fragrance

aroma M Vanilla Hinoki Perfume Review

aroma M Vanilla Hinoki

I like many perfumes from aroma M, like the va-va-voom amber of Geisha Noire and the the green-licorice of Geisha Green. But, I have to say that Vanilla Hinoki may be my new favorite this indie brand. Vanilla Hinoki is inspired by Japanese baths. It’s fresh, clean and relaxing without being the sort of typical fragrance we’d expect when such adjectives were used to describe them.

When I first tried Vanilla Hinoki, I was so surprised by its steamy opening. It really does come… Continue reading | 2 Comments

fragrance

Chris Rusak Perfumes – Reviews of Io, 33 & Quasi Una Absurdia

Marlon Brando

Chris Rusak is a Los Angeles-based indie perfume brand (oh, and a person that is an artist and teaches at The Institute of Art and Olfaction too) that has launched a trio of new perfumes.

Unfortunately, I’ve been sitting on these for most of the summer. The “little” move across town, graduation, job hunting and travel really ate up my life. Long story short, I misplaced the samples but they weren’t ever misplaced (moving is so much fun). They were in a totally logical place… Continue reading | 4 Comments

fragrance

Mojo Magique Seer Perfume Review

Mojo Magique Seer

Mojo Magique is a Louisiana-based brand¹ with perfumes that really are under-the-radar and shouldn’t be! I’ve tried them all and highly recommend each of them (absinthe rose, yes, please!). And I’m reviewing Seer ² today to remind you that this is a good (and more affordable) niche brand that Perfume People should be trying.

Seer is an aromatic fragrance that reminds me of vintage masculines from the 1960’s and 1970’s. It opens with a cool blast of pine needles and licorice-like… Continue reading

fragrance

Providence Perfume Co. Heart of Darkness Natural Perfume Review

Providence Perfume Co. Heart of Darkness

Providence Perfume Co. Heart of Darkness is a natural fougère that is supposed to be a classic but “with a dark twist”. I think of Heart of Darkness like a “noir cologne”. It has classic elements associated with traditionally masculine fragrances (freshness or a “lift”) but it’s also “dark” and has depth.

Heart of Darkness opens with a clean lavender and lemon. For a truly clean trifecta, there’s an addition of pine/evergreens. This reminds me of classic men’s aftershave of the 1960’s. Underneath this… Continue reading | 2 Comments

fragrance

INeKe Idyllwild Perfume Review

INeKe Idyllwild

The newest perfume in the Alphabetical Series from INeKe is a fragrance inspired by the natural beauty of a little mountain town in Southern California, Idyllwild. It’s an aromatic fougère bringing together the fauna of the San Jancito mountains – evergreens, more evergreens and sage.

Idyllwild opens as lemons and evergreens. The evergreens are fresh, bright and living. There’s a a fruity tartness (rhubarb) and a freshly ground black pepper. I also get hits of fresh ginger. But, it’s most definitely “evergreens”, especially fresh Douglas fir (which is… Continue reading | 2 Comments