Lovely, classic smelling. But €600 worth of lovely? Not by the furthest stretches of the imagination. If it was €150 euros I'd consider it.
Definitely a staple for me in the cold months. Spicy on first spray and gets sweeter as it dries down. A modern take on classic men’s fougere fragrances. This will get noticed, the strength of this fragrance is undeniable, and the compliments are pretty consistent. Any guy 25+ needs to heavily consider having this one in their collection.
Bengale Rouge exemplifies the seriously impressive ingenuity and talent Liz Moores holds as a self-taught perfumer. It’s inspired by the scent of her Bengal cat, whose warm, fuzzy fur is often imbued with the muffled cocktail of Liz’s many perfumes rubbing off as they cuddle. Whilst this is quite a niche and far-fetched idea, there’s something wholesome about it. This is a myrrh scent through and through, if you don’t like myrrh then don’t even bother with this. The myrrh is intensely dry, thick, dense and gummy, like a chewy, spicy wall and warmth complemented by the sharpness of rose. This is beautifully balanced by a smooth base of orris, woods and vanilla. Fragrantica lists honey, but this is not one of the official notes - but I understand where it comes from. It definitely has a sappy, honeyed effect. This is easily the best myrrh scent I’ve ever encountered, it’s so incredibly cosy and comforting. Definitely worth checking out, and easily one of the best from the house, this is a must have for me.
It seems like some people’s lives revolve around gourmands, I am not one of those people, however there are a select few gourmand scents that speak to me; Noir Extreme is one of them. This has always been one of, if not my favourite Tom Ford fragrance. The best word to describe it is addicting. The scent is dominated by this supposed kulfi accord, a dessert which I have never eaten personally, but I definitely get the association. An indulgent creamy, vanillic sweetness with a slight nutty facet to it, balanced beautifully by a hefty amount of cardamom and lots of vanilla. It just smells absolutely delicious, and there’s also nothing else on the market that smells like it. This is the sort of thing which made people love Tom Ford; imaginative and unique scent profiles which are still easy to like. I don’t care how popular this gets, this will always be a firm favourite for me and among the greatest gourmands ever made in my opinion.
Perfection. One of the best I own.
I have long-since adored the current formulation of Cabochard, but have always remained curious of a more vintage composition. And so I set out to find an old EDT bottle, and my god is it breathtaking. There are few classics which embody the idea of leather as Cabochard does, it is simply a master stroke of Bernard Chant’s genius. The scent is based upon a central leathery core of isobutyl quinoline as all great leather scents are, but it’s balanced beautifully by its violet-like ionones interplaying with rose and jasmine. It’s very dry in the base; patchouli, tobacco, Vetiver and spices mingle with the leather creating a bold and headstrong aroma, as the name Cabochard suggests. This truly is one of the great classics of French perfumery, a lesson to anyone bold enough to tackle the leather-chypre subfamily. Whilst the vintage is stunning, and well worth experiencing, I would still opt for the current formulation to wear day to day because of the much improved longevity.
Enslaved is the epitome of oriental Chypre, I’m gutted this magnificent beauty is no longer with us, but I understand its discontinuation, as this is a composition from a bygone era. It’s undeniably old school, classical French perfumery at its best. Warming and vintage in the most comforting way possible. Carnation is the star here - it’s dense and warming with its clove-like spiciness, thickened by a smooth base of leathery labdanum and oakmoss. I pick up a prominent rose and salty geranium combination in the background, alongside powdery florals and soft citruses. This is an utter masterpiece, it smells like travelling back in time 70 years, to the golden age of perfume. I managed to find an old paper label, plastic cap 30ml bottle and I will treasure it until I can find another. A must have!
