I like it. Plain and simple, Intenso starts out with a positive patchouli which is unusual as a top note (Well...considering what else is going on in this fragrance.) The patch isn't thick or chunky either...it's just... there. This lends an interesting, earthy, vibe which is also dancing with salty, sea like aquaticism, totally in keeping with the originals, misty, Lemon/Calone molecule DNA, which is pretty much the base note and dries down pretty familiar in that regard. This is a clever tweak to the formula as essenza was, and serves to add more sophistication, modernizing, and bringing ADG out of the 90's & into more contemporary territory. The bottle looks good in black too and although I haven't tested Profumo extensively, I found the performance wasn't quite as good as the original, although very respectable. I'd wear this but I kinda like the synthetic sledgehammer that is the original Acqua Di Gio and I don't wear it for being refined or sophisticated but I understand why some would and many prefer this one and Essenza...I won't be buying a bottle though.
The name and bottle shape intrigued me but I was eventually disappointed by a very lacking scent which is thin, meager and doesn't last at all. Not surprising that there's 'water notes' in here and a generic and not very pleasant apple smell in the top but not entirely uninteresting and although not very nice, it had me guessing for the first couple of hours. The problem is Rhodium just smells a bit cheap and does have a touch of A&F Fierce/Mont Blanc Legend about it as well. So I suppose it has some lavender and herbal elements too but nothing exciting. Sorry Yardley this is one to forget.
I don't normally mention the bottle first and this is in no way an indictment of this fragrance, because it's alright. The bottle is really nice with a touch of the Guerlain L’Art et la Matière about it and not a rippling torso in sight! Oh and it's refreshing to see A&F in UK stores of any kind because they used to be rare to non exsistant, at least where I live. The opening is horribly likable with hints of Fierce in there but lashings of other generic fare thrown in for good measure, making for a sweeter, fresher and more accessible fragrance. The melon and citrus top notes are definitely synthetic and yawn inspiring but I can't say I don't enjoy the smell. As it dries down the hint of the more herbal Fierce actually goes away rather than coming on stronger as I had anticipated. Under that fruity opener the base is actually a bit warm and maybe a hint of amber in there. It's hard not to compare this with Fierce being from the same brand but this is not at nauseating as Fierce but also far less original. (remember Fierce predates Mont Blanc Legend) I think this would be more welcome in A&F stores, pumped in or sprayed on the garments themselves. (whichever it is?) So not really one for me or many other frag heads out there because First Instinct is pretty generic. Does it smell bad though? ....No. Performance was average to not great.
I cannot say enough good things about this fragrance! As a certifiable tea slut, I adore the addition of tea leaf here. I think it adds a nice balance to the bomby nature of gardenia. Though it's mentioned as an accord, I don't find it to be terribly ozonic like some tea fragrances (I'm looking at you, Elizabeth Arden!) I wonder a bit about the name of this fragrance, and the lack of tiare in the notes. It has that white floral, heady quality, but not a knock-you-over-the-head type that gardenia sometimes affords. I layered this with the body butter, and that added a few extra hours of life into this scent (Pacificas tend to have a fast fade). Just a solid, summery floral that I think could work day or night. So happy to finally have this in my frag arsenal!
