New Fragrance: Sonoma Scent Studio “Yin & Ylang” by Laurie Erickson + Happy 4th Anniversary to CaFleureBon Draw

michelynafterflower draw

I have worked with quite a few perfumers in developing new fragrances, but have always wanted to collaborate with Laurie Erickson of Sonoma Scent Studio, who is one of the most talented artisan perfumers on the planet. During early spring of 2013, I felt overwhelmed by all the ouds and noirs that kept crossing my desk day after day. It was summer and while I love writing about all types of  perfumes, I am pretty picky about those I wear "off the job". So how does my creative process work? In this case, the natural ingredient was first then the name YIN and YLANG.  I have always loved ylang-ylang as a star note, but very few perfumers use it in that way. That is when I reached out to Laurie, who had composed two fragrances I had loved dearly… Opal (2007) and Femme Jolie (2009 which was inspired by one of Laurie's and my most beloved perfumes, Shiseido Feminitie du Bois). Opal and Femme Jolie were very different but together they were liquid expressions of feminity. Laurie kept how much I loved them both in mind when composing Yin and Ylang and we spoke about achieving a balance between the soft skin comfort scent of Opal and the bold sensuality of Femme Jolie. Recently in a conversation with Barbara Hermann (who wrote Scent and Subversion), she asked me what do women want in a perfume. For as many women who wear fragrance, there are as many answers but for me it is to smell beautiful and feel joy. -Michelyn Camen, Editor-in Chief

 

laurie erickson sonoma scent studio

Laurie Erickson has not done a collaboration since Forest Walk (with Mandy Aftel & Nathan Branch) 2012

A little over a year ago, Michelyn emailed to ask if I’d be interested in working on an ylang scent. She envisioned a perfume with voluptuous floral notes and some soft fruity notes in an overall chypre style backdrop, but she didn’t want a heady white floral or an edgy challenging scent. She sent me some photos of Monica Belluci, saying that they represented the unabashedly feminine, sensual floral side she wanted the scent to have. We talked about making a perfume that smelled artisan, complex, and sophisticated, but also soft, feminine, and smooth. This description sounded great to me because I had been playing with some white floral experiments the previous year that had not yet coalesced, and I wanted to get back to that theme. My previous experiments would help me know where to start, and I just hoped I could do Michelyn’s concept justice. After we talked a bit, Michelyn thought of the name Yin & Ylang because the scent would have yin and yang sides to it.

sonoma scents studio perfumes

Photo: Laurie Erickson of Sonoma Scents Studio

I rarely take on special projects like this because I blend at too slow a pace given the time commitments needed for filling orders, but Michelyn’s idea interested me and she was very patient. I finally got to start the formula about four months after we first emailed about her idea. We had a phone conversation too so that I could learn more about what she was envisioning. I started with only naturals and then added some synthetics as I went along. I was a little worried about working with a prominent ylang note because I’ve always found the opening of ylang to be challenging, but I hoped to bring out the creamy side of ylang in the drydown and to use some fruity notes in the opening to soften the strong topnotes of ylang.

yin in the yang_mor.phe.us

To make sure that the scent would fit the name, I needed to do some reading about the yin/yang concept. Most of you are probably familiar with the traditional symbol for yin and yang, in which yin is the black side with the white dot while yang is the white side with the black dot. Wiki says, “Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, and passive; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and nighttime. Yang, by contrast, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, and aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime.” All things have both yin and yang aspects to them; wiki gives the example that shadow cannot exist without light.

yin yang women painting

Wiki also says,”Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary (instead of opposing) forces interacting to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the parts.” This seems to describe a perfume formula very well, where the ingredients complement one another and combine to be greater than their sum.

I used a hefty dose of citrus topnotes (bergamot and blood orange), both to add some of the fruity, sunny character that we wanted and also to help distract from the difficult opening notes of ylang. I also added some damacones for their bright fruity notes, and I added a very light touch of an aldehyde for brightness, lift, and to support the citrus character.

monica belluci  yin and ylang white flower

Monica Belluci Photo inspiration for Yin..

