Perfume Pharmer New Natural Fragrance Review: Bohemian Black

Posted on January 16, 2014 by Matriarch Blog

“Beauty Will Save The World” Christi Meshell, Perfumer House of Matriarch, New Perfume Bohemian Black ~ Review by Monica Miller

Bohemian Black is an incredibly impressive perfume. Showcasing Christi Meshell’s perfume Art Bohemian Black Sparkles and shines like a Black Opal surrounded by black velvet and rose gold. The ravishing floral bouquet is set in a creamy woods and amber base giving the dry down of this perfume a silk satin decadence.

 

Simply put Bohemian Black is a Masterpiece. I would easily and quickly recommend women (and men) of quality (and you know who you are) to try a sample or mini spray of Bohemian Black even if you have never found an all natural perfume that blew you away. I can see this perfume becoming the signature scent of sophisticated alternative lifestyle enthusiasts, those who enjoy the beauty of nature in all her forms.

That being said I do not believe that this perfume will be limited to people who only wear natural. Tonality wise Bohemian Black reminds me of classic fine oriental type perfumes. Very seductive. And why not a studded leather bracelet scented with Bohemian Black? They are available from House of Matriarch.

Posted in art, artisan, beauty, beauty path, beauty way, beauty will save the world, black and white, black perfumes, bohemian, bohemian black, conceptual fragrance, high perfumery, house of matriarch, limoncello, masterpiece, monica miller, natural, new natural perfumes, new perfumes, niche, oriental, perfume, pharmer, review, Seattle, sexiest scent, top artisan perfumes

Lucky 13: Bohemian Black Natural Perfume Review by Ida Meister of Fragrantica

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Matriarch Blog

There are reasons why certain folk do well in the Perfumed World. It's no accident that Christi Meshell's House of Matriarch following continues to gain momentum: she's a hardworking, resourceful perfumer with enormous imagination and talent. Her presentation is beautiful and the perfumes themselves are innovative and delightful.

 

Bohemian Black fragrance and House of Matriarch Studded Leather Wrap Bracelet
 
I look forward eagerly to each sample of her latest creations—this time it is Bohemian Black, High Perfumery Gypsy Style. Christi refers to BB as "enigmatic amber," and you'll hear no argument from my corner. Bohemian Black is the thirteenth perfume in her Luxury Naturals Collection; I'd say it was Lucky 13. And who better to melodically illustrate this mystical fragrance than Bert Jansch and John Renbourn of The Pentangle.
  
[I'll be frank: two spritzes, and I bought myself a bottle. I'll share, though; that sort of greedy I'm not. When it arrives, I'll apportion it out to my dear ones. Meanwhile, my dear husband is very fond!]
 
Tinctures are a House specialty—and Bohemian Black commences with a zesty homemade limoncello accord, smooth as a cat's whiskers. Christi then adds herbs of an undisclosed nature, but given that the Italian liqueur Strega was an inspiration, we can intuit the deeply earthy likes of mint, fennel, and perhaps 70 others. ;-) Never you mind: it's an essential part of our cosmic cassoulet and adds to the mystery. I could inquire, but I feel no need; it's beauty for her own sweet sake, and I rather enjoy not knowing.
 


The floral heart of the matter is pure decadent opulence, a riotous profusion of white flowers who have  swooningly yielded themselves for our pleasure. It would be brutish not to appreciate their sacrifice, would it not? Sweet loves salty, so why not wed choya [choya nakh is the result of roasted seashells distilled in Himalayan cedarwood oil; choya loban is Indian frankincense distilled in the same Himalayan cedar base], so smokily divine, to the witches brew?

The woods and resins are venerably aged and hypnotic. Effervescent amber? I have no clue whatsoever, but if there is amber, count me in.

These are so many of my favorite things, I feel positively spoilt. It is as if someone asked me what I loved the best, and then proceeded to deliver my heart's desire in a vial. 

