Latest news with #D.S.&Durga
Elle
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Elle
10 Best Lavender Perfumes for Every Season and Occasion
Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Like sophisticated vanilla perfumes and delicate rose fragrances, lavender perfumes are perennial for a reason. 'Lavender is one of the most beautiful oils by itself,' says David Seth Moltz, co-founder of D.S. & Durga. 'It recalls a journey through European fields with age-old associations; it can denote cleanliness and is usually powdery for people who dig that,' he notes. Used as far back as ancient Egyptian times, lavender has also been shown to have soothing and calming properties. So whether you're looking to wind down for the weekend or are just getting into a jam-packed work week, a few spritzes of lavender perfume may just help you dissipate stress (and smell amazing in the process). Despite its light and airy nature, lavender shouldn't only be considered a daytime or spring-ready scent, however. Actually, it's quite versatile.'Lavender is one of the canonical aromas of perfumery, so can work for both day and night and in any season,' says Seth Moltz, adding that it's especially fitting for the evening when mixed with deeper floral or amber scents. According to the expert, lavender blends well with other florals like jasmine and rose, as well as herbs and citruses for a crisp medley. Eager to add a lavender fragrance to your lineup or replenish your go-to stash? Ahead, shop 10 top-rated lavender perfumes that rightfully earn a spot on your vanity. Cult-loved fragrance brand D.S. & Durga is exceptional at creating unexpected, visionary scents, so you can bet its take on lavender is far from basic. Evoking the smell of burnt aftershave—which the brand imagines to have wafted through the air of a New York-based barbershop that historically burned down in 1891—it showcases notes of spearmint, lime, vanilla, and charred lavender. The result: A smoky-sweet aroma even your BF will be tempted to steal. Nordstrom rating: 5/5 stars A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'I have nearly 100 bottles of cologne. Burning Barbershop is BY FAR the best fragrance I have ever smelled. Definitely a more masculine scent but not your traditional woodsy type of smell. I took a leap of faith and hadn't smelled it prior to my purchase, and now my only regret is that I didn't opt for the larger bottle. Worth every penny and more.' A refreshingly modern option, YSL Libre offers a dark floral mix of lavender, orange blossom, and musk accord. Nordstrom rating: 4.6/5 stars A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'Love it; this perfume lasts all day. I still smell it on my clothes when I'm about to wash them. It's a statement piece.' From the famed Italian fragrance house Acqua di Parma comes this bright formula that will help put a pep in your step on even the gloomiest days. Top notes of lemon, orange, and crisp bergamot make way to lavender and rose, which are then grounded by earthy sandalwood and patchouli. A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'This is incredibly beautiful and classically elegant. It starts off a little strong and citrusy but drys down slowly to subtle perfection of rose and lavender. It lasted a day and a half on my skin, which is unheard of in today's fragrance world.' Love potions may be the stuff of mythology, but this sexy Gucci scent is perhaps the next best thing. Spritz on the lavender, sage, and tonka bean-infused fragrance; your enchanted date won't know what hit them. Meticulously crafted with eaux de parfum, aromatic oils, and acque profumate ('scented waters'), the formula is also designed to be easily layered with other scents in the collection. Nordstrom rating: 4/5 stars A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'A mystical transport back in time of lovely floral aromas.' Chanel perfumes are iconic, and its unisex Boy de Chanel scent is bound to become one of your new favorites. Paying homage to Gabrielle Chanel's great love, it boasts a calming yet bold combo of lavender, geranium, grapefruit, and sandalwood. Chanel rating: 5/5 stars A Chanel reviewer says: 'It smells expensive and exclusive. It starts kinda powdery and dry. It evolves into a slightly citrusy and fresh aroma. This scent is subtle, perfect for every day. I love it.' This straightforward scent by Chloé is a surefire pick for any lavender purist. Per the brand, it's inspired by perfumer Quentin Bisch's childhood memories of his mother walking through their garden toting a bushel of lavender. Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'I love lavender but don't like my perfume to be too singular or literal and find most lavender scents to be a little screechy and synthetic. But this Chloe perfume is top-notch in my book. It smells as if someone laid a freshly cut bunch of lavender next to a strong cup of black tea. It isn't particularly potent, lasting about five hours on my skin, and stays close and subtle. Absolutely lovely!' Among Jo Malone's repertoire of clean, luxurious fragrances is this lavender perfume with a warm and spicy twist. Including notes of rich amber and herbaceous petitgrain, it's deep enough for evening wear and is bound to invigorate the senses. A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'This is my favorite Jo Malone fragrance! It is at once both fresh and spicy, with a lovely top note and