In Love With Everything Review
Fragrance

In Love with Everything Review: Imaginary Authors Conjures Another Fragrance Fantasy

A journey beyond the "guilty pleasure."

Join us Friday, Dec. 2nd for an upbeat meet-and-greet with Imaginary Authors founder & perfumer Josh Meyer!

Chat with the perfumer, enjoy exclusive gifts with any Imaginary Authors purchase, and sip a signature cocktail inspired by “In Love With Everything.”

1826 Sherbrooke St. W, Montréal, QC
December 2nd, 5:00pm – 7:00pm

As you might know, each Imaginary Authors fragrance is framed as the scent of an imaginary novel. And to understand the pleasures of their newest fragrance “In Love With Everything“, it helps to look at a real-life work of art: the musical “Xanadu”. I’m not talking about the famously-failed movie musical starring the late, great Olivia Newton-John. Instead, this fragrance reminds me of the film’s surprise-hit Broadway musical adaptation.

You’ll be forgiven if you haven’t heard of either; the original “Xanadu” movie was famously bad. While the soundtrack by E.L.O. became a hit, its perception as a campy failure was so universal it heralded the end of glossy musical film productions for decades. On the other hand, “Xanadu: The Musical” was a 2007 Broadway adaptation which tried to capitalize on the delightful excess of its source material. It was a parade of deliberately over-the-top scenes and cheesy musical numbers, mostly performed on roller skates. The plot of the musical parodied the film’s preposterous storyline: a Greek muse helping a hunky artist to open an L.A. nightclub. It worked: the production was so committed to the joys of a guilty pleasure that it flew past irony and looped back around to life-affirming. While the original film inspired the Golden Raspberry Awards (which honour the “worst” of that year’s cinema), “Xanadu: The Musical” was nominated for a Tony for Best New Musical.

To us, this is what’s going on in “In Love With Everything”. The fragrance is an electrifying shot of eighties breakfast orange juice, raspberry jam, and intergalactic roses. Instead of elevating its ingredients, it exaggerates them for maximum pleasure. The result: a fragrance which flies past guilty pleasure and into something even more joyful. Once the tart, pulpy opening eventually dissipates like so much roller-disco fog, it reveals a glow-in-the-dark, arcade-birthday-party warmth. That warmth feels naggingly familiar, evoking the nostalgia of unnamed childhood sense memories. Is it the “stardust” note? Or perhaps the “tropical punch” accord? Impossible to say.

Aspects like these are called “fantasy accords” in the fragrance world, and are one of the trademarks of the work of Josh Meyer, the Portland-based perfumer who founded Imaginary Authors. They usually consist of a cocktail of synthetic molecules meant to evoke a place, texture, or even an emotion. Classic examples of this include “amber” (a fantasy accord imagining the scent of the fossilized resin, not to be confused with ambergris) and home scents which describe their scent as “clean linen” (an object which likely smells mainly like the laundry detergent it’s washed with, or even like nothing at all).

Including these accords in a list of notes doesn’t describe a fragrance’s actual ingredients so much as it offers another dimension of storytelling. Meyer often challenges you to imagine aromas that are tactile and conceptual: Fresh Tennis Balls (“The Soft Lawn”), Warm Sand (“Falling into the Sea”), Arpora Night Market (“Slow Explosions”), Baltic Sea Mist (“Every Sea a Serenade”), Orchard Dust (“Yesterday Haze”), Salvaged Shipwreck (“Whispered Myths”), First Kiss (“Sundrunk”), and even simply “???” (“O Unknown”). If a list of notes is like a Table of Contents for the fragrance, why not make the chapter titles as evocative as possible?

Like Meyer’s other scents, “In Love With Everything” achieves the sensation of entering a vivid imaginary world. The fragrance embodies the gleeful, spandex-futuristic visions of the early 80’s (or 90’s, for that matter – or any stretch of time when the sensory world could feel genuinely new). Maybe it even smells a bit like the feeling of surging adolescence. Either way, with its refreshing, mind-bending wearability, it shows “bad taste” doesn’t really exist and that a “guilty pleasure” is only a state of mind. After all, who can resist the pure, ecstatic, dopey joy of musical lyrics like these: 

 “I’m alive / and the dawn breaks across the sky / I’m alive / and the sun rises up so high / Lost in another world / Never another word / But what can I say? / I’m alive! / I’m alive! / I’m alive!”

IMAGINARY AUTHORS IN LOVE WITH EVERYTHING EDP
Imaginary Authors
IN LOVE WITH EVERYTHING
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Reviews

The Etiket Team’s Fall Favourites

Fall is here! We asked our staff to pick their favourite product for the season and to explain why it's their go-to. Let's discover them together!

The crisp and cozy fall weather has arrived, and the team at Etiket is, of course, full of product recommendations for the seasonal change. Find out what staples make up some of our staff’s beauty, skincare and fragrance daily rituals.

“For me, the Superkind Radiance Mask from Tata Harper is a must. Twice a week, I exfoliate with the Regenerating Cleanser and then follow up with this famous mask that is oh-so-soothing. Then a 20-minute break of happiness… and an instant “wow” rejuvenating effect! The chamomile and lavender help calm my skin and the lactic acid helps improve the texture of my skin, providing a light exfoliation and glow. I love it!”
– MARIE-FRANCE, Boutique & Spa Director
”Imagine 5,000 years of ritual in a bottle? Natural and without artificial fragrance, a few drops of this oil blend that includes coconut, almond, sesame and avocado allow me to eliminate any trace of dry skin from first use. Nourishing but not greasy, it’s not sticky and the quick absorption is amazing. I love it so much that if I could bathe in it, I would. IMPOSSIBLE so I console myself with the Ayurvedic bath blend and enjoy the benefits of ancestral rituals to travel the world, all in my bathtub.”
– THOMAS, Boutique & Spa Assistant Manager
“This fall my new obsession is Agent Nateur’s holi (bright) Mask. The texture is so easy to apply and remove, a small amount goes a long way. I fit it into my nighttime routine a couple of times a week and wake up in the morning looking smooth, bright and refreshed!”
– JORDANNA, Holistic Aesthetician
“I really like berry, cranberry, and old rose shades for this fall.
Twilight Lane by RMS Beauty is really comfortable and provides good hydration with its lip balm texture. Ilia Beauty’s Balmy Tint in the colour Memoir is also a really beautiful shade for fall.

