Caron's Violette Précieuse, a 1913 fragrance by perfumer Ernest Daltroff that was the favorite of many violet fans before it was discontinued, is back on the market. The French Sephora site has it in stock (and says it is an exclusive) for 51,30€ for 50 ml of Eau de Parfum.
Update: by all accounts, Violette Précieuse has been reformulated and is quite different from the original. Try before you buy!
Parfums Delrae has discontinued the Eau de Toilette version of Debut (why don't they ever ask me first?) and introduced a new Eau de Parfum concentration. The new scent, and limited quantities of the old, can be found at lusciouscargo.
Thanks to Ashne for the news that Yosh has discontinued the La Contessa fragrance. There appear to be bottles still available at lacremebeauty.
Crown Perfumery was founded in 1872. Their story is not so unusual: after a long period of success, they fell on hard times. Eventually the company was rescued by Clive Christian, but shortly after launching his first perfumes under his own name, he discontinued the Crown line altogether. Some of us are still holding a grudge.
Eau de Russe was first launched in 1911 and includes notes of heliotrope, amber and musk…
Anisia Bella was launched in 2004 as part of Guerlain’s Aqua Allegoria range of fragrances. It was created by perfumer Aurelien Guichard, and has notes of aniseed, orange, bergamot, basil, star anise, violet, jasmine, liquorice wood, and cedar.
I love anise-based perfumes, and Anisia Bella is one of my favorites for warmer days when Serge Lutens Douce Amere or Caron Aimez Moi are too heavy. Anisia Bella opens with lightly sugared citrus; the anise is pronounced from the start and stays central through the dry down. There is a minty-peppery undertone from the basil and a bit of sweet violet drifts in and out, but for the most part it is all about the anise. The base is musky and woody, with a fair amount of cedar…