Category Archives: Incense

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

Apr

26

Yves Saint Laurent’s bomb Opium is one of the more controversial perfumes. Years after its release, in 2000, Opium was banned from China because of the opium trade connotations. (That’s interesting stuff: read about the Opium Wars here.) Opium also … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Balsam, Benzoin, Bergamot, Carnation, Castoreum, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Coconut, Coriander, Incense, Jasmine, Labdanum, Muguet, Musk, Myrrh, Opoponax, Oriental, Orris Root, Patchouli, Peach, Plum, Rose, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Vetiver | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Rose Anonyme by Atelier Cologne

Sep

25

*Picture from Fragrantica Atelier Cologne, whose store I visited not too long ago when I went to New York, is back again with its trick of putting one central note in unexpected surroundings. Their recent release Rose Anonyme features a … Continue reading →

Posted in Benzoin, Bergamot, Incense, Oud, Papyrus, Patchouli, Rose | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Acqua di Cuba by Santa Maria Novella

May

22

*Picture from Fragrantica. I spent a long time trying to figure out what to say about this one. I wanted to give you a long review, but, like HTML and laser tag, the understanding of this one evades me. First … Continue reading →

Posted in Aquatic, Incense, Tobacco | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Kenzo Jungle l’Elephant and Amour

Feb

17

Jungle l’Elephant *Photo from Fragrantica Some perfumes, like the notably creative parents of famous artists, are good for the doors that they open. Jungle l’Elephant, distinctive in its own right, smells to me like a precursor to Chinatown: a spicy, … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Dry, Fruity, Incense, Marshmallow, Peach, Spicy, Uncategorized, Vanilla | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Sweet Redemption: The End By Kilian

Dec

02

Sweet Redemption By Kilian is the conclusion to By Kilian’s 10-perfume L’Oeuvre Noire collection. It is, characteristic of most of By Kilian’s perfumes, natural smelling, long-lasting, and composed by Calice Becker. Otherwise, it isn’t similar to any of the other … Continue reading →

Posted in Benzoin, Incense, Myrrh, Opoponax, Orange Blossom, Vanilla | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Vanille Insensee by Atelier Cologne

Nov

24

There isn’t anything not to like about Vanille Insensee. It’s default pleasant, like the screensavers that come on your hard drive. It’s Atelier Cologne’s answer to Vanilla Fields. I can break it down into some original notes though. Some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Chocolate, Coffee, Green, Incense, Smoky, Tea, Vanilla | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Bois Blonds by Atelier Cologne

Nov

02

Atelier Cologne’s Bois Blonds is another natural, earthy scent in its quintuplet of introductory fragrances. It’s light and airy: the cleanest-smelling one so far. It’s a nice change from the sloppy, happy Orange Sanguine and the barking Grand Neroli in … Continue reading →

Posted in Bergamot, Citrus, Clean, Crisp, Fresh, Green, Incense, Labdanum, Neroli, Orange Blossom, Smoky, Tea, Vanilla, Woody | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Grand Neroli by Atelier Cologne

Jul

15

The first paragraph of my Orange Sanguine review is so fitting here, I’m going to reuse it as an opening: Atelier Cologne seems to have been designed to be as close to nature as possible. Sounds like a very simple … Continue reading →

Posted in Bergamot, Incense, Labdanum, Neroli, Orange Blossom, Spicy, Woody | Tagged , , | 7 Comments

Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle

Apr

18

I finally got around to trying Frederic Malle’s oft-reviewed Portrait of a Lady last week. I was anticipating something bright and exaggeratedly feminine, a Dominique Ropion creation of heady, indolic proportions. What I have in my hand, however, is not … Continue reading →

Posted in Amber, Cinnamon, Clove, Incense, Labdanum, Loud, Musk, Neroli, Patchouli, Raspberry, Rose, Sandalwood, Smoky, Spicy, Tea | Tagged , , | 5 Comments