Punk Priestess Prefers Powdery Pale

Niagara is known internationally as the "High Priestess of Punk." Once a member of the band Destroy All Monsters, she is now busy with an array of projects, ranging from her own apparel lines with Pink Pump and Japan's Hysteric Glamour, to her recent art exhibit, WAR PAINT, which just closed at Detroit's Re:View Contemporary Gallery. A more extensive bio as well as a gallery of her artwork can be found on her website. Here, she answers our classic "In A Bottle" questions with an iconoclastic twist.

What is your favorite fragrance "in a bottle"? 

I'm not really a perfume fanatic ... mostly because I don't make time to find that particular fragrance that matches my persona, soul, mood or whatever people do match it to.  

Although one really must have some kind of bouquet to be civilized. And there's where I already have to veer from your first question. Because there's no "bottle," I prefer fragrance to be in powder from. It's lighter (scented) and whiter (good on white skin). When I do wear perfume, I wear DIVA by UNGARO. Does the name sound narcissistic? It has narcissus in it.

What does it evoke for you?

I like that it could be a man's fragrance, more male than unisex. Farthest from sweet, it's a blend of forest notes — woodsy, mossy, deep and, they say, luxurious. A luxurious forest.

It's rich-y and slightly witchy. It's consciously commanding but not abrasive. It might give strength.

It seems to stand apart. I like it for those reasons.

What is your favorite scent that can't be captured "in a bottle" and why?

I thrive on the smell of gasoline at service stations. 

And once a year our Night-blooming Honeysuckle is intense. It's magic and unbottle-able. In fact the scent of night-blooming flowers is a world away from day-scented flowers. Datura is blooming now ... very mysterious and oozing licentiousness. 

Stiletto Girl Shares Taste for Candy

Tawny Thieu is a retail dynamo with Pink Pump and P2 women's clothing and accessory stores throughout metro Detroit. Her latest boutique, P2 Exchange in Royal Oak, celebrates a cool mix of shoes, jewelry, handbags and ... candy. With the mission statement "all things sweet," it's no wonder Thieu likes her scents with a little bit of sugar.

What is your favorite scent "in a bottle"?

Right now I'm loving CANDY by Prada.

What does it evoke for you?

Soft, sweet, sensual notes! It's not overly sweet or overpowering. The best fragrances should be subtle.

What is your favorite smell that can't be captured "in a bottle," and why?

Brewing vanilla camomile tea. The aroma fills the room and instantly relaxes me. I prefer drinking tea in the evening; it totally soothes a stressful day.

We love the private label apparel by international icon Niagara available exclusively at Pink Pump.  Stay tuned for Niagara's "In A Bottle" picks tomorrow.

Nicole Richie Goes Back to her Roots...with New Perfume

For Nicole Richie, life is getting a lot less simple! The reality star turned fashion icon is busy with release of her new fragrance, Nicole, which is being added to her already extensive résumé. Along with her successful accessories line, House of Harlow 1960, Nicole debuted as a mentor on NBC's Fashion Star this past year. 

The perfume was inspired by Richie's memories of her mother's unique layers of fragrances. "I knew exactly what I wanted to do because my mom would combine different oils and lotions, and the blend of scents became very special to me," she said. "Nicole blends the smells of my childhood memories with the aromas of the present."

Richie worked closely with esteemed perfumer Steve DeMercado to perfect Nicole, which grew into a classic, yet modern, blend of a variety of notes such as vanilla, cashmere woods, blackberry, golden amber, and Moroccan rose. The bottle itself was beautifully crafted by luxury design expert Dale Brandon Kan. 


Richie calls Nicole "a spiritual balance of femininity and bohemian." On Aug. 29, she appeared at Macy's in Glendale, Calif., to unveil the new perfume. She will also be making a similar appearance at The Grove's Nordstrom in Los Angeles on Sept. 20. 