– VERONICA, Makeup Artist & Beauty Specialist
“Fall is a time of extra layers, but since I still want something clean and versatile, I’ve been really enjoying Etat Libre’s newest, The Ghost in the Shell. It’s like a fresh-out-of-the-shower fragrance with a little extra coziness and warmth. It’s comforting but not too heavy, original but effortless.”
– DAVID, Director of Fragrance
SkinCeuticals’ Epidermal Repair is my go-to to use alongside retinol treatments as it really helps restore compromised skin from treatments or even aggressive winter weather. My skin feels soothed and looks radiant.
– MICHELLE, E-Commerce Manager

“I started incorporating SkinMedica’s Lytera 2.0 into my routine because as the summer progressed, I recently noticed that hyperpigmentation spots had started to appear on my cheeks. I will be combining this brightening and pigmentation correcting product with BBL treatments for optimal results.”
– KARINE, Marketing Director
“Tata Harper’s Resurfacing Body Serum is an aromatherapeutic experience with every application. Not only does it smell wonderful, but it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft thanks to smoothing and exfoliating ingredients. Best part? It does not leave a sticky or greasy feeling and literally absorbs in seconds so I can go about my day without worry.”
– NATALIE, Marketing Assistant

I love the hydration that this creamy mask provides. It is formulated for dry, dehydrated and sensitive skin and helps combat dull, dehydrated skin. It can be used both day and night to soothe and revitalize the skin.
– STEVE, VP Operations
“I love to do the Supreme-C Treatment from Nuori for the change of seasons to give my skin a boost. It helps with my hyperpigmentation and sun damage that I may have had even when wearing a sunscreen this summer. It also helps to bring my skin back to life and gets my glow on! I like the addition of Hyaluronic Acid and Ferulic Acid which helps to complete the treatment.”
– SIMON, Founder

Shop these products online at etiket.ca or stop by our boutique!

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Fragrance

Summer Scent Roundup

Our top 10 fragrances for summer transport you to destinations near and far.

As the world rediscovers the joy of travel, we decided to curate our summer sample pack with fragrances that not only are perfect for warmer weather, but also transport us to fascinating destinations around the world.

Whether evoking the coconut, vanilla and wild gardenias of the Seychelles, the coniferous mountain forests of Alberta, the yuzu-studded steam baths of Kyoto or the Victorian violet gardens of the United Kingdom, our picks for summer scents are a gateway to fragrant frontiers near and far, while also serving as the perfect scent pairings for sunny summer fun. 

Hiram Green
VIVACIOUS

Destination: Isle of Wright, United Kingdom

Violet purples. Lime green leaves. Sherbet oranges. Taffy pinks. Inspired by the candy-coloured gardens of the Victorians, for whom the violet was a particular treasure, this all-natural masterpiece swirls and dances with the indescribable, sweet and sour ecstasy of real flowers billowing in symphony on a seaside wind. 

Take a sniff and be transported to the Isle of Wight, an island off the southern coast of England where Queen Victoria built her summer residence, Osborne House. Walk the gorgeously manicured gardens of topiary and peak into the antique greenhouses, where fragrant rows of parma violets still grow.
Meleg
ARASHIYAMA

Destination: Kyoto, Japan

The air is thick with cool humidity as you stroll through the endless rows of a bamboo forest. Clad in wood and stone, a secluded “ryokan” inn beckons with the pleasures of an onsen; a volcanic steam bath of teal grey, misty water teeming with fragrant minerals. 

A remarkable scent illusion: a serene, deeply refreshing trip to the traditional hot springs of Kyoto’s Arashiyama Mountain, where whole yuzu fruit are tossed into the waters for an extra touch of citrus oil festivity. Notes of magnolia, tea and the most delicate cedar incense imaginable immerse you in gentle clouds of invisible steam. 
Monsillage
ROUTE DU QUAI

Destination: Rivière-Ouelle, Quebec

Named from an Algonquin word meaning “where rushes grown on the water’s edge”, the Kamouraska region of Quebec is an idyllic expanse of salt marshes, fishing villages, lush farmland and panoramic sky. Montreal-based perfumer Isabelle Michaud spent the summers of her youth here, and named this perfume after the road that led to her cottage. 

A marine freshness permeates the air, with a breezy blend of wild local herbs and grasses adding a deeply textured sense of place. Abstract facets of transparent flowers add the crucial emotional element: the giddy anticipation of a childhood summer about to begin. 
Vilhelm Parfumerie
BASILICO & FELLINI

Destination: Rome, Italy

 The Italians so closely associated love with basil that, in days gone by, a sprig of the herb placed on a woman’s balcony was a symbolic invitation to her suitor. Years later, the carnivalesque entanglements of Roman romance were bottled, still fizzing, in the films of Federico Fellini, who invited viewers on deeply personal joyrides around his chaotic, glamourous city. 

Smell this pastoral dream sequence pulled direct from a Fellini film. The fruity, leafy enchantment of fresh figs and savoury green basil blends airy innocence and urban sophistication, the rustic scents of the Italian countryside infused with the urgent zest of life in an ancient metropolis.
Imaginary Authors
THE SOFT LAWN

Destination: New Haven, Connecticut

If you’ve ever seen “Gilmore Girls”, you can smell how the verdant combo of quaint Americana, witty banter and upper-class anxiety turns the minutiae of small-town life into an endless epic. People in this part of the world seem to live submerged in oceans of power, history and tweed, determined to carve out their own slice of destiny. 

