Latest news with #WhiteMusk
Irish Examiner
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Examiner
Esther McCarthy: How I ruined a man's favourite dessert forever during my work experience
Lifeguard, lab technician, maritime engineer. Three jobs my eldest fella tried out recently as part of his transition year work experience. A week in each job, all with fabulous support and kind staff members helping him out, showing him patience, camaraderie, and the ropes. We're talking about how he got on, things he liked, careers he could imagine himself in. 'The main thing is you didn't make an eegit of yourself,' the youngest observes, sagely. 'Well, gather around, my children,' I coo to them softly, expanding my arms as I usher them to me. 'For I shall tell you a tale of my own work experience. The year is 1993, Mary Robinson is president, Niamh Kavanagh makes magic in Millstreet winning the Eurovision Song Contest, Prince changes his name to an unpronounceable symbol, to get out of a contract with his record label and I've finally saved up enough to buy my own bottle of White Musk...' Nah, I've lost them. They've wandered off, careful not to make eye contact. I didn't know a teenage boy could simultaneously keep his head down and roll their eyes at the same time. He looks like he's one of the precogs from Minority Report having a vision of a really boring pre-crime. ' Super Mario Kart is first released in Europe!' I shout after them, but it's too late. One's playing Clash of Clans, the other's twacking a sliothar off the wall over the sofa, BECAUSE THERE'S NO WALLS OUTSIDE HE COULD BE MARKING, and the other one's drawing a fairly terrifying yet incongruous demon duck from Five Nights at Freddy's. He's got the haunted eyes bang on, in fairness. The bill needs work, though. I bristle at the unfairness. I listen to their garbage all day long! And feign interest. Mostly. The lousy ingrates. The dog is still listening though, head half cocked, although he possibly misheard 'work' as 'walk'. He's a small bit thick, the poor fella. My work experience was two weeks in a small Italian-style restaurant in the middle of Cork city. It's long closed now, but I swear it had nothing to do with me. I was 15, and seriously clueless. We didn't do eating out much as a family. Mam made all the dinners, mostly meat, poppies, and two veg and what more would you want? A chicken Maryland in the Owenahincha Hotel was about as much experience I got as a punter in a restaurant, and after getting over the shock of biting into a battered pineapple slice, mam's bacon and cabbage was good enough for me. So I was slightly aghast when they put me out on the floor waitressing the first day of my work experience. But fake it till you make it was my kinda buzz back then so I flounced around throwing a few Mamma Mias around the place, and I put a pen behind my ear, because it made me feel bossy and busy. I was getting in the flow by the end of the first lunch rush. A guy in a suit finishes his pasta and calls me over, and asks for the dessert menu. What IS a pavlova? 'I'll have the pavlova,' he tells me brusquely. I head back to the kitchen where the chef was flinging things around the place like your man in the Muppet Show. 'Fancy Dan outside wants a pavlova,' I say as nonchalantly as I can, seeing if I can get away with actually having to say the words out loud: 'Follow up question. What IS a pavlova?' Look, 'tis far from pavlova I was reared. A homemade apple tart with a nice bit of custard, a cheeky trifle here and there, maybe a Viennetta if it was a very special occasion, but a dessert named after a Russian ballerina? Eh, that would be a hard no. The chef waves vaguely over at a tray and said, 'Don't forget the cream,' and points at the fridge. I grab a big bowl out and dollop a generous amount of white creamy stuff on top of the crispy marshmallowy yoke with strawberries on the plate. I deliver it to Mr Wall Street and then go to clear a booth that has just been vacated. After a couple of minutes, suit features is clicking his fingers at me. 'Ah, miss, the pavlova's excellent...' he says, with a weird, pinched look on his face. 'Nice one,' says I, twirling my j-cloth impatiently, looking at the substantial bite he's taken out of it. '... but the mayonnaise is a bit out of place with it,' he says grimacing like a man who's had his favourite treat ruined forever. I slink away, plate and eggy mess destined for the bin. No tip for me, unsurprisingly, but an invaluable lesson. Even if you do make an eegit of yourself, I tell the dog, as I grab the lead and the poo bags, at least you've got a story. One your children won't listen to, granted. But a story none the less, plus a deep respect for clearly-labelled condiments. Certainly not the cream of the crop of waitresses.
