So another L'Homme fragrance to try and without being compelled to own any of them, I have to confess they haven't been bad at all! L'Homme original is classy and fresh, L'nuit (all versions) is my favourite well balanced and sexy and Libre is inoffensive, bright violet scent. This one however is the exception as I'm not a fan. This maybe due in part to appealing to a younger demographic (or attempting to) I personally don't think that much about age in relation to fragrances but when the shop assistant says it, I can't help but think they've read some press release bumf rather than forming their own opinion. Anyway... I love amber and looking at the colour of the juice I was excited at the prospect of a great warm, sexy amber scent. However it's disappointing...not rich with amber and sweet to the point that I couldn't wear it and I have a very sweet tooth. Let's get it in perspective...it's not awful just not up to par with others in the L'Homme line. Furthermore... I hate Diesel fuel for life spirit, it's probably the most scathing review I've written. I hated that stuff with a passion!!! To see so many comparisons here I feel there must be something to it, although I didn't enjoy L'Homme Parfum Intense I didn't think it was boozy and harsh like the Diesel fragrance, it did have the same sickly smell. I need to revisit the diesel to check this out...either way it's not going to change my opinion about this one, a poor edition to an otherwise strong line of fragrances.
Got loads of samples of this today through my friends at various Tom Ford counters around the north west...so thanks for that. When I looked on here at the notes I was expecting a totally different fragrance as I suspect many others were. The review below says it all really the same fragrance as Noir, a deep warm wonderful iris, pathouli, amber, resiny, vanilla, animalistic, spicy...the list goes on quite frankly a staggering concoction of notes. I have noir eau de parfum and personally I love it! I can't understand people who bang on about Noir de Noir, and make like for like comparison...just because they have both have noir in the name. They really are very different fragrances. Anyway...this eau de toilette for my Money has the same longevity, projection and sillage as the EDP (black bottle) with a blast of citrus in the top which genuinely wowed me at first because it gives this fragrance a new dynamic. Unfortunately top notes being true to their name are gone very quickly...if this scent could somehow retain those fresh citrus notes at least a while longer into the drydown it would be a hugely interesting fragrance against that Noir backdrop. So effectively what I'm saying is, this drysdown to Noir and is not noticeably any weaker so if I had the choice again I would probably go for this just because of the interesting fresh opening, and if the price is cheaper(not sure what it is?) you could plump for this one.
Okay! So I'm a new comer to L'Homme I've tried every other conceivable version except for this original one. I have to say I was expecting something bland and ordinary from this but it is classy juice and really well composed, instantly put me in mind of Chanel platinum egoiste. So I'd heard it was a lemon, ginger, vetiver combo and I was expecting Dior Homme sport or eau savage, something quite sharp and dry with the spice jarring against the citrus but I was so glad to get something else from YSL L'Homme. The top notes are bergamot & lemon and fresh but lead to a soapy vetiver heart with some gentle spice. What makes this fragrance for me is the base notes of vetiver and Tonka bean it's really nice, extremely well blended and I can't fault it at all...saying that it doesn't blow me away either. Masculine, suited to spring/summer daytime wear not hugely strong with great sillage or projection but a good fragrance and popular for a reason.
Okay...this came out in 95 and was by no means a classic manly scent nor was it a bland aquatic juice of the era Burberry for men is something else entirely and not in a positive way. Something about this fragrance is dated...maybe it's the date? ;) Inoffensive in every way and the notes on paper make for a nice sounding juice but for me doesn't get the most out of any of its component parts...it's just bland, very beige and frankly lame! Not bad just nothing to make it stand out..not for me.
Well I never!!! Got some Serge Lutens samples (hot off the press so to speak) from my new friend at the perfume counter. It makes a lot of sense to be charming and flirtatious with these ladies and you get loads of free stuff! haha Anyway...I thought when I quickly looked through them initially that this was the violet one...Bois des violettes? I think that's the one? I was familiar anyway and as such left it until now to try. Turns out it was Vitriol d oelliet and I was excited to try a new Serge Lutens but my heart sank when I learned of the dominant carnation note. I often think to myself that I don't know a great deal about florals or identifying floral notes but as it happens I know quite a few. Carnation is one that I can instantly picture in my minds eye or rather my minds nose! It can easily turn sour easily so i wasn't holding out much hope for this one. You know what though? I found myself really enjoying it, what a great combination. This is precisely what I think of when the term 'Floriental' is banded about this is a great example. The florals are strong in the opening but just as it's about to turn into a right off the attack of entire spice rack hits you. Not to imply that it's harsh because it isn't and you get a bit of everything at different times. It's constantly tiptoeing between the two, then teetering on the edge...then back again...It's a beautiful dance. It certainly changes in the drydown but somehow retains its character, I feel the base might be a little sandlewood and cedar although they're not listed here so maybe not? This is the kind of fragrance that makes me feel like a proper fragrance head because something tells me I shouldn't like it... but I do because it's very interesting indeed. Totally unisex and actually quite masculine on me, huge longevity I mean up there with some pure perfume. This is great and a masculine floral I would wear.