For the main floral accord, I used organic ylang complete oil, jasmine sambac absolute, and a very expensive and gorgeous tuberose absolute. Even people who do not usually like tuberose notes in perfume often enjoy the absolute, which is a rich blend of spicy, earthy, woodsy, animalic, and floral facets. It can be hard to get this tuberose absolute because each harvest sells out, so I was very happy to obtain some. I rounded out the floral heart with some light synthetic floral ingredients (in the lily of the valley and orange blossom families), a tiny touch of a creamy lactone, a generous dose of lovely natural beeswax absolute, and some spicy ginger CO2. I wanted enough of the lactone to accent the tropical ylang and tuberose without adding an obvious coconut note. The ginger CO2 oil enhances the natural spiciness of the ylang and tuberose, while the beeswax absolute adds a natural pollen note to the floral heart.

monica_bellucci vanity fair yin and ylang

Photo of Monica Belluci that inspired Yang

For the base, I wanted a blend of Mysore sandalwood, patchouli, amber, vanilla, musk, and oakmoss. The base needed to have lasting power and a creamy character without being too sweet. It also needed to add some of the yang notes, since the heart of the scent is more yin. The oakmoss, sandalwood, and a touch of leather from isobutyl quinoline help to add some yang elements. I thought about strengthening the leather note (it is currently just below the radar), but experiments with castoreum, labdanum, and suederal did not please me. I preferred the yang side to be softer than the yin in this scent. The natural jasmine and tuberose add some animalic notes that also contribute to the yang side. I used an organic natural grain alcohol for the base of this scent, like the scents in my all-natural line.

ylang ylang flower

I knew the first sample I sent to Michelyn would need more of the yang side, but I sent it to give her an idea of where I was going with the project. I then added more moss, sandalwood, and leather (though the leather was still nearly imperceptible). I really loved the extra oakmoss in it. I sent several more samples to Michelyn, and we quickly zoomed in on our favorite mod. Then I worked to scale the formula up from those tiny mods of several milliliters to the first little batches of an ounce or two. Some trial and error always occurs in the scaling up process.

Top: bergamot, blood orange, aldehydes
Heart: ylang complete, jasmine sambac absolute, tuberose absolute, beeswax absolute, rose damascones, ginger CO2
Base: Mysore sandalwood oil, oakmoss absolute, patchouli, amber, vanilla, musk

 

I'm glad Yin and Ylang will debut in early spring because it will make a beautiful spring scent. I am grateful to Michelyn for providing the idea that allowed me to finally make use of the floral experiments I had done before, giving me a perfect theme to work on. I appreciate her artistic direction and her very kind patience while I worked on it. When Michelyn suggested that we incorporate the announcement of Yin & Ylang into Cafleurebon’s 4th anniversary celebration, I was honored. I want to congratulate Cafleurebon on four wonderful years and wish them many more years of success.

Laurie Erickson, Perfumer and founder of Sonoma Scents Studio

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Laurie knows we have a worldwide audience but unfortunately cannot ship outside the US. If you are reader with a friend in the US who can send Yin and Ylang to you at your own expense, for this draw only you will be eligible to enter. There are 3 one ml samples that will be part of a random draw. Please leave a comment with why you want to win Yin and Ylang or your favorite Sonoma Scents Studio perfume AND why you read Cafleurebon.com.  One 5ml  travel spray will go the reader that leaves the most  heartfelt comment about what CaFleureBon.com means to them.  You don't have to be a poet… just let us know how CaFleureBon is part of your life.  PS I love perfume oils and hope one day Laurie will consider Yin and Ylang for a body oil or dry oil. Draw ends March 26, 2014.

