Fragrance Reviews

Fragrance Reviews by DULLAH

Showing all 112 reviews

Frankincense & Myrrh by Czech & Speake

It has the familiar synthetic "bleachy" frankincense that is used so well in Heeley's Cardinal, only instead of being blended with real Boswellia Serrata oil like the heeley and Tauer's Incense Extreme, this Frankincense note is blended with very dated and familiar masculine scents that really don't evoke Myrrh or frankincense.

Another dissapointment for me from Czech & Speake.
16 July 2009

Citrus Paradisi by Czech & Speake

I'm a citrus lover.
And I generally like classy and aloof scents.
And don't mind earth or dirt.

This is a huge dissapointment for me.

If you like dried up grapefruit peel, with no sense of juiciness of the fruit, and very little refreshment, layered with a very common-smelling and bitter early-80's masculine scent. This is for you.

I was expecting a refreshing grapefruit note with something dirty and earthy in the base. Instead I got bitter, dried up peels, and a very un-dirty, rather formal, and rather stern base that I have smelled before in late 70's and early 80's masculine scents.

Both thumbs down.
16 July 2009

Baryshnikov Sport by Mikhail Baryshnikov

Still like this one more than all the other 90's "aqua Blue" colored fresh synthetic scents (see: Nautica, PE360, etc). SHares what could be the same old synthetic tangerine note with erolfa, and to that adds Armoise Mugwort, Ginger, fresh aquatic notes, and a cooling eucalyptus. It's held up better than you'd think. Underrated 90's fresh.
03 July 2009

Éclat d'Arpège by Lanvin

One of my favorite scents on a female.
Smells very much like some of the better Peach/apricot/citrus japanese chewing gums mixed with some fresh, young floral/leafy notes.
Very pleasant, fresh and fruity, very edible.
ubuandibeme hit it when she compared it to Scent of peace and light blue, somewhere in between those two.
It's not a sophisticated scent, and "beautiful" is the wrong word to describe it.
I would desribe it as very very "cute", "carefree", and "fun"
Both thumbs way up.
28 June 2009

Wall Street by Bond No. 9

It's closer to Unforgivable than it is to Millesime Imperial.
Smells noticably sweeter than Millesime Imperial, and much less smooth and natural.
Also not getting the aquatic quality of MI.
Was also expecting a unique sea kale? but just got the sweet syntheticness of the Sean John (Giauadan Orange), which dried down into a heavy dose of geraniol/salty geranium leaf, which bond claims as Pistachio.
That being said, I still like this scent, but Unforgivable Multi-Platinum smells better, and lasts almost as well, without the geraniol overdose, for so much less money.
28 June 2009

Brooklyn by Bond No. 9

A very "dim" and "timid" spicy/woody scent.
Cardamom and Cypress are the stars, and the overall impression is dissapointing and totally unworthy of being named after the borough.
Bitter, boring, and lame are not what I expected from that note pyramid.
Another total yawner from Bond no.9.
28 June 2009

Arpège pour Homme by Lanvin

Well, someone finally did re-use the "Lauder Pleasures" Nectarine accord, and made it spicier, problem is they made it sweeter as well, and pleasures was already too sweet.
Try again.

On the scent itself, it is a nice sueded-Tangerine-Vanilla thing.
If you don't mind sweet scents and want something fuity/citrust/spicy that all come together smooth, I'd suggest this.
24 June 2009

Pleasures for Men by Estée Lauder

The Nectarine note is nice, but it needs more herbal and spice notes and a robust sandalwood base, as well as some better citrus to flank the Nectarine accord. If any perfumers are out there, use this nectarine accord in a more masculine fragrance.
24 June 2009

Herbissimo Té Verde by Dana

Not at all the fresh wet green tea leaves, but the dried or even roasted (black tea) variety.
A light and dry tea leaf scent.
One of the more masculine tea scents I've smelled.
Very light and inoffensive, and not overtly synthetic either, which is surprising given the price.
24 June 2009

English Leather by Dana

It smells alot like the Products Jaguar Recommends for their Connolly leather interiors.
Maybe Connolly hide food ? IDK
It's sharp and brisk and leathery, which I don't mind a light trace of after detailing my car, but I don't want to wear this out anywhere on my clothes, even if I was a senior citizen.
24 June 2009

