Hyrax is one of the more infamous fragrances from Zoologist, due to its stinky and challenging nature - which is why I was keen to enjoy it, since almost all Zoologist offerings have left me underwhelmed. This one however, I actually think is rather impressive, I would even go as far to say I enjoy it. I recently had the pleasure of experiencing pure hyracaeum diluted at 10%, and whilst I do not know if Zoologist use the real thing, this smells remarkably similar. It is at once fry and earthy, yet retains this warm fecal facet. Thankfully, this is tempered by a sweet saltiness - which could be coming through from the saffron, whiskey and amber. As it settles on the skin it becomes sweeter with time, becoming actually quite wearable. I have to say this exceeded my expectations, which to be fair weren’t very high. Zoologist is not a house I adore, but this is among my favourites from them. It’s not something I would wear enough to warrant a full bottle, but it’s an impressive creation for sure.
Black Lotus surprised me, for what an enchanting scent resides in this bland and unassuming bottle. To put it simply, this is a profoundly sweet rose-patchouli which is incredibly inviting. The rose is bright and dewy, not at all dense or jammy, its supple beauty is complemented by this overdose of sweet honeyed saffron. This sweet rosiness is furthered by pink pepper and hints of sticky fruits, whilst the patchouli remains rather subdued, simply whispering in the background. The rose shouts the loudest here. I’m enjoying this much more than I anticipated. It’s incredibly sweet and fairly strong too, an effective combination for positive attention. I’m enjoying my sample quite a bit, but I don’t think it qualifies as a love for me, I cannot pinpoint why exactly.
Opens with the scent of fresh cut lavender and sparkling lemon dries down as a soft sweet lavender musk. Very pretty would love to get a bottle of this for my mom
Strong, smothering cream and woods with green/white florals on top. So strong it's almost unbearable in the opening, I'm waiting to see if the drydown will bring the magic. For now, there's something beautiful about it but it's just so brutal I'm not sure I can get on board :( 1 hour later... Oh the drydown is incredible. Oh Amouage, how could I have doubted you. The aggressive opening gives way to a slight indolic skank, which then cedes to a creamy sandalwood, retaining a tinge of green tuberose. The opening remains a challenge but the drydown makes it worth it.
I'm going to try to be concise as my reviews tend to ramble and this is a complex perfume which I could easily meander and waffle about indefinitley including a detailed preamble about Bisch, and perfume fans completely unfounded aversion to akigalawood. Okay all that to one side.... Purpose 50 is FANTASTIC!!! I don't recall the original and that's not due to the fact it wasn't good, Amaouge's output has been pretty steady even under Salmon who I think has taken them in a slightly more commercial direction, but fair do's they still make great smelling perfumes. The material on showcase here for me is olibanum, I'm assuming some very fine Omani stuff (better fucking had be for the prices they're asking for) it has both bite, lemony sweet and almost camphorous, even a touch minty, smells very bright and just great, so focal, so well used yet is part of pallate and style of perfume with other materials which serve to complement and cradle this precious, heart material. However this is not a standard frankincense based perfume a la Avignon or Mark Birley or even Amouages Epic Man or Woman...this is a modern powdery, amber, patchouli, fruity, strangely classical but with that sparkly Bisch magic (which even I concede can be annoying) this is very varied and has lots to enjoy. I was blown away at first by it's power and variety but then less so after the 3rd or 4th wear. Not sure why? Perhaps the familiarity made it a little less special and brought things into perspective... but hey, I still think Purpose is amazing. Too expensive for me unfortunately but if you have the money I think it's as decent as anything being released at the moment, and it is ATOMICALLY powerful, without being too much, but still go easy on the sprays because less is more.