Initially headstrong [the word têtu expresses it better for me], voluptuous and high-spirited, Bohemian Black becomes the Pashmina Perfume, glowingly warm without undue weight. BB clings affectionately to the skin and clothing for hours. It is the perfect thing to wear if you wish to entice someone into your lair.  You won't need a negligee.  Thank you for always sharing your creations, Christi.

 
Ida Meister (chayaruchama) has been an avid collector and sniffeuse for over 40 years. She adores consulting and collaborating with niche, budding and independent perfumers. Her hypervigilant nose has been of great help in her profession as a neuroscience/ oncology nurse, where she often smells fear, suffering, stress, and can identify most micro-organisms, medications, stages of disease, and has written about the amygdala. As a Senior and Natural Perfumery Editor, Ida has participated in many blog events with natural and mixed media perfumers and other writers. She has also been a teacher, translator, opera singer, dancer and caterer.

Posted in american made, artisan, best fragrances for 2014, best winter fragrances, black, black perfumes, bohemian, bracelet, christi meshell, craft distillation, eastside, fine fragrance, fragrance design, fragrance house, fragrantica, gypsy, high perfumery, house of matriarch, leather, luxury perfume, meaningful luxury, natural, new natural perfumes, new perfumes, niche, northwest, perfume, raw materials, Seattle, seattle perfume, top artisan perfumes, vegan, vegan perfumes

The GoodSmellas Favorite Perfume Releases of 2013: Matriarch's COCO BLANC

Posted on December 29, 2013 by Matriarch Blog


 

COCO BLANC has just been named by NYC GoodSmella's Carlos Powell as one of his top perfume releases of 2013!  We love our NYC fans, and would like to thank Carlos for his ongoing championing of the indie fragrance movement, here's to a fruitful and fragrant 2014!

Read the full list of his favorite scents for 2013 here.

 

Posted in american made, art, artisan, best fall fragrances, best fragrances for 2014, best winter fragrances, christi meshell, coco blanc, fragrance, gifts for men, high perfumery, house of matriarch, luxury, matriarch, meaningful luxury, natural, new natural perfumes, new perfumes, niche, northwest, private label fragrance, Seattle, seattle fragrance, seattle perfume, top artisan perfumes, top fragrance for 2013

Best Indie Perfume House of 2013: House of Matriarch.

Posted on December 26, 2013 by Matriarch Blog

 

CaFleureBon The Best (And Worst) Fragrances of 2013 

Best Indie Perfume House of 2013: House of Matriarch

MB: Perfumer Christi Meshell truly stepped up her game this year and her House of Matriarch had a spectacular year of creativity. It started with The Maj and ended with Sacre Tabac Part 1; in between was Blackbird, Woo, Entendre, Lucid and the fantastic Achtung Collection. Incredible year for Ms. Meshell where she really created a brand identity for House of Matriarch.

MC: That is exactly what I would have written, almost to the word, but must add, the House Of Matriarch began its transformation last year with Forbidden, which was a special project between The Natural Perfumer's Guild and CaFleureBon for Ophiuchus. Don't forget Coco Blanc and a wonderful website redesign; House of Matriarch is a perfect example of one woman staying true to her spiritual self and she shares her good fortune with numerous charities in the Seattle Community.  2013 is the year that Christi successfully combined creativity with commerce.

Posted in Achtung, american made, art, artisan, artist, atelier, awards, best, best fall fragrances, best fragrances for 2014, blackbird, bohemian, christi meshell, conceptual fragrance, custom perfume, design, eastside, fifth sense, fragrance, fragrance awards, fragrance creation, fragrance design, green, high perfumery, house, house of matriarch, incense, indie, leather, luxury perfume, manufacturing, matriarch, meaningful luxury, natural, new luxury brand, new natural perfumes, new perfumes, northwest, olfaction, perfume, personalized perfume, private, private label fragrance, seattle, seattle art, seattle fragrance, seattle perfume, sexiest scent, tobacco, top artisan perfumes, top fragrance for 2013, united states

Top 10 last minute luxury travel gifts for him this Christmas - BLACKBIRD BY HOUSE OF MATRIARCH

Posted on December 18, 2013 by Matriarch Blog


Finding it difficult to buy for him this Christmas and worried that you haven’t got much time left? Whether it’s time the man in your life upgraded his luggage with something more stylish or if you think he would simply love to have a pop-up bar for a night with friends, regardless of the setting, then these ideas and more can be found below.