Canoé by Dana

Yes it's old and powdery.
But it's not bad powdery like British Sterling.
It's a sweet lemon scent with some light pleasant powderiness like Pinaud Talc.
Instead of old dead man powder type smell, it's more like that friendly old little WW2 vet at the diner that can't stop smiling.
I hate powdery scents but this one gets a pass.
24 June 2009

British Sterling by Dana

OMG
Most powdery awful bitter POWDERY...
dry fire extinguisher chemical...
Baking soda and mloustache wax...
PAU... DEAR ...EEEEEEEEEE...
Powder smell I've ever been invaded and dehydrated by.
24 June 2009

Pure Vetiver by Azzaro

The scent of some sort of toxic lawn chemical.
Or an insecticide.
for every redeeming note, there seems to be 10 toxic ones.
I mean literally quite toxic.
My least favorite fragrance I have ever tried.
Thumbs toes all digits down.
24 June 2009

Brit for Men by Burberry

Baby Wipes.
Powdery Baby Wipes.
Wet and powdery together, with that citric/alcohol scent of baby wipes.
Strange so many like this.
24 June 2009

I am King by Sean John

A weaker version of Boss Pure with more lime and less bubblegum.
Another unoriginal composition, this time biting a lower echelon scent.
It is alright, but this much infringement from one house....TIRED.
24 June 2009

Unforgivable Multi Platinum by Sean John

Whereas the original unforgivable smells like a nice copy of Millesime Imperial, using orange soda and lacking the floral and salt notes.
THis version drastically improves the quality of the citrus notes, making them very near the creed. Plus it has an added floral elelment, which agaian, makes it one step closer to it's inspiration. It still lacks the salt and overarching quality of the creed, and the base is too sweet when it dries, but this is remarkably better and longer lasting thean the original Sean John Unforgivable. Just not as profitable, due to superior oils.
24 June 2009

Guerlain Homme by Guerlain

It's too sweet from the get go.
I'm sure the lime and mint notes are of high quality, but I can't tell under all that corn syrup and cotton candy.
Even the basenotes seem to have something valid to say.
But I can't hear it thru that thick cloud of sugar.
24 June 2009

Clubman by Truefitt & Hill

A minty mix of Polo Sport and Paco Rabanne XS.
Employs the minty fresh topnotes of both, the aquatic efferevescence of Polo Sport, and the cool base of XS.
Just slightly too powdery on the drydown for me.
24 June 2009

West Indian Limes by Truefitt & Hill

The "funnest" of the Lime scents.
Starts with a deliciously wet and sweet lime, flanked by other citrus fruits.
Progresses into a combination of the sharp/sweet/wet-lime/citrus, and a softer, sweeter neroli/spice.
Finally settles into a soft, sweet Lime-rind/neroli/clove accord.
Very good scent, albeit short-lived on skin.
24 June 2009

Trafalgar by Truefitt & Hill

One of the famous "reverse drydowns".
It starts woody (cedar & sandal) and spicy (nutmeg & cardamom)...
...then dries down into a combination of sharp, sour citrus/lemon, and sweet, soft Jasmine.
I like it, but it is best when the weather isn't too hot, as that reveals the synthetic nature.
Still a very nice "fresh spice" scent for mild and even cool weather.
24 June 2009

Mugler Cologne by Thierry Mugler

Very fresh and light scent. I like the green leafy heart note in this one. It is the same long lasting synthetic used in Creed's Original Vetiver (although the creed adds the Paul Smith 'Story' green note and many naturals also). I do dislike the synthetic citrus notes, and especially the synthetic "dishsoap florals" used here, and that is what ruins Mugler for me, making it too feminine and synthetic.
24 June 2009

Must de Cartier pour Homme Vert Anis by Cartier

This might be one of my favorite aromatic spice scents. It is very understated, very smooth, and very warm. The spices are many including cinnamon and clove. the herbal notes are sweet and dark, and the wood base is smooth and not too dry. Excellent scent that is a step above the already good quality brought by the Cartier line.
24 June 2009

