Archive for November, 2007
Luxury dogs smell sexier
The market in perfumes for dogs is taking root among luxury class dog owners. While dog perfumes are nothing new, a New York company called Sexy Beast has raised the bar with their “Sexy Beast” fragrance. A 3.4-ounce bottle of Sexy Beast will run you $65, and if you’d like the limited holiday bling version that’s encrusted with Swarovski crystals, make that $850. More in the New York Times
Add comment November 30, 2007
Fragrances studied for phototoxicity
A recent study by scientists at the Department of Dermatology and Allerology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University München, Germany examined the phototoxic effects of 43 fragrances. Among the tested fragrances, several were found to have some phototoxic reactivity, including oakmoss, benzyl alcohol, bergamot oil, costus root oil, lime oil, orange oil, alpha-amyl cinnamic aldehyde, hydroxy citronellal, cinnamic alcohol, and laurel leaf oil. Phototoxic effects depended on concentration of compounds and UV doses administered. The study, published in Acta Dermato Venereologica, concludes that further study could lead to improved protection of the skin from noxious compounds. More in Acta Dermato Venereologica
Add comment November 28, 2007
New Mexico offers scented lottery tickets
In the spirit of scratch and sniff this holiday season, the New Mexico State Lottery is scenting some of its lottery tickets. Peppermint scented scratch-off lottery cards are priced at $2 each, and offer top prizes up to $65,000. More in the Rio Rancho Observer
Add comment November 26, 2007
Hotel chain unscents itself
The majority of travelers prefer an unscented hotel room, according to a survey completed last month by Hampton Hotels. The hotel chain is taking this to heart, and has joined with Proctor & Gamble in a brand-wide initiative dubbed “Non-Scents.” Non-Scents is promoting rooms that smell like nothing but fresh air. Hampton has “nonscented” all of its 145,000 hotel rooms. More at Hotel Interactive
Add comment November 23, 2007
Hungry? Try a scent dinner
New York Times perfume critic Chandler Burr has been touring Rosewood luxury hotels this year, teaming with their executive chefs to create “scent dinners.” Each course of the dinner is paired not just with wine, but also with scent strips to be sniffed at various points during the meal. Burr serves as curator and host of the dinners, which cost $200 each. (See a recent dinner review in the Dallas News)
–Max
Add comment November 21, 2007
Chinese textile institute develops scented fiber
The Zhejiang Instutute of Modern Textile Industry has developed an advanced micro-capsule technology for use in creating scented fibers. The Institute reports having created a “sweet-scented fiber” that will be available in scents including lavender, lemon and corn mint, and have both sensory and medicinal value. The micro-capsule technology will allow the sweet-scented fiber to hold its smell longer. Mass production hasn’t yet begun, but the fiber is likely to hit the market in 2008. More at Fibre2Fashion
Add comment November 21, 2007
Availability of scented products on the rise
PC Magazine has done an interesting review of a variety of scenting devices on the market. Products reviewed include scented USB drives, scented phones and phone cases, aromatherapy alarm clocks, USB oil burners, scented LED lights, scented pens, and a variety of other scent diffusers. More at PC Magazine
Add comment November 19, 2007
