Beautiful bottle. Just wish I liked the scent more. It’s not bad though, I just don’t love the first 20 mins or so. It starts off a little harsh and the juniper/pine notes don’t feel very natural. Imagine if a pine tree accord behaved more like a violet/iris accord. It’s like that after awhile. It’s nice, but it’s probably my least favorite scent in my collection. I much prefer the pine notes in something like Agua Brava. The florals in this are what saves it. The bottle is why I’ll hang on to it and give it a chance to macerate. Everyone at work loves it. My wife’s not a fan, so I’ll probably sell it and try something else. UPDATE: I sold it to someone I work with. It smells great in the air. I used the money to buy…bites lip two more blind buys. Update: The blind buys were duds too. Sold them also. After that the next 2 blind buys with the money I got from selling THOSE were absolute perfection. (Sold Oscar De La Renta Pour Lui, and Sung Homme, and bought and LOVED Lapidus Pour Homme and Tous 1920 EDP the Origin)
Right so… Hope. I’m not sure if the name is ironic or what because if anything was to crush any hope of originality in perfumery then this is it. I don’t know if my expectations are unfair now? I mean Pink Floyd couldn’t keep making Dark side of the Moon’s now could they? This is a boring perfume, opulent yes, powerful… reasonably… a modern oud which if you want to say has a kind of plastic, translucency, and a good mixture of spicy, resinous, animalic etc… then okay. But it smells like many other ‘opulent’ oud/oud rose perfumes (okay so no rose officially but…) I’m not sure why you’d drop FM gem money for this, I’m curious as to any excited interview from Dominique Ropion stating that he’s done anything here but create something which exists elsewhere in perfumery for a fraction of the price. Yes it’s nice and wearable and modern and I can even concede smells expensive & may contain real oud and some other nice naturals, but it doesn’t justify the price nor does it stand with the others in this line which although even more outrageously priced (in some cases) at least have a bit of something about them. Even Promise which is the most genetically similar and market pleasing has something of a unique balance to it.
It's an interesting experience to smell this chemical once, and see what it does on the skin, but it's pretty horrible. There's a reason it's blended with other things to make proper perfume. This is industrial, plasticky, glue-like vetiver, with car interior and a dash of something you'd use to clean your oven. Immediate scrubber, never again. (showering) And of course it's impossible to remove, although after a thorough scouring it's less repulsiv at least.
Wow! Initially a minimal modern art piece with undertones of crude 'Indy' perfume about it but it soon becomes apparent that L'eau d'epine has some get up and go. Really classy touches to it, I'm quite enamored to tell you the truth. I've not sampled Hermes Galop in ages but this kinda puts me in a similar mind space, it's shocking, green rose theme is impactful but conversely, barely in the realms of existence, ethereally transparent as it can appear. The opening has that tidal effect, it sucks back, like you get the lightest top note effect but then it washes back in becoming more potent and present, This usually happens with these resin/incense perfumes when they go down a fresher or greener route and you certainly get green from the galbanum and spikes of chemically clean aldehyde, punching through. The effect of the rose chiming is translucent before finally settling to something resembling a sanitised leather accord. I think it's great.
I'm wearing Guidance on one arm and Guidance 46 on the other. Guidance is very Bisch. It immediately reminds me of Encelade, but with more depth and sweetness (though nowhere near as sweet as the Extrait version). I quickly start to pick up on a sort of foot-cheese, sweaty off note, which doesn't put me off exactly but I can see why I would deter others. The sillage is giving me pretty perfume while the up close sniff is sweaty jock-strap (none of that in the Extrait). I like this, it's not my thing, as quite honestly I'd rather wear Encelade, it's more edgy, but this smells opulent and performs very well, of course. The Extrait does seem smoother and more refined, but it also lacks the hook. It's way sweeter and more incensey. I wish they'd upped the weirdness rather than the sweetness.
I'm not sure if my miniature has turned, but to me this is half perfume half burrito. The coriander is SO strong and something about this with the cinammon is too culinary for my taste (boom).
Sniffing my way through ten samples from this house, and I'm realising they're mostly syrupy sugar-bombs, and this is one of the sweetest of them all. If that's your thing, you might like this but this type of perfume is nauseating to me after 10 minutes max.
