{Perfume Q & A} with Kathy of Colonial Drug - Tastes of Summer: 2007 Bestseller Summery Fragrances | The Scented Salamander: Perfume & Beauty Blog & Webzine

Kathy B. is the owner of Colonial Drug, a perfume store established in 1947 in Harvard Square, Cambridge, Massachusetts, and an institution both at the very local level and at the regional one. The shop easily evokes a jewelry box that would have been filled to the brim with fragrance bottles and grooming items (for pets as well) instead of gems and pearls. This image is quite literal as a matter of fact as the very top shelves of the store, the ones which seem to be an arm-length away the ceiling, are covered with giant factices of some of the most famous perfumes in the world and other shelves are touching the ceiling (see link for picture of the towering shelves). Colonial Drug is like an overfilled cornucopia of hard-to-find fragrances and as Kathy indicated when I asked her over the telephone (they do not do emails) what had been the summer of 2007 bestsellers so far, there was no clear bestseller because their customers order or come in to look for special and unique fragrances. There were rather several bestsellers that met with the favor of the public........

If you come visit the area, this is a must-go destination for fragrance lovers. The last time we looked more inquisitively at their top shelves we spied a rare bottle of L'Artisan Orchidée Blanche (discontinued) for example and they carry staple European goods like the Rigaud candles. Their para-pharmacy section is not to be neglected and there you will find a number of hard-to-find European brands too. Despite their old-world charm, their selection is edgy and up-to-date on the niche perfumery trends. Finally, let us add that it is a pleasure to converse with Kathy about perfumes as the words in her mouth when she describes fragrances seem to roll around like colorful bonbons and take on a near-gourmand quality.

Kathy told us that they are working on opening an online website so we will keep you posted. Here is the summary of our conversation.......

• What were the bestsellers?

Citrus-based fragrances were popular, amongst others.

Eaux de Caron Fraîche, Forte, and Pure (like every summer)

Comptoir Sud Pacifique Cool Tropic Palm, Cool Tropic Paradise

Shelley Kyle McClendon, Tiramami

Keiko Mecheri Wild Berries

Balmain Monsieur Balmain

Truffit & Hill 1805

• Any perfumes that deserved more love?

Kathy could think of two immediately. She mentioned Sonia Rykiel Rose, which she described as "very clean and tailored" and then she evoked its olfactory opposite, that other side of a quintessential summer perfume, suggesting "a great Southern fragrance" that would be "heady" just the right way and that would be Molinard Gardenia in the Molinard 1849 collection.

• For the non-snobs, what are some of the best buys you recommend?

4711 Kölnisch Wasser

The soliflores by Woods of Windsor are excellent and very cheap, only $25 for 3.3 oz. Kathy recommended in particular True Rose, Lily Of The Valley, White Jasmine, and Lavender.

• For the choosier clientèle with more exclusive tastes, what would she recommend?

Hermès Eau d'Orange, Jardin en Méditerranée, Jardin Sur Le Nil

Creed Virgin Island Water, Royal Water

We think she made a comment about the fact that here the selection varied more (interview took place last week).

• Fragrant tips for the summer?

It's best to use atomizers in the summer and not to forget to use powders and talc. These tend to be neglected but are great to make the shoes, clothes, and skin smoother and drier in the heat. The British powders and talc are especially good and should always be applied in the last stage after you have perfumed yourself, not first as many people do.

You can go here for more information

Photo by The Scented Salamander (from last summer)