The Angel fandom has led to what can feel like a legion of flankers. Today let us look at Mugler Angel Iced Star, a 2021 release.
Notes of pineapple, coconut water, praline, and patchouli make this a lovely easy reach eau de toilette for the summer months. The patchouli is quite subtle to my nose; this is not the famous Angel jumbo-sized serving of patchouli, and for that reason, Iced Star may disappoint longtime fans. However, for those like me who are “iffy” about heavy doses of patchouli… this fun fruity ambery fragrance might be just right.
Angel Iced Star. Summer fun in a bottle.
A limited run of summer fun, I should add: this is a limited edition release.
I’m not quite ready to store my sultry winter gourmand fragrances, yet as we spring forward into the warmer months, I find myself gravitating towards the “fresh and clean” fragrance category quite a bit!
Here are some of my favorite clean vibe or clean aesthetic perfumes, a nice mix of affordable and luxury, as well as designer and niche:
✨Sparkly warmth and sweet bright goodness: Sparkling Sugar, by Clean Reserve.
✨Starchy laundry sheets, the store brand kind: Cloud Musk, by Mixbar.
✨Berries and expensive resort-exclusive dryer sheets: Meliora, by Parfums de Marly.
✨Softly spiced watery florals: Femme Individuelle, by Mont Blanc.
✨Clean fresh laundry with a green tea note: Pure White, by Banana Republic.
✨Airy florals with soft whisps of musk, all the pretty feminine feels in one bottle: Delizia, by Pearla Nera.
When I first started my fragrance journey, I may have breezed by these in pursuit of more flashy options…now, I can see the intricacies that create beautiful simplicity. And appreciate them.
Smooth, powdery sandalwood and cool creamy tuberose. A soft sprinkle of cinnamon. A hint of coffee beans. A kiss of fruit that becomes more passionate in the drydown. It feels like there could be an undercurrent of coconut as well.
Bint Hooran, by Ard al Zaafaran.
A beautiful and affordable fragrance that I accidentally may have gatekept. If you enjoy fragrances like What We Do Is Secret Messy and the Carolina Good Girl range, Bint Hooran would likely appeal if you enjoy the addition of a fruity note to that general type of profile. I am not calling this a replica, far from: reviewers can be a little hasty when labeling Middle Eastern fragrances as dupes, when many are distinct and beautiful in their own right.
I bought this perfume from Amazon for less than $30. Longevity is respectable (a bit more than half a day) and the performance is office appropriate (read: not for seekers of a beast mode scent).
I do not review many “cheapie” perfumes because I want to love the fragrance, not feature it just to casually show something affordable. This? Affordable and phenomenal, in my humble opinion.
There was a point in time when I was adverse to rose fragrances. The rose perfume that won me over and hooked me on a note of rose was (perhaps unsurpisingly) the cult favorite from Initio Parfums: Atomic Rose. Described by the house as “soft but ruthless,” Atomic Rose is one of the most seductive fragrances I have had the pleasure of wearing.
Atomic Rose is an incredibly long-lasting fragrance; a powerful scent that with just one or two sprays can easily carry the day. The sillage is absolutely intoxicating: prepare to be complimented on this exquisite perfume.
NOTES: Bulgarian rose, Turkish rose, Egyptian jasmine, Italian bergamot, Madagascar vanilla
I’ve been on the hunt for a scientifically-backed soothing fragrance, with one rather challenging caveat: No lavender allowed.
Not because I am opposed to lavender, but because lavender is inexplicably opposed to me 😉 If you’ve explored the relaxing scent world, you know lavender forms the pillar of the genre.
Eventually my quest was all but abandoned. Then I received Balance, a brand new unisex release by Jack Henry, already carried in Saks. Especially attractive about this scent is the aquatic aspect: I find the ocean incredibly soothing. The house is based in California and so who better to bottle the ocean waves?
Mandarin, which to my nose is the dryest member of the citrus family, leads the opening with a quiet but bright bergamot accompanying. The fragrance evolves and gentles into an oceanic feel, with soft woody touches; the citruses relax and sit more in the distance. A slight musk, as of sundried skin, settles.
This is exactly what I was looking for: a long-lasting elevated skin scent.
Final comment on the formula: this is a vegan eau de parfum with an emphasis on clean ingredients. Balance smells very natural to the nose (uses sugarcane alcohol), so if you have not experienced clean fragrances before, swinging by a store that carries Jack Henry so you can do a vibe check would be worthwhile. Thank you and congratulations to Jack Henry founder Kyle Bardouche on Balance!
