GOURMAND FRAGRANCES Archives

June 13, 2023

Billie Eilish Eilish EDP Review: More Sophisticated Than You Might Think

Sooner or later, it happens to all celebrities when they’re hot property… They’re faced with the big question: why don’t you launch your own fragrance? And so we shouldn’t have been surprised when Billie Eilish Eilish EDP joined the ranks of celebrity scents in 2021.

And just in case, if you’re wondering why the American singer-songwriter is such hot property (timing is everything in the celeb scent market), here’s a reminder.

Since her emergence in 2015 but especially with the success of her debut album When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? and the single Bad Guy, Billie Eilish has bagged numerous Grammy, American Music, MTV Video Music, Billboard Music and Brit awards, among others. She’s also won a Best Original Song Oscar for the Bond tune, No Time To Die.

IMAGE: Billie Eilish Fragrances.

We can add her debut perfume, Billie Eilish Eilish EDP, to her list of achievements (it triumphed in The Fragrance Foundation’s 2022 Fragrance of Year – Popular category). What do I think of it? And does it herald a revival in the celebrity fragrance market?

IMAGE: Billie Eilish Fragrances.

PERFUMER

Steve DeMercado is the man behind a whole bunch of fragrances, including Calvin Klein Escape For Men EDT (1993); Marc Jacobs EDP (2001); Escada Magnetism EDP (2003); Guess Man EDT (2006); and Vince Camuto EDP (2011).

IMAGE: OK Fine Fragrances.

The master perfumer is also the go-to-creator for celebrity fragrances. He created Paris Hilton EDP (2005); Jennifer Lopez Love At First Glow EDT (2005); Harajuku Lovers G EDT (2008) for Gwen Stefani; Queen Latifah Queen EDP (2009); Jessica Simpson Fancy Nights EDP (2010); Nicole Richie Nicole EDP (2012); and Rihanna RiRi EDP (2015).

He launched his own niche perfume company, OK Fine Fragrances, with Michael Simpson in 2020.

SO WHAT DOES BILLIE EILISH EILISH EDP SMELL LIKE?

“Sugared petals” may be listed in the official notes, but I reckon that’s a sugar accord at work. It enhances the notes of mandarin orange and red berries with a soft sprinkle of sweetness.

It’s gourmand territory with the combo of creamy vanilla and earthy cacao. Powdery cinnamon features in the general spiciness. And there’s a delicate floralcy in the background. The warmth extends to the drydown where an amber accord is paired with lots of musk.

Billie Eilish wanted the olfactory equivalent of a warm embrace and this scent does just that in a cosy and comforting way. While it adheres to the gourmand template common to many celebrity fragrances, it’s sensual, sophisticated and more grown-up than you might expect (that sophistication extends to the bronze bust bottle – standout elegant stuff in a category that tends to be girlie-girl and sometimes, dare I say it, tacky). It’s sweet but not in an overpowering way.

Billie Eilish Eilish EDP has broad and accessible appeal, even if you’re not a fan of the star’s music and aesthetic. Kudos to her for asserting its unisex credentials by describing it as “a scent for everyone”.

BOOM OR BUST?

The mega success of Jennifer Lopez JLo Glow EDT (2002) motivated other celebrities such as Britney Spears (2004), Sarah Jessica Parker (2005), Halle Berry (2009), Beyoncé (2010), Rihanna (2010), Madonna (2012) and Lady Gaga (2012) to launch their own perfumes.

When I interviewed Glow’s creator, Louise Turner, this is what she had to say about the fragrance: “The licence was with Coty at that time and Jennifer Lopez was directly involved in its creation – she wanted the smell of clean and fresh skin.”

“With the rise of niche brands and more demanding consumers, the category seemed out-dated and had a strong whiff of fakery.”

It was all going so well and then around 2016, the stats started to tell a different story. Celebrity fragrance sales had declined from 12% of the US market to 4%, according to Euromonitor. Things were equally grim in another key market, the UK. So much so that analysts proclaimed the celebrity fragrance market to be dead. With the rise of niche brands and more demanding consumers, the category seemed out-dated and had a strong whiff of fakery.

Fast-forward to 2023 and the success of Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish and Rihanna, with their emphasis on sophistication, authenticity and quality could see the sector back in business.

Billie Eilish Eilish EDP is available in South Africa at Dis-Chem.

May 11, 2023May 12, 2023

Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 EDP Intense: The Making Of A Gourmand Hit

I don’t like making predictions so early in the year (it’s only May, after all). But I’m willing to put my reputation on the line for Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 EDP Intense as one of the most popular. The 2023 release from the United Arab Emirates-based brand is everywhere at the moment.

PERFUMERS

Father and son Olivier Cresp and Sébastien Cresp teamed up for this scent.

