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Top 10 Things That Define A Niche Fragrance

23/02/202407/04/2019 by Josephine McCarthy

We are often asked: What is Niche Perfume? So, … we decided to share with you our Top 10 Things that define a niche fragrance.

If you are one of those people who have heard the terms Niche Perfume, Artisan Parfum, Indie Scent or Boutique Fragrance bandied about and wondered what they really mean, then you should read on.

You are not alone, as we receive emails regularly from people wanting to understand what we or others mean when they use these terms.

There are specific elements that define a niche fragrance and set it apart from the Mass Market Brands we are accustomed to from Couture Houses and Designer Labels.

Although, when you define a niche fragrance, these lines become sometimes blurred when large worldwide brands describe their offerings as ‘Niche’ or introduce ‘Private Collections’. The fact that a product is available at every Airport, in every retailer and on every High Street worldwide would by definition exclude it from being considered a Niche Creation.

We equally believe a Niche Fragrance House that is owned by a global corporation no longer qualifies as being Niche. The list is long of these small perfumery houses that were bought-out. Examples are Jo Malone, Creed, Frederic Malle, L’Artisan Parfumeur, … It is not easy to spot these ‘Niche Wannabees’.

So when looking for a genuine Niche or Artisan Fragrance, the list below will help you to separate the true Niche from the ‘Niche Wannabee’

Eau De Parfum Person Reflection Sea Salt Sage Amber Man Muscular Define A Niche Fragrance

Well the following are our Top 10 Things that Define a Niche Fragrance:

A Perfume House, founded by a Perfumer who’s wish is to create Unique Fragrances – like the original Fragrance Houses of Old
An in-house Perfumer, that is unencumbered by the restrictions of mass consumerism, and is allowed to recreate the ‘artistry of the unique’ in luxury fragrances.
Limited Availability – not on sale in every shop, store and airport worldwide.
Art and Creativity – like Painters, Poets, Writers, Chefs, Wine Makers, Gardner’s, Designers, as the founder of PAIRFUM London Huib Maat said “Who would want to create a copy of the same thing again and again if they have the ability and creativity to create an original? – no true Artist would”
The use of Natural, Unusual or Unique Perfumery ingredients and Accords, i.e. note combinations.
Selective approach to Distribution – not available everywhere
A different approach to PR & Marketing – where the best form of advertising is – through ‘Word of Mouth’ passed from one Fragrance Aficionado to another ( and with a little help from the right type of Magazine article)…
With the attention to detail given to the creation of a Niche Perfume, it assures the wearer that the Perfume is of the highest quality.
Something that is rare is always more precious – Clientele will seek out and love something different – because we were born unique – so why not celebrate it..
Not owned by a global, multi-national Corporation or produced on a large scale factory floor but in small batches and independently owned.

Keep these in mind when shopping for Niche Fragrances.

Pairfum London’s in-house Perfumer Huib Maat created our collection of Natural Eau de Parfum Intense and we also introduced the Perfume Experience Box to try and sample these exquisite creations.

Pairfum Collection Niche Perfume Experience Fragrance Library Square Gift Box Open Display Define A Niche Fragrance

How Do You Describe Perfume?

23/02/202424/03/2019 by Huib Maat

One of the biggest challenges in perfumery is the continuous question of “How Do You Describe Perfume”.

Our noses can distinguish 1 Trillon different smells but we struggle to articulate the differences, character or nuances of a fragrance.

For this reason, the perfume industry has to a degree developed its own set of words, classification systems and various other aids to help in this task.

Here at Pairfum London we have created a brief introduction into “How Do You Describe Perfume” which we believe is ideal reading during National Fragrance Week.

After reading the article, you will feel much more comfortable with some of the terms you come across in the World of Perfumery.

How Do You Evaluate, Test or Smell Perfume?

23/02/202419/03/2019 by Josephine McCarthy

National Fragrance Week Woman Rose Flower smell perfume

We are frequently being asked: “How do you smell perfume?”

Today on day two of National Fragrance week, organised by the Fragrance Foundation, we are taking a look at (and not for the first time) how do you evaluate or test perfume?

National Fragrance Week Man in Suit smell perfume

It may seem that the obvious answer is “with your nose” – and in a sense (no pun intended) that is correct.

However, there is so much more to smelling a perfume, than simply taking a sniff …

National Fragrance Week Perfume Bottles smell perfume

In an earlier post we discussed how as individuals we have an olfactory blueprint that is totally unique to us.

