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Browsing by date: 2025

The oldest known recipe for an infused oil

Posted by Robin on 8 October 2025 Leave a Comment

At the heart of the exhibition is the experimental reconstruction and modern interpretation of the perfume of Tappūtī-Bēlat-Ekalle, as recorded in KAR 220, a cuneiform tablet housed at the Vorderasiatisches Museum in Berlin. This tablet contains the oldest known recipe for an infused oil “fit for a king.” The exhibition presents the methods used in the experimental replication of the ancient formula, along with the historical context and cultural legacy of perfume-making that began in ancient Iraq.

— Read more about the exhibit, opening next week at the Palazzo Poggi in Bologna, in The First Perfume: Tappūtī and the History of Scents at Bologna Welcome. (And see also: Tappūtī-Bēlet-ekallim, The Oldest Perfumer on Record at World Sensorium.)

The daily lemming

Posted by Robin on 7 October 2025 2 Comments

Cire Trudon’s holiday collection for 2025 once again includes four candles (“Trudon transports us into the heart of an enchanted night, illuminating the winter sky with its constellations. Beneath the celestial vault, shimmering stars and colorful symbols emerge and come to life: a magical universe unfolds, and enchantment takes hold”). The line up: Fir (Green; “An iconic holiday creation, Fir blends notes of conifer, myrrh, and the deep richness of incense absolute, evoking the powerful olfactory presence of majestic festive fir trees”), Libra (Brown; “An amber-woody scent that evokes winter’s sensuality, Libra—named after the Libra constellation—blends warm, intense notes of amber, cedar, and tonka bean”), Luna (Blue; “Luna bears a soft, floral scent- hints of cedarwood and amber add depth to the perfume’s top notes of rose and peony”) and Nazareth (Magenta, shown below; “Nazareth bears a soft, spicy scent- hints of musk and vanilla add depth to the perfume’s top notes of citrus and clove”). They are just starting to trickle out to stores…

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Mezzanotte

Posted by Robin on 7 October 2025 Leave a Comment

The spot for Bottega Veneta Almost Dawn, Goodmorning Midnight and Hinoki.

Tuesday scent of the day 10/7

Posted by Robin on 7 October 2025 136 Comments

It’s Tuesday. Birthdays: Jacques Guerlain, Desmond Tutu, Yo-Yo Ma. What fragrance are you wearing? 

I’m wearing a drop of Après L’Ondée, for Jacques Guerlain. Tea at the moment is Bombay Breakfast from The Jasmine Pearl Tea Co. 

Reminder: on 10/10, wear a fragrance with nutmeg, if you have one…

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Variety over volume

Posted by Robin on 7 October 2025 Leave a Comment

Sephora expanded their mini perfume section by 40% in the past year, recognizing that customers want variety over volume. Liberty London stocks limited-edition tiny bottles like Diptyque’s Orphéon EDP, which sells out within weeks. The retail strategy shifted from pushing large commitments to encouraging exploratory purchases.

The connection to broader fashion trends is unmistakable—just as tiny sunglasses replacing oversized frames and tiny shoes taking over 2025 demonstrate, we’re embracing smaller, more intentional choices across all style categories.

— Read more in 5 tiny perfume bottles replacing full-size fragrances this year (and why they work better) at World Day.

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