Ayala Moriel has introduced Sahleb, a limited edition perfume named for the popular beverage of the Middle East:
...a scrumptious pudding beverage, flavoured with rosewater and crushed mastic resin, which is offered by street vendors straight from a copper caldron. Served warm and topped with coconut, pistachio and cardamom, Sahleb has become an essential part of winter and a way to make even the gloomiest street corners cozy and home-like. The creamiest orris root from Italy was used to create the smooth texture of this starchy and soothing pudding-beverage. A hint of the finest rose otto from Turkey, coconut and butter essence and crushed mastic resin complete the exotic flavour, and finished with a hint of vanilla and nutty ambrette seed Sahleb is ready to seduce you into winter!
The notes include coriander, rosewood, mastic resin, orris, rose otto, butter base, ambrette, coconut and vanilla.
Ayala Moriel Sahleb is $160; size and concentration unknown. (via ayalamoriel) Update: Sahleb is a 9 ml Parfum Extrait.
Irie Star has launched a new fragrance in their Blissoma Blends all-natural perfume line. Sweet Something is for the "confident woman who knows what she wants and goes for it":
With a heart of Rose Otto and Organic Rose Geranium it confidently entices. Lilting Star Anise is balanced with the sweetness of the rose notes and the deepness of Cedarwood, Frankincense, and Orris Root. The longer you take it in the more it evolves, distinctive and full of character.
Irie Star's Blissoma Blends Sweet Something is available in 10 ml Perfume Oil ($24.95); samples are also available ($3). (via press release)
The Sahleb bottles look almost identical to the Halston bottle. I don't know where I'll get to smell it, though.
I like the bottles, and you're right, they do look like the Halston.
I don't think you will — it's only on the AM website, and I think it is VERY limited edition.
I should have said that there isn't a picture w/ the description of Sahleb — so I assume that's the bottle she's using, but I wouldn't swear to it!
On the website, she says that the orris root used for Sahleb is exceptional and she's unable to get any more. Accordingly, it's very limited and no samples are available, which I guess I understand, but it's hard to imagine shelling out $160 for something unsniffed and unreturnable. OTOH, I wouldn't spend the $160, anyway (and after reading your By Killian review above, R, I know I'm not alone. 🙂
I think I could really love Sahleb but LE always scares me. What if I really love it? And then the fact samples aren't available. I understand the thinking but it's hard to plunk down that much money (especially when I've been saving for Brin de Reglisse for a good while) for something that's only been described to me.
Man, it sounds so yummy! Dx The inspiration doesn't sound half-bad either! ;3)
I love the perfumes from Irie Star. Julie blends with a deft hand and avoids using absolutes and still creates lovely scents. Very affordable, too! Disclaimer: she's in the Guild 😉 and I just had to post since I haven't seen much in print about her creations. She also makes great soaps and body care products.
You know, I don't have that kind of money to throw around, but if I did, throwing it at a natural perfume makes more sense to me — in a case like this, you're paying a premium for the raw materials, and to get something unusual that you couldn't find elsewhere. That makes more sense to me than paying a premium for luxe packaging and ending up with a perfume I could get elsewhere for less $$.
I agree, and guessing this is something more likely to be purchased by those who live close enough to go smell it. Still thought it was worth announcing!
Thanks A!
Oh no! I love sahlep, the drink, but there's no way I have 160$ lying about doing nothing. It would be interesting to see how it translates into perfume. It's very cozy, milky-sweet, nutty, resiny. Done well, that would make the ultimate comfort scent. 🙁
Oh, I don't mind. I've professed my undying love of Halston several times before here, so a similar bottle is fine by me!
I've never had it, it does sound wonderful!
I was in Vancouver in summer 2007 and since I had loved Ayala's approach to parfumerie, I couldn't be there without making an appointment to see her. We had a lovely evening at her studio — she fed me her hand made truffles and tea and we tried many of her perfumes. Going through a divorce and with kids still at home, I did not have the means to be anything but a sample buyer at the time. I left with samples that I loved, but one especially haunts me still: Sahleb. I let one friend have a sniff and she felt as I did. She's from Israel and it reminded her of the eponymous Sahleb. Over a year later I still think about it.
What a nice story, thanks for posting!