So, … how we smell perfume or interpret a fragrance or note, will be as individual and unique as you are..

National Fragrance Week Woman Rose Flower Head

We know that memory formation is linked to our sense of smell.

So if you think how different your life’s experiences or your life’s road map has been when compared to those around you, it explains why some of us love certain notes while others may loathe them…

With National Fragrance Week now underway, what better time to try new Fragrances or Notes and evaluate them as only You can.

From everyone here at PAIRFUM London we just want to say “Try it, Enjoy it” and “Be Your Authentic Self”.

Smell Perfume Your Way.

Eau De Parfum Person Reflection Cardamom Tonka White Oud Curls smell perfume

New – Buying Guide for Sleep Sprays

23/02/202415/03/2019 by Huib Maat

We are delighted to draw your attention to our new buying guide for Sleep Sprays.
Click the link to read & enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep:
https://www.pairfum.com/sleep-spray-buying-guide/

Drift off to sleep easily & beautifully.

No more sleepless nights and ‘tossing & turning’ before you fall asleep.

Buying Guide Sleep Spray Lavender Pillow Mist

Health Tips – How to Boost your Health, Mood and Memory with Perfume.

23/02/202407/03/2019 by Josephine McCarthy

One of our favourite ‘health tips’ is that you can boost your health, mood and memory through the use of perfume.

Did you know that your sense of smell is the strongest of all the five senses as well as being the oldest ?

Or, that 75% of all emotions generated every day are due to smell? Just think about that for a moment… 75% of how you have felt or the emotions you had during a single day were due to scent !!

Health Tips Fragrance How To Wash Your Face

The reason for this, is that it is the one sense most connected to memory and emotion, and research has proven that we are 100 times more likely to remember something we smell over something we see, hear or touch.

Again, if you think about this for a moment – we are 100 times more lightly to remember something we smell over something we read, see or hear…. and yet we spend years in an education system that teaches us to remember important information, without ever using the strongest sense we have ‘Smell’ to help embed this information into memory…

Mother Nature designed our sense of smell to be the one sense to go directly to the fore brain without going to the thalamus, and one of the most obvious reasons for this is that the information our sense of smell provides us with is so important to our survival, that it needs to reach our brain in as fast a time as possible.

Health Tips Human Brain Parts Name List Of Regions In The Human Brain Wikipedia

To give you an idea of just how fast the information is relayed – if you are impressed that Formula One race cars can go from 0-60 in as fast as 1.6 seconds,…then Formula One needs to get in the back seat as the entire procedure of olfactory processing takes a mere 200 milliseconds!

Odours and scents affect us all in different ways, by becoming aware of how a particular scent affects you personally, you will be able to enhance your health, mood and indeed memory. A particular scent or odour has no personal significance until it is connected to a space, a moment in time or something that has meaning to us.

Health Tip Meditation Oceans Drowning Plastic

Theresa Molnar, executive director of the Sense of Smell Institute, the research and educational arm of the perfume industry’s Fragrance Foundation. Has said that “Scents can have positive effects on mood, stress reduction, sleep enhancement, self-confidence, and physical and cognitive performance,”.

So if we associate a particular scent or perfume with an action or a particular time of day, for example getting ready to fall asleep, relaxing, studying, or waking-up in the morning. Then the brain will form memories or associations to coincide with the inhalation of that specific note.

Health Tip Sleeping Woman Night Linen Pillow Spray

So if you do wish to improve your health, mood or memory a very simple way to do this is to include one of your favourite perfume notes when preparing for bed, sitting down to relax and unwind or preparing for an exam. It is such an easy thing to do, light one of your favourite perfumed candles, or spray the area you are using with a natural room spray, or place one of your reed diffusers in the room.

Bedroom Large Reed Diffuser Bell Fragranced Candle Room Spray

From the initial and subsequent encounters with the aroma, you begin forming nerve connections that intertwine the smell with emotions, so by choosing a scent or aroma that you love you can immediately alter your feelings in a positive, healthy and mood enhancing way.

health tips Bubble Sulfate Wash Hand Sink Lather

Final Question: Did you enjoy this tip? Would you like us to write more about health tips linked to scent? Alternatively, what are your favourite health tips linked to fragrance or perfume?

Anosmia

23/02/202427/02/2019 by Josephine McCarthy

Anosmia – what does it mean and why should we care?

Well for those that have not heard of it before and would like to know!

Anosmia is a complete loss of the ability to smell…..