Really heavy on the Tonka bean...but that's alright with me. Now all of the Allure range use elements of the originals DNA but focusing in different areas. I think it's a credit to Chanel that they release such expertly blended flankers which don't really allow for criticism... they're just good! It must be the creamy combo of tonka, sandlewood and cedar or something that gives the Allure range in general its signature as well as the fruit/citrus in the top. Speaking of fruit... I didn't identify the mandarin note at first because it's against such an unfamiliar background (usually light & musky) You get fruit/citrus straight away but because of the Allure signature it makes you think of lemons (edition Blanche) it's only when I delved deep in that I got the orangey flavour and to me it's very pronounced and lasts long into the drydown. I know pepper is listed here but I don't get masses of it. Another note not listed is Amber to me an amber accord is present in the drydown. This is a well realized composition like all Chanel fragrances and especially the Allures. My favourite has to be the original but this is a close second and I love the summery, lemon meringue juice, that is Edition Blanche too.
My girlfriend tried this a few weeks back and I was absolutely blown away by it. Clive Christian C for men is one of my all time favorites and X for men is very nice too. This however is spectacular and I was very tempted to wear it myself as I believe X to be sweet and fruity but at the same time unisex. Definitely get the Rhubarb note which I love and beautiful jasmine and musk. This alone would make you think feminine maybe but I get the vetiver and combinations of the other notes in here which create a sophisticated blend which is oh so right. I tried Gucci Rush the otherday and it bares a resemblance but a pale one really. Not to be a snob but I think this smells much better and more complex and exotic, and so it should for the price tag. Does it smell £100's better??? maybe not?!?!? That's for you ladies to decide and for me to decide whether my woman gets X or Gucci Rush for christmas....??? hmmmmm???
So I finally got a sample vial of this when I bought allure Homme sport eau extreme. Citrus with nutmeg, ginger and incense (allegedly) like I say I've tried this before but couldn't remember what it was like but figured it was mediocre in that case. It is a ringer for Davidoff silver shadow altitude a fragrance I have and enjoy but yet again Chanel seem a little bit more refined, the spice seems a little heavier and all round it seems to evolve and change slightly just as it bares a resemblance. Just sprayed the Davidoff on my other arm and it is much sweeter less sophisticated than bleu de Chanel which is drier and spicier. It's a classy smell anyway...no wonder it's popular. Allure is the better juice for me though but if you're wearing this you might not be original but at least you're going to smell extremely good.
Oh Ninfeo Mio! Annick Goutal, or better yet, Camile and Isabelle have managed to capture the essence of a spring garden, getting the first rays of sun! I never knew I liked fig fragrances, let alone love them, but this green sparkling little gem has me smitten. It captures the essence of a fig tree near a water spring in a garden that is most probably hidden from the crowd, secret if you will. A very sparkling cypress opening, dominated with lemon, leads the way under the shade of the tree, where juicy figs are slightly past their prime. But oh how succulent they are. And this hungry and tired traveller can't help but succumb to their smell, juiciness, feel. Ninfeo Mio never fails to transport me to a carefree place every time I spray it. Ever so simple and complex at the same time, with an above average sillage and longevity, this sometimes hidden gem is in my opinion one of the finest examples of Goutal's exquisite know how. It is not the best fig soliflore around, but for me it gets a 10 in transporting me to a hideaway where I can simply unwind and forget. And that time travel in today's hectic lifestyle is a highly treasured commodity. If you like fig, or even if you don't, green leaves and lemon, touched by creamy sandalwood, give Ninfeo a try, it might enchant you like it did with me!
Loads of sharp grapefruit and citrus then the dry peppery Terre d'Hermes effect with vetiver and a very pronounced cardamom note...a clear composition of citrus/vetiver with a little spice executed in textbook fashion. This is similar to lots of fragrances and things I like but somehow I just can't get excited about it. It's alright....I would certainly wear it no problem at all...but wouldn't seek it out.