You don’t get more accomplished than Olivier Cresp, the master perfumer behind the gourmand-pioneering Mugler Angel EDP (1992).

He also created Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue EDT (2001), Versace Man Eau Fraiche EDT (2006), Penhaligon’s Juniper Sling EDT (2011), Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium EDP (2014) and Parfums de Marly Sedley EDP (2019). We can thank him (and colleague Nathalie Lorson) for maintaining the consistent quality of the Gentleman Givenchy range. In 2018, he launched his own niche brand, Akro, with his daughter Anaïs Cresp.

While not as well known as his father, Sébastien Cresp is also making his mark in the world of fragrance. His creations include Bath & Body Works Toasted Praline & Pear Fine Fragrance Mist (2019), Confessions of A Rebel Morning After EDP (2021) and Nissaba Provence EDP (2023).

See my interview with the creators of Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 EDP Intense at the end of this review. FYI: the number 33 refers to the amount of formula modifications that went into the creation of the perfume.

Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 EDP Intense - Olivier & Sebastien Cresp

IMAGE: Firmenich.

INSPIRATION

“I wanted to combine my two favourite indulgences, fragrance & gelato! Ever since I can remember, ice cream has been my favourite food and always my #1 choice when asked what would be my last meal!

“In 2014, I went on a trip to Rome with my sister Alya and discovered pistachio gelato – I have been OBSESSED ever since! Just like the dreamy dessert, I wanted to create something that made me feel yummy, happy and irresistible!

“Working with Olivier Cresp (a world-renowned perfumer who is often credited as the ‘father’ of gourmand fragrances) and his son, Sébastien, was SO exciting. With every delicious spritz, you’ll feel like YOU ARE the dessert! – brand founder Mona Kattan

Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 EDP Intense - Mona Kattan

IMAGE: Huda Beauty.

SO WHAT DOES KAYALI YUM PISTACHIO GELATO 33 EDP INTENSE SMELL LIKE?

It makes an impression right from the start. Pistachio can be a salty, savoury note but here it’s given the sweet gourmand treatment with an ice cream(y) accord that features the crisp citrus tones of bergamot and the additional woody nuttiness of hazelnut. The combo of cardamom and rum brings an element of spicy booziness to the treat.

There’s some floral-fruitiness in the mix too, but I’d be hard pushed to identify any specific notes. Nevertheless, it enhances the fresh aspect of the scent.

It’s in the drydown that Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 EDP Intense comes into its own. There’s a whole lot of powderiness via marshmallow, cotton candy (the synthetic ethyl maltol at work here, well known for its use in Mugler Angel EDP and Maison Francis Kurkdjian Baccarat Rouge 540) and a Turkish delight accord. I like how the latter gives a nod to brand founder Mona Kattan’s Middle Eastern heritage and reinforces the pistachio-ness of the composition (the nut is an integral part of the confection).

Most of all, though, it’s the whipped and sandalwood creaminess blended with vanilla-ish tonka beans that leaves a lasting impression.

As with many fragrances from the company – for example, Kayali Vanilla 28 EDP (2018), Kayali Déjà Vu White Flower 57 EDP (2020), Kayali Invite Only Amber 23 EDP (2021) – it’s unashamedly on the sweet spectrum.

Beauty entrepreneur Mona Kattan (Kayali falls under the Huda Beauty umbrella) is very in tune with what consumers want from their fragrances: boldness, distinctiveness and pleasure. And Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 EDP Intense delivers in all those ways. Yes, it’s being hyped, but that doesn’t stop it from being a delicious scent. Anyone looking for crowd-pleasing upliftment and escapism with addictive sugariness will appreciate this one.

Kayali fragrances are available in South Africa from Arc Store.

INTERVIEW WITH OLIVIER CRESP & SÉBASTIEN CRESP, THE CREATORS OF KAYALI YUM PISTACHIO GELATO 33 EDP INTENSE

I go behind the scent scenes to find out more about the creation of the hit.

Is this the first time you’ve worked together on a fragrance?

Sébastien Cresp (SC): No, my father is my mentor and [role] model since my childhood, so I obviously always discussed his trials [perfume tests] a lot with him. Naturally, when I became a perfumer, we started to share ideas, giving input to each other.

I love working with my father because when we share our ideas, we directly confront our points of view, and above all, we understand each other immediately. This creative dialogue between us is an extremely enriching experience for me.

IMAGE: Firmenich.

Olivier Cresp (OC): We are collaborating more and more together; we have already signed several fragrances together [for example: Aerin Lauder Rose de Grasse Pour Filles EDT (2021), Victoria’s Secret VS Him Deepwater EDP (2021) and O.U.i Original Unique Individuel Jardin de Grasse EDP (2021)].

