In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve and Dana chat live in front of an audience gathered at ScentFest, the West Coast's largest perfume expo. The weekend was filled with scent discoveries and the warmest meetups with fragrance lovers from around the world. Steve and Dana talk about their impressions of ScentFest then sniff perfumes featuring unusual notes with the audience. Oyster, pollen anyone?

The sniffing session was followed by a Q&A segment where Steve and Dana recalled their most nostalgic scents, revealed the notes and styles they'd like to smell more of and investigated Dana's perfume application methods that transform her into a walking scent sculpture.

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

01:12:24 ScentFest Sample Pack

05:26:07 Still by CBCB

07:47:22 Cocoyster Bananita by Salum

12:15:26 Pony Boy by Jorum

13:01:05 Debaser by D.S. and Durga

13:14:25 Delulu by Oddity

14:05:10 Rhubarb Thief by Heretic

15:19:10 Gun Girl by CBCB

19:21:00 Molecule 01 + Patchouli by Escentric Molecules

20:26:09 Morel Map by Clue

20:35:04 Coven by Andrea Maack

21:15:25 Musc by Bruno Acampora

22:52:22 Moon Magic by Sorce

24:42:03 Vampire Husband by Sorce

24:45:00 In Dreams and Fairytales (Vanilla)

26:54:10 Metal Lavender by Matiere Premiere

27:12:11 La Nuit des 300 by Hellenist

28:39:16 Les Dieux aux Bains

29:48:23 Flower Glyph by Liis

32:53:03 Noel au Balcon by Etat Libre d'Orange

34:02:01 Unspoken Gesture by Jorum

35:28:05 Still by CBCB

43:26:20 Saskia by Grandiflora

43:28:16 Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora

44:11:00 Mossy Glen by Villa Erbatium

45:33:28 Neo-Animism by Mami Wata

48:02:21 Angelos Creations

48:26:26 Chypre Siam by Rogue

48:41:09 Aristo Chypre by Infiniment Coty

48:57:14 Spoturno Paris

Hosts: Steven Gontarski and Dana Kiley Buchanan

Recorded in San Francisco, 6/27/26

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

22. Report from the Runway - A Conversation with Merle Ginsberg

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve sits down with writer, fashion icon and one of the original judges of Ru Paul's Drag Race, the legendary Merle Ginsberg. From a young age, Merle expressed her identity through clothes and words, always keeping her senses, including scent, keenly attuned. Steve and Merle have talked perfume for many years at Scent Bar and have selected her signature scents together. They take a deep dive into her perfume history, stop by Scent Bar to discover a new scent and end the episode by pairing fragrances with outfits. 

Perfumes mentioned in this episode

06:53:15 Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules

L'Eau d'Issey by Issey Miyake

Eau d'Hadrien by Annick Goutal

Filles en Aiguilles by Serge Lutens

21:54:00 Black Amber by Agonist

23:35:03 Coffee White Flowers by Bohoboco

28:39:19 Grev by Slumberhouse

33:50:09 Bo by Liis

40:00:02 Nuit Elastique by Premiere Peau

41:52:19 Vanille Camouflage by Dries Van Noten

42:36:02 Mantes La Jolie by Astier de Villatte

43:09:05 Dandelion Butter by Clue

44:07:10 Tokyo Bloom by The Different Company

44:55:24 Monoscent G by What We Do Is Secret

46:34:24 Green Vanille by Regime des Fleurs

47:03:00 Vanille Riviera by Maison Rebatchi

53:02:04 Carine by Carine Roitfeld

56:02:25 Crimson Rocks by Amouage

Be sure to keep up with Merle's fashion news on Loose Threads, a regular newsletter in The Hollywood Reporter, Hollywoodreporter.com

Host: Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve sits down with songwriter Steph Jones. Having written hits for artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Blackpink, Selena Gomez and Jade she's one of the most in-demand talents in the music industry. Perfecting her impromptu songwriting skills at church, Steph naturally develops melodies and lyrics for people as she discovers their personal stories and soaks in their vibes. Along with her passion for tunes Steph has been fascinated by perfumes from an early age and tells Steve about her Hall of Fame fragrances and what they mean to her. 