sensual dry down. I love that the lavender note doesn't get lost in the heady amber base. The two seem like such a contradiction, yet work beautifully together. I wear this scent alone during the day and layer it with a bit more spicy perfume at night, and people are always asking what I'm wearing.' This gender-neutral fragrance mixes bitter orange oil, neroli blossoms, sacred palo santo, vetiver, and sandalwood for a finish that's part sweet, part woody, and slightly grassy. To help you relax, it's also infused with CBD. Rating: 5/5 stars A reviewer says: 'An intriguing mix of florals and yard-work smell, in the best way possible. The neroli wears the pants in this scent, and the lavender is just enough to keep me interested. Great to wear out or for staying in.' While Maison Francis Kurkdjian's artisanal perfumes will cost you a pretty penny, they're backed by an astounding amount of hype (in fact, the brand makes one of the most popular perfumes ever to grace TikTok). This version from the label stars lavender from Provence, plus citrusy Litsea cubeba from Indonesia and Calabrian lemon. Rounding out the complex aroma are musky, ambery notes to ensure you earn endless compliments. Nordstrom rating: 4.5/5 stars A Nordstrom reviewer says: 'It's light and fresh yet not powdery. Smells bright with lemon but sexier than that. When I walk into a room, my boyfriend will comment that I smell fantastic. It's very different than anything else I've tried from this brand.' If you want something feminine but not too overpowering, go for this top-rated option from Guerlain. It combines jasmine, lavender, and vanilla for what customers call a well-balanced fragrance. Sephora rating: 4.4/5 stars A Sephora reviewer says: 'This has such a unique smell, makes me feel like a boss b*tch when I wear it to work. It's not super floral, sweet, or musky. A perfect clean scent.' David Seth Moltz is a scent expert and co-founder of D.S. & Durga. Sam Peters is a seasoned commerce writer and editor with over five years of experience covering fashion, beauty, and lifestyle topics. For this roundup, she consulted a scent expert about the benefits of lavender perfume and considered a range of top-rated lavender perfumes on the market, evaluating each on their customer feedback.
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Buzz Feed
I Won't Tell If You Won't: 33 Affordable Alternatives To Trendy Products
Mrs. Meyer's Tomato Vine hand soap if you long for the Loewe Tomato Leaves liquid soap but refuse to spend $85 on something that literally goes down the drain. This soap is made with aloe vera, glycerin, and olive oil, so your hands will feel fancy either way. Silicone snack bags that are just as thick and easy to seal as Stashers, but at a price that won't scare you back to using disposable ones. These are microwave-, oven-, dishwasher-, and freezer safe, so you can throw them through the kitchen gauntlet without worry. Store leftovers, travel with snacks, get your makeup through airport security, or even poach food in them — the world's your oyster! Le Monde Gourmand Pistachio Brûlée Eau de Parfum for anyone who was excited to hear about D.S. & Durga's Pistachio scent but was immediately turned off by the price. You can capture that warm, nutty, sweet smell for the price of two ice cream sundaes. Or a hydrating body butter with an entralling pistachio fragrance that infatuated reviewers have likened to Sol de Janeiro's Bum Bum Cream or Laura Mercier's Creme de Pistache Eau Gourmande. With the help of vitamin E, the whipped moisturizer aims to leave you feeling like a decadent, Michelin-approved dessert for a Costco sheet cake price. A set of wrist and ankle weights to add some resistance to your workout or brisk walk around the neighborhood. They're arguably just as cute as Bala Bangles, but without the eye-watering price tag. A spandex-blend slip maxi dress that's the closest you can get to wearing a nightgown outside while still looking ready for date night. Reviewers say that this fabric is not only comparable to a certain Skims dress, it might actually be even better. And a long-sleeve bodysuit offering the same buttery softness as the beloved Skims version. The fashion line is called Smoke Cloud because the fabric can stretch to twice its size and mold to your curves. Reviewers say it even washes well! Catrice "Instant Awake" Under Eye Brightener to expertly conceal and brighten dark circles under your eyes just as well as the $33 Becca version. The lightweight, color-adapting formula is designed to blend seamlessly — check the drastic difference in the review photo! A cult-favorite luxury-scented candle reviewers love for its intoxicating and long-lasting smell (think: Le Labo's Santal 33). It has an impressive throw, meaning you can actually fill your home with its calming jasmine, oud, and sandalwood scent instead of having to stick your nose right up to the flame. A colorful pan from BuzzFeed's Goodful line you can use to pan fry, sauté, sear, boil, simmer, blanche, braise, poach, deep fry, get it. On top of being dishwasher safe and nonstick, it's also quite the looker. Perhaps even cuter than the Always Pan? A Baccarat Rouge 540-inspired moisturizing body wash offering an affordable solution to your dependence on that beloved (but pricey) fragrance. Thanks to the notes of white jasmine, red currant, and sweet amber, shower time has never smelled better. A Simple Modern