Two perfumeheads walk into a bar and...

Liz Renstrom—Perfume Room regular, photographer of our generation, and the genius behind @basenote_bitch (the ultimate fragrance nostalgia account)—dropped by my apartment last week with some shiny new gems in her collection and then naturally, raided my (newly organized!) perfume wardrobe. Be a fly on the wall for our chaotic good nez-à-nez.

FOLLOW: @basenote_bitch @elizabethrenstrom

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Oriza L. Legrand: Relique D’Amour, Reve D’Ossian; Serge Lutens Santal Majascule, Xinu Copala, Diptyque Benjoin Boheme, Aedes Copal Azur, Xinu: FlordeMusgo (hand cream), Monstera; Costa Brazil Kaya Jungle Firming Oil, SOMA Ayurvedic Jasmine Oil, Olo Dark Wave, Atelier des Ors Lune Feline, Commodity Orris, Thom Browne Vetyver & Brut, Society de la Rossi (wine), L'Entropiste Jodhpur 6AM, Officine Universelle Buly Patate Douce des Caraïbes et Carotte d’Afghanistan, Granado Violeta, The Perfumer's Story Sequoia Wood, Le Pere, Lancome LVEB L’Elixir, St. Rose Juliet in White, Le Pere, Jovoy Psychedelique, Profumum Patchouly, Oriza L. Legrand Horizon, Mad et Len: Graphite, Humus; Perfumer H: Ink, Moss; Tsu Lange Yor Sala, L'Entropiste Jodhpur 6AM, Jovoy Remember Me, Guerlain Angelique Noire, Officine Universelle Buly Patate Douce des Caraïbes et Carotte d’Afghanistan, Granado Violeta, Firmamento Sileno Cheloni, Diptyque: Orpheon, L’Ombre Dans L'Eau, Baies; Ex Nihilo Spiky Muse, Astier des Villages Mantes La Jolie, Cire Trudon Abd El Kader, Fischersund 101, Glossier You, Glossier Doux, L’Artisan: Musc Amarante, Vetiver Ecarlate, L’Abysssae, Tea for Two

SHOP THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR GOLDFIELD & BANKS!

10% off LuckyScent: perfumeroom10 (valid for orders $40+)

In December 2022, Christina Basias-Androulakis (a PhD in digital education) filmed and posted a Tiktok of her wife Alexis Androulakis (a beauty product developer) in Sephora, evaluating the new Make Up By Mario Skin Foundation.

That video went viral, and @thelipsticklesbians were off.

1.7M followers later, today the duo continues to challenge and shape the way consumers, influencers, marketers, and chemists alike think, talk, and know about beauty.

That's the @thelipsticklesbians origin tale...Did you know that Christina and Alexis's begins with fragrance??!

Today's ep is full of personal stories, beauty insights and advice, the full scoop on their new beauty evaluation course, LLAB, and some important life lessons along the way!

FOLLOW: @thelipsticklesbians

CHECK OUT LLAB: letslearnaboutbeauty.com

FRAGS MENTIONED:

St. Rose Juliet in White (SOTD), Burberry London, JHAG Not A Perfume, Byredo Blanche, Sol De Janeiro, Kayali, Daise, BBW, Aesop, Loewe, Method, Frenshe, Fine'ry, Solo Loewe Ella, Britney Spears Curious, Giorgio, Bvlgari Tygar, Amouage Guidance 46, Le Labo Another 13, Glossier You, Aesop Eleos, MFK A La Rose, Diptyque Do Son, Marc Jacobs EDP, Le Labo: Rose 31, The Noir 29; Aesop: Ouranon, [meant Aurner], Marrakech; Hermes Eau des Merveilles, Amouage Guidance 46, Shalimar, Dior Poison, Estee Lauder Youth Dew, Chanel No. 5, Balmain Rouge, Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato, Laura Mercier Eaux Gourmandes, Eau de Space The Smell of Space, Le Labo Santal 33, Relevant 13 Stems

Products Mentioned:

Makeup Forever Superboost Lightweight Moisturizing Skin Tint, Estee Lauder Double Wear, Mac Ruby Woo, Mac Studio Fix, Danessa Myricks eyeshadow, Prada Pradalines eyeliner, Victoria Beckham Satin Kajal eyeliner

JASMINE SMELL CLUB: jasminesmellclub.eventbrite.com

Thanks to this month's sponsor Goldfield & Banks! Try Pacific Rock Flower on luckyscent.com (get 10% off w/ code perfumeroom10)

A 150-year-old beauty brand with over 1,000 SKUs, Granado might be new to US market, but in Brazil, it's a household name. This week, I chat with CMO Sissi Freeman about the brand’s uniquely Brazilian identity, its recent global fragrance boom, what it’s like running this legacy brand in lock step with her father (CEO Christopher Freeman), and the smells most special to Brazilians.

