Okay so I've approached this backwards in terms of reviewing, I actually tried this second after the brilliant Gold and was not overly impressed then blind bought Platinum and Go dark which I really enjoyed. So 24 is a strange one, I wouldn't describe it as a citrus fragrance really although it opens with citrus and mandarin orange which is fresh and familiar. Then the heart is dense which I can only compare to the smell of fresh bandages and an antiseptic vibe a little like Germolene but not as harsh. It's an unusual one in that I can't place the notes(except the fruity top notes and vanilla and amber maybe?) but 24 creates an accord that reminds me of the resinous, ambery scent of Loewe Solo Platinum. Strangely it also shares a resemblance in terms of packaging the partially blacked out bottle with windows revealing amber juice on either side. Also I put the cap from the Loewe on the 24 bottle and it looks awesome, certainly better than the silver stopper. I'm not saying they smell the same, they have clear differences but also similarities when compared side by side which I have done. The Longevity on this fragrance is excellent it really lasts a long time on my skin 8 hours plus at least. So my conclusion? 24 is not bad but it's not great either I got it due to it being super cheap and having enjoyed the others in the range. I have to say that scent story have created 4 wonderfully diverse and appealing fragrances at a very reasonable price, exemplary stuff! 1. GOLD Genius one of my all time favourite fragrances a true masterpiece. 2. PLATINUM is dank and woody. I love this intense Oud/Amber/Rose combo but this scent is not for everyone. 3. Go Dark is a very good masculine scent and I would certainly recommend it but I did find the longevity a bit disappointing for this range...but it's still okay just a minor criticism. 4. 24 is not my thing really but it's okay. 4.
Brilliantly bright fragrance, the verbena just sings and zings with a slight green vibe but primarily it's a strong natural citrus. The sweetness gives it the candy/sweets feel many describe and it does smell very much like lemon sherbet sweets to me and if you like them (which I do!) this will be a winning fragrance for you. It can't be thought of in simplistic lemon terms like something which smells like a cheap detergent or bathroom cleaning product, verveine is wonderful and has a natural beauty to it which is so fresh and lively, a character it even manages to retain as in dries down upon the skin. This is going to be a perfect scent for summer, sure the longevity is average for this sort of fragrance but apparently verbena has natural mosquito repellent properties which could be a useful bonus. I personally can't wait for hot weather to break this one out.
I can understand the nonchalant attitude toward this fragrance and the fresh thing is something that's hard to dislike right? Well it must be my 'Chemistry' that doesn't agree with this fragrance because I actively don't like it. The opening is bitter and musky then becomes cheap and lacking in everything which could make it enjoyable or just inoffensive. Just weak perfumery for me, I couldn't wear this and I'm someone who has worn Happy for years despite finding it synthetic smelling it's fresh and uplifting in a way I'd hoped this would be. Chemistry is a flop...not good at all.
Yet again scent story have produced a top fragrance and yes I blind bought this one too! This is more reserved and less impressive than the dizzy heights of 24 Gold and 24 Platinum both of which are fantastic. Go dark definitely has the fresh citrus character of the original 24 and the most definitive apple note I've come across. That's just the opening, the heart of this fragrance is a very masculine smooth patchouli, spiced woody, musk which is very enjoyable indeed but for me doesn't quite stir the same enthusiasm as the two I've mentioned previously. This is still highly original and head and shoulders above many designer priced fragrances in terms of sheer quality and staying power. Speaking of longevity it's very very good as you'd expect from this range but again not quite in the league of Gold and Platinum...but it does project massively for the first couple of hours. Update: the more I wear this the more I become accustomed to the notes and the development starts out now with a really bitter dark chocolately patch which then becomes progressively spiced and woody but with that strange apple note through it. I really like this fragrance shame it isn't a bit stronger.
Just as I was thinking 24 Gold must have been a rare freak occurrence an absolute gem of a fragrance which stood out head and shoulders above anything in its price range...I got my nose on this. Another blind buy on the strength of 24 Gold might I add and I never expected it to be as good but Scent story have done it again an absolutely superb fragrance which smells so high end niche it's ridiculous. I also mirror the comment below...How is there not Oud in this??? EVERYBODY!!! IN MY HUMBLE OPINION THIS SMELLS MORE DEFINITIVELY OF OUD THAN 80% OF FRAGRANCES RELEASED WITH OUD IN THE NAME. Strong Oud was the thing I smelled and in abundance right away...super ambery (more so even than Gold) thick, opulent, princely aroma. The rose makes this deep, complex and to me more than a little reminiscent of classic rose/Oud combos but with the vanilla which brings it into a new creamier realm. The fruitiness stays long into the dry down giving this fragrance yet more dimensions which smooth but spicy balsam and resin notes too. Needless to say I'm mega impressed by this fragrance and yet again the 24 range has a winner and a world beating scent in 24 Platinum. Stunning! Longevity and projection are monstrous much like Gold. If three fragrances I loved had a child it would be 24 platinum and the contributors are Armani prive myrrhe imperiale By Killian Incense Oud Scent story 24 Gold Praise indeed!
Okay....so I really tested myself with bois d'argent and had no prior knowledge about this scent. I was happy with my olfactory skills when I looked at the notes on here and discovered that you get pretty much all of them. The order that I got them was leather, patchouli, musk, honey and definite sweetness of iris and some amber too. The musk mellows and then some vanilla comes in the heart. It's reminiscent of elements from lots of fragrances the opening powdery leather reminds me of Midnight in Paris. The almost chocolately patchouli of Tom Ford Noir and then the warmth of honey and vanilla reminds me of Serge Lutens Chergui and Lanvin Avant Garde...I could go on...but I won't. Despite having made all these comparisons this fragrance has it's own thing going on and it's very nice...just something about it that's not for me. The drydown becomes almost gourmand as the fragrance settles on my skin, very luxurious but ultimately not what I'm looking for. It's complex and transitions nicely from the opening through the notes in a very smoothly blended outing from Menardo and Dior.
Cologne Royale is one of the most interesting citrus fragrances I've ever sniffed. Somehow for a citrus based fragrance it's not at all sharp and gives me something new that I've not come across before, just as I thought I would never be wowed by a niche citrus ever again. The reason I mention the niche factor is because (rightly or wrongly some might think) I can't always justify the expenditure as there's something inherently cheap about citrus scents to my perception. This however is magic to me...really good the mixture of mint freshness and a slight green and floral element which is perfectly realised. Something about this feels old but not dated like something gentlemen would use throughout history...and apparently that was the intention. Not a typical bergamot or lemon/lime scent it's so perfectly blended that for me a new accord is created, at least something I've never come across it's unlike other neroli/citrus or fruity musks I've tried, Cologne Royal smells really great! I can't say about longevity without giving it a proper trial but I was assured that it's 'cologne' in name only and is EDP concentration. I instantly liked this fragrance and after a few more tries I might even add it to my collection a perfect summer juice. This is providing it has good longevity to justify the price.
Bubble bath! That was the first thing this scent reminded me of...I remember trying it years ago and have been looking for it ever since. Unfortunately, I can only find it at very select Dior counters and I had feared it had been discontinued but luckily I have had a chance to revisit it and I'm so glad I did. Really fresh, musky, sort of vibe quite minimalistic and very reminiscent of the recent Juliette has a gun, Anyway and from yesteryear Tommy Hilfiger. Top summer juice this one might have to endulge later in the year. UPDATE: 08/07/21 Well, it's been a long time since I even penned the comments above, let alone first tried this fragrance. When did it even come out? Regardless, it smells of the 90's to me. I wearing it today and I get the usual, faux pear/apple, Matey bubble bath, basil, effervescent pop! (perhaps) aldehydes and musk. It's the trash of a decade or two ago, which in today's climate is a breath of fresh air frankly when you think about the Ambrox and cloying bubblegum depth charges which are out there.
Okay Okay so I except the point about the price of Clive Christian juice and the hype surrounding this scent in particular... Just because it's the most expensive doesn't make it the best.(1872 & X are more to my taste) Okay so this isn't and I except that it is similar to many a fruity floral musk which you could get much cheaper. I bought the set for my girlfriend and to me all three smell incredible without really blazing a new trail but I honestly don't know what people expect from these fragrances? I can only comment on what they deliver and I would say trying them once is not enough to appreciate the fine nuance and complexity they bring to the table. No.1 is an energizing spiced, fruity, floral which has some of the milky sweet quality of white florals mixed with exotic ylang ylang, sandalwood and musk. I for one get the complexity of this fragrance and it delivers on quality but maybe not to the degree which would command such a high price. But again...what would? What does a fragrance have to do to qualify for these kind of prices? Gratify you sexually? make you dinner? (It doesn't have to...If you treat your significant other to No.1 you may just get both;) My girlfriend enjoys it for what it is anyway hyped or not and she smells amazing wearing it. She gets unheard of longevity and projection compared to perfume she usually wears. No.1 is pretty good then...sure it's gimmicky but not many will deny the smell is pleasant.
Okay so this is my bravest blind buy ever and me being such a smart arse and knowing my tastes 'oh so well' thought that this was going to be the most triumphant purchase to date. Unfortunately it hasn't turned out that way Musc Ravageur is an uncompromising, all consuming beast of a fragrance. I really wanted to try some FM fragrances and this one seemed like the most suited to my tastes I have to say I was shocked by just how musky this was. I'm indifferent about musk and by no means hate it. However I often forget how much strong musk can be really off putting and for me this fragrance opens with a blast of muskiness which sets out the stall really for what remains throughout. Pure, raw and animal! It starts out smelling very much like Adocaart or eggnog maybe stired which a cinnamon stick by an animal in heat? That's what I get intially anyway...by that I mean a definite vanilla and as it matures a little more the clove starts to pack a real punch!!! Harsh opening to say the least! The note votes on here are very deceiving because Cloves are absolutely dominant and that was not what I wanted! Cinnamon and clove are a wonderful combo but the sweet, warmness of the Cinnamon HAS to dominate or I personally won't like it. I was so unhappy with this fragrances opening I left it a few minutes before sniffing again and what do you know the cinnamon had appeared with real sweetness and not just warmth but heat! I thought 'mmmm...here we go I'm starting to come around.' unfortunately after half an hour that's gone too and your left with the animal, eggnog again. In conclusion this is a very complex opening which leads into a balmy, creamy heart of vanilla and tonka bean eventually leading to a pleasant drydown once the clove and musk have retreated abit. Do you know what I'm not just saying this to save face on such an expensive and exotic gamble of a purchase but the drydown is actually really nice. It's still musky and clove ridden but loses it's teeth from the opening. I could really get to like this I reckon but I think you need to apply it a while before leaving the house as it's just too much at first! More wears and I'm sure I'll come around. The sexiness of this fragrance is unmistakable and undeniable, frankly it's dirty, filthy & perverted. I did feel sexy wearing it to be honest and can't wait for others to smell me wearing it even if they hate it. I can't wait to tell them what it's called in my best sexy french accent. Another thing is the uniqueness factor...rest assured pretty much no one else is going to smell like this in a club, so I suppose there's that too. Projection, sillage, longevity???? Monstrous on all counts.
My sister worked for Lush for a number of years and needless to say she used to inundate me with the products most of which I really didn't care for. I loved the name of this for starters also incense is really my thing so I had high hopes. Unfortunately these were dashed when I tried it. It starts out very strong, abrasively so...to the point where my girlfriend violently swung her head back out of it's path as I put my freshly god breath soaked hand under her nose! Had that've been me I'd have said something like..."God really needs to brush his teeth/needs a breath mint..." something along those lines? but she's not as witty or quick with the one liners as I am. ;) My reaction was a little more subdued, I got a odd green spiced then to dry peppery, hay like opening which soon turns menthol/medicinal smelling...really odd! As it settles a bit you get a kind of incense like cedar scent which somehow has an absinthe vibe which I start to really enjoy. Then later this dries down to smell like every Lush product ever rolled into one....ie: The smell as you enter the Lush shop a kind of soapy thing maybe from the neroli in here? I'll give Breath of God this... it's challenging and definitely evolves though wearing to different distinct places. Not for me I don't think as the opening is too harsh and it's not an enjoyable incense for me. Although I will be trying more Lush perfumes as this is an interesting one.
I'll just start by saying that By Killian as a brand has an excellent brand image and the packaging and presentation of the products is nothing short of stunning. The reason I mention this after several reviews(and purchases) of By Killian fragrances is because of the evocative colour of this juice. It works really well in the ad campaign with the slighty macabre, almost gothic old world styling. That menacing green colour implies some kind of magic elixir, maybe a poison or psychotropic liquor like Absynthe. Well looks can be deceiving because this is quite a safe outing from the house but at the same time is quite a unique take on the lavender theme. Didn't make me immediately stand up and take notice like Straight to heaven did but it's an instantly likable fragrance. An interesting blend which opens with bergamot and then quickly becomes a green scent in a way? fresh and a bit mossy maybe the absinthe too? In the main I can detect lavender backed by vanilla and tonka which is really well done and also has qualities which make for a soft pleasant drydown. Needless to say the blend is really good and it's hard to pick out the individual notes. Good but not great, if it speaks to you and you can afford it I say go for it.
Intriguing notes... the few that are listed. I look forward to this one hitting the shelves.
Well from looking at this fragrance and it's notes, prior to trying it I thought it would be a case of introducing a flanker that is completely different to the original and other subsequent flankers. Sure Amara starts out with citrus and has a bitter orange note in there too with the clean slightly soapy texture of white floral neroli most of which is different to the original and it's DNA. Having said this Amara is very reminiscent of the original and certainly Aqva marine to my nose and frankly I was expecting this to be vastly different from them I think it's clever that it retains the very sea like salty accord of Aqva and even the main body of it's character despite the subtle twist. I for one welcome that as if it had have gone whole heartedly into white floral territory I may not have liked it...but I definitely do! This fragrance is just as popular with me as the other Aqvas and maybe even surpasses them? I will have to give this further testing but it's a very well done indeed and welcome addition to the Aqva family.
I thought I'd written a review on this already but I hadn't and it's about time I gave my opinion on this one. Egoiste was (and still is) a strange one for me, one thing is for certain... it oozes quality and is much more challenging than the safety of Egoiste Platinum. I like platinum and although it's more wearable in the main I'd say it's pale in comparison with this. When I say challenging I'm refering to the huge complexity of this fragrance. I get something of the dated about it and can pick up on the carnation note and some leathery vanilla too it's strange. All of this amid a huge (over?)dose of sandalwood and rose which is an interesting combination with the warming sweetness of cinnamon. I personally (after many tries on my skin) just can't work out whether I love or hate it? One thing is for sure though the sandalwood/rose combo is too much for me when first applied. However, the progression of this fragrance has a slightly creamy element from the sandalwood and vanilla which keep me sniffing. In the deep drydown (after several hours) Egoiste is out of this world!! The woody qualities that remind me of very high end fragrances come to play and create an amazing close skin scent which is very deep and sensual. Dare I say it this is one of the best dry downs I've experienced after a complex opening that I'm not mad about. It must be as the sandalwood settles that the fragrance gets better and becomes a gorgeous spiced leather. Can't wait to try the cologne concentree which is supposed to be classier still!
Wow for me this is a totally new take on orange blossom in that it doesn't start out with that waxy, over the top white floral, neroli thing to begin with. It's a dirty kind of citrus to begin with which has a vague Orange blossom underneath...and I honestly do detect rose and musk, it's a good opening which unfortunately doesn't last long. About half an hour in... all that disappears! It becomes the familiar soapy white floral thing...incredibly soapy in fact! I don't particularly like this fragrance I just find it interesting how the opening notes mask the floral heart in the beginning. Not bad...a unisex fragrance with moderate longevity.
I took my girlfriend into Space NK as I wanted to buy the Acqua di Parma Mandorlo di Sicilia and I wish I hadn't!! She proceeded to get a full make over and try every cosmetic product under the sun, payback really for all the times I've dragged her around sniffing out perfume. Anyway...She came away from our visit with more samples than me for a change (I didn't get any!!!) and this was among them. For a start I was attracted to the colour scheme on the sample card a really deep purple/brown sort of hue with and contrasting coloured border. I'm not normally too bothered about that sort of thing but looked very expensive and after all you buy with your eyes. When I read the notes on the side of the card too I was equally excited couldn't wait for her wear it and have a sniff. Citrus top, incense heart, woods, musk even saffron in there sounded amazing and smells very good in actual fact. The opening is citrus, the bergamot and grapefruit being the main players. Fruits are surrounded by a musky, lightly spiced vibe which is sweet and warm. I really like this fragrance, I only smelled it on my girlfriends skin and it was feminine on her but immediately I was taken with it and absolutely would wear it myself. Minor critisism...I would've liked the incense to be deeper and stronger because although it's present it's not present enough for my liking. Great fruity musk scent though I highly recommend it!
This is pretty good. It has some of the qualities of L'Eau Diptyque's cinnamon and clove without the same focus on these notes, the heaviness and creamy base of sandalwood. This is however woody and floral too and has a nice dry down, which lasts on my skin well. I think 34 Boulevard saint Germain will also take a few tries to form a solid opinion and get more of the complexities from it. I'm not sure I'd wear this but I wasn't repelled so further investigation is required.
