BEE LOVES....

Perfume!!

Our sense of smell - once an essential tool for our survival, is now a gateway into our emotions, memories and dreams. The aroma of cooking food excites our appetite, the scent of new mown grass makes us relax and think of summer and the smell of the sea brings its own nostalgia for beach holidays.

Above and beyond that, the ancient art of perfumery is one of the great delights of being human.

There is something amazing about the powers of a perfume to transport us in time and place, to create a response that bypasses the brain and goes straight to our hearts if not our very souls.

The perfume collector, or 'perfumista' has been around for a long time now but some of us felt a little shy about about our obsession. We have been aided and abetted by the on-line community sites like 'Make-Up Alley' where ordinary people post their personal comments on products they have used.

This takes power out of the hands of the cosmetic companies and puts it into the hands of the consumers but also introduces people to an amazing range of potions and perfumes that they might like to try for themselves.

One of my favourite web sites is www.scent-and-sensibilty.co.uk This is run by a charming New Yorker, now living in London, called Ronnie and not only does she have a fascinating blog, the site is full of wonderful, unusual fragrances. These are the haute couture of perfumes for when you don't wish to smell like everyone else! They are the kind that can give you a 'signature' style.

And then there is .....The Guide!

                 

 

This is the book that really upset a lot of the perfume industry and opened the door of the perfume closet - letting a lot of us out to be loud and proud about the fact that we own far more perfume that we could possibly use in a lifetime!  This has been a revelation for those of us who love every facet of the wonderful world of fragrance. These people have spilled the beans on the way perfume is made and marketed - the practice of reformulating and not admitting it for example! They also celebrate the excellent and the unusual at every level, appreciating the art and the skill but not being snobby about the labels and famous names. Brilliant!!!!