It is a pleasure to exchange and discuss our ideas. Sébastien is very creative, and I enjoy working with my son. I am increasingly focused on passing on my legacy.

Aerin Lauder Rose de Grasse Pour Filles EDT

IMAGE: Aerin Lauder.

How would you describe the Kayali Yum Pistachio Gelato 33 EDP Intense creation experience?

OC: Sébastien always leads me to explore new olfactive fields of possibilities, and Mona was also really challenging on her desire to create an ultimate gourmand fragrance.

She was involved in all stages of creation and challenged us on the pleasure that her fragrance should give. Mona wanted a perfume that pushed more and more gourmand as the different modifications went on. We shaped the notes together to achieve the result she wanted, an ultra-gourmand creation that makes your mouth water.

IMAGE: Huda Beauty.

Did you have different ideas on how to execute this scent?

OC: The initial idea I submitted was to create what I called “a gourmand explosion”, a fragrance inspired by a dessert, built like a pastry with layers of different sweet and tasty notes, such as cacao, rum, cotton candy and vanilla.

“Our internal code name for this project was ‘Yum’ and when Mona read it on our sample, she felt like it was the perfect name.”

SC: Then Mona talked about her love for pistachio gelato and I had this idea to turn my father’s initial formula into a sweet pistachio ice-cream by adding, of course, a pistachio accord but also more milky notes. Our internal code name for this project was “Yum” and when Mona read it on our laboratory sample, she felt like it was the perfect name to describe this fragrance.

IMAGE: Firmenich.

How did you get this fragrance to be so creamy? Any particular ingredients?

SC: We started with an aroma formula to translate the pistachio as close as possible to the edible version with its mouthwatering dimension. We combined the STT (Smell the Taste) pistachio with milky notes to reinforce the creaminess, the lightness and obtain the “pistachio gelato” effect.

There is indeed a feeling of a fluffy creaminess, very enveloping, which is the result of the association of the main three unique ingredients: a cotton candy accord, a Marshmallow STT and a Chantilly STT.

STT means “Smell the Taste”, a technique drawn by the expertise of Firmenich flavorists for perfumers and their creations to express tastes into fragrances.

The Marshmallow STT is a gourmand, creamy and slightly powdery note, while the Chantilly STT offers a light and fresh note of fluffy whipped cream. To boost its daring and liquorous effect, we blended it with rum for its fruity, oak woods undertones and Bourbon vanilla accents. This charismatic addiction is an original creation with a strong gourmand and sensual signature.

IMAGE: Firmenich.

With your pioneering gourmand background, I must ask if you enjoy eating gourmand treats as much as you enjoy smelling and creating them?

OC: Of course! I’m lucky to live in Paris where I can enjoy the finest pastry. To be entirely honest, part of this fragrance was fed by the magnificent pastry “trompe l’oeil” of the chef Cédric Grolet, which created a pistachio cake, very sophisticated and texturized, that Sébastien and I discovered during afternoon tea-time at Le Meurice [the hotel where Grolet is the executive pastry chef].

October 5, 2018

THE BUMPER CATCH-UP REVIEWS EDITION: Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Fig EDT, Issey Miyake L’Eau Super Majeure D’Issey EDT Intense, Cacharel Yes I Am EDP, Yardley English Blazer Azure EDP, Jimmy Choo Fever EDP, Dunhill Desire Blue Ocean EDT, Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers Summer Air EDT, Jimmy Choo Man Blue EDT

Fragrance Fatigue (noun): The exhaustion experienced by perfume-loving bloggers when confronted by the sheer volume of annual launches.

I read somewhere recently that almost 2 500 fragrances are launched every year. That’s a lot of fragrances for even the most dedicated of perfume-loving bloggers to get (and smell) through. An impossible task, in fact. The number alone is enough to give me Fragrance Fatigue. So where am I going with this? I recently experienced an impending sense of MFF (Major Fragrance Fatigue) when I realised I had an awful lot of fragrance reviews to catch up on. The second half of the year sees new launches flooding the market, even though we only get a very edited selection in South Africa of what’s launched internationally.

So this post is a bumper catch-up edition, which fortunately saw me overcome my initial fear of Fragrance Fatigue. If I can say so myself, there’s an eclectic mix here.

Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Fig EDT (Rodrigo Flores-Roux)

If the superb Diptyque Philosykos is way out of your price range, Elizabeth Arden Green Tea Fig EDT is a very worthwhile substitute. Yes, it’s that good. The 19th addition to the Green Tea range celebrates (this is such a happy fragrance, after all) the pleasures of the fig tree. “I imagined nibbling on juicy, nectar-filled figs while savouring a warm, fragrant cup of tea… all of it happening under the enveloping branches of a fig tree!” says perfumer Rodrigo Flores-Roux of his inspiration. It opens with an unmistakable and captivating note of fig leaves. This is not a “pure” fig scent, so there’s also Italian bergamot, cedrat, clementine and ivy leaves in the mix. The fig theme is carried through to the heart, with kadota fig mingling with green tea accord, violet leaf and pistachio tree resin. A truly delicious cure for Fragrance Fatigue! R445 for 100ml.

