Well I find the original Bvlgari Man pretty average, in fact I'd go as far to say I don't like it so I was hoping this would be a total departure...and thankfully it is. I won't get too carried away though because Bvlgari Man in Black is not the dark, brooding juice the flacon would suggest...a notion I posited with the Sales assistant. "Not very dark or Black is it? slightly misleading wouldn't you say?" She just kinda looked at me blankly. Okay...moving on. Man in Black is just on the right side of interesting but quite feminine in that it has a soft, exotic opening which is slightly boozy, soft powdery suede and benzoin. It's a pleasant oriental fragrance, warm and well balanced with a tonka bean dry down. I've been critical of that in recent designer perfume releases but in the correct context it's good. A bit more spice wouldn't go a miss and make it a bit bolder and more masculine but I can't knock it, at least Man in Black doesn't smell cheap. Silage and longevity are low...not bad, but not something I'm crying out to wear.

I find this fragrance indicative of christmas anyway...they should've made the bottle a bauble instead. :)

So I tested this at the weekend and my expectations were met, in full! I mean, I anticipated what this fragrance would be like and in reality that's what I got. Tom Ford is keen on patchouli in many other fragrances and I enjoy the way it's handled, Patchouli absolu is no exception. Very linear and stays simple throughout, It's a smooth, classy patchouli scent with an unmistakable earthy nature but well balanced and never too dirty. This is maybe a disappointment for some and if you really love patchouli have no doubt there's much better ones out there. I'm not the biggest fan of patchouli but this just about stays of the right side for me it's kinda thick a bit chocolatey, subtly resinous and has that truffle, tuber thing of Men Extreme and noir about it. Not strong or dirty enough to offend me but perhaps not bold enough for some either. Performance was good on me but not spectacular as I mentioned I've tried some patch fragrances that don't wash of for a day or two.

Surprising that I'd never tired this one until now because it's not that I have anything against this house. Bvlgari scents are usually well put together, however not one appeals to me, except for black perhaps and maybe some like this, that I haven't tried yet. I actually saw it in my friends bathroom and when I had a spray was pleasantly surprised. Pour Homme is instantly a very pleasing fresh musky citrus and aldehydes, then a growing tea which is the theme of the perfume. Nothing not to like here infact I think it's excellent in many ways a sweet yet ever so slightly dry, woody composition which many will enjoy. There is something slightly floral in there too which keeps it upbeat. Average longevity and projection and not once does this feel cheap. I'm a fan truly a great fragrance.

Coca-cola (specifically?) and Macarons? Wow...odd but not unappealing. Can't wait to try this.

I was trying desperately to find the new Dior Homme Parfum to no avail. I did however find this, the latest flanker in the line and after the sport and cologne versions which seemed to diversify into citrus/aquatic territory Eau seems in much more familiar territory. As a stand alone perfume and forgetting it's a flanker for a moment, Homme Eau is really not bad at all. A softer, lighter powdered effect of iris which is simply a nod to the original rather than capturing that 'full on' vibe and if I've understood the concept correctly, that's exactly what Dior were going for and I can't complain about it. Homme Eau smells really nice it's as simple as that and there's actually not that many fragrances of this type, at least in the designer game. It possesses the warmth of the original with fresh sharp citrus top notes. It's a laid back interpretation of Dior Homme, which I think only time will tell if it becomes as revered as the original, sport and Intense...I doubt it will though. I don't blame Dior for trading off a very popular line but I do question if there's any need for this flanker? Is there really any need for the parfum? (I won't know till I try it.) How many more stories can be told by Dior Homme? Well where theirs money to be made quite a few I suspect. The bottom line is the quality and definition are there to set this one apart and I would wear it quite happily but I'm not going to seek it out. I class Dior Homme as a dressy scent and this is the everyday equivalent, fresher, more subdued and wearable. Worth a sniff for sure but don't expect to be blown away.

The 25th Anniversary edition rekindled my interest in this fragrance and I have to say it's well worth revisiting. Eternity by name, Eternity by nature it would seem. Calvin Klein fragrances usually stand the test of time which evidently this one has and with good reason. A refreshing but fairly deep aromatic fougere type scent which defines itself clearly against others in this family. It's masculine but not overly mossy or musky Eternity opens with juniper/bergamot vibes and lavender the heart is herby, floral and complex with a base of vetiver, musk and sandalwood nothing overpowering anything else. It's a calming fragrance when it dries down and becomes quite subtle. I imagine it works nicely for that classic gent rocking a smart/casual, white shirt and khaki's CK look. Seems dated now to some perhaps(?) but I welcome these olfactory memories and a break from the god awful stuff coming out in the designer realm at the moment. I had a tiny bottle of this in the 90's which my dad gave me. It was in the days he used travel a lot and would get awesome free gifts especially when he flew on Emirates or whatever? They'd give you a full shave kit and no plastic rubbish real quality gear, really nice washbags balms, shower gels and loads of mini's of top fragrances.