Not great this one....but not bad. Pierre Negrin pops up again the same day I re trial encounter and then this straight after...I had no idea he was responsible for both? Anyway...this to me has the mango of eau de Lacoste Red and is very reminiscent of Bvlgari Aqva Toniq just not as salty. That's my review a mix of two scents I own but don't really even like that much...the Lacoste is lovely but has no depth and dies on its arse after 1/2 hour on my skin and the Toniq is a disappointment because it's too salty and doesn't retain enough characteristics of the Aqva original. The verdict is...unfortunately I don't like it!
Couldn't make my mind up about this at first? I thought it was too feminine for me...something about the way the rose interacted with the sandlewood. Despite this I persevered and as I smell deeper, the rose settles and what do you know? there's a definite bitterness of cocoa coming through. It's a brilliant combination and actually grew on me to the point where I think it's brave and suitable for me to wear...Just don't know where and if I ever would? This is lovely juice though a really good composition.
I'm so so sorry Serge! I really like SL fragrances pretty much across the board but this one is a personal preference nightmare. I like Tuberose & Cedar and Amber (even clove in small doses) but mix them all together and you get a gross cider urine accord! That's what I get in the opening...PISS. That's right. However, after that initial half hour or so the tuberose becomes pleasant and the drydown is really nice, with the cedar and amber coming through. Unfortunately I can't just focus on base notes although they're arguably more important. This is a interesting fragrance I don't hate it by any means the opening is just harsh for me that's all.
Well this is my second review of Cedre and I've returned to sample it over 12 months later hoping perhaps I had grown in that time and maybe now I could appreciate this scent...I'm afraid not. The opening notes are interesting, classic, strongly musky and full of cloves. Then the dry woodiness of cedarwood and resin with the floral power of tuberose. Tuberose and I have a love hate relationship and much like many florals (in fact many 'notes') can manifest itself in very different ways. All this just seems to conspire to make an odd pissy note which is at the back of what is an interesting work and I almost think it needs it to lift the whole thing and make it more daring, which it certainly does. What differs from the last time is after wearing this I also sprayed it on a card to see how long the unpleasant note would last long after I'd washed it off my skin. Well I can report that the later drydown both on skin and now three days later on the card smells lovely! I mean really pleasing and much more of a soft woody floral smell, all the sweetness of tuberose with non of the nastiness. I couldn't put up waiting for several hours until it becomes a nice skin scent though what would be the point. Still not for me I'm afaraid, this is one for true perfume lovers.
Well it takes a big man to admit he was wrong...and I'm a big man so yeah...I was wrong. Don't know if my original review has disappeared because it got thumbs downed so hard or I used foul abusive language because I was so appalled by the animistic stink of this fragrance. Anyway...My mind has changed somewhat having tried this again a couple of times and really gained a new found respect for Chanel fragrances and things which are not necessarily my cup of tea. The complexity from an objective point of view is great and this fragrance really has got depth and I can totally see why people hail it as a classic. It's raw, masculine and almost pheromone like (It attracts the beaver anyway;) I can appreciate the top notes now which are fleeting but nice and some of the dank quality of the oakmoss. Also, Labdanum is another ingredient I have a love/hate relationship with, so all in all this fragrance challenges me, that's before we even get to the castoreum! I still don't like it underlying but I've managed to take the positives from it... I don't think I could ever wear it but I will remove it from my hate list as it creates intrigue every time I smell it.
I've never really been a fan of this perfume. Smelled like an awful blast of floral/animal musk which totally put me off and it's not just because I don't like macho, animal scents because there's loads I've always liked not least Kouros. However, there was always something which intrigued me in the other notes, spicy/herbal glimpses of something really quite amazing and definitely unique. However, this was older formulations and trying it again and again over the years I'm either.... Starting to warm to it? my tastes have changed? Antaeus is so bloody complex I'm smelling different things everytime? The formula has and is constantly evolving so much I'm smelling something new everytime? I really don't know? There's so many factors at work here my mind is reeling. More than likely it will be the diminishing oakmoss and musk which is perhaps starting to reveal the other notes more prominently...I'm really not sure? Thyme, labdanum and clary sage all things I love and maybe they are getting more of a look in? Purists and hardcore fans of Antaeus might disagree but even in it's current format this fragrance asks more questions than it answers, and that (without wanting to get too pretentious about it) is possibly what we all look for...I know I do. So Antaeus hasn't got me convinced but I don't and can't hate it anymore but I'm strangely drawn to sampl it ever couple of years or so. Sorry Not a very useful review, more of a commentary on my ongoing experience.