It's striking to me how few reviews there are for this perfume, perhaps I imagined this, conjured up a massive (if cultish) following in my head for this perfume but I honestly thought this was a best seller from the brand...hmmmm... anyway... Mxxx is the ultimate nuzzling in, comfort blanket of a perfume I've ever smelled. I first sampled it a few years ago and got around to popping it on again the otherday and while a massively enjoyable experience as it is...I'm not sure I can tell you why? such is the unknowable nature of this perfume. It smells like the refined essence of why we're into this damn stuff in the first place. I can't really smell a pethora of notes or clever transitions or collections of accords but does that make this one dimensional? No. I don't believe it does. Linear? well maybe but also,.no. It feels deliberately constructed in one sense but with the seeming absence of the hand of a creator in the other, a beautiful mistake, yet nature doesn't make mistakes right? I can smell, sandalwood, musks and that aloof yet familiar animal fixative, 'skin' warmth of ambergris, which has the strange quality of going on and then going in, seemingly deep into your skin, if I was a twat I might say 'permeating your soul' or some hokey, corny BS like that.... but actually it kinda does. A contradictory and defiant perfume then, one which has to be smelled. I feel it's a base heavy perfume I can only percieve a little scratch of top notes and then everything mid and base just seemlessly flows into one another. I feel this is a love letter to enthuiasts, something which has this inate appeal to any human nose but I think typically your average Muggle might struggle to 'get' this as a perfume but will be as drawn to it's loveliness as anyone else. It doesn't smell like Guerlain's iconic Jicky but in spirit & style I believe it to be a fairly good comparison. I love Mxxx, but it lacks a focal point for me, something I can really get behind. If it was a bit more animalic in an outragous sense like another perfume to which this could be compared Affinessence... something...name escapes me...errrrr... the Ambergris one... ??? But then again it might lose some of it's mystique and refinement. It's such an enigma I can't even make up my mind. Try it though, you won't regret it.
Opens with a beautiful citrus (love the calamansi note) and some soft ylang ylang over time creamy coconut milk comes to the forefront. In the dry down I detect hints of fig leaf and black tea. Like paradise in a bottle. A beautiful summer fragrance that is somehow both sophisticated and comforting. I just wish it lasted a bit longer on my skin. I get roughly 4 hours and the last 2 with intimate projection
Smells like honey drenched white flowers, but sophisticated. I imagine someone very well put together wearing this
The aquatic note is very prominent with the rose note. Still tart yes very fresh. Do not overspray.
I can't think of any fragrance out there that compares to Prada L'Homme. The initial powdery/floral kick lasts for a couple of hours. But, during the dry down you get a really nice warm/woody tone that is quite pleasing. The midterm scent can best be described as soapy and fresh (in a good way). Great fragrance that I would consider unisex because of the floral opening.
I don't particularly care for the mint and pink peppercorn dominated opening but at least they are interesting. This dries down to an incredibly boring amber. Zero reason to pay Amouage prices for something you can get anywhere.
So the dude that did the super indepth review of this absolutely nailed it so if you're looking for good info check his out. I'm just gonna keep rambling on
So first off its certainly got rose in it so if you're looking for something like that it's definitely worth buying. This isn't my woman's favorite of my rose collection but it's probably my favorite. The citrus and rose in the opening does make it smell like soap but it's the best rose scented soap. I sprayed it just before my boy got home and asked if I just got roses. Don't know if it's the incense nutmeg or ginger. Probably the ginger but there's something else in the opening that really grabs your attention.
This is a very clean smelling fragrance once it dries down or maybe I just become nose blind quick my kids say they can smell me all day.
As far as Amouage goes this is a pretty easy to wear fragrance but I'm a big rose fan so for those not into that maybe sample first.
Take this cologne for what it is: an affordable western style fragrance with a pleasant scent. For around $20, it would be a good option for the novice cologne collector. This isn't going to blow anyone's skirt up, as it's a fairly generic profile.
This is my favorite scent out of the YSL line, hands down. A powerful fragrance that exudes masculinity, but doesn't take it too far. The longevity of this fragrance was about 5-6 hours on my skin. So, having a decanter to reapply might be needed. If there is another cologne out there that has a similar profile to this, I haven't tried it yet. This is the perfect addition to any collection.
Love this on my wife. I miss the scent of sweet pea on her from the discontinued Bath and Body works perfume. This one has slightly more going on in terms of its fruity floral aspects and is a little more flirty and less pillowy.