Perfumes discussed in this episode:

Aromatics Elixir by Clinique

Tubéreuse Astrale by Maison Crivelli / Available on Luckyscent

Towédé by Notes de Bas de Paje

Gris Charnel by BDK / Available on Luckyscent

Gris Charnel by BDK / Available on Luckyscent

Lait Concentré by Chabaud / Available on Luckyscent

Sunflowers by Elizabeth Arden

CKin2U by Calvin Klein

Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules / Available on Luckyscent

II (Deux) by Trudon / Available on Luckyscent

Tihota by Indult / Available on Luckyscent

B683 by Marc Antoine Barrois / Available on Luckyscent

Quentin Bisch

Poivre Samarcande by Hermes

Pacific Park by Simone Andreoli / Available on Luckyscent

Jardins de Misfah Extrait by Une Nuit Nomade / Available on Luckyscent

Fleur Narcotique by Ex Nihilo / Available on Luckyscent

Portrait of a Lady by Frederic Malle

Cool Water for Women by Davidoff

Black Tie by Celine

Molecule 01 + Iris by Escentric Molecules / Available on Luckyscent

Supernova by Andrea Maack / Available on Luckyscent

Carine by Carine Roitfeld / Available on Luckyscent

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve and Dana bask in the holiday glow and talk about their favorite warm, spicy, cozy scents to wear at festive parties or for quiet times at home. They discuss the biggest note trends of the year and smell through their favorite scents of 2025.

It's been a great year for perfume releases - what were some of your favorites in 2025?

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

Bowmakers by DS and Durga

Ambre Liquide by Astier de Villatte

Hammersmith Tea & Biscuits by 4160 Tuesdays

Unknown Pleasures by Kerosene

Empire des Indes by Oriza Legrand

Myrrh Shadow by Bon Parfumeur

Molecule 01 + Cistus by Escentric Molecules

Ouarzazate by Comme des Garcons

Tobacco Memories by Chambre52

Encore Une Fois by Infiniment Coty

Japanese Whiskey by D'Annam

Monoscent G by What We Do Is Secret

Carine by Carine Roitfeld

Venice Rococo by Arquiste

Green Vanille by Regime des Fleurs

Blood Spider Orchid by Regime des Fleurs

Apricot Innocence by Simone Andreoli

Cedrat Ceruse by L'Artisan Parfumeur

Witchery by Sorce

In Dreams & Fairytales by Sorce

Vampire Husband by Sorce

Joyeux by Sultan Pasha Perfumes

Nightchild by Epichron

Taipei by One Day

White Rice by d'Annam

Dirty Rice by Borntostandout

Rice Makgeolli by Villa Erbatium

Delicious Rice Milk by Federico Cantelli

The LIttle Mermaid by The Mischief Academy

Kyoto by Le Gout de Peau

African Rooibos by Chris Collins

Savant by Chris Collins

Milk & Matcha by Obvious

London Fog by Brandt

Jasmine Freak by Room 1015

Bianco Latte by Giardini di Toscana

R & B by Zernell Gillie

Cafe des Delices by Maison Mataha

Hosted by Steven Gontarski and Dana Buchanan

Produced by Emi Brown and Claire Jelinek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve sits down with legendary master perfumer Olivier Cresp. They talk about his distinctive style, which Cresp refers to as minimalist and figurative, valuing simplicity with key ingredients. 

They touch on Olivier's generational roots in the perfume industry and his upbringing in Grasse. He discusses the various steps of the creation of Thierry Mugler's Angel - an iconic perfume that forever changed the landscape of perfumery - and the various ideas that went into the formation of Akro, a brand Olivier started with his daughter Anais, celebrating life's guilty pleasures.

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

Bake by Akro

Crush by Akro

Angel by Thierry Mugler

Juniper Sling by Penhaligon's

LIght Blue by Dolce & Gabbana

My Devotion by Dolce & Gabbana

Rise by Akro

Smoke by Akro

Hosted by Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume', Steve talks with actor, musician and member of the Scent Bar family, Ronald Prokeš. They talk about the scents Ronny wore as a teen in the Czech Republic and his more recent fascination with chypres, fougeres and vintage perfumes. He describes how he sometimes uses scent to disassociate from social settings and how "an empty bottle is a happy bottle."

