Why Green Fragrances Are Difficult and Yet Fascinating?

My wedding outfit wasn’t white. It was green, because in the western part of India where my husband’s family originates and where we were married, it means the color of life, spring and rejuvenation. Since then I have been paying more attention to this color, and the scents associated with it. In perfumery green can be suggested by a variety of materials, from naturals like violet leaf and galbanum to synthetics such as leaf alcohols that smell of freshly cut grass.

Green notes, however, can be difficult to wear, which is why, though this perfume family has many loyal fans, it remains small. We prefer our scents of freshly cut grass and new leaves in the air, rather than in the bottle. Nevertheless, certain green fragrances have become classics. One is L’Artisan Parfumeur Premier Figuier. It creates its signature fig accord with the clever combination of ivy, leaves and galbanum. The latter is a fennel-like plant that produces a pungent smelling essential oil. When carefully dosed, however, galbanum conjures up the vivid colors of spring—young buds, new leaves, damp earth.

Continue reading →

The Beauty of Pairings

Coffee and rosewater
Violet candy and vanilla ice cream
Roasted potatoes and tonka bean
Pineapple and star anise
Strawberry and basil

Some of the beautiful combinations I experimented with last week. Do you have any favorite perfume or flavor pairings?

Scent Diary is a place to write your observations about the scents around you–and about scents in your environment. Whether you write down 1 recollection or 10 matters less than simply reminding yourself to smell. You can add as many comments as you wish. You can comment today or over the course of the week; this thread will always be open. Of course, do share what perfume you’re wearing or what particularly good scented products you’ve discovered.

While looking through my articles, I found this article that I wrote a few years ago but that still remains popular and often-read: A to Z Tips for Enjoyable, Affordable and Rewarding Perfume Hobby. If you have any tips to add, I’d love to hear them.

Photography by Bois de Jasmin

Recommend me a Perfume : January 2025

Our “Recommend Me a Perfume” thread is open this week. You can use this space to find perfume recommendations, to share your discoveries and favorite scents, and to ask any questions about scents, aromas and flavors. Or you can just tell us what perfume you are wearing.

I finished teaching my introductory classes on Citrus, Spices and Woods, and the new series will return with Chypre (sold out), Cologne and Florals. My ISIPCA teaching duties are quite heavy this semester, but I will try to add more classes, focusing on fundamental notes. We will revisit spring florals and green accords as well. If you have any other requests, please let me know.

How does it work: 1. Please post your requests or questions as comments here. You can also use this space to ask any fragrance related questions. To receive recommendations that are better tailored to your tastes, you can include details on what you like and don’t like, your signature perfumes, and your budget. And please let us know what you end up sampling. 2. Then please check the thread to see if there are other requests you can answer. Your responses are really valuable for navigating the big and sometimes confusing world of perfume, so let’s help each other!

To make this thread easier to read, when you reply to someone, please click on the blue “reply” link under their comment.

Photography by Bois de Jasmin

Aphorismes by Dominique Ropion Innocent Tuberose : Perfume Review

44444

Few perfumers combine creativity with technical mastery like Dominique Ropion. This legendary perfumer is known for such major creations as Dior Dune, Givenchy Amarige, Thierry Mugler Alien and Lancôme La Vie est Belle. Since I was fortunate to work with him at IFF and to learn from this generous and talented person, I may not be the most impartial judge of his fragrances. On the other hand, in my years of writing about fragrance, I believe that I’ve developed the necessary distance to consider a composition on its own terms. And how can I resist testing Ropion’s first collection of his own, Aphorismes by Dominique Ropion?

So during a recent visit to Paris, I made my way to 27 Rue Marbeuf and found myself inside a gilded space that was the Aphorismes boutique. I knew that Ropion had joined forces with Habib Al-Sowaidi, the founder of Le Royaume du Parfum International, a company that develops packaging and concepts for other brands. The hyper-luxe decor and the prevalence of oud and rich woody musks in the collection suggested a certain aesthetic that I assumed was driven by this collaboration.

Continue reading →

Robert Piguet Fracas Perfume Giveaway

Today we have a generous giveaway courtesy of Madeline. She is giving away a bottle of Robert Piguet Fracas EDP (50ml, sprayed a few times only, box included). Madeline says, “It was a gift, but I don’t wear white florals. I think that it’s a famous and beautiful perfume and I would rather give it away here.”

Madeline can ship only in the US.

Disclaimer: Bois de Jasmin is not responsible for leaks or damage during transit or for lost packages.

Please answer all of the questions below to be entered into the draw. I will create two groups and randomly draw one winner from each.

1. Madeline would like a recommendation from you. What woody perfume can you suggest? It doesn’t have to be a specifically feminine perfume, but she would prefer to avoid anything too sports cologne-like.
2. May I contact you via email to notify you of your win and share your email with Linda?

The contest is now closed. The winner is Angela K. Congratulations! I will contact you shortly.

I would like to thank our entire Bois de Jasmin community for your generosity and kindness, whether it means giveaways like this, advice or comments.

Latest Comments

Latest Tweets

Design by cre8d
© Copyright 2005-2025 Bois de Jasmin. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy