I grabbed Liquid Brun and honestly, while most people hype it as a close clone of Parfums de Marly Althair, I found it way more similar to the classic Hugo Boss Bottled. It has that same fresh apple-cinnamon spicy kick right at the start, with a clean, woody vanilla dry-down that just screams Boss energy to me. Sure, it’s got some warmer, creamier bourbon vanilla and praline vibes that pull it a bit toward gourmand territory, but overall the DNA feels much closer to Bottled than to Althair for my nose.
Performance is solid, projects nicely for a few hours and hangs around well. If you’re a fan of Boss Bottled and want something affordable with a similar versatile, everyday feel (maybe a touch sweeter), this is a great grab for the price. Definitely recommend trying it out!
It’s s a fragrance that smells like sweet temptation with a playful wink. A gourmand with a floral twist, delicious, feminine and little flirtatious.It opens with juicy raspberry and soft neroli, bringing freshness and lightness to the composition. The heart unfolds into creamy tuberose and orange blossom, white-floral and sensual, yet without any suffocating heaviness. A touch of iris adds a subtle powdery nuance. The base blends caramel, vanilla, musk and soft woods, wrapping everything in warm comfort. It’s sweet, but not sugary, sensual, yet still girlish. Perfect for those moments when you want to smell mmm…, the kind that makes someone lean in and ask what you’re wearing. Longevity is around six hours with moderate projection, noticeable and alluring, but never overwhelming.
Eau Duelle rustles like a susurrus of sighs stirring through the reeds from that exact territory Algernon Blackwood describes in his short story/novella, "The Willows." Dry vanilla, grassy and herbaceous, maybe even rhizomatic, swaying, shifting, and restless. A humming of place, a hollow wind. Silvered marsh lights, bizarre fancies. Soft moonlight on myriad murmuring leaves. Vanilla as the uncanny antagonist of the nature trail, the weird tale the willows tell.
It’s a joyful, distinctly girlish fragrance, like a pastel dress on a sunny day. It opens with violet and a softly sweet hint of citrus, flowing smoothly into intoxicating visteria touched with rose. The composition unfolds gently and harmoniously, like a pastel bouquet arranged with care. In the base, tonka bean with vanilla and a subtle trace of patchouli lend warmth and softness, wrapping the floral heart like a light shawl draped over the shoulders. Longevity is around six hours, with moderate projection, noticeable, yet never trying to dominate the room. It’s a pleasant, well balanced scent that lifts the mood like your favourite cup of coffee, a little bottled pick me up. At the same time, it lacks edge and depth, everything feels pretty, polished and safe. Instead of a true perfumery spark, we get an aesthetic, well crafted creation that appeals to many… but rarely lingers in the memory.
It seems like it doesn’t last very long and not very powerful. Smells ok. But wouldn’t recommend to anyone.
today I’m testing Eau de Memo by Memo Paris, a sample I received with a recent purchase. The opening positively sparkles with bergamot, before green tea moves to the forefront. At this stage, it reminds me of Assam of India by Berdoues. I don’t detect any floral notes at all. There is, however, a leather accord that brings to mind the interior of a new car. The combination of leather, citrus and tea is very interesting. In the final stage, iris comes through. I’d say the longevity is around five hours, and the projection sits fairly close to the skin. It’s a pleasant composition, though I wouldn’t call it groundbreaking.
smells like rice paper
I’d read so much about this fragrance and finally managed to buy a partial bottle at a good price. Moonlit Eveningis a vintage leaning chypre composition, blending nostalgia with a subtle harmony of notes. The opening is spicy and citrusy, I can clearly detect pepper oil and nutmeg. After a while, a floral heart emerges, the fragrance is beautifully blended, making it difficult to pick out individual notes. The base is mossy and earthy, enriched with honey and a generous dose of patchouli. Unfortunately, it’s the patchouli that takes centre stage here, heavy and cellar like, and that’s a style I simply don’t enjoy in fragrance. Longevity is around eight hours, with subtle, moderate projection. I’ll be passing this bottle on, as I don’t think I’ll ever warm up to this interpretation of patchouli. And you, what are you
Don’t know what the original Dior was like, but this scent is fantastic and as a possible dupe. It’s beast mode in sillage and projection.
It is a true ode to vanilla, celebrating feminine warmth and elegance. The vanilla here is sweet, creamy and almost velvety, yet balanced by cool lavender and subtly lifted with a touch of ginger, giving the composition a hint of character and modern freshness. It reminds me of a soft cashmere jumper, hour just before sunset, and a quiet sense of confidence. Longevity and projection are both very good.
