Potion is a warm spicy woody fragrance which I'm honestly going to have to give more airtime because it should be the sort of fragrance that excites me. It opens a little herbal, peppery but soon warms to a cinnamon and ambery heart. I could've sworn there's some vanilla in this which is smooth against the roughness. I tried Gucci Pour Homme once but in honesty I don't remember what it smelled like but I thought it was rougher more like CDG 2 Man? Potion is far from rough it's a smooth amber and woody base which for me is perfectly balanced. A second wear is definitely required as this fragrance has been on my radar for a while..it just smells good.
This is something I've smelled before a blend of citrus and aquatic notes to create a really disappointing fragrance. Shame really because the others in the Potion collection are pretty good. The Original is okay but the Black Potion? Wow that's a really good fragrance. A few people mentioning how banal and unoriginal this fragrance is, I can agree with that in the main part but there's a unique note in there must be that hemlock? I don't know? But something about this fragrance stayed with me, not necessarily in a good way. All in all it's a cedar and citrus dominated fresh fragrance which I wasn't fond of and does grab me, with so many better fragrances on the market why would you get this one as the longevity and projection are abysmal.
Goes on like a smelly cheese this fecal note will put off all but the hardest of fragrance lovers. Seriously, moon aoud has Montale written all over it and takes about 20 mins to settle in to what the fragrance is all about then a further hour or so to become palatable. When it does however it's a delight even when that opening is still lingering slightly something bold, defiant and interesting about what is in essence...a bad smell. It's the mixture of Oud and a raw leather accord which creates that olfactory car crash I know I should hate but can't help sniffing. The rose explodes in the heart with a calm after the storm effect which completes takes over from the leather and Oud which take a gentler backseat...still there though. It becomes implausibly Good in the deep dry down the smell left on my skin was deliciously woody.
Pierre Montale's credentials are questionable for me are far as Oud perfumes are concerned. However, even if not all to my taste, the artistry and quality is always apparent. I'm amazed at how diverse the fragrance collection is with what is quite a limited range of notes he seems to play with the accords of things like Oud, rose and leather within themselves creating a wealth of new bases for fragrances and somehow retaining a signature. Opening with... surprise, surprise lime. Yes I read the notes on this page before I tried it and was disappointed not to find lime there. So imagine my joy when it was there... Harmony in the universe had been restored! It's not a citrus more like those chocolate (probably patchouli) lime sweets you can get. (which I actually don't care for!) And call me mad but the opening has a malty whisky vibe to it to me just for a moment. Aoud lime features yet another take on Oud coupled with Rose and patchouli. When the rose starts out it's a rose lovers dream but frankly too much for me. The patchouli in this creates an earthy dirty vibe which is carried into the dry down when the rose settles right back it's pure Oud and filthy patchouli, very dark indeed. There's a spiceness to it which keeps it sharp despite all that wood and mud. Insane longevity and projection as with every Montale I've ever sampled.
I'm not really that familiar with Aquatic fragrances for women but when I tried this one I have to say I thought they were being treated to some good juice from M.A.C. Now I've discovered it's unisex I'm happy that guys(not really me) will get a wear out of it because it's wonderfully aquatic in a way that many other supposed aquatics aren't. Hard to pin point quite what I mean by that? Maybe its that citrus or a salty marine or calone accord (especially in male aquatics) doesn't represent the true freshness of the broader term 'Aquatic'. Well Turquatic does just that before I knew the name I commented on my friends aroma and said 'mmmmm..nice. Very aquatic.' before I knew the name or saw that strange bottle. Anyway it's mainly cedar with a hint of water lily and something a little sweet wrapped in a fresh lightweight accord that I defy anyone to dislike. This cosmetics giant is known for being pricey and I'm not sure how much this juice costs but I can imagine it's probably expensive compared to high street designer fragrances. Didn't do a proper longevity test on my own skin only on my hand and it was gone pretty quick. My friend was carrying it in her handbag and was reapplying it so that told me it probably doesn't last well either. All in all smells really nice can't fault the scent.
I always think I've reviewed fragrances then it turns out I haven't. I think I've posted a review for the others in this collection and I remember not being all that impressed by all but one of them. Un Jardin sur le toit, I definitely hadn't tried so I thought I'd better give it a go and you know it's not bad either. Green, fruity, slightly floral this to me is more of the garden vibe than the others it has a very natural spring/summer breeze thing about it. Again no real depth beyond that though and I wasn't expecting it to, just delivers a very fresh accord. Smells great on my girlfriend might be another one I'll try to convince her to get. Didn't last all that long on me but felt good to begin with so all in all not bad.
