Products in the “For Men” Category
Adoration (Milan)
Inspired by Bonifacio Bembo’s “Adoration of the Magi” (about1455-1460) and Renaissance Milan’s great wealth and status among cities. This fragrance depicts traditional Catholic incense, which is based on the gifts of the Magi to the Christ child: frankincense, gold and myrrh. Even during the Renaissance, these rare aromatic gifts of the East (frankincense and myrrh) were more costly than their weight in gold.
I have included a precious rose note to this design as well, to center the essence and to symbolize Mary.
(*image credit: Bonaficio Bembo, active about 1444-78, Adoration of the Magi, about 1455-60, tempera and oil paint on panel, Denver Art Museum; the Simon Guggenheim Memorial Collection, 1957.167).
* please note: 1 ml sample vials of EdP are 1/2 filled; Perfume / extract vials are filled.
Ambre (Amber)
Alluring. Refined. Otherworldly.
My own personal amber perfume made more balsamic and rich with a classic floral heart for those of us who love amber but usually find it too sweet to wear.
* EdP sample vials are 1/2 filled.
Amish
An aroma to bring us back to a simpler life. Herbs and flowers blend to inspire one to balance. A lovely herbal-fougere scent.
* 100% Botanical.
Ancient Air
A sensual patchouli accord based on the true meaning of “Per Fumum” (through smoke). It is reminiscent of a time when the air was laden with incense smoke that carried prayers and sacrifice to the Gods.
Aphrodisia
ESSENSE’ own aphrodisiac Oriental scent with extracts of flowers, woods and spices known throughout history and folklore for their aphrodisiacal qualities.
Aqua Admirabilis (aka Eau de Cologne)
Simply one of the most popular fragrances of all time! Eau de Cologne was originally called ‘Aqua Admirabilis’ by it’s creator Gian-Paolo Feminis, an Italian perfumer working in Cologne, Germany. French Soldiers and travelers brought the “water of Cologne” back to France and a classic was born. This light, clean and elegant scent was an essential for any 18th Century “Toilette” and has been admired through the ages by the stylish and refined Louis XIV, Marquise de Pompadour and Napoleon I.
100% Botanical Perfume.
Ashram
Om Nama Shivaya.
The scent of meditation, deep breathing and a time spent in peace.
Bancha
In alignment with nature, this refreshing fragrance eases us through transitional months, as signs of vitality begin to resurface all around. Bancha’s earthy-green notes are inspired by the fresh tones of the traditional Japanese tea of the same name and comprised of essences used in traditional ayurvedic healing, to ensure complete wellness through the scent’s simple meditation. Let’s welcomes spring’s fresh start…
Bancha is comprised of 100% botanical essences.
*EdP sample vials are 1/2 full.
Bancha Extreme
The long awaited, much requested ‘sequel’ to last Spring’s engaging all-botanical “Bancha” comes Bancha Extreme. While still remaining refreshing and balancing, Bancha Extreme fulfills the wish for an even deeper more enveloping, entrancing aroma experience. (And this time, we even used a favored tea in the composition).
Bancha Extreme is comprised of 100% botanical essences.
* sample vials are 1/2 full.
Bermuda Lyme
A reminiscence of voyages from the Olde World to the New… Fresh Caribbean breezes mix with exotic spices, rum, dark wood notes and of course, refreshing lime. In keeping with the tradition of ‘eau fraiche’ scents for Summer, Bermuda Lyme is both, coolly light and bright and yet complex. So, whether you’re sailing on a schooner or just enjoying the clear blue sky, this is your new Summer scent.
Blue-Green : Arnica
Breezy. Humid. Verdant.
The scent equivalent of DaVinci’s ‘bluing effect of atmosphere” or the sense of atmosphere in the Pacific Northwest. The subtle scent of conifers with the mineral laden quality of ocean air.
Bodhi Sativa (Patchouli project no.1)
A Summer patchouli design…my *entry* design for the “Summer of Patchouli Love 2011″ / Peace, Love and Patchouli! project. A suave and elegant patchouli perfume with a sexy, bohemian twist: a note of cannabis is hidden in the mix.
