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Image

Cerruti

houdini

I've always been a huge fan of 1881 from Cerruti, A fragrance which signifies a bygone era of 80's and 90's fragrances that have stood the test of time. Odd then that this one should pass me by, sure I was aware of it and I don't doubt I may have even tried it over the course of the last 17 years. The fact that I can't remember doesn't usually speak to the quality of a fragrance but worth an up to date review I thought. Now, every bargain bucket in the land carries this fragrance at the moment it would seem so you can pick it up for next to nothing...and is it worth it? Absolutely! I'd describe this as a vague take on an aromatic Fougere type fragrance despite the description here. I think it's a very two dimensional scent in that it has top notes of fruity pear/apple then something which to me resembles a gentle accord of lavender/vanilla and musk.(hence my Fougere description.) Now lavender and vanilla are not in the note breakdown and I suspect it's the creamy sandalwood/white musk combo which is giving that effect. When I say 'vanilla' it's not typically sweet but slightly herbal, I don't know what banana leaves smell like? They could be a factor here as this is very very slightly reminiscent of Amouage Reflection which on occasion has a faint banana smell to it. Generally Image is soapy fresh...a pleasant thing but somehow indistinct and wishy washy. Lasts very well indeed for such a slight fragrance I got several hours out of it and silage is very soft after the first hour. Image is decidedly bland and generic then but not in the way many modern fragrances are, awful synthetics, aquatic accords or 'phoned in' chemical warmth. Image ain't bad...but no matter how cheap it is, I'm going to be more selective.

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12 years ago

Intimately Beckham Men

David Beckham

houdini

Intimately Beckham is a really nice warm, oriental fragrance. How anyone bash this I've no idea? Sure you might resent the Beckham empire but the fragrances on the whole aren't half bad. Intimately certainly doesn't smell any 'cheaper' than other designer fragrances. Opens with refreshing citrus and nutmeg, star anise, then into a warm, synthetic amber accord and spices then a aromatic woody base. No where near as rough or spicy as Gucci PH I don't understand the comparisons, certainly don't think this is a knockoff. It's alright...performance is not that great but if you picked it up cheaply the few hours you get from it are pleasurable. Not one for collectors or fragrance heads but for someone who wants a cheap, nice smelling fragrance Intimately Beckham is fine.

This is a great little fragrance. I've said it once and I'll say it again The Beckham fragrances are not bad at all and it's funny that this one draws a parallel with Dunhill pursuit because I'd compare the whole DVB line to Dunhill. They are very nicely put together, don't tend to be overly synthetic compositions or chasing current fads, they just steadily release good wearble fragrances that are never going to spellbind anyone but give a good account of themselves. Intimately reminds of warm masculine sandalwood/amber/spiced scents like Tom Ford for men, Vera Wang, dunhill pursuit or Micheal Kors. Fresh & clean enough opening then a close, sensual drydown definitely a hit with me, loved it. I'll be looking out for it marked down in bargain buckets for sure.

12 years ago

A white floral scent which immediately evoked memories of a female friend of mine that I haven't seen in years. It's quite a specific mixture, namely the smell of her car when she used to pick me up. A combination of jasmine perfume, soapy, waxy hair products, a hint of stale spliff car seat and maybe a magic tree hanging from the rear view mirror? Reminiscing aside the main accord here is the combination of Tuberose and jasmine which is honestly intoxicating. It should be awful and not my cup of tea but the jasmine sweetens it up just enough to be likable. There's a hint of smoke and I do mean the tiniest amount could this be the illusive incense? I can see how a fresher smell of frankincense could be hiding in this composition but I would never describe Luci ed Ombre as having an 'incense' note. Well there's definitely tiny hints of something else here like the ginger perhaps? I really couldn't say because the overriding sense is powerfully floral, so powerful in fact the longevity is very good and the projection pronounced at first then dying down. The basenotes are much the same as the opening but it gets a little more soft, soapy and clean as it matures. Still I'm not one to label a perfume off hand but this just says feminine to me and not something I would choose to wear. No denying this is quality juice and I would recommend it to a lady that loves white florals but have to point out it's not the most exciting composition in the world. I'm sure there's similar quality perfumes cheaper and more interesting elsewhere.

12 years ago

After trying L for Men I was curious as to how this would compliment it so both myself and my girlfriend tried it in store. As you'd expect there's a very good quality rose and jasmine in here which is understated compared to the central theme of pepper. Starts out with an opening of black pepper then progresses to a fruitier, fresher, pink pepper vibe. There's a suggestion of smoke in here and greenness of vetiver and patchouli, I like it but more so on a female. A wonderful smell, great performance but it's up to you whether it's worth the money.

12 years ago

Diesel OTB How did I think this was ever going to be anything other than a cheap over sweet, chemical mess? Well I did, I was desperately hoping OTB Wild would be a good outing at long last and it nearly is. I think to label it an interpretation or modern take on fougere is going a bit far but that's kinda what this is. The thing that hits you right away is pungent and tropical fruity punch, which smells like a multitude of fruits from the sharpness of grapefruit to more exotic mango and coconut. My main gripe with these modern fragrances is that overbearing ozonic, salty aquatic element which make them cheaper and more dramatic. Starts out strong and projecting well then dies down but still with good longevity for what it's worth. This is because I'm stupid but I quite like the flacon design of the OTB line it's tacky but cute in a way and has lots of possible variations. What I like is the ergonomics...the hand fits well in your hand and I like the colours scheme on the particular design. I actually like this fragrance more than any of the others in this line so that makes it a success of sorts. Not good by any stretch but not awful.

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12 years ago

Spicebomb Eau Fraiche

Viktor&Rolf

houdini

I honestly didn't even realise this was a new version of Spicebomb, I just thought it was a limited edition bottle or something. So I was excited to try it...then I kept forgetting to check it out and finally the otherday I remembered and made it a sampling priority. You know what? I'm really glad I did because Spicebomb eau fraishe is a really nice twist on the existing theme. I thought when I looked at the notes here we were dealing with a curious 'sport' type, anomalous fragrance which retained nothing of the original and might as well be a new scent in it's own right, as a flanker. However the Spicebomb accord is here, it just takes a moment to develop after lovely icy smooth citrus top notes. A stuning warm underbelly of sweet spices, tobacco, pink pepper, cinnamon and the like but on this calmer more subdued air of aquatics, vetiver and citrus. The modern tendency is to make fragrances 'extreme' or 'intense' I think V&R would have their work cut out doing that with Spicebomb. I'll be honest as much as I love the original after a few hours I find it sweet, cloying and a bit invasive but this fresh approach is precisely what it needs to calm everything down to a wearable hum. Good projection, longevity and all in all a good release.

12 years ago

This is a brilliant fragrance in my opinion. Quite linear and I'm not going to get carried away about it because it didn't wow me straight away. The opening is that of a beautifully soft oriental fragrance, being that the base is immediately obvious. It's a spicy, boozy, vanilla which is reminiscent of spiced rum so I get the cognac thing. This could've gone really wrong with the creaminess of the resins and vanilla but it's really wonderful. This is because of the benzoin, a major player in this fragrance and perhaps labdanum too which lend a balmy warmth and sharpness which compliment the warmth and sharpness of the booze with sweetness of vanilla. There is a hint of tobacco in there too very warm and elegant. Regardless of what you think about Roja Dove and the the price of the perfumes I have to admit the two I've tried have been excellent. Not earth shattering, not mind blowing but very good. Many people can't wait to bash this house over it's high prices and don't get me wrong I can't afford them. The price is an obvious factor and I have perfumes which I enjoy far more which are half or even a quarter of the price (maybe even 110 of the price!!!) but this is a luxury brand and that is what it trades under. Exclusivity, opulence, great packaging, the finest ingredients...so I don't complain about that stuff you know what you're trying. Is the price in proportion to how good the perfume is? Well if you believe so then good for you and if you don't even consider price then Roja Dove is probably the house for you anyway...as you obviously have a few quid! I like people with passion who talk about their products with enthusiasm and vigour and Roja comes across as someone who cares about fragrance, not just someone out to fleece the rich or stupid. Longevity and silage of Enigma are excellent but not at all loud. I love it and can't fault the smell.

12 years ago

Oh dear. The perfumer here has attempted to capture the essence of the brief, which could quite have easily been 'How can we ruin a nice jasmine note?' Well by surrounding it with totally uncomplimentary elements which instead of bringing out its inherent beauty just amplify the musky floral character and only hinting at its real nature. The way you do this is my enveloping it in a muggy, stagnant accord. I don't detect any rich or fresh tobacco at all. It's neither a full bodied, warm or even a smoky, cigarette tobacco, maybe perhaps the stale ashtray smell but that's it! Doesn't work for me at all this fragrance, I understand the juxtaposition and generally what ELdO fragrances are all about, some people may really enjoy it... I'm not convinced. I had my girlfriend try it on her skin and she concurred it was equally bad on her.

12 years ago

A very soft, elegant and beautiful fragrance. I've often thought how violets and iris are both powdery and similar but definitely distinguishable from one another. Iris ganache is where the line becomes blurred. The smell to me transforms from a characteristic iris (make up/pencil shavings) into a very powdery and delicate violet. This is only very subtle mind you it's not positively violet, more like an after thought. Anywway... The opening of Iris ganache is a rich creamy affair much like others in this collection expensive feminine vibes of iris/violet, chocolate, patchouli, vanilla and amber. The drydown becomes more amber and vanilla business it's a lovely thing. Lasts okay but is very mellow after the opening which is fine with me. It's not unwearable for a man but not exactly my first choice. IG is the last one I tried in the collection and I believe it's discontinued now but If you can get your hands on it ladies I'd recommend it.

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12 years ago

Cacharel Pour L'Homme

Cacharel

houdini

This juice is a blast from the past and you don't see it very often these days. Although it would appear to smell the same I think it may have been reformulated because this modern version (I assume) that I tried recently had DIRE longevity...I mean abysmal! This juice is no joke either, starts out strong with a 80's vibe of classic aromatics but my preference lies here for sure over Aramis and the like. To me this has a fresh bergamot and very spicy top notes, a breeze of nutmeg and pepper, sandalwood, carnation etc... over a sensual and complex herbal, woody, musk. Changes quite a bit too, very multifaceted scent and highly masculine and enjoyable to wear. Then it was gone...I mean lasted a couple of hours sure...maybe the tester I tried was old and had degraded the juice slightly? I don't know? I'm aware Cacharel pour homme predates one of these but for me is more toward Versace L'Homme than Aramis in my opinion. Update: I was given a sample of this the otherday and I stick to my review here, the longevity is poor. The general smell of Homme is wonderful and I would definitely get it, if it performed better.

12 years ago

Ahhhh the sinner. To say I'm not a fan of Police fragrances in general is a bit of an understatement but never let it be said that I neglect my duties as an intrepid reviewer. So I took the bullet for you guys...you're welcome! Well, honestly it isn't that bad. Sure it's a generic, synthetic, aromachemical soup but it does have a degree of cohesion. Amber & spices is a bit of a tricky description because although that's (sort of) what you have here it translates more as a powdered, soapy affair for the majority, and this juice opens quite harshly and doesn't get better for an hour or so. When settled though it's a inoffensive, gently spiced ambroxan type vibe quite minimal and cheap. At it's best points very vaguely reminscent of Dior Higher and JHaG Anyway. Much later on into the drydown (several hours because longevity is very good) as it becomes a skin scent warms up to something quite passable. I don't find it provocative, dangerous or remotely sinful. I have to say the bottle looks pretty cool but when I saw it in the flesh it was a bit disappointing. So Sinner is pretty much the usual thing we are subjected to but I don't hate it.