I was expecting to fall madly for this fragrance as I remember smelling it several years ago on a girl I was seeing and thought it was nice. Quick word on the packaging and presentation, I found them to be particularly inviting, The bottle looks great really classy. Tried it the otherday and liked it, very pleasant fresh citrus opening then delicate florals not over sweet peony and jasmine. The base is a warm vanilla/almond which is evident throughout but dries down very nicely. Nothing unpleasant here and as a man I don't have much credibility when commenting on 'feminine' perfumes but I just found this a little average. I suspect that was only due to the fact my expectations were so high. It's an interesting and understated scent which is warm and pleasant and in actual fact I could probably pull off wearing it. I saw that it was in the sale but still wasn't reasonably priced enough for me to buy it even for my girlfriend who was of the same opinion as me...that cinema is nothing special, though it's very wearable, good quality and lasts well.

Stop the presses! I'm stunned by this fragrance it is nothing short of magnificent! I have never smelled anything like it before, very sweet but with a creamy, woody understated edge. The way Atelier Cologne's Santal Carmin comes on is very much like other quality sandalwood fragrances, it seems to creep up. Very minimal in the beginning and so reminiscent of other fragrances I've tried with sandalwood and papyrus (except for the occasional unpleasantness) this has sweet notes and a hint of citrus in the opening which elevate it so something else entirely. As it develops the sandalwood becomes both spicier and creamier combining with a gorgeous vanilla note which comes on stronger too. What is evident is one of my favourite, complex notes saffron which gives any fragrance a classy edge. The overriding scent I get however is a sweet berry, like strawberry or raspberry in this scent it's kinda the heart of the whole thing and I just can't see how that's bergamot and lime? Whatever it is, it's wonderful and contributes to a perfect storm, which combines many elements I love. The drydown is dense guaic wood and creamy sandalwood with sweet long lasting vanilla. It's strangely reminiscent of a few things Scent story 24 Gold just in style terms... maybe it's the sweetness, vanilla, and woods then Le Labo Santal 33 and Decennial Santal Sacre for papyrus and how tranluscent the Sandalwood is at first but then builds. Also reminds me a touch of Xerjoff Ivory Route but with gorgeous sweet and inviting gourmand touches of fruit added in making it totally different. It has what I've termed 'secret sillage' because hours after application and despite never being a powerhouse you get glorious wafts of it every now and again. My girlfriend thought it was 'very ordinary' and was surprised I was raving about wearing it so much but she said that about Ivory Route which I thought was amazing, maybe she doesn't like sandalwood? Santal Carmin is fantastic, great longevity, not the longest lasting but several hours puts it right up there and it does project softly. It just as innovative as Gold leather which is a brave boozy scent and these two alone make me rate Atelier Cologne as a house. If you don't like sweet, or gourmand fragrances it may not be for you but I can't even say that for sure as the sandalwood might just hypnotize you. I adore this fragrance and want a bottle pretty bad.

This entire line from YSL is of the most amazing quality but most (like me) are somewhat repelled by the price. I think these flacons are 80ml? If they are the same size as the Oud Absolu etc... (which from memory I think they are) then the value is not that bad compared to say 50ml of Clive Christian or Xerjoff, MDCI or By Killian etc...etc...because the quality is up there. I really loved this one anyway, Supreme Bouquet is distinctly feminine and elegant not usually my thing but I've not smelled a great deal of fragrances like it. This unique combination of gorgeous white florals, tuberose and Jasmine with lots of ylang ylang in the opening and sweet candied fruit and musk, it's heavenly. It's dries down even better to a musky/amber but still with a powerful tuberose which is one of the best I've smelled. Despite the gushing praise I could never wear this and not because I wouldn't wear of don't appreciate female focused fragrance but this is simply too feminine for me. I wish I could afford to get this for my girlfriend, she might have to wait until christmas because I would love to smell this all the time. Sillage and longevity were huge on my skin but never cloying or overpowering despite the sweet elements the floral balance is perfect...ladies this is a wonderful scent.