Okay so in the interest of full disclosure I went into this sampling with trepidation and conscious bias against Argos as a brand for reasons too long and pointless to go into but let's just say my hopes were not high and I did relish the idea of slating these perfumes in the public forum that is Fragrantica. However, In Argos Pour Homme I was greeted by quite a likable designer masculine vibe with a sort of niche/indy sensibility and certain clunkiness of materials which I found quite pleasant and even...almost endearing. Yeah I know. I'm as shocked as you are. To me the opening was a nice bergamot and gin fizz sparkle which gives way to a mild lavender and violet, and is all quite fun and such if a bit heavy handed. Then the drydown resembles a sort of Paco Rabanne XS/ Creed Himalya type thing a sort of sage, white floral induced, creamy barber base. I really quite liked it.
I was sent this as part of a blind sniffing exercise to determine whether it was cheap or expensive. My general thoughts were that it smelled and probably should be...cheap but the overarching feel was one of minimal, hipster, modernity and as such I believed it to be expensive. I could just picture some hipster with a beard and a beanie hat, pedantically correcting something I said with an upward inflection at the end as if he was asking a question? This utter twattery and BANG ON the Money, blind appraisal aside, No.8 is a somewhat nondescript, peppery, woody perfume, which softens to the kind of musky, skin adornment one would associate with this sort of thing. Personally I can't hate this sort of thing, it's wearable for me but I do find it a bit bland and uninspired. Oh well.
This is one of those scents that I cannot wear every day, as to me it really is a beast mode fragrance that can be very overpowering in the wrong environment. I would never wear this to the office for instance, as I think it would be too much.
My husband loves this to bits on me, he always compliments me when I wear it. Makes me feel very sexy and seen, and as such it is something I would wear on a date night, or during evenings. I think it can be worn all year, though it might be a bit too cloying during really hot days.
To me, this smells like an abundance of flowers drenched in sugary goodness. It is very very sweet, but also has depth, and a bright zingy opening. Drydown is sweet, sugary and musky and lasts for daaaaaaays :)
I think I am on my fourth or fifth bottle of this. I got this for the very first time when it was just out, I think and I've loved it ever since. By now it's also something nostalgic for me.
This used to be my signature scent, and I still love to wear it when the mood hits me - this will never be not in my collection.
The opening is somewhat fresh and fruity, a little tangy even (the litchi I think?), and then it morphs into something warm and comforting, with a lot of freesia and rose bleeding through. I love that it is a floral, but it's warm at the same time. It lasts and lasts as well, and turns slightly soapy which I do not mind at all.
My mother used to wear l'Air du Temps by Nina Ricci all the time, and this seems to be a little bit in the same family, a younger daughter or cousin, so that also makes things feel familiar and cozy for me :)
I’ve been intrigued by the Xerjoff house for a minute now. So, I thought the much hyped Erba Pura fragrance would be a suitable starting point. This scent was not quite what I expected. It’s heavy on the fruit, right off the bat. I don’t pick up the citrus components in the profile, nor the vanilla. Upon applying, you get the sense that you are simply drowned in a can of fruit cocktail. The scent reminds me 100% of the fruity body sprays that girls loved in junior high. That’s all I pick up from this fragrance. I feel like a Barbie doll wearing it, as I’m a bit more on the masculine nature. I can’t pull it off. However, this is a very nice scent, and it’s perfect for the female demographic. I could easily rate this a 5 star for female. But, as a male, this is a 3 star scent at best. So, I split the difference. The projection and longevity are fantastic. Ladies, this one is perfect for you, if you are a fruity scent lover. Men, consider an alternative Xerjoff fragrance like Naxos.
Rufus Hound is one of the most irritating, obnoxious people on the BBC, from what I've heard this fragrance fits the bill.