Hmm, Poison Girl. Dividing opinions, just like mama Poison back in 85. Miss Poison however refuses to fill the shoes left by her legacy. Instead she uses her volume, deep in her DNA, to speak loudly like her rebel and modern friends. She mostly hangs out with La Petite Robe Noire, because she feels they share a lot in common; they both hail from families with a long history. They both share family members that were big and bad back in the day. They have that DNA in their blood, but they are children of their times, and as such they have different tastes. Poison Girl inherited from her mother the controversy, as such she is bound to divide opinions. She has character and as such she ain't gonna please everybody. She cares not. But growing up she was closer to aunt Hypnotic. She loved to hang out with her, listening to her stories about her lovers, her travels to faraway lands. She enjoyed spending time in that secret room where aunt Hypnotic prepared her secret drug; Cyanide. You see, she was a spy for the Secret Intelligence and her task was to create the most lethal version of the famous almond scented poison. And she succeeded as no one saw that the cloud of almond vanilla that wafted from her apartment was her lethal weapon towards her enemies. As a close family, even though mama Poison spent her youth traveling the globe, these 3 women complement each other. For her 31st birthday, Poison Girl inherits her legacy, and as such you can admire it in her eyes; she has the loud voice of mama, with bitter orange and a slice of funky immortelle instead of plum, and the seducing power of her aunt, with an almond/tonka core, ready to take on where her mentors left. If Poison permeated the 80's with its narcotic winey tuberose wrapped in incense, and Hypnotic Poison seduced the 90's with wafts of almond patisserie and vanilla smoke, this new kid takes the best of both and shouts it from the rooftops. She's got style, her style, but she ain't got the manners. Yet. But then again, if you belong to the Poison family, manners aren't exactly your most known feature. You're known for speaking loud and clear, and letting everyone know how it's gonna be. Take it or leave it. And Poison Girl says it loud and clear; she's got the best of both, and her own unique touch. And this is how it's gonna be; bitter orange, cherry, almond, immortelle, vanilla, tonka, rose, almond, bitter orange, almond, vanilla. Poison volume, Hypnotic Poison deliciousness, 21st century voice. Strong sillage/10-12 hour longevity. Update May 30th: The more I wear Poison Girl, which is a lot, the more I see the hidden appeal. It is not a sweet fruitchouli like so many. There's a restrained beauty, maybe the bitterness? It is far more than the sum of its parts, there's something unique and dare I say delicious? The more I wear it the more I feel it is indeed a Poison member. Completely different and at the same time familiar. I bought a backup today, 100 ml before the reformulation that is about to come soon, and I'm already thinking of getting a 3rd bottle. Very unisex, and again, nothing at all like Black Opium. A kind of less sweet LPRN. Really, do give a try even if gourmands don't appeal to you. It's not even really a gourmand after all.
Turbo tangerine is how I'd describe this one. Synthetic in every way but differing from the likes of Clinique happy in that this is a wholly more powdered affair and has a orange blossom/neroli core when it settles. This seems to be popular in men's fragrance at the moment so if you dig that vibe then this could be a cheap addition to your wardrobe, sadly I don't really. It's not bad though.
Ore or "Ooorrrrrrree" is exactly the sound I made when I caught the first hint of this fragrance. Half knowing what to expect from slumberhouse I knew it wasn't going to be blue de Chanel or something? But even I wasn't quite prepared for how deep this rabbit hole goes. My initial feelings on Ore? Sublime. For the people who wear this fragrance regularly...hats off to you. You're blazing a truly bright trail, because although maybe viewed as tame in the Slumberhouse lineup because of its gourmand qualities, Ore is so unusual and unlike anything I've smelled before. Well you get tonnes and tonnes of cacao and actually the most accurate dark, dark, chocolate smell. Which is set deep into that Guaic wood and pepper notes which are also huge and complement it perfectly. Ore is fantastic it has that dirtiness but never once is it patchouli masquerading as chocolate. It has a purity about it which keeps the base of spiced wood away from the almost powdery, slightly sweet cocoa. Stunning stuff and as you'd expect...boy is it strong?!?! Goes on hard and then projects . Just brilliant!
OMG!!! I love copper skies. Wow! What a scent. Crazy...explosive opening which I can only compare to something like Amouage Interlude man just for pure onslaught of notes. It's like someone threw a bomb of Thai spices into a red hot wok! Instantly sweet cinnamon, cloves and anise then liquorice all of which amounts to something as subtle as a shot of sambuca. Then smoke and rubbery tires patchouli dirt and aggressive leather. This fragrance is absolutely off the charts insane...I love it. The drydown is more of a clove focused smell but with that sickening edge taken away. I think to call this a clove based fragrance is wrong because although dominant it's all about the surrounding notes for me which, rear their heads and retreat constantly throughout my experience of this perfume. It's not one for the faint of heart that's for sure but when it dries down takes another turn into gourmand territory almost smelling like a spiced raisin, fruit cake with a touch of booze. Later the drydown is a deep Amber accord and something which reminds me of pipe tobacco, the remnants of honey or maple tobacco. It's lovely when something like this comes along and truly reminds you what it is you love about fragrance. Quite sweetly spiced throughout and some may say naive perfumery, I say brave and complex. I'm going have to get myself some of this...much like interlude man I've no idea when I'd wear it? but hey this is one for perfume lovers and I need it in my arsenal.
