Monday 4 March 2013

In Scents


As the days gets lighter (at last) I tend to turn to scents that are uplifting, refreshing and generally green – L'Eau by Maison Martin Margiela and Chanel No.19 being two eternal favourites. Today this chic new scent, Lune de Givre by Cloon Keen Atelier, launches instore at Arnotts, Dublin, and is also available online and from cult perfume boutique Les Senteurs in London, which stocks only the most interesting and exclusive brands. Galway perfumers Cloon Keen produce the most beautiful and intriguing scents and candles at their tiny but perfectly formed perfumery in Galway. Owner Maggie Mangan describes the mix of angelica, galbanum (the resin that's also key to Margiela and 19), iris and vetiver as having a "vintage feel, but not heavy – it's something a Hitchcock blonde would wear". In fact, all the elements are derived from roots and seeds. At 70 euro, Cloon Keen's scents are very well priced – in fact something of a bargain if you consider the quality, the presentation (the bottles are based on vintage ink bottles, and the top flips up) and the fact that iris and angelica are among the priciest of perfume ingredients. It's understated, fresh and beautifully green and draws you in all day – you find yourself walking round with your wrist by your nose, which looks a bit odd. The perfect daytime scent.

Thursday 17 January 2013

Lancôme x Alber Elbaz


Roll on June 15 for the launch of the latest beauty collaboration: Lancôme and Alber Elbaz. See the teaser video here. Can't wait to see the Lanvin designer's first venture into make-up. His quirky drawings will make for some great packaging – and there has to be a brightly coloured bow-tie motif in there somewhere. As team-ups go, it has to be up there with last year's Karl Lagerfeld for Shu Uemura. Yet another reason to wish for summer....