A trip to picturesque New Haven, an affluent city on Long Island Sound which brims with the seaside charms of New England and plays host to Yale University, is an invitation into this forbidden world. Smell the tart linden blossoms and ivy-covered stone as you walk between museums, as locals exude crisp vetiver and the mossy scent of the tennis court. 
Libertine Fragrance
SOFT WOODS

Destination: Jasper, Alberta

In Jasper National Park, the terrain is a soaring architecture of geology and light. Framed by simulation-perfect mountains patterned in abstract colour-fields of “wilderness”, each sun-dappled valley and canyon seems to contain more air than should fit between the water and the sky.

From this textural network of plant life and landscape: the smell of the subalpine forest in summer. Alberta perfumer Josh Smith magically transcribes it, with impressionistic touches of luminous rose to capture all that light, spirit, and spatial complexity. A chorus of juniper, balsam fir, and the trillion-fold factories of plant oil carpeting the so-called “Hall of the Gods”.
Gallivant
LOS ANGELES

Destination: Los Angeles, California

Like almost any massive city, Los Angeles is an electric clash of energies; of histories exalted and forgotten. Smell the hypnotic sheen of Hollywood, gleaming in the glow of vintage neon and sepia California sunlight; wild Pacific coastlines studded with aromatic sagebrush; desert-dwelling New Age millionaires shrouded in pacifying incense. 

Then there are the fragrant outposts of more enduring cultures that have collected in this place: Mexican neighbourhoods perfumed by garlands of intoxicating tuberose, honeyed narcissus and skewers of juicy pineapple. The soul of Los Angeles is a smooth and carefree cocktail, breezy and addictive. 
Heeley
COCCOBELLO

Destination: La Digue, Seychelles

A little archipelago scattered across the Indian Ocean, the Seychelles were seemingly tailor-made for maximum island beachiness. The famous beaches of La Digue island, like Anse Source-D’Argent, are flanked by undulating rock formations eroded into waveforms that mimic the cyan sea, and punctuated with palm tree exclamation marks. 

After brunch at the resort, you might take a trip to the L’Union Estate vanilla farm, before hiking past bushes of the rare and highly fragrant Wright’s Gardenia on your way to lounge lazily in the coconut-studded sand. One sniff of this cheeky cocktail brings all these heady, creamy, cartoon-coloured beach vibes sailing in on a warming breeze.
Goldfield & Banks
VELVET SPLENDOUR

Destination: Ikara-Flinders Ranges National Park, South Australia

For one thing, there’s the slang. We all know at least one nugget of endearing Aussie shorthand, playfully reinforcing its status as a quirky upside-down-land at the bottom of the earth. And so encountering a flower with a name like a TV puppet, we are disarmed, unprepared for the sultry, summery, cinematic plushness of the scent of the Wattle Flower. 

A type of mimosa, they grow wild on Flinders Ranges, a rugged, sweeping mountain range in South Australia. Delicate yellow clouds, they’re softly powdery and almost sweet, the blossom-y aroma polished into freshness by the raging sun. How Australian they are: innocent puffs of joy thriving on the knife-edge of a wild and unknown world. 
Tauer
COLOGNE DU MAGHREB

Destination: Tangier, Morocco

Created in Germany in 1709 by an Italian perfumer inspired by the citrus groves of his homeland, the original “eau de cologne” began as a poetic intersection of place. Perfect for applying after a cold shower before venturing into the summer heat, these feather-light formulations suspend botanical beauty in fleeting waves on the skin.  

Centuries later, a Swiss perfumer uses the frame of a “cologne” to capture the warm glow of a Tangier sunrise, merging European and North African influences as the city does itself. A seamless blend of aromatics, 100% natural, pools like liquid sunshine: citrus oil flowing over bundles of aromatic herbs on a rocky landscape of cedar, vetiver and blooming Moroccan flowers.

FRAGRANT DESTINATIONS | Summer Sample Pack

Try our 10-scent itinerary and embark on a journey of fragrant discovery. Features 0.7ml samples of our top 10 scents for summer.

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Green Perfumes We Love
Fragrance

Earth Month: Green Perfumes We Love!

Read on for a list of all-natural and sustainable brands, as well as a curated list of their scents we think you’ll love.

Perfume is a luxury. And on days like Earth Day, when we audit the necessities and excesses of our lifestyle and their effects on the health of the planet, it can seem like luxuries are, by definition, out of sync with the natural world. 

However, there are fragrance brands making steps to work within the bounds of nature. Some produce perfume using only plant-based materials. Others have spearheaded initiatives in favour of sustainable production and radical transparency. 

Read on for a list of all-natural and sustainable brands, as well as a curated list of their scents we think you’ll love. 

ALL NATURAL PERFUME BRANDS

ABEL

Abel is the ultimate intersection of art, ethics and natural science.

Following a failed search for a natural perfume that was chic, modern and long lasting, Abel was founded in Amsterdam by New Zealander Frances Shoemack with a simple goal – to create the world’s best natural perfume.

Abel is made of 100% natural ingredients. Rather than clouding your personality with a consistent intensity, the beauty of all natural ingredients is their evolution on your skin, working with the natural chemistry of your body to create a unique scent.

Abel believes in the power and beauty of scent, and its ability to enrich daily life in a way nothing else can. Their scents prove that indulgence doesn’t need to have a negative impact on the earth, its inhabitants, or you. 

HIRAM GREEN

Since 2013, Canadian-born perfumer Hiram Green creates handcrafted fragrances made exclusively from natural materials.

All fragrances are developed and produced in small batches by Hiram in his perfume studio in Gouda, The Netherlands. He believes that natural fragrances need not be instantly recognizable as natural, or have less intensity or silllage than traditional perfumes.

His vibrant compositions have been praised by perfume experts and enthusiasts alike. Each Hiram Green scent is proof that polished, world-class perfume can be made solely from natural ingredients. 

SUSTAINABLE INITIATIVES

HERMETICA

Hermetica is a collection of molecular fragrances inspired by the ancient practice of alchemy. Hermetica founders John and Clara Molloy created the brand on a foundation of sustainable manufacturing and ingredient transparency. Their bottles are made from recycled glass, and their boxes are made from biodegradable, recycled paper and zero plastic.

