Today we find ourselves chatting about something that’s been popping up quite a lot again lately - mall pull out perfumes. Sellers claim that these are the perfumes straight from the factory, overstock, or items that have minor defects, hence the considerable markdowns on the prices. But before you snag that deal, let’s have a little heart-to-heart about what you're actually getting into and why it’s a better choice to stick to the official retail stores.

Hey there, scent-savvy folks! Brace yourselves for the blazing heat of the Philippine summer because I've got just the thing to keep you smelling fresh and fabulous all season long. We all know that feeling when sweat threatens to steal our fragrance thunder, but fear not! I've handpicked a trio of scents that will keep you smelling fresh, even in the midst of the sweltering heat. So, grab your fans and get ready to dive into my personal favorites for the summer.

Today, we're taking you on a magical adventure to the Scottish Highlands, where Jo Malone London's Global Head of Fragrance, Céline Roux, and the talented perfumers Anne Flipo, Marie Salamagne, and Yann Vasnier have created an enchanting new collection that perfectly captures the essence of Scotland's wild beauty called The Highlands. This collection is available here in the Philippines this May!

Have you always wanted to learn how to make your own perfume? It’s seriously easier than you think. Last week I got to attend a seminar conducted by Eunice Inc.’s RJ Lopena Jr. where he shared his formula and process of making perfume. I was astounded by how simple it is - for some reason I’ve always thought it’s more complicated and fussy to mix everything together! It’s certainly not, and I want to try to do it myself soon.

When I dived into the perfume-collecting rabbit hole, I discovered some homegrown perfume brands with a more affordable price range. They smell really good and are, to me, comparable already with imported brands. It’s great to know that we have some very talented noses right here in the Philippines. One of these brands is called Maison Phillipe.

Fragrances are more than just objects we use to smell good. Scent is infused in our memories, and bring them back as clearly as the day we experienced them. No one understands this better than Filipino perfumer Renato Lopena Jr. His passion for scent runs in the family, and he brings his own unique art form to life through his bespoke perfume brand Wren Atelier.

Coco Chanel described perfume as the “unseen, unforgettable, ultimate accessory.” As a perfume addict, I would have to agree. We can spend a lot of time planning our perfect makeup, clothes and accessories, but a scent adds another dimension to your self-expression. It’s the invisible finishing touch that pulls our whole look together.

Much like a collection of clothes, skincare, or jewelry, a fragrance wardrobe contains a selection of scents for every occasion. If you don’t have a fragrance wardrobe yet, here are some tips to get you started!

While I’ve started using scented candles since 2019, it became a daily habit in 2021. I have discovered a candle enthusiast community consisting of chandlers (candle makers), suppliers, and fellow candle enthusiasts. After trying over 70 candles in a span of two and a half years, I have narrowed it down to my top 11! Here’s what’s worth the splurge.

Hibiscus or gumamela blooms year-round in the Philippines. Here it grows with barely any prodding, so you can easily find it in many homes or even just by the country roads, tended to by only sunlight and the rain that falls on the earth. As a child I loved playing with these brilliant blossoms. I would put one in my hair as I ran across the streets, drenched by the sun and carrying the simple knowledge that everything was right in the world.

The Guerlain Shalimar was my first true grown-up perfume. It’s what started my love for deep, oriental fragrances in chic perfume bottles that I’d rather look at than drain. I reviewed it 10 years ago, in 2011, and while I never finished it I kept it close to me despite all the massive changes that encompassed my life in the last ten years.

In 2011, I’ve just been working on Project Vanity for three years. It’s not big yet and far from being a sustainable business back then, but it was growing steadily and getting some notice from people.

I’ve taken to wearing perfume at home, usually right before I sleep. Is that weird? I think it makes perfect sense. I get to enjoy my favorite scent on my pajamas and pillowcase, and this helps me to relax as I listen to the Calm app before sleeping. If that’s not one of the best ways to use perfume, I don’t know what is!

The first ever Jo Malone perfume I received was a gift. This was years before the brand entered the Philippines, and it was precious enough that one can acquire it only during trips abroad or pre-orders from small online stores where you have to wait for weeks to get a bottle. My client back then, who is a generous and kind-hearted woman, gifted me Blackberry & Bay for my birthday. I was so amazed and felt so special when I opened it! The perfume is already expired, but I still keep the bottle in my scent shelf if only to remind me of that moment.

While many bloggers have released their own makeup lines or collaborations, it’s not often that they venture into scents. It is an especially bold move to do so locally! Vv and Co. is a relatively new brand by local bloggers and real-life sisters Vern and Verniece Enciso. The brand currently offers three perfumes: Vern, Verniece, and Cat, the product of a collaboration with fellow blogger Cat Arambulo-Antonio. The bottles have a premium look and feel, and each scent contains 30ml.

Yesterday I was at the mall with my partner James when we passed through a flower bazaar. Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day and, being ever practical, he told me to pick a bouquet I like so we can have it delivered. I’ve always loved his Valentine’s flowers but I’ve struggled with preserving them properly. At the showcase yesterday, there were beautiful freeze-dried roses that came in a box. “Those would be such pretty home accents!” said my equally practical self. But the price tags were mildly shocking. Some cost as much as P14,000 a box!

Fragrances are more than just accessories. A good scent is a work of art. It undergoes the long, tedious process of making art - from the inspiration, to the skill required to make that vision a reality, up to the statement that it makes about the world. That’s why brands like Jo Malone are sought after and even copied by others. It's not about being trendy or cool; for Jo Malone, it's about creating a piece of art that tells a beautiful story.

As the granddaughter of the luxury mega-brand namesake’s Estée Lauder, Aerin Lauder knows a thing or two about class and beauty. She has held various key positions in Estée Lauder since 1992, and decided to start her own brand twenty years later.

A working mother of two, Aerin Lauder believes that living beautifully should be effortless. With this in mind, she curated a collection of nine feminine and luxurious fragrances and body products for AERIN Beauty.

A working mother of two, Aerin Lauder believes that living beautifully should be effortless. With this in mind, she curated a collection of nine feminine and luxurious fragrances and body products for AERIN Beauty.

My absolute favorite perfume right now is the Aerin Gardenia Rattan. I never knew I loved the delightful smell of gardenias nor the honesty of rattan, but they're seemingly made for each other in this Aerin masterpiece. It was meant to capture the perfect summer's day in a bottle and I think it did a really good job! I have dozens of scents in my closet right now, but I am addicted to Gardenia Rattan because it puts me in such a good mood.

When you have the perfect outfit, flawlessly-applied makeup, and the right accessories to match, all you need is a fragrance for the finishing touch! Aside from making you smell good, scents are also a means of self-expression. It can enhance your mood and help you to create the right impression. Thankfully, those who don’t want to spend a whole lot of money for a scent will find that there are good options in Blackwater Fragrances.

It’s easy to see why fragrance is such a personal matter. While the (happy!) reality is that there are simply too many available locally to count, there is also the matter of trying to find a scent that sets you apart from others while simultaneously suiting your personality and current mood.