Not great this one....but not bad. Pierre Negrin pops up again the same day I re trial encounter and then this straight after...I had no idea he was responsible for both? Anyway...this to me has the mango of eau de Lacoste Red and is very reminiscent of Bvlgari Aqva Toniq just not as salty. That's my review a mix of two scents I own but don't really even like that much...the Lacoste is lovely but has no depth and dies on its arse after 1/2 hour on my skin and the Toniq is a disappointment because it's too salty and doesn't retain enough characteristics of the Aqva original. The verdict is...unfortunately I don't like it!
Couldn't make my mind up about this at first? I thought it was too feminine for me...something about the way the rose interacted with the sandlewood. Despite this I persevered and as I smell deeper, the rose settles and what do you know? there's a definite bitterness of cocoa coming through. It's a brilliant combination and actually grew on me to the point where I think it's brave and suitable for me to wear...Just don't know where and if I ever would? This is lovely juice though a really good composition.
I'm so so sorry Serge! I really like SL fragrances pretty much across the board but this one is a personal preference nightmare. I like Tuberose & Cedar and Amber (even clove in small doses) but mix them all together and you get a gross cider urine accord! That's what I get in the opening...PISS. That's right. However, after that initial half hour or so the tuberose becomes pleasant and the drydown is really nice, with the cedar and amber coming through. Unfortunately I can't just focus on base notes although they're arguably more important. This is a interesting fragrance I don't hate it by any means the opening is just harsh for me that's all.
Well this is my second review of Cedre and I've returned to sample it over 12 months later hoping perhaps I had grown in that time and maybe now I could appreciate this scent...I'm afraid not. The opening notes are interesting, classic, strongly musky and full of cloves. Then the dry woodiness of cedarwood and resin with the floral power of tuberose. Tuberose and I have a love hate relationship and much like many florals (in fact many 'notes') can manifest itself in very different ways. All this just seems to conspire to make an odd pissy note which is at the back of what is an interesting work and I almost think it needs it to lift the whole thing and make it more daring, which it certainly does. What differs from the last time is after wearing this I also sprayed it on a card to see how long the unpleasant note would last long after I'd washed it off my skin. Well I can report that the later drydown both on skin and now three days later on the card smells lovely! I mean really pleasing and much more of a soft woody floral smell, all the sweetness of tuberose with non of the nastiness. I couldn't put up waiting for several hours until it becomes a nice skin scent though what would be the point. Still not for me I'm afaraid, this is one for true perfume lovers.
Well it takes a big man to admit he was wrong...and I'm a big man so yeah...I was wrong. Don't know if my original review has disappeared because it got thumbs downed so hard or I used foul abusive language because I was so appalled by the animistic stink of this fragrance. Anyway...My mind has changed somewhat having tried this again a couple of times and really gained a new found respect for Chanel fragrances and things which are not necessarily my cup of tea. The complexity from an objective point of view is great and this fragrance really has got depth and I can totally see why people hail it as a classic. It's raw, masculine and almost pheromone like (It attracts the beaver anyway;) I can appreciate the top notes now which are fleeting but nice and some of the dank quality of the oakmoss. Also, Labdanum is another ingredient I have a love/hate relationship with, so all in all this fragrance challenges me, that's before we even get to the castoreum! I still don't like it underlying but I've managed to take the positives from it... I don't think I could ever wear it but I will remove it from my hate list as it creates intrigue every time I smell it.
I've never really been a fan of this perfume. Smelled like an awful blast of floral/animal musk which totally put me off and it's not just because I don't like macho, animal scents because there's loads I've always liked not least Kouros. However, there was always something which intrigued me in the other notes, spicy/herbal glimpses of something really quite amazing and definitely unique. However, this was older formulations and trying it again and again over the years I'm either.... Starting to warm to it? my tastes have changed? Antaeus is so bloody complex I'm smelling different things everytime? The formula has and is constantly evolving so much I'm smelling something new everytime? I really don't know? There's so many factors at work here my mind is reeling. More than likely it will be the diminishing oakmoss and musk which is perhaps starting to reveal the other notes more prominently...I'm really not sure? Thyme, labdanum and clary sage all things I love and maybe they are getting more of a look in? Purists and hardcore fans of Antaeus might disagree but even in it's current format this fragrance asks more questions than it answers, and that (without wanting to get too pretentious about it) is possibly what we all look for...I know I do. So Antaeus hasn't got me convinced but I don't and can't hate it anymore but I'm strangely drawn to sampl it ever couple of years or so. Sorry Not a very useful review, more of a commentary on my ongoing experience.
