Friday, March 25, 2011

BLOOD Concept - perfumes related to blood types! By Elena Knezevic

BLOOD Concept - perfumes related to blood types!

03/18/11 16:38:10
By: Elena Knezevic


BLOOD Concept is a new independent Italian perfume house with a one-of-a-kind idea behind the scents: they are based on blood types! The fragrances will be introduced at Esxence in Milano at the end of this month (March 31, 2011). The founders of the brand, Giovanni Castelli  and Antonio Zuddas, introduce their fragrances to our readers, please welcome their bliz-interview!
 
 

"The human body is totally pervaded by a liquid vital rush that brings us what we are most fond of: Life. Filled with legends and meanings‚ blood is soaked with mystery, fascination and respect: it’s the most tested and studied part of the human body. Hiding the multitude of secrets that reveals our inner and unique way of being. BLOOD Concept is a ceremony devoted to the pulse of life and its visceral boost. It is actually the river of life."
 

Perfume O is a leather fragrance, composed of thyme, raspberry, cyperus esculentus, rose hips, leather, birch, cedar wood, metallic notes.

Perfume A is an aromatic unisex fragrance which includes notes of green garden, tomato leaves, basil, star anise and metallic notes.

Perfume B is a unisex woody spicy composition with red apple and black cherry in the top, artemisia, pepper, pomegranate and black tea in the heart; patchouli, tick wood and metallic notes in the base.

Perfume AB is a unisex mineral composition with aldehydes, aluminium and slate in the top, pebble and aqua in the heart, cedar wood and metallic notes in the base.

        All perfumes are available in dropper bottles of 40 ml. 
 
Who is the author of such an idea for fragrances?

Giovanni & Antonio: Well, Giovanni is a fashion designer and the co-founder of the brand Acqua di Stresa, and Antonio is an artist who works in advertising as a copywriter and photographer. Both love everything behind perfumes and scents, and both wanted to create a very special one. BLOOD is a "no flower" concept that wants to celebrate life from the deepest feelings it may concern.
How did you choose ingredients for compositions related to blood types?
Giovanni & Antonio: Every fragrance composition is a mix of relevant elements of the era in which every blood type came out. 0 is the first blood type, the oldest one, so it has to be deep, strong, like first human beings. Then comes A, when people started to eat vegetables and get more sedentary. Then B, when people started to travel and mix habits and foods. The youngest type is AB, born when people started to mix themselves with different blood types (A+B). The fact you are 0 but you prefer A—it's what we wanted to create, compatibility and its combinations. Like when we talk about real blood types. As a matter of fact, perfume is about compatibility, always.
Every of your fragrances includes metal notes. Is that because they are quite close to the real smell of blood?

Giovanni & Antonio: Yes you're totally right!
And the bottle... why a dropper?
Giovanni & Antonio: When you think of blood, most of the time you may think about a drop or drops, a drop of blood. And the way you put the fragrance on your neck is full of sensuality, a visceral feeling. Not the same result with a common spray...
Who is your perfumer?
Giovanni & Antonio: The two of us worked with Apf France from Grasse, after a huge selection between Italy and France we chose them for the way they work: innovative, brave and unexpected. Together we set up four unique fragrances with a strong personality.  (A brand new fragrance experience!)
We have only four blood types, so it seems your range would be limited to four fragrances?
Giovanni & Antonio: Blood is going to be more than four fragrances ;-)

Fragrantica is thankful to the founders of the BLOOD Concept perfume brand, Giovanni Castelli  and Antonio Zuddas, for revealing some secrets about their fragrances before the official launch in Milano. We love new ideas, we love creativity and we wish you guys luck and success!
 
 

If you wish to be among the first to smell these fragrances, come to Esxence fragrance exhibition, which starts on March 31, 2011! 

Credits: "The biggest attention has been paied to BLOOD’s brand image; an inspired work for the boxes and for the coordinated material is done by 2PFG designers‚ Fabrizio Piras and Giuseppe Porcelli‚ adding a plus to the prestige of the product." - www.2pfg.com


Author: Elena Knezevic (jeca)

Fragrantica Editor & Writer

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Gifting Men’s Discount Fragrances on Valentine’s Day


Valentine’s Day is right around the corner ladies.  This is a great time to take advantage of the after Christmas holiday sales and pre-Valentine’s Day discount offers. Selecting that special fragrance for your man may seem like an insurmountable task. Here are a few suggestions to take into account when choosing the fragrance that best suits him.

Knowledge of the fragrance or scents that he likes is a good starting point. But, don’t let that be the sole determining factor. Use it as a basis for selecting another men’s discount fragrance with similar but different qualities. For example, Obsession Cologne by Calvin Klein is a refreshing oriental, woody scent that possesses a blend of lavender, mandarin, clove, nutmeg and amber.  A man who enjoys Obsession might also like Lagerfeld Cologne by Karl Lagerfeld that is classified as a refined, oriental, woody masculine fragrance that possesses a blend of warm spices and tobacco. Obsession is a fragrance recommended for office wear in contrast to Lagerfeld that is recommended for evening wear. However, remember those are just recommendations. In reality, he will wear what he likes and makes him feel good regardless of the recommended time of wear.