BLACKBIRD perfume from House of Matriarch

BLACKBIRD from House of Matriarch was named ‘Top Scent for 2013′ by Men’s Journal Magazine, “Best of the West” by Sunset Magazine and ‘Sexiest Scent’ at the International Artisan Fragrance Awards. Created to honor the mysterious essence of Seattle style makers and artists, this worldly and penetrating perfume contains hundreds of exotic and rare aromas. NW conifers, Puget Sound seaweed, black leather, rare oud and cannabis: favorite notes of the Seattle avant garde. Genuine animal fixatives add depth and sex appeal. 

Offered at 33% concentration, the extrait is such a dark green, it’s nearly black. 93% natural raw materials, 7% aroma molecules in a base of organic grape ethanol. Unforgettable.

Posted in best fragrances for 2014, best winter fragrances, black, black perfumes, blackbird, bohemian, christi meshell, conceptual fragrance, conifer, GIFT, GIFTS FOR HIM, gifts for men, green, high perfumery, incense, leather, luxury, luxury perfume, matriarch, meaningful luxury, mens journal, natural, new natural perfumes, new perfumes, northwest, perfume, Seattle, seattle art, seattle fragrance, seattle perfume, sexiest scent, tobacco, top artisan perfumes, TRAVEL, washington

New Fragrance Review: House of Matriarch Sacre Tabac Part 1: Sucre + Hookah Memories in a Bottle Draw

Posted on November 16, 2013 by Matriarch Blog

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

POSTED BY , Cafleurebon

Christi Meshell of House of Matriarch has released a new scent with the help of a Facebook friend, aligning stars and her own spiritual voice telling her to remember and celebrate the sacred nature of tobacco. Sacre Tabac “Sucre” is the result. Always having loved the scent of tobacco in all its forms, the perfumer read of a young man on Facebook who was looking desperately for a perfume that smelled like his father’s hookah tobacco. Being in Sweden and quite homesick for the scents of his homeland, Christi‘s heart went out to this young man as she felt “something” stir her to do something she has never done: freely offer to make someone a bespoke fragrance!

One of the things many of us do not know about tobacco is that it was always used sacredly and ceremonially by the Native Americans. Indigenous to the New World only and usually blended with sage and sweet grass, it was used to open one to the Great Spirit, to offer thanks and to celebrate new friendships. It was not until the plant was introduced to the European explorers that it was taken and overused overindulged in and made into the number one killer in the world. Anything taken to the extreme will become its opposite. This sacred and life-affirming herb once used reverently in moderation is now looked down upon by many as evil and deadly; when, in truth, it is just another gift from the Earth for us to use responsibly as medicine and for ritual. Hopefully the joyful nature of Sacre Tabac and the natural essences of the sacred leaves it contains will help us all to remember.

 This perfume is just the first in a line of perfumes that will celebrate tobacco in all its forms and beauty. This is a wonderful place to start. The ideal was to reproduce the “starbuzz double apple” shisa blend in a fragrance. It was a sweet warm scent with the sour punch of green apple and hints of spices that resulted in clouds of warm and resinous smoke. Needless to say, the young man loves his perfume and, now that he has it, the House of Matriarch has made it available to everyone.