Well! According to the shop assistant I was only 'allowed' to try two of these! She believes from the couple of times I've been in (pffft!) that she 'knows what I like..and these two will be the ones' I'm a perfume lover...I'll try them all thank you very much! She was referring to Opus V and Opus III BTW which are quite different, maybe it was the ones she likes...who knows? I've got a sample vial of Opus VII and it's plain outrageous... It should be called 'Omen' instead of Opus I think as it has a devilish opening which actually turns into a great drydown. So that's my experience of the Library collection so far...I'm getting through them steadily. As for this one Opus V I have to say it's very pleasant and has some the complexity I've come to expect from Amouage but maybe not as much in this collection generally. It's a sweet one this with a top note of iris which is pleasant can't say I found it all that boozy which is a plus. Opus V is alright by me...It has a gentle vibe to it. Having got a proper sample to wear now I can conclude that this is my favourite of the Opus collection. Only slight contrary to what I said above it is boozy, in the best kind of way though...rum & wood this is absolutely what I'm about and it's super sweet with iris. I actually really love this and didn't think any of the Opus library collection would tempt me to buy but this one satisfies my sweet tooth so I might just have to get it.
I've been waiting to try this for ages!!! This perfume is so highly revered I'd read so many positive reviews, friends of mine who are into fragrances had told me it was great, all set for this to be a new favorite. Not only that but the fact that it truly is a concept fragrance one that actually has a blend of great notes, tuber and saffron (ie: The name isn't factual like Tom Ford 'Rose Oud' or something?) and the opulent ingredients attracted me to it. In retrospect having tried the new Oud Fleur I have the same reaction to this. Although they are quite different and I much prefer this even from a gut reaction point of view. I really really desperately need a sample of this to trial over a longer period because unfortunately the first time I tried it I was very disappointed. I hate myself for not liking this!!! Why don't I? Rose & Oud is a glorious combo that I enjoy in other fragrances and dark earthy truffle in there too? I should love this but maybe my nose was off that day...I don't know??? In that first experience I got too much Rose and patchouli in the top notes and didn't experience the dark sexiness I'd hoped for. I showered pretty soon after I tried it on my hand so the dry down wasn't experienced properly. I'm not a base note oriented person anyway, although I live for a good dry down I have to say the opening for me is very important... even if it is short lived. This one will take further exploration but I'm so sure I will change my mind on it after a few wears. The jury is out for the time being.
Bit of a weird one for me this... I thought it was okay but I'm not crazy about it. From the notes listed here you might think it would be a bit of a tired creation but it isn't that, I found it to be quite original but still not a show stopper. It may have been because I was so taken with Bois Noir which I tried immediately prior to this. Didn't leap out at me. I've been trying to remember the smell of Bleu de Chanel and have failed miserably.(maybe that speaks volumes and both are utterly forgettable?) I remember thinking it was mediocre but I don't recall it being similar to this, although I will have to check...to satisfy Calyx93's curiosity. Apparently BDC is like Davidoff silver shadow altitude(phew!) and this juice is not like that at all...so ergo...ipso facto...it's not like BDC! Hope that helps...Clear as mud!
This is the perfect winter fragrance for me...evokes a mulled wine Christmas type of vibe... it's warm and comforting but sexy too. Another great fragrance from Serge Lutens... Five O'Clock Gingembre strikes such a careful and well observed balance of spice and sweetness, it's addictive. Anybody who likes The One by D&G should like this despite them smelling quite different I think they evoke a similar classy, soft mood. The ginger in the title might put some off and although it's prominent it's in a very refined way. To put it another way... it's more of the sweet (gingerbread) sense than the savory, in your face strength of root ginger. Perfectly unisex too, the woodiness comes out a little more on my skin but generally drys down with a cosy cinnamon sweetness. Gorgegous juice...I'm going to hammer this over the winter it has great sillage and the Longevity ain't bad either. Top marks Serge!
I figured all these alt versions were just the same juice but different bottles for collectors...or crazy people! But no...A very very slightly different juice from the original in this case. Begs the question, why even bother? What a waste of time! To my nose this has a different fresher opening but I think it's almost an imagined, perceived difference If you like this and Beau you'll like Le Male and vice versa. They're all very similar and stick to a best selling format. I think it's a case of if it ain't broke don't fix it. What's next? A 'Le Male Masochiste' (TM)(BTW!) with an erect penis and nipple clamps? I wouldn't mind that but it would probably smell boring too!
Well it took me a while to posting this review of Le Male and I'm only doing it out of necessity really because it's a true classic and I have owned a bottle in the past. Also recently I tried Amouage Reflection and at first didn't really get the parallels drawn between the two but now I see it. What made me fall out of love with this then? Well I was never really in love with it if I'm honest…And trying it again recently made me remember why. I think the fact my flat mate of several years used to drench himself in it before going on a night out didn’t help. I enjoyed it when it first came out the bottle was so striking... cheeky, kitsch, camp, and trashy extroverted nature of Jean Paul Gaultier in general was quite appealing. To the juice inside though... No disrespect to Francis Kurkdjian… Vanilla and lavender quite fresh but something cheap to it and just not very masculine, Le male has a broader unisex appeal for me. Also now that it has become a victim of it's own success, a cliche and very unoriginal scent for men to wear.
Well quite different to L'eau at first lovely hint of Incense and pepper in this one but once that's gone it drys down L'eau Froide is quite similarly to L'eau for my nose. I mean... I have one on each hand and after the opening (one floral with magnolia and this with smokey spice) All I get as the incense dies down is soapy vetiver (which is creates the same feeling as L'eau) and yet something a little greener than my comforting fresh out of the washing machine teddy bear smell...but not a million miles away. It definitely has a watery feel but is far from an aquatic. These two are different to usual fresh offerings for sure but Serge Lutens has some gems among the collection...these however are just okay.
For me this is a match made in heaven the perfect compliment for that sumptuous creamy Oud is sweet fragrant tobacco but they both have an inherent earthy quality which makes this some dark gorgeous juice. Even tobacco vanille (a scent I adore!) starts very sharply with tobacco and even TF Oud wood is not to my taste but the smooth woodiness under this works really well. I only had one little try of this in store today so I haven't got an in depth note breakdown of what else might be in there but I have to say it really made an impression on me. This is an Oud fragrance worth getting excited about and anyone who's read my previous reviews knows that I don't say it lightly. It's brilliant this stuff just brilliant!
Okay so now that I have a proper sample of this and have worn it for a length of time I need to revise my review a little. To my nose the tobacco is definitely there in the top as you apply this fragrance, no doubt about it. However...it is fleeting and that is unusual for a tobacco fragrance as it is usually the heart or base. Also, claims of an Amber accord are absolutely spot on although no amber is listed in the literature from TF? Weird! This was only apparent to me though in the drydown. I'm really enjoying it though and will update after a few more wears. Update: Okay so I'm wearing this now and my view is that tobacco should be the base of a fragrance with maybe some sweetness and spice on top. My first impressions of this were great, two wonderful elements tobacco and Oud and they're both here in abundance, just not sure whether they work together? And where's the amber coming from ? I've come to the conclusion that Oud smells like amber it definitely has a ambery smell even pure agarwood oil does...so that must be it sometimes it's more promounced depending on source and what you put with it. I don't agree with the amber absolute comparisons as such because that is an 'in your face' amber where as this might just be the combination of these two makes something that resembles it. As you might be able to tell I've agonised over this one and I'm still not sure whether this is genius or just okay...one thing I know I can't stop sniffing it when I have it on!