Thank you to all of our readers worldwide for your emails, comments and encouragement. To our friends in fragrance,our advertisers, the perfumers, creative directors, publicists and all the wonderful sponsors of our amazing draws; we are looking forward to many  more years of working together. Thanks to our talented team-Tama Blough, John Reasinger, Elise Pearlstine, Valerie Lee Vitale, Nancy Knows,  David Falsberg, and Kevin Verspoor we post new content (not just press releases to fill space) 365 days a year. Special acknowledgement to our former Contributors and Editors  because without all of you we wouldn't be one of the most read perfume blogs in the world. Here is to at least four more years of adventures in olfaction and art.

We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume.

 

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44 comments

  • I would love to try a sample of this. It sounds glorious emphasize the feminine but with a sultry seductive but not in your face presentation.
    I read Cafleurebon because I can get the latest 411 on fragrances with all the deets on scent notes. PLUS the blog has great writers!
    from Sonoma Scents Studio: Love the Cocoa Sandalwood, Spicy Citrus Sandalwood, and Fig tree. I like a diverse range of scents.

  • What a grand adventure, I love how Michelyn choose Monica Belluci for inspiration and the clever name. I am sure this is an incredibly beautiful fragrance given the of Laurie’s level of talent melded so nicely with Michelyn. I would absolutely LOVE to experience such a gem. Thanks to you both and sharing your creativity and talent with us all!

  • What a great story! I have been hearing some updates about this perfume through Laurie’s blog, but I was glad to hear the whole story from both people. My favorite perfume from Sonoma Scents Studio is Joie Ensoleille, but Sienna Musk is a close second. Cafleurebon is my window into the huge world of perfumers that I would otherwise never be able to keep up with. It feels like visiting a vivacious and generous friend who constantly has new visitors at their house, a modern-day perfume salon. Thank yoU!

  • This tuberose absolute sounds divine, and I’d love to smell the final product. I have tried several Sonoma Scents and like them all, but Joie Ensoleille is a favorite.
    For the last three years I start my morning with Cafleurebon. It is a dependable friend who always has something new to say. It is my little morning shot of happiness; reading prose about a gorgeous new perfume, seeing what beautiful painting Michelyn has picked to illustrate the feel of the fragrance. I love the early morning when I’m the first one up, and Cafleurebon starts my day with beauty. Thanks!

  • This sounds stunning! I love everything in it! Thank you for the draw.

    Your site is so informative and easy to read. I don’t get overwhelmed with things I don’t understand (and that’s quite a bit) because everything is written so well.

    thank you again!

  • I love Laurie’s work and I am one of her biggest fangirls! I have 4 of her scents on regular rotation and adore her use of oakmoss and labdanum in her scents. This latest release sounds sensual but extremely wearable. As for what CFB means to me, while I love the reviews and the profiles, the blog has deepened my appreciation for the perfume community and it’s members. Thank you!

  • I love chypres, and Sonoma Scent Studio is one of my favorite houses. This scent, and its name, sound wonderful. I have several of Laurie Erickson’s beautiful fragrances, but my favorite is Champagne de Bois. (I recently gave some samples to my 20-year-old son, and he LOVES Tabac Aurea. A new fan of SSS!)

    CaFleurBon is a favorite read because it gives behind the scenes glimpses into the fragrance business without taking away the mystery, romance, and art of perfumery. Thank you!

  • I think the concept of this scent and the name are everything that define my idea of what a woman is — it’s solidity and softness, sweetness and sharpness.

    To that end, CaFleureBon has opened up a world of information and excitement to me, who had, until recently, not understood just how complex, beautiful and creative the world of scent could be.

    Happy Anniversary, CFB, and much success wished to Sonoma!

  • I have to try Yin and Ylang because sounds amazing. It includes lots of notes I love. Also the description of that tuberose extrait is just dreamy.
    My fav from SSS is Champagne de Bois.
    I read CFB everyday because it is my fav partner for the first cup of coffee. It is fun, artistic, tempting, interesting, accessible and still full of information. Every writer has a different style and approach.