In addition, Hermetica has partenered with Planète Urgence, the French environmental non-profit organization, to finance the planting of more than 5,000 trees in Madagascar and Indonesia. With every purchase, you will be supporting reforestation programs in the region. 

Hermetica uses a blend of natural and molecular ingredients, and features a unique raw material index on their website which catalogs every ingredient in their formulations (a rarity in perfume). 

MAISON CRIVELLI

Maison Crivelli is a new French perfume house practicing a philosophy of slow perfume. Their scents showcase classic ingredients in surprising new blends, resulting in groundbreaking new synaesthetic scent experiences.

Their fragrances are bottled in eco-responsible packaging, with an eye to reduce waste. They use 100% cardboard boxes without plastic, hand crafted and created from artistic FSC Italian paper, and wrap them in biodegradable cellophane which is produced from wood. 

Their founder Thibaud Crivelli’s long experience with sourcing natural raw materials led him to support the Cœur de Forêt (Heart of the Forest) association, which supports the sustainable farming of patchouli in Indonesia. For every purchase of 3 bottles, Maison Crivelli finances the planting of one sustainable patchouli cutting.

GOLDFIELD & BANKS

Goldfield & Banks is the first luxury perfume house in Australia. It was founded to represent the majestic, varied landscapes the country is known for, as well as showcase the indispensable natural raw materials they produce, such as sandalwood, buddha wood, boronia, blue cypress, wattle (mimosa), and even oud. 

Working closely with Australian farmers, they prize traceability and quality in their materials. Their fragrances and ingredients are cruelty free and child labor free. Their bottles feature wooden caps made of repurposed driftwood, and are packaged in FSC paper boxes with biodegradable cellophane. 

NATURE-CONSCIOUS SCENTS TO TRY

Fresh: Tauer – Cologne du Maghreb (all-natural fragrance)

Green: Heeley – Vetiver Veritas (all-natural fragrance)

Citrus: Maison Crivelli – Citrus Batikanga (eco-conscious brand)

Classic Floral: Hiram Green – Moon Bloom (all-natural brand)

Modern Floral: Hermetica – Peonypop (eco-conscious brand)

Fresh Woody: Abel – Green Cedar (all-natural brand)

Rich Woody: Goldfield & Banks – Silky Woods (eco-conscious brand)

Musky: Abel – Cyan Nori (all-natural brand)

Sweet: Hiram Green – Slow Dive (all-natural brand)

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Mother's Day Fragrances
Gift Giving

Mother’s Day: Scents Mom Will Love

A fragrance she'll love...

Scents can lift the spirit, bring back memories, and carve out moments of reflection, connection, and joy. For this Mother’s Day, we’ve selected a variety of products both nostalgic and forward thinking, and for both the body and home. From upgrades of classic perfume styles to new flights of fragrant fancy, these are sure to delight, surprise, and show how much you care. 

Ella
ARQUISTE
For the mom who’s fashionably old-school – a new twist on ultra-chic ladies perfume. 
Vivid Gardenia Soap
TAUER
A dramatically fragrant self-care moment. Like a new bouquet of flowers for every bath or shower. 
Fennel Soap
MONSILLAGE
Quirky, refreshing, garden-inspired soap from the beloved Montréal perfume house. 
Lavander and Goat Milk Soap
MONSILLAGE
The perfect touch of luxury for any mom who likes things subtly scented. 
Athalia
PARFUMS DE MARLY
A gorgeous, grown-up signature scent. A bit floral, a bit woody, totally sophisticated. 
Chiavi Candle
FORNASETTI
A gorgeously designed ceramic candle with a warm herbal scent. 
A Lilac a Day
VILHELM PARFUMERIE
A refreshing, modern recreation of a backyard floral favourite. Perfect on fabric too!
Aramara Diffuser
CULTI MILANO
An easy reed diffuser that feels like opening a window on an Italian orange grove. 
The Favourite
PENHALIGON’S
A modern floral with a perfect name for gifting. A delicate perfume fit for a queen!
Blanc Poudre II
HEELEY
Clean, fresh, minimalist and timeless. A perfect daily scent for creative moms. 
Tel Aviv
GALLIVANT
This breezy vacation in a bottle is a subtle, work-appropriate fragrance upgrade!
Eau Fraîche
MONSILLAGE
A joyful, transparent summer scent for any mom who hates heavy perfumes. 
Lilac & Willow
T.LEES
A breath of fresh air for any room, or a soothing accompaniment to bath time. 
Nurture
ABEL
This ultra-light, all-natural scent was designed for the sensitive noses of new moms. 
Premier Figuier
L’ARTISAN PARFUMEUR
A green, poetic fig scent for the mom who loves to change things up. 

Shop these gift ideas online at etiket.ca or stop by the store!

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DISCOVER NAOMI GOODSIR AT ETIKET BOUTIQUE
Fragrance

Naomi Goodsir: Discover Perfumes Like Vivid Dreams…

The cult perfume house from Sydney-born, Grasse-based milliner Naomi Goodsir invites you on an unforgettable olfactory journey.  

Known for her avant-garde silhouettes and flashes of punk-infused fantasy, the aesthetic world of Naomi Goodsir balances inspiration with French savoir-faire. Founded in 2012, her namesake collection of perfume extends her uncompromising vision and impeccable craftsmanship to the realm of fragrance. These are statement perfumes of the highest order, and must be experienced to be believed.

Unique, polished and achingly beautiful, the fragrances of Naomi Goodsir are not for smelling like everyone else. However, for those willing to take the plunge, they are sure to hypnotize and delight all who enter their trail.

EXPERTLY ECCENTRIC

Founder Naomi Goodsir is a true original. Born in Sydney, Australia, avant-garde milliner Naomi Goodsir has created pieces for the English National Opera and Kanye West’s eponymous label, and has been exhibited by museums around the world. With creative director Renaud Coutaudier, she crafts perfumes as detailed and unmistakeable as her accessories, in collaboration with perfumers such as Julien Rasquinet, Bertrand Duchaufour and Isabelle Doyen. Her collection is an idiosyncratic olfactory ecosystem, full of emotion and mysterious textures.

