10 perfumes in similar style to Banana Flambee by Demeter Fragrance

Cigar boxes. Camden market bong shops reeking of joss sticks. Old lady soap. Sandalwood sometimes gets a bit of a bad rap. Undaunted, we’ve taken the dependable old fave and turned it on its head.

We’ve tracked down a unique Australian sandalwood versatile enough to handle hints of outlandish but ethically and sustainably sourced banana, cardamom, black pepper with weird and wonderful Labdanum and Benzoin resin. Which all means that this is sandalwood unlike anything you’ve experienced before.

So, unlike the bong shop, it won’t make your hair stink for weeks.

Anna's blends are more like smell experiences or perfume escapes, pure fun for connoisseurs looking for something beyond perfumes created with the help of modern synthetic materials.

For Second Skin we wish to invent a verb “to indulce”, a mix ‘indulge’ and ‘dolce (sweet)’. The flowers in the heart (ylang-ylang, jasmine and tuberose) have been ‘indulced’ in cognac, immortelle, ambery resins and indeed sweet cloves.

Being natural only blends, Anna's perfumes have a very peculiar projection: close to skin, quiet but excitingly complex upon a closer sniff.

Please be aware that natural perfumery has to be patch tested before continual wear.

Important notice:

Anna Zworykina’s blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes). Her blends are sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).

Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in her 100% natural perfumes may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Anna Zworykina’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.). This said, Anna Zworykina has acquired a huge fan base over many years and people interacted with her blends for quite a while now. We are not aware of any reports of any skin reactions so far.

However, Anna advises that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.

Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Anna’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.

A thick woody-balsamic perfume: dense and bitter-sweet. Rich tuberose, earthy boletus mushroom absolute, soft vanilla, sweet patchouli, spicy green pepper and cognac oil. Such a variety of opulent materials and notes offers the sense that you are immersed in the beautiful and never-ending black beyond.

Nigredo is the alchemist's study of darkness and shadows; the first stage one must take in creating the Philosopher's Stone. Anna Zworykina turns alchemist as she harnesses the fragrance for everlasting life.

Further notes in the unique and exceptionally rich scent include: sandalwood,
ginger lily, frankincense, osmanthus, castoreum, oakmoss, rose, violet leaves, orris and elemi.

Important notice:

Anna Zworykina’s blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes). Her blends are sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).

Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in her 100% natural perfumes may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Anna Zworykina’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.). This said, Anna Zworykina has acquired a huge fan base over many years and people interacted with her blends for quite a while now. We are not aware of any reports of any skin reactions so far.

However, Anna advises that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.

Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Anna’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.

Inspired by the innovative use of materials that allowed 18th century clockmakers to construct the first truly accurate marine chronometers, Lignum Vitae combines elements of wood, metal and salt to produce a truly unique, transportive fragrance. Lignum vitae itself is an incredibly dense wood - the only wood which is guaranteed to sink in water - which is indigenous to the Caribbean and the north coast of South America. The brand’s nautical theme is enhanced wonderfully by caramel, a madeleine cake accord and a cool winter lemon note which provide a truly unique gourmand experience akin to smelling warm shortbread, muffins or cupcakes.

In combining unexpected and exotic raw materials, Beaufort London celebrates the innovative spirit which brought to an end the search for lost time, and permitted the safe passage of ships across the world.

***

The Sniff on Lignum Vitae:

"An innovative gourmand fragrance with a masculine slant, Lignum Vitae by Beaufort London is something rather unexpected. And who doesn’t love a plot twist?"

Read full review

It’s a delectable amber with focus on the gourmand aspect of that ancient perfume recipe. Usually, an amber mix would require a resin (labdanum, benzoin, etc.), patchouli and vanilla. In Beso Canalla this sweet component often represented and highlighted by vanilla was extended to many dimensions. It starts with gently sweet bergamot, descends into caramelized a sugar accord in the heart and dries down into a sweet sandalwood and amber amalgamation.

In the Beso perfume trilogy this formula represents the relaxed afternoon when you have had your early morning swim and are now gathering energies for the night out ahead (chilling in the sweet shade with an ice cold orangeade, feet buried in warm sand).

A sweet, ambery perfume with many shades of sweet packed into a single formula: heliotrope, vanilla, caramel, toffee and benzoin, all interlinked with a soft sandalwood theme.

Bon Parfumeur open olfactive dimensions and invite you to add your own story. Try 402 if you like sophisticated gourmands.

Perfumer for 402: Corinne Cachen. 

A cozy formula which smells of prunes soaked in cognac with cinnamon.

Bon Parfumeur open olfactive dimensions and invite you to add your own story. Try 902 if you fancy boozy nuances with an array of warm spices and a hint of candied fruit.

Perfumer for 902: Karine Dubreuil-Sereni.

Perfumer: Margaux le Paih-Guérin

Technically tonka are nuts as they come from a tree (whereas a bean is a seed of a legume). ‘Tonka beans’ is a misnomer but also phrase used to refer to them in perfumery, cooking, etc. In Happy Nuts tonka is key note contributing to the delicious nuts roasted in caramel fragrant idea. The name could be a suggestive euphemism or just a reference to tonka being promoted to their accurate botanical rank – nuts.

It’s ok to go bananas at times. Don’t take life too seriously. 

DRUNK SAFFRON

UNHOLY OUD

BURNT ROSES

ZEST Z&T

DGAF

DRUNK LOVERS

SMOKIN’ GUN

SEX & COGNAC