100% botanical perfume.
Bourbon Vanilla
An exotic vanilla bean from an island off the coast of Madagascar. Bourbon Vanilla is an intensely rich and warm vanilla note with an almost burnt cocoa bean quality in the dry down. Sooo delicious and rather beautiful on a man.
Cafe Noir
It is a Paris night. Dark and sophisticated, it evokes late concerts in smoke filled rooms…sipping coffee and listening to jazz. Captivating and sensual, Cafe Noir is an oriental fragrance that harmonizes spice, floral, resin and wood notes with the beloved aroma of black coffee. Cafe Noir fuses classical sensibilities with the flair of the artist.
*Eau de Parfum sample vials are 1/2 filled; Perfume / Extract sample vials are filled.
*96% Botanical perfume.
Caravan Spice (Holiday no.11)
For our Holiday scent, 2011, we went ‘old school’… a kind of nostalgic remembrance of holidays past and the designs I used to create when living in Boston and how the season felt to me there. This is a cozy and warm spice scent with ambery nuances and a sense of home near a warm fireplace. Of course, the name recalls the old-world caravans that carry the spices from exotic lands to our homes.
Cardamom & Khyphi
KYPHI (an alternate spelling is Khyphi) is probably the most famous of all early Egyptian perfumes handed down to us from antiquity. Kyphi is the Latin version of the Greek translation of Kapet in Egypt which was originally a general term for fumigation through smoke and was used in the temples. Eventually Kyphi developed a particular recipe and ‘brand’. Primarily used as an incense, Kyphi was also used as a remedy for such ailments as nightmares and snake bites.
*For sale at Denver Art Museum’s KING TUT exhibit, 2010.
Chinoise
(A Chinese meditation.) A quiet and contemplative moment amongst groves of whispering camphor trees; a grounding aroma. * oil sample vials are 1/2 filled. water-based spray concentrée sample vials are full.
100% Botanical.
Cuir et Champignon (aka Leather and Mushroom)
I have had this dream of making a mushroom perfume for many years now… Cuir et Champignon embodies all the soft and inviting qualities of white button mushrooms, then leads you to a more hidden place where the darker mushrooms grow and on to rich rawhide and dusty leather. I hope that you will love wearing Cuir et Champignon as I do; for me it’s a new classic.
* EdP sample vials are 1/2 filled.
December (Holiday no.10)
It’s Holiday time again…oh, yes, it is December.
December evokes for me many of the very best ‘smells’ of the season: pomanders, gingerbread, the long walk in the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree, and traditional incense (I call it ‘gnostic incense’) made of frankincense and myrrh. It brings the Holidays home for me.
dirty ROSE
A rose like no other: dirty ROSE. The image of a single rose that has been a bit manhandled; bruised and dragged through the mud which gives it its rugged beauty. Although dirty ROSE is a rose based perfume the note does not dominate; it is interwoven throughout the fragrance, continuing to grow as it dries down. And ladies…he may just borrow this; its a shared experience.
* sample vials are 1/2 filled.
DSH Special Formula X-treme
DSH Special Formula X-treme is just what you’ve asked for! It is a deeper, richer and longer lasting version of our original Special Formula X to be worn as a signature fragrance. We hope you will love this new version; as it was inspired by you, our devoted clients! (DSH sfX-treme can be classified as one of our “skin scents” that adds a natural, “not-too-perfumey” fragrance when worn as a “perfume”).
Eau de Fleurs d’Oranger du Roi
“Orange Blossom Water of the King”. Orange Blossom, the epitome of grace and lightness, was one of the most sought after essences of the 18th Century and in the Court of Louis XV; aptly called “Le Cour Parfumée” (The Perfumed Court). Eau de Fleurs d’Oranger was synonymous with Louis XV, so much so, that it was re-named “Eau de Fleurs d’Oranger du Roi” posthumously.
*100% botanical; the animalic notes are comprised of botanical accords to mimic the animal essences.
en Vacances
The free and easy going scent of summer vacation… all sunshine and wafting warm breezes. This is a truly refreshing comfort scent for me. I am always filled with a child-like sense of delight when I sense this note in the air. (Even better when I wear it!).
