Category Archives: News

Why You Should Use Priming Oil

Use priming oil for a smoother shaveEver since I became a father, I haven’t had time for much other than being a father. As a result, my passions have shifted, things that I’m passionate about, have taken a backseat to my new responsibility. Don’t get me wrong, however, I love every minute of it.

Nevertheless, writing about grooming doesn’t seem to want to let me go. I don’t want to let it go either.

I am now a contributing writer for Bevel. If I wasn’t, I’d muster up the time to tell you how great I think this company is. Nevertheless, my first article for them, where I talk about the importance of priming oil, is live. I’ll be writing about shaving and hope you keep up with my posts.

Time is still elusive and I’m burning the midnight oil to write for them and hope to burn some more to get back to blogging here at Fragrantmoments. In the meantime, check me out over at Bevel.

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LE MALE: Anatomy of a Fragrance

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It’s hard to believe it was 1995 when Jean Paul Gaultier released his first fragrance, Le Male. I’m sure he didn’t realize then that as of today, every 6 seconds a bottle is sold somewhere in the world. Well such is the case and this past Friday in conjunction with the opening of the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Brooklyn museum, JPG was on hand to discuss its significance.

Jean Paul Gaultier at the Brooklyn Museum

Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk takes a look at JPG’s avant-garde fashion designs and includes 140 haute couture and ready-to-wear pieces and costumes created for and worn by Beyonce and Madonna. The selected pieces are stunning and the talking lifelike mannequins, which were specially created for the exhibit, add a layer of specialness to this incredible experience.

From L to R: Francis Kurkdjian, perfumer and creator of Le Male, Jane Larkworthy, moderator and Beauty Director of W Magazine, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Thierry-Maxime Loriot, curator of the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum

From L to R: Francis Kurkdjian, perfumer and creator of Le Male, Jane Larkworthy, moderator and Beauty Director of W Magazine, Jean Paul Gaultier, and Thierry-Maxime Loriot, curator of the Jean Paul Gaultier exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum


To mark this occasion, Beaute Prestige International held an artist talk where the perfumer behind Le Male, Francis Kurkjdian and the exhibit’s curator Thierry-Maxime Loriot discussed how the scent was created and the influence JPG’s fashion had on it. The panel discussion was moderated by W Magazine’s Jane Larkworthy and included a multi-sensory exploration of the scent. The audience was given a booklet that included scented blotters that explained the layers that make up Le Male and the many advertising campaigns that went into creating the now iconic scent were presented. Listening to Kurkdjian explain his thought process in making the scent and smelling it along the way gave me a new appreciation for it. JPG’s surprise cameo made the experience even more special and he even stuck around for an impromptu autograph session afterwards. Attendees rushed the stage at the end of the talk for him to sign their booklets and I’m not ashamed to say, I was one of them.

Jean Paul Gaultier: From the Sidewalk to the Catwalk is an incredible experience and will be on hand at the Brooklyn Museum February 23, 2014. It is a must see.

Atelier Cologne Expands Into Brooklyn

Brooklyn’s Fragrance Scene Grows

Atelier Cologne in Brooklyn

Last week I attended a party given by Atelier Cologne in celebration of its third retail destination. The beloved brand founded by Sylvie Ganter and Christophe Cervasel can now be found in Brooklyn on Atlantic Avenue. Attendees sipped on champagne, nibbled on small bites and sampled a growing collection of superb fragrances.

Up until a few years ago, many thought Brooklyn was too far of a trek to be taken seriously. While that perception has changed in a big way, I was intrigued by Atelier’s decision to expand its retail concept into Brooklyn. At the first opportunity I had to speak with Gerard Camme, President of Atelier Cologne, I asked him about it and he flat out said, “why not.” He further explained, “We like to go where our client is. Our client is very fashionable, smart and worldly. They want to be a part of something different. That client is in Brooklyn in a big way.” Sounds like Brooklyn to me.

This is Atelier’s second store in New York. In August of 2011, they opened their first store in Nolita at 247 Elizabeth Street. In December of 2012 Atelier opened its first Paris boutique at 8 rue Saint-Florentin in the 1st arrondissment. Future store openings are planned in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Dubai and San Francisco.

Atelier Cologne – 357 Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Bond streets.

Baxter of California Launches Safety Razor Set

Baxter Double Edge Safety Set

With the redesign of their Silver Tip Badger Brush, Baxter of California marries beauty and craftsmanship for the release of its safety razor set. Made in Germany, the set takes design cues from the classic barbershop pole, which is used for an engraved pattern on the handles of the badger brush and safety razor. Those of you that shave in the shower will appreciate this important grip detail. The handles are also brass, nickel plated and finished in chrome.