Great citrus and fruit opening which turns ever so slightly soapy but never tips any balance too far. This is a good subtle scent I enjoyed it but it didn't blow me away. Diptyquesque (hahah) all over really! Some triumphs but in the main just consistently likable but not exceptional fragrances, across the board. I'd need to try it again to see if I could pick out more notes in this one.
Okay so I was expecting good things from this as the only other Kenneth Cole fragrance I've tried is Reaction and in my opinion it's excellent. My high hopes weren't dashed either, this is yet another fruity/musk combo which is fresh and smells really good as I'm a totally sucker for mandarin notes. I was expecting something darker, spicier, woodier maybe? and smokey too from a name like 'Black' and some of the reviews here but this is light and uplifting for me. I wish I got some incense or smoke but I just didn't. It's just a pleasant fruity/woody/musk scent and was actually very pleasing to my nose but even more fleeting than Reaction in that the longevity was poor on my skin. Maybe it requires another try to get more of the other qualities of this scent but all together a nice smelling scent.
This one is officially unisex but often touted as being more feminine and I can see that but don't let that put you off because despite this I think it's almost wearable for me. A very nice, Iris note opens a really clean, delicately spiced scent which then reveals a smooth leather quality. Another good composition from Penhaligon's the amber and tiny bit of vanilla in the base are subtle and make for a pleasant dry down... I really enjoyed this.
Well...I'm shocked that the town I live in has a Penhaligon's boutique and I must say it's one of the most beautiful shops I've ever been in, like a victorian chemists or something? Anyway...When I asked the lady at the counter how long it had been there she said "...around 12....(she paused as I thought she'd say months) she turned to her colleague and said "Is it 12? Yeah 12 YEARS we've been here!" It's very small and tucked away so easily missed but I still can't believe it's been there for 12 years and I've only just found it! So Elixir? I'd asked this question before of other Penhaligon suppliers "Do you have anything with incense in an eau de parfum?" and they always come up with Elixir. I've tried it a couple of times now and I must say I really enjoy it, like many from this house it's very well blended indeed. For me though although it has some smoke and spice to it the main player is rose and it's a very nice rose the spice is subtle, with a gentle incense running through it. This is actually one of my favourites and that's saying something too as I do like a lot of their creations. Difficult to pick apart the notes like penhaligon's Sartorial, Opus 1870 etc it's complex and well done. The main reason I was interested in this one was the concentration, as my main gripe with this house is the longevity. Elixir is better but still not good for the price and if you're looking for a powerhouse this isn't it. I really like this one though and may add it to my collection in future.
As far as citrus/fruity fragrances go...this ain't bad at all, actually quite pleasant! Sharp citrus at first then fruity and a little floral and a woody base it's a good fragrance and has much better longevity and projection than Ferrari black, so quite heavy and not really light at all. Pretty good stuff.
Okay so a Ferrari fragrance and this was actually the second one I tried and I preferred the first to be honest. I was expecting something less safe and frankly boring from Ferrari especially this black version maybe something deeper but no. A very nondescript and poor fragrance which has really bad longevity. Doesn't smell bad at first but disappears quickly.
DURO!!!! The HARD ON of male perfumery! I saw a video of some guy reviewing it on youtube and he claimed that the name had sexual connotations. I had to correct him at the time thinking 'Duro' just means 'Hard' in Italian and it was just his dirty mind and the marketing material talking about what a masculine statement this fragrance makes. That's the intended concept anyway...and as I said I was skeptical. That was...until I got my nose on it! Wild this one... make no mistake! If you like wood up the wazzoo this is the fragrance for you! Loud woodiness of dank strong Oud and a harder denser wood combined with it. Then there's the spice it's hard but not in a cooking spice type of way or even a hot chili kind of way, it's dry woody spice...almost like the natural spicey scent that would come from a piece of exotic wood. This fragrance for me is absolutely everything I look for in a masculine powerhouse. The spice perfectly tones down the unpleasant quality oud can have. You know? that bit when it takes a nosedive after the initial almost sweet strange amber quality. Anyway...the price of this juice is high, extortionately high some might say but I still felt Duro was a worthy purchase because of how bold and strong this juice is. Longevity and projection are massive as you'd expect from extrait de parfum. It's not especially unique smelling this one but what can I say? It has a certain appeal & I was charmed by it.