Issey Miyake L’Eau Super Majeure D’Issey EDT Intense (Aurélien Guichard and Fabrice Pellegrin)

When I reviewed Issey Miyake L’Eau Super Majeure D’Issey EDT last year, I described it as a sombre fragrance – in a good way. The latest version has more of a herbal opening, with notes of rosemary and clary sage, but it’s still firmly in moody territory. The heart sticks to the marine script, with lashings of sea and sea salt notes. There’s also a strong smoky and woody vibe to this EDT. It’s not radically different from the original, but is well worth sniffing out if you’re in the market for a distinctive maritime scent. R1 040 for 50ml and R1 290 for 100ml.

Cacharel Yes I Am EDP (Honorine Blanc and Christophe Reynaud)

Any discussion of this fragrance is going to start with its love-it-or-hate-it packaging. Object of desire or tacky sex toy? While the scent itself is not as divisive, its “spicy cremoso” will largely influence whether this fragrance with gourmand, floral and fruity characteristics is the one for you. Cacharel defines this innovation as “an eau de parfum based for the first time on the spicy creamy contrast of cream of cardamom”. The fragrance is mostly sweet, but not yuckily so, and more sophisticated than its youthful marketing suggests. R675 for 30ml, R990 for 50ml and R1 100 for 75ml.

Yardley English Blazer Azure EDP

Who would have thought that a Yardley English Blazer fragrance could be so intriguing and darn frustrating to place? Listed notes include fresh ginger, nutmeg, amber, cashmeran, vetiver and musk. But there’s something else going on in this powerhouse EDP that I can’t figure out at all. I’m still not sure if this is a good or bad thing. Best you try it yourself and please let me know if you experience the same issue. R379.95 for 100ml.

Jimmy Choo Fever EDP (Nathalie Lorson and Honorine Blanc)

Gourmand meets floral in Jimmy Choo Fever, as in Night Fever. Jimmy Choo fragrances for women have always been on the sweet side of the scent spectrum and this one is no exception. It features a full-on gourmand gathering, courtesy of black plum nectar, lychee, roasted tonka bean, vanilla, hazelnut and coffee notes. Heliotrope, jasmine and vanilla orchid bring in the floral aspect, while notes of creamy sandalwood and benzoin up the sugar content. It’s a loud scent, guaranteed to last from dusk to dawn, and provides a whole new take on the subject of fragrance fatigue. R1 310 for 100ml.

FISHING FOR COMPLIMENTS: Those scary creatures in the water are some mighty large koi. I shot this pic at a good friend’s home and wish to assure you that no animals were harmed in its production.

Dunhill Desire Blue Ocean EDT (Philippe Romano)

The Dunhill Desire range was launched in the year 2 000. Dunhill Desire Blue Ocean EDT (not to be confused with Dunhill Desire Blue EDT, although this flanker builds on it) is the seventh addition to the line. No prizes for guessing what it’s about. It has a fresh and invigorating citrus and mint opening that quickly segues into a salty interpretation of its maritime theme, with base notes of patchouli, vetiver and tonka bean rounding it off. It’s an outdoorsy scent that’s refreshingly un-sweet. R1 245 for 100ml.

Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers Summer Air EDT (Caroline Sabas)

The official inspiration for a fragrance can often make for hilarious and misleading reading. But in the case of Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers Summer Air EDT, the reality perfectly reflects the inspiration of a summer breeze, complete with wafting notes of lemon, apple, vert de mandarin, rose, osmanthus, jasmine, cedarwood, musks and amber. This is fresh, green, uplifting stuff which, like its namesake, comes and goes, so it requires regular re-applications. At this bargain price, I ain’t complaining. Super! R445 for 100ml.

Jimmy Choo Man Blue EDT (Nathalie Lorson)

Following on from the successes of Jimmy Choo Man EDT, Jimmy Choo Man Intense EDT and Jimmy Choo Man Ice EDT, there’s Jimmy Choo Man Blue. This woody-aromatic-leathery EDT opens with a big hit of clary sage essence (I also pick up the bergamot and black pepper notes). The heart goes a little deeper with leather and cypress, while the base features sandalwood, vanilla and um, apparently, vetiver. (What’s it about these listed vetiver notes that are so difficult to smell?) Ostensibly aimed at rebelliously cool 20-somethings, its appeal should extend beyond that demographic due its versatility, wearability and easy-going elegance. R1 110 for 100ml.

Tag: GOURMAND FRAGRANCES