Sickly, cloying, cheap-smelling, diabetes-inducingly sweet. In the wheelhouse of masculine JPG fragrances but more obnoxious if such a thing is possible.
Scratchy, toxic, cheap-smelling, loud, needy, macho, just absolutely awful.
Notes per the Diptyque website: The light mist of Eau Plurielle evokes the scent of a fresh sheet laid on a bed of IVY and ROSES from Turkey.
Lavender-filled condoms.
Well... Doesn't expected much, but it blows away any expectations far away and it's completely blind buy. I keep it hidden from myself and decided to open on a special occasion and it was worth it. Opening was a bit scary when peach note landed (not a big fan of it) but damn that drydown it is something amazing! I need a backup bottle now.
References to the Creed are understandable with its smoky woodiness and its bergamot note, it’s definitely in the same olfactory family, however Boy of June is led by a beautiful patchouli and is a total delight to wear. It doesn’t feel at all obnoxious either. In particular, I really enjoy the apple and the incense. It falls on the masculine side of perfumery with solid projection and a mass appealing trail. If I were Jan, I’d be pretty pleased with this.
I loved Silver Oud but I fell in love with King Blue more because it’s more wearable and easy reach, it doesn’t need a certain kind of mood. It needs certain kind of clothes though or no clothes at all. Assam Oud in King Blue is not as brash as it is in its predecessor Silver Oud and the leather which is quite strong in it is utterly tame in King Blue. I adore this scent. It’s so addictive with its fruity notes especially from Blackcurrant but Mandarin as well - those are so perfect with slightly dirty Oud and warm resinous Amber. Fruits bring sweet aromas which play hide and seek from the opening until the dry down. It’s like Blackcurrant jam covered with hefty Oud, not vice versa. Sweetness from fruits together with sweetness from resinous Amber works great. I love fruits and Oud together so much but here the combination is astonishingly beautiful because of other notes and a complex blend. Just right around of smokiness from Frankincense is not T*bacco like but smooth and hazy adding vibrance into this blend which is actually astonishingly calming like the deep blue sea. That is the only connection which I find here to the colour blue in the name. At the latest, somewhat cozy, creamy texture of Sandalwood blended with all these notes makes this one of my favourite perfumes to wear in the bedtime. These kind of scents are erotic as well imo (I know, sounds maybe strange). The most erotic scents from Amouage are "Gold Man | Amouage" and this one. I can’t get enough of King Blue. I want to enjoy of it as much as I can now when it’s warm since it performs so beautifully now on my skin. During wintertime my skin is too cold for this scent. This needs warm to shine and it doesn't feel too heavy in Finnish summer since it's not so hot, mostly 20-25c. Is this easy Oud? Yes if you love real Oud, this is gentle. If you don’t - you can forget King Blue. But I highly recommend to give it a chance. It’s ravishing. Yes, a little bit dirty Oud can be ravishing. Thank you for reading and if you want to follow me on IG: @ninamariah_perfumes
The notes listed don't represent what I'm smelling. For me it's strong tonka, rose, fruit (as a review said below, blueberries) and saffron. The other notes are there if I squint and use my imagination. It starts well, smelling opulent and complex but quickly the brightness fades from the top notes and it becomes sickly, cloying and cheap-smelling.
A masterpiece. So underrated for such a unique blend. A friend gave me a decant of it and I wore it and got asked constantly what it was. Got a 100ml bottle.for 34 quid. One of the best buys I've had.
This was the first iris type scent I ever smelled in a cologne. I couldn’t get over the possibility that someone would want to smell like makeup, let alone a man. I get it now, that creamy waxy iris note is one that has grown on me, but not enough to seek this one to wear myself. This is a little hollow smelling to my nose. It’s different and unique, but it’s not one that suits my taste.
A horrible, monstrous, synthetic tuberose nightmare. Screechy and scratchy as I've come to expect from this brand.
