This is something I've smelled before a blend of citrus and aquatic notes to create a really disappointing fragrance. Shame really because the others in the Potion collection are pretty good. The Original is okay but the Black Potion? Wow that's a really good fragrance. A few people mentioning how banal and unoriginal this fragrance is, I can agree with that in the main part but there's a unique note in there must be that hemlock? I don't know? But something about this fragrance stayed with me, not necessarily in a good way. All in all it's a cedar and citrus dominated fresh fragrance which I wasn't fond of and does grab me, with so many better fragrances on the market why would you get this one as the longevity and projection are abysmal.

Goes on like a smelly cheese this fecal note will put off all but the hardest of fragrance lovers. Seriously, moon aoud has Montale written all over it and takes about 20 mins to settle in to what the fragrance is all about then a further hour or so to become palatable. When it does however it's a delight even when that opening is still lingering slightly something bold, defiant and interesting about what is in essence...a bad smell. It's the mixture of Oud and a raw leather accord which creates that olfactory car crash I know I should hate but can't help sniffing. The rose explodes in the heart with a calm after the storm effect which completes takes over from the leather and Oud which take a gentler backseat...still there though. It becomes implausibly Good in the deep dry down the smell left on my skin was deliciously woody.

Pierre Montale's credentials are questionable for me are far as Oud perfumes are concerned. However, even if not all to my taste, the artistry and quality is always apparent. I'm amazed at how diverse the fragrance collection is with what is quite a limited range of notes he seems to play with the accords of things like Oud, rose and leather within themselves creating a wealth of new bases for fragrances and somehow retaining a signature. Opening with... surprise, surprise lime. Yes I read the notes on this page before I tried it and was disappointed not to find lime there. So imagine my joy when it was there... Harmony in the universe had been restored! It's not a citrus more like those chocolate (probably patchouli) lime sweets you can get. (which I actually don't care for!) And call me mad but the opening has a malty whisky vibe to it to me just for a moment. Aoud lime features yet another take on Oud coupled with Rose and patchouli. When the rose starts out it's a rose lovers dream but frankly too much for me. The patchouli in this creates an earthy dirty vibe which is carried into the dry down when the rose settles right back it's pure Oud and filthy patchouli, very dark indeed. There's a spiceness to it which keeps it sharp despite all that wood and mud. Insane longevity and projection as with every Montale I've ever sampled.

I'm not really that familiar with Aquatic fragrances for women but when I tried this one I have to say I thought they were being treated to some good juice from M.A.C. Now I've discovered it's unisex I'm happy that guys(not really me) will get a wear out of it because it's wonderfully aquatic in a way that many other supposed aquatics aren't. Hard to pin point quite what I mean by that? Maybe its that citrus or a salty marine or calone accord (especially in male aquatics) doesn't represent the true freshness of the broader term 'Aquatic'. Well Turquatic does just that before I knew the name I commented on my friends aroma and said 'mmmmm..nice. Very aquatic.' before I knew the name or saw that strange bottle. Anyway it's mainly cedar with a hint of water lily and something a little sweet wrapped in a fresh lightweight accord that I defy anyone to dislike. This cosmetics giant is known for being pricey and I'm not sure how much this juice costs but I can imagine it's probably expensive compared to high street designer fragrances. Didn't do a proper longevity test on my own skin only on my hand and it was gone pretty quick. My friend was carrying it in her handbag and was reapplying it so that told me it probably doesn't last well either. All in all smells really nice can't fault the scent.

I always think I've reviewed fragrances then it turns out I haven't. I think I've posted a review for the others in this collection and I remember not being all that impressed by all but one of them. Un Jardin sur le toit, I definitely hadn't tried so I thought I'd better give it a go and you know it's not bad either. Green, fruity, slightly floral this to me is more of the garden vibe than the others it has a very natural spring/summer breeze thing about it. Again no real depth beyond that though and I wasn't expecting it to, just delivers a very fresh accord. Smells great on my girlfriend might be another one I'll try to convince her to get. Didn't last all that long on me but felt good to begin with so all in all not bad.

I first tried this a few years ago and thought it was magic and now I've worn it properly on my skin, I know it is! Amazing, warm, aromatic resin of Peru balsam and that orange note as it opens is superb. Then as it dries down, creamier elements of caramel and woods develop. To my nose it's a warm base of amber, Tonka bean and sandalwood with some not so warm cedar to balance it. Elixir des Marveilles is a great fragrance, totally unisex and worthy of a wear with moderate to Soft sillage and good longevity. I did make my girlfriend try it and she really liked it we could both just as easily wear this, I'm sold on this Hermes fragrance.

Chocolat Frais to me is right away a feminine smell but just through familiar association I think? It reminds me of the smell of a womans hair or more specifically her head.(Not in a weird way!) Unfortunately I really don't know what I mean by that other than that's what it reminds me of. The chocolate accord in this is tempered with the odd notes of absinthe and heliotrope which to me gives it a totally different feel and one more pleasant and interesting than Chocolat Amere. Rare notes in this and not something you smell everyday certainly not like Angel to my nose, the chocolate in that is totally different. Long lasting and makes me think I'll wear it again before branding it too feminine. I don't think it's ever going to end up in my collection anyway because I personally only need one chocolate fragrance and it's between coco blanc and chocolate greedy for me.

I remember trying this when it came out and it obviously never grabbed me because here I am 15 years later giving it a second chance...and it's not too bad you know? The first thing that attracted me was the gimmicky and actually quite innovative bottle design. I like it when a vastly different and unconventional sprayer mechanism has been incorporated and that's exactly what ultraviolet has. Also, I'm quite cynical usually but the whole Purple being the 'colour of the age of Aquarius' and all that is actually right up my street. Fragrances don't need a concept, inner depth or meaning to exist but I think it's cool/amusing when they try to! The juice is fairly ordinary the opening is fresh and green, not minty as such but with the combination of oakmoss giving more of a green feel. Then the amber and vanilla heart give this a different feel again especially compared with those top notes. It's dries down like vetiver cleaness vanilla and amber without changing much. Do I like it? Well I'm not mad at it...still don't love it the longevity and projection are mediocre to good. Only worn it the once but I may well revisit if I can get a another sample.

Love this fragrance! For me it's a pretty harsh unforgiving floriental opening which is strong with resinous goodness, nose burningly so. Have no doubt Van Cleef is a no holds barred fragrance but as it settles the tonka bean, vanilla and creamy sandalwood tone it all down to a lovely elegant scent. I enjoy the strength and quality of this juice I picked it out as being something my girlfriend would enjoy due to her love of YSL Opium, not that they're similar but put me in mind of each other. This is for women who like their perfume in a more traditional and less contemporary sense. Van Cleef is warm, inviting and lasts for an age and I was right my girl loves it!

I echo the comment below! Another new fragrance that needn't of been released as it shows no creativity whatsoever. Pure homogenization! I'm a lover of violets and lavender generally but even I was bored to tears by this. It doesn't bring anything new to the accord. I understand that it's about making money as much as anyone. I just wish these new designer fragrances would stop being so safe and deliver something that might be polarising and unpopular with some but could be a masterpiece to others...It's just like music... originally can still be achieved!