What a sensation this fragrance is! I have to say I've very impressed and wasn't expecting to be so taken with a fragrance I immediately deemed to be 'Too feminine' just from looking at the name and the little card my sample came on. The truth is Rose Pompon is a fresh, breeze of loveliness and in actual fact not too rosy. The rose note is pride of place of course but sits on a thirst quenching and metallic background and foreground of palette cleansing, cool notes allowing the warmer rose to be suspended in and amoungst them. The opening is instantly berry like and that blackcurrant note doesn't give way to jammy raspberry but becomes greener and more metallic seeming extremely natural in the process. This works fantastically well with a light musky, uplifting feel all around and reminds me at times of Amouage Lyric man, with very clean and consise vibes. Rose Pompon doesn't quite reach the heights of lyric for me and if I'm honest dries to a slightly more powdery version of that opening but still very, very nice indeed and something I'd have no trouble wearing. I didn't apply a great deal and performance has been okay so far but difficult to judge, I'd say it's on the lighter end of the spectrum. Reminds me of an old school teacher I had when I was a kid too, strange how that association just popped into my head, she obviously wore something similar. I'd have to say this is not your typical rose scent, we'll certainly not the deep oud/rose bombs I've become accustomed to sampling and it's great to appreciate rose in a different context. Rose pompon delivered for me I actually love this scent and I'd love it on a woman even more...hats off to Annick Goutal.
Eau des Sens is a whole orange tree in bloom. And it's the first orange blossom I try that feels whole. Many perfumes feel very sweet, kind of synthetic, or very indolic. There's a moment for everything but I appreciate the naturalness that emanates from this wonderful Diptyque. The opening feels hot, just what the reviewer below mentioned. Spot on! Petitgrain and Angelica provide a soft focus bitter effect that provides dimension. You're in a orange grove, it's late summer but the heat hasn't subsided yet. It's midday and as the scorching sun makes your vision blurry you suddenly catch the smell of the trees in front of you. The wood, the bitter green leaves, the sticky sap on your fingers, the sweet smell of the flowers above. You close your eyes and you feel you are the tree. As the fragrance evolves, you climb higher on said tree. You reach the blossoms that are releasing their sweet nectar filling the air. You see that the sun is starting to set, and the heat starts to subside, but just enough to let the flowers bloom. You reach for them and you feel how the scent fills your nose. Sweet nectar. The base brings the whole of the tree. You reach the top and you look around you. Clear skies, the smell of various trees ahead, the soil that surrounds you. You smell everything at once, and then you keep catching glimpses of the various stages. I sprayed it on me 5 hours ago, and right now I'm getting the most glorious whiffs of orange blossom, just like traditional Lebanese orange blossom water. Glorious! Excellent sillage, and so far very good longevity. A different direction for Diptyque but a very very good one!
I'm going to go out on a limb here and say that Marc Jacobs is a brand that is marketed more toward women than men. I say this because there's only one dedicated 'Men's' fragrance which has been out for some years now and always seems to be relegated to the bottom shelf in department stores. Women (well the few I know) seem to display a better knowledge of the brand, and I've often wondered why? Perhaps the other products or feminine perfumes are really good? (I pondered...) Because some of the unisex 'splashes' I've tried smell really quite good but don't last due to rubbish concentration and being light by nature. (same story with for men) I actually like a innovative bit of design and the chintzy handbag look of the bottle, serves to appeal to another accessory women love...shrewd. I actually really dig the colour of the bottle too, that deep teal is visually appealing to me. However, the scent itself is not something I'd recommend due to the fact I see this as a slightly second rate perfume in the mould of Tom Ford Black Orchid. Doesn't quite have the mystery of BO even, the top notes are an exotically sweet cocktail of tart, plummy berries and exotic flowers (I'm surprised there's non listed? although could be the orris/jasmine sambac combo?) which is actually really pleasant and although too feminine for me, I like it. The problem is this lasts for all of about 5 mins before that same fruity smell becomes cloying and a bit nauseating to tell the truth. This is made worse by that Black orchid association, notes of thick chocolaty patchouli and a powdered amber base just make this thick and stodgy. The mid stage of this scent is really powdery orris/amber which coupled with the top notes was a slightly dizzying and painful wear for me. Okay this is the perpective of a man and as such no authority on women's fragrance but I do occasionally dip in when something takes my fancy or in this case I was given samples. Marc Jacobs Decedence is worth a try but I honestly didn't think it was anything special...good job the performance was average and washed off quite easily.
