Constellation of scents
Inspired by a poem by Mayuzumi Madoka titled “Shooting Star”, a photograph of the night sky, and imagery detailing the various hues of amber, Aesop’s long-term fragrance collaborator Céline Barel created Above Us, Steorra Eau de Parfum — with its name stemming from the Old English word for stars.
The fragrance centres on the interplay between radically unfiltered use of cardamom and a unique “fabulist accord” that conjures the imagined scent of amber.
Its ambery radiance is accentuated as the woody, leathery aroma of Cypriol Heart merges with the balsamic warmth of Labdanum and Frankincense, alongside the rum-like character of vanilla bean.
“I wanted to create a ‘Celestial Amber’, an idea that came from looking at the ceiling of the Aesop Collins Street store in Melbourne, which is coated in salvaged and crushed Aesop bottles mixed with render.
“This instantly gave me the impression of a beautiful star-dusted sky. Above Us, Steorra is not just a star, it is a shooting star. It is something incandescent — hot and cold at the same time, and a complex bouquet of spice, leaving a luminous trail in darkness. [It is] a transportive fragrance for nonconformists, and for conformists secretly longing for something gently subversive,” said Barel.
Reinterpreting devotion
Dolce&Gabbana Beauty has expanded its Devotion line with the release of My Devotion Eau de Parfum Intense, a floral gourmand scent that celebrates self-appreciation and authenticity, which is a deep-rooted value in the brand’s DNA.
Created by master perfumer Olivier Cresp, the fragrance opens with the soft, airy scent of pear blossom, entwined with the juicy vibrance of cassis, lending a fruity nuance to the composition.
The subtly green and lightly sweet accord of peony is enhanced by the gentle brightness of orange blossom, resulting in a floral symphony that balances freshness and depth.
With Madagascar vanilla as the base, the Devotion Eau de Parfum Intense has an added touch of musky Ambrox and ambery wood, compared to the Devotion Eau de Parfum.
The fragrance is encased in a glossy light pink lacquered glass bottle with a matching cap, and adorned with Dolce&Gabbana Beauty’s iconic gold Sacred Heart, exuding a significantly more feminine disposition than its original counterpart.
From hair care to body care
Los Angeles-headquartered hair care brand OUAI has ventured into the body care space with the launch of a deodorant range in Singapore.
The OUAI Deodorant Collection is made with coconut oil and shea butter to nourish and soothe, and tapioca starch to keep skin soft and dry, with odour control claimed to last up to 24 hours.
The deodorants come in three distinct scents — Cape Town (fresh ginger, basil, and spearmint balanced by earthy ambroxan and vetiver) for a bright and “awakening” sensation; Melrose Place (champagne fizz, juicy lychee and pink peppercorn layered into rose and jasmine, and grounded in white musk) for a romantic and velvety feel; and St. Barts (zesty orange oil, dragon fruit, and a salty ocean breeze drifting into orange blossom, tuberose and Baltic amber) for tropical and vacation vibes.
The collection is exclusively available in Sephora stores across the island-state and online.
Feel and smell good
Founded in 2022, Singapore deodorant brand Blunies unveiled its refreshed brand identity, centred on “Everyday Confidence”, in July. Its new packaging also includes a holographic seal to ensure product authenticity and quality assurance.
Keeping its signature two-in-one formula that combines antiperspirant and skin care benefits, Blunies now have two scent variants in its product line-up: Fresh Jill & Aloe Vera (hero scent), and the new Lavender & White Tea.
“The rebrand aims to reach a broader audience. We believe this new, bolder look reflects the broader shift towards honest, feel-good self-care that celebrates authenticity and individuality,” the brand said.
From October 13 to 19, Blunies will be holding its first-ever outdoor activation, where visitors can expect Instagram-worthy photo spots, try the products in real life, and stand a chance to win freebies.
“Inspired by the age-old debate on morning showers, Blunies presents Blunies Express, a one-stop destination to experience our deodorants like never before.
“Our train-inspired set-up is more than just a showcase; it’s a gentle — and cheeky — reminder that even if you skip the morning shower, applying deodorant is a small courtesy that makes a big difference.”
Blunies is available at its official website and e-commerce platforms, including TikTok Shop, Shopee, and Lazada, and Guardian stores across Singapore.