Another factor to take into consideration alluded to above is where and when the discount men’s fragrance will be worn. Will it be worn to work or during a romantic evening night out of dinner and dancing? For a romantic evening, Armani Code by Giorgio Armani is a sexy masculine scent that combines sleek seductiveness with sophistication suitable to provide just the right ambiance and allure to compliment the evening. Men enjoy feeling sexy and knowing that a fragrance drives their lover wild will make any man feel confident and sexy.

Fragrance reflects the personality of the person wearing it. For example, a floral or fruity scent may project a more playful or adventurous image. A woodsy scent portrays a masculine, confidant and type of man. .In any event, select a fragrance that smells good on him and that also appeals to your sense of smell as well.

Select a men’s discount fragrance to give as a gift, and it may turn out to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Giving a discount fragrance as a gift reflects a great deal of thought, personal attention and affection on behalf of the gift giver. Taking into account scents that appeal to him, when and where they will be worn, his personality and what scent or scents you like on him will help you select a discount men’s fragrance that will satisfy both of your desires. 

There are numerous online discount fragrance shops that provide great prices and service where you can obtain great savings on designer and brand name fragrances. Why pay retail prices? Shop online now, save money now and obtain discount men’s fragrances at lower prices! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, save now!!

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Angel Perfume – The World's Most Expensive Scent

Angel perfume created by the esteemed perfumer Thierry Mugler in 1993 is one of, if not the most expensive perfume around today. This perfume is renowned across the globe, however, it is definitely a particular taste and not everyone is willing to pay for this sumptuous perfume.


Angel perfume is characterized by the complex heady and empowering blends of scents with notes of sweet berries and honey with undertones of vanilla, caramel and a touch of patchouli and sandalwood. The interestingly star-shaped bottle finishes off the perfume beautifully and it is packaged in a cute blue box. This creation, however is not for the faint hearted and you will not forget this bold scent.

Those who are more attracted to light, fresh and easy going scents may not want to wear Angel, but for those who enjoy a strong and complicated scent, may just fall head over heels in love with it! A great feature of Angel is that it lasts for the course of the day, so no need to keep topping up. That being said, it's important not to go overboard with this fragrance or you may have people fainting in your wake, for the wrong reasons!

Thierry Mugler has also produced a very fresh, aromatic scent for men called Angel Men which is also rather costly, however, it is designed to last for around 16 hours, so is essentially good value.

One thing to note with Angel perfume is that there have been a few recorded instances of the scent irritating asthma suffers and people with some skin conditions due to some of the strong ingredients used. Those with these types of allergies will more often than not experience this with any perfume, however with the strength of Angel perfume, perhaps more so. So it is worth bearing in mind if you have skin and allergy sensitivities.

If you are considering purchasing Angel perfume it may be a good idea to try it out first if you can, before buying a bottle, as the smallest bottle cost around the $60 mark. Many people like to look around for impartial reviews of a perfume to get an idea of the overall consensus. Many websites provide such reviews and will give a star rating. However, everyone has their own idea about a scent, so our best recommendation is for you to actually try a perfume that you are interested in.

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Finding the Best Perfume To Suit Your Style and Personality

Just as every individual is unique, this is also true of perfume. You will find that lots of women and men have their “signature” perfume that they feel encompasses their character and overall style and it is usually a fragrance which promotes mood and uplifts the spirit. If you haven't done already, finding the best perfume for you may take a bit of trial and error, but you will have fun along the way.


Generally, younger women in their teens and early twenties prefer light, floral scents such as some of the Lacoste and Tommy Hilfiger ranges and a current top seller is “Very Irresistible” by Givenchy. These scents are usually made up of light notes with very little musky tones included.

Older women may opt for more spicy and musky aromas as well as the light, fresh scents for varying occasions. Just like anything in life, what is desirable for one person may be completely wrong for the next so it is just a matter of taste. The olfactory sense is a very complicated and sophisticated system involving the lining of the nose leading to the brain and can completely change your mood at the drop of a hat. The best perfume for you is usually the one which makes you feel the best whether it be more optimistic, inspired, more beautiful or just warm and fuzzy.

Some women like to have a selection of perfumes to wear for different occasions, times of the day and seasons of the year. You may have a particular scent that you like to wear on holiday which gets you in the mood for a fun but relaxing couple of weeks. Perhaps you want a perfume for becoming truly irresistible on a night out.

A good idea to find your perfect scent is to try out a free trial at a perfume store and wear it for a few hours. It is very difficult to find out which perfume you like if you are spraying one after another at the perfume counter as eventually you will not be able to smell anything at all and will probably develop a headache.