Just after spraying, this fragrance captivates me with its striking blend of red fruits, dark cherry, and a candied rose. The coffee grounds, however, introduce a curious tension, though bold, they add a slightly off-putting element, due to its synthetic quality, reminding me more of Mancera's Intense Café than the smoother Roses Vanille. Despite this, this note does not compromise the quality of the fragrance to me. As it develops, the scent evolves into something more complex. The amber takes on a slightly animalic quality, while the tonka bean pops out amidst a woodland setting. There’s a hint of burnt sugar that adds a touch of sweetness to this, deepening the overall experience. Around the final dry down this fragrance becomes a dreamy, woody scenario, inviting you to escape into a world of warmth, and soft, comforting layers of fruit and wood. In warmer weather, the fragrance is overwhelmingly fruity, with the cherry providing a refreshing, light touch. But as the temperature cools, this turns into something more amber-forward, evoking the mysterious, magical aura of a fairy forest full of roses. The red fruits remain, while the woodsy base gives a cozy, comforting feel as it lingers on the skin. I love it both in summer and fall.
The first time I've tried this fragrance it was late August, and I was hesitant to apply it to my skin, so I tested it on paper instead. It immediately struck me with its powerful, sacred aura. Casbah takes me to an ancient church, evoking a sense of timelessness and reverence, a place lost in the distant past, far removed from modern times. It projects intensely, like an incense that’s not just for any ordinary mass but one held for an extraordinarily significant event. The incense in ths is mineral-like and slightly cold, reminiscent of the weathered stone walls of old churches. It’s a scent that demands attention. On my skin, it’s even more striking. At first, a strong smoky element unsettles me, hinting at burnt woods, but as it develops, the overwhelming pepper intensity starts to mellow out, coming off as pure subtle freshness. Despite its initial, heady blast, the fragrance evolves into something beautifully complex and mesmerizing, with a delicate hint of enveloping tobacco that adds warmth and depth to the composition. It lingers for hours, so much so that 24 hours later, even after a shower, I can still detect a faint trace on my wrist. The longevity is unmatched.
Such a delite. Sweet, tangy and pink but not at all juvenile.
I so wanted to love this, but apparently this does not gel well with my skin chemistry? While I see glowing reviews everywhere about a beautiful citrus / fruity / floral scent, for me this opens with a screechy almost minty note, with no florals or fruits in sight anywhere.
The dry down retains that minty scent, but it also morphs into something vey dry and chalky, with a bitter woody undertone. I think it is the aldehydes in combination with the wood? Not for me at all, alas!
An attractively spicy fresh ginger opening turns quickly to a pallid approximation of wood and vetiver, before evaporating entirely in a pitifully short lifespan.
Summer in a bottle for a very good price!
A very very good Afternoon Swim dupe with great raw materials (as good as the original). To my nose this is clearly a copy/paste with better performances (longevity about 4-6 hours and a decent sillage).
I do not understand why this has not caught on with more people. I know it is difficult to get in the USA but England and the EU? It's like 99 pounds for the bottle at Harrod's and at that price this is a steal. Yes, it is a vetiver and you have that running throughout the composition but the initial hit of spices (clove and cardamon?) is stunning. Even as that hit quiets down the spices still round out the vetiver in a very complete way. This all leads to a soft, woody finish that last a good bit of time. Maybe a little vanilla and a tiny bit of smoke there too. The bottle and the cap (mine is different then pictured) are outstanding also and quite heavy, just plain quality. Such an easy choice for me, especially on days I am not sure what I want to wear as this never disappoints me and I would find it hard to believe anyone would find it offensive. I have to thank Houdini and Les Oderants crew for drawing my attention to this perfect vetiver.
No this is not the most masculine fragrance in the world. I don’t care. I love every second I wear this. It’s the smell of thick knitwear and corded trousers bundled up in a coat on a really cold day or night. It’s the Harry From When Harry Met Sally Perfume. It’s inviting and personable and warm. I wore this once walking into a pub with a large open fire roaring and I felt like I was in a novel. Possibly not a GOOD novel but most people go through life never feeling like they’ve made into even a BAD book so I’ll take it. I know I’ve referenced books AND a movie in this log but leave me alone, I’m having a moment.
Sedley is a great, fresh, Sprite-type of scent. Very good for the warmer months. The woodiness is more present, but subtle in the drydown, which is fantastic. Everyone will have a different opinion on this, but it only lasts 4-5 hours for me personally, and that is with minimal projection. I find that this scent sits really close to the skin. If it was more of a 10 hour scent, this would be a 5 star. It is still a fantastic fragrance, and my personal preference over Greenley for the summer.