Has a strange quality to it this scent from Serge Lutens. L'eau is certainly a fitting name for this as it is fresh and the magnolia gives it a seldom used floral note in a unisex but for me it does lean toward the feminine ever so slightly. It's not cheap smelling or anything but there's definitely something of the fabric softener about it in the opening but it improves on my skin. To be honest L'eau is not something I'd wear but has a comforting quality reminds me EXACTLY of a cherished childhood teddy bear after it has been through the wash.
Great review from chromatic...says it all really! I tried it and I have to say I really loved it but it's very similar to other fragrances I like, super woody and full of incense...and unfortunately not very original in its approach. But who cares? It smells wonderful! I will buy this fragrance because it's so wearable has great sillage and longevity, also it's not a well known brand and is something different for the collector, quite reasonably priced too for a high quality fragrance. Smells great this one people. Update: Ha! well I never! Didn't really look at the notes in this one and there's no incense to be found.
Woah! Well I wasn't expecting that! Huge cardamom & caraway spice notes..I mean massive! Cartier fragrances so far have been unexpected and pretty brave this is no exception, I mean basing fragrances around one note that set them apart from other designer fragrances aimed at men. I think that differentiates them from straight designer and pushes them toward a more high end niche appeal....at least that's what I think they're aiming at? Cartier being a luxury company and all. I like cardamom in fragrances it's a great spice note that really works when used sparingly and against the right backdrop. However this is not one of those cases as the opening is too strong with cardamom for my personal taste...I just don't want to smell like that. Too be fair the peppery spice settles down and is still present but much milder and nicer. What remains are big citrus notes...lemon, orange, bergamot combo with ginger in there too...and cedar it makes for a good mix. This battle of fruit & spice reminds me very much of Dior Homme sport and its lemon/ginger combo...and the curry like enduring spice opening of Amouage Fate. It's actually quite a pleasant fragrance into the drydown...it's mellow and stays close to the skin, I wouldn't bother wearing it though.
OUD FIGHT!!!! I can sympathize with both sides of this debate. I like Snowtree's comment though. Ultimately fragrances are about stimulating the senses and evoking a response whatever that might be. We should maybe focus more on the positive aspects. (Hypocrisy ALERT: says he who has been known to write the odd bile filled review) Seriously though, in essence it should be about the smell not what's en vogue. There's a lot of hype surrounding Oud but it's still all about the composition of the fragrance as a whole the sum of it's parts rather than militant Oudheads moaning and questioning "How Oud is this oud?" or if it has Oud in the title of the fragrance...it matters not if it's pleasing to your nose. I for one have been anticipating these new Tom Ford Oud's as somebody who is indifferent about Oud as such but loves Tom Ford fragrances generally. Can't wait to try this one.
Finally tried this today. Disappointed from the initial sniff I had...too feminine, the rose & patchouli is very prominent and Oud is a background. I thought it might've been dark and sexy but it's lightweight for me. I've certainly no objection to florals and especially rose in male or unisex fragrances but not when they're at the forefront and this is a prime example.
Typical of Acqua Di Parma for me, a fresh, natural realistic scent which is amazing for summer. Not that I'd know that and strange for me to purchase a fragrance like this coming into the winter months but I was really taken by it. It's listed on here as being for women but I was always of the impression that all Blu Mediterraneo (in fact all ADP Frags) were unisex and this one is no exception. I can see why this one may lean toward the feminine lots of light fig noted scents tend to, and also the jasmine in here may give that effect too. This said I feel it's a really nice smelling scent, and despite owning it, It isn't actually my favourite in the collection but this is simply because some of the others are so very good. The one criticism I could wage is that ADP fragrances don't have a great deal of depth but they make up for it by just smelling plain great! I really recommend this sweet juice to anyone especially for the warm weather as the fig/citruses combo is so soothing and refreshing.
As a lover of violet notes I figured I'd like this and approached it with an open mind as my first experience of Cartier had not been to my taste I thought it was quite a brave and classy scent for the right guy. This however is not really outstanding for me, it's alright though, fresh opening and you do get the violet note which is not at all intrusive or sweet but for me creates more of a soapy neroli accord. This changes into more of a recognisable violet smell as it settles on my skin after 20 mins or so. I get Cedar in there too which does complement the fresh composition all in all. I'll be honest it's a tad on the boring side for me but not unpleasant if you like this kind of scent. It reminds me a little of something like Mugler cologne but somewhat less green. I was thoroughly impressed by the previous Cartier fragrance I tried in terms of sillage and longevity which were both huge! It might just be my skin but this was pathetically short lived.