tumbler with double-wall insulation that reviewers say can keep drinks cold up to 24 hours. On top of Jack Bauer-level protection, the stainless steel mug comes in a ton of cute colors and prints like dreamy clouds and springtime flowers. Not too shabby if you don't care about brand names! A viral "Soft" perfume rollerball for anyone who wants people to think of them and think "yum." Reviewers compare this ~$5 fragrance to caramel, lemon cupcakes, warm vanilla scones, cotton candy, and this $65 bottle of Pink Sugar! MagicMinerals AirBrush Foundation, which reviewers have been relieved to find, because it's just like Dior's discontinued Airflash. To experience the magic that has 17,000+ people raving, apply the foundation to the included brush and glide it over your skin. Your face will look so smooth and radiant that people will wonder if you figured out how to use Photoshop on your face in real life. A classic bubbly paperclip chain that could easily be mistaken for a Tiffany HardWear necklace. The 14-karat gold-plated piece is so convincing, your friends might start expecting you to pick up the check at dinner. An Overmont cast-iron Dutch oven if you love the charm and function of Le Creuset, but not the price. This durable pot can still provide for all your stewing, boiling, roasting, and frying needs: It's oven safe up to 500 degrees F, cooks evenly, and cleans up like a dream. E.l.f.'s Hydrating Core Lip Shine in the "Ecstatic" shade, which reviewers say works as a very good, affordable replacement for Clinique's "Black Honey," the $25 "universal shade" that has a Shakira-level of fame and adoration. This $7 alternative is nonsticky, moisturizes with vitamin E, and melts onto your lips like buttah. Also from E.l.f., their Lash XTNDR Tubing Mascara, which creates tubing around your lashes to make them appear longer, thicker, and darker. The lightweight "extensions" won't smudge or weigh down your actual lashes and — best of all — they fall right off when you wash your face. Tartelette Tubing Mascara is shaking in its boots right now. Polarized sunglasses for people who know they can't be trusted with high-end pairs. These look a lot like Ray-Bans *and* they come in a three-pack, so losing a pair at the park won't be a world-ending event. A trio of hydrating lip sleeping masks offering a Laneige-like experience for just a fraction of the price. The berry extract and vitamin C work to moisturize lips as you go to bed, proving that beauty sleep is a real thing. Breathable, pointed-toe flats similar to classic Rothy's with stretchy knit uppers that'll have you tap dancing with glee when you try them on. When your dancing shoes start to get dingy, just toss 'em in the wash. A trendy bamboo-style frame you might have thought came from Framebridge or Aerin, but nope! Amazon. This affordable frame will help you score beach house or tiki vibes even if you're in a 1BR in a landlocked state. A midi corset dress if you love the House of CB Carmen dress but not the price. ($225?!) You can still enjoy a cinched back, front tie, and all the compliments of the real deal. A baroque-inspired mirror for anyone who has been eyeing the gorgeous Anthropologie mirrors but can't quite rationalize the hefty price tag. This piece of decor is pretty similar and comes at a fraction of the cost. A pair of Cushionaire cork-bottom sandals that are not only supremely comfortable but also an affordable alternative to Mayari Birks. The similarities go past just looks: They also have 100% genuine suede soles, so your feet are still treated to the best. Maybelline's Cheek Heat gel-cream blush perfect for fans of Glossier Cloud Paint's results — just not the price. Like its pricier cousin, the buildable formula can be lightly tapped onto your cheeks so you can look bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in seconds. An 18-karat gold-plated cherry keychain because dropping almost $100 on the one from Coach is honestly kind of ridiculous. Reviewers say this one is almost identical! A super-soft longline sports bra some have compared to Lululemon's Align tank top for an Equinox-level workout look at a Planet Fitness price. Reviewers say it offers a little less compression, so you can wear it on casual days, too. And high-waisted leggings that have also been compared to Lululemon A LOT, like over-600-reviewers lot. They're buttery soft, pass the squat test, and have the perfect stretch-to-hug ratio. Eos' Shea Butter Vanilla Cashmere body lotion with a heavenly caramel-vanilla smell that could compete with anything from Bath and Body Works or Philosophy. The fast-absorbing shea butter and oil offer a lovely amount of moisture, so you can feel like a freshly baked cake as you walk out the door. A pair of stylish teardrop earrings not unlike the popular Bottega Veneta ones, but for a fraction of the price. They're lightweight and gold-plated, meaning that even those with sensitive ears can enjoy them. A pair of wireless over-the-ear headphones just as cute and functional as AirPods Max, but at a price point so low, it'll seem like a clerical error. Despite the tiny price tag, they still boast cushion padding, a built-in mic, 10 hours of playtime per charge, and noise-cancelling capability. A pair of retro-style oval sunglasses so similar to Miu Miu, you could possibly trick friends into thinking you splurged on a $489 pair. Just be sure to correct them before they expect you to pay for lunch.