* 100% Botanical.
Eucalyptus
There is nothing better or more soothing when you are down than eucalyptus. It is the effervescence we need to make it through the day. Our softened eucalyptus is less medicinal and more aromatic, for a more comfortable experience.
* 100% Botanical.
Evolution Musk
Evolution embodies the changes of life, growth, and movement from one stage to the next. Each note in evolution represents an invaluable lesson, person, or time which we bring into our being and make it a part of ourselves. It is a celebration of life and the collaboration that makes it happen.
Festive (Holiday no.1)
This spicy green scent will put you in the Holiday mood! This not-too-heavy holiday fragrance is warm and sexy enough for parties, but is light enough for daily use…to make any day a holiday.
Fire Opal (aka Orange 2)
Brilliant. Evocative. Shining.
A fresh and citrus orange scent with warming notes of spice and woods in the drydown. Delicious!
* 92% botanical.
Firefly
At night in the early autumn, the firefly dances and dazzles the eye. Firefly is composed of dense richness, woody dryness, and a smoldering soft sweetness!
For the Groom
A suave and fresh cologne… nothing overpowering, simply sexy and a perfect compliment to the Bride’s perfume. (Who can resist him when he is wearing this?!)
Hand of Buddah
A wildly exotic citron from the far east and so named as the fruits look like graceful hands found on sacred Buddah sculptures. Created for indiescents.com, this all botanical fruity-floral-citrus is both refreshing and euphoric. I never tire of this glorious aroma!
Hinoki
“This Winter I found a scent of unusual richness, elegance and singularity. It is a scent of peace and warmth for me: Hinoki, the Japanese Cypress. With this scent, I feel enveloped, warmed and calmed… it’s just what i need for the dark and colder months of Winter.” – DSH
Inner Sanctum
A winter sanctuary: That place of deep serenity and peace represented by a warm, oude-incense chypre with a lovely winter rose heart.
Jitterbug (for men)
A scent worn by the God Pan to allow free movement among humans. Jitterbug for men IS that divinely earthbound fragrance. Hand made from essences that bespeak his travels: resins from his native Greece and flowers from Egypt. But can you detect that most exotic note? It’s absolutely mysterious.
* DSH website exclusive
Khyphi
Ancient Egyptian ritual incense, this unusual blend has spice, fruit, herb, resin, and wine. Amazing!
l’eau
After the rain shower, a glistening pool emerges. l´eau is that sparkling freshness. A new take on the ‘Eau de Cologne’ theme that focuses on the refreshing quality of neroli and bergamot.
* 88% botanical.
l’Homme
Clean. Simple. Sexy.
Our classic design for the ‘universal’ man with a fresh, citrus topnote, a warm, vibrant heart and a subtly spicy/woody musk drydown. (Of course, this is a favorite with women who love a drier, more fresh, less flowery scent).
Lavande
La vie Provence! Lavender is the lifeblood of Provence in every sense. Our Lavande has the freshness of the flowers and the warmth of the sun-drenched earth.
* 100% Botanical.
Lift Off
When I am traveling (which I do often), I need to combat jet-lag and recharge my “internal batteries.” The energizing notes of Lift Off really do the trick! (Try this in your bath after a long flight or just a sniff while in the air. It makes all the difference!)
* 100% Botanical.
Lumiere (Holiday no.7)
A hushed candlelight perfume; warm, delicious and pulsating. Lumiere brings dark and light together with shimmering spice, rhum and deep coffee notes. Let’s celebrate the season of lights with lovely Lumiere!
Medici (Florence)
One of the most famous names in Renaissance Italy, not only among the mighty, wealthy and powerful but also among the fashionable and beautifully scented. They were known as a lavishly scented clan. My Medici perfume was not only inspired by this fabulously scented family but by a painting attributed to a follower of Botticelli called “Portrait of a Young Man in a Red Cap”. The scent speaks to fiery red spice notes, deep woods and leathers that would have been found in any study of a young Renaissance aristocrat.
