Latest User Reviews

I've been used to disappointment from the myriad 'L'eau...' flankers available and expected this to be much the same. To my surprise L'eau bleu d'Issey eau fraiche is a wonderfully fresh and strangely intriguing fragrance. Very, very prominent mint, usually not a note I care for especially when so dominant in the mix but this is truly an exception for me. The general vibe is watery but not aquatic more like sliced cucumber or something? It's a fresh citrus opening which compliments the minty and herbal element of rosemary which is definitely there too. The base is musk I can't say I got any patchouli. My girlfriend thought it smelled like tobacco...(I know bless her!!!) but I forgive her for not having the delicately nuanced sniffing abilities of a true frag head. Strangely I sort of got where she was coming from it does have a smell kinda similar to the inside of a fresh packet of menthol cigarettes, but that's more mint and paper than tobacco. This might be why people are getting a weird plastic smelling quality to it, L'eau bleu d'Issey eau fraiche is quite unusual but I like it.

13 years ago

Aromatic fougere is how this fragrance is described and that's perfect really. What I like about this is the use of magnolia in what is a masculine fragrance. Not a typical use of magnolia and not really like any magnolia note I've ever smelled to me this smells sweeter a bit more like jasmine. It's elegant and delicate a mix of nutmeg, sandalwood and musk, Eccelso is another no brainer for me...I love it! I think there's a hint of vanilla in here...definitely, it's sweetening things up. The dry down is long and just an absolute pleasure.

Aromatic Blends: Vanilla & Cedarwood

13 years ago

Something about cedar and vanilla together which seems not to work for me in the context of such a stripped back fragrance. It has a hint of tonka bean and amber too, its a sweet, warm fragrance...I like it but I'm not mad about it.

Aromatic Blends: Patchouli & Fresh Rose

13 years ago

Linear is exactly what these Kiehl's fragrances are you get pretty much exactly what you're expecting but well blended and in proportion. If I'm honest I'm fairly picky about scents which contain rose or patchouli for that matter, they have to be just right. The balance here between the notes is really good opens with a hint of citrus but then the rose appears and is ultimately too feminine for me. The patchouli is quite subdued which I like but not enough to wear this one... I still rate Kiehls highly but this is not for me.

Aromatic Blends: Nashi Blossom & Pink Grapefruit

13 years ago

Wow!!! Amazing Kiehls really know what they're doing when it comes to stripped back simplicity and natural composition. This is a very appealing bitter sharp grapefruit note which smells wonderfully real...this is so refreshing for the summer great fragrance but might even be a little too sharp and certainly too linear for me...still great though and I may change my mind after a few wears. upadate: This is my favourite from Kiehls so fresh and really does smell like pink grapefruit this might be added to my summer arsenal!

Aromatic Blends: Fig Leaf & Sage

13 years ago

Fig scents have become something of an inadvertent specialty of mine the past few years, I don't know what it is about the fresh greenness of fig I find so appealing...but it's become a real favourite. This kiehls scent is no exception brilliantly bright n breezy citrus and fresh green sweetness pretty good strength too for a cologne I very much enjoyed it.

13 years ago

Yeah I think they're just sticking to the unisex across the board approach but tipping the scales slightly toward the feminine. Depends how much a fella feels like being a princess I suppose? :)

13 years ago

ooooh need to try this! Rhubarb, iris and leather sounds lovely and that bottle is beyond amazing!!!! Enchanted forrest was a great complex first outing from this house but in hindsight a bit strange for me to wear, I hope Land of Warriors is better because I'd definitely want that bottle in my wardrobe.

13 years ago

Potion is a warm spicy woody fragrance which I'm honestly going to have to give more airtime because it should be the sort of fragrance that excites me. It opens a little herbal, peppery but soon warms to a cinnamon and ambery heart. I could've sworn there's some vanilla in this which is smooth against the roughness. I tried Gucci Pour Homme once but in honesty I don't remember what it smelled like but I thought it was rougher more like CDG 2 Man? Potion is far from rough it's a smooth amber and woody base which for me is perfectly balanced. A second wear is definitely required as this fragrance has been on my radar for a while..it just smells good.