When taken in context in regards to your other senses, the loss of your sense of smell should be nothing more than an inconvenience at most ? If you did loose it would you even miss it?

We would also love to know, would you ever ‘Voluntarily Give Up’ one of your senses?

In a survey carried out of 7,000 young people from around the world, approximately half of those between the age of 16 and 30 said that they would rather ‘Lose their Sense of Smell’ than give up access to technology like laptops or cell phones.

Well there is a saying that “Fair exchange is no robbery”, so it begs the question how much did these people know about the importance of their sense of smell to their health and well-being?

The second question would have to be, that if they did know and still choose to lose a sense rather than access to an electronic device! then how much sense do they have to lose in the first place? – ‘common’ or otherwise? and why is it called ‘Common Sense’ when it is such a rare commodity?

Incredible Facts About Your Sense of smell, people can detect one trillion distinct scents.

Research by Leslie Vosshall from The Rockefeller University estimated that the average person can detect at least one trillion different smells, and that the one trillion is probably an underestimation of the true number of smells we can detect, but for now I am sure it is enough for us to be getting on with… In fact, new research suggests that our noses can outperform our eyes and ears, which can discriminate between several million colours and approximately half a million tones.

Perfumer Nose Smelling Strip Evaluate Scent

The 27th of February is ‘Anosmia Awareness Day’ – it is a day to spread awareness about Anosmia and about how it effects the lives of those who suffer from it. As there are few outward signs of the disorder, the practical difficulties associated with it and how the nature of olfactory dysfunction and its consequences for an individual’s safety and quality of life are not widely appreciated or understood.

How To Evaluate Sample Test Try Perfume 12

PAIRFUM London fully agrees with Dr. Vosshall who says that – “It’s time to give our sense of smell the recognition it deserves,”. We would go even further and say that current ongoing and future research will show just how important and underrated our sense of smell is to our health and lives.

Pairfum Young Karl Lagerfeld Chanel Fashion Fragrance

Karl Lagerfeld – His Top 10 Most Memorable Quotes

11/08/202519/02/2019 by Huib Maat

Sadly today the World lost one of its ‘Great Masterpieces’, the Original, the Unique, the ever Changing Karl Lagerfeld.

A fashion designer, a creative director, an artist, photographer, Cat lover and caricaturist. He has left behind a legacy and body of work, few will ever be able to emulate.

We here at PAIRFUM London would like to honour the great man by remembering some of the wonderful quotes that shine a light on his unrepeatable personality.

Pairfum Karl Lagerfeld Yves Saint Laurent Fan

Here are 10 of his most memorable quotes:

Style in his words: “Chic is a kind of mayonnaise, either it tastes, or it doesn’t.”

About himself: “Everything I say is a joke. I am a joke myself.”

His tongue in cheek quote about beauty: “Life is not a beauty contest, some [ugly people] are great.”

His view on furniture: “The most important piece in the house is the garbage can.”

His take on the worldwide web : “I don’t do internet, I don’t do Facebook. I have to sketch, I have to play with Choupette [his cat], I have to sleep. The day is too short for that.”

Pairfum Karl Lagerfeld Fashion Perfume Cat Choupette

On Work: “Work is making a living out of being bored.”

On being asked about Tattoos: “I think tattoos are horrible.”

On Dress or should we say Business Sense: “I remember a designer who said that intelligent women don’t wear her dresses. Obviously, she went bankrupt.”

On Style: “Don’t dress to kill, dress to survive.”

On Coco Chanel: “What I’ve done, Coco Chanel would never have done. She would have hated it”

Pairfum Karl Lagerfeld Coco Chanel Fashion Fragrance

Some Special Quotes, that we could not leave out:

On his ego: “I’m very much down to Earth. I’m just not from this Earth.”

On his bedroom: “If you see it you will think about everything except sex, because it is the unsexiest room ever. I love unsexy bedrooms.”

Our Thoughts

Here at Pairfum London, our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends.

The worlds of fashion and fragrance is a poorer place without you, Mr. Karl Lagerfeld. It will take a giant to fill your exquisitely crafted designer shoes.

He is one of the Legends of this industry.

