It's Just Perfume

In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steven Gontarski and Susannah Melvoin talk with perfumer Angelos Balamis of Angelos Creations Olfactives. Having collected vintage perfumes throughout her life, Susannah immediately recognized the unmistakable, special qualities of Angelos' perfumes. Sure enough Angelos revealed his love for the classics of the venerable French perfume houses such as Guerlain and Caron. They discuss how the economic crash in Greece led Angelos to reposition his career path, inspiring him to pursue his passions. He discusses his thorough process of evaluating raw materials and conversing with them as he builds highly intricate, sophisticated blends. Together they all sniff Soma Panorama, a perfume developed in collaboration with Sebastian Jara, The Perfume Guy and debuted at the inaugural ScentFest SF earlier this year. The two friends live in sister cities, San Francisco and Thessaloniki, and wanted the perfume to reflect their physical and cultural similarities and differences. It's a perfect example of Angelos' distinctive approach to perfume making combining elements of storytelling, his biography, perfume history and a deep understanding and appreciation of the olfactory building blocks.Perfumes discussed in this episode00:03:41:04 Tabac Blond by Caron00:03:43:03 Mitsouko by Guerlain00:03:48:10 Vol de Nuit by Guerlain00:03:56:26 Djedi by Guerlain00:04:01:11 Iris Gris by Jacques Fath00:04:27:02 Jazz by YSL00:04:33:15 Havana by Aramis00:04:36:14 Fahrenheit by Dior00:08:06:02 Soma Panorama by Angelos Creations Olfactives00:17:11:27 Narcisse Noir by Caron00:17:16:08 Narkissos by Angelos Creations Olfactives00:32:06:03 Eau de Vertu by Angelos Creations Olfactives00:33:38:17 Figue de Vertu by Angelos Creations Olfactives00:37:17:29 Pnoi by Angelos Creations Olfactives00:41:05:27 Pothos by Angelos Creations Olfactives00:51:17:07 Vetiveria Animalis by Angelos Creations Olfactives00:53:48:16 Thebes by Sultan Pasha Perfumes00:58:25:05 Karikia by Angelos Creations Olfactives00:59:26:03 Tabac Libre by Angelos Creations Olfactives01:07:26:21 Fougeriste by Angelos Creations OlfactivesEpisode hosted by Steven Gontarski and Susannah Melvoin

In this episode of It's Just Perfume, Steve and Dana hang out with Emma Vernon, host of the Perfume Room Podcast. Emma was in town hosting a live game show where people tried to find a partner through scent. This opened up two questions: What fragrance do we find irresistible on others? What fragrance do we put on when we want to be irresistible to others?We took an Instagram poll asking the public to name the sexiest scent to them and the results were both predictable and surprising. Due to a technical issue a portion of this episode is missing its video component. We hope you enjoy the slideshow in its place as Emma, Steve and Dana take a deep dive into matters of scent and attraction.Perfumes mentioned in this episode:03:08:24 Mandala by Param Sara08:17:18 El Morocco Discovery Set by El Morocco12:42:27 Highball for Lucius B23:45:09 Angels' Share by Kilian24:23:11 Ambre Narguilé by Hermes *24:54:27 Tihota by Indult26:26:20 Salomé by Papillon Artisan Perfumes28:59:06 Heliodose by Marlou29:36:05 Un Bel Amour d'Eté by Parfum d'Empire30:36:08 Jazz by Zernell Gillie Fragrances33:04:04 Seduction Theory by Universal Flowering *33:21:09 Daddy by Universal Flowering37:30:13 Black Afgano by Nasomatto39:23:00 Benjoin Boheme by Diptyque *41:25:06 Bowmakers by DS & Durga43:39:13 Hinoki by Monocle x Comme des Garcons43:49:18 Gendarme by Gendarme45:14:28 Fierce by Abercrombie *46:35:22 Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren *46:59:07 Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche *47:16:02 Cool Water by Davidoff *48:03:14 Sicilian Leather by MEMO 49:38:10 Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules50:12:09 Molecule 02 by Escentric Molecules52:12:20 Molecule 01 + Iris by Escentric Molecules52:33:01 Molecule 01 + Black Tea by Escentric Molecules55:21:02 BoraBora by Giardini di Toscana56:47:18 Champs Lunaire by Rogue Perfumery58:55:07 Monoscent G by What We Do Is Secret01:01:22:18 Patchouli by Santa Maria Novella01:20:45:26 Gothic I by Loree Rodkin01:05:11:27 Orphéon eau de parfum by Diptyque01:07:04:28 Aristo Chypre by Infiniment Coty01:08:22:18 Fleur du Mal by Dries Van Noten01:09:06:11 Apricot Innocence by Simone Anreoli01:10:51:03 La Panthere by Cartier (not LS)01:14:10:08 Covert Musc by What We Do Is Secret01:15:06:26 Terra Former by Braindead01:16:03:10 Acqua di Sale by Profumum01:16:35:23 Melograno by Santa Maria Novella*Not sold by LuckyscentHosted by Steven Gontarski and Dana Kiley Buchanan