Finding the best perfume for you may take a few tries before you get it just right, however it can be fun to mess around with different scents and become familiar with the different notes and aromas that make up the overall perfume.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Pomegranates burst into the fragrance scene

This exotic fruit originated in tropical Asia but has been cultivated throughout the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Only their beauty rivals the flavor of pomegranates, fresh or dried. Beauty and freshness are probably the underlying reasons for the emerging interest by the fragrance industry in using this fruit in their spring fragrances. Spotlighted in his Splash collection, Marc Jacobs gives the Pomegranate center stage with Pomegranate Splash. This fresh, fruity and ambrosial fragrance can very easily be worn by him or her. A number of other perfume houses have released Pomegranate fragrances in their own collections. Pomegranate Noir is the latest fragrance release from Jo Malone. Calvin Klein’s Euphoria also boasts Pomegranate in it. Bath & Body Works features Pomegranate in its Signature Collection Eau de Toilette Midnight Pomegranate. Pomegranate is clearly a fruit making its mark on the fragrance industry. Have you tried any fragrance featuring Pomegranate? Have you found a favorite that you like or dislike? Tell us what you think and why.

Thursday, April 15, 2010

Using a Candle Fragrance to Heighten Your Mood

In this busy and sometimes manic world we live in, there comes a time when we actively seek a method to relax and help us unwind from a busy day. A great way to do this is with the use of a candle fragrance, where an essential oil such as lavender or other aromas such as vanilla essence can be slowly burned giving off a subtle but effectively relaxing scent.


Using a candle to help light a room gives a beautiful ambient glow and assists in calming the mind. When a candle fragrance is added, the result is even better and will help you to forget about your daily stresses and help you to unwind. Many people with extremely busy lives find that they cannot get a decent night's sleep due to the inability to shut off a racing mind. Research proves that certain fragrant oils such as lavender can reduce stress, quieten the mind and help you to get a good night's sleep.

Aside from the calming factors of using candle fragrances, they are also beneficial in giving your home a subtle but beautiful aroma. Rather than using plug-in fragrances which often use chemically enhanced scents, it is a far better option to use natural scents which can be used on an on-going basis without the worry of having an artificial smell about your house.

It is also worth bearing in mind than some types of candles are safer and more environmentally friendly than others. Try to opt for candles with wicks made with natural materials such as, hemp and cotton wicks. Make sure to read the ingredients of the candle and if possible, avoid added chemicals. For optimum use it is better to go for organic candles made from beeswax and soy wax as opposed to the standard paraffin.

If you are feeling a bit creative, why not make your own candles? You can purchase candle making kits or individual supplies available from candle stores as well as a wealth of online stores together with your fragrant oils. That way you will be in full control of what ingredients are used and be able to design your own unique candle which will suit your house perfectly.

If you want a super-charged relaxing method, try burning your candle fragrances when enjoying a bath. You will no doubt discover that this will usurp any sleeping tablets in helping you unwind for sleep. The heat of the bath together with the essential oils work magic to relieve those muscles and settle a hectic mind. Place the candles in a sturdy container and out of reach to optimize any mishaps and get on with that all important relaxation.

When you start every day refreshed after using your favourite candle fragrance to relax, you can use your favourite scent or perfume that makes you feel confident, sexy and happy. Your life is yours to fully live and enjoy! Enjoy the things that scents that stimulate your senses!

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Is it Possible to Find a Wearable Cheap Perfume?

Through the years nothing has been slated more in the beauty industry than cheap perfume. Back in the 80's and even early 90's you could purchase cheap perfume such as “Charlie” and some of the Coty ranges for 1 or 2 dollars and sales were booming. The sickly aroma somehow managed to escape our senses and those “heady” days certainly left their mark in our memories for awful fragrances.


Nowadays, however, perfume selections are far more sophisticated and yes, it is possible to obtain a lovely light scent for a low price, especially if you are happy to buy from the Eau De Toilette selections which are obviously less expensive than the more concentrated perfumes - but every bit as wearable.

Arguably, one of the best value perfumes around is “Sunflowers” Eau De Toilette by Elizabeth Arden. This pretty, summertime scent is great for everyday use and comes at a very competitive price at around $15 for a 100 ml bottle. This perfume has a very fresh smell with notes of summer flowers, bergamot and other citrus aromas. This fragrance seems to promote a happy mood and is good for any age although perhaps more suited to girls and women in their late teens/early twenties.

The only downside to Sunflowers is the cheap looking packaging and bottle. Apart from the large sunflower on the side of the box, the design does not do the perfume any favours and it would not be surprising if some people were actually put off by this. However, due to the deserved success of Sunflowers, its reputation continues to outweigh the strangely ill-advised packaging and keeps sales sky high.

Another up and coming range of perfume which is reasonably well priced is some of the perfumes from the Britney Spears ranges. Some of the perfumes are getting rave reviews and they are not just targeted at young women. “Curious“ Women's Eau De Parfum is a lovely scent with main notes of lotus flower, magnolia and Anjou pear . Mid range notes bring out the pink cyclamen and finally sandalwood and vanilla infused musk for the base. This fragrance, which is ideal for women of any age, is a great scent for everyday use.

Cheap perfume is no longer a sickly sweet thin aroma that lingers far longer than desired. These days there is a wide range of beautiful fragrances available at extremely affordable prices.