I first tried this a few years ago and thought it was magic and now I've worn it properly on my skin, I know it is! Amazing, warm, aromatic resin of Peru balsam and that orange note as it opens is superb. Then as it dries down, creamier elements of caramel and woods develop. To my nose it's a warm base of amber, Tonka bean and sandalwood with some not so warm cedar to balance it. Elixir des Marveilles is a great fragrance, totally unisex and worthy of a wear with moderate to Soft sillage and good longevity. I did make my girlfriend try it and she really liked it we could both just as easily wear this, I'm sold on this Hermes fragrance.
Chocolat Frais to me is right away a feminine smell but just through familiar association I think? It reminds me of the smell of a womans hair or more specifically her head.(Not in a weird way!) Unfortunately I really don't know what I mean by that other than that's what it reminds me of. The chocolate accord in this is tempered with the odd notes of absinthe and heliotrope which to me gives it a totally different feel and one more pleasant and interesting than Chocolat Amere. Rare notes in this and not something you smell everyday certainly not like Angel to my nose, the chocolate in that is totally different. Long lasting and makes me think I'll wear it again before branding it too feminine. I don't think it's ever going to end up in my collection anyway because I personally only need one chocolate fragrance and it's between coco blanc and chocolate greedy for me.
I remember trying this when it came out and it obviously never grabbed me because here I am 15 years later giving it a second chance...and it's not too bad you know? The first thing that attracted me was the gimmicky and actually quite innovative bottle design. I like it when a vastly different and unconventional sprayer mechanism has been incorporated and that's exactly what ultraviolet has. Also, I'm quite cynical usually but the whole Purple being the 'colour of the age of Aquarius' and all that is actually right up my street. Fragrances don't need a concept, inner depth or meaning to exist but I think it's cool/amusing when they try to! The juice is fairly ordinary the opening is fresh and green, not minty as such but with the combination of oakmoss giving more of a green feel. Then the amber and vanilla heart give this a different feel again especially compared with those top notes. It's dries down like vetiver cleaness vanilla and amber without changing much. Do I like it? Well I'm not mad at it...still don't love it the longevity and projection are mediocre to good. Only worn it the once but I may well revisit if I can get a another sample.
Love this fragrance! For me it's a pretty harsh unforgiving floriental opening which is strong with resinous goodness, nose burningly so. Have no doubt Van Cleef is a no holds barred fragrance but as it settles the tonka bean, vanilla and creamy sandalwood tone it all down to a lovely elegant scent. I enjoy the strength and quality of this juice I picked it out as being something my girlfriend would enjoy due to her love of YSL Opium, not that they're similar but put me in mind of each other. This is for women who like their perfume in a more traditional and less contemporary sense. Van Cleef is warm, inviting and lasts for an age and I was right my girl loves it!
I echo the comment below! Another new fragrance that needn't of been released as it shows no creativity whatsoever. Pure homogenization! I'm a lover of violets and lavender generally but even I was bored to tears by this. It doesn't bring anything new to the accord. I understand that it's about making money as much as anyone. I just wish these new designer fragrances would stop being so safe and deliver something that might be polarising and unpopular with some but could be a masterpiece to others...It's just like music... originally can still be achieved!
I was trying the Male version and thought I'd give this a try as I'm not adverse to the odd fragrance aimed at women. For Her is a dire, generic floral, a peach/apricot/rose/musk thing which smells so similar to a million others. Doesn't smell bad as such just shows no imagination whatsoever and is a unit shifter, maybe just out in time for mothersday? I'm no expert but I thought Karl Lagerfeld fragrances were maybe a little daring or racy...Not this one!
I go in to my local Space NK all the time in the hope that they might suddenly start stocking more fragrance lines than they do currently. The only two brands that have masculine appeal are Acqua di Parma of which I've tried everything and Nasomatto which they don't seem to have the full range. I've tried laughter Nuit (a feminine) from Space NK's own line and was very impressed by it, nothing mind blowing but I loved it and was trying to convince my girlfriend to get it. So now I'm glad I've now stumbled upon the masculine line because both fragrances are very impressive. Unfortunately I can't review NK Man as it's not in the database which is a shame because it's a wonderful scent. This one... 'Blue' is equally good in a different way and really complex for a standard male 'own brand' fragrance. I got each note from it with a definite balance and progression as it ages on the skin. It opens with lime citrus and super clean cedar which to me is prominent throughout. There's a hint of basil and maybe a little pepper, anise and as it settles down, more Oakmoss. It's definitely a manly smell without being overtly so. Nothing magnificent here but just a very good creation which would be a smart choice for those who enjoy the lighter citrus side of designer perfumery but want something that's a break from the normal fair but still retains the quality of a Chanel or Dior. Not surprisingly a quality fragrance has a quality nose behind it. Sillage is soft, Longevity was fairly impressive.