13 years ago

This is something I've smelled before a blend of citrus and aquatic notes to create a really disappointing fragrance. Shame really because the others in the Potion collection are pretty good. The Original is okay but the Black Potion? Wow that's a really good fragrance. A few people mentioning how banal and unoriginal this fragrance is, I can agree with that in the main part but there's a unique note in there must be that hemlock? I don't know? But something about this fragrance stayed with me, not necessarily in a good way. All in all it's a cedar and citrus dominated fresh fragrance which I wasn't fond of and does grab me, with so many better fragrances on the market why would you get this one as the longevity and projection are abysmal.

13 years ago

Goes on like a smelly cheese this fecal note will put off all but the hardest of fragrance lovers. Seriously, moon aoud has Montale written all over it and takes about 20 mins to settle in to what the fragrance is all about then a further hour or so to become palatable. When it does however it's a delight even when that opening is still lingering slightly something bold, defiant and interesting about what is in essence...a bad smell. It's the mixture of Oud and a raw leather accord which creates that olfactory car crash I know I should hate but can't help sniffing. The rose explodes in the heart with a calm after the storm effect which completes takes over from the leather and Oud which take a gentler backseat...still there though. It becomes implausibly Good in the deep dry down the smell left on my skin was deliciously woody.

13 years ago

Pierre Montale's credentials are questionable for me are far as Oud perfumes are concerned. However, even if not all to my taste, the artistry and quality is always apparent. I'm amazed at how diverse the fragrance collection is with what is quite a limited range of notes he seems to play with the accords of things like Oud, rose and leather within themselves creating a wealth of new bases for fragrances and somehow retaining a signature. Opening with... surprise, surprise lime. Yes I read the notes on this page before I tried it and was disappointed not to find lime there. So imagine my joy when it was there... Harmony in the universe had been restored! It's not a citrus more like those chocolate (probably patchouli) lime sweets you can get. (which I actually don't care for!) And call me mad but the opening has a malty whisky vibe to it to me just for a moment. Aoud lime features yet another take on Oud coupled with Rose and patchouli. When the rose starts out it's a rose lovers dream but frankly too much for me. The patchouli in this creates an earthy dirty vibe which is carried into the dry down when the rose settles right back it's pure Oud and filthy patchouli, very dark indeed. There's a spiceness to it which keeps it sharp despite all that wood and mud. Insane longevity and projection as with every Montale I've ever sampled.

13 years ago

I'm not really that familiar with Aquatic fragrances for women but when I tried this one I have to say I thought they were being treated to some good juice from M.A.C. Now I've discovered it's unisex I'm happy that guys(not really me) will get a wear out of it because it's wonderfully aquatic in a way that many other supposed aquatics aren't. Hard to pin point quite what I mean by that? Maybe its that citrus or a salty marine or calone accord (especially in male aquatics) doesn't represent the true freshness of the broader term 'Aquatic'. Well Turquatic does just that before I knew the name I commented on my friends aroma and said 'mmmmm..nice. Very aquatic.' before I knew the name or saw that strange bottle. Anyway it's mainly cedar with a hint of water lily and something a little sweet wrapped in a fresh lightweight accord that I defy anyone to dislike. This cosmetics giant is known for being pricey and I'm not sure how much this juice costs but I can imagine it's probably expensive compared to high street designer fragrances. Didn't do a proper longevity test on my own skin only on my hand and it was gone pretty quick. My friend was carrying it in her handbag and was reapplying it so that told me it probably doesn't last well either. All in all smells really nice can't fault the scent.

13 years ago

Un Jardin Sur Le Toit

Hermès

I always think I've reviewed fragrances then it turns out I haven't. I think I've posted a review for the others in this collection and I remember not being all that impressed by all but one of them. Un Jardin sur le toit, I definitely hadn't tried so I thought I'd better give it a go and you know it's not bad either. Green, fruity, slightly floral this to me is more of the garden vibe than the others it has a very natural spring/summer breeze thing about it. Again no real depth beyond that though and I wasn't expecting it to, just delivers a very fresh accord. Smells great on my girlfriend might be another one I'll try to convince her to get. Didn't last all that long on me but felt good to begin with so all in all not bad.