This is an extremely decent and respectable new fragrance from Davidoff. The opening is ginger, grapefruit and that fresh/woody then clean and soapy accord of something more boring or that I would usually label as very mediocre designer business. However, the redeeming characteristics of Horizon are the warmer & dirtier elements in the base. There's patchouli and even a hint of cacao which you'd think has no business being in here but it is and makes for a subtly different dry down. You can't fault this fragrance for maintaining that fresh spicy feel throughout and an almost uplifting menthol type feel to the ginger and spice. I thoroughly enjoyed wearing it the other day. The performance was okay on me but it dies down to a very nice but close dry down which again I can't fault for not being a powerhouse. All in all this is well worth checking out. It didn't blow me away but it's nice to see a new release that is masculine, wearable and with an aspect of interest to it.
I suspect I consume more rhubarb or rhubarb flavoured things than the average person and although I accept this perfume is not necessarily the most accurate representation, is it nice? ...Yes! The opening is a mandarin/red berries even apple like but does contain that raw greeness and sharpness which evokes a rhubarb effect. It's not as authentic smelling as Comme des garçon rhubarb but by the same rule this lasts much longer and has more depth with a clean, floral musky base. This is simply a great fruity fragrance which is a bit lightweight and throwaway, and although I'm a fan of Hermes I've never really considered them the last bastion of quality perfumery so as such this doesn't disappoint. For me it fits into a cats gory of scents I need for my wardrobe, smells that are instantly gratifying and smell of things I enjoy. I bought this on the spot...the performance is average and the price is high for what it is but what can I say? I love it.
Loving every moment (or should I say page?) in this book of citrus collection. I was immediately complemented by a stranger when I wore this and in fairness for a lemon citrus fragrance the silage trail on this thing is absolutely massive, at least for the first 30 mins or so...and even beyond that. It does have a sugary quality of lemon drops but always authentic at the same time, there's a fizziness a lightness of touch and depth but without any pissy petitgrain more a touch of delicate white flowers. Monotheme have yet again produced a high quality citrus here which I had no longevity issues with because Boccioli di Limone performed very reasonably indeed. Thumbs up from me, I prefer the orange one because it is just that good...however , this is worthy of even the most hardened enthusiasts wardrobe.
Really interesting the way this one progresses through, very well blended notes. Starts out with a strong cedar note surrounded by citrus and florals and actually produces an extremely unique experience. It becomes increasingly more soapy and floral and as such feminine to my nose, actually reminds me of something my mum would wear. Nevertheless this is a well made and long lasting perfume with a great balance of elements, the jasmine and orange blossom for example are ever present but not overbearing and the scent remains clean, fresh and woody throughout. I probably wouldn't wear it myself but have quite enjoyed it on this occasion as a change from the norm.
I've not sampled a code flanker for ages and I wasn't expecting much if I'm honest. I was right not to Code Profumo is a very thick, clunky, gourmand. If it was a chocolate cake it would be so sickly you'd only manage a couple of bites. The opening is a modern mess of aroma chemistry evoking lots of other scents including the original Code. That's about where the comparisons end because it quickly becomes a needlessly dense synth Amber/Tonka bomb. No subtlety here at all the same sort of approach as the likes of Joop Wild, turning up the 'Intensity' to 11 is not always the best way to get a truly Intense fragrance. To be honest I've only tried it once and it didn't last very long on me but I'm prepared to dismiss that and instead be inclined to believe the votes on here which point toward a long lasting scent. I'm thinking perhaps didn't apply enough and showered shortly after. Anyway I have no opinion on Code Perfumo, it doesn't offend me nor does it have anything of interest to offer in my opinion. I won't be buying a bottle.