Forbes
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Why Gourmand Fragrances Are Trending This Summer Season
D.S. & Durga's Pistachio is one of the Gourmand trend's best-selling fragrances The perfume industry is enjoying a surge in gourmand fragrances. This rapidly growing sector is characterized by sweet, edible-like scents that evoke the sensations of delicious food and desserts. According to MarkWide Research these fragrances have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their unique and indulgent nature. New Beauty claims that the search for gourmand fragrances is predicted to increase by 33.9 % in 2025. Caramel perfume is expected to see the biggest jump within the category, with an over 42 % increase. Other gourmand scents predicted to trend include marshmallow perfume and especially vanilla, which in 2024 took the spotlight as a key ingredient—from creamy, smooth and fluffy vanilla to rich, smoky or even boozy vanilla. Creme Vanille Le Monde Gourmand MarieAnna Ferdinand, EVP of fragrance development at Le Monde Gourmand, tells me over email that they are seeing year-on-year growth in gourmand fragrance launches. She attributes this to the fact that consumers are tapping into this olfactive profile as they seek comfort in an uncertain political and economic environment. 'Consumers are looking for glimmers of joy that they can experience every day. Gourmand perfumes often tap into a feeling of nostalgia for happier times, like childhood, a favorite memory, but done in a grown-up way,' she says. A good example of this is their Chai Epice perfume, a grown-up gourmand inspired by a comforting chai latte. Ellis Brooklyn, founder of Bee Shapiro, concurs and tells me over email that gourmand fragrances satisfy two of our deepest wants right now: comfort and joy. We tend to feel familiar with these scents because they contain notes that we easily recognize, and they are also joyful, as gourmand fragrances tend to be playful. 'They play on the high-low aspect of perfumery.' This summer, gourmand scents evoke a holiday feel, with increasingly modern fragrances. Ellis Brooklyn's MIAMI NECTAR, for instance, is a tropical formula. 'I love the combination of pink pineapple, watery facets of coconut water with the moss and vanilla underpinning,' says Bee. It's an intense fragrance that is sweet, sophisticated and very contemporary. Another tropical gourmand is Ormonde Jayne's Montabaco Rio, which combines notes of sun-ripened wild fruits, zesty pineapple, and sweet mango with moss, amber, vanilla, and suede, resulting in a vital fragrance perfect for summer. This is a particularly unisex fragrance, as the subtle sweet notes merge beautifully with the amber, making it a strong scent. Ormonde Jayne Montalbanco Rio Jun Lim, founder and creative director of BORNTOSTANDOUT, also tells me that those bright, beachy, borderline edible scents will be stealing the show this summer, as they're both refreshing and mouth-watering. 'Think creamy coconut and sunny citrus blended with gourmand touches, like a twist of salted vanilla, creamy milk, or a hit of tarte tatin. It's as if sunscreen got gourmet," he says. Sugar Addict, a hero fragrance from BORNTOSTANDOUT, encapsulates this summer spirit in a complex scent that has both depth and freshness, simultaneously. Kayali Cherry gourmand fragrance Kayali is another example of summer gourmands. Their Lovefest Burning Cherry is enchanting, and combines succulent cherries, raspberries and sweet caramelized praline with contrasting smoky, earthy notes of palo santo, guaiac wood, and patchouli, making the fragrance unusually sensual. Kayali's Vanilla is another example of a captivating fragrance that opens with a sweet infusion of naturally sourced Madagascan vanilla orchid and creamy jasmine, combined with notes of brown sugar, amber woods, musk, and patchouli, making it a particularly versatile and memorable scent in the collection. The gourmand fragrance category itself has been around since the early '90s, when perfumes such as Thierry Mugler's Angel were first launched, but the new, updated gourmands are different. Speaking to Aitana López de Carrión, global fine fragrance development manager, over Zoom, we discuss how nuts, salted caramel, cocoa, honey, and milk are all ingredients that are rising in popularity, as are bakery-inspired notes, with fragrances that evoke desserts like banana split, crème brûlée, tiramisu or cinnamon rolls, many of which are going viral on platforms such as TikTok. The rise of 'neo-gourmands' scents, however, goes