THE COLLECTION

BOIS D'ASCÈSE - NAOMI GOODSIR
Bois d’Ascèse
NAOMI GOODSIR

“Bois D’Ascèsce smells like the most expensive country fireplace in the world, crackling in comfortable silence as a story begins to be told. Mysterious, slightly mystical, and quietly very confident, this is one of the most well-balanced, romantically polished woodsmoke fragrances we’ve smelled.

CORPUS EQUUS - NAOMIR GOODSIR
Corpus Equus
NAOMI GOODSIR

A vivid recreation of clean saddle leather saddle that blurs the line between racehorse and racecar. Dark, dry resins mingle with something akin to burnt rubber, infusing the scent with animalistic alertness. It’s intense but also polished, crisp, energizing, and even, in a strange way, refreshing.

CUIR VELOURS - NAOMI GOODSIR
Cuir Velours
NAOMI GOODSIR

A langorous take on leather, with fruity facets of immortelle sparkling in the long rays of afternoon sun. The brooding atmosphere is playfully subverted with a whiff of sweet tobacco and… lipstick? Like lounging in a luxurious pied-a-terre awaiting a hedonistic summer’s eve.

IRIS CENDRÉ - NAOMI GOODSIR
Iris Cendré
NAOMI GOODSIR

A portal to the earthy soul of iris root, with its green and buttery aspects in full display. It wears like an invisible texture, both fudgey and feathered, surreal and edgy, as if Alexander McQueen and Iris van Herpen traded notes. A poetic nature documentary filmed in visceral virtual reality.

NUIT DE BAKÉLITE - NAOMI GOODSIR
Nuit de Bakélite
NAOMI GOODSIR

An avant-garde scent both reckless and controlled, gritty and operatic, with milky, humid tuberose anchored by pungent green galbanum and earthy woods. Wild, alchemical, hallucinatory, full of movement and bracing nature, it feels like wearing a sculptural piece of scent couture. Astonishing.

OR DU SÉRAIL - NAOMI GOODSIR
Or du Sérail
NAOMI GOODSIR

Though tobacco-inspired, to us this fragrance smells as cheerfully intoxicating as a hot toddy. Tangential references to oak, maple, rum and coconut are decadently set ablaze, but even with all that warmth, “Or du Sérail” remains comforting and approachable, imploring others to get closer.

SAMPLE THE COLLECTION

Shop Naomi Goodsir’s Discovery Set: A perfect way to immerse yourself in the world of Naomi Goodsir. 

This set features 2ml spray samples of all six fragrances in the collection. It also includes illustrated blotters to experience each olfactory artwork in its purest form. 

Discover Naomi Goodsir at etiket.ca or in-store!

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Discover our most attractive scents
Fragrance

Most Attractive Fragrances

Whether we're single or partnered, most of us want to be alluring. So, if attraction is the goal, how do you want to smell?

Most of us want to be alluring in some way, whether we’re single, partnered, or something in between. And there is perhaps no sense more tailored towards intimacy, or the prospect of it, than the sense of smell. Smell is a primal sense, hijacking memory and emotion, triggered by a poetic process in which a tiny piece of what you smell must breach your physical boundaries and enter your olfactory sensors in literal physical communion. 

So, if attraction is the goal, how to harness the sense of smell?

First and foremost, we need something that makes us feel confident. A study showed that women rated men’s attractiveness higher when they were wearing a scent, even if they only looked at a picture of the man and couldn’t actually smell what they were wearing. In other words, scent helps us feel like we’re projecting our best selves. But while confidence is key, for Valentine’s month, we decided to dig a little deeper. We dove into the history of sensory research, discovering which raw materials have been shown to be attractive, stimulating, and emboldening. From there, we curated a list of scents that are sure to make an impression. 

Musk was one universal choice. It mimics an animalic rush of intimacy, warm and slightly forbidden. Arquiste’s Él is like wearing a tailored suit to a glamourous tropical disco, and dries down to an intoxicatingly sexy musk; never veering too far into old-fashioned funk. For a more carefree sex appeal, all-natural brand Abel manages to capture an addictive salt-kissed skin musk effect in Cyan Nori – and perhaps there’s nothing sexier than effortlessness.

Speaking of effortlessness, the abstract molecular aura of Escentric 02 by Escentric Molecules takes the magnetic skin-enhancing magic the brand is known for and adds an effervescent freshness. It features hedione, a molecule similar to aspects of jasmine, which has been shown to possess aphrodisiac qualities. And like all Escentric Molecules scents, it smells even better to those around you.  

The history of perfume is filled with winking nods to intimacy. The fragrance 1725 by Histoires de Parfum is a modern reinterpretation of the seminal perfume Fougère Royale, a civilized scent for nobility which, as scent writer Luca Turin has noted, featured an irreverently dirty drydown. This version, suitably dedicated to Casanova, is cleaner and more delicious than its historic reference. It adds a layer of elegant vanilla to the composition, an ingredient also cited for its attractive powers. 

In fact, for some people, there is nothing more alluring than waves of unctuous vanilla. For this reason, we’d be remiss if we didn’t include a fragrance tailor-made for sex appeal:  Absolute Aphrodisiac by Initio. Unabashedly swooning, the fragrance glows with an eternal, narcotic vanilla warmth, deepened by amber and musk. 

It surprised us to learn that fruity notes have also been shown to stimulate attraction. Habdan by Parfums de Marly contains one of the most surprisingly well-structured uses of fruit we’ve smelled in fragrance, using the crisp snap of fresh apple to enliven incense with devilish panache. 

Fruity notes also enhance the plush textural symphony of Phi: Une Rose de Kandahar by Tauer. The fragrance is a velvety ode to rose, a material which studies have shown increases the perception of attractiveness. In fact, the natural Afghani rose oil used in the formula is so unbelievably rare the perfumer himself warns it is sometimes impossible to produce. Even if you didn’t know what went into making it, the scent feels like an intoxicating, ultra-luxurious cuddle, and would make anyone want to get a closer sniff. 