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume', Steve and Dana sit with Sebastian Jara, aka The Perfume Guy. Having made a name for himself in the perfume community through his well-established YouTube channel, Sebastian has introduced many to the niche world and continues to educate us on new releases. He recently added to his impressive list of accomplishments by spearheading ScentFest SF, the largest scent expo on the West Coast. Steve and Dana wanted to know how Sebastian got his start and which perfumes sparked his fascination with scent. They talk about his foray into YouTube and Sebastian's first encounters with Luckyscent. He describes the impetus for ScentFest and lets Dana and Steve try the stunning perfume collaboration he completed with perfumer Angelos Balamis. Perfumes mentioned in this episode:03:41:18 Purple Fig by Vilhelm Parfumerie04:08:02 The Ghost in the Shell by Etat Libre d'Orange17:35:23 Cozé by Pierre Guillaume Paris, Parfumerie Generale20:31:14 Musc Maori by Pierre Guillaume Paris, Parfumerie Generale21:04:14 Le Musc & La Peau by Pierre Guillaume Paris, Parfumerie Generale21:54:08 Avignon by Comme des Garcons: Incense22:05:27 Costes Signature Candle by Costes25:39:15 Relique d'Amour by Oriza Legrand26:45:05 Horizon by Oriza Legrand28:18:22 L'air du desert marocain by Tauer Perfumes28:35:21 Ambre Precieux by Maitre Parfumeur et Gantier28:39:19 Ambre Russe by Parfums d'Empire36:48:11 Soma Panorama by Angelos Creations Olfactives49:12:26 Philosykos by Diptyque49:14:24 Premier Figuier by L'Artisan Parfumeur51:56:15 Not a Perfume by Juliette Has a Gun52:09:25 Monoscent G by What We Do Is Secret53:59:24 Bois Imperial by Essential Parfums56:10:27 Fleur du Mal by Dries Van Noten57:24:02 Camomille Satin by Dries Van NotenHosts: Steven Gontarski and Dana Kiley Buchanan

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve and Dana chat live in front of an audience gathered at ScentFest, the West Coast's largest perfume expo. The weekend was filled with scent discoveries and the warmest meetups with fragrance lovers from around the world. Steve and Dana talk about their impressions of ScentFest then sniff perfumes featuring unusual notes with the audience. Oyster, pollen anyone?The sniffing session was followed by a Q&A segment where Steve and Dana recalled their most nostalgic scents, revealed the notes and styles they'd like to smell more of and investigated Dana's perfume application methods that transform her into a walking scent sculpture.Perfumes mentioned in this episode:01:12:24 ScentFest Sample Pack05:26:07 Still by CBCB07:47:22 Cocoyster Bananita by Salum12:15:26 Pony Boy by Jorum13:01:05 Debaser by D.S. and Durga13:14:25 Delulu by Oddity14:05:10 Rhubarb Thief by Heretic15:19:10 Gun Girl by CBCB19:21:00 Molecule 01 + Patchouli by Escentric Molecules20:26:09 Morel Map by Clue20:35:04 Coven by Andrea Maack21:15:25 Musc by Bruno Acampora22:52:22 Moon Magic by Sorce24:42:03 Vampire Husband by Sorce24:45:00 In Dreams and Fairytales (Vanilla)26:54:10 Metal Lavender by Matiere Premiere27:12:11 La Nuit des 300 by Hellenist28:39:16 Les Dieux aux Bains29:48:23 Flower Glyph by Liis32:53:03 Noel au Balcon by Etat Libre d'Orange34:02:01 Unspoken Gesture by Jorum35:28:05 Still by CBCB43:26:20 Saskia by Grandiflora43:28:16 Madagascan Jasmine by Grandiflora44:11:00 Mossy Glen by Villa Erbatium45:33:28 Neo-Animism by Mami Wata48:02:21 Angelos Creations48:26:26 Chypre Siam by Rogue48:41:09 Aristo Chypre by Infiniment Coty48:57:14 Spoturno ParisHosts: Steven Gontarski and Dana Kiley BuchananRecorded in San Francisco, 6/27/26

