Juliette Has a Gun Romantina: new fragrance

Rome and romance are at the heart of the latest, upcoming fragrance by Romano Ricci for his "niche" brand Juliette has a Gun, Romantina. As evidenced by the name, it's about the story of a woman who falls in love in Rome. Sounds utterly gorgeous, doesn't it? But, here's the catch...She leaves as soon as she realizes, so as to keep it forever unmolested by time and convention. Maybe she throws a coin in the Fontana di Trevi, maybe she doesn't. Who knows!

The new Juliette Has a Gun fragrance, Romantina, is the first fragrance in the line to display a truly floral character and it features notes of white flowers such as orange blossom, jasmine and lily of the valley, together with rose, iris and osmathus, warmed by Bourbon vanilla. Patchouli and vetiver form the base of a modern floral chypre.

Available in Eau de Parfum in 50ml/1.7oz and 100ml/3.4oz.

Magical Fragrances

"Un bon son brut pour les truands" by IAM greets the viewer upon setting eyes on this amazing, impossing commercial for a classic fragrance of the late 1970s.



In the process we get a sense of how "black magic" transforms via an elixir of scented alchemy ...like Magie Noire by Lancome.

So, on the subject of "magical" fragrances, those which have the power to transform things around you, people's reactions, people's perceptions and ultimately your thoughts, which are your favourites?

EnVoyage Perfumes Giveaway

EnVoyage Perfumes has just launched a new all natural collection, the Rubicon Collection, featuring L’Emblem Rouge eau de parfum and L’eau de Emblem Rouge matching perfumed water. We have one roll-on of the former and one mini-spray of the latter for 2 lucky readers. Please state your interest in the comments.
Prizes are free for US residents, but winner should shoulder postage costs if outside the US (sent directly by the company). Draw will remain open till Monday 26th midnight.

The first fragrance of the series,  l’Emblem Rouge,  and it’s accompanying perfumed water (hydrosol),  l’Eau de Emblem Rouge,  are a collaboration by EnVoyage perfumer Shelley Waddington and master distiller Dabney Rose.   L’Emblem Rouge, composed by  perfumer Shelley Waddington, is a lush rose soliflore based on organic Iranian rose otto.

Top Notes:  Cassie, Mace, Cinnamon, Bitter Orange, Juicy Grapefruit, Green Pepper, Iranian galbanum, Violet, and Cistus
Heart Notes:   Iranian Rose Otto, Ylang-Ylang, Heliotrope,  French Jasmine sambac, Violet, and Honey
Base Notes:  Guaiacwood, Sandalwood, Copaiba, Vetiver, Cedarwood Virginia, Tolu Balsam, Benzoin Siam,   Tonka, Vanilla and Ambergris.


Designed to pair with the perfume is  L’Eau de Emblem Rouge.  Distilled from the perfume and additional rose petals by Master Distiller Dabney Rose, this perfumed water is a light and lovely fragrance to spritz on bed linen and lingerie.   L’Eau de Emblem Rouge also fulfills the famed function of traditional rose water that is greatly nourishing for the face and hair.  It additionally acts to refresh the perfume.

Emily Blunt: New Face for YSL Opium

British actress Emily Blunt's new addiction has a loaded name: Opium. The iconic fragrance, that is. Emily Blunt will be the new face of Opium for Yves Saint Laurent, following in the footsteps of Jerry Hall, Linda Evangelista, Sophie Dahl, and numerous less well-known models. I don't know...there's something about miss Blunt, which I find petulant, despite her acting credentials. Is that the character she embodied on Devil Wears Prada was so and that image has stuck? Is that that I expect someone fiery and determined, apart from just hip and likeable, for Opium? A bit of both, perhaps. Though now that Opium has been surgically given a facelift (and given a flanker/ sister) to make it more "eternally likeable" things are just not the same anymore.

"Opium embraces the whole history and values of our house", said Renaud de Lesquen, president of YSL & Designer Brands. The new campaign will apparently "unveil a fiery, almost reckless woman with magnetic seduction, that nobody or nothing can resist". Blunt worked with photographers Romain Gavras and Patrick Demarchelier on the campaign, which airs in October. According to her statement: "I am very honoured to have been chosen to be the face of Opium. It is really exciting to embody a fragrance which has stood the test of time without its allure ever being diminished".

At any rate, I can't pronounce a judgment like usual until the official advertisements come forth. We will keep you updated!

Here is a teaser:


What do YOU think?

Back from the Dead: A Creamy Floral Many Loved

It's always a bummer having a favourite getting discontinued, be it a make-up item or a particular accessory (or even foodstuff you used to munch on) but when it comes to fragrances, people get peeved even more. Maybe because the bond with perfume is an intimate one and one's signature scent can be precious.

For all those who had lamented the demise of Stila's fragrance Crème Bouquet, the definition of a creamy, sweet & fluffy floral, rejoice: The 1.7oz/50ml bottle is back again on the official website of Stila for 40$US.