Theodoros Kalotinis is one of my favorite perfumers. In December, Theodoros released two new fragrances, one of which we will be examining today: Symposium extrait de parfum.
Symposium draws inspiration (as the name suggests) from the ancient Greek’s traditional partygoing and celebrating. Which leads us into the notes: this fragrance has a red wine accord over an ambery base with a slightly animalic musk, as well as ambergris, labdanum, tonka bean, vanilla, saffron, a hint of lavender, woods, iris, and patchouli.
To call this artistic and adventeruous would be an understatement; however, don’t be afraid as this is super wearable. It is sensual and potent. Performance as with all of the Theodoros Kalotinis fragrances is phenomenal: less is more when it comes to application.
Unique and well-done. Another cap in the feather of Mr. Kalotinis.
Tempestuous and tantalizing. Artful, adventurous…and yes, ambitious!
A composition that embraces ecstasy and foregoes fear: grilled pineapple smokily swirls with green apples, and bergamot breezes by in the background. Creamy vanilla positively purrs, and jasmine sways. Saffron weaves a subtle web, smoothly sweeping the wearer away on radiant wings.
A scent that: ✔️sends signals (strength, seduction, sophistication) ✔️performs well (extrait concentration) ✔️garners compliments ✔️smells freaking incredible
Presenting JALOUS, an original blend sure to become a bestseller for newly launched niche house @elysianparfums
New niche fragrance Pearla Nera launched with twenty unisex offerings, and today we will be exploring Ataraxia. An accord of coffee, vanilla coffee to be precise, forms the delicate heart of this beautiful fragrance. Surrounding white florals burst into bloom. A sprinkle of pink pepper and a pop of pear add to the complexity, without ever overshadowing the core composition. Cedar and a whisper of musk craft the foundation.
The vanilla coffee note is the perfumer’s artistic interpretation of the drink. It is not a photorealistic rendition and while to simplify the note structure could signify a floral gourmand, this scent is not overly gourmand.
There is a wonderful warmth and welcome found here: yet also an effortless sophistication.
WOOD Fragrances is an American indie house located in Georgia, crafting intriguing signature blends. Let’s take a wander through two of their popular offerings:
🪵Cashmere Cologne is an intriguing medley of raspberry and mahogany, with a subtle non-foodie vanilla melding everything together. The mahogany is prominent and quite photorealistic. The raspberry note, which can be tricky, is well done. Emerging initially as a plump, juicy raspberry, in the drydown it melts and the accord becomes jam-like on my skin. Longevity is a stand-out: cozying close to the skin, Cashmere lasts 8-9 hours on me. While marketed towards men, I enjoy this and see it as unisex. A cozy and comforting cool weather option.
🍯Honeysuckle Perfume is the house’s first release geared towards women: a harmonious honey with honeysuckle scent🍯🌼There is a subtle aspect to this fragrance of smokiness, without actually being smoky (think of a similar phenomenon in Amo Ferragamo for reference). This facet creates a sensuous, sultry feel underneath the pretty floral face of the fragrance. Longevity is decent although more moderate than Cashmere: 6 hours if I spritz on clothes as well as skin. A nice “soft life” scent option.
Overall, I enjoyed this initial foray into WOOD Fragrances: these scents are both intriguing easy reaches. I appreciate the smooth, “non-perfumy,” feel of Cashmere and Honeysuckle.
If you are holiday shopping, this is a house I would suggest checking out: likeable scents yet in no way redundant to what someone may have already, and budget-friendly.
I look forward to what the house may create in the future, and thanks to the WOOD team for thinking of me to discuss these fragrances.
Decadent roses and luscious peonies. Scandalous strawberries—fresh, slightly tart. A blushing bergamot.
A stunning sequence, yes. Yet this is only the first aria, and we are at an olfactory opera.
The roses and peonies continue to unfurl. The strawberry exits and an innuendo of incense begins. Woody nuances also emerge.
Again, a stunning sequence. One that could capture a heart easily: yet mischievously, unfolds only further wonders to behold.
The peonies and roses withdraw to the chorus, graciously surrendering the stage to Strawberry. Having effected a bit of a Houdini act, Strawberry returns resurrected and now more akin to a strawberry mousse. Vanilla (natural rather than gourmand), incense, and woods swirl together with the strawberry for the grand finale.
Ethereal. Celestial. Liquid art.
Empyrean, by TOMAVICCI.
Is a standing ovation in order? I think so. One of the best discoveries of 2022.
TERRIE 