  • I love the creativeness and the whole birth process of this perfume. How absolutely perfect Yin Ylang, the synergy behind this and the ingredients are so intriguing to me.
    CaFleureBon has been a fresh air of support for me over the past three or so years. I have gained insights and learned so much from reading the interviews and reviews. Each of the writers add such a personal and exciting touch. I have seen them flourish and appreciate their passion and their ability to express it so well. Happy Birthday, CaFleureBon, you are a staple in this UT home.

  • Dubaiscents says:

    What a wonderful story about a gorgeous sounding perfume! I love Laurie’s work and can’t wait to try this one, especially hearing how it uses a limited Tuberose Absolute along with jasmine and ylang ylang. I am sure it will be as wonderful as all of her work.
    CaFleureBon is such a great mix of reviews and information about all different types of perfume. I have learned so much about the process of making perfume, the different and lesser known notes and small niche brands that I would not have heard of otherwise. This is my go to site all the latest perfume news! Congrats on 4 years – here’s to many, many more!

  • I really want to win Because of those beautiful beautiful notes I can smell from herein my mind and also I would be honored to sample Laurie’s art. Carfleurebon is always bringing the world of scent to my door through its vivid and vibrant reviews, and I discover worlds beyond my reach. I have a friend in the US who supports my quest for perfume. Laurie, a truely lovely generous gesture to open your arms to the world in this way!

  • I am not eligible to enter this draw since I live in EU. However, I am writing to express what Cafleurebon means to me. It is an elite community of perfume connoisseurs where they are always ready to enlighten you on anything concerning perfume … to me its my online university where I can visit whenever I want and learn new interesting things not only about perfumery but history and culture as well 🙂 Happy birthday dear Cafleurebon with many happy prosperous inspiring years ahead.
    This yin ylang must definitely smell heavenly and I love the fact that Monica Belucci is the woman that inspired the female side of this creation this is also a sign that Cafleurebon knows about perfumes as well as aesthetics.
    I would love to experience a dry body oil with Yin Ylang smell on my skin since body oils smell longer and offer extra care on a woman’s skin.

  • What a great name Yin & Ylang, love it and what a suiting way to celebrate the 4th Anniversay of CFB. The fragrance sounds divine, so I am sorry not to be in the US, and can’t enter. BUT I wanted to stop by and say: VERY HAPPY 4th ANNIVERSARY

  • The knowledge gained from Cafleurebon is priceless. My favorite Sonoma is Sienna Musk. 🙂
    U.S.

  • Femme Jolie is one of my all-time favorite perfumes and I’m still hoarding some. I almost cried when I heard Laurie was going to discontinue it. If Yin & Ylang is inspired partly by Femme Jolie, I can’t wait to smell it.

    Hmmm, a collaboration between Laurie and Michelyn. Can’t go wrong there!

    Congratulations, CaFleureBon on your 4th anniversary. While I can’t always comment, I never miss the news, reviews and interviews. Here’s to many more fragrant years!

  • ears PERFUMEKEV says:

    CONGRATULATIONS to Ca Fleur Bon! Thanka to Michelyn and the team for brining us great information about the beauty of the world of perfume.

    I know you will continue to be the one of the best fragrance sites to find out the best information.

    Thank you!
    PERFUMEKEV

  • Carole Fallon says:

    Happy Anniversary to CaFleurBon! I am not familiar with Laurie’s work so I would love to try Yin & Ylang for a sampler. I am in the US,

  • I’d love to win Yin & Ylang. The idea of making ylang the star instead of the supporting flower is wonderful. I currently own Rose Volupte and Incense Pure. Thanks for the draw. I live in the U. S.

  • Well, I like this site because I don’t deal with beauty in my day job so I must infuse some perfume into my day somehow. One way is to obviously WEAR perfume, but that is not enough. I must know about the perfume, what the inspiration behind it is and who created it. It is a work of art, which is the only thing that is worth living for. Without beauty and art we are just robots punching a clock.