13 years ago

Elixir Des Merveilles

Hermès

I first tried this a few years ago and thought it was magic and now I've worn it properly on my skin, I know it is! Amazing, warm, aromatic resin of Peru balsam and that orange note as it opens is superb. Then as it dries down, creamier elements of caramel and woods develop. To my nose it's a warm base of amber, Tonka bean and sandalwood with some not so warm cedar to balance it. Elixir des Marveilles is a great fragrance, totally unisex and worthy of a wear with moderate to Soft sillage and good longevity. I did make my girlfriend try it and she really liked it we could both just as easily wear this, I'm sold on this Hermes fragrance.

13 years ago

Chocolat Frais to me is right away a feminine smell but just through familiar association I think? It reminds me of the smell of a womans hair or more specifically her head.(Not in a weird way!) Unfortunately I really don't know what I mean by that other than that's what it reminds me of. The chocolate accord in this is tempered with the odd notes of absinthe and heliotrope which to me gives it a totally different feel and one more pleasant and interesting than Chocolat Amere. Rare notes in this and not something you smell everyday certainly not like Angel to my nose, the chocolate in that is totally different. Long lasting and makes me think I'll wear it again before branding it too feminine. I don't think it's ever going to end up in my collection anyway because I personally only need one chocolate fragrance and it's between coco blanc and chocolate greedy for me.

13 years ago

I remember trying this when it came out and it obviously never grabbed me because here I am 15 years later giving it a second chance...and it's not too bad you know? The first thing that attracted me was the gimmicky and actually quite innovative bottle design. I like it when a vastly different and unconventional sprayer mechanism has been incorporated and that's exactly what ultraviolet has. Also, I'm quite cynical usually but the whole Purple being the 'colour of the age of Aquarius' and all that is actually right up my street. Fragrances don't need a concept, inner depth or meaning to exist but I think it's cool/amusing when they try to! The juice is fairly ordinary the opening is fresh and green, not minty as such but with the combination of oakmoss giving more of a green feel. Then the amber and vanilla heart give this a different feel again especially compared with those top notes. It's dries down like vetiver cleaness vanilla and amber without changing much. Do I like it? Well I'm not mad at it...still don't love it the longevity and projection are mediocre to good. Only worn it the once but I may well revisit if I can get a another sample.

13 years ago

Love this fragrance! For me it's a pretty harsh unforgiving floriental opening which is strong with resinous goodness, nose burningly so. Have no doubt Van Cleef is a no holds barred fragrance but as it settles the tonka bean, vanilla and creamy sandalwood tone it all down to a lovely elegant scent. I enjoy the strength and quality of this juice I picked it out as being something my girlfriend would enjoy due to her love of YSL Opium, not that they're similar but put me in mind of each other. This is for women who like their perfume in a more traditional and less contemporary sense. Van Cleef is warm, inviting and lasts for an age and I was right my girl loves it!

13 years ago

Karl Lagerfeld for Him

Karl Lagerfeld

I echo the comment below! Another new fragrance that needn't of been released as it shows no creativity whatsoever. Pure homogenization! I'm a lover of violets and lavender generally but even I was bored to tears by this. It doesn't bring anything new to the accord. I understand that it's about making money as much as anyone. I just wish these new designer fragrances would stop being so safe and deliver something that might be polarising and unpopular with some but could be a masterpiece to others...It's just like music... originally can still be achieved!

13 years ago

Karl Lagerfeld for Her

Karl Lagerfeld

I was trying the Male version and thought I'd give this a try as I'm not adverse to the odd fragrance aimed at women. For Her is a dire, generic floral, a peach/apricot/rose/musk thing which smells so similar to a million others. Doesn't smell bad as such just shows no imagination whatsoever and is a unit shifter, maybe just out in time for mothersday? I'm no expert but I thought Karl Lagerfeld fragrances were maybe a little daring or racy...Not this one!