I hate to say this, and especially as the first review but I was disappointed with this release from Cerruti. I blind bought as it was cheap, which was another oddity. A fragrance so new it wasn't even on Fragrantica nor did it have a tester (in the store I went to) and yet was already reduced in the bargain bin? Bizarre!!?!?! This is the fragrance equivalent of a straight to DVD movie and unfortunately it smells that way too. It reminds me of the new line of Gucci fragrances with a touch of a hand-cream type vibe, which I hate! Opens with citrus/bergamot and then enters a powdered, synthetic,'clean' feel which could maybe account for a soapy cardamom spice? There is a touch of lavender and aquatic sebreeze maybe? I don't get a vetiver base from it either, 1881 Sport is just a bit of a mess. Basically if you are expecting (like I was) a delivery of the notes listed here with the classy touch of the original Cerruti 1881 then prepare to be disappointed. This is a bland affair, generic and just not good enough. I hate to be so negative but I smelled it before and it wasn't inspiring the first time. Performance is actually very good, which will be good news for those young men going out on the town leaving choking clouds in their wake but not for the average user who won't care how long it lasts as I guarantee you'll be sick of it within an hour. I'm being hard on this because my expectations were high (not that high but hey) and it still didn't measure up. The smell isn't awful and not 'Bad' as such but I had to vote dislike because I can't put up with this kind of release anymore. The main reason I'm so hard on 1881 Sport is because I foolishly blind bought it, like an idiot! (remember there was no tester) and I've just no room for this kind of mediocrity in my wardrobe.
This is yet another amazing and unique smelling perfume. There's no messing around here, the name perfectly suits what this is, a dark earthy and sensual fragrance. The noise my girlfriend made upon sniffing this was almost one of arousal and there's me thinking it might be a bit too strange for her. The opening is a spicy dense ebony woods and oud with non of that medicinal, ambery sensibility just dank, hardcore, strength. There's a hint of the natural greenness from vetiver, papyrus and patchouli but nothing strong enough to dominate the incense wood of the base. Whatever else is in Black ebony conspires to make yet another unique signature from this house, even the patchouli in this which is earthy yes but somehow is transformed in this context into something I haven't smelled before. Bella Bellissima could never be accused of lacking innovation and this is another wonderful example. Brilliant!!!
I enjoy this fragrance for what it is, an east does west, not quite fresh, I'd say more trying to be 'fresh' but with a heavy core. The notes are blended into obscurity but in a good way, a definite opening of citrus which becomes more orange like as the fragrance settles. I'm not sure what pepper smells like in Madagascar but it certainly isn't what I'm used to and there's no sharp spice in here, Chastity is smooth and rounded out. Not quite sure what it reminds me of? I wanted to say more balsamic brews like Scent Story 24 or Loewe Solo...but it's better and more appealing to me than either of those. There probably is patchouli in here bulking up the base and a definite musk, I have to say I really like it and I'm impressed with the few Arabic houses I've sampled recently. Rasasi probably making the most westernized, mainstream type scents but they still have an eastern grandeur to them. The longevity is good and the projection light but meaningful.
