• 08. The Icelandic Artist: In Conversation with Andrea Maack
    Jun 26 2025
    On this episode of It’s Just Perfume, Steve chats with Andrea Maack about her background as an artist, how her brand was created from her own conceptual art piece, the inspiration she draws from the Icelandic landscape, and her latest release (and the line’s first floral!), Muse.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    54 mins
  • 07. The Art and Olfaction Awards Recap: Dana and Steve Meet with the Winners
    Jun 13 2025

    On this episode of It’s Just Perfume, Dana and Steve chat about their roles as judges for The Art and Olfaction Awards.


    Then, they have a chance to speak with some of the winners about their personal backgrounds and the inspiration behind the fragrances they created.


    The guests on this episode are Nutt Wesshasartar of Siam1928 (Artisan Category Winner), Jerry Lin of OrDioLab (Artisan Category Winner), Michael Nordstrand, Chad Hodge and Diandra Barsalou of TALE Parfum (Independent Category Winners), and Stefan Radut of Caeleste (Newcomer Award Winner).


    Fragrances mentioned: Bad Lily by TALE Parfum, Mekha Aranya by Siam1928, Mint Rose by OrDioLab, Principalities by Caeleste, Cabochard by Gres, Cannabis Rose by Fresh, Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche, Rive Gauche Pour Homme by YSL, Black by Bvlgari, Oqachol by Prin.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    48 mins
  • 06. The Free-Spirited Perfumer: A Conversation with Simone Andreoli
    May 29 2025

    On this episode of It’s Just Perfume, Steve sits down with Simone Andreoli, perfumer and founder of Simone Andreoli Diario Olfattivo to chat about his pursuit to become a perfumer, starting from a fateful, childhood trip to Grasse which opened his mind to the possibilities of olfactive art. A classical perfume training brought Simone back to Grasse as a young adult and gave him the skills and experience to return to his native Italy to create his own brand.


    We learn about Simone's approach to developing new fragrances which he considers to be entries to an olfactive diary. His nomadic spirit and sense of adventure has brought Simone to all corners of the globe and he likes to honor them and recreate them through scent.


    Join us as Simone Andreoli talks in depth about several fragrances from his brand including:


    - Tulum Junglescape

    - Sunplosion - Aloha State of Mind

    - Vicebomb

    - Oceans of a Midnight Moon

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 05. Hall of Fame Pt. 2: Claire's All-Time Favorite Fragrances
    May 16 2025

    Those of us who work at Luckyscent hate choosing favorites… We love so many perfumes! But on this episode of It’s Just Perfume, Steve sits down with Claire to smell and discuss her personal fragrance Hall of Fame. This episode is part two of a series that we’ll continue to do with other Luckyscent staff members!


    P.S. If you’d like to smell along, a sample pack of Claire’s picks is available for purchase at luckyscent.com!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    49 mins
  • 04. In Conversation with Sarah Horowitz-Thran: The Godmother of Los Angeles Perfumery
    May 1 2025

    On this episode of It’s Just Perfume, Steve sits down with Sarah Horowitz-Thran, perfumer and founder of Sarah Horowitz Parfums and “the godmother of Los Angeles perfumery,” to chat about Sarah’s trajectory as a perfumer and the changing landscape of the fragrance industry in Southern California, all while smelling through some of her fabulous creations.


    Fragrances mentioned:

    Origin Story by Sarah Horowitz Parfums*

    Gendarme - Eau de Cologne by Gendarme

    Perfect Gardenia by Sarah Horowitz Parfums*

    Perfect Veil by Sarah Horowitz Parfums

    The Now by Sarah Horowitz Parfums*

    Kai- Eau de Parfum by Kai

    Youth Dew by Estee Lauder*

    Original Musk Kiehl's by Kiehl's*

    Gothic I - Eau de Parfum by Loree Rodkin

    Gothic II - Eau de Parfum by Loree Rodkin

    Perfect Coconut Milk by Sarah Horowitz Parfums

    aRitual by Sarah Horowitz Parfums*

    Perfect Vanilla by Sarah Horowitz Parfums


    *Currently not carried by Luckyscent or Scent Bar

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • 03. Hall of Fame Pt. 1: Steve & Dana's All-Time Favorite Fragrances
    Apr 18 2025

    If you ask anyone who works at Luckyscent what their favorite fragrance is, they’ll do anything to avoid answering the question. Choosing favorites is too hard! But this time on It’s Just Perfume, Steve and Dana have each managed to pick a handful of personal favorites for their Halls of Fame. This episode is part one of a series that we’ll continue to do with other Luckyscent staff members!


