Tag Archives: scent

NEW Matiere Premiere London Store

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new shop

I have an emotional relationship with perfume, it is usually something I invest in when I travel and want to remember a special trip. Recently I’ve loved Xinu from Mexico City, Strange Invisible from LA’s Venice Beach and Fueguia 1833’s collaboration with Fife Arms in Scotland. It’s rare I fall in love with a scent on home turf… but when I heard Matiere Premiere’s story, and founder Aurélien Guichard’s dedication to the brand, I was completely engrossed. So when I discovered they were opening their first London store, I was one of the first through the doors.

In their own words… “Matiere Premiere creates its perfumes from an overdose of a central natural material, cultivated or chosen for its unique strength. Its raw beauty and texture are brought to the forefront, without compromise or artifice.” Aurélien has created a radical perfumery where he cultivates and picks many of his own ingredients (think roses in the flower fields of Grasse) ensuring a scent that is both powerful and alluring, it truly lingers on your skin all day.

In the sleek Scandinavian-style store the minimalist design allows the product to command all the attention. Smell the raw pure ingredients (I fell hard for Coffee Extract from Venezuela), try the perfumes and get invested in the beautiful range of skin and hair products, and the irresistible candles ~ I highly recommend ‘Rose de Mai’ for a flavour of Provence at home.

I recommend you visit to find yourself a new perfume for Spring ~ ‘Vanilla Powder’ is the most iconic in the collection – a sweet and creamy scent that you can’t help but fall in love with, while ‘Encens Suave’ is a more mellow fragrance that reminded me of incense in church. Or pop in and find a gift for someone special with the genius ‘Discovery Set’ ~ you can hand-pick a selection of MP miniatures, and then the recipient can try them out and choose their favourite to invest in.

The Matiere Premiere perfumes are available to buy online, or in store at the new Covent Garden store. More information here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 244

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Fragonard is one of France’s most famous perfumery houses, located in Grasse in the south of France, an area known for its perfume making history. Fragonard makes its products in its own factory, which is one of the most interesting sights in the town of Grasse. Whilst in Provence this weekend I visited the wonderful historic museum and shop, a fragrant homage to the brand.

The house was founded by Eugene Fuchs in 1926 in Grasse. He named the company in honour of the French rococo painter Jean-Honore Fragonard who lived ion the town. Over time there have been hundreds of scents from this old perfume house. The earliest edition was created in 1928 and the newest is from 2015. The nose who worked on the fragrances most recently belongs to Jean Guichard, a true expert in the field.

The Museum offers free entry to all visitors, and is a lovely place to learn about this special company. With magnificent views over the Cote D’Azur and nearby cafes for lunch, Grasse is the perfect Provencal town to spend the day.

You can now buy a range of the Fragonard products at Marks & Spencer, one of the most familiar chains on the British highstreet. I particularly loved the Brioche-scented candle, which would make your home smell like a French bakery!

More information on Fragonard here, and buy the products from M&S here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 119

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Paris’ Les Salons du Palais Royal is worth visiting just to enjoy a stroll around the lavish green garden. Venture further into the echoey cloisters and you will discover luxurious little shops filled with treats and trinkets. I purposivey took a trip to this square to see the Serge Lutens Perfumeries, despite worrying that it would be shut in muggy August.

Serge Lutens made Christian Dior cosmetics famous before boosting Shiseido as a legendary label, through his powerful creations they have made an indelible visual impact. After having revolutionised and beautified the makeup world for over thirty years, he is now breathing new life into the world of scents, composing for the Japanese institution a new designer perfume collection with bewitching aromas. Serge Luten’s special fragrance creations are available exclusively in the unique boutique in Paris. Some perfumes from the range are available at selected department stores nationwide with the key retailers being Liberty (0207 734 1234) and Harrods (0207 730 1234).

Moody and mysterious, the Serge Lutens emporium is a magical chamber of potions. A spiral staircase leads up to unknown territory, downstairs the room is dimly lit and arranged in a minimalist fashion. Subtly hued liquids fill medicinal style glass vessels.

Experts are on hand to assist you, thank god as I felt completely lost and overwhelmed by the choice of scents. Each has an entirely distinct and indosyncratic smell. The Eau de Parfums are delicate but have character, and a plethora of individual ingredients. They leave a lasting impression on the skin, seasoning that stays for a whole day.

All the scents are unisex though some seem to be more of an acquired taste, suited to a more feminine or masculine wearer. I was attracted to a variety of different perfumes:

Fleurs d’oranger – a sweet fruity scent, light and playful, sensual and fun

Douce amere (Bitter sweet) – a more grown up and mysterious perfume, a hint of absinthe gives a spicy sophisticated feel

Un bois sepia (After the rain in the forest) – a magical and unusual scent, thoughtful and provocative, fresh and powerful

The aromas take fifteen minutes to develop on the skin, so after extensive testing I had shortlisted three, marked on different areas of my wrists and arms. I wandered to the nearby fountain to wait – even in those few minutes the scents changed and deepened adapting to my skin. Eventually we both agreed on Un bois sepia, by far the most distinctive and exquisite of the three, and delicious to have around you.

Extraordinarily exciting and enticing, you emerge smelling of subtle sophistication, a desirable rarity. Enter the world of Serge Lutens and you will never want to spritz Chanel No.5 again.

Visit the website here.

http://www.sergelutens.com/