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12 years ago

Royal English Leather

Creed

houdini

Let's face it not many 'Leather' fragrances actually smell like real leather. Some have leather notes which are fleeting or androgynous, changing all the while. Even some of the best that I'd class as brilliant leather scents like Tuscan leather smell as much like resins, fruit, class A drugs etc...as they do of leather. This is another type again...the type that doesn't smell of leather much at all. Now I got my sample of Royal English leather from 'The perfumed court' and I've heard horror stories that they sometimes label scents incorrectly and I'm thinking they may have done that here. My sample smells very similar to Tauer's Eau d'epices, the second I smelled it I knew that I was familiar with this scent but couldn't think what it was. I scanned my olfactory databanks and thought I'd never get it...took me about 20 mins to realise what it was. This is just from memory here... because unfortunately I've warn all my Tauer sample to do a direct comparison. I seem to recall the opening of the tauer to be more aggressive and sharper, also the drydown much more gradual...this feels a bit mellow in comparison but essentially they are the same thing. Cloves, orange, hint of white florals, ambergris and sandalwood...and probably much more. I really like the smell of this I have to say but I was expecting something monumental. I thought some of these lesser known Creed's might just be hidden gems, I hoped for a knockout leather but instead I got a very complex and interesting fragrance. Not that I think Andy Tauer copied this or anything but it still makes Eau d'epices seem less innovative to me now.

12 years ago

Well what do you know this is actually a great scent!!! I remember this coming out but I never bothered with. Moschino was just a brand that I sneered at for no specific reason, just maybe that it was all over the place at one time...I dunno? The opening is watery, kinda citrus and fruity but with a distinctly translucent feel of tomato or fig which I'm guessing is the kumquat??? This is all very well but you can sense there's a bit of spice behind it which comes to the forefront after about an hour. The heart of this fragrance is star anise and wow does it come on into the drydown, giving Forever a really really lovely oriental flavour. The drydown is a soft spicy musk. I have to say I love it...it's a really good fragrance and the performance is not bad at all. It's like something CDG would do, quite bold and modern but no too crazy and utterly wearable. So glad I picked up the tester from the bargain basement shelf...might even pick up a bottle too.

12 years ago

Rose cut is a very happy, luminous rose scent. I didn't know what to expect to be honest and I was really pleasantly surprised by this one, not as deep or darkly invasive as some high quality roses but not as throwaway and lightweight as others. It's quite unique as far as rose goes and has a wonderful boozy and fruity quality which is sweet and almost raspberry jam like which I really enjoyed and some gentle patchouli in the drydown. Nothing dominating anything else, bright and upbeat I have to say I loved it and couldn't stop smelling myself when wearing it. Don't get me wrong I found this too feminine for my tastes and couldn't pull it off myself, still the sample came in handy to give to my friend who loves rose. Ladies if you like roses you can't go wrong here.

12 years ago

A very sweet oud scent that I instantly recognized but wasn't quite sure why? A bizarre and complex mixture of fruity top notes, orris root hint of cinnamon, then loads of amber, vanilla, and an unmistakable but utterly lost Oud accord. Took me all of about 10 seconds to realize where I had smelled this one before...Scent story 24 Gold! Oh course it is and practically identical too. This is a touch more refined than 24 Gold in truth, and so it should be for the price. It doesn't cloy so much in the opening and is less Full blooded when you try them together. The drydown is more woody and the Oud save the king has a sandalwood throughout which 24 does too but this smells a little better quality to my nose. (again for the price it ought to be) Basically, the gist I'm getting at is this fragrance has more oud and sandalwood and less vanilla as it settles. However, 24 Gold has more notes and great performance and is remarkably cheap. Oud save the king performed very well as expected and has altogether less silage than 24 but still very good longevity, dying down and becoming more manageable. I love this smell, it's wonderful but if you like it save yourselves a few quid and get 24 Gold.

12 years ago

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.

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12 years ago

Spicebomb Christmas Edition 2014

Viktor&Rolf

houdini

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

12 years ago

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.

12 years ago

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.

12 years ago

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

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12 years ago

Dior Homme Eau for Men

Dior

houdini

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.

12 years ago

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.

12 years ago

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.

12 years ago

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.

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12 years ago