This is an open thread for participants in the Monday Mail articles to share their experiences, and hopefully let us know if they found what they were looking for (or went bankrupt trying). I’ve sent out emails requesting feedback from everyone who took part between September and December of 2012, so check back over the next few days to see what we can find out (or, check out this post about the subjects from May through August). We’ll check on the early 2013 participants in a few months.

Here are links to the articles for each participant…

Read the rest of this article »

Today we’re helping Michele, who wants to find a new signature scent — she wants one fragrant nirvana, and is not interested in playing the field. It should be full, rich and elegant, grownup, elegant but not snobbish, unique but not strange. Her dream perfume would evoke a confident and mysterious woman who just spent the evening at a smoky jazz club, or possibly a Bob Dylan concert. Ideally, it will also cost under $150, but she will go as high as $200 if need be. Here is what we know about Michele:

She’s in her late 40s, but if asked, simply says she is bad with math.

She lives in the suburbs of Toronto, and loves her home but hates the suburbs.

She is very happily married to her first husband, and is self employed and works from home.

She spends several hours a day volunteering, and enjoys spending time outdoors, if outdoors means cafe patios and wandering through city streets.

Her design sense is minimalist both in form and function; her wardrobe is three colors and at time she thinks that is one too many. She has only a few signature pieces of jewellery and never wishes for more.

She says her spirit is bohemian (her favorite footwear is none, she buys Nag Champa incense in bulk and she’s a meditation instructor who greets everyone with Namaste rather than hello).

Michele likes amber, civet, patchouli, tobacco, powdery, earthy, smokey, neroli, musk, vetiver, tea scents, soapy notes, grass, white flowers and violet…

Read the rest of this article »

Today we’re helping Verity, who says she is not new to perfume, but has starting paying more attention as her interest has grown. She wants to find a “go-to” perfume for regular wear, something that pleases her and can be worn most of the year. She lives 40 minutes from a big city so does have access to department stores if she makes a special trip. She’s also willing to buy samples online, but she finds that sample costs add up fast. She’d like to keep the price for her new bottle to about $100. Here is what we know about Verity:

She’s in her early 30s, and is happily married with a young daughter.

She’s petite, feminine, a little classic and a little artsy. She describes herself as a reserved introvert.

Verity likes to wear skirts and dresses whenever it’s warm enough, but says her taste in perfume seems to be somewhat in contrast to her feminine image.

Verity likes scents with darker layers, some vanilla, some roughness, some woods, on the dry side…

Read the rest of this article »

Laura wants to find a new everyday fragrance for her boyfriend, Chris. Her preference is for something well-crafted and not über-mainstream, but he doesn’t seem to mind either way. She will be buying the fragrance as a gift, and her price limit is around $200. Here is what we know about Chris:

He’s 29 and has just graduated from his graphic design degree.

He loves gaming and films and he is a hilarious and caring and sometimes shy guy.

Chris has a sweet tooth and loves vanilla in fragrance, but also gravitates towards aquatics and citrus. He owns one fragrance, Hugo Boss Soul, which he likes and which Laura finds quite appealing. It’s warm and spicy and slightly balsamic in its sweetness but it is a bit much for everyday wear…

Read the rest of this article »

Quick note: there are currently only 2 people in line for the Monday Mail — if you were thinking of getting on the waiting list, now is a good time!

Fabio liked his 2011 Monday Mail experience so much that he’s back for more. He’d like to find a new Eau de Cologne for summer. It should be fresh, but also elegant and not overly sporty. He had that niche covered with the original Dior Homme Cologne (he loved its fresh and powdery classic feel) but it’s been reformulated and no longer suits him. He can spend about €130-150.

Here is what we know about Fabio:

He’s in his late 30s and lives in Milan, where he works in an office.

Fabio is “a very classical guy, sometimes old-fashioned, sometimes preppy, but definitely an elegant Italian”.

Fabio goes to the gym regularly, loves photography, squash and reading (Dickens and Tolstoy) and traveling when he can.

Fabio already wears Creed Green Irish Tweed (elegant, perfect for dinner out), Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta…

Read the rest of this article »