Last week I bought a scented gift for my fiance’s niece Rachel for her college graduation. A very special occasion! My aunt had given me a bottle of Diorella perfume many years ago at my high school graduation and I still wear It. So I wanted to buy Rachel a perfume to link this happy occasion of graduating with a fragrance. I wasn’t sure about her taste in perfume, only that she is 23 years old and likes perfume.
So I went to the perfume shop The Perfume Lounge which specialises in niche perfumes in Amsterdam. Where Phine helped me choose an appropriate gift for her. She thought Olfactive Studio could have a perfume Rachel would like, since young women of her age usually like their fragrances. I choose the Olfactive Studio discovery set with 7 fragrances of 4 ml spray samples. This will give her plenty of possibilities to test them extensively. If she likes one of these she can choose a full bottle of one of the Olfactive Studio fragrances as a gift. I like the fact that Rachel can sample all fragrances for a longer period as the samples are 4 mls and experience which one she likes best. Rachel loved her present very much and we will see which fragrance she will choose.
Buying a Discovery Set and later a full bottle is probably not a common solution for all scented gifts given its price tag but I find it a good idea for a special occasion if you have a bit more to spend on a gift. It will also work well if you are buying a present with more people together for example at work or with a group of friends.
What do you think, would this work for you? Do you give perfume as a gift? How do you choose a fragrance for someone else?
Disclosure: photograph 1 and 3 made by me, photograph 2 made by Rachel.
About half a year ago Yasuyuki Shinohara from the Hokkaido based company DI SER in Japan sent my perfume buddy Chester a free sample set of 8 Diser fragrances along with his purchase of Tsuki. He tested all the samples and was so enthusiastic that he thought it’d be a nice idea to share the pleasure of reviewing these special perfumes with me. I gladly accepted and we met up twice to sample the perfumes and had some tea with cakes on the side! We sampled all four of Diser’s agar wood collection perfumes Kyara, Shiragoromo, Hasunoito and Sasora.
In this review we will talk about Sasora and Shiragoromo.
Sasora (Agarwood Collection)
‘Sasora is another fragrant wood used in Kōdō*. This fragrance expresses the traditional flavor of ancient Japan. This perfume, extracted from Kyara, Agarwood and blended with Japanese yuzu, is finished as a suitable scent for Japanese traditional clothing and kimono.’ ( text from Official DI SER website)
Esperessence: ” Sasora is both fresh and dirty. It calmed and alerted me at the same time and would be excellent for those moments when you need both of these qualities. For example when you are taking an exam, having an important meeting or job interview. When I wore Sasora on my skin it became slightly powdery and feminine leaving an elegant impression. Sasora does not smell seamlessly blended and more botanical which is probably due to the fact only essential oils are used in DI SER compositions and not aroma chemicals.”
Chester: “Sasora is a subtle perfume with a most pleasant fresh and green opening. Through the fresh yuzu burst in the opening you can smell the patchouli. Perhaps it’s the ‘tingling’ effect this one has on my skin but I find the fragrance to be calming yet alert at the same time. Sasora becomes more woody and soft after a while.”
Shiragoromo (Agarwood Collection)
‘Shira Goromo means white cloth. In Japan, white is a sacred color, representing purity and cleanliness. This is a perfume that represents the “beauty” of innocence, using the white flowers Roses and Jasmine. Balance has been created by adding Kyara and Agarwood to the Jasmine and Roses.’ (Text from Official DI SER website)
Fragrance family: Oriental/Floral/Woody (according to DiSer website)
Esperessence: ” When I first scented Shiragoromo woody notes and uplifting citrus fruit evoked a relaxing and activating feeling. The woody notes could be from the Spikenard or its combination with Agarwood. Spikenard oil (botanical name: nardostachys jatamansi) was traditionally used to uplift the mood and stimulate relaxation. Shiragoromo gave me the impression of smelling incense which is probably due to the spikenard which is not surprising as it is used to make incense. The ancient Egyptians already used to make incense with spikenard. Shiragoromo smelled like a room fragrance to me. I would gladly use this fragrance at home to evoke a relaxing atmosphere. It scented quite special as it does not smell like anything I have scented before. ”
Chester: ” Lime ,jasmine ,Agarwood, spikenard.This is just lovely! Delicate, almost a fresh neroli feel to it, maybe its the right blending of the lime and the jasmine with the other ingredients. It is uplifting and cheerful, certainly a perfume that moves me. I made a drawing while wearing this a few days ago (see painting above) I wanted to create an image of plant like hands spreading perfumed snow – that is what this perfume evoked when I smelled it during my drawing process. Shiragoromo is a beautiful perfume- oriental citrus, but certainly also floral enough. And it is a scent that makes me feel positive!”