SOTD: The Body Shop Full Iris

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Granado: Iris, Esplendor, Nostalgia, Oasis, Oud, Carioca, Epoque Tropical, Bossa, Citrus Brasilis; CKOne, Carolina Herrera 212, Issey Miyake, LeLi Scents, Granado: Gardenia, Magnolia, Suzette, Folha Imperial, Folha de Laranjeira, Limão Taiti & Neroli; Robert Piguet Fracas, Dior Poison

JASMINE SMELL CLUB: jasminesmellclub.eventbrite.com

RSVP HERE FOR STELE FLORSTALGIA

Thanks to this month's sponsor Goldfield & Banks! Try Pacific Rock Flower on luckyscent.com (get 10% off w/ code perfumeroom10)

Did you know that almost all Mysore sandalwood used in perfumery today is actually grown in Australia? Or that Australia has its own native sandalwood species—one that smells completely different from its creamy Indian counterpart? Goldfield & Banks Founder Dimitri Weber did. This is why he built a luxury fragrance brand entirely dedicated to showcasing Australia's rich native botanicals. Today I chat with the French-Belgian founder all about his love affair with Australian botanicals, his role in shaping the identity of modern Australian perfumery, and of course, the flora, fruits, and fragrances that pulled him...down undaaaa.

FOLLOW: @goldfield_and_banks_australia | @dimitriweber

SHOP ⁠PACIFIC ROCK FLOWER⁠ (10% off w/ code perfumeroom10) (this month's sponsor!)

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Goldfield & Banks: Mystic Bliss, Purple Suede; Jacomo, Cacharel Pour Homme, Chanel Coco, Goldfield & Banks: Bohemian Lime, Island Lush; YSL Opium, Goldfield & Banks: Wood Infusion, Silky Woods, Silky Woods Elixir, Ingenious Ginger, Pacific Rock Flower*, Silky Woods Elixir* 

SOTD: Harlem Candle Co. Eartha*

(*=gifted with no expectation of review)

Meet the duo behind the narrative-driven candle and fragrance brand, Nomad Noé! As life and business partners, Corentin Hamon and Arash Yomtobian open up about how their cross-continental paths (and a Tinder Super Like ;)) brought them together, how they craft smells inspired by people and places across time, finding their niche within 'niche', and how they preserve scent memories and traditions of "home" both on the move and in diaspora.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Nomad Noé Moonwake Tuberose, Robert Piguet Fracas, Frederic Malle Carnal Flower, Michael Kors EDP, Nomad Noé: Untamed Neroli, Elysian Rose, Penhaligon’s Sartorial, Nomad Noé Prophetic Saffron, Penhaligon’s Halfeti, Nomad Noé DREAMER in London, L’Artisan Seville A L’Aube, Nomad Noé: VISIONARY in Esfahan, POET in Hangzhou, L’eau Kenzo

FOLLOW: @nomadnoe 

SUBSCRIBE: perfumeroom.substack.com

NEW LUCKYSCENT DISCOUNT CODE: perfumeroom10

*RE-AIR (recorded almost 3 years ago to the date!)*

World-renowned, award-winning Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas is in the Perfume Room! Alberto is the visionary (and nose) behind blockbuster fragrances you know and love like Estee Lauder Pleasures, Gucci Bloom, CK One, Versace Bright Crystal, Kenzo Flower, Lancome Miracle, Thierry Mugler Cologne, Marc Jacobs Daisy and Armani Acqua Di Gio… and there are hundreds more where that came from!

In this episode, we talk mostly about his own personal pride and joy-- his candle and fine fragrance parfum d’excellence: Mizensir. We discuss how and where he sources inspiration, his creative process, what it’s like being in business with his family, his muses, the art and science of perfumery, and of course, Mizensir's newest launches: Vert Empire and Ambre Magique.

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Mizensir: Luxury, Vert Empire, Très Chère, Little Bianca, Ambre Magique; Kismet Olfactive: Tuberose Tantra, Nymphea, Wedding in Oaxaca, Nostalgia, Studio Scent; Mizensir Verveine Menthe, Mizensir White Rose, Cartier Must II Cartier, Rochas Byzance, Courrèges FH 77, Mizensir Ambre Magique, Estee Lauder pleasures, CK One, Marc Jacobs Daisy

FOLLOW ALBERTO: @morillas.alberto

FOLLOW MIZENSIR: @mizensirparfums

10% OFF MIZENSIR WITH CODE ’PERFUMEROOM10’ : https://twistedlily.com/collections/mizensir

SUBSCRIBE TO THE PERFUME ROOM SUBSTACK: perfumeroom.substack.com

A *FASHIONABLY* late best-of 2024 ep. A SMELL-ALONG OF 25 PERFUMES I LOVED MOST IN 2024 INCLUDING:

• my fav affordable discoveries
• my fav (not new) discoveries
• my fav 2024 launches

Plus, enjoy...my motha!!