beyond traditional sweet notes and incorporates savory elements, bitter touches or umami flavors, inviting us to explore global culinary cultures. Aitana explains that this year we will continue to see scents inspired by liquors and cocktails. Éclat d'Ombre by Maison Psyche Maison Psyché—the luxury perfume house from the Rémy Cointreau group—fits into this new trend with its unique approach to fragrance: aging perfume essences inside Cognac barrels to create scents of unparalleled depth and complexity. Éclat d'Ombre, crafted by Master Perfumer Sophie Labbé and Rémy Martin Cellar Master Baptiste Loiseau, embodies this new technique and captures the essence of Cognac's historic cellars. Bee Shapiro tells me that several years back, gourmand perfumes were directed to a younger demographic, but today that has completely changed. 'Today gourmands are for everyone—gourmands have also evolved quite a bit. Sure, there are the cake-like scents, but there are a wide variety of vanillas for every scent taste,' she says. Jun Lim agrees and adds that gone are the days of candy-sweet celebrity perfumes. He tells me that today's gourmands have broken many old boundaries: they're unisex, multicultural, and global, and if you don't take yourself too seriously, you can enjoy a gourmand at any age. 'It's less about age or gender, more about your vibe,' he tells me. In his words, the gourmand genre is growing up. 'Think of it as the gourmand palette expanding beyond just 'sugar' into a whole experimental kitchen,' he says, and cites many new flavours including buttered popcorn, salted caramel, BBQ sauce, or even touches of cheese or truffle, which are making their way into fragrances. 'Consumers' noses have gotten more sophisticated; they still love sweet, but they want it with a twist. So you'll get a floral marshmallow with a hit of pepper, or a chocolate scent infused with shiso leaf. Neo-gourmand is all about contrast and surprise.' Sugar Addict BORNTOSTANDOUT As we have seen with other fragrance trends, layering scents to further personalise them is very much in vogue. Bee explained to me that all fragrances can be layered, but with gourmands, if they are focused on a few very specific opening notes, the process is easier. Vanilla and caramel tend to be warm and cozy, and sweet fruits with vanilla tend to be more candy-like and summery. 'You can easily add on different fruits via different fragrances, for example,' Bee says. When I asked Jun Lim about layering these scents he told me that in today's fragrance scene, it's actually encouraged and that perfume lovers are becoming their own mixologists. 'You can take a rich chocolatey scent and layer a smoky cedar or sheer musk over it to tone down the sweetness and add depth. And suddenly you've got a sexy s'mores vibe going on,' says Jun. The key is to have fun, experiment with different notes, and spray with confidence. With the gourmand trend underway, whether you enjoy sweet or savory perfumes, the world now really is your oyster.
South China Morning Post
05-02-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
10 Hong Kong bakeries and shops embracing the pistachio trend
Published: 7:15am, 6 Feb 2025 Updated: 7:17am, 6 Feb 2025 We are well into 2025 but the pistachio frenzy of 2024 shows no signs of subsiding. This is thanks largely to the global sensation that is the Can't Get Knafeh It chocolate bar, commonly known as Dubai chocolate , which combines a rich pistachio cream filling with crunchy kataifi pastry. Going nuts for pistachio is not confined to bakery display cases: its hues have been spotted on 2025 spring/summer fashion catwalks and red carpets from Los Angeles to London, and cult fragrance brand D.S. & Durga bottled the essence of the humble nut in a US$210 perfume. With the amount of pistachio we have seen, it is amazing it was not named Pantone's Colour of the Year. Pistachios are called hoi sum guo (happy nut) in Cantonese because they look like they are smiling. Photo: Shutterstock Pistachio has dominated social media feeds recently in Hong Kong, too. In a city where no food is too niche to have its own Facebook concern group, you can bet there is one for pistachio people. Created in October 2021, the Hong Kong Pistachio Concern Group currently has 78,000 members. The community mostly posted about Western-style confectioneries and desserts until last year, when there was a noticeable shift to members talking about pistachio-flavoured takes on traditional Chinese pastries and Hong Kong street snacks.