* please note: 1 ml sample vials of EdP are 1/2 filled; Perfume / extract vials are filled.
Menthe Moderne (a Mint perfume)
Minimal. Urban. Crystalline.
A modernist approach to interpreting mint in a fragrance. As one of our customers told me, ” It’s really not like chewing gum…but more like picking fresh mint from a window box in the city”. I think that sums it up perfectly.
Michelangelo
Artistic. Provocative. Suave.
This vintage inspired woody/resinous/conifer design for men expresses the scent of the artist; some notes from the studio, leather bound books, hints of smoke and a whisper of aged single malt scotch. Incredible!
* Eau de Parfum sample vials are 1/2 filled.
Muguet Cologne
Limited Edition Spring 2011:
Here is my Muguet Cologne, stated for men, but really it is for anyone. Designed in the ‘eau de cologne’ style, the concentration is lighter and the overall feel is woodier and greener than a soliflore. For me, there is something about it that rings very true to an element of Muguet… kind of stylized like an art deco figure. It’s fresh and refreshing and I feel very approachable and easy to wear. I just loved the concept of creating a Muguet Cologne for men to enjoy this delicious Spring treasure.
100% Botanical.
As well, an original art work (acrylic/ sumi ink/ interference pigment on rice paper) was created through the inspiration of creating the perfume design.
Mysore Sandalwood
A smooth and soft sandalwood note with nutty-earthy undertones.
*samples are 1/2 filled.
Oude Arabique
Rare. Mystical. Sacred.
A warm and softly wooded Oude perfume.
Oude is one the rarest (and is the costliest!) aromatics in the perfumer’s palette with a mystique all it’s own. It is a sacred and revered as the ‘Aroma of God’ in some cultures.
* EdP sample vials are 1/2 filled ; Perfume / Extract sample vials are filled.
Pamplemousse
Alive with light and air; of golden Dawn and spray to refresh. A bubbly tonic all smiles and personality.
* 98% Botanical Perfume.
Paradise Lost (the clarimonde project)
The phrase “ A twilight blue oriental perfume” most captured my imagination from the first time I heard it along with the image of faded flowers along side a bed of gold and silver, attended by a negro page wearing black velvet holding an ivory cane; and the satiny hand of “Clarimonde” as she lay dying. This cool, almost misty scene that might have been a last glimpse of Clarimonde paired with an alternate universe of warm opulence in Venice were always shimmering in my mindʼs eye as I created “Paradise Lost”.
Paradise Lost is a very limited edition: only 13, 5 ml PERFUME vials and Parisian-made, ochre colored Art Nouveau charm bottle sets have been produced.
Perfection Connoisseur Fragrances Collection Box
Four fragrances warrant the name. They are beyond compare. Perfection Connoisseur Fragrances is a luxury fragrance line. The perfumes are: Cafe Noir, Rose Vert, Parfum de Grasse, and Parfum de Luxe. These exclusive perfume designs are a step above the norm: They are all based on fine natural essences, seldom used in commercial fragrances due to their extreme rarity and cost. Here are miniature (one dram) bottles of the precious members of this collection.
Pomander
The warm glow of fire on a chilly winter’s day… This spicy blend helps with warming the body, circulation and is mildly stimulating when you’re feeling tired and frazzled. (Plus, it has a wonderfully comforting nostalgic scent!)
* 100% Botanical.
Prince
Regal. Esoteric. Ominous.
I came across an obscure yet prized 17th Century textile color called Prince and was immediately captivated. It was described as an ‘indigo-blue-black shot through with crimson red’. Designed in a 17th Century fragrance style, Prince is the only ‘aroma-color’ to be free of a modern feel.
*EdP sample vials are 1/2 filled.
* 96.5% botanical.
Prophecy
It was a vision…of gold and amber light, incense smoke and mysticism… One of our best sellers, Prophecy embodies the warm enveloping nature of the classical oriental-ambery scent and the rich tradition of incense.
Ruba’iyat
Inspired by the Persian poetry form of the same name, and traditional oudh designs of the region. Created for indiescents.com, Ruba’iyat is a glorious all botanical middle eastern oudh, incense, saffron, and spice perfume. I don’t need to tell you that it’s as complex and intriguing as the patterns on the walls of a sacred mosque.