Thanks Yasuyuki Shinoohara for your kind service and thank you Chester for sharing your perfume passion with me!
*Kōdō: explaining Kōdō in a few sentences does not do justice to the art of appreciating Japanese incense. You can watch more about the elegant art of enjoying or listening to aromatic woods in this interesting short documentary, the part about Kōdō starts at minute 9 (Begin Japanology: The Fragrances of Japan)
Photographs were made by me and the painting by Chester.
We are four perfume bloggers based in France, Holland, England and Wales who post on a different jointed subject every couple of months. This time we have chosen uplifting perfumes as we moving into the autumn and winter season. At the end of this article you will find links to the blogs of A Bottled Rose, I Scent You A Day and Megan in St. Maxime.
I really enjoyed choosing 5 uplifting fragrances for our joined project. The fragrances I choose were the joyful L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons Eau de Toilette, invigorating Frederic Malle Cologne Bigarade, contemporary British Heeley Oranges and Lemons, bright April Aromatics Ray Of Light and energising Hermes Eau D’Orange Verte.
1. L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons Eau de Toilette
Notes: Linden Blossom, Lemon Tree Blossom, Orange Blossom, Jasmine, Tuberose Perfumer: Anne Flipo Year: 1999
La Chasse aux Papillons (Chasing butterflies) is a happy, joyful, floral bouquet of white blossoms of orange, jasmine and tuberose with some green leaves and creamy coconut. It is one of my favorite uplifting fragrances and I gladly use the Eau de Toilette, the accompanying body lotion and shower gel on grey rainy days to cheer me up.
In a few words*: innocent, romantic, joyful, young and light, white
In true Ellena style this cologne is stripped from any distractions* by leaving out the traditional cologne herbs lavender or rosemary and concentrating fully on the bitter orange essence in all it’s splendour. It’s incredibly energising and an excellent choice for a dull grey autumn or winter morning. I used the shower gel some years ago and loved it too.
In a few words: refreshing, invigorating, clean, casual chic
3. Heeley Oranges And Lemons Say The Bell’s Of … St.Clements
Together with La Chasse Aux Papillons a beautiful name for a fragrance. Oranges and Lemons was inspired by an old children’s rhyme from the 18th century. The Bell’s Of St. Clements refer to church bells which can still be found in the historic and financial centre of the City of London.
Oranges and Lemons starts as a contemporary cologne with bright bitter orange flowers (neroli) with their green leaves to change into a slightly sweeter orange lemonade. There is a right balance between the shiny bitter neroli and sweeter orange. Longevity on my skin is good for a cologne style fragrance as it lasts several hours. Unexpectedly the dry down was quite calming. If the fragrance would have a color it would be vibrant orange.
In a few words: modern cologne, relaxed, contemporary British, colour of bright orange
Ray of Light is an all natural fragrance made by Berlin based perfumer Tanja Bochnig. The fragrance opens with bright sunny bitter green citrus leaves which quickly change into warmer lightly sugared lemon followed by some sweeter orange and a mellow herbal tobacco base. The galbanum adds an overall green bitter scent to the whole fragrance. When smelling and experiencing this fragrance the colour that came to mind was vibrant yellow. I find it a very cheerful and encouraging fragrance. It’s dry down is quite relaxing as well. Ray of Light will work well on those dark days in winter to get you out of bed and running as it will your energy rapidly moving.
In a few words: cheerful, bright, sunny, vibrant yellow, encouraging
5. Hermes Eau D’Orange Verte, I reviewed this energising scent and the shower gel previously on my website. If you like Frederic Malle Cologne Bigarade you will probably like this too. Eau d’Orange Verte is a cheaper alternative as it is often on sale at discount websites. I use it quite often to refresh in summer and uplift in winter time. You can read my article here.
Bottom line: my top 5 choices for uplifting fragrances were the joyful L’Artisan Parfumeur La Chasse aux Papillons Eau de Toilette, invigorating Frederic Malle Cologne Bigarade, contemporary English Heeley Oranges and Lemons, bright April Aromatics Ray Of Light and energising Hermes Eau D’Orange Verte.
You can find Tara’s choices from A Bottled Rose, Megan’s from Megan in Sainte Máxime and Samantha’s from I Scent You A Day by clicking on the names of the websites. Go to their website to read their choices of uplifting fragrances. I am very curious to read which fragrances they choose!
Do you use fragrance to uplift you? If so, what are your favourite uplifting fragrances?
*in a few words was inspired by the excellent The Scented Hound website.
*read Clayton’s more elaborate and interesting article about the making of Cologne Bigarade on What Men Should Smell Like