    P.S. If you’d like to smell along, sample packs of their picks are available for purchase at luckyscent.com!


    Fragrances discussed in this episode:

    Wulong Cha by Nishane

    Mediterraneo by Carthusia

    Incense: Avignon by Comme des Garcons

    Relique d'Amour by Oriza L Legran

    Invasion Barbare by MDCI

    Mississippi Medicine by DS & Durga

    Melograno by Santa Maria Novella

    Patchouli by Santa Maria Novella

    Muschio Oro by Santa Maria Novella

    Muschio by Santa Maria Novella

    Gothic I by Loree Rodkin

    Eau de Protection by Etat Libre d'Orange

    Paradisi by Jorum Studio

    Paper Soap by J-Scent

    Mantes La Jolie by Astier de Villatte

    Premier Figuier by L'Artisan Parfumeur

    Philosykos by Diptyque

    Bois d'Ascese by Naomi Goodsir

    Fahrenheit by Dior

    Lys 41 by Le Labo

    Bora Bora by Giardini di Toscana

    Olene by Diptyque

    Annabel's Birthday Cake by Marissa Zappas

    Bois d'Argent by Dior

    Dauphine by Goest

    Essential Faith by Essential Faith

    Monoscent G by What We Do Is Secret

    Siren by For Strange Women

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    57 mins
  • 02. Aroma Chemicals: The Building Blocks of Perfume (with Ashley Eden Kessler)
    Apr 3 2025

    This time on It's Just Perfume, we're diving into the building blocks of perfumery with perfumer Ashley Kessler. If you've always wanted to know more about the aroma chemicals that make up your favorite fragrances, this episode is for you-- we'll get into Iso E Super, Ambroxan, and more!


    Fragrances discussed in this episode:


    Molecule 01 by Escentric Molecules

    I Am Trash by Etat Libre d'Orange

    Chanel No. 5 by Chanel

    Bambini Soap by Villa Erbatium

    Angel by Mugler

    Pink Sugar by Aquolina

    Acqua e Zucchero by Profumum Roma

    Baccarat Rouge 540 by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

    London Fog by Brandt

    Molecule 02 by Escentric Molecules

    Comete Paradis by Parle Moi de Parfum

    Tonka Bodykon by Pierre Guillaume Paris

    Angels' Share by Kilian

    Eau Sauvage by Dior

    Mantes la Jolie by Astier de Villatte

    Drakkar Noir by Guy Laroche

    Wake Up World by Parle Moi de Parfum

    Le Male by Jean Paul Gaultier

    No. 4 Apres l'Amour by Thomas Kosmala


    It's Just Perfume

    The Luckyscent Podcast


    Guest: Ashley Eden Kessler

    Host: Steven Gontarski

    Producers: Emi Foster, Claire Jelinek, Steven Gontarski

    Theme Music: Steven Gontarski

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • 01. Trends: Are Gourmands Over?
    Mar 14 2025


    In this episode Steven and Dana talk about recent trends in perfume and the dominance of gourmand fragrances. Pistachio, milk, tea and rice - we can't get enough of the smells we want to eat. Will these scents continue to dominate?


    Perfumes discussed in this episode:


    Pistachio by D.S. and Durga

    Pistachio Latte by Theodoros Kalotinis

    Frangipane al Pistacchio by Kyse

    Ciao Bello PIstachio by Jousset

    Red Keela Split by Fomowa

    Matcha Soft Serve by d'Annam

    Roasted Green Tea by J Scent

    Wulong Cha by NIshane

    London Fog by Brandt

    African Rooibos by Chris Collins

    Molecule 01 + Black Tea by Escentric Molecules

    White Rice by d'Annam

    Taipei by One Day

    L'Eau Papier by Diptyque

    Dirty Rice by Borntostandout

    Mossy Glen by Villa Erbatium

    Compliment by Maison Violet

    Thai Soda by One Day

    Odeur du Theatre du Chatelet Acte 1 by Comme des Garcons



    It's Just Perfume

    The Luckyscent Podcast


    Hosts: Steven Gontarski, Dana Buchanan

    Producers: Emi Foster, Claire Jelinek, Steven Gontarski

    Theme Music: Steven Gontarski

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    55 mins