I like to look back on old reviews from time to time just to check if I was completely off the mark or not? In this instance I think my original review below is pretty accurate and largely, I stick to those sentiments. One addition I will make is that the opening really does have a potent, fizzy, lemon note with all the extra bitterness of grapefruit... anyone familiar with Japanese cuisine will know as Yuzu. Then it settles to the mildly white floral and violets affair which is pretty classy and does alright by me. I have a horrendous cold today and in truth can't really smell much but the faint wafts I'm getting as I deliberately sniff myself are pleasant.
For the distinctly average aquatic (most agree) it is... Le Bateleur is really very nice. I enjoyed this one it's extremely fresh and is reminiscent of lots of bland designer aquatics, totally inoffensive but ultimately forgettable. That's a little unfair really because I think this is tragically overlooked as are lots of the fragrances in this collection. They seem cheap simple and a little cobbled together but I've tried six of them I think? and I've liked all of them even the more feminine ones.
I've been looking for this for ages! I remember when it came out thinking I hadn't worn the original 1881 for years so why would this interest me? Having looked at the notes though on here some 6 months ago or more I found myself thinking wow! That sounds like a bit of a fragrance wet dream for me...sweet almond, Oud and spice I have to smell this one. Unfortunately, no where seems to stock it anymore and would have to blind buy online, well I actually found it at a discount store in the end. The opening is great and you do get pepper and orange in there with some nice fresh spice. It settles into the marzipan accord almost instantly and the woody Oud gives the Almond note a creaminess that gives the impression of vanilla.(perhaps there's some in there? I don't know because you can usually tell in the dry down, 1881 Black seems to be getting woodier on my skin...if anything.) Having said all that it never once tips over into gourmand really as you still get the spices and lavender which just freshen it up and give more dimension. A really nice sexy scent and not too dissimilar to D&G The One...(not as popular obviously) Not really in smell, more in character. It was... and it wasn't quite what I was expecting... but in a good way. got 100ml bottle for £20 can't say fairer than that. Oh and the bottle looks great same as the original with a black tint. Update: wearing this again and the Oud is definitely present now, I honestly couldn't detect it for sure at first just a distinct woodiness but the more I wear it the more I get it. The interaction of sweetness and wood reminds me a little of Jo Malone Oud & bergamot but with almond instead of citrus very creamy, this scent is getting higher up my winter fragrance list!!!
The last one in my box of samples and I was aware this predated all off the others and was expecting a mega old Skool dose of manliness! Instead I was greeted by a floral explosion which put me in mind of Guerlain's Habit rouge just for a split second. Before the juice even had time to dry it strikes you...BABY TALCUM POWDER! In fact this reminds me of a rose hip talc my mum used to use when I was a kid...surprise surprise this has rose hip in it too and enough musk to sink a battleship!!! It's quite remarkable because then it changes yet again and the stinging habit rouge vibe comes back...then baby powder again...it's on a perpetual knife edge between the two and for me never once swings toward anything I would deem to be classic or masculine. I can't hate it though because its a very clean, kinda nice (if you get a little waft of it) kind of smell. It does Drydown with sandlewood and a vague amber, it changes subtly too while you strive to get past the powder and floral onslaught. I think comparisons with habit rouge are a bit harsh at least that has some teeth and very nearly a set of balls?...I'm afraid Amouage Gold smells like a baby's head coated with icing sugar and rolled in a flower bed. Vladimir Putin wears this?(sherapops comments below are the only thing that's "Gold" around here!) For me not the fragrance of a leader ...more a crying nappy shitter!
Oh no!!! This has dried down really far now and it's completely changed again the powdery talc is very low in the mix and a muggy, awful, dominant, animalistic smell has come though. The Civet has landed!!! and it's disgusting really the worst. Update: Dear oh dear...It's the next morning and I kept catching a whiff of this in the night. This stuff is LONG LIVED...that animal stink stays on your skin...well indefinitely?!?!?! I think it may have permeated my dermis like a tattoo. Once you put this on it doesn't want to come off! I hope I'm not stuck with it for life because despite me joking, I'm certainly not exaggerating this smells really really really bad! I have no clue why people want to smell this way...it's a total mystery.