13 years ago

I go in to my local Space NK all the time in the hope that they might suddenly start stocking more fragrance lines than they do currently. The only two brands that have masculine appeal are Acqua di Parma of which I've tried everything and Nasomatto which they don't seem to have the full range. I've tried laughter Nuit (a feminine) from Space NK's own line and was very impressed by it, nothing mind blowing but I loved it and was trying to convince my girlfriend to get it. So now I'm glad I've now stumbled upon the masculine line because both fragrances are very impressive. Unfortunately I can't review NK Man as it's not in the database which is a shame because it's a wonderful scent. This one... 'Blue' is equally good in a different way and really complex for a standard male 'own brand' fragrance. I got each note from it with a definite balance and progression as it ages on the skin. It opens with lime citrus and super clean cedar which to me is prominent throughout. There's a hint of basil and maybe a little pepper, anise and as it settles down, more Oakmoss. It's definitely a manly smell without being overtly so. Nothing magnificent here but just a very good creation which would be a smart choice for those who enjoy the lighter citrus side of designer perfumery but want something that's a break from the normal fair but still retains the quality of a Chanel or Dior. Not surprisingly a quality fragrance has a quality nose behind it. Sillage is soft, Longevity was fairly impressive.

13 years ago

Well I never...I'm not a fan of this house at all but this is a bit of a stunner from Caron. Okay okay 'stunner' might be a bit strong and you might think I'm a little too easily impressed but I really like Yuzu man. I still have plenty of sample juice left for several more wears and this has to be one of the best Yuzu notes I've encountered it's sharp and refreshing and the lemon verbena reminds me of a fizzy lemonade lolly vibe I get from a L'Occitane fragrance the name of which escapes me. Anyway Caron Yuzu man had a definite fresh fig quality too and it creates more of a watery vibe than most aquatics do without even trying. The base is a subtle cedar which compliments the whole composition and adds to the transparent nature of this juice. Yuzu man is thirst quenching almost like you could down the whole bottle and it would be ice cool & hydrate you 400% more than water.(or some other extreme fraction of hyperbole) The only downside to this super simple, almost perfect summer juice is that it performed very poorly longevity wise. I want a citrus that lasts and this doesn't at least on my first two wears. I'm going to persevere with it though and see how I get on but I suspect if it doesn't last when I'm not as active in the cooler months it won't last during activity in the height of summer. Still a great fragrance though...maybe some musk in the base wouldve given it a little more staying power? Who knows? Update: The drydown spices up a touch after that wonderfully juicy opener, I can detect fig and a slightly more herbal quality coming through. The cedar is a nice base but still doesn't last on my skin, it does however last on clothing which isn't really saying much because most fragrance does. Shame because this smells great and is more than meets the eye...or nose.

13 years ago

Patchouli will never be my favourite smell but on the other hand it can be so varied that it makes up a crucial part of some of my favourite fragrances. As I've mentioned many times it's the other notes which make or break patchouli by bringing out totally different characteristics. I was looking forward to this one being the Le Labo that finally turned me on to this house. The opening to Patchouli 24 was so harsh and bracing that I honestly thought it may have done just that. Smokey tar and a filthy patchouli note burst forth from this juice giving it a very unique and challenging flavour. It's burnt, rubbery and hardcore but not the classic dirty patch note that repels me, something is different in this and quite possibly... worse! Like I said the opening few minutes are a boundary testing olfactory experience which I found thought provoking but then for me soon turns to something I would NEVER wear and can't really understand. It's pretty awful and the longer it goes on the worse it gets. Smokey is fine and something about Patchouli 24 has a strange appeal but it's really not to my taste. Come back Bergamote and vetiver all is forgiven you might be fairly pedestrian but infinitely more palletable and likable than this one.

13 years ago

Woah, this stuff jumps out of the bitter choclate thing of the original chocolat for a powdery floral opening which just remains on the right side of favour by being ultimately cacao and nutmeg at it's heart. Strangely I enjoy this fragrance but I'm conscious that Chocolat Amere is very feminine and reminds me of the smell of a woman. I couldn't wear it myself but can appreciate it and the quality is good as is longevity.