Hiram Green Hyde ~ fragrance review

Posted by Kevin on 2 January 2019 11 Comments

Looking at the string of words “Hiram Green Hyde” — green hide stood out. (Hyde is a unisex leather perfume described as “challenging” by Hiram Green.) Certainly, any perfume with green hide as an inspiration would be a challenge to wear; green hide is the skin right off a newly killed animal, with flesh, blood, hair and fat still clinging to it. I’ve read about green hides while studying indigenous art and leather-tanning techniques of American Indians. I’m happy to say there’s no smell of green hide in Hyde, but it does bring to mind (and nose) scents of Mexico, and another indigenous group: the Aztecs.

Hyde’s short-lived opening isn’t citrus-y, but reminds me of BAND-AID® bandages…

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An Xmas Perfume Scrooge ~ Me

Posted by Kevin on 12 December 2018 41 Comments

I love the period between Thanksgiving and my birthday in January. There are: holiday feasts (at home and in restaurants), suspension of calorie counting, shopping sprees, Christmas trees. I (mostly) enjoy it all, but sometimes imagining is better than reality!

Feasts require lots of shopping, food prep, cooking, laundry/ironing (all those napkins, tablecloths), non-stop housecleaning (cobwebs! were there really that many spiders in my house last summer?!) There are always menu “hits” and “misses.” In my house, our after-party breakfasts consist of critiquing the dishes served the night before and placing bright Post-it® notes in cookbooks next to recipes…

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Ormonde Jayne Orris Noir candle ~ home fragrance review

Posted by Kevin on 14 November 2018 21 Comments

Playing the role of counselor to my own addiction, I might ask: “What about expensive scented candles (average cost: $100) appeals to you, Kevin?” Lots of things! Well-chosen candles have perfume-quality aromas. I can vouch for $cented candles by Annick Goutal, Astier de Villatte, Cire Trudon, Diptyque, D.L. & Co., Frédéric Malle…and, now, Ormonde Jayne.

Often, scented-candle packaging is beautiful, too. I can make one helluva candle display around the holidays using empty vessels that once housed extravagantly priced scented candles…

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Serge Lutens Le Participe Passe ~ fragrance review

Posted by Kevin on 7 November 2018 46 Comments

This summer I came across the entire Serge Lutens Collection Noir in a boutique where I could smell them at my own pace and in peace. In this repackaged collection reside many of my favorite Lutens’ fragrances; I’ll name just two: Ambre Sultan and Chergui. As I sniffed, something was wrong. First, I felt the bottles; they were not hot to the touch. Next, I gauged their placement; no way the sun could reach them. Then I inspected the packaging closely: were these knock-offs? (Didn’t seem to be; the store I was in is respected.) I realized the bad perfume I was experiencing was likely due to recent reformulations and I’m guessing we can’t blame IFRA this time around but, perhaps, a cynical, budget-cutting philosophy at Shiseido. Who knows?

Ambre Sultan has lost all its glory…

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Otherland Rattan, Kindling, Cardamom Milk & Tapestry candles ~ home fragrance reviews

Posted by Kevin on 24 October 2018 11 Comments

Scented candles are expensive. I don’t want to think about the $$$s I’ve spent on them. Here at Now Smell This, I often write about candles that are on the high-end of the candle spectrum (average price: $100). This summer I was introduced to a new line of candles that smell and look (hefty well-designed containers and packaging) more extravagant than their $36 price — Otherland.

The Core Collection provided my first sniffs of Otherland candles and two scents stood out for me: Rattan and Kindling…

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