Sarah Colton is a Paris-based fragrance journalist, author, and speaker whose work has focused on artistic and niche perfumery for more than two decades. She is the author of the cult classic book Bad Girls Perfume, winner of the prestigious Perfumed Plume Award. A longtime industry commentator, writer, interviewer, and panel moderator, Sarah is known for her highly personal approach to fragrance—at once deadly serious and deliciously irreverent—she explores perfume not only as an object of beauty, but as a form of creativity, culture, communication, a portal for transformation—and pure pleasure.

Instagram: @sarahcolton_official and @badgirlsperfume_official
Website: Sarahcolton.com

"What I love about Flame & Fortune is that it really is OVER THE TOP.

And I don’t mean just over the top.

I’m talking about WAY Over The Top.

You can’t just spritz on Flame & Fortune and think, “Hmmmm…” You think: OMG.

Who would dare wear this fragrance?

And then you think, Are you crazy? ME. Of course I’d dare wear this. Who do you think you’re talking to?

In fact, if you want to know the truth, when I first smelled Flame & Fortune, my first thought (after slamming back to earth) was:

“This is what’s been missing in my fragrance wardrobe for a hell of a long time.”

You know: For those days when I need to make sure I absolutely get my point across.

Loud and clear.

I’d categorize Flame & Fortune as raw sexuality, if it weren’t so much FUN.

Flame & Fortune is not sultry.

Sultry is raw sexuality with an agenda.

Flame & Fortune has NO agenda.

Flame & Fortune is an unbridled romp.

And if it’s a romp in the sack, well, don’t say I didn’t warn you.

Compared to Flame & Fortune’s  energy, sultry is… quiet.

Flame & Fortune is not quiet.

It’s loud, noisy, rambunctious.

PLAYFUL. Outlandish. Experimental.

“Have you thought of trying it this way?”

“No.”

“Me, neither.”

“GREAT. Let’s hit it!”

For me, Flame & Fortune is utterly female sexuality.

But if I smelled it on a man, I’d immediately think:

“I LIKE this guy. There’s absolutely something not at all ordinary about him. Gotta know more.”

I’d swoop in for a closer inspection.

Find out his number. 

Text first, if necessary. 

Might even attach a racy photo.

Flame & Fortune is also confusing as hell to decipher, because you — and everyone around you — lose your minds.

For one thing, it has this traditional, demure, feminine lily-of-the-valley opening. Lower those eyelids, girl.

Don’t be fooled. It’s only a few drops anyway. Just enough to draw you in for the kill.

Because right afterwards, you’re going to get slammed with a major overdose — like a bucketful — of:

IN YOUR FACE

Tuberose.

Jasmine.

Motor oil.

A shot or two of whiskey… or is it mezcal?

Whatever.

But if you want to know the REAL reason I love wearing Flame & Fortune, it’s this:

When I wear Flame & Fortune, nobody in my entourage seems to have a CLUE what to do with my fragrance — or with me.

And instinctively they seem to know that they’d better either get with MY vibe…

or

OUT OF MY WAY!!

Which is, of course, exactly the way I like things.

So let her rip.

Anything can happen."