My oh my!!! Couldn't wait to try this as we come into the winter months as I've been informed its a great winter fragrance. I'm jubilant right now....over the moon that this fragrance is in my life...I think I'm in love! The opening is a show stopper like all the Amouage collection whether I like them or not they explode out the bottle with an exuberance and fizz around changing all the while, it's maddening and difficult to get your head around. First thing I get is a tart, fruity amazing berry scent, spiced with cinnamon & Clove definite tiny bit of smoke(as in every Amouage to varying degrees) Oud might be subtle & creamy but I detect it straight away along with patchouli making the berries almost Carmel like! It's very resinous and a little balmy too...frankly it tickles all your taste buds and ticks every box I could imagine...except green & herby maybe? It has bloody everything in here florals, wood, ambergris I can't detect them myself but you must perceive of them because this concoction is complex...and yet somehow so well put together its simple by the same rule. Oh and if that wasnt enough? there's myrrh and musk in there too, which you do get a little of. I'm so excited about this one...I do get a vibe of something I've smelled recently in Jubilation 25....I thought at first it was BMen by Thiery Mugler (i spryed some on my hand) which has a tart fruity begining but that's where the similarities stop! Laughable that even tried to compare them, not being a snob now but BMen smelled like cheap shite in comparison...Jubilation is in another galaxy!!! I adore this fragrance it's simply any positive adjective you'd care to insert...I WANT to smell like this now! A joint favourite of mine with interlude!
Wow! Just tried this the other day and I was thoroughly absorbed by it! Fantastically opulent & transports you to a bygone era. It's quite linear in composition and delivers resinous spice with few surprises. It's Myrrh with carefully chosen complementary ingredients but that's what I like about this kind of scent. Smells really expensive...and actually IS really expensive!!! I only tried it on a little ribbon (which I felt a bit silly with) I'm sure more depth will come out on the skin. I love these precious fragrances I've lots in my sights which are similar to this (and more affordable) at the moment so I'm not in a hurry to get it. Still this is an amazing fragrance no doubt about it!
Just a brief update...got a sample of this the other day and tried it on my skin in the shop. Again...this is very much up my street, the opening is wonderful and I get my fix from that alone. The dry down however? I have to concur with Harmonia's review below it's actually a bit disappointing. The myrrh which is so great and ever present in the opening, does fade quickly. I'm not going to nay say too much because it's still an excellent, luxurious perfume that is far better than many. If only it lived up to the opening I would hail this as a favourite of mine for sure. Update: Having worn a generous application of this now for nearly 6 hours I have to say the ambery/peppery/resinous nature of this is so good!!! Myrrh has remained okay this time(although it's faded now) and this perfume is stunning!!! I really really love it and have to have it.
Wow!!! Just got a compliment off my mum praise indeed! She NEVER normal comments (positively) on my choice of fragrance. But she loved this one...as do I and asked me what it was...I just said it's a sample and it's expensive. Christmas present for your darling son maybe?
Must say I was quite impressed with these Armani Prive collection...only tried three or four so far but the one's in this collection and despite being pricey are pretty good value for money given the quality and the amount of juice you get compared to other high end collections or niche perfumers. The ones with the gold tops however are a little extortionate! This is a nice amber scent with warm accompaniments which make for a very good fragrance on the whole. Seemed potent at first but didn't last too long on my skin.
Re:review on this one and it's impressive. Great take on amber....Ambre soie is really dirty, like unearthing a chunk of amber from a dirty, peaty soil but with a slight sweetness. I get a peculiar liquorice vibe from the combination of ginger, cloves and pepper with a slight creaminess of patchouli it's really good I enjoyed it the first time and my second try of this has made me realise just how good it is. Very masculine on my skin, not the longest lasting or best sillage but not bad. I have lots of Amber fragrances already but yet again this one brings something totally new to the table. The entire Privé collection are really special.
