Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

One must conclude that Barbie is the latest target demographic of choice. In fact, no other theory can explain all of the new releases that smell either like sugary frosting or fruit juice. Juicy Couture was frank about the Barbie inspiration behind their fragrance. Britney Spears Curious In Control came close, but J.Lo Love at First Glow won the Barbie award in the end. Next comes Vera Wang Princess, a composition of such sparkle and sweetness that it should come with a Barbie doll in tow. …

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To follow Sarah Jessica Parker’s successful first launch Lovely, Coty Prestige and International Flavors & Fragrances have worked to create Liquid Satin, an alcohol-free, silicone-based sprayable scent. However, Liquid Satin will be “chemically different from the original.” Created by Laurent Le Guernec and Clement Gavarry of IFF, the fragrance “has top notes of mandarin, rosewood, lavender and apple martini; a heart of patchouli, paperwhites and orchid, and a drydown of cedar, white amber and musk.” Liquid Satin will be available in September. More news will be available on Sarah Jessica Parker Beauty, a website designer to promote Lovely and Liquid Satin, as well as other fragrances that are expected to be released the actress (via WWD).

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

Roses love sunshine, which coaxes their buds to unfold in layers of silky petals and to release aromas ranging from lemony tea to musky honey. Rose fragrances likewise follow this dictum, blooming with abandon on warm skin. For this reason, as soon as the temperatures begin to increase and pleasant spring warmth turns into sweltering summer heat, a coterie of rose fragrances begins to dominate my repertoire—the gorgeous opulence of Lancôme Mille et Une Rôse (formerly, 2000 et Une Rôse), the lemony sparkle of Les Parfums de Rosine Un Zest de Rose, the dark seduction of Frédéric Malle Une Rose, and the ambery rose velvet of Stella McCartney. …

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Etro is introducing a new fragrance called Dianthus, the most interesting aspect of which is that it is the first feminine fragrance from the line that offers a wide range of shared perfumes. As cosmeticnews reports, “The name is the botanical term for carnation and refers to the predominant note in the spicy floral formula by Robertet.” Other notes include orange, geranium, rose, clove, ginger, red pepper, Atlas cedarwood, musk and vanilla (via press release). The launch of this floral blend is planned for October.

For those curious about the newest addition to Hermessence collection, Paprika Brasil (see more information here), the notes are as follows, red pimento, green sap, melange of spices, cloves, reseda, iris, and smoked woods (via Hermes press release).

Star rating: 5 stars–outstanding/potential classic, 4 stars–very good, 3 stars–adequate, 2 stars–disappointing, 1 star–poor.

If one were to take the English translation of Soir de Lune literally, a fragrance capturing a moonlit night could only be mysterious and dark. Indeed, Dominique Ropion who created the fragrance for Sisley worked on the classical chypre theme, setting the radiant floral heart in the voluptuous duskiness of oakmoss and patchouli. Its smoldering form is shrouded in enough floral sweetness to temper the sensuality of spicy, woody notes. Soir de Lune will seduce, yet it will not lend a clichéd sexy image to its wearer, and this is one of its most appealing qualities. Among the bubbly girly fragrances expected this fall, Soir de Lune, with its alluring womanly aura, comes as a pleasant surprise. …

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