Not exactly a huge departure from the original, but worth the price for sure. Like the mature older brother of Encre Noire that drops him off at the punk rock show and goes to the library at his university to read. Beautiful bottle and scent that punch way above their weight when it comes to the price. Warm, masculine, spicy, and refined. Great for formal occasions. Like an old antiquated church in the middle of the woods full of polished mahogany with a lingering smell of incense. More complex and original than anything you’re likely to find at a department store. Don’t wear this because you want compliments, wear it because it is art. It is a vision of a master perfumer. It is modern history. Overall a more socialized version of the original, but the original still blazed some trails in the community and deserves your respect! 10/10
I don’t have a lot of love or respect for the house of Tom Ford, but Fucking Fabulous is the exception. This is definitely a ‘love it or hate it’ fragrance - as for me, I certainly adore it. I am already a keen enthusiast of leather perfumes and whilst this is completely different from my usual style, there is something about it I can’t resist. The leather is smooth, rich and surprisingly subtle - nothing loud or garish like that of Ombre or Tuscan Leather. There is an aromatic facet of lavender and sage, however I feel this is only fleeting, laying down the stepping stones towards a warmer, sweeter heart. Alongside the leather, a dry and bitter almond note makes itself known which is very reminiscent of ground almonds, softened by the creamy sweetness of vanilla, orris and coumarin. I love it, everything about it. Admittedly, it’s not the best fragrance ever made nor is it worth the ridiculous price tag. But, if it can be found at the right price, I would jump on it; this fragrance is incredibly unique and once you’ve smelled it, you cannot forget it. The true gem from Tom Ford in my eyes.
Bois D’Iris is a lovely fragrance for a sophisticated and self-assured person who does not need to scream for attention. However, the name could be considered rather misleading, as the scent itself is much warmer and richer than you would believe. All in all this is a dry, resinous scent with sweet and creamy nuances. Incense and myrrh are dominant to my nose, balanced by the delicious sweetness of vanilla - sugar is also listed but is obviously just marketing. This marriage of vanilla and incense is smoothed out by the buttery subtlety of an iris accord, making what you would think the primary note, in fact a supporting one. Overall however, I really enjoy this scent - it’s perfect for those ‘in-between’ days during that period of transition between summer and autumn. If you have smelled Encens Suave, you will notice an obvious similarity between the two. However whilst Encens Suave screams, Bois D’Iris whispers, which I greatly appreciate.
Costa Azzurra is a scent which is often overlooked, for I suppose it is technically not that special. I however, love the stuff despite the composition not fitting within my usual style. I feel it’s an impressively unique take on a masculine summer scent, and one that I don’t feel I will tire of any time soon. The bulk of the scent is actually built around a central theme of a classical mens ‘aftershave’ with certain fougere qualities - lavender, citrus, woods and cypress leave the impression of a mature, sophisticated gentleman. It’s from here that the added layer of driftwood and seaweed are placed on top, tying in a beautifully salty and marine nuance, like the rushing waves of the Italian coast splashing against your skin. As I said, most people overlook this. Is it my favourite fragrance ever? No of course not, but as an easy to wear perfume for the summer, I think it’s brilliant. Unfortunately the extortionate Tom Ford prices are a downside but in regards to the scent alone I think it’s lovely. The parfum is noticeably longer lasting, but overall the same scent profile which I don’t believe justifies a further increase in price.
‘Cabochard’ translates as ‘stubborn’ or ‘headstrong’ which is aptly named as Grès was a woman who was generally considered as not understanding the concept of compromise, yet was regularly voted the most chic woman in the world. The scent which brought fame to her house was tailor-made for this exact type of person, as it will always provoke a reaction. The scent is based around a central leathery core of isobutyl quinoline which is gloriously thick and robust, tempered by the earthy depth and allure of oakmoss, patchouli and galbanum. Hints of aldehydes and vague florals protect it from being what would be bordering on unwearable, and ties that element of class and ‘chic’ character to the body of the scent. Overall I think this is glorious, generally considered one of the great classics of perfumery, this is a masterpiece through and through. I’ve not tried the original composition, only the current EDP released in 2019, yet still it leaves an immensely powerful impression.
I don’t care about this perfume realy. It smells pleasant but it has zero emotional resonance for me. It means nothing. It’s like the dreary drunken cousin of Egoiste Platinum that you don’t want to get stuck talking to at a dinner party because he’ll bore you to tears with increasingly uninteresting anecdotes. Mediocrity in extremis.