Nice biscuity spiced iris with great performance. Retail prices are high but deals abound
it’s a deeper, more refined interpretation of the original, which I adore, by the way. The composition opens with juicy, ripe mirabelle plum, golden and almost velvety in feel. For contrast, soft, aromatic oakmoss and davana emerge, adding a subtle earthiness and lending the scent its distinctive character. In the base, sandalwood and musk wrap the fragrance in a creamy, comforting warmth like a soft shawl. Longevity is around six hours. The projection is noticeable at first, though it gradually settles into something more intimate and close to the skin.
Deep dark coffee wrapped in dark smoke.
Saffron, tobacco, faint cherry and cocoa dance in the haze of the smoke accord to provide some lift and keeping this from going too dark, but make no mistake... This is not a summer freshie.
This is a regal experience best kept for the coldest of winter nights.
The scent was wonderful, I miss it very much.
Musc de Soie by Van Cleef & Arpels is a subtle fragrance with an exceptionally clean feel. The opening aldehydes give the impression of a freshly pressed, crisp white shirt. As it develops, sandalwood and powdery musk come to the fore, soft, creamy and enveloping, with no sharp edges. True to its name, the scent is silky and refined. Longevity is around six hours, while the projection creates a delicate, close to the skin aura.
This is one of my favourite creations by this perfumer. It’s a gourmand fragrance that draws attention with its sweet, caramel vanilla character, yet does so in a remarkably elegant way. The opening is sweet and alluring, with notes of cocoa butter, velvety chocolate, vanilla, nuts, dates and tonka bean. As it develops, the scent softens to reveal rich, milky caramel, sugar and a touch of rum. The overall impression is reminiscent of a creamy dessert served alongside a cup of your favourite cappuccino. The fragrance offers good longevity with moderate projection, gently enveloping the wearer and those nearby.
I tested White Jasmine & Gardenia by COCHINE. It’s a composition created for those who enjoy fresh, floral scents. The opening is green and crisp, with pronounced leafy notes and a mandarin accord, followed shortly by a rich floral bouquet. Jasmine, gardenia and tuberose are the most prominent, yet the fragrance remains light, green and fresh throughout.
The composition evokes the feeling of a walk through a freshly cut meadow, holding an armful of these flowers. The base is musky, warm and slightly balsamic. Unfortunately, the longevity is around three hours, and the scent becomes quite close to the skin relatively quickly. It’s a pleasant offering, although there are many similar fragrances available on the market at much more friendly price point.
This fragrance is beautiful. Perfectly unisex. This is LV’s best winter fragrance in my opinion. Ombré Nomad is just a little too harsh of oud for my liking. I think Les Sables Roses takes what ombré nomad is and makes it more wearable. I typically don’t enjoy rose scents, but this one is done perfectly.
I really loved this one, back in the day! I wished I could get some more. Definitely makes you think purple, when you smell it. Definitely is a unique scent. That violet flower definitely stands out.
I enjoyed the classic Alexandria II, so I was curious to see how this interpretation would perform. The fragrance opens with rose and spices, but almost immediately oud and a pronounced animalic note take centre stage, making the composition feel slightly overwhelming. As it develops, the scent becomes more powdery and a hint of amber starts to emerge in the background, although the animalic facet remains noticeable throughout. What I enjoy most is the woody, musky base with a touch of unsweetened vanilla. Longevity is at least eight hours, with good projection. It’s a well blended, decidedly winter fragrance, best suited to those who appreciate bold, almost primal, animalic accords.
Boss Bottled Absolu takes the classic Boss Bottled DNA and elevates it to a whole new level of richness and depth. From the first spray, it’s warm, smooth, and confidently masculine, with a refined sweetness that feels luxurious rather than loud. The blend is perfectly balanced—comforting, modern, and undeniably classy. What really shines is how polished and versatile it is. It works effortlessly for evenings, special occasions, or anytime you want to smell put-together and confident. The performance is solid, with good longevity and a pleasant projection that draws people in without overpowering a room. Boss Bottled Absolu feels like a more mature, sophisticated evolution of the original—elegant, addictive, and easy to love. If you’re a fan of the Boss Bottled line or just want a dependable, high-quality signature scent, this one is absolutely worth it.
First I’ll start by saying, I don’t believe in gendered perfumes. This is my favorite sandalwood perfume. Simply love it. I wish I had the chance to smell the original.
The fragrance opens with the aroma of a blooming rose and ripe, juicy cherries. In the base, a delicate bitter almond accord blends with vanilla and subtle woody nuances. The composition is rich and saturated, yet never overwhelming or cloying. On my skin, after about an hour, it begins to develop a lipstick-like accord, somewhat reminiscent of Lipstick Fever by JHAG, as if someone were just applying another coat of lipstick right beside me. Longevity is around four hours, with moderate projection.
This is perfect coconut scent for summer, its sweet tropical creamy coconut that gets me compliments every time I’m wearing it.