This is superb! To say Essence No.1 is a fresh citrus/vetiver is just not the entire story. I can't place my finger on quite what it is about No.1 that makes it so special? There's a more herbal feel over all and the citrus fruits are natural & beautiful but not even the main player. Essence No.1 is not just another fleeting lemony blast or a zesty mandarin orange it's a delicate balance which really does contain the lavender and possibly even some rose? It dries down to a vetiver kind of skin scent but again unlike anything I've smelled before, basically Liz Earle does what Jo Malone and Diptyque do with many of their fresh offering but with something better and more wearable, at least to my nose. I'm really impressed and tempted to add this to my collection as a perfect summer fragrance, which didn't last all that long but was acceptably average and hey I'm willing to let it off.
I really love this warm, easy going fragrance which was an unusual find for me in John Lewis. I say unusual as it was a John Lewis 'home' and doesn't normally stock cosmetic or fragrance products but this was among the few that were in store. The opening is one of fresh spices, clove, cinnamon, pink pepper and a host of other lovely stuff which is never overbearing for a second. You're immediately immersed in a softly edged vanilla, milky sandalwood, and guaic. Quite stunning really. Lasts okay and dries down to a sweet vanilla, I was reluctant to buy because there was no price on the bottle and I figured it might be expensive but I would definitely wear this delicate scent and have my eye on it.
This is magic! Really excellent, and my favourite so far from this line, I'm a big Monotheme fan just a crime that I don't own more of them really? A supreme mixture of zesty orange opening which is so fresh and lovely all the while maturing to something quite earthy in the base...woody for sure vetiver and even a hint of patchouli. If you're thinking orange? Vetiver? Could this be like TdH? You couldn't be more wrong this is very different much juicier but not lacking in a full body. Again not the longest lasting but I can forgive it as it lasts a bit longer than the bergamot one and smells as good if not better than many other orange fragrances.
Monotheme fragrances have a special place in my heart, not only are they great value but they deliver the goods too. These orange bottle ones are not just one note, rather a perfect compliment to bring out the featured note. Here it's bergamot and a great representation it is, lovely fresh opening with a touch of woods and white florals, and even a tiny hint of vanilla in the drydown. This is not particularly long lasting, but you get a couple of hours of really well crafted fragrance.
Yes okay we get it...Fortis smells like the divine and amazing Black Afgano. A couple of things to note, I think this has a slightly lighter, mellower, touch. Sometimes BA can go on hard and become a little overwhelming. Fortis is sweeter in the opening too and a bit more towards Carner Cuirs. I don't hold anything against Les Liquides Imaginaires for having a BA type scent, I mean we're not exactly falling over them are we? Not exactly like Aventus clones or yet another Oud/Rose combo is it? Most of the BA type scents are by Gaultieri himself so that doesn't count as a rip off either. I was happy with this one, smells exceptionally good, if not a little bit familiar.
Usually a big fan of Deadidol's reviews but not in this case it would seem. Yes Bello Rabelo has it's faults, the longevity is not there and it's not as instantly great as HdP Marquis de Sade (which I do agree is similar) but hey it's trying to be something different. Namely a wine scent and for me this wine trio from Liquides Imaginaires are perfectly executed. I'd go as far to say Bello Rabelo opens like a very fine red wine and as it dries down to port and then almost brandy. The immortelle, labdanum are a pungent basis for this perfume but never live up to there full resinous potential. There's a rounded almost gourmand sweetness in the dry down from a hint of vanilla. The point is, Bello Rabelo is so close, it's knocking on the door of perfection for me. I love the smell, it's sublime and sophisticated but ultimately becomes a skin scent too quickly, which I can almost forgive it for. Worth a sniff for sure.