Well! According to the shop assistant I was only 'allowed' to try two of these! She believes from the couple of times I've been in (pffft!) that she 'knows what I like..and these two will be the ones' I'm a perfume lover...I'll try them all thank you very much! She was referring to Opus V and Opus III BTW which are quite different, maybe it was the ones she likes...who knows? I've got a sample vial of Opus VII and it's plain outrageous... It should be called 'Omen' instead of Opus I think as it has a devilish opening which actually turns into a great drydown. So that's my experience of the Library collection so far...I'm getting through them steadily. As for this one Opus V I have to say it's very pleasant and has some the complexity I've come to expect from Amouage but maybe not as much in this collection generally. It's a sweet one this with a top note of iris which is pleasant can't say I found it all that boozy which is a plus. Opus V is alright by me...It has a gentle vibe to it. Having got a proper sample to wear now I can conclude that this is my favourite of the Opus collection. Only slight contrary to what I said above it is boozy, in the best kind of way though...rum & wood this is absolutely what I'm about and it's super sweet with iris. I actually really love this and didn't think any of the Opus library collection would tempt me to buy but this one satisfies my sweet tooth so I might just have to get it.
I've been waiting to try this for ages!!! This perfume is so highly revered I'd read so many positive reviews, friends of mine who are into fragrances had told me it was great, all set for this to be a new favorite. Not only that but the fact that it truly is a concept fragrance one that actually has a blend of great notes, tuber and saffron (ie: The name isn't factual like Tom Ford 'Rose Oud' or something?) and the opulent ingredients attracted me to it. In retrospect having tried the new Oud Fleur I have the same reaction to this. Although they are quite different and I much prefer this even from a gut reaction point of view. I really really desperately need a sample of this to trial over a longer period because unfortunately the first time I tried it I was very disappointed. I hate myself for not liking this!!! Why don't I? Rose & Oud is a glorious combo that I enjoy in other fragrances and dark earthy truffle in there too? I should love this but maybe my nose was off that day...I don't know??? In that first experience I got too much Rose and patchouli in the top notes and didn't experience the dark sexiness I'd hoped for. I showered pretty soon after I tried it on my hand so the dry down wasn't experienced properly. I'm not a base note oriented person anyway, although I live for a good dry down I have to say the opening for me is very important... even if it is short lived. This one will take further exploration but I'm so sure I will change my mind on it after a few wears. The jury is out for the time being.
Bit of a weird one for me this... I thought it was okay but I'm not crazy about it. From the notes listed here you might think it would be a bit of a tired creation but it isn't that, I found it to be quite original but still not a show stopper. It may have been because I was so taken with Bois Noir which I tried immediately prior to this. Didn't leap out at me. I've been trying to remember the smell of Bleu de Chanel and have failed miserably.(maybe that speaks volumes and both are utterly forgettable?) I remember thinking it was mediocre but I don't recall it being similar to this, although I will have to check...to satisfy Calyx93's curiosity. Apparently BDC is like Davidoff silver shadow altitude(phew!) and this juice is not like that at all...so ergo...ipso facto...it's not like BDC! Hope that helps...Clear as mud!
This is the perfect winter fragrance for me...evokes a mulled wine Christmas type of vibe... it's warm and comforting but sexy too. Another great fragrance from Serge Lutens... Five O'Clock Gingembre strikes such a careful and well observed balance of spice and sweetness, it's addictive. Anybody who likes The One by D&G should like this despite them smelling quite different I think they evoke a similar classy, soft mood. The ginger in the title might put some off and although it's prominent it's in a very refined way. To put it another way... it's more of the sweet (gingerbread) sense than the savory, in your face strength of root ginger. Perfectly unisex too, the woodiness comes out a little more on my skin but generally drys down with a cosy cinnamon sweetness. Gorgegous juice...I'm going to hammer this over the winter it has great sillage and the Longevity ain't bad either. Top marks Serge!