Well I feel privileged to be the first reviewer of this scent because it exudes a confident charm. The fact that Francis Kurkdjian is a collaborator is not surprising at all because this has the mark of MFK style perfumes like APOM or Amyris. I'm very suprised there's no white florals listed in the notes here because after a gorgeously fresh opening of citruses and a hint of ginger there's a core of pure orange blossom/neroli. These elements are tempered very well indeed because usually not my cup of tea I find them elegant and respectfully handled. I can see how the soapy spice of cardamom could be a big player in the overall sensation the fragrance gives. Additionally the boost of that waxy floral core serves to prolong the bitter citrus top note of grapefruit making the freshness not a brief flirtation but a more lasting affair. The drydown is warmer too, compared to something in a similar vein...let's say Mugler Cologne and that is perhaps some of that amber coming through? I really can't say for sure but it definitely behaves better on my skin that many seemingly similar fragrances. I'm wearing it today and find it massively enjoyable even more so than the occasional dip into MFK samples. Carven L'eau Intense strikes up a really good balance and that to me is what makes a good fragrance, even when it contains less of my favourite notes. Longevity I can tell already is going to be fairly good for such a delicate scent, especially when it gets on clothes. (I suppose that's not really saying much as most things last on clothing but you know what I mean.) I'm singing L'eau Intense's praises then and about time because I wasn't that keen on the last two revamped releases. This one is a must try and (I'm assuming?) a cheaper alternative for MFK fans.
Hard to pick out the notes in this one, but sandalwood is definitely the basis for this very pleasant creamy fragrance. The opening is a modern smell citrus which does have a hint of pepper but that's more spice from the sandalwood rather than being anything like the original bang. Another noticable difference is that BB lasts quite a while if retreating to a mellow skin scent quickly, I can still smell it a good 6 hours later. I actually really like this as I do with the original but I'm always reluctant to buy because of the poor longevity but in terms of creativity this one is just as innovative and likeable as the pepper bomb. I might well add this to my collection.
A very soft floral vanilla, which in my opinion is just a little too feminine for me to wear and I reckon I have a pretty high tolerance for the soft, sweet and even at times peachy. The opening is a lucious Amber and hints of exotic flowers and some clean white florals, it settles to more of a caramel, vanilla a kind of gourmand Amber. To my nose a very lovely fragrance and in keeping with the excellent releases from this house if you are looking for a vanilla fragrance with very soft edges and great performance then it's worth checking out, just not for method one.
Wow! Posting this review now and looking at Endymions comment I thought exactly the same...surely the original Issey is as fresh as it gets and to some just as irritating. Yeah so my thoughts on a fresh version are...is it going to be one of those watery, cucumber and kiwi summer editions all packaged up in yet another tired new flanker. I was pleasantly surprised though when I smelled it, discovering a nicely nuanced, fresh but masculine addition to the range. Opens with bitter citruses and it almost has something rough of vetiver or oakmoss to it and a peppery twang which rules it out of being just another boring aquatic or really smelling like the Original L'eau d'Issey. It undoubtedly has that DNA but not in anywhere near as full effect as you'd expect. So 'Fraiche' is not the most suitable name for this one it dries down quite earthy on my skin but still with a long lived citrus. In fact the longevity was very very good indeed and is still clinging to clothes days later. I like this outing from IM it's not bad at all and worth consideration among many mundane fresh fragrances like this around.
I definitely tried this perfume before I'm sure of it, there's so many 212 Flankers now it's a little hard to keep track. If you wanted to create a Sexy version of 212 this would certainly be how you'd go about it, much warmer than the original and a generally sweeter, more cozy, oriental feel to the whole thing. Upon re-sampling recently, It reminded me of fragrance flankers like Hot Water, or the older Xeryus Rouge but still with those synthetic and green tones of the original poking through. The overall feel though is one of creamy vanilla, musk, amber and spiced woods which oddly retains quite a masculine demeanor throughout. It's quite a throw away flanker and truly nothing special but I really like it, the same way I did the original in the late 90's. I didn't really pay much attention to the performance but that tells me it can't have been anything remarkable. If I see it marked down in price I'd buy 212 Sexy Men as it's typical of something I might reach for when I'm not sure what to wear.
I have to give it a 'like' because it's not bad...but what is Parisian break? I'd say uber generic piffle. It's mainly Ambroxan to my nose, there's a ton of citrus and sage and its minty too, which reminds me of Invictus/Eros/some Gucci blah...and the recent Sauvage. For all its powdered, homogeneousness (yeah yeah you won't find that in any dictionaries.) it does have something slightly masculine in there could be some vetiver? Not that it's very evident, certainly not worthy of being the top of the vote notes...bizarre. Like I said it's not bad but really doesn't excite me and is even a touch incipid after a while but hey it lasts very well, not that it matters.