22. Report from the Runway - A Conversation with Merle GinsbergIn this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve sits down with writer, fashion icon and one of the original judges of Ru Paul's Drag Race, the legendary Merle Ginsberg. From a young age, Merle expressed her identity through clothes and words, always keeping her senses, including scent, keenly attuned. Steve and Merle have talked perfume for many years at Scent Bar and have selected her signature scents together. They take a deep dive into her perfume history, stop by Scent Bar to discover a new scent and end the episode by pairing fragrances with outfits. Perfumes mentioned in this episode06:53:15 Molecule 01 by Escentric MoleculesL'Eau d'Issey by Issey MiyakeEau d'Hadrien by Annick GoutalFilles en Aiguilles by Serge Lutens21:54:00 Black Amber by Agonist23:35:03 Coffee White Flowers by Bohoboco28:39:19 Grev by Slumberhouse33:50:09 Bo by Liis40:00:02 Nuit Elastique by Premiere Peau41:52:19 Vanille Camouflage by Dries Van Noten42:36:02 Mantes La Jolie by Astier de Villatte43:09:05 Dandelion Butter by Clue44:07:10 Tokyo Bloom by The Different Company44:55:24 Monoscent G by What We Do Is Secret46:34:24 Green Vanille by Regime des Fleurs47:03:00 Vanille Riviera by Maison Rebatchi53:02:04 Carine by Carine Roitfeld56:02:25 Crimson Rocks by AmouageBe sure to keep up with Merle's fashion news on Loose Threads, a regular newsletter in The Hollywood Reporter, Hollywoodreporter.comHost: Steven Gontarski

In this episode of 'It's Just Perfume' Steve sits down with songwriter Steph Jones. Having written hits for artists such as Sabrina Carpenter, Blackpink, Selena Gomez and Jade she's one of the most in-demand talents in the music industry. Perfecting her impromptu songwriting skills at church, Steph naturally develops melodies and lyrics for people as she discovers their personal stories and soaks in their vibes. Along with her passion for tunes Steph has been fascinated by perfumes from an early age and tells Steve about her Hall of Fame fragrances and what they mean to her. Perfumes discussed in this episode:Aromatics Elixir by CliniqueTubéreuse Astrale by Maison Crivelli / Available on LuckyscentTowédé by Notes de Bas de PajeGris Charnel by BDK / Available on LuckyscentGris Charnel by BDK / Available on LuckyscentLait Concentré by Chabaud / Available on LuckyscentSunflowers by Elizabeth ArdenCKin2U by Calvin KleinMolecule 01 by Escentric Molecules / Available on LuckyscentII (Deux) by Trudon / Available on LuckyscentTihota by Indult / Available on LuckyscentB683 by Marc Antoine Barrois / Available on LuckyscentQuentin BischPoivre Samarcande by HermesPacific Park by Simone Andreoli / Available on LuckyscentJardins de Misfah Extrait by Une Nuit Nomade / Available on LuckyscentFleur Narcotique by Ex Nihilo / Available on LuckyscentPortrait of a Lady by Frederic MalleCool Water for Women by DavidoffBlack Tie by CelineMolecule 01 + Iris by Escentric Molecules / Available on LuckyscentSupernova by Andrea Maack / Available on LuckyscentCarine by Carine Roitfeld / Available on Luckyscent