Nicole eau de parfum is being sold at Macy's, Nordstrom, Dillards, and other department and specialty stores nationwide in two sizes: 1.7 oz ($55) and 3.4 oz ($69). Richie has also released an accompanying body lotion and shower gel. 

Back to School Fragrance Hunt : Part II (For Guys)

Girls aren't the only ones who like to smell good for school! Guys need fragrances too, whether it's for spritzing on after gym class, making yourself smell presentable every morning, or giving that special girl a scent to remember. Across the board, guys' cologne seems to be more expensive than girls' perfume, but it is nonetheless a necessity. Here are a few that you can't go wrong with. 

AE Real

American Eagle always has a great selection of fragrances for both genders, so it's usually my first stop when it comes to buying perfume or cologne as a gift for another teen. 

Real is spicy, warm, and confident. It contains many different notes, ranging from cool citrus and cardamom to amber and rosewood. This is definitely not the type of cologne that goes unnoticed, and its bold scent is very good at drawing attention to the wearer. 

Real is available from American Eagle in a 1.7 oz bottle ($39.95). A more affordable alternative is the AE Real Body Spray ($9.95). 

Jake by Hollister

Hollister is infamous for the way that their fragrances are pumped through their stores to the point of becoming overpowering. It's impossible to ignore the scent as you walk through the mall, and shoppers often complain of headaches and sensory overload. Believe it or not, their fragrances are actually really nice when experienced in a lighter dose. 


Jake has a citrusy top that fades flawlessly into a woodsy base. It is sweet, sour, and strong all at once. Although most guys rave that it is perfect for the beach, this cologne is equally effective in the classroom and perfect for everyday wear (and the ladies love it, too!). 

Jake is available from Hollister in quantities of 1 oz ($30) or 1.7 oz ($38).

Back to School Fragrance Hunt : Part I (For Girls)

Fall is rapidly approaching and, ready or not, that means school is on its way. In the spirit of the season, it's time to refresh our closets, restock on three-ring binders, and, of course, make ourselves smell nice. No matter if you're headed back to high school, college, or even if you just want to smell a little younger, here are some great fragrances for girls (on a budget).

Promise Me by Aéropostale 


This perfume is one of my personal favorites. It smells expensive, but it isn't, and it's noticeable yet light enough to wear to school. 

Promise Me is conjured up from a sweet blend of apple juice, white tea, gardenia, and vanilla. I've always thought that this perfume makes me smell more grown-up than a lot of my other fragrances do, and I was also pleased to discover how long-lasting it is. Definitely a fresh, safe buy to give as a gift or keep all to yourself.

Promise Me is available from Aéropostale in quantities of .5 oz ($12.50) and 1.7 oz ($19.50).

Pretty & Pure by PINK

Victoria's Secret's little sister store, PINK, also has some great, affordable perfumes to offer. Out of their selection, Pretty & Pure is definitely at the top of my list. 

Pretty & Pure lives up to its name as a clean, fruity, floral fragrance. Its notes are composed strictly of jasmine and pink lemonade, and the result is breezy and tangy. This mouthwatering perfume is perfect for all seasons and occasions. 

Victoria's Secret PINK Pretty & Pure eau de toilette is available in a pretty 2.5 oz bottle ($20) on the Victoria's Secret website, but is rumored to be found for an even cheaper price in the store.

AE Bohemian

I received a rollerball of this perfume as a gift about a year ago and instantly fell in love. American Eagle always has a lot of fragrances to offer, but this is definitely one of their best. The actual bottle is a lot pricier than what you would find from Aéro or PINK, but the rollerball is much more reasonably priced. 

Bohemian is a concoction of many different notes: citrus fruit, wildflowers, garden herbs, jasmine, and musk. It is a very crisp fragrance, somehow earthy and bold at the same time. Definitely compliment-worthy and addicting.

Bohemian is available from American Eagle as a .25 oz rollerball ($14.95) or 1.7 oz bottle ($39.95). 