    My favorite Sonoma scent is Rose Volupte and I am in the US.

  • Happy 4th CaFleureBon and what a wonderful collaboration. Love the variety of articles and subjects, love team CaFleureBon, and here’s to many more years. The perfume sounds lovely Laurie and Michelyn. No need to enter me in the draw, just wanted to pass along my congrats.

  • Ylang ylang is a fragrance note that I adore, so when I heard this fragrance was debuting, it piqued my interest. Fragrances that contain a heavy dose of ylang ylang and oakmoss, such as Givenchy Ysatis, make me happy; I like fragrances that are bold, yet feminine, which in a way encompasses the concept of Yin and Yang. I have been wanting to try Sonoma Scent Studio fragrances for some time, so this would be a great introduction to the line. As someone who has been a perfumista/perfume collector for over 10 years, I read many perfume blogs, but CaFleureBon is one of my favorite online sources for interviews with perfumers. I love to hear them share, in their own words, how the process of creating a new fragrance works. Happy anniversary!

  • Happy Anniversary! I’m still a bit of a newbie to perfumery, so I love to read about the inspiration behind a fragrance. The stories and accompanying art are so well thought out and just add to the overall appeal of a beautiful perfume. I prefer natural scents (especially ylang ylang, jasmine, tuberose, neroli, plumeria), but understand why in some cases synthetics are employed. I really enjoyed this interview and would love to win a sample – thanks for the generous giveaway!

  • This is such wonderful and exciting news! Happy anniversary CaFleureBon and I am proud and grateful to be a part of what we do here. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate.

    I would love to try Yin Ylang because ylang ylang is a difficult note for me and if anyone can make me love it, it will be Laurie and Michelyn! (Absolutely fabulous name too, I’ll smile every time I read it.)

    I read (and write for!) CaFleureBon because to me, fragrance is the closest thing we have to real magic in a mundane world. No other art form can instantly transport you to another time and place or transform your emotions. CaFleurebon gives us a glimpse at the inner workings behind that magic without ever spoiling the mystery.

    I also appreciate this blog because it strives for and consistently achieves excellence, something that is also magical if you have any idea how much hard work it is. And finally because it gives real exposure to truly independent artists like Laurie Erickson, Sarah Horowitz, Josh Lobb and Josh Meyer. A toast to the 4th anniversary and may there be many more!

  • I can always count on you to bring new scents into my life and to bring them with passion and creativity . A chance to win a sample or bottle of something I might not otherwise know about , nor be able to find room in my budget . For those of us who love scent as much as you Michelyn , you are a gift beyond measure . You and your staff give and give and give !
    I was fortunate to share a table with you at Sniffa one year and so to know you in person is to love your vibrant spirit , and your beauty inside and out .
    Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to experience a wonderful new chypre…my FAVE type of scent .

  • The notes in Yin and Ylang are some of my favorites, especially Beeswax and Mysore Sandalwood! I’m in the US.

    I started reading CaFleureBon last year and in that time I have learned so much and have been touched by the warmth and commitment of this community and the passion of the writers for the art they love so much. I look forward every day to learning and experiencing and feeling the magic and history and excitement of fragrance and those who love it. I feel very fortunate to have found CaFleureBon! Thanks for all you do!

  • matildaben says:

    I would love to be entered to win the draw. I live in the US. My favorite SSS fragrance is Nostalgie – it smells so vintage!

  • spirituality in art; i love the completely visual concept of this, as it certainly makes you contemplate the many ways we have all played with ylang.

    such a vision so beautifully put- your own anniversary card!

    and speaking of getting to play in the ylang, happy anniversary to you all ~~what you provide is joyous, educational & so inclusive! thank you.