Rose isn’t the only flower that has been shown to have powerful emotional effects. Lilies, even in synthetic reconstruction, have been shown to have a stimulating effect. Long the realm of classical, stately compositions, lily becomes vibrant, ultramodern and achingly fashionable in Lys Sølaberg by Maison Crivelli. A smoky, wood and amber undercurrent cements the allure and keeps it wearable for all genders. 

For those who want to make a seductive impression, woods and resins are an excellent go-to. Autoportrait by Olfactive Studio blends musk, incense and moss with vetiver, an earthy ingredient that has been shown to heighten attraction. It’s a versatile, daily signature with a coy excitement sizzling beneath the surface. There’s something about it that smells youthful and commanding at the same time, projecting spontaneity and confidence. 

In the same family, Pachuli Kozha by Nishane might be one of the most lusciously sensual smoky fragrances we can think of. Top notes of aphrodisiac ylang-ylang brighten a delicious current of black pepper and honey, which pours lavishly over the brooding embers of incense and patchouli. It’s impossible to wear and not feel your confidence soar. 

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Fragrance

Our Favourite New Fragrances from 2021

Our favourite new arrivals reinvented the classics, and shared a versatile comforting warmth.

This year saw the arrival of some of the most memorable fragrances in recent memory. As we started compiling our favourites, we noticed many of our picks were united by a spirit of reinvention. Modern takes on chypres, fougères, and incense & rose, for example, mined old tropes for newly satisfying blends. In addition, most scents shared a sense of warmth, as if anticipating the extra comfort we’d need to stay grounded in our turbulent world.

Creamy dreamscapes, poetic forests, glowing auras of musk and smouldering incense helped us access serenity at Etiket HQ. But make no mistake: these scents are not just for winter! Instead, they prove that cozy, soothing or contemplative fragrances don’t have to be boring. Read on to discover our favourites, listed in no particular order.

Imaginary Authors
FOX IN THE FLOWERBED

A joyful, soothing ode to jasmine, diffused through the sepia lens of an early summer sunset. Colourfully nostalgic, like the films of Wes Anderson.
Escentric Molecules
MOLECULE 01 + PATCHOULI 

This reinvention of single-ingredient masterpiece Molecule 01 adds a moody, musky, spicy, sparkling patchouli layer to its skin-enhancing base.  
Arquiste
PEAU

Like sensual bass notes for the skin, with cedar air and an almost indescribable musk accord. Layer under everything: wide-eyed compliments will ensue.  
Meleg Perfumes
CIVET CAT CHYPRE

Meleg’s scents are unlike anything else on the market. Airy, buttery, and breathtakingly elegant; this is handmade perfumery at its best. 
Libertine Fragrance
SWEET GRASS 

A masterful recreation of the green tobacco pleasures of Canadian sweetgrass. A youthful fougère that’s equal parts prairie poetry and urban sex appeal.
Zoologist
MACAQUE YUZU EDITION

The tart-sweet bite of yuzu energizes the lemony facets of Hinoki wood, resulting in a dynamic and wearable composition with that trademark Zoologist twist.
Maison Crivelli
IRIS MALIKHÂN

A surprising reinvention of iris, with waves of vanilla pod crashing on an amber origami shore as a floral fog rolls in. This is fragrance as textural symphony.
Hiram Green
VETIVER

Two origins of vetiver lay rumbling at the heart of this all-natural ode to citrus and earth; so vivid it’s almost hallucinogenic. Perfectly balanced between wild and civilized. 

Indult
MY JU-JU

Like the creamy-woody smell of someone familiar, this scent deliciously evades description. Dewy green notes dance on a base reminiscent of cashmere donut icing.
Tauer
SUNDOWNER

Vivid but relaxed, and with “hygge” to spare, citrus and cocoa crackle over a layer of warm wood like an impossibly sexy bonfire. For venturing outwards with your sense of home intact.
L’Artisan Parfumeur
CONTES DU LEVANT

Damask rose illuminates a suspended geometry of pepper, patchouli and incense. Polished, gleaming, romantic, and much more than the sum of its parts.
2021 FRAGRANCE FAVOURITES SAMPLE PACK

Curious about this year’s top 10? This sample pack contains all the fragrances featured here. Grab one and find a new favourite!
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Seahorse from Zoologist launches at Etiket!
Fragrance

Zoologist’s New Fragrance Takes Us Under the Sea

Zoologist's new fragrance has landed at Etiket. It's an inspired voyage below the ocean surface. Let's dive in...

If you’ve never encountered the fragrances of Toronto-based Zoologist, you’re in for a wild ride. Each extrait de parfum is inspired by a different animal, invoking its personality and even, in the case of Hyrax, actual (humanely harvested) aromatics from the titular creature. But no animal, humans included, exists in isolation. They’re but one part of the web of flora and fauna which collaborate on the unknowable art project that is their respective habitat. This is why, at least to me, Zoologist perfumes aren’t really about animals as much as the scent of wild landscapes. Panda evokes a misty bamboo forest; Chameleon a tropical island fantasy. Now, with their newest scent, Zoologist turns its attention to a world under the sea. 

When Pixar was developing “Finding Nemo”, the production team took scuba lessons to learn more about the look and feel of being underwater. They soon realized that even the clearest, cleanest water is filled with textures; little floating organisms, plant matter, bits of coral and sand floating by, glittering in the shafts of wobbly sunlight. Hours of painstaking animation ensued to add multitudinous sea stuff to each shot. This proved to be the elusive ingredient in making the underwater world feel real. 

Zoologist’s new fragrance Seahorse is filled to the brim with “Finding Nemo” textures. You can smell the colours of a richly animated oceanic ecosystem, pulsating like a garden of algae and alien wildflowers. Blue orange blossoms sway in the airless breeze, tides sluice around glossy grass, and all sound goes underwater quiet. In fact, in my opinion, this stillness is key to the uniqueness of this fragrance. Many aquatic scents take the constant churning motion of waves as inspiration, evoking sea spray on the shore where humans can greedily inhale its vapour. But there is something more serene and grounded about Seahorse — still playful but meditative, lapping instead of crashing, like touring the palatial gardens of an undersea empire. This scent doesn’t just take you to an oceanside view, it invites you to be fully submerged.

