose a fragrance for men. Here are our top five pointers for men buying fragrance for themselves, or for others wishing to buy a gift for a special man in their life.