While I do say that there are similarities between CLDIM and Creed, it's certainly not in the opening. For about the first 30-60 minutes, CDNIM has a very harsh synthetic scent. Once it dries down, the scent is about 85% similar to Creed Aventus. As far as lasting power, CDNIM takes the cake. This will last 8 hours easily. But, for a few dollars more, I would recommend going with the CDNIM Limited Edition. The LE does not have the harsh opening, and is far closer to the scent profile of Aventus (in my opinion).
I came across a review from a source I trust, comparing it to LV Imagination. While I have some higher end colognes in my collection, you can't find an LV fragrance on a discounter. That being said, I refuse to drop close to $400 on a bottle of anything. So, I was intrigued by the review of Amber Oud Aqua. I had a sample of LV that I compared this to, and I wouldn't be able to tell you which is which if I had test strips handed to me. The opening comes off a little chemical, almost like a kitchen cleaner. But, after a hour it really settles nicely. This cologne is a legit contender for a top notch replica. And, for a fraction of the price. Let's be honest: you're only buying Imagination because you need to see the LV bottle in your collection.
Very great sweet pinapple leans femenine but is good for male
Cuir de Russie is a name which has become synonymous with the inimitable Chanel release in 1924, and so L.T. Piver had some big boots to fill by releasing a scent of the same name just 15 years later. Whilst I don’t think it competes with the Chanel, it’s undoubtedly a gorgeous and enigmatic take on leather at a much more affordable price. The leather here is rather rugged, not clean cut and dressed up with orris and jasmine like the Chanel, it’s deep and rich - rough around the edges. An array of dry woods, bay leaf and soft spices compliment the dominating citrus notes, which provide a pronounced rindy bitterness. This is a far more masculine take on the idea of a Russian leather, lacking the delicate impression of florals to make it pretty. I really like this actually; it doesn’t blow me away but considering the price I think it’s great. I’ll definitely pick up a bottle at some point, as I think it’s worth having in the collection as a good reference leather.
I don’t have much experience with Bel Ami, I’m familiar with the current formulation which I love but have only just gotten around to smelling a decant from a vintage bottle - and it’s absolutely enchanting. Truly one of the greatest leather scents of all time, the epitome of masculinity. The leather itself is very dry and somewhat vegetal, from the inclusion of Vetiver, patchouli and basil, and yet it also comes off notably warming and spicy due to that powerful carnation note. Of course, alongside all this, a gentle harmony of bitter citrus rinds, crisp woods and bitter oakmoss give it a wondrous dated elegance; something very clearly from another generation, yet smells timeless. I have always been a huge fan of Roja’s Fetish Pour Homme, which is obviously heavily inspired by this. Whilst I do think Fetish improved upon the scent profile, Bel Ami deserves all the credit for being the first to embody such a unique and iconic compositions. This is a must-have for all leather fans.
GIT is certainly a unique scent. I can't think of an alternative to the profile, which is very nice. That being said, buy this at your own risk. As with every other Creed cologne, it is massively overpriced for the performance you get. Even as a chronic over sprayer, this scent sits very close to the skin. The projection is nonexistent. The longevity is average at best. I would recommend taking a small decant to reapply after several hours. For the price point, you could easily purchase multiple cheaper designer options that will give you more bang for your buck.
I have been dying to try Youth Dew for the longest time, and now I finally have a decant from a vintage bottle it’s like the gates of heaven have finally opened. I can see why this is considered one of the all-time greats, it’s unspeakably phenomenal. One of the greatest orientals I’ve ever encountered. This wonderfully inviting cocktail of clove, cinnamon, amber, vanilla and balsams create this thick, warming blanket of comfort - I can see why people describe it as smelling reminiscent of cola. Combined with a sharp citric opening of orange and bright aldehydes, alongside gentle florals and beaming oakmoss, the earthy powderiness is to die for. As soon as I smelled this is masterpiece, I was hooked - it was added straight onto the wishlist. This truly is a scent everyone should experience.
Beautiful tea fragrance. Quite milky, so it reminds me of Oolong Tea, even though as the name suggests it's a green Gyokuro tea scent.
Take this cologne for what it is worth...a very affordable, clean, aquatic scent. The fruity opening is fairly well blended with a musky note and some aquatic notes. This isn't breaking any new ground. But, for under $20 it is a suitable scent for anyone that wants to smell clean and inoffensive. Worth the $20.