Perfumers Around the Globe Get into the Olympic Spirit

The 2012 Summer Olympics are rapidly approaching, and the whole world has its eyes on London. This has rekindled an interest in British-based brands, such as Burberry, which has released new renditions of its classic Brit fragrances for both men and women. Not to be outdone, big names like Dolce & Gabbana and Armani have also announced the launch of their own Olympic-inspired fragrances. 

Burberry Brit Summer for Women

This perfume is refreshed version of the original Burberry Brit for Women, which was released in 2003. The fragrance is meant to capture the aroma of a British Summer, and was released this year just in time for the Olympics. 


Its top notes include lime, pear, and green tea, while the heart of the perfume opens to the scent of almonds and peony. The base is composed of musk, mahogany, and amber. 


Burberry Beauty has also launched Burberry Brit Summer for Men. Both can be purchased from Burberry's website and at leading department stores ($62-$67). 


The One Sport by Dolce & Gabbana

Dolce & Gabbana also jumped on the Olympic bandwagon when this fragrance was released as the third installment of their "The One" collection. 


The One Sport was first released in London this past February, before making its debut in Italy, and then finally in the U.S. This schedule allowed the fragrance to go global before the start of the Olympic Games. 


Inspired by sportsmen and outdoorsmen, the fragrance is made up of notes such as water, cardamom, sequoia, and patchouli. It lasts throughout the entire day, persevering through workouts and activity. The One Sport is available through Sephora ($44-$73). 


Armani Code Sport Athlete


Armani couldn't resist the temptations of the Olympic season either, and released this limited edition fragrance earlier in the year. 


Following the lead of its predecessor, Armani Code Sport, this perfume is dedicated to athletes and inspired by hours spent on the field and long days at the gym. 


The light, refreshing fragrance combines three types of mints, Mediterranean citruses, pink pepper, and ginger into an masculine concoction. It's a fitting summer scent for athletes around the globe!


Armani Code Sport Athlete is available at Macy's ($59). 

Madonna and Lady Gaga Compete for Best Scent

This year marks the release of fragrances from two of pop culture's most outstanding icons: Madonna and Lady Gaga. Their competing perfumes are sure to add even more fuel to the already fiery feud that has been unfolding between the two singers. In A Bottle can't wait to see how the perfumes stack up on the market, and although we may have favoritism for Madonna, we must admit Lady Gaga has some noteworthy tricks up her sleeve. 

Truth or Dare by Madonna

Gaga was surely wearing her poker face when this perfume was released in April. Madonna worked closely with perfumer Stephen Nilsen to create this sweet blend of tuberose and gardenia, with additional notes of jasmine, white lily, amber, musk, and vanilla. 


The world famous Material Girl was greatly inspired by the memory of her mother's perfume, and wanted to add a touch of contrast to the clean, flowery scent. 

Truth or Dare has revealed itself to be long-lasting and unique, just like its creator. 


Truth or Dare eau de parfum can be purchased from Macy's in quantities of 1.7 oz ($55) or 2.5 oz ($68). Madonna has also released accompanying body lotion and shower gel. 




Fame by Lady Gaga



Lady Gaga's little monsters are eagerly awaiting the release of her fragrance in September. Photos have been released of the bottle, which is very unique in itself. 

Fame is the very first black eau de parfum, and it sprays on clear thanks to a patent pending fluid technology. Instead of using the typical hierarchy of notes, Lady Gaga has utilized a rare olfactory technology that allows all of the notes to work in synchronized harmony. Its scent — which features elements of honey, saffron, tiger orchids, and jasmine — is meant to reflect darkness, lightness, and sensuality all at the same time. 


Starting on July 26, Fame is available for preorder from Macy's. Gaga has also announced that alongside the regular eau de parfum version, which she has dubbed 'Le Masterpiece,' she will release an additional, more affordable version of the perfume.