Pairfum Young Karl Lagerfeld Fashion Design Perfume

Pairfum Karl Lagerfeld Claudia Schiffer Muse Fan

Pairfum Young Karl Lagerfeld Fashion Design Fragrance

Pairfum Karl Lagerfeld Fashion Fragrance

Pairfum Karl Lagerfeld Fashion Fragrance Cat Choupette

Famous Fragrance Quotes Series

If you are looking for more inspirational perfume quotes, then we invite you to visit these pages on our website:

Deep Sleep Calm Natural Pillow Spray Pairfum London

Deep Sleep Spray

23/02/202419/02/2019 by Josephine McCarthy

Calming & Natural Pillow Spray

Are you having a problem falling asleep or trying to get a good night’s sleep? Yes, … then using a Deep Sleep Spray can help you solve this problem.

One of our most popular products, that customers come back for repeatedly, is our Natural Sleep Spray, that can be used on your pillows, bed sheets, duvet covers, night clothes, or sprayed into the air.

We all know that there are a number of contributing factors for why we can’t jump into bed and sleep, ranging from the age and condition of your mattress and pillow to the temperature in your room. Not to mention noise levels and how dark and electronic free your resting place is.

Some of the causes for a disturbed nights sleep may seem very obvious, but it is surprising how many people, do not consider them a factor when trying to eliminate or alleviate the cause of a sleepless or restless night.

Pairfum London Linen Lavender Good Night Sleep Spray

One of the most obvious things is that you do not go to sleep in a brightly lit room, bright light especially blue-ish light that is emitted from T.V.’s, Computer Screens, Mobile phones, all send a signal to our brains that it’s still daytime and prevents the body’s natural release of chemicals critical for restful & deep sleep.

Our bodies release chemicals in a 24-hour cycle, telling us to do certain things at certain times.

Each of these cycles is called a circadian rhythm, one of the most important chemicals involved in this process is melatonin, a hormone that makes us feel sleepy.

The amount of melatonin in our bodies starts increasing in the evening, as natural light decreases, and peaks in the middle of the night, letting us know it is time to sleep.

It then decreases by morning, allowing us to wake up refreshed.

Why is it so important that we get a good nights sleep?

Pairfum Flacon Perfume Linen Fabric Signature Linen Lavender

Studies show that four in every ten Americans don’t even get the minimum of seven hours of sleep doctors recommend, and the important word in the previous sentence is ‘MINIMUM’.

This is now considered a public health emergency, as lack of sleep and fatigue leads to both short and long term mental and physical health problems.

Pairfum London Linen Lavender Good Night Sleep Spray Anti Anxiety

Recent studies have shown that Americans currently average only 6.8 hours of sleep per night, down an hour from 1942, which means that they have lost ‘One Full’ hour’s sleep per night since then.

Think of it as having to set your alarm clock an hour earlier every morning … !

This is not something that effects only people living in the USA, but they have recognised the problem and are studying the causes and effects.

As I have mentioned above, study after study has shown that watching a screen before bedtime or while you are lying in bed is an absolute ‘No-no’ – if you wish to drift off to the land of nod and stay there until morning.

So, … whether it’s a TV screen, your laptop, tablet or phone, if you want to fall asleep ditch the pixels until morning.

Pairfum London Linen Lavender Sleep Spray Good Night Relaxing

Expert Tips

The following are some simple tips that will help improve your nights sleep:

Lavender has been shown to decrease heart rate and blood pressure, potentially putting you in a more relaxed state.

In one study, researchers monitored the brain waves of subjects at night and found that those who sniffed lavender before bed had a deeper nights sleep and felt more invigorated in the morning

If Lavender helps us get a better nights sleep – then “Why is that”?

Well, … you will be delighted to know that there is scientific proof to backup the claim:

Lavender oil is mainly composed of linalyl acetate (which is a naturally occurring phytochemical found in many flowers and spice plants, and is one of the principal components of the essential oils of Lavender and Bergamot) and linalool.

Both are natural chemicals that are rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream.

Studies on mice have shown that these compounds inhibit several neurotransmitters and have a sedative and pain-relieving effect.

In humans, lavender has been proven to lower the heart rate and reduces anxiety, leading to a more relaxed and peaceful sleep.

Dr. Chris Winter, MD, is a renowned sleep specialist and author of the book: ‘The Sleep Solution – Why Your Sleep Is Broken and How To Fix It” – He has also been called “The Sleep Whisperer”.

I love this nick name, as it is better to whisper, so you do not wake anyone up.

He stated that scent plays a role in helping people drift off to sleep, with the proviso that the formula contains lavender.

“There are a number of studies that indicate it might have sleep-promoting effects,” he says.

Other notes that are known to help promote relaxation and sleep are Chamomile, Bergamot, Jasmine, Rose, Sandalwood and Valerian.

