JAMES CRAVEN - LES SENTEURS

James Craven is the resident 'Perfume Archivist' at London's oldest and most prestigious independent perfumery Les Senteurs.  James' encyclopaedic knowledge of fine fragrance, acquired over 25 years, makes him one of the most respected perfume experts in the UK. James can not only tell you when a fragrance was created and the ingredients that it contains but also the historical context of its launch and figures of note that have worn it, from Napoleon Bonaparte to George Clooney! His engaging and narrative style has earned him legions of appreciative customers who trust his expertise and innate good taste. James is the Sherpa of scent, the ultimate guide to direct you through the potential minefield of choosing a signature fragrance. A few minutes in his company, you will emerge wiser and essentially more fragrant.

TELL US A BEAUTY SECRET
 I have three. Never ever call attention to your imperfections, the older you are, the more colour you need in your dress and about your person, moisturise BEFORE washing.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST OVERRATED VURTUE?
An excess of humility or of truthfulness.

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK?
Curiosity about the human condition. I also admire Nelson's devotion to duty and Fanny Cradock's coarse but colourful, dynamic pragmatism.

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
English sea air on a warm June morning.

WHAT ALTERNATIVE CAREER PATH WOULD YOU HAVE FOLLOWED?
I’d have been a cook

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
Sharks

WHO OR WHAT IN YOUR EYES DEFINES 'BEAUTY'? 
Garbo. The wholesomeness of Ingrid Bergman. Perfection of line, light and colour. Horse chestnut trees... Pugs!

WHAT NATURAL TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE GIFTED WITH?
Oh! To play the piano by ear, effortlessly.

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST BEAUTY EXTRAVAGANCE?
I do not have one. In the days of having hair, it was having it cut, coloured etc!

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
Family photos; sentimental jewellery, especially rings.

WHAT IS YOUR ALL TIME FAVOURITE BEAUTY TREND/LOOK?
Luxurious simplicity of perfumes such as 8eme Art and Mona's Nombres d'Or - pared down, concentrated, minimalist olfactory elegance.

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PHILOSOPHY? Intense gratitude for having got away with it!!!

HERE ARE FIVE OF JAMES CRAVEN'S FAVOURITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS.

Nivea Creme.  All purpose, all over moisturiser. Unbeatable.

Guerlain 'Midnight Secret' Late Night Recovery Treatment for instant glow and lift. It instantly transforms a puffy pasty wreck instantly into a vision of apres-ski vitality and apparent fitness. Sheer magic.

Elizabeth Arden’s 8 Hour Cream. Disinfects, soothes, mega moisturises; perfect for after shaving or for sunburn. Wonderful smell, the facial cure-all.

Margaret Dabbs Foot Cream / Oil. The most concentrated, quickest acting products to soothe, smooth, heal cracked heels and dry feet. Indispensable - rub the residue into your hands, can do nothing but good!

AG Hair Cosmetics Volume Plastique Extreme. I don't think you can get it in the UK - it is literally plastic hair in a bottle! Spray on and brush through: amazing results if you have ANY hair at all!

LINDA PILKINGTON OF ORMONDE JAYNE

Ormonde Jayne is a British fine fragrance house, owned entirely by its creator Linda Pilkington.  Founded in 1998, Ormonde Jayne is about returning to the golden age of bespoke perfumery, when fragrance creation was a fine art.  The philosophy is about  finding rare and exquisite ingredients not used in the perfume industry. Some of the ingredients that Ormonde Jayne built its library upon ten years ago were at the time untouched by other perfumers, - like Champaca, Tolu, Tonka Bean, Pink Pepper & Oudh. Other trends set by Ormonde Jayne are the use of gold in beauty products. When Gold Crème, a shimmering scented gold body gel, was first launched six years ago, there was no other product available for the body that combined gold and scent.  Linda opened her first boutique in The Royal Arcade on Old Bond Street in London ten years ago. It has been followed by a flagship Sloane Square store and as a concession within Harrods .   Linda Pilkington is Today’s Beauty Insider. 

TELL US A BEAUTY SECRET.

To maintain a spot and blotch free face: Do not use brushes, clothes, or flannels on your face, they are full of bacteria. Do not dry your face with a towel, also full of bacteria. Dry your face with a round flat cotton pad and throw away. Do not use sponges to apply foundation for the same reason and use round flat cotton wool pads to  apply powder, then throw away.

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS THE MOST OVERRATED VIRTUE?

Honesty, sometimes it’s just better for everyone to tell a white lie

WHO AND WHAT INSPIRES YOUR WORK?
I love and admire the pursuit of perfection, beauty and elegance. Anoushka Hempel, Albrissi interiors, Chanel Fine Jewellery

WHAT IS YOUR IDEA OF PERFECT HAPPINESS?
My two sons, fresh out of the bath, snuggled up in bed and me reading their bed time story

WHAT ALTERNATIVE CAREER PATH WOULD YOU HAVE FOLLOWED?
Chocolate. I made chocolates when I was younger and may start it up again soon.

WHAT IS YOUR GREATEST FEAR?
The same as every parent in this world

WHO OR WHAT IN YOUR EYES DEFINES 'BEAUTY'?
Confidence, intelligence and empathy

WHAT NATURAL TALENT WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE GIFTED WITH?
I would love to sing beautifully

WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST BEAUTY EXTRAVAGANCE?
Harley Street.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST TREASURED POSSESSION?
At the moment it’s Lucy, my electric car, she is the handiest things I have bought for decades

WHAT IS YOUR  ALL TIME FAVOURITE BEAUTY LOOK/TREND?
Wearing YSL lip gloss. It smells so fruity, even my boys want to wear it!

WHAT IS YOUR LIFE PHILOSOPHY?
Be good to mankind, we are all in the same boat

HERE ARE 5 OF LINDA PILKINGTON'S ALL TIME FAVOURITE BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Eve Lom Cleanser (but I do not use the cloth) Quick, effective and does the job. I leave it on my skin whilst brushing my teeth and rinse off with 20 splashes. Dry with a clean cotton pad. Everyone always ask me what I use on my skin

Gold Crème by Ormonde Jayne.  To wow and sparkle at dinner parties

Eyelash dye - I cannot get to grips with mascara

Neutrogena's Norwegian Formula Hand Cream. This industrial handcream keeps the sign of ageing at bay

MAC Eyelash curlers. Eyelash curlers make a big/quick difference. You look look more glam and awake.

http://www.ormondejayne.com/  Follow on Twitter @ormondejayne