Some fragrances are like Swiss army knives - pleasant utility scents that can take you from daytime into evening. Black Datara is not one of those fragrances. It’s a late night adventure, a story of sensuality, a tale of things that happen when the sun goes down. Provocative and emphatic - this is not a peck on the cheek, it’s a passionate kiss on the lips. Miller Harris have returned to the Private Collection with a statement fragrance that takes the datura as its muse. A beautiful trumpet-shaped flower that is poisonous in high doses, the datara blossoms after dark and has been used as an ingredient in magic potions and witches' brews for centuries. Here the effect is equally intoxicating and Black Datura casts a spell all of its own. The perfumer is Emilie Bouge, who has a long and successful relationship with Miller Harris (she’s also the perfumer behind Oud Eclat, Hydra Figue and Reverie de Bêrgamote.) Emilie uses her palette to play with dualities - light and dark, sensuality and danger - and what a palette she has at her disposal. The Private Collection is the ultimate perfumer’s playground. A place where they can use the finest raw materials and bring memories and stories to life. Emilie locates her story in London, but it could be anywhere that draws you in like a moth to a flame towards good times (and bad decisions.) The ingredients are vegan and free from artificial colours, parabens and other nasties. It’s also worth mentioning the stunning flacon, packaging and cap. The matte black bottle with gold accents is the perfect housing for the fragrance and instantly hints at what’s inside the box. You know the contents are going to be mysterious, nocturnal and luxurious… and you will not be disappointed. The potion starts with that most carnal of flowers, tuberose. A rich, fleshy, buttery white floral note that doesn’t play around, joined here by ylang ylang and pink peppercorn. It’s quite an opening statement, at once captivating and heady. The heart of the fragrance ratchets up the intensity a notch further. Myrrh, incense and balsams are stirred in to ensure the magical brew has the desired effect. The final touch adds Haitian vetiver, Chinese cedarwood and musk, creating an elegant elixir that is made to last and sure to attract attention. Black Datura will not be for everyone, but that’s exactly as it should be. It’s perfumery that has a point of view. It’s no fence-sitter. If it were personified it would be Grace Jones in the ‘Slave to the Rhythm’ video. Strong, powerful, enigmatic, unpredictable - and dangerous on the dance floor! Prepare yourself for potency and for pleasure. Prepare to draw others towards you and to leave them captivated by the hypnotic and sensual charms of Black Datura. After all, the best things blossom late at night. Shop Black Datura now online and in stores. You can read more from Hayden at https://www.instagram.com/yousmellgreatwhatisit/
Whenever we are developing new products, we ensure our products are carefully created and always remain conscious of our responsibility to the planet. As part of our commitment to the sustainable evolution of our brand, over the past couple of years we have been exploring how we can look to up-cycling when it comes to our ingredients. Working closely with our world-renowned perfumers at Robertet to maintain our finest 'naturals first' approach, along with a commitment to reduce waste materials, we have been able to take a step towards a more sustainable future, using up-cycled perfume notes created with by-products from the extraction of freshly harvested plants. Our new Eau de Parfum, Hydra Figue is abundant with a high concentration of natural materials, all sourced for their high-quality grade and focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This fragrance also continues Miller Harris’s Up-cycled initiative with two exciting new innovations in natural scent extraction, Hydrolat Sage and Re-purposed Oakwood. Discover how these elements are obtained... Hydrolat Sage Up-cycling Process The process of steam distillation which is used to extract the essential oils from many of our natural sources in perfumery has long used water in large volume within the process. The measurement and reduction of water waste in manufacturing is a key cornerstone of our CSR actions. Our supplier has, for a number of years, tried to use the water for the localised re-use in the watering of natural crops (Rose, Tuberose, Ylang Ylang) in Grasse. However, water is still wasted and ultimately is still needed in the final product of perfumery. Therefore, with support from our supplier, we’ve replaced the water used (around 7% of the final product) with Hydrolat Sage. The water used in the steam distillation of sage leaves, the water is collected after the essential oil is obtained, and this has been used in the final fragrance. The Hydrolat carries a subtle hint of the sage leaf and brings a slight aromatic nature to the fragrance. Oakwood Up-cycling Process The production and control of natural materials for use in perfumery is at a crucial juncture in its history. We have a responsibility to look not only at the waste and byproducts within the manufacturing process, but at why we use any natural product and if we are replacing what we take. Oakwood in perfumery has long been used as an ingredient, however we’ve worked with our suppliers to develop a process that no longer goes to the first source but look further down the supply chain, for second use opportunities. Our UpCycled Oakwood is a byproduct of the scrap wood that is used in the creation of wine barrels in the home of wine, France. The unsuitable wood in terms of quality (aesthetic defect, heart of the block and the waste) are then recovered and chipped. The blocks are supplied only with French oak Quercus robur from French forests, managed by the ONF. This wood is PEFC certified, a standard that ensures the development of the forest heritage through a sustainable forest management approach. Stay tuned for more updates on how we are developing our M.H Upcycled Initiative and sustainable practice...
As the winter frost starts to melt away and the sun shines a little brighter, it's time to think about refreshing your home and welcoming the new season with open arms. One of the simplest ways to transition your space is by switching up your home scents. From fresh florals to citrusy aromas, spring scents can breathe new life into your home and boost your mood. From your living room to your bedroom, add character to every room with our top home fragrance picks that will bring the outside in and scent your home for spring. HALLWAY First impressions matter and one of the first things that people notice when walking into a home is the smell. Make a great first impression and opt for something warm and welcoming - rich, woody scents work best for this. Full of rich woods, tobacco leaves, spices and creamy tonka bean, let our Tabac Candle invite you in with its warm and smoky scent. LIVING ROOM Your living room is the most versatile and social space in your home. Whether you’re lounging or entertaining, look for a scent soft enough for the everyday but will bring a glow of warmth in the evenings. With comforting notes of sandalwood, crisp amber and creamy vanilla, our Santal Candle will instantly bring beauty and warmth to any occasion. BATHROOM Create a sanctuary at home and choose scents favoured by spas. Blends of citrus fruits and earthy notes, are favoured by many, bringing peace and calm memories to mind. A combination of uplifting bergamot and grounding maté, our Tea Candle will bring that spa moment to you. OFFICE Boost your productivity levels at home by creating the right working environment. Look for invigorating fresh scents to help with concentration levels. Our Figue Candle brings the outdoors in, filled with energising green notes and luscious fruits to keep you inspired and focused. BEDROOM Set the scene for a restful sleep with a scented candle. Comforting scents with a musky undertone make the perfect addition to your bedside table. Our Rose Candle is soft and sensual, with a dreamy musk base, perfect for when you begin to wind down. KITCHEN The kitchen is one of the rooms in your home that is filled naturally with a number of smells, whether its from fresh food or cooking, so balance is key to making sure scents don’t overpower the room or clash. Choose a fresh fragrance that contains citrus, such as tangerine, lime or bergamot to cut through lingering food smells. The sweet citrus notes of our Mandarin Candle will help to keep your space smelling fresh whilst also creating a calming atmosphere. SHOP OUR HOME COLLECTION Discover how to get the very best out of your Miller Harris candle in our Candle Care Guide.