Telegraph
07-04-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
The Body Shop is back with five perfumes. There is one standout star
If nostalgia were a smell, it would be The Body Shop's Dewberry or White Musk. With its responsibly-sourced ingredients and packaging, the brand was decades ahead of its time. When the environmental and human rights campaigner Anita Roddick founded it in a backstreet shop in Brighton in 1976, she encouraged customers to bring their bottles back to be refilled in store to reduce plastic waste (and also because they physically didn't have enough bottles to meet demand). Roddick's vision and products were a hit worldwide (remember the bath pearls and probably the first place you ever saw a loofah?) and within a few years the products were a household name, and uniquely at that time, many were used by men and women. However, a nosedive in profits in recent years saw the struggling retailer go into administration early last year. It was bought out of administration in September by a consortium led by British cosmetics tycoon Mike Jatania, who announced a £2 million profit in its first three months under his ownership; he recently announced that they were 'back for good'. Part of the focus of the new Body Shop seems to be a re-focus on what they were always good at: fragrance. But don't expect the little bottles of hippie perfume oils lots of us queued up for in the 80s. The new fragrance collection, which they began in 2022, focusses on single note floral perfumes. As a legacy to the brand's heritage, it takes care to research and only use responsibly and sustainably sourced ingredients. There are five fragrances in total – Full Rose, Full Iris, Full Orange Blossom, Full Ylang Ylang and the latest, Full Magnolia, £42 each. My initial thoughts They're beautifully crafted. My go-to perfume would usually be something classic from Guerlain or Chanel, or if all fails, I love the fresh, splashiness of Dior' s Eau Sauvage, but I have to say these fragrances stand up to my classics and feel like a real find. They smell expensive – and are a refreshing change from the many overpowering ouds and leathery perfumes out there today. It feels rare to find a perfume like this for under £50. I agree with fragrance expert Alice du Parcq who tells me, 'If you want something minimalist but with beautifully crafted ingredients blended well, these are worth checking out. A lot of time and effort has gone into them and finding a credible, affordable fragrance that lasts well on the skin is hard to find. They are a lovely pocket friendly addition to any spring fragrance wardrobe.' Using the whole flower Du Parcq likes the concept that each fragrance uses the entire flower, not just the petals, 'The stalks, the earth, the leaves are all used which give the fragrance a bit more depth,' she says. I like how each bottle has engraved on the back with the origin of the main ingredient. For example, hand-picked roses from Grasse for the Full Rose or iris stems from the South of France for the Full Iris. Noteworthy is the Full Orange Blossom, which if you're a fan of Tom Ford's Neroli Portofino, you'll appreciate this uplifting citrussy spritz. Like another British perfume brand, Floral Street, the Body Shop's choice to focus on florals is a clever one. Floral perfumes are big sellers – Jo Malone's English Pear and Freesia, Miss Dior, Gucci Flora Orchid and Marc Jacob's Daisy are some of the best sellers worldwide. And to keep the price point down in today's climate is another plus. The standout star The newest one, Full Magnolia, has a lovely green (almost rhubarb) quality to it, but the standout for me is the Full Iris which has a crisp dryness. A lot of irissy perfumes can end up being too creamy but as du Parcq says, 'this one isn't too buttery or too green and steamy. It's a lovely place in between. Chanel 19 Poudre is one of the most classic, powdery iris fragrances out there and wearing it feels like putting on a pair of icy cool silk pyjamas. Full Iris has the same cooling feeling.' Whether these fragrance can sustain the revival of the Body Shop will remain to be seen, but trying these fragrances has reminded me of other British fragrance brands like Ffern, Olfactive O and To the Fairest, who all make accessible perfumes for under £100. In today's world where Gen Z are happy to splurge on an expensive retinol or complex skincare product to give them glass-like skin, will they appreciate the appeal of a beautifully crafted fragrance for under £50? Maybe the Body Shop are targeting its original audience which in my case, I am reeled in.
Zawya
19-02-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Euvella Unveils Two New Captivating Scents for Reed Diffusers
SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 19 February 2025 - Singapore-based fragrance company Euvella is set to expand its collection with the introduction of two new scents—White Musk and Aquamelon—designed to elevate home ambience through their signature reed diffuser sticks. Slated for a tentative early March release, these new fragrances promise to bring a fresh and sophisticated touch to living spaces. White Musk, a delicate and refined scent, combines fruity and floral notes with a warm, musky base. The fragrance opens with crisp apple and juicy peach, followed by a floral heart of rose, muguet, and lilac. Finally, the scent deepens with musky and sandalwood undertones, offering a comforting and elegant finish. This scent is ideal for those who appreciate a soft yet enduring fragrance in their homes. Aquamelon, on the other hand, delivers a vibrant and refreshing experience with its bright and juicy composition. The top notes feature a blend of melon, apple, and aldehydic citrus freshness, leading into a heart of pineapple, grapefruit, galbanum, and rose. The base settles into a sweet combination of peach, sugar, vanilla, and raspberry, creating a delightful contrast between crisp freshness and gourmand warmth. Perfect for those who enjoy invigorating, fruity fragrances, Aquamelon is set to be a standout addition to Euvella's collection. As consumers increasingly seek ways to create a relaxing and personalised atmosphere at home, the new White Musk and Aquamelon scents are poised to become favourites among fragrance enthusiasts. The new scents will complement the brand's existing range, including popular selections such as the red currant reed diffuser, grapefruit reed diffuser, and white tea reed diffuser. Whether used in the living room, bedroom, or workspace, these reed diffuser scents provide a continuous and effortless way to enhance any environment. Euvella has built a reputation for crafting high-quality fragrances that transform spaces into inviting retreats. With their commitment to premium ingredients and carefully curated blends, Euvella's latest offerings reinforce their position as a go-to brand for home fragrances. For more information, please visit Hashtag: #Euvella #ReedDiffusers The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Euvella