Well I never...I'm not a fan of this house at all but this is a bit of a stunner from Caron. Okay okay 'stunner' might be a bit strong and you might think I'm a little too easily impressed but I really like Yuzu man. I still have plenty of sample juice left for several more wears and this has to be one of the best Yuzu notes I've encountered it's sharp and refreshing and the lemon verbena reminds me of a fizzy lemonade lolly vibe I get from a L'Occitane fragrance the name of which escapes me. Anyway Caron Yuzu man had a definite fresh fig quality too and it creates more of a watery vibe than most aquatics do without even trying. The base is a subtle cedar which compliments the whole composition and adds to the transparent nature of this juice. Yuzu man is thirst quenching almost like you could down the whole bottle and it would be ice cool & hydrate you 400% more than water.(or some other extreme fraction of hyperbole) The only downside to this super simple, almost perfect summer juice is that it performed very poorly longevity wise. I want a citrus that lasts and this doesn't at least on my first two wears. I'm going to persevere with it though and see how I get on but I suspect if it doesn't last when I'm not as active in the cooler months it won't last during activity in the height of summer. Still a great fragrance though...maybe some musk in the base wouldve given it a little more staying power? Who knows? Update: The drydown spices up a touch after that wonderfully juicy opener, I can detect fig and a slightly more herbal quality coming through. The cedar is a nice base but still doesn't last on my skin, it does however last on clothing which isn't really saying much because most fragrance does. Shame because this smells great and is more than meets the eye...or nose.
Patchouli will never be my favourite smell but on the other hand it can be so varied that it makes up a crucial part of some of my favourite fragrances. As I've mentioned many times it's the other notes which make or break patchouli by bringing out totally different characteristics. I was looking forward to this one being the Le Labo that finally turned me on to this house. The opening to Patchouli 24 was so harsh and bracing that I honestly thought it may have done just that. Smokey tar and a filthy patchouli note burst forth from this juice giving it a very unique and challenging flavour. It's burnt, rubbery and hardcore but not the classic dirty patch note that repels me, something is different in this and quite possibly... worse! Like I said the opening few minutes are a boundary testing olfactory experience which I found thought provoking but then for me soon turns to something I would NEVER wear and can't really understand. It's pretty awful and the longer it goes on the worse it gets. Smokey is fine and something about Patchouli 24 has a strange appeal but it's really not to my taste. Come back Bergamote and vetiver all is forgiven you might be fairly pedestrian but infinitely more palletable and likable than this one.
Woah, this stuff jumps out of the bitter choclate thing of the original chocolat for a powdery floral opening which just remains on the right side of favour by being ultimately cacao and nutmeg at it's heart. Strangely I enjoy this fragrance but I'm conscious that Chocolat Amere is very feminine and reminds me of the smell of a woman. I couldn't wear it myself but can appreciate it and the quality is good as is longevity.
Vagabond prince enchanted Forrest. Woah!!! my oh my!!! Fruity blackberries, cassis, resins, rum, oakmoss, cedar that's what I get from enchanted Forrest. The rest of the notes are definitely in there...no doubt about it but are so well blended it's difficult to pull apart the complexity. Just one of those fragrances you can stand back and admire. This Forrest is definitely enchanted, it has the air of a fine wine about it bold deep & fruity just a brilliant, individual piece of work. The dry down is gorgeous and gets more into the musty Forrest floor it becomes close to the skin and above all exudes quality. Oooh it's gone a bit animal now a few hours in and I'm definitely getting civet and slightly decaying leaves...interestingly dark. The longevity on this is pretty average too!
Comparisons to Comme des Garcon 2 Man are valid but I think Vetiver 46 has a likeness close to Encre noire also. It's less subtle than encre noire and more spiced like 2 Man, I loved the peppery, smokey, woody frankincense opening. The vetiver is present and earthy, clean and enjoyable but I found the smoke a little more intrusive for the first hour or so than the more elegant Encre Noire. When it's dried down it takes on a character of it's own and is less like anything else but just a pleasant woody scent. Again I have to say Le Labo are building accords around certain notes trying to create interesting perfume and largely failing for me, the likes of Comme des garcon as an example do a better job. I need to reserve judgement on the house until I've tried more but that's 5 now and not one standout fragrance amongst them. Don't get me wrong this is right up my street and smells good but I prefer the two I've likened Vetiver 46 to and if I'm feeling in a melancholic, cloudy mood I will rock them instead. I don't want it however, I'd never discourage anyone from getting this fragrance... its good.