I figured all these alt versions were just the same juice but different bottles for collectors...or crazy people! But no...A very very slightly different juice from the original in this case. Begs the question, why even bother? What a waste of time! To my nose this has a different fresher opening but I think it's almost an imagined, perceived difference If you like this and Beau you'll like Le Male and vice versa. They're all very similar and stick to a best selling format. I think it's a case of if it ain't broke don't fix it. What's next? A 'Le Male Masochiste' (TM)(BTW!) with an erect penis and nipple clamps? I wouldn't mind that but it would probably smell boring too!
Well it took me a while to posting this review of Le Male and I'm only doing it out of necessity really because it's a true classic and I have owned a bottle in the past. Also recently I tried Amouage Reflection and at first didn't really get the parallels drawn between the two but now I see it. What made me fall out of love with this then? Well I was never really in love with it if I'm honest…And trying it again recently made me remember why. I think the fact my flat mate of several years used to drench himself in it before going on a night out didn’t help. I enjoyed it when it first came out the bottle was so striking... cheeky, kitsch, camp, and trashy extroverted nature of Jean Paul Gaultier in general was quite appealing. To the juice inside though... No disrespect to Francis Kurkdjian… Vanilla and lavender quite fresh but something cheap to it and just not very masculine, Le male has a broader unisex appeal for me. Also now that it has become a victim of it's own success, a cliche and very unoriginal scent for men to wear.
Well quite different to L'eau at first lovely hint of Incense and pepper in this one but once that's gone it drys down L'eau Froide is quite similarly to L'eau for my nose. I mean... I have one on each hand and after the opening (one floral with magnolia and this with smokey spice) All I get as the incense dies down is soapy vetiver (which is creates the same feeling as L'eau) and yet something a little greener than my comforting fresh out of the washing machine teddy bear smell...but not a million miles away. It definitely has a watery feel but is far from an aquatic. These two are different to usual fresh offerings for sure but Serge Lutens has some gems among the collection...these however are just okay.
For me this is a match made in heaven the perfect compliment for that sumptuous creamy Oud is sweet fragrant tobacco but they both have an inherent earthy quality which makes this some dark gorgeous juice. Even tobacco vanille (a scent I adore!) starts very sharply with tobacco and even TF Oud wood is not to my taste but the smooth woodiness under this works really well. I only had one little try of this in store today so I haven't got an in depth note breakdown of what else might be in there but I have to say it really made an impression on me. This is an Oud fragrance worth getting excited about and anyone who's read my previous reviews knows that I don't say it lightly. It's brilliant this stuff just brilliant!
Okay so now that I have a proper sample of this and have worn it for a length of time I need to revise my review a little. To my nose the tobacco is definitely there in the top as you apply this fragrance, no doubt about it. However...it is fleeting and that is unusual for a tobacco fragrance as it is usually the heart or base. Also, claims of an Amber accord are absolutely spot on although no amber is listed in the literature from TF? Weird! This was only apparent to me though in the drydown. I'm really enjoying it though and will update after a few more wears. Update: Okay so I'm wearing this now and my view is that tobacco should be the base of a fragrance with maybe some sweetness and spice on top. My first impressions of this were great, two wonderful elements tobacco and Oud and they're both here in abundance, just not sure whether they work together? And where's the amber coming from ? I've come to the conclusion that Oud smells like amber it definitely has a ambery smell even pure agarwood oil does...so that must be it sometimes it's more promounced depending on source and what you put with it. I don't agree with the amber absolute comparisons as such because that is an 'in your face' amber where as this might just be the combination of these two makes something that resembles it. As you might be able to tell I've agonised over this one and I'm still not sure whether this is genius or just okay...one thing I know I can't stop sniffing it when I have it on!
Has a strange quality to it this scent from Serge Lutens. L'eau is certainly a fitting name for this as it is fresh and the magnolia gives it a seldom used floral note in a unisex but for me it does lean toward the feminine ever so slightly. It's not cheap smelling or anything but there's definitely something of the fabric softener about it in the opening but it improves on my skin. To be honest L'eau is not something I'd wear but has a comforting quality reminds me EXACTLY of a cherished childhood teddy bear after it has been through the wash.
Great review from chromatic...says it all really! I tried it and I have to say I really loved it but it's very similar to other fragrances I like, super woody and full of incense...and unfortunately not very original in its approach. But who cares? It smells wonderful! I will buy this fragrance because it's so wearable has great sillage and longevity, also it's not a well known brand and is something different for the collector, quite reasonably priced too for a high quality fragrance. Smells great this one people. Update: Ha! well I never! Didn't really look at the notes in this one and there's no incense to be found.
