memorialise heroic, unapologetic women through scent. We want to celebrate our heroines.
source
Reek Perfumes are a brand that you need to get to know
a) if you love perfume
b) if you actively support female entrepreneurs
c) if you like to support british based brands
d) if you believe in gender equality
e) if you love brands that have untouched imagery on their website
There are more reasons that you need to become familiar with Reek Perfumes but I think five is enough to start with don’t you? Sara and Molly are the mother and daughter duo that founded the brand. They have taken inspiration from the women of the Jacobite era (the Jacobites wanted to return Roman Catholic King James II / IV to the throne.) to celebrate women through scent with the marketing clap trap that often accompanies it. Their website and blog are a haven of beautiful untouched imagery, witty articles and information about the fragrances.
The Nose
Sarah McCarney from 4108 Tuesdays is the perfect nose for this brand. Her olfactory genius coupled with her perceived irreverence (I have had the pleasure of meeting her and she is lovely… just does not tolerate perfume snobbery!) within the perfume industry. It makes her perfectly placed to strip back the sexist marketing that fragrance companies often use. Sarah really gets to the heart of create Damn Rebel perfumes.
perfumes are an everyday rebellion
Damn Rebel Bitches
My favourite of the two Damn Rebel scents. I have been called a bitch many times in my life, often prefaced by black, fat, ugly, stupid, cocky or my personal favourite arrogant. To be honest it rolls off my back. I have been called far more insulting things in six other languages! Anyway, the scent is a gorgeous blend of sweet spicy and herbal from opening to about three hours in when the warm amber and malt gently caress the skin for the next few hours. This is not a loud, ostentatious or bold scent. You will not smell like anyone else in your office but I just wish it lasted on my skin longer.
Notes
- Blood Orange
- Pink Pepper
- Hazelnut
- Clary Sage
- Malt
- Amber
Damn Rebel Witches
Imagine that someone ate an orange and then smoked a cigarette just walked past you. That is the opening, it is quite dry and very intriguing. Shortly after that the orange pips, twigs and leaves with their green-ness start to come through and the malt which makes it warm and takes away the initial dryness and makes way for the occasional waft of a leather car seat. In my world, brujas carry out their craft behind closed doors so the closeness to the skin is not a surprise. Inspired by Jacobite women who were burned at the stake you definitely get the dry heat on the skin.
Notes
- Blood Orange
- Hazelnut
- Malt
- Orange Pips
- Leave
- Twigs
- Leather
- Tobacco
- Musk
- Moorlands
Final thoughts
If artesin products that are made for women by women appeal to you, this brand will. If you like pepper in your fragrances this will appeal to you. Pink pepper is generally regarded as a softer note but in Damn Rebel Bitches it gives quite strong piquancy. The Damn Rebel fragrances are not mainstream crowd pleasers. They are for individuals, for people who like to think, for people who assert themselves on a daily basis. Their composition reflects the multi faceted nature of being female that other brands often miss.
The scents are availabe in three sizes – 2ml samples (as seen in my pictures). 7.5ml atomisers and 50ml bottles and prices start from £10
Read more of my fragrance reviews here and here. Follow me on Instagram for more beauty new and reviews.
*PR Sample