* EdP sample vials are 1/2 filled.
Sacred
an ancient aromatic blend that helps with anxiety and upset by inspiring deep meditative breathing and emotional balance.
* sample vials are usually filled with water-based spray concentrée.
Sampsuchinon
Dedicated to the Egyptian God of the Crocodiles, Sobek, Sampsuchinon is a wonderfully green scent with unexpected nuances of spice and resin that gives it it’s unique depth. The herbs most closely associated with Sobek are marjoram and oregano which are sweetly fragrant. In western perfumery, marjoram and oregano are almost exclusively used in men’s designs, Sampsuchinon is remarkably suited to both men and women.
* Sampsuchinon PERFUME / Unguent Solid has been created for Denver Art Museum’s KING TUT exhibit, 2010.
Seven
Soulful. Meditative. Seductive.
A sexy vintage-style woody-fougere-incense design with some wonderful green and herbal nuances in the topnote.
* 88% botanical.
Silver Fir (Holiday no.8)
Get into the Holiday mood with Silver Fir, our delightfully refreshing, spirited and festive new unisex scent. Inspired by crisp winter evenings, the sparkle of glass Holiday ornaments and the infamous radiance of “the tinsel tree”, Silver Fir is an unexpectedly unique twist on the ‘Conifer’ scent.
Sud de France
In the South of France life has a different pace; a feeling of ease and the elation to be at one with Nature. No wonder so many delightful aromatics flourish in this environment; the lavender sings, the bergamot shines and the hay fields glisten with the warmth of the day.
* oil sample vials are 1/2 filled. water-based spray concentrée sample vials are full.
* 100% Botanical.
Sunny Yellow
A sunny yellow day when you’re feeling blue… This aromatic blend helps combat fatigue and depression. It helps to get you through the deepest of Winter doldrums.
* 100% Botanical.
Sweet Dreams
Aromatic. Sensual. Transcendent.
A place of comfort and delight. The sweet scent of home (and maybe a piece of heaven). Green and refreshing herbal notes and calming lavender are intricately layered with exotic wood and grounding incense notes. (Unisex)
*EdP sample vials are 1/2 filled.
Three Kings
“We three kings of Orient are…Bearing gifts we traverse afar…Field and fountain, moor and mountain..Following yonder star…”
The traditional carol tells the story of our new Three Kings scent, so filled with precious resins, balms and woods from the Orient. There is nothing modern about this darkly textured and earthy perfume; it speaks to us of the Ancients.
* sample vials are 1/2 full.
100% Botanical.
Tonic
Fizz and foam with our refreshing, toning body scent. It is like ginger ale for the soul (and the tub)…complete with bubbles and herbal infusions that cool and tone the body.
* 100% Botanical.
Twelfth Night (Holiday no.2)
In the deepest woods on the darkest night…the scent of the Solstice.
Vanille Botanique
A striking and original vanilla design created for indiescents.com; we have had such overwhelming interest in an all botanical vanilla for our Garden Bathe collection that we had to release it in a limited capacity here as well. Vanille Botanique is a luscious, balsamic vanilla in the classical style. A soft jasmine heart and bergamot top note balance and round out the bouquet. Such deliciousness!
* 100% botanical.
** EdP sample vials are 1/2 filled.
Vetyver
Confident. Expressive. Superb.
Beyond the classical form of Vetyver, which is usually a more a vetiver based, lime peel dominant, eau de cologne style scent. Our Vetyver accentuates and revels in the smoky, woody-earthy nature of the grass root with added notes of birch tar, tabac and rich balsams.
In partnership with the LAMBI fund, sales from DSH Vetyver will support the rebuilding in Haiti and continue funding rural relief. *30% of retail sales will goes to help those in need.
* 92% botanical
Yuzu
Based on a piquant and aromatic citrus from Japan, our Yuzu is the essence of refreshment and revitalization.
* oil sample vials are 1/2 filled. water-based spray concentrée sample vials are full.
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