Right Santal 33 was the one Le Labo I'd really been looking forward to. I mean it's sandalwood how can you mess that up? Well they've tried their hardest here. I can see why the green, watery almost cucumber like smell of papyrus might juxtapose yet compliment the creamy, spicy, woodiness of sandalwood...but it doesn't. To me the opening was awful and nothing like the soft beautifully composed 33 note extravaganza I was anticipating. I was really disappointed that was until the sandalwood begins to develop and oh boy when it does it's really nice. It's a clean minimal, warm smell and vastly different to that awful opening. Hints of spice, cedar and a delicate iris note. Santal 33 transitions from ridiculous in the opening to sublime in the drydown but it's still doesn't quite do enough to make me want it. Doesn't come close enough to restoring my faith in Le Labo...plain bad opening to something nice but ultimately nothing special.
Love at first sniff! Adore this it's the love child of Amouage Jubilation 25 and Mugler's unfathomably unpopular BMen. Opens exactly like the two of them fruity berries and a sharp gorgeous rhubarb note. This is a very woody fragrance, Guiac wood to me is a solid base and apparent thoughout but it's more complex than BMen and in that regard more similar to Jubilation man. Labdanum gives it a fizzy upmarket quality there's a lot of patchouli but it's totally in proportion and doesn;t work against the rest of the composition. A hint of rose as it gets deeper into the heart and the rhubarb and fruits settle down. I would never slate Thierry Mugler B*Men I love that scent but Imperial is like a super classy, expensive version of it and rightly so given what you pay for this juice. Worth every penny in my opinion great projection and longevity is what you'd expect at this level and Imperial doesn't disappoint.
An explosion of fruit this one. A plummy, jammy mixture of fruits in the top notes instantly make me like this, I'm such a sucker for that. I love Boadicea the victorious they can do no wrong in my eyes, I've tried about 12 in their vast range of fragrances and every single one has been great. I know there must be at least some not to my taste at least but I've not come across them yet. Similar to Amouage the fragrances seem complex yet crowd pleasing especially these fruity affairs. The base is woody to my nose a smooth mixture of notes oakmoss, sandalwood, patchouli, amber and musk. I love Glorius, sure it's maybe seen as just another fruity musk fragrance and maybe a little on the feminine side to some but I think it's lovely and very wearable totally unisex to me. It's got class and complexity in my opinion and lasting strength.
Woah Oud 27 from Le Labo opens with an uncompromisingly massive boozy unpleasant clove accord. Settles for a moment then super, super animal civet, filthy warm amber and Oud...I think there's labdanum in here too. Personally I think it's madness but there's something about it that I want to like. The opening is a very acquired taste but as it dries down and becomes less musky, the Oud is more apparent because of the relative mellowing of other strong notes. Oud 27 is not proudly following in the time served tradition of Arabian perfumers instead blazing it's own contemporary trail and fittingly smelling like something conceived of in a laboratory. Not something I'd necessarily wear but you know what... My attitudes toward this sort of musky, powerhouse perfume are slowly changing and I actually enjoyed this in a strange way. Especially the woodier dry down when it gets a bit nicer and close to the skin. As much as I'm intrigued by Oud 27 and trying to be all open minded and challenged by it....the fact remains it generally smells bad to me and I'd never wear it. It's Le Labo as a house I have a problem with more than anything. I'm 4 into the 6 samples I got and not one that I've found to be innovative or original.
Instantly I thought this smelled like a lavender, almond and vanilla combination which is very pleasing. How about this Antico Caruso is an elegant blend of the best bits of from three well known fragrances. A ménage a trois of sorts between Le Male, Givenchy Pi and Amouage Reflection. I think that's the most concise set of comparisons I've ever made during a review. It's what Le Male should smell like but goes awful on my skin and it has the deep almond accord of givenchy Pi without the sour edge. Finally it has the class and sophistication of Reflection without the relative complexity. This is a nice fragrance that has phenomenal lasting power it really is impressive. If you like any of the fragrances I've mentioned and want something similar for whatever reason then I'd recommend you get it, I won't be.
This is an outstanding fresh fragrance the initial burst of sharp grapefruit and bergamot is lovely. It's backed by cedar and vetiver and a little musk. The heart of the fragrance has petitgrain and as it dries down a bit the white floral nature of orange flower. In fact the white floral accord gets stronger as the citrus dies down but never becomes too much. To say the citrus dies down is true but it never looses that zing and that's impressive. Bergamote 22 is perfectly executed, well balanced but doesn't compel me to buy a bottle, I'd rather wear Acqua di Gio or even Acqua di Parma colonia as a much cheaper option. I'm not slating it though if you have the money this is as good a citrus as you can get, long lasting and utterly clean. A niche citrus worthy of purchase has to bowl me over and not many do. They really are few and far between, this comes close but not quite.