Opens with a lushious, sharp, green texture which is fresh and definitely smells of poppy, a floral smell I'm actually familiar with. It's not particularly pleasant or sweet but very naturally, sappy and slightly metallic I also detect a hint of resin in here perhaps galbanum seeing as it's a lasting fresh, greenness. Throughout Piment Brulant there's a strength from that pimento at the back, peppered heat in all its glory and a definite hint of that earthy, bitter-sweet Cocoa which works as perfectly in this perfume as it does in a chocolate & chili dessert. As it dries down this becomes stronger and more and more what the fragrance is all about, really feels like it might burn your nose if you sniff it for too long. I think the desired effect is similar to others from this perfumer, a real challenge to the senses, coupled with something I actually enjoy wearing, like Timbuktu. I think Bertrand Duchaufour great and although this isn't my favourite of his work I can't help but appreciate the craft. I think if you like green openings coupled with very spicy drydowns but at the same time quite weak, translucent, skin scents....then I'd recommend this one. Not a big projector and with average lasting power Piment Brulent was an enjoyable fragrance for me.
I took the name as a literal description of the ingredients and was ready to comment that the orris root has a very violet like quality...well turns out judging by the notes here there's violet in there too, not a surprise. I have to say it opens with more of the sandalwood oddly, I got a very nice smooth milky quality with iris and a hint of earth. As Orris & sandalwood settles and drys down becomes much more floral powder than spicy woods, delivering everything I expected from this fragrance. So it's good but not mind blowing, I like the simple compositions Jo Malone has released of late, especially when the notes complement each other so well, and even if it's something I don't particularly like. Suffers slightly from the old Jo Malone longevity issues, even in its Cologne Intense concentration...but it's not bad, lasts several hours but sits low due to the nature of this scent. Worth a sniff I think.
I reserved my predictions for this fragrance because I really hated the original Ideal and I didn't want that to be the case for this flanker. Thank heavens Ideal cologne is much better to my nose, citrus bite and creamy almond could go so wrong but here it is absolutely perfectly handled. My main gripe with the first ideal was that it was so synthetically sweet and uber strong that there was no nuance, nothing to cut through what I deemed a sickly, unfocused mess of a fragrance. No problems with that here, citrus fruits fresh and long lasting in the opening, light musky woods and a very light but vanilla/almond which is sweet and light more like a hint of sweet Marzipan than a heavy dose of almonds or heliotrope or that over done tonka bean in many new fragrances, which I just can't abide. This lasts nicely but is very close to the skin and I even bought myself a heavily reduced gift set right there on the spot...Guerlian have redeemed what I unpopularly thought was a real dud release with this decent flanker which is more toward one of my favourite citrus and almond combo's mandorlo di Sicilia. I'm happy with my purchase.
I really enjoyed this fragrance, it opens with a deep, spiced mandarin infused with ginger and some earth from vetiver and patchouli. It's nothing like Hermes TDH by the way, despite the similar notes, Eau d'Aromes isn't dry it's fuller, warmer and almost incense like. Very impressive considering I'm not that fond of the original, Nuit I'll have to try again and Cedre was downright disappointing. I'm glad I like one of this range but it's nothing super remarkable, it's quite the smooth, crowd pleaser really. Also, the longevity was an issue, not the worst in the world but only lasted a few hours before becoming a very low humming skin scent. All in all I have to be positive and say this Armani was worth a sniff for sure and if it was dirt cheap in a sale or something, I'd get a bottle.
Thank heavens Givenchy don't completely follow in the footsteps of other designer brands because when you think about it Pi and Play are quite unconventional male fragrances and then they have older classics like Gentlemen and Xeryus. The original Gentlemen Only is inoffensive and has never compelled me to purchase but this flanker of a flanker (of sorts) I have to say I really enjoyed. I don't really know what it is about casual chic that I was so impressed with because it's pretty standard fare. I think I was just glad it was a gagging, confused mess. The opening focuses on a peppered, fizzy gin & tonic juniper vibe which is just as refreshing as citruses and coupled well with the ginger which is fresh and spicy at the same time. I immediately associate that feeling with Dior Homme Sport a fragrance I rarely wear but when I do always enjoy. The base seems to be a more grown up hint of smokey birch and synthetic cedar which is masculine and works well behind those top notes. Lasting power is average and silage light but I'd say this is a decent fragrance and surpassing the original for sure in my book.