On the skin, the scent can feel like bioluminescence, the green notes waxing and waning, a foamy floral warmth anchoring all that freshness. Transparent tuberose adds touches of neon coral, and vetiver and ambergris conjure a sheer vegetal earthiness, evoking the sandy sea floor at the base of everything. Those for whom aquatic scents are solely for the heat of summer, take note: the lifelike nature photography in this scent gives it enough depth to wear all year round. If each Zoologist scent is conceived as a voyage into an unknown world of unspoiled nature, Seahorse might be one of their most fully realized. It’s a transportive fragrance, thrillingly foreign and, perhaps from the films of our childhoods, also strangely familiar.

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Can Perfumes Have Textures?
Fragrance

Can Perfumes Have Textures?

When speaking about perfume, we often use words borrowed from other senses. To me, an important sense to invoke in our understanding of perfume is touch. Obviously, smells don’t have physical textures or temperatures. But thinking about the tactile qualities of a perfume can be a gateway to their emotional heart.

When speaking about perfume, we often use words borrowed from other senses. Ingredients become “notes”, like ones you might play on a piano (which is why a perfumer’s desk is referred to as an “organ”). A fragrance can be too “light” for us, and while it’s sometimes unclear whether we’re describing physical weight or colour, our noses can’t truly perceive either. Scent is steeped in sensory metaphor.

To me, an important sense to invoke in our understanding of perfume is touch. Obviously, smells don’t have physical textures or temperatures. But thinking about the tactile qualities of a perfume can be a gateway to their emotional heart. 

Perfumers thinking texturally has led to breakthroughs in the world of fragrance. It often requires a metaphoric leap in the mind of each nose; if one forgets about what an ingredient actually is, what might it make you think of? Perfumer Jean-Claude Ellena uses a signature green tea effect to create a luminous quality, like transparent flowing water, which made hits of fragrances like Bvlgari’s Thé Vert and Hermes’ Un Jardin en Méditerranée (you can sample his work at Etiket in Dia Woman and L’Eau D’Ambre Extrême). Similarly, Olivia Giacobetti pioneered the use of fig and other fresh effects to make fragrances that seem airy and subtly cool to the touch, as she does in Premier Figuier and Passage D’Enfer

On the other side of the spectrum, perfumer Sophia Grojsman’s work often feels fuzzy and thick because of her trademark “hug me accord”: an abstract blend of synthetic jasmine, violet, musk and cedar molecules which makes her fragrances seem cozy and warm (like in Lancome’s classic Tresor). And Andy Tauer has created a rabid cult following with his unapologetic waves of hot spice, which add a dry crackling heat to scents like L’Air du Désert Marocain and Cologne du Maghreb. Composed with care, a perfume can imply closeness or distance; glass, cloth, paper, powder or liquid; warm or cool; movement or stillness. 

The fragrances of Maison Crivelli make brilliant use of texture, and they do so in a modern way. Many of them have what I call a “holographic” texture: lifelike, shimmery, and light-reflecting. Creating fragrances with this effect allows the rich amber notes of Lys Sølaberg to feel approachable and relaxed. It allows bold ingredients like woods and spices to seem almost weightless in Santal Volcanique and Bois Datchaï. And it gives rose, which can smell surprisingly thick, even jammy in isolation, a new, breezy lifein Rose Saltifolia, as if the scent were dancing across your perception on a seaside summer wind.

Maison Crivelli fragrances also use textural elements to evoke extremes of temperature, which form surprising contrasts with classic ingredients. A sparkling, icy freshness makes the lavender, juniper and musk in Absinthe Boréale seem enrobed in a delicate frost. The juicy heat of chili and the earthy depth of vetiver makes the orange and bergamot inside Citrus Batikanga sizzle in the bustling heat of a tropical market. 

If all this sounds a bit far-fetched, like those sommeliers who tell you you must be able to taste butter in your chardonnay, don’t worry. The ultimate truism of fragrance is that all scent is subjective. But asking yourself which textures, colours or temperatures you sense when you smell a perfume, regardless of what you come up with, can help make sense of a fragrance’s energy, which will, in turn, hint at what it might feel like to wear it. For example, while everybody’s skin is different, a cool, airy or watery fragrance might leave a more casual impression on your skin than something dark, syrupy, sandy or hot. 

Finally, looking for textures is a way to rediscover ingredients or scent families you thought you knew. If you love earthy and smoky notes, but you can’t imagine wearing them to the office, you could step away from the hottest, driest Tauer scents, for example, and towards a more liquid and transparent scent like Smoke Show. If light floral perfumes often feel aggressive and headache-inducing, but you love the scent of real flowers, you could try finding scents that are less cool, bright and sharp and more velvety and warm. And if you thought you hated powdery fragrances because they always feel too “classic”, meet Crivelli’s Papyrus Moléculaire or Iris Malikhan, which both take the concept of powder in richer, darker, edgier, and more contemporary directions. 

David, Director of Fragrance at Etiket

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Is Fragrance Giftable?
Fragrance

Is Fragrance Really Giftable?

As the holiday season rolls around, we’re often asked about the best way to select a fragrance as a gift. Here are some steps to help you achieve a fragrance gifting triumph.

As the holiday season rolls around, we’re often asked about the best way to select a fragrance as a gift. Many people like the idea of gifting fragrance, especially for a loved one who’s often within smelling distance. But the wide variety of fragrances available and the personal nature of scent make it a particular challenge, especially if you’re not a diehard fragrance lover yourself. However, contrary to popular belief, it is possible to get them a fragrance they’ll love! In a perfect world, you could just buy them another bottle of their favourite, in which case, you’ll be done before you know it. Assuming that’s not an option, here are some steps to help you achieve a fragrance gifting triumph.

