Nu Essence Kyphi Incense ~ home fragrance review

Posted by Kevin on 12 November 2006 10 Comments

Kyphi

The romance of the past drives many of us to seek out ancient fragrances — antique recipes and perfume formulas that have been resurrected for modern-day use. Egypt casts a spell on fragrance lovers, with its aromas of lotus, mint, papyrus, spices and resins. Add these aromas to images of pyramids and imposing sculptures of the gods, chanting priests (who would recite religious texts while mixing incense), pharaohs and queens, glittering scarabs, gaping-mouthed mummies grasping gold and lapis lazuli scepters between fragile bony fingers, and you have a heady mix of sight, sound and scent.

First mentioned in the Pyramid Texts (dated 2400 BCE or earlier), the recipe for kapet (or kyphi in Greek, meaning “welcome to the gods”) was also mentioned by Plutarch (c 46-127 CE) and Galen (129-200 CE) in their writings — linking kyphi with religious ritual and with medicinal uses. Instructions for the preparation of kyphi are found on wall inscriptions at the temples of Edfu and Dendera…

Read the rest of this article »

Ofrenda: The Dream Eau de Parfum by Parfumerie Imaginaire

Posted by Kevin on 21 October 2006 10 Comments

Day of the Dead Sugar Skulls Ofrenda (“offering” in Spanish) is the first perfume from Parfumerie Imaginaire. It was inspired by a day spent in Oaxaca, Mexico, during Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations — held each year on November 1-2.

Ofrenda contains pungent, spicy marigold (its rich scent and brilliant orange color are believed to guide the deceased back ‘home’ — thus its designation as the flower of the dead), heady tequila, powdery masa, fresh chili, “hot” vanilla (think vanilla pods simmering in boiling sugar that will be molded into candy skulls), beeswax, and haunting copal incense.

Ofrenda comes in a milky-white bottle with a “melted” gold skull stopper (imagine the worn face of a marble angel in a cemetery, eroded by a hundred years of rain, sun, wind). The bottle is wrapped in a black tissue paper cut-out, or papel picado, showing a skeleton spraying on some perfume.

This is the perfect scent to wear on a cool autumn night while leaning against a tombstone, sipping some warm chocolate atole, eating a tamale, singing songs and welcoming the “visitors” — the dead — who are returning for a night of feasting with their families who still live and breathe…

Read the rest of this article »

New fragrance candle from Diptyque: Opopanax Bronze

Posted by Robin on 20 October 2006 2 Comments

Diptyque Oponanax Bronze fragrance candle Diptyque has launched a limited edition holiday candle for 2006, Opopanax Bronze:

Coming from an umbelliferous plant that grows in Eastern countries, the Opopanax resin, fragrant with subtle woody notes, is burnt as an incense, just like the Myrrh. It gently diffuses its warm balsamic base mingled with the smooth and sensuous notes of vanilla.

(text via diptyque, image via senteursdailleurs)

Home fragrance report: Voluspa Seasons Yuzu Rose Bubblebath (Summer) candle

Posted by Kevin on 14 October 2006 16 Comments

Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubblebath candle

Summer is over and done with — adieu to heat, humidity, mosquitoes, yard work, glaring sunshine till almost 9 p.m., and overly bright polo shirts that also tax the eyeballs. As the chill of autumn arrives, I look forward to the crisp air, the early nightfall, rain storms, lighting fires in the fireplace, and burning candles.

But come January, the cold begins to get tiresome and a tad depressing — I want to unravel my sweaters, have fresh flowers in my house from the garden, and eat some fruit and vegetables that were not flown in from thousands of miles away. In deep winter, sun and heat are alluring once more — I even start to think about hot-pink and lime-green colored shirts. I have “reserved” a Voluspa Yuzu Rose Bubblebath (Summer) candle for the icy, snowy days and nights ahead…

Read the rest of this article »