This fragrance is quite the enigma. It has a strange but familiar blend of characteristics one being a creamy sandalwood, guaic and oud splendor, a sweet vanilla and cinnamon, which becomes more evident as it dries down and similar to 24 Gold or Raghba, and a soapy floral element too. The powdered woods in the opening to me point towards a hint of rose but apparently it's not listed in the notes here? Something is giving quite a strong floral effect and I accept it could be jasmine, whatever it is it's very nice. This fragrance grabbed me as utilizing lots of middle eastern techniques and just had an overriding opulence which I love and would attribute to many more elusive and expensive fragrances. This fragrance is so far up my street it's ridiculous! I was so impressed in fact that I bought Khalis Oudi on the spot. Great performance a wonderful enveloping smell but without cloying or being too strong, I give this fragrance top marks and a welcome addition to the collection. Oh and on a side note, a really well package fragrance I throw nearly all my boxes away unless they are niche and very special, I still wouldn't keep this one but its nicely decorated. The bottle has actual cinnamon inside which I think is a nice touch and although I detect it in the scent it's not that prominent. This is the Lataffa for you if you like what Raghba has to offer without being too sweet, just get Khalis Oudi it's magnificent.
To quote that guy from Man Vs Food... "Oh my goodness...OH...MY...GOODNESS!" I've finally got this fragrance, blind bought as I couldn't find it anywhere in the UK, despite Bentley being a overtly British brand. I couldn't be happier unwrapping the satisfyingly chunky bottle and well thought out cap design, smelling a slight remnant on the sprayer as I was doing so. The first sparay to me was a magic carpet ride of sandalwood and spices and L'air du desert marocain immediately sprung to mind. It stays that way for ten minutes or so then becomes a boozier more amber focused manly scent. I'd say it's a beutiful fresh faced, love child of LDDM, Dirty English, Lubin Idole, and Tom Ford for Men...maybe with a hint of Amouage Epic in there for good measure. I think it's the incense and greasy (in a good way) drydown that reminds me of Amouage, praise indeed. Well , I've boarded the hype train well and truly, very glad I listened to the countless reviewers and champions of this fragrance on fragrantica, Tony T not least of them. When many informed people get behind something you pretty much know it has special qualities to offer, doesn't make you a sheep or weak minded. If I thought this was a dud or had no merit even if it wasnt to my tastes....I would just say so. Thankfully, Bentley Intense is an amazing fragrance, truly a wonderful addition to my wardrobe and something I will reach for in the future. Perfromance/silage and projection seem pretty good so far....It's a winner this one. Update: thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed wearing this fragrance today, what a treat it is. Good lasting power more complexity in the drydown, sweet booziness a hint of vanilla, rum n coke, Baldessarini Ambre/chambre noire...and an earthy patchouli. This fragrance is quite simply show stopping and I'm well and truly in love.
I thought I had reviewed this when it came out, turns out I didn't and subsequent re sampling has not changed my mind about Intenso. It's opens quite nicely if not generically with that lavender tinged aquatic vibe straight from the original D&G Pour Homme. I was a fan in the nineties but I think I've outgrown the original Pour Homme. The problem with Intenso is the attempt to shoehorn in some deeper, more sensual notes of Amber and tobacco. The problem is the 'tobacco' doesn't smell accurate and clashes with the whole fresh appeal of Pour Homme. The same argument could be made for Amber only to a lesser extent. Initially quite nice, then after 1/2 hour or so I found it irritating and sour on my skin. The longevity is pretty poor but don't get me wrong I can't say I hate Intenso, it's far from offensive, just not very good.
