I hated perfume until I was 28. All the perfumes I smelled were old, sour, sickly sweet or just plain unpleasant. Most perfumes just smelled cheap. Imitations of the real thing. Counterfeit. There was nothing unique about them. Everybody just smelled like everybody else.
Oh, and those perfume samples that came in fashion magazine subscriptions. They always left me feeling disappointed.
How can fresh limes, vanilla, and jasmine draw you into their tiny aromatic worlds? But smell jasmine “fragrance” and it makes you just want to gag or sneeze?
I didn’t understand it. Yet, scent is a huge part of our lives.
Unpleasant smells are disruptive, but pleasant smells make us feel good without realizing why. Unique and captivating scents leave us wanting more. They follow us in our dreams.
Guiac by Red Flower Changed My Life
After a luxurious 90 min massage at the Carneros Resort and Spa in Napa, CA – I rolled on a golden scented oil – Guiac by Red Flower. I instinctually knew that is what perfume is supposed to smell like, to feel like.
Effortless, beautiful and personal. I finally got it. This is what all the hype about perfume was about.
I just had to find the GOOD stuff.
As I explored the world of natural perfume I bought every essential oil I could get my hands on – like vetiver, tuberose, and tobacco. And I began blending my own scents. For a time, I was an all-natural essential oil only oil based perfume wearing women. That is until…Clive Christian No. 1 for Men “The Most Expensive Perfume In The World.”
Discovering Niche Perfume
Who? What? Clive Christian? Clive Christian No. 1 for Men, I learned, is formulated using a lot of essential oils and essences which is why it smells so full and unforgettable. And although it does contain some synthetics it only adds to the artistry of the fragrance. I had to smell it.
So, I made my way to Saks 5th Ave in San Francisco. And that’s when I discovered the world of niche perfume.
One sniff and I was hooked.
That stuff was so good I didn’t want to shower. Don’t worry, I did. But it was very late that night lol.
Artisan Perfume Lounge Is Fun + Educational
Artisan Perfume Lounge will demystify the beautiful world of artisan perfumery. Here you’ll discover scented lotions and soaps, mind-blowing perfumes, lovely fragrances for the home, and more. You’ll also learn how to use fragrance to feel more confident, alter the feel of your living spaces, and how to choose a fragrance for the special people in your life.
Admittedly, I hold a special place for all-natural perfumes. And all of the fragrances I share will contain natural fragrance components. However, I also appreciate niche perfumes and will share my favorites with you. The fact is, many niche fragrances contain high concentrations of natural essential oils. It is an art. And many are simply beautiful.
My motto is, if it’s good it’s good. But rest assured, I will always let you know which products contain synthetics. So, if you love to smell and feel irresistible like I do…
Welcome To The Artisan Perfume Lounge,
Erica 🙂
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