Carthusia Uomo (2004)
by Carthusia

the present... for men. does not yield to to description, simply complements your EGO

Uomo opens with a distinct marine-like quality. For a crushing millisecond your nose wants you to believe that you've smelled this creation before, but this sensation is only fleeting. Moments later, it is as if it's single marine accord blossoms into flower and each separate accord can be identified and accounted for: citrus, rosewood, seaweed, violet. Imagine a "standard" masculine oceanic scent, and then try to recreate it in your mind using 10,000 flowers... in this way, Uomo has a spectacular complexity. It is proudly masculine in nature - and distinctly Italian - but the complex and varied individual accords are delicate and soft - almost like muted building blocks that all amount to a boldly refined and elegant whole. Perhaps the most enjoyable quality of this fragrance is its very pleasurable dry-down. When warmed by your skin, rich animalic/musky accords emerge that are not the least bit unpleasant. A fine balance has been struck between the sharp and crisp accords, and the velvety dark ones.

One wears Carthusia Uomo like a time-worn monk's robe. It is both modest and costume-like; revealing much about oneself, whilst at the same time, fostering an air of secrecy.

An oakmossy fragrance like a fresher Drakkar Noir or a more woody Paco Rabanne pour Homme. It's the rosewood that's very unique but overall feels a bit boring..

I wish this one would work for me. On me it has a nicely fresh opening – primarily green with a bit of citrus; it is pleasant but that’s almost as far as it goes. The rosewood note is with the fragrance from the beginning, and that note is the most interesting one. On my skin, I don’t get the raspberry note that others mentioned, but I do get raspberry when I test on paper. The same with seaweed: I get a quiet kelp note on paper: This kelp note and the raspberry note give me goose bumps they are so good, but they just don’t come through when I spray on my skin. As a matter of fact, on paper Carthusia Uomo seems an entirely different fragrance – much more vibrant, much fuller, I could even call it intriguing. On my skin, Uomo doesn’t gift me with “intriguing.” The base is the best part of the fragrance both on paper and on my skin: It is a wood base but it doesn’t come across as typical or classic. It’s lighter and livelier than most woody bases. There is absolutely nothing in this fragrance that I have a problem with – it’s impossible to dislike it, yet, as competent as it is in that sense, it doesn’t really come through for me – it’s delivery on my skin lacks personality and Uomo becomes just another nice aroma in the crowd.

As I can remember I had a slight problem with the somewhat aquatic note in this one. I liked the raspberry note which I think was in the topnote. Overall. This is a well made scent. But since I as I said have a problem with the aquatic note in the drydown I give this one a neutral rating.
benb

Light and airy, with fruit essences that don't appeal to me. I think it lacks definition and structure. However, that which it lacks may be its strength to others. Don't knon-- but ulitmately don't care either. Not something I could imagine many guys would want to wear. Ok, not great, and expensive.

Joe