Fragrances mentioned in this episode:

Fierce by Abercrombie and Fitch

Fahrenheit by Dior

Kenzo Jungle L'Elephant by Kenzo

Maai by Bogue Profumo

Cocoa Kimiya by Atelier des Ors

Eau Noire by Dior

Varuek by PRIN

Grand Chalet by Astier de Villatte

Memoir Man by Amouage

Nuit de Bakelite by Naomi Goodsir

Iris Silver Mist by Serge Lutens

Rauque by Roberto Greco

Oeilleres by Roberto Greco

Opium by Yves Saint Laurent

Hosted by Steven Gontarski

Produced by Emi Foster and Claire Jelinek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve sits with Chris Collins and asks him about his background in fashion and his pivot into perfume, one of his lifelong passions. He remembers the fragrances his father wore and the scents that inspired him to start his own brand. From knocking on the door of Robertet in Grasse to channeling his admiration for Prince's music into a new perfume, Chris shares many stories that describe the rewards and challenges of founding and directing a perfume line.

Fragrances mentioned in this episode:

Old Spice by Shulton Company

Grey Flannel by Geoffrey Beene

Blue Jeans by Versace

Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein

Polo by Ralph Lauren

L'eau d'Issey Pour Homme by Issey Miyake

Renaissance by Chris Collins

Musc Ravageur by Frederic Malle

Straight to Heaven by By Kilian

African Rooibos by Chris Collins

Babycat by YSL

Lust Oud Delice by Chris Collins

Savant Manhattan Cherry by Chris Collins

Hosted by Steven Gontarski

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susannah Melvoin is known to many as a stellar musician and songwriter, having contributed to legendary albums by Prince and Madonna among others. Her passion for music is only rivalled by her passion for perfume. In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume', Steve sits with Susannah as they talk about the interplay between music and scent in creating atmospheres. She shares her earliest memories of her parents' perfumes, her first scent and her current go-to bottles while dropping some iconic stories. Want to know what the set for Prince's 'When Doves Cry' video smelled like?

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

- Tihota by Indult

- Encore Une Fois by Infiniment Coty

- Molinard de Molinard by Molinard

- Salome by Papillon Artisan Perfumes

- Chanel No 19 by Chanel

- Perfect Veil by Sarah Horowitz

- Delulu by Oddity

- Carine by Carine Roitfeld

- Numero Uno (I) by Adamo Parfum

- Isvaraya by Indult

- Kagiroi by Di Ser

- Mortel Noir by Trudon

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zernell Gillie has made his name as an international DJ and founder of a much-loved perfume brand inspired by musical genres. In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve talks with Zernell about his his journey from early days at high school sock-hops to his sets at Berghain, the legendary Berlin club. Music, fashion and scent have always coexisted in the club scene and have inspired Zernell for decades. Find out which fragrances have meant the most to him and how they have influenced his olfactive interpretations of his favorite music.

Perfumes mentioned in this episode:

- Polo by Ralph Lauren

- Bowling Green by Geoffrey Beene

- Halston Z14 by Halston

- Egoiste by Chanel

- Ivory Route by Xerjoff

- Acqua di Gio by Giorgio Armani

- Dior Homme Intense by Dior

- Pi by Givenchy

- Sweetie Aoud by Roja Parfums

- Geschopf by PMP

- R & B by Zernell Gillie

- Jazz by Zernell Gillie

- Hip-Hop by Zernell Gillie

- Coco by Chanel

- Stetson by Coty

- Tango by Masque Milano

- Sweet Botswana Mystery by Modern Mark

- Hypnotising Fire by The Harmonist

More information on Zernell Gillie can be found on zernellgillie.com

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve and Dana talk about their Back to School fragrances. Whether or not you're in school, this time of year is full of moments to reset and begin a new cycle - scent can certainly help mark this renewal. As the long days of summer start to grow shorter, sometimes the smell of spices, woods and amber can provide all the coziness you need in a new season.

Fragrances discussed:

The Jungle Book by Mischief Academy

La Danza Delle Libellule Exceptional Edition by Nobile 1942

Matcha Ice Cream by Theodoros Kalotinis

Matchbox Romance by Binaurale

Dead Air by Oddity

Psychedelique by Jovoy

Empire des Indes by Oriza Legrand

Jazz by Zernell Gillie

Jardins de Misfah Extrait by Une Nuit Nomade

Love Is Coming by The Different Company

Nightchild by Epichron

All That Matters by Anamor

Breathe by Akro

Eau Sacree by Heeley

Crush Balls by D.S. & Durga

Fire at Will by Jovoy

Orgasmo by Hilde Soliani

Tales of Amber by Goldfield and Banks

Hosted by Steven Gontarski with Dana Buchanan

Produced by Steven Gontarski, Emi Foster and Claire Jelinek

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.