Glorious – rich and complaex and refined

SA extraordinaire Desiree Monroe (L) in action at New London Pharmacy in NYC.

^{Photo: courtesy of the New London Pharmacy website.}

Some people run marathons, some people collect coins or stamps. It’s just their thing. My thing is fragrance. I try, test, smell, sniff, collect and wear a lot of fragrances. I’m not an expert, just an aficionado. And like anyone else with a hobby or a special interest, pursuing it isn’t a chore or a duty, it’s just woven into my everyday life. In my spare time, I read about fragrance in newsletters and books, on blogs and websites I learn about them from conversations with colleagues, family and friends and, of course, when I smell them on someone else.

I especially enjoy shopping for perfume. Sure, it's easy to shop online, but nothing compares to visiting a store, sampling and sniffing and actually talking to a sales person, and of the best is Desiree Monroe who works out of New London Pharmacy in New York. New London Pharmacy is a must-visit whenever I'm in  NYC.


A renowned make-up artist, Desiree is a great resource. She really knows her products and her perfumes. So, there I was last month, swooning over the D.S. and Durgas, when my nose caught something else. “What are you wearing?” I asked Desiree. “Oh, it’s my new favourite perfume. Glorious by Boadicea the Victorious.” she said, “I just love it. Abby loves it too. She wears it all the time.” That would be Abby Fazio, owner of New London Pharmacy.

Ah, yes, Boadicea the Victorious. The British niche brand founded in 2008 by Michael Boadi that was inspired by Boadicea, Celtic warrior and queen of the Iceni tribe who led a revolt against Roman occupation in 60 AD. I love Seductive and Warrioress from their Power Collection, and now smelling Glorious on skin makes me think it’s time for me to try a little something-something from their Sprit Collection.

Desiree read me like a blog and handed me the tester. Glorious opens bright and fresh from piney, citrusy elemi. The freshness is heightened by a note of sparkling, succulent pineapple. Peach is here too, fleshy and full, it gives a gorgeous depth to the tropical pineapple. Ripe plum and juicy raspberry join the mix, their thick  jamminess balanced by a touch of crisp apple. As the top notes fade narcotic, exotic, jasmine comes forward, its floral aspect amplified by lush rose, warmed by cardamom and nutmeg. The base is woody from cedar wood, guaiac wood, sandalwood and patchouli while musk extends the animalic aspect of the jasmine to the drydown. There’s also an illusive camphorous balsam note that wafts up from the woods from time to time and fits in perfectly here, while amber and vanilla add a deep, refined sweet note that echoes the fruits at the opening.

The drydown is rich and complex yet light and engaging – it never gets too fruity, dark or sweet – and is just, well, glorious to wear. And, like all fragrances in the Boadicea the Victorious line, it can be worn by men and women.

Every time I wear Glorious, I mean every time, I get asked about the fragrance I’m wearing. I just pass along the recommendation, the way it was passed along to me. Glorious is definitely a scent to try...

 Check out Glorious in our shop.