  • spirituality in art; i love the completely visual concept of this, as it certainly makes you contemplate the many ways we have all played with ylang.

    such a vision so beautifully put- your own anniversary card!

    and speaking of getting to play in the ylang, happy anniversary to you all ~~what you provide is joyous, educational & so inclusive! thank you.

    no need to put me in the draw, i just wanted to say hi at the party! <3

  • Congrats to Laurie on her collaboration with Michelyn. I love ylang ylang and the combination sounds lovely. Congrats to CaFleurebon for 4 years, for interesting articles, charming photos and sentiments to match. Thank you Michelyn and CaFleurebon for the support of the natural perfumers. I am happy for that,

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    Congratulations on 4 years, CaFleureBon! I love coming here to read all the reviews on perfumes, and I love that you review niche and mainstream alike. I can always count on this site to bring to my attention lines I’d never heard of, but also to read about the perfumes at my local perfume counter. I also love all the obscure knowledge I can find in the articles – perfume is my passion but knowing how the ingredients integrate into the world around me makes it that much more meaningful.

    Favorite SSS? Too hard! My top three are Champagne de Bois, Tabac Aurea, and Cocoa Sandalwood. Laurie does incredible work, I can hardly wait to see what she comes up with next. Thank you for the draw!

  • Let me first say congratulations to CaFleureBon for four wonderful years. And many thanks to Michelyn for her love and support to me and the community at large. I come to CaFleureBon as the primary source to see what is new, exciting and inventive. You can trust the contributing experts for quality insight and commentary…and unfortunately, they also have the ability to drive purchases which my wallet is not grateful for.

    As for this new fragrance, I can only imagine what Laurie and Michelyn have created with one of my favorites, ylang-ylang. In reading Laurie’s explanation, even if I don’t win a sample, I have a feeling that there’s a purchase on the horizon.

    Congratulations again! Lots of Love! Steve

  • I really enjoyed working on this project with you, Michelyn! Many thanks, and congratulations on your 4th anniversary! You’ve done an amazing job with Cafleurebon over the last four years. Thank you for supporting indie/artisan brands and for providing such beautiful and informative posts. And thank you to the commenters here for their kind words. They mean the world to me. 🙂 Good luck in the draw!

  • Eeek! I would love to win one of the samples! SSS’s Tabac Aurea was the first bottle of “real perfume” I ever bought, so Laurie’s work as a spot close to my heart. I recently got a new order of travel sprays from SSS, and with it I got a Rose Musc sample. I didn’t expect to like it, but did, quite a bit!

    As for reading CaFleureBon, I don’t know of any other website that offers reviews on such a wide variety of fragrances. That’s what I value about the site.

  • Happy anniversary, CaFleurebon! Perfume has sustained me through some personal trials over the last few years, in a health situation where I lose little bits of my former self daily. Learning about perfume notes, talented perfumers and their work, and the gorgeous artwork here at CaFleurebon has been a welcome distraction that deepens my enjoyment of this fascinating hobby/obsession with scent; you all are the best archeological explorers in the blogosphere, finding the treasure of small independent perfumers and sharing them for us to discover. And you host such awesome drawings! Thanks to all of you for your hard work. Laurie’s perfumes are so good – Jour Ensoleillé is a favorite among others – and I look forward to trying Yin and Ylang.

  • Thank you for the article! I’m subscribed to Sonoma studio news, this is how I found about the new scent.
    I’d love to try it. Ylang is very difficult scent for me, I love it from the bottle, but cannot understand in a perfume. It would be very, very great if I win and can wear the fragrance.

    I also wish to congratulate CaFleurbon with the anniversary. Thank you for your great job! Very informative, interesting articles! I read them always with pleasure!

    U.S. reader.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    My favorite Sonoma Studio Scent is Tabac Aurea. I want to win Yin & Ylang because i like the fact this
    project has achieved a delicate balance between natural and synthetic notes. In addition, Laurie didn’t
    merely rely on general understanding of Yin and Yang which almost everyone has but tried to understand it
    at a deeper level to do justice to the fragrance. I am also interested how Tuberose has turned out in this one
    because as Laurie notes, Tuberose can be challenging. I love Tuberose in Dior Poison, Cerruti Femme (original) but
    find it challenging in Jil Sander No.4. And of course, the base could not have been better due to presence of
    Mysore Sandalwood.