Wow! Liquides Imaginaires certainly know how to do wine notes. My first experience of this house was in Paris and I bought Bloody wood on the spot, Dom Rosa is another winner in my book. This is the most accurate champagne smell I've encountered it fizzes up your nose and is instantly recognizable. This is followed by soft pears & grapes and the delicate perfume of rose. Dom Rosa is stunning and I don't even like champagne! It's also quite feminine but I really don't care, it's fresh, original and I can't help but love it. If you like champagne (which is most people except me) then you should try this right now...it's brilliant! Not especially strong or long lasting...it's been about 3 hours and I can still smell it but hey I'd forgive this scent almost anything!
I like this! Love the concept, name and the smell although challenging is nothing short of brilliant. Burning Barbershop is especially for those of us who are fans of Slumberhouse I'd say. The notes listed here make sense in a pinaud powder, barbershop sense and that in mind are perhaps just detectable, underneath a heap of smokey remains. I could hazard a guess as to what this smokey note is, the first review below say Cade, so lets go with that. The opening of this fragrance was reminiscent of the recent Imaginary Authors A city on fire. This is because of the savoury quality of the smoke evoking a BBQ or something? Well, I got from Burning Barbershop, very specifically... Hot dog wieners. Not sauages in the general terms or gourmet sage & onion stuffed ones...not even 'pork' in all likelihood... but salty frankfurters. This association passes thankfully and burning barbershop becomes an intensely smoked, woody scent with a hint of mint. It's bonkers. Absolutely mad. The silage is insane at first but dies back to a relatively manageable hum. I like it, I'd much rather Jeke or Norne If I was going this dark but still worth a sniff if you like a smokey, full on experience. Lasts well.
Something made me think this was going to be a very lovely but straight forward Olibanum/Galbanum, fresh, fizzy, green incense...I don't know what gave me that impression because it has the classic signature of Andy Tauer daubed all over it. There's olibanum charm here for sure but Incense Flash is very dry, slightly dirty and full of dense woodsy character. This is kind of incense which possesses virtually no sweetness whatsoever. Like a dry amber accord, that old bookcase vibe but without the warmth and instead more oily with all the exotic charm of the Marrakesh markets he seems to cram into his scents. This is very good and right up my street so many incense fragrances disappoint me, not by being bad just the same tired fragrance I've smelled a million times. Tauer has created an interesting resinous scent here, more in the style of L'ADDM or Lonestar memories than Incense extreme (which I found a bit dull) so credit to him.
Wow! Lampblack certainly grabbed my attention with it's dirty, boozy (make that petroleum) like introduction. There's a sharpness there from the citrus but a dirty coal smell starting to develop which is perfect considering the name. Just to say I haven't sampled anything from Bruno Fazzolari to date but I'm drawn to fragrances with names like Lampblack & Room 237 (anything that references The Shining has to be worth a sniff right?) So top marks for creating intrigue before I've even sampled them. As it settles down on my skin it's all about that Cypriol oil adding a spicy earth to proceedings. However, the further drydown is lighter on it's feet and I can actually smell the grapefruit now and what is more of a vetiver sort of vibe. Interesting stuff, I thought it was going to be hellishly strong after that opening but is actually quite disappointing. I love the way in which it has mellowed now. So a really good scent then but I feel it will be one to divide fragrance fans.
Superb fragrance the quality and finesse shine through in this deep intricate tobacco scent. Immediately does smell like Pure Havane and there's no doubt about it not enough innovation to make me want this over the Mugler. What Naxos does is a more gourmand and accurate smelling tonka bean note and touches of honey, rather than the cherry of TM PH. It reminds me as much of Parfums de Marly Oajan as it does anything else. The fact that I own both the Mugler and the Marly not to mention Tobacco vanille which in terms of lasting power, there's no contest. I've really tried to be fair in my appraisal here because Xerjoff have grown on me as a house but this fragrance is redundant and has been executed better and far far cheaper elsewhere. All it needs is one element to make it pop out from the crowd and I'd give it props for that...unfortunately it doesn't have anything to offer.
