2025 . 12 . 22
We at Essencional are already in the festive spirit, so instead of a business feature, we’re wrapping up the year with a holiday-inspired romp… one that might be closer to reality than you think.
Our Content Director, Karen Marin, had a little fun with the classic poem, “A Visit from Saint Nicholas”. Sit back, get cozy, pour yourself a warm drink, and enjoy our festive fable. We hope it brings a smile and a laugh as you head into the holidays.
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2025 . 12 . 22
In the Beauty Industry we were bound to have another big story before the end of the year: and it looks like JAB who holds the controlling stake at Coty is calling for change. The company has been reeling from the eventual loss of the Gucci license coupled with the +70% drop in share value. Is new leadership in the cards for 2026?
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2025 . 12 . 22
It’s always interesting to see what trends are predicted for the new year. Visual search and discovery platform Pinterest has analyzed data from its 600 million monthly users to identify what will happen in beauty next year. The good news? Fragrance stacking (aka layering) and intense makeup looks will keep the industry buzzing. Read the full report here.
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2025 . 12 . 22
In this opinion piece the author ponders the topic of the variety of attendees at this recent show. Should access be limited or open to all? Are only certain profiles “serious”? As we can all attest from attending fragrance events, the shows are more crowded than ever. With the growing interest in fragrance, how can you get the most out of a show?
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2025 . 12 . 22
In recent years the body mist category has grown exponentially, but what do we know about this format? What is it and when should you use it? How do you layer it? In this article find out more about this trending SKU.
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2025 . 12 . 17
‘If I were not King of France, I would choose to be a citizen of Venice.’ – Henry III*
When one thinks about Venice, it is with a sense of wonder. This floating city, unlike any other in the world, veiled in mystery and secrets, was once the richest and most powerful empire in Europe and a bustling center for trade. Consequently, Venice played a pivotal role in the history of perfumery, a fact that is too little known. Enter the Vidal family. Not only are they native Venetians with ancestors among the founding families of the city, but they also have over a century of expertise in the fragrance and beauty sector.
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2025 . 12 . 15
What is a Perfume Expert, really?
In a world where anyone can add “perfume expert” to their bio, the true meaning of expertise is getting lost behind algorithms and confident hot takes.
From perfumers who’ve smelled thousands of raw materials to historians who have smelled Shalimar with civet, to critics who contextualize 2,000+ launches a year - real expertise is slow, layered, rigorous, and deeply human.
It’s chemistry and culture.
It’s history and intuition.
It’s communication and curiosity.
It’s experience.
It’s knowing what you don’t know.
The more we learn, the more the word “expert” regains its weight.
Until then, let’s celebrate the people who treat perfumery not as a trend… but as an art.
What does “expert” mean top insiders in the fragrance world? Contributing editor Ermano Picco tackles the question.
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2025 . 12 . 15
Mohammed Abu Hajar is an extraordinary fragrance lover. His passion has led him to amass a collection of over 6000 bottles housed in a private museum in his home. Mohammed has been a friend of Essencional for several years, providing insight on Arabian culture and trends. In this article he shares personal stories of his life with fragrance.
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2025 . 12 . 15
Fragrance has always been at the heart of the rich culture of the Middle East, with roots dating back centuries. Today the region has a major influence on the tastes and trends in fragrance which extend across the world, and that’s why it’s viewed as a hotspot for innovation. An interesting look at how the relationship with fragrance is affecting the future in this part of the world.
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2025 . 12 . 15
Time was when the flacon holding the perfume was as much a piece of art as the juice inside, but today most brands go for sober and understated sameness which has little differentiation on the shelf. Here’s a look at a few limited edition exceptional flacons that would render any collector ecstatic with joy.
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