Part 2 of our quest will air on Substack, this Friday :)

SHOP THESE PERFUMES ⁠ (shopmy.us/collections/1086522) and check out my even more of favorites from 2024!

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Mango Le Silence, Granado Violeta, BBW If You Musk, Glossier You, Liis Studied, Essential Parfums Divine Vanille, Diptyque: Orpheon, Benjoin Boheme, Eau Capitale; Profumum Roma Dulcis in Fundo, Fzotic Vetiverissimo, Keiko Mecheri Oliban, Sana Jardin Vanilla Nomad, Guerlain Oud Nude, Fischersund 101, Fueguia Tierra del Fuego, Atelier des Ors Choeur des Anges, Ex Nihilo Santal Calling, Kenzo Parfums d’Ete, Serge Lutens Miel du Bois, Giorgio, Guerlain Shalimar, Ambre Blends, Dusita Pelagos, Odette Parfum Co. Rose Adage, Tsu Lange Yor Sala, Eauso Vert Fruto Oscuro, Mugler Angel, Jouissance Le Bague D’O, Amouage Jubilation 40, Atelier Materi Cedre Figalia, Universal Flowering Seduction Theory, Goldfield & Banks Silky Woods Elixir, Chris Collins Lust Oud Delice, Bianco Profumo Neroli Pomodoro, 4711, Marc-Antoine Barrois Tilia

Perfume & Pain author Anna Dorn is in the Perfume Room this week (and 2nd*** author - oops)! How did Anna weave perfume into both plot and character development of the story? What perfumes is she wearing IRL? Why does each character smell like they do? All this and more ahead in today's ep :)

FOLLOW ANNA: @___adorn

ENJOY more from Anna this Fri on Substack

SOTD: Penhaligon's Fortuitous Finley

SHOP COMMODITY ORRIS (through April 8)

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Penhaligon's Fortuitous Finley, MFK Kurky, Penhaligon's Omniscient Mr. Thompson, Chanel Sycomore, Diptyque Eau Duelle, Arquiste Architect’s Club,  Maison Louis Marie No. 5 Kandilli, Robert Piguet Fracas, Stora Skuggan Moonmilk, Nasomatto Narcotic V; Katy Perry Purr, Michael Kors, Marc Jacobs EDP, Chanel Sycomore, Hiram Green Moon Bloom, Arquiste Flor y Canto, Chapel Factory Baptisme, Nissaba Grand Ile, Neutrogena Rainbath, Ralph Lauren Ralph, Moonmilk, Escentric Molecules M01, Sycomore

HAPPY FRAGRANCE WEEK! Enjoy a catch-up with past guest, Vicken Arslanian. As CEO of three flourishing fragrance companies—Europerfumes (the leading US niche perfume distributor), Twisted Lily, and Commodity—Vicken is, bar none, one of the most interesting, successful, and busiest(!) leaders in the industry.

Today, he's back with brand-new pipin' hot takes, personal family stories, and of course, the news we've been waiting on for three years to hear: COMMODITY ORRIS IS BACK (for now).

NOW-APR 8, buy Commodity Orris:

https://commodityfragrances.com/pages/coming-soon-editions

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Essential Parfums, Estee Lauder Pleasures, Le Labo Another 13, Escentric Molecules, Mugler Angel, Commodity Milk, Tom Ford, Commodity Orris, YSL Rive Gauche, JHAG, Thompson Ferrier, Rigaud Candles, Commodity Juice, Issey Miyake L'Eau D’Issey 

LISTEN TO VICKEN’S 1st EP: rb.gy/6tb3cp

FOLLOW: @commodity

Unfortunately tix for the Orris event are now sold out.

To be the first to know about future events, subscribe below:

perfumeroom.substack.com

Robin Mason, dsm-firmenich's President of Fine Fragrance NAM, is in the Perfume Room this week! A lifelong beauty executive whose corporate background spans across retail, marketing, and sales on both the brand and supplier of the biz, Robin is not only an esteemed leader of the industry, she's a wealth of knowledge.

Today, we are lucky to reap the benefits. Robin explains what it means to be the President of Fine Fragrance at one of the biggest fragrance suppliers and innovators in the world. She walks us through the various corporate fragrance roles that exist, how she motivates and inspires her organization, industry trends and innovations, and shares personal stories surrounding her lifelong connection to perfume.

www.dsm-firmenich.com

FRAGS MENTIONED:

Glossier: Reve, Doux; Aramis, Oscar de la Renta Oscar, Cacharel Anais Anais, Le Labo Santal 33

NOW-APR 8, buy Commodity Orris:

⁠https://commodityfragrances.com/pages/coming-soon-editions⁠