Oh my lord, this is lovely. I got myself a full bottle even before I had run out of my tester ;)
It opens with the most beautiful warm, rounded out, sexy, tropical citrus note. Not a screechy zingy blast, but a fragrant, tropical one. And the citrus lasts and lasts, which is wonderful for a note that is usually fleeting.
On my skin the longevity is easily 6 hours and during drydown it morphs slightly and becomes even more warm & luxureous, with a musky, sweet, slightly woody undertone. This could easily become my signature scent.
I would say this is unisex, maybe slightly leaning to the feminine side but not much. I am sure on a man this would be ultra sexy :)
Good fragrance!
Definitely a clone of Layton, beast mode as it's an extrait de parfum. I'd say a good 80% similarity, more on the dry down.
If you like Layton, or spicy/ambry/fougere type of scent, go for it!
I had hoped to love this, as some say it has a pear note, and I am always on the look for pear. I do however think that cashmeran is just not for me. I also don't like Angel Dust by Fugazzi. Both have that same slightly dusty, woody undertone which I don't like, unfortunately. Great to have tested this, but not for me.
First time trying a fig smell and wow - I had not expected to love this as much as I did. It's a beautiful green and fresh scent but warm at the same time, very lovely.
Freaking fun. My only qualm is in the final stages of the dry down it becomes a bit powdery. Otherwise the honeyed tobacco/incense is really great.
This fragrance opens with a wonderfully blended mix of fresh and warm spices. I can pick out the slightest leather and incense notes through the whole thing. It's slightly sweet probably where the cherry comes in personally, I can't pick it out being cherry or even the rose that's where I'm disappointed the most was hoping for more rose. Don't get me wrong this is an absolute wonderful fragrance truly class in a bottle. If you want to present, yourself as a man that has his shit together this needs to be in your collection.
it's not overly powerful can't speak on the scent trail but got a nice scent bubble around you for several hours.
I do feel like this will excel as a date night scent but can easily be used as a signature scent all year long
I currently live in Bremen, Germany, and recently had the opportunity to visit Köln (Cologne). Since I'm getting more and more involved in the world of perfumery, I obviously decided to stop by the Farina Museum/Store and get to know their legendary fragrance from 1709.
It was totally worth it! The fragrance opens with a very pleasant citrus, with a strong sense of the orange, bergamot and lemon combo. In the opening and then in the "evolution" I can feel a little more of this green touch and a more floral touch, but still very citrusy. I put evolution in " " marks because on my skin it really is a cologne, with low projection and lasting for about 3 or 4 hours. A very linear aroma that exudes freshness and a clean sensation the whole time I wear it. If I had bought more volume, it could become my perfume for the gym or quick outings on warmer days. Perfect in my opinion!
Just for the historical factor and the fragrance itself, I really liked it! For those who have the opportunity to visit the museum in Cologne, it is definitely worth it! Book a guided tour of the museum in advance! Additionally, for perfume enthusiasts like me, I recommend visiting the 4711 store/museum, supposedly a "competitor" at the time (1792) with a fragrance with the same proposal.
This is a fantastic, simple scent that I would consider for any occasion, at any time of the year. The opening is very citrus heavy, in a good way. After a couple of hours, the woodiness of the patchouli really becomes noticeable. Longevity is solid. I got about 5-6 hours on skin, and 7-8 on clothes, but I am a chronic oversprayer. I held off on buying this for as long as I could, for whatever reason. But, it's in my collection to stay now. Great for everyday wear.
This is a man's floral bomb opens with this wonderful semi sweet rose with lots of what percieve to be Dihydro Myrcenol. That generic designer scent in a man's fragrance. Almost like a citrus woods smell. That levels out quickly to this wonderful floral scent. My woman could smell me when I got within an arms reach and she had to stop to sniff me. Which is always a good sign
Unfortunately the rose is short lived and gets taken over by the iris/jasmine/orange blossom whatever the floral note is . I can't tell which but to me it's like a spring iris
Just a nice elegant dry down for a simple sophisticated scent. I said it can work all year but I do think this will be absolutely perfect in mid spring when all those flowers are in full bloom