This is class all the way gents.

Baxter Razor Set – $250

Twisted Lily Opens In Brooklyn

Twisted Lily

A few nights ago, I had the pleasure of attending a party at Twisted Lily, a recently opened fragrance boutique and apothecary located in Brooklyn, New York. They graciously hosted Peace Love Perfume and The GoodSmellas for a night of eating, drinking, and of course sniffing.

Owners, Eric Weiser and Stamatis Birsimijoglou settled on a 650-square foot space on Atlantic Avenue in the burgeoning neighborhood known as Boerum Hill. The duo have deep roots in the fragrance industry and put their smarts on display with a beautiful collection of brands that runs the gamut from niche to hard to find, including Providence Perfume Co., Slumber House, Amouage, Penhaligon’s, Etat Libre d’Orange, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and Mona di Orio to name a few. They even pay homage to Brooklyn perfumeries featuring CB I Hate Perfume, D.S. & Durga and Joya.

Don’t feel like heading into Manhattan on the weekend? Now you have one more reason not to.

Twisted Lily – 360 Atlantic Avenue between Hoyt and Bond Streets. For directions, you can find them on Scent Trails.

Amazon Enters Men’s Grooming Category

Amazon Mens Grooming StoreIf there was ever a sign that the men’s grooming category is on fire, consider this: Amazon just launched a curated section on its site with the purpose of making it easier for you to get the products you need. The Men’s Grooming Store carries a wide selection of men’s brands such as Baxter of California, Nivea for Men, Dove Men+Care, Norelco and Gillette to name a few.

You maybe asking yourself what makes the Men’s Grooming Store so different from logging onto Amazon.com and typing in any brand you’re interested in? Within this dedicated shop, users have access to how-to guides and tips and tricks from experts, etc. I’d say that’s a nice added benefit. Who knows, maybe you’ll read some of my tips there sooner or later. (A blogger could dream, right?)

Men tend to surf the web quickly and this new store makes it easy for us to jump around and get to the point. Searchable categories include skincare, haircare, shaving, oral care, bodycare and kits & gift sets. I think you’ll appreciate that. One thing I’d like to see is more of the little guys getting space on there but it’s early and I’m an optimist. In the interim, finding some of your beloved brands just got a little easier.

Eau d’Italie Acqua Decima

AcquaDecima

When you feel a brand has done right by you, anticipation builds when you learn a new release is coming. If you’ve been following Fragrant Moments, you know I’m a fan of Eau d’Italie. Several of their fragrances are a part of my collection and I suspect Acqua Decima will be too.

With notes of lemon, mandarine, mint leaves, neroli, petitgrain white wood and vetiver to name a few, this sounds like it’s beautifully built for the dog days of summer. This is the tenth fragrance in Eau d’Italie’s collection (Acqua Decima means Tenth Water in Italian) and its inspiration comes from a stretch of land that links the Amalfi coast with the Bay of Sorrento called The Path of the Gods.

Acqua Decima launches in the U.S. in July 2013 and will retail for $140.

 

Le Labo Gives Meaning to Black Friday

We’re all being bombarded by Black Friday deals, it’s that time of year. But here’s one I think New Yorkers will find rewarding.

Real Men Love Fragrances

Do not check your browser, you’re seeing correctly. That is Elle magazine and that is Sarah Jessica Parker on the cover. Allow me to explain. Continue reading

Kiehl’s x Kenny Scharf Holiday Collaboration


By now I’m sure you’ve noticed the change that has occurred at retail. It went from summer to Christmas and every year it seems like it’s happening earlier. Well, no matter how you feel about that, your favorite apothecary Kiehl’s has a holiday promotion you should pay attention too.

Kiehl’s has tapped New York Pop artist, Kenny Scharf to redesign the packaging on its popular Crème de Corps collection. This promotion is part of their annual holiday tradition with philanthropic ties. 100% of the worldwide net profits or up to $200,000 will be donated to children’s charities. According to a press release in support of this promotion, “In the U.S., proceeds will support RXart a non-profit national organization, committed to fostering artistic expression and awareness through the challenging, yet rewarding task of engaging young patients through contemporary art in pediatric hospitals. RxArt is dedicated to placing original fine art in patient, procedure and examination rooms of healthcare facilities, for the engagement and comfort of patients.”

The Creme de Corps collection with Kenny Scharf’s designs are available now on Kiehls.com.