Available only in parfum extrait strength, Sacre Tabac Sucre is bottled with a lovely ornate label that reflects the style and flourish of the Middle Eastern areas that inspired it. This perfume billows from the skin with an aroma that is thick, sweet and full. Unlike many tobacco scents, this opens rather boozy, rich and full due to the addition of naturally derived wine ether and heady davana. Swirled into the sweet and tart green and red apples that flavor this particular blend is a high quality star anise. This adds a warm and woody spiciness to the mix as opposed to the usually drier powdery more synthetic forms of anise in perfumery. The warm spices remain throughout wearing this and curl around you along with a specially designed accord that adds the human factor into the realization of this special scent memory.

Many of us know the sweeter softer side of tobacco. The scent of the drying curing leaves is rather dank and earthy. Here the perfumer has smoothed the rougher edges with a bevy of beautiful notes. Violet leaves add a fresher greener edge and ylang ylang adds just a kiss of warm floral energy to the tobacco making it smell both more expensive and quite tasty. Copious amounts of sweet Tahitian vanilla were used along with an actual caramel accord made by the perfumer and dark molasses, which augments the spiciness of the whole blend. This thickens the sweetness also, without being nauseating or toothache-inducing.

ll this dovetails perfectly with the unique and phenomenal dry down of costus root, sassafras and just a drop of oud wood. The last ingredient was added mainly because many Middle Eastern hookah dens usually burn some form of oud wood chips or incense. That tiny amount of smoky slightly medicinal woodiness gives a smoke-kissed finale to the tobacco, vanilla and spiced apples, making it linger and echoing the sacred smoke of the hookah and the end of its sacred journey as it rises to the heavens.

I have many tobacco-based scents, as I am sure many of you do also. Sacre Tabac Sucre is extremely well-crafted. It is obvious, at first sniff, that it was created with a lot of love. Those who like sweeter earthier spiced scents will adore this, as I do. This captures the experience (as much as I can osmgaine it) of opening the tobacco, loading it, lighting it while puffing it and captures not only the tobacco, but the warmth and sacred nature it once had, and still has in some countries. I look forward with much anticipation to the release of the next Tabac perfume sometime early next year. Sillage: very good. Longevity: all day.

-John Reasinger, Senior Editor

Posted in anise, apple, best fall fragrances, ceremony, daring, double apple, drawing, essenza, facebook perfume, fragrance, fragrance guru nation, free perfume, hookah, hookah perfume, house of matriarch, malek mohammed, narguile, new perfumes, niche, perfume, sacre, sacred, Seattle, seattle fragrance, seattle perfume, shisha, starbuzz, sucre, top artisan perfumes

NEW NICHE FRAGRANCE: From Seattle to Sweden, Sacre Tabac, 1st Edition, 'Sucre'

Posted on October 22, 2013 by Matriarch Blog

When our Perfumer read about Malek Mohammed's seemingly endless search for a hookah inspired perfume, she offered to create one for him. 

In creating his personal wish-list for the fragrance pyramid,  Malek requested accents of rich vanilla, sweet caramel and spicy anise to accompany the sour burst of red and green apples.  He wanted it to be "REALLY, REALLY SWEET".  The aroma is identical to the tangy zing of double apple" shisha.   

Sucre is a syrupy unisex scent voyage, marrying the fun and drama of a concept fragrance with the refinement and sophistication of a Matriarch High Perfume.  Due to the quality of the materials used (natural fruit isolates, precious woods,) and the extrait concentration, this hypnotic perfume lasts for an incredible 24 hours on the skin. 

Universally adored for it's comforting nostalgia, tobacco has a special ability to connect us to our Ancestors and the Great Spirit.  This perfume was created in homage of that relationship and those memories so many of us hold dear.  

 

Vintage 2013

 

Posted in anise, apple, artisan, bespoke, conceptual fragrance, daring, double apple, facebook perfume, fragrance, fragrance guru nation, gourmand, green, high perfumery, hookah, hookah perfume, house of matriarch, limited edition, luxury, malek mohammed, matriarch, molasses, narguile, natural, new perfumes, perfume, red, sacre, sacred, Seattle, shisha, starbuzz, sucre, tabac, tobacco, top artisan perfumes

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