The NYC Caron boutique is having its semi-annual 20% off sale from December 4th to 10th. Its newest fragrance, Impact, the new parfum extrait version of Pour un Homme, will be available this week. To place an order, you can either call 212-319-4888 or email Diane Haska at [email protected]. Thanks to Tania for the news.

Frédéric Malle is making a personal appearance at Barney’s New York on Wednesday, November 16th. The new fragrance, Carnal Flower, will make its debut then as well. Carnal Flower is created by Dominique Ropion, and it features notes of tuberose, coconut, camphor, jasmine, ylang ylang, orange blossom, and musk. To reserve an invitation, please call 212-833-2003.

Caron Pour Un Homme ad from psine.net.

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

Few fragrances tend to fall as much into the masculine domain as fougère. Based on the interplay of lavender, coumarin and oakmoss, the genre takes its name from the first abstract composition, Fougère Royale by Houbigant (1882). The combination of fresh and dry lavender with powdery sweet coumarin and oakmoss results in the juxtaposition of unexpected elements. If a term fougère signals an overplayed variation on the successful Cool Water by Davidoff, Caron Le 3ème Homme (Third Man) would be a pleasant surprise. It takes the concept of fougère and embellishes it with floral and spicy accords, as if orange blossom and jasmine were scattered among the blue of lavender and the darkness of woods.

Created in 1985, Le 3ème Homme derives its name from the 1949 film, The Third Man, starring Orson Welles. Lavender and tart citrus sparkle like champagne on the skin, before their effervescence subsides under the dominance of sweetness that comprises the main accord. …

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Lolita Lempicka presents its first scent in nine years. The new feminine fragrance called quite succinctly “L” is comprised of “bitter orange, cinnamon, vanilla and precious woods elements.” The bottle seems to be inspired by objects one finds on the beach.

Bvlgari Eau Parfumée au Thé Rouge is about to be launched in December of 2005. The unisex composition will features notes of pink pepper, bergamot, orange, fig, walnut, musk and will be based around a tea accord including Roiboos red tea from South Africa and Yunnan red tea from China. From moodiereport.

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

Experiencing Armani Prive Bois d’Encens is like stepping inside a dark cavernous church, where the first sensory impression is of incense. The smell of incense burning inside golden censers, embracing the stones, and creating a pale mist over the altar. The resinous richness of incense is almost overwhelming, yet suddenly as one gets used to it, the scent begins to appear as a soft comforting presence; something that retreats into the background, yet remains near.

Similar transformation takes place in Bois d’Encens, a fragrance created in 2004 by Michel Almairac. The layering of notes results in their gentle peeling away in order to reveal a sweet base of silky cedarwood. …

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What are your favorite American fragrance classics?

The first American pharmacy opened in 1729 in Philadelphia, where drugs and perfumes could be purchased. After several ownership successions, the pharmacy ended up in the hands of Hazard, Caswell and Massey. Thus, Caswell-Massey can rightfully claim to be the oldest pharmacy in the United States. Many others soon followed.

Elizabeth Arden, originally Florence Graham, opened up her beauty shop in 1910, creating Blue Grass to commemorate her favorite Virginia retreat.

Charles Revson, a son of a Russian immigrant, along with his brother Joseph and a chemist, Charles Lachman—the “L” in the company name, founded Revlon in 1932. Their first fragrance Norell, named after the designer Norman Norell, debuted in 1968.  …

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