    I primarily read Cafleurebon to learn more about notes and niche perfumers. On Cafleurebon, perfuemrs explain the overall
    creation process including philosophy that guided them which helps a reader better understand the fragrance and be more objective
    evaluator instead of merely judging the fragrance on the basis of personal tastes.

    I am in the US.

  • I love cafeurebon because it’s my literal one stop site to learn about old and new fragrances and perfumers. And it’s neat and clean to navigate. My favorite Sonoma is Tabac Aurea. US. ty

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I want to win Yin and Ylang because I’m also tired of the heavy winter fragrances and would love a new scent for spring. I read Cafleurebon.com to learn why I love certain fragrances.

  • Congratulations Cafleurebon for a wonderful four years!

    Yin and Ylang sounds amazing … it sounds like the perfect spring fragrance and I’m really ready for spring!

    I love that Cafleurebon is more than just reviews (although the reviews are really thought out and informative). There is so much information on perfumers, the industry, the ideas, the notes themselves. I’ve learned so much just by reading! And I’ve even won a bottle or two that I cherish! Thanks for everything you do!

    thank you for the draw. I am in the US.

  • Yin and Ylang sounds like a match made in heaven. I’m so excited for you to have done a scent together Michelyn and Laurie! Happy anniversary to Cafleurebon, and many more years of happiness!

    The reason I love to read and follow Cafleurebon, is similar to the way Michelyn wants from a perfume, as described above, to smell beautiful and feel joy!

    No one quite understands my “connection” and love for scent as my Cafleurebon friends!

  • I almost forgot to leave a post about this!

    First of all, when Michelyn collaborates with a perfumer, inspiring & special things happen. I’m very excited about this latest effort with SSS. Laurie’s creations have an exceptional, distinctive style and I know this will be an original, lovely and really well done fragrance.

    I enjoy the creative and imaginative atmosphere here @ CaFleureBon. The artwork and images that accompany the well written and informative articles make this a fun and entertaining place to visit. Congratulations on the anniversary!

  • I think I’m too late for the drawing, but I wanted to wish you a Happy Anniversary, and thank you for the blog. You’ve introduced me to perfumeries both large and small, and had really interesting articles on specific notes. The drawings are a lot of fun, which is sometimes in short supply these days. When I first discovered perfume blogs, my life was seeming increasingly gray, with even the beloved perfume I’d worn for years boring me. Winning a drawing made me feel as though good things might be ahead for me after all. I also wear perfume “to smell beautiful and to feel joy,” and thank you again for increasing the world’s supply of joy. (Yin and Ylang sounds great, too. I wonder why ylang-ylang isn’t used as a central focus more often?)

  • Valentine girl says:

    I only started reading Cafleurebon very recently and since it is the celebration of their 4th anniversary, here are the 4 reasons why I now follow and read the blog….

    1. I am hoping to delve into the world of perfumery myself and create my own one day, so I love reading the posts that introduce me to the aromatics and the different processes involved in the actual manufacturing of perfume….it’s helping me learn the science.

    2. The interviews with people who are currently in the business and the history behind some of the famous names & brands is helping me learn about the people.

    3. Reading the comments of my fellow “aromaphiles” has introduced me a new world of people who share my same passion.

    4. And of course….because of the reviews and gorgeous artwork that accompanies them that manage to take my mind to where I can almost use my nose to smell the perfume, and through my nose when I smell the perfume, my mind can transport me to a sense of time, or place, or memory, or feeling…anything I can imagine!
    For that is why I love perfume…I have an aromatic imagination!

    Happy anniversary Cafleurebon….thanks for introducing me to the story behind the creation of Yin and Ylang…I would love to try it and see where my imagination takes me.