1. Don’t think so much about ”notes” or ingredients; think about personality

Perfumes are often described by what fragrance “families” they belong to. Are they sweet? Floral? Woody? Animalic? And while knowing your recipient’s taste in ingredients can help, often fragrances can vary just as much within families as between them. Instead, we suggest thinking first about the personality or style of the person you’re buying for. Are they bold? Reserved? Dramatic? Fun? Distinctions like fancy or casual, and for work or for play, can often help narrow the field better than deciding between cedar and vanilla.

To this end, we’ve compiled a Fragrance Gift Guide with nine categories of fragrance lovers (or the fragrance curious). Look for ones that feel like they describe your recipient’s disposition, taste in clothes, or the way they greet the world.

2. Stick to the safe bets (and beware some tricky ingredients)

There are two reasons that ingredients do matter a little for gift giving: skin chemistry and scent associations. Scent is closely tied to memory, which can make the exact same smell feel different to different people. Additionally, perfume changes subtly once it hits skin, making it harder to estimate how certain perfumes will smell on any particular person. To maximize your chances of success, we recommend sticking to more versatile scents with crowd-pleasing ingredients and styles.

Try: Escentric Molecules

This brand is a hit for a reason. Without getting too technical, many of their most-loved perfumes aren’t really “perfumes” in the sense that vanilla isn’t really a cake. Instead, their line of “Molecule” scents (numbered 01-05) are suspensions of a single versatile base note in alcohol. Translation? They’re the frame, not the painting. This means that they adapt to anyone’s skin and amplify the best qualities of their natural scent. The result is a wear-it-anywhere automatic jaw dropper that can also layer beautifully with any other scents in their collection.

Try: Malin + Goetz

These fun, modern fragrances are a nice bridge between “nice smell” and “proper perfume” (and we mean that in the best way possible). They’re inspired by easily-identifiable smells, and evoke them in an accessible way. They’re already well loved for their addictive body products, and their packaging is effortlessly chic. And worst comes to worst, buying someone a fragrance named “Cannabis” is sure to at least make them smile (but it would also smell great on almost anyone anyway).

Be careful with: buying something ”fresh”

“Fresh” is a concept in perfume that’s become such a cliché it hardly means anything. If they’ve told you they like “fresh” fragrances, or you have a memory of them smelling “clean”, this could be helpful, or could be a trap. Because of the way scent is tied to memory, “fresh” could mean anything from citrus to mint, light flowers to aquatic, and even white musk. Try to narrow your search by thinking of their personality, or if “fresh” is all you have to go on, consider any Heeley fragrance with a white label.

Be careful with: Floral for the sake of floral

Flowers are foundational to the history of perfume. They also could be the most polarizing ingredient of them all. Not only can people have strong reactions to heavily floral scents, but the way that flowers show up in a composition ranges from “shrieking” to “invisible”. This doesn’t mean you should stay away from any fragrance which lists flowers among the notes; most will have some somewhere. However, if a fragrance is described as both rich/intense and predominantly floral, you might want to get them to try a sample first (unless you or they are experienced fragrance buyers).

One exception to this rule is if you know they have a favourite flower. If so, find a fragrance that doesn’t just include it, but is overwhelmingly and exclusively inspired by it. Lilac lovers will likely love A Lilac a Day, orange blossom enthusiasts will likely swoon over Histoire d’Orangers, and if they grow real roses in their garden, Lustre should remind them of home. 

3. Smell for yourself, and even get a second opinion

It will not surprise you to hear that smells cannot be fully experienced through the internet (at least not yet). While many of our clients have learned enough about their personal taste to shop our fragrance selection online, buying a fragrance gift can put many of us back at square one. An excellent way to complete your holiday shopping would be to visit our Montréal boutique and sniff a shortlist of options. If this is a possibility for you, the same advice from #1 applies; when smelling each fragrance, try to think of the person’s energy, personality and style more than decide whether they’d like the actual ingredients.

For those who aren’t lucky enough to live nearby, we also offer the option to purchase samples online of almost any fragrance we sell. If you plan ahead, investing a small amount in an assortment of samples can help you seal the deal, or even sneak an option onto the skin of the actual person you’re buying for. And if the element of surprise is too important to give up, bring the samples around to someone who knows your recipient just as well (or even better) than you do. When seeking a second opinion, the question we’d recommend asking isn’t “would they like this?” as much as “do you think this smells like them?” Lastly, if you’re their significant other, remember to consider what scents you’d enjoy smelling on them as well!

4. Don’t forget the home!

If you’re still not ready to make a judgement call on a fragrance for skin, try a fragrance for space! Any room is enlivened by the invisible colour of a home fraIf you’re still too scared to make a judgement call about a fragrance for skin, try a fragrance for space! Any room is enlivened by the invisible colour of a home fragrance, and we carry a beautiful array of scents in various formats. Home scents are the perfect gifting sweet spot: something almost everybody loves, but many people often don’t buy for themselves.  

The range of diffusers from Culti Milano have been extremely popular, as well as their car sachets – a unique gift for anybody who drives to work. Local Montréal brands Les Citadines and T. Lees create artisanal, elevated scents for every taste, and Arquiste’s candles are vibrant, transportive and unique. Finally, for the ultimate luxury experience, the world-renowned house of Fornasetti makes candles which rise to the level of art objects – taking home scent from invisible accent to dazzling decor.

Finally, gifting fragrance with Etiket has one distinct advantage – free samples! Like most retailers, we can’t accept returns of used fragrance, even if it’s only been sprayed once. However, Etiket offers complimentary fragrance samples with every purchase. Simply request a sample of the scents you’re buying and we’ll happily include them so your recipient can try the sample on before they open the full-sized bottle. If it turns out it’s not for them, they can easily return the unused fragrance and get something for themselves. This also means that every bottle of fragrance you buy for someone else lets you try some free samples for yourself, and if that isn’t a reason to be generous, I don’t know what is!

Image source: @penhaligons_london

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Inscrivez-vous à l'infolettre d'Etiket et obtenez 10% sur votre premier achat sur Etiket.ca.