Recently, I've started getting more interested in luxury perfumes - I've come to realize how precious these little bottles of nectar are; the first name which comes to mind, when thinking about indulging, decadent scents, is Penhaligon's!
The founder - William Penhaligon - first opened his barber shop in 1870 in London, starting a tradition of blending the finest, rarest ingredients to produce fragances with emotive power to wrap you in lost memories and elegance... there's nothing more evocative than a smell.
The perfect perfume is, also, the ultimate accessorize: it is an art, the ability to create an olfactive concoction that oozes elegance and individuality.
The perfect perfume is, also, the ultimate accessorize: it is an art, the ability to create an olfactive concoction that oozes elegance and individuality.
Today, Penhaligon's boasts a portfolio of 34 unique fragrances and the perfect way to start discovering them is the Scent Library*!
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| look at this gorgeous wrapping... when you see that, you know you're in for a treat! |
The Scent Library is a collection of the most popular fragrances, both for ladies & gents;
I got my husband involved and asked him to wear 'his' side of the library... which is only fair as I am the one smelling him all day so I am the one which need to like it, right??! ;)
I need to say that some of them could easy be unisex.
Artemisia is relatively recent, created in 2002 - with head notes of nectarine which gives it its sweetness, reined down by warm amber and musk.
Malabah is more exotic and follow an imaginary journey along the East Indian spice route; we got ginger and aromatic spices but with zisty citrucy top notes.
Lily & Spice is floral and edgy; saffron, the world's most expensive spice, gives it a unique earthy dimension which marries perfectly with vanilla and, as the name is giving away, lilies.
Lily of the Valley was created in 1976 and considered by expert of the field as one of the finest lily of the valley fragrance; the predominant notes are lilies, bergamot and it's a classic white flower scent; we, also, have sandalwood to strengthen the composition and staying power.
Bluebell is a pure distillation of bluebell woods that evoke woodland with dripping leaves and moss; a fresh and young fragrance.
Endymion is a strong and deep, nocturnal fragrance; very manly and leathery but smoothed with mandarin and sage notes.
Blenheim Bouquet was created in 1902 and the innovation was in the citrus base (instead of heavy floral notes); you're suddenly hit by the lemon and lime mixed with black pepper and musk; yet, remains discreet and contemporary.
Quercus is the most unisex of the lot; you have the lightness of the citrus fruits and greenness of basil. It's the perfect invigorating cologne.
Opus 1870 is the heaviest and comforting, ideal for winter months; extremely woody, smoky and fiery with the black pepper, incense and sandalwood.
Douro is an intensive, deep take on a cologne; we have sharp and garden fresh geranium and limes, at the bottom but it's the oakmoss and the musk which assert themselves with robust notes.
What a pleasant journey that was... and so much to discover still!
My favourite, so far, is Artemisia but Night Scented and Orange Blossom are already making my imagination run wild and going on my wishlist... plus, how can you resist the regality of these beautiful bottles??!!
Do you own any Penhaligon's fragrance?
Which one is your favourite? :)
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| the library also comes with a guide to the fragrances |
Malabah is more exotic and follow an imaginary journey along the East Indian spice route; we got ginger and aromatic spices but with zisty citrucy top notes.
Lily & Spice is floral and edgy; saffron, the world's most expensive spice, gives it a unique earthy dimension which marries perfectly with vanilla and, as the name is giving away, lilies.
Lily of the Valley was created in 1976 and considered by expert of the field as one of the finest lily of the valley fragrance; the predominant notes are lilies, bergamot and it's a classic white flower scent; we, also, have sandalwood to strengthen the composition and staying power.
Bluebell is a pure distillation of bluebell woods that evoke woodland with dripping leaves and moss; a fresh and young fragrance.
Endymion is a strong and deep, nocturnal fragrance; very manly and leathery but smoothed with mandarin and sage notes.
Blenheim Bouquet was created in 1902 and the innovation was in the citrus base (instead of heavy floral notes); you're suddenly hit by the lemon and lime mixed with black pepper and musk; yet, remains discreet and contemporary.
Quercus is the most unisex of the lot; you have the lightness of the citrus fruits and greenness of basil. It's the perfect invigorating cologne.
Opus 1870 is the heaviest and comforting, ideal for winter months; extremely woody, smoky and fiery with the black pepper, incense and sandalwood.
Douro is an intensive, deep take on a cologne; we have sharp and garden fresh geranium and limes, at the bottom but it's the oakmoss and the musk which assert themselves with robust notes.
What a pleasant journey that was... and so much to discover still!
My favourite, so far, is Artemisia but Night Scented and Orange Blossom are already making my imagination run wild and going on my wishlist... plus, how can you resist the regality of these beautiful bottles??!!
Do you own any Penhaligon's fragrance?
Which one is your favourite? :)