Attaquer le Soleil creeps up on you. There’s something unsettling about it: an enigmatic, gothic atmosphere that’s both threatening and enticing, and it keeps me coming back for more. I saw someone else describe it as “liminal,” which feels accurate: imagine a disquieting dream in which you’re about to discover something secret and dangerous. The dark, coniferous woody opening transports me to an aristocratic alpine chalet enclosed by black trees. I wake alone at night. Called by some obscure premonition of pleasure, I venture out to explore the cold, candlelit hallway, walls panelled in polished ebony, until I come upon a dim study—a cabinet of curiosities stuffed with leatherbound books, strange insects encased in amber, and exotic devices of unknown purpose. Open on the desk is a massive antique volume with gilt edges, not meant for my eyes. Is it obscene pornography, an occult spell book, or a diary of monstrous crimes? My nose fills with the intoxicating fragrance of resinous incense as the fear mounts, undercut with a faint, powdery bitterness (camphor?). Do I hear footsteps in the hall? I try to peer closer at the forbidden book, catching a glimpse of illustrations of twisted bodies, but someone (or something) is drawing closer. I turn...and wake up. (All this is perhaps more seductive than it sounds.) Curiously, the only listed note for this fragrance is labdanum—supposedly it was a challenge that perfumer Quentin Bisch set for himself to make something focusing solely on a note/material that he dislikes. I don’t have a detailed sense of what labdanum is supposed to smell like, other than it’s a sweet, musky resin often used in incense—I associate it with CDG's trademark clean-incense base (as used in CDG Original, Blackpepper, and many others), which I sometimes find soapy or powdery. I’m sure there are a lot of things going on in Attaquer le Soleil other than pure cistus resin, but I really like how it seems to pull out so many different facets of the material: it’s a little smoky and woody, a little bit clean and powdery, a little bit musky and animalic (it smells very embodied, like skin), very resinous in a sweet, enveloping way, but cold and slightly bitter at the same time. It’s this interplay that keeps me sniffing myself over and over! Some people have written that this is too wearable for a Sadean perfume, but I find that there is something vaguely perverse about it, though it doesn't at all veer into smells that are overtly off-putting. It's a really excellent winter fragrance, especially for lovers of woody, leathery incense scents, or anyone who wants a non-churchy incense (it's definitely unholy). Incidentally, I first tried this right before trying Apoteker Tepe’s The Holy Mountain, and they have a lot of similarities: they’re both coniferously woody on first sniff before easing into an incense-heavy amber finish. The latter initially made a bigger impression—it’s showier, with a massive smoky opening and a glorious golden drydown—but Attaquer le Soleil has really grown on me. It's subtly dark and weird in a very addictive (but not overpowering) way that's led it to become one my most-worn cold-weather scents, quickly becoming an overall favourite. Moderate projection and good longevity, fwiw.
This is a lovely comforting fragrance to wear. The cardamom is enveloping with a creaminess rather than a sharp spice. It’s like wrapping yourself up in a blanket whilst drinking some chai. A classy and elegant perfume that makes me smile every time I we it
If you're looking for a well priced and well performing twist on TF Tobacco Vanille, this is it. With the addition of Palo Santo here, the scent pyramid is identical.
Opening is really lovely spices with a soft vanilla and tobacco coming through well.
The spice intensity doesn't last too long ( I would like it if they did ) but they are still noticible throughout.
Once they soften you are greeted with the beautiful tobacco blossom and aromatic Tonka, with cacao.
Beautiful Palo Santo adds a fresh, aromatic woody note which helps balance the sweetness from vanilla and fruits.
After a few hours it's a beautiful, warm and smooth tobacco and vanilla.
A really great fragrance, comforting and familiar.
I've tried a few from Ritual Spirit and they're all great.
Want to get my hands on some more.
It’s just a really romantic fragrance. I had it back in the early 1990’s. The smell was fresh, yet a bit of spice. The longevity was not good, and sillage was mild. It has been rereleased, and I haven’t tried it. I’m kinda afraid of how it will smell, and if they changed it.
Very underrated perfume. Can be used for any occasion. A very nice pleasing smell.
I love this scent as it is for me very comforting and a perfect scent for colder rainy evenings and nights. Warm, softly woody and spicy, but there is also subtle sweetness present. The new bottle design is beautiful.
El mejor perfume para calor que tengo, si lo usas en frío no te pases de atomizadas o te ahogará.. un aroma delicioso y que envuelve, no pasa de moda, dura todo el día sin apuros y en ropa ni que se diga..