Recommendations from the Harvard Medical School suggest using dim red lights in the evenings and to expose yourself to bright lights during the day time help to reset your sleep schedule (your internal clock).

In a recent Bedroom Poll by the National Sleep Foundation in the US, 53% of their respondents rated sleeping on sheets with a fresh scent an important contributor to their sleep experience.

If Lavender is not one of your favourite notes, other fragrances that you associate with happy events in your life are also perfect to use.

For example notes or smells that evoke or awaken happy, calming memories, such as walks on the beach or in the woods, a wonderful relaxing holiday, times spent with loved ones, or memories of childhood when sleep came easily at the end of a day well spent.

Dr. Winter, the ‘Sleep Whisperer’, also said that “Sprays can be helpful if we pair a certain smell in our minds with the act of sleep. This is particularly true with travel. If you associate a certain smell with your bedroom, spraying that in your hotel room can trick your brain into thinking you’re at home.”

This is the reason why here at PAIRFUM London, we developed the ‘Voyage’ Spray, it is the perfect travelling partner to take with you on Holiday.

Voyage Natural Perfume Room Spray Livingroom Chrome

We are a London based Natural Niche Perfumery House and we have been working on Sleep Aid Perfume Sprays for a number of years.

Pairfum London Linen Lavender Fabric Spray Fresh Relax

Pairfum Natural Artisan Eau de Parfum Intense Gold Flair

People Don’t Buy What They Need!

23/02/202426/01/2019 by Josephine McCarthy

PAIRFUM Boutique Couture Perfume Eau De Parfum Private Collection Home Fragrance Skin Care Sweet Rhubarb Oakmoss 400x400

We have heard it said that people don’t buy what they need!, they buy what they want….

Now this may be the case for some very rare and lucky individuals in the World…

However for the rest of us mere mortals, there are certain things that we must take into consideration before buying what we want… not least of which is our bank balance.

Having said that, when we do have a choice, as most of us at one time or another do – then we very rarely buy what we need – we buy what we want.

So, when we do have the wonderful opportunity to choose, especially something for someone we love or something very special for ourselves (and yes we do deserve it)

Then make sure that whatever you choose is like you, unique, special and worth waiting for…

PAIRFUM London was created for those times in Life – when Luxury is a necessity

Coco Chanel Reason Why Love Boutique Perfume

Coco Chanel – The Reason Why We Love Niche Perfume

30/08/202417/01/2019 by Josephine McCarthy

Coco Chanel Reason Why Love Niche Perfume

Is Coco Chanel one of the reasons why we love Niche Perfume?

If asking is the founder one of the most famous brands in the world, one of the reasons why we love Niche, Artisan, Boutique or Indie Perfume is not a contradiction in terms?

Then I don’t know what is …

By definition the words Niche, Artisan, Boutique or Indie, describe a product that is different, created by smaller, independently owned brands, in some cases artisan products are handmade in-house, and are described as original and creative.

There has been quite a lot of discussion lately about the definitions and distinction between the use and meaning of the words niche, indie, boutique and artisan perfume brands, but that is a topic for a later post.

For the moment let us just say that they are used to describe a Creation or Collection of Perfumes in PAIRFUM London’s case, that make you stand out from the crowd, something that is unique and will not be found in every drugstore, airport and supermarket.

Niche, Artisan, Boutique or Indie Perfumes

Why then you may ask would we think that Coco Chanel could be one of the reasons why we love Niche, Artisan, Boutique or Indie Perfumes?

Well, in her own inimitable words – “In order to be irreplaceable one must always be different.” – Coco Chanel

There are many other Coco Chanel quotes, that we can point to that show us examples of how that unique Lady wanted us to – “Be who you are, not what the world wants you to be.” – Coco Chanel

She quite rightly pointed out that “Fashion is not something that exists in dresses only. Fashion is in the sky, in the street, fashion has to do with ideas, the way we live, what is happening”. – Coco Chanel

She also said that the – “The best colour in the whole world is the one that looks good on you.” – Coco Chanel

I would add that “The best Perfume in the World is the one that smells amazing on you, so don’t be afraid to try, search for the things that make you the original you were born to be”. – Huib Maat

So as this creator of fashion also said – “If you want to be original, be ready to be copied.” – Coco Chanel

One of my favourite quotes from her for a host of reasons is – “The best things in life are free. The second-best are very expensive.”

With this in mind and when you are next searching for a special perfume for yourself or for that someone special – “Be Your Authentic Self” – Huib Maat