The opening is very green and juicy conveying something similar to a fig like smell but with somewhat of a lavender and violet powdery vibe. This one settles to something far less interesting, a lightly spiced soapy vibe of vetiver and geranium but with a bitter muskiness. I get the pink pepper not much anise though, it's a bit toothless to be honest and is a little confused...or confusing? I say that because I liked the opening then I hated the mid of this fragrance and now it's dried down to a whimpering skin scent it actually smells really good. The problem is it's barely there, I have to say it peaked my interest, transitioning absolutely so that's something at least.
Montecristo is a fragrance that needs to mature in the bottle before showing its true colors. When I first tried it after buying my bottle, it felt somewhat flat, with less sillage and longevity than the tester bottle. So I quickly set it aside, hidden in my wardrobe. Fast forward to this autumn. I began using my Musc Tonkin again and noticed that the scent was much deeper with an even more pronounced animalic vibe. I also started using Salome more often and it also felt more rich than when I got my bottle this last summer. So I added 1+1 and the common note in all three? Hyrax! After some Google and blog search, it turns out that Hyrax needs some time to mature when bottled. As the aging process begins, the note comes alive and starts infusing its animalic qualities, warming the fragrance and making the complementary facets surface. So I dug my bottle of Montecristo and sprayed a couple of times on my chest and neck. Wow! The opening bang was more or less like the first encounter. A sudden rush of alcohol, animal notes, wood and leather fighting for dominance. Notes aren't different, but instead of muted they appear in technicolor. The rum is boozy and the ambrette shows that warm skin sensation of a lover licking its loved ones nape. I don't detect cumin, but I do detect the facets of civet and castoreum that Hyrax has in its DNA. The woods are dry, but the patchouli lends an earthiness that makes the whole image seem less arid and much more lived in. As a whole, the fragrance is animalic, boozy, sweet and woody. It gives me the same feeling of dusty rooms that L'air de Rien does. Only difference is that L'air de Rien takes place among the dusty shelves of the library, while Montecristo happens in the living room; half lit candles, a bottle of rum, worn leather sofa, a wooden floor full of memories and the warmth given of by the people in the room. No idea what they're doing. But when the animalics start to rise and growl, up until the very last minute, it's pretty obvious that the aforementioned sofa is gonna get a lot more torn! Excellent longevity with above average sillage.
I'd love to echo some of the positive reviews here and say that this new release from Armani is an antidote to the bland designer releases we are constantly subjected to but sadly I can't. I wanted to like this the minute I saw the bottle and was kindly furnished with 3 sample vials but it is sadly lacking and not really the classic cedar I had hoped for. It's a modern accord of fresh citrus opening, synthetic or faux, leathery, violet, sage...lavender...herbal...I don't know what? The composition is a little muddled for me and when settled becomes a clean spicy cedar and cardamom...but 'something' is just off about it...and that I actively don't like. Rare because I'm fairly easily impressed and like to think I go easy on many fragrances, slated by other critics in the fragrance community but nothing about Armani Eau de Cedre makes it stand out from the crowd. That would even be okay if it had something I liked in there to redeem it but it doesn't. I've tried it in store and once at home but I will persevere with my samples and who knows? perhaps I'll change my mind about it? For now though I'm not impressed.
Well, I'd seen a couple of YouTube reviews before I got my nose on this and I have to say I didn't have high hopes. The general concensus was that "...it's okay." and I have to say I think the same. It starts out with a fruity, fresh accord which I can't really attribute to the fruit (which I've never heard of before) but nevertheless is very pleasant. There is warmer tones and perhaps some ginger? But the scent inevitably turns into a generic smel that is vaguely reminiscent but hard to place. If usually jump on the bandwagon of haters and say ..."why can't the designer game come up with something original for a change?" Or words to that effect. Well...do you know what? As long it's not awful I'm going to can that kind of rhetoric. Boss have made a scent which maybe uninteresting but is it bad? No...it dries down to a vaguely boring lavender, and spiced rum accord mixed with a clean artificial musk/Ambery vibe, which in essence is a crowd pleasing, chemical blob, neither one thing or another but as such appeals to most (well not most Fragranticians it would seem?) is pretty warm and nice and actually lasts about 4 hours, projecting mildly. I've no hate for this one only luke warm "meh"