Si no has olido Leyton, no tienes que gastar tanto, esto es casi idéntico, el secado es de lo mejor, duración muy buena y estela encima de lo promedio.. eso si la botella es fatal pero el atomizador es presurizado y es buenísimo, por el valor que tiene es un robo total, recomendado total..
El mejor Rabanne a mi parecer, muy dulce que si atomizas mucho te empalaga, una duración increíble, una estela por encima de lo promedio, perfume confiable para salidas nocturnas pero en climas algo fríos, te dura en piel hasta el día siguiente sin problemas, una joya
de la mejor compra a ciegas, solo había olido el intensely pero al leer que esta fragancia era un poco más oscura me decidí y fue la mejor elección, aroma un poco más oscuro y dulce, si la atomizas en ropa, te dura días y en piel me dura todo el día sin problemas, lo mejor para citas o encuentros cercanos, 100% recomendada
Skinny Dip (Top): birch leaf, vegetal accord, black currant, mineral accord and rhubarb. Sauna Session (Base): warm woods, musk, smoke, leather and steam Sometimes the descriptions of fragrances by the houses themselves are not entirely realistic and the impression they give is wrong. That is not the case with this fragrance. “Running naked through newly cut grass, surrounded by silver birch trees. Jumping into the cold, black lake without a moment’s hesitation. A delicious shock of the freezing water. Goosebumps all over. Rushing back into the steaming heat of the sauna. Fire and smoke. Fresh birch leaves sizzle on the hot stones. The scent of warm skin. Oh, the nostalgia!” (From the brands website) I am Finnish and spent my childhood living in the countryside, by the sea, in Finland, and that is exactly the image that comes to mind when I smell it, although a lake is a sea to me. I can smell large leaves on birch trees and birch branches in the sauna bring a soothing aroma as the liquid evaporates from them. Blackcurrant bushes and rhubarb grew in my grandparents' garden and were eaten straight from the bush. Those aromas here are very realistic and delicious. As the scent develops, it transforms into the atmosphere of a wood-burning sauna: gentle steam and smoke from burning wood, salty skin after swimming. The scent is unique and intense, but at the same time surprisingly easy and beautiful. The smoke is something that is not familiar from any previous scent, although I love that note. The whole composition is special and makes you want to smell your wrist again and again. The scent is addictive and I would say sensual in its own way. I recommend Thousand Lakes to anyone who has memories of this all, and if you don't, you can use this splendid scent to try to sense a piece of beautiful Finnish tradition. This is all this in the same time: unique, artistic, pleasant, interesting and above all the idea of scent is brilliant. Thank you for reading, I hope you liked my review. I would appreciate if you follow my IG: @ninamariah_perfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗
Exquisite Oud, benzoin and vanilla makes for a big balsamic if rather simple ambery beauty. And let’s please get the perfumer correct. So many referencing JC, however this is by the masterful Sophie Labbé!!
First I want to mention: personally I don't like dense leather scents anymore but my husband does. I have an endless experience of deep, dark leather scents and earlier I even loved to wear them myself, for example "Cuoium | Orto Parisi" used to be the one of my favourites. The name of a fragrance sometimes guides first impressions, and that was the case with this fragrance. My initial impression of Leatherize was "wow, what a strong dirty leather". Anyway after smelling it more closely, the leather is not the most authentic one and I don't even get that unpleasant feeling which I used to nowadays when smelling some dark (pungent or smooth, it doesn't matter) leather scent. The note which plays a major role is Cade oil (Juniper): It's extremely tar-like and smoky quality is confusingly natural, intoxicating, and reminds me of a sticky, melted tar pastille candy. At the same time, the middle notes bring an intense earthy nuance to the fragrance, which strengthens the already tarry scent. I don't find any gourmand nuances here because of Butterscotch but it's possible that it makes this concoction easier. Somewhere behind all this, there is surprisingly soft, tender and smooth leather, not the dirty leather saddle which was an immediate association. As the scent develops it becomes more and more pleasant and easy going, but it doesn't change much otherwise. It doesn't have any distinct phases, as the middle and base notes are very clearly present from the start. Only the Iris and Castoreum develop slowly, creating a powdery and intense, yet refined and sensual animalic note to the aroma. It is very, very innocent though. If thinking the quality of the scent, I would say it's good. It's nicely blended and it smells completely natural. Anyway it's nothing groundbreaking nor ingenious but I can't name anything completely similar either. My husband fell in love with it but to my nose it's still too leathery and above all too tarry. I don't necessarily want him to smell like this, even though the smell is not unpleasant in any way. TOP Leather, Cistus Cubeb, Butterscotch HEART Cypriol, Saffron, Iris pallida BASE Cade juniper, Myrrh, Castoreum Thank you for reading, I hope you liked my review. I would appreciate if you follow my IG: @ninamariah_perfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗
Short review in based of my sample: This is quite classy and sophisticated yet cozy and resinous blend with Vanilla like aroma from Benzoin. The style resembles quite much first Van Cleef & Arpels’ compositions with a delicate Vanilla in them but this one is heavier because of many reasons. As the scent develops the differences are more pronounced and I just feel that I have smelled this kind of resinous Vanilla like scent dozens of times. Aroma of Vanilla comes from Benzoin so it’s not as sweet nor “delicious” here as in VCAs (in VC&A it’s not edible either). Ambery notes and Myrrh makes this much deeper and honey makes it a bit sticky. it’s not as refined nor luxurious as VCAs. Even if this differs more and more during the time it’s on my skin and this is not something which I would wear frequently and as an easy reach like my VCAs, I still I get the similar feeling. It’s strange since the compositions are totally different. Yet, I was surprised: there is not any synthetic nuances here and the scent is pleasant - worth to try if you like resinous blends with reminiscent of Vanilla. This is not leathery at all imo. Some scents which are in the same category but not the same though: "Material | Amouage" "Grand Soir | Maison Francis Kurkdjian" "Lune Féline (Eau de Parfum) | Atelier des Ors" Thank you for reading, I hope you liked my review. I would appreciate if you follow my IG: @ninamariah_perfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗
DSH Perfumes Manhattan is firelight through a vintage lens – all warmth and no flame, the way old films captured hearths in silver-screen shadows. The glow feels richer than memory, grounded in something earthy and lush, a cherry left at the bottom of a glass, soaked in honeyed spirits, plummy with promise. A bitter note cuts through the sweetness, a tiny nibble under the gazes of those who love you, a warmth so enveloping and tender it breaks your heart just a little and brings tears to your eyes. You recognize it instantly: that feeling of safety and love that you can only experience now through the lens of nostalgia because you’ll never be that young or small or loved that way again.
The scent wraps around you like a childhood memory that softens into sadness when held too long. It’s the kind of velvet golden haze that catches in your throat now, because you know such perfect shelter can’t exist outside of memory, outside these few precious frames of black and white film where the firelight always burns just right, and everyone you’ve ever loved is still young and beautiful and waiting in the next room. This is a softly devastating scent, and one that requires emotional steadiness to wear – it has a way of dissolving the present and opening rooms in the memory where beloved ghosts forever wait patiently for you with open arms, where the little heart you long outgrew is forever full.
For years, I strongly disliked this fragrance—when tested on paper, it always reminded me of a citronella candle. However, a few weeks ago, I decided to give it another chance and picked up a sample. To my surprise, it transformed beautifully on the skin, shedding the citronella-like note entirely. Instead, I was greeted with an unexpectedly pleasant bright, green, refreshingly fresh fragrance.
This experience taught me the importance of testing fragrances on the skin, as they can evolve unexpectedly and delightfully. I highly recommend sampling this scent before committing to a purchase. To provide some context, the shift between how this fragrance smells on paper versus the skin reminds me of Le Labo Santal 33. On paper, Santal 33 can have a peculiar dill pickle-like note, but it develops into something truly fantastic on the skin. Similarly, this fragrance might surprise you once it interacts with your skin's chemistry.
It's as complex as it is simple.
It's woody, aquatic, green, and very aromatic.
There's some sweetness and saltiness, but personally I would have preferred more of the salt note to cut through the intense aromatics.
A great summer scent, and one i consistently get asked about when wearing.