Eau de Cartier Concentrée by Cartier

Starts very promising with a fresh green violet leaf accord, with some spice. very clean blue and green soapy notes lingering in the back, and they get more prominent thru the development. By the end, it is somewhat powdery, like powdered laundry soap. But in a far classier and softer way than any of the "Clean" brand of scents. Overall neutral on the positive side.
24 June 2009

Platinum Égoïste by Chanel

Very long lasting aloof fresh/sheer/woodsy scent. A more refined and arrogant version of Abercrombie's Fierce. Topnotes are very cold and fresh, but also very aldehydic. Midnotes get more aromatic, but still very fresh and sheer. Development is slow into the woodsy base, as every stage of this scent lasts a tremendously long time. I like it, although it is a little cold in temperament, and slightly feminine due to it being so "sheer" If they packed the top with less aldehydes and more actual mint, it'd be for the better. Still a very good scent.
24 June 2009

Allure Homme Edition Blanche by Chanel

A very nice lemon/dry herbs/woods scent.
Dare I say an improvement over the lemon/dusty base that is Profumum's Aqua Viva.
If you love the parched drydown of Santal Imperial, and the sweet/sour lemon topnotes of Blenheim Bouquet, I strongly suggest trying this.
It surprised me, but not enough to buy.
24 June 2009

English Fern by Penhaligon's

Was really expecting to like this, but it is dominated by Lavender and Geranium. I have some sword fern extract and that smells nothing like this. THe wonderful clover in my yard doesn't smell like this either. For lavender lovers, this is highly recommended. But it is not at all for me.
24 June 2009

Zeste Mandarine Pamplemousse by Creed

A very unique and interesting "citrus rind" scent.
It literally smells quite strongly on the "pith" of a grapefruit.
You know, the inner white, soft portion of the outer peel.
Strange, yet nice.
I wouldn't wear it, but I think it would be excellent on a female.
21 June 2009

Néroli Sauvage by Creed

The first 10 seconds are citrus perfection. Sour citrus and neroli in perfect proportion. I wish the terpenes could stay around, but then this quickly develops in to a much sweeter scent. It has better lasting power than expected, once it gets to it's sweet stage, but the sillage is still minimal. This is another creed that is begging for the first blast to be made linear.
21 June 2009

Bois de Cédrat by Creed

Excellent SOUR citrus scent, with a very nice and "truly dry" cedar note.
I stress dry cedar, because so much of the "cedar" used in perfumery is a very bad, greasy synthetic "petrol cedar" and misses the dry appeal of fine woodwork made of cedar. It lasts very well for a sour citrus, especially on fabrics, as the tart lemon/citron used here contains alot of basenote (citronellol) [not citronellal)
Thumbs up for filling a small niche in the citrus category so well.
21 June 2009

Green Irish Tweed by Creed

The other reviewers who compare this to Davidoff Cool Water are right.
A richer, more floral version of Cool Water.
I like them both.
But GIT's drydown, especially after a heavy application, is just unbeatable.
The violet leaves are still there, both earthy and fresh, the sandalwood seems a very old, aged variety, that is also slightly smoky, a little bit of the powdery Iris is hanging on, and the Ambergris is thick and sweet, with just a touch of aquatic freshness.
notes:
Lemon, Peppermint, Indian Verbena,
Florentine Iris, Green Notes,
Violet Leaves, Mysore Sandalwood, Ambergris

Excellent, timeless scent. That is both sweet, floral, and masculine.
21 June 2009

Freshman by Truefitt & Hill

Kahuna hit the nail on the head, this is very simil;ar to my old 90's bottle of Cool Water.
Both have nearly every note in unison, but Freshman has a thicker base, much like the synthetic ambergris base of Drakkar Noir.
Freshman is also more "fun and playful", and has a note in it's middle-base that is similar to grape kool aid.
Freshman is an excellent casual scent, and in the heirarchy of the GIT/Coolwater family, I rank it high:
1. Green Irish Tweed
2. Truefitt Freshman
3. Chez Bond
4. Cool Water (early formulation)
21 June 2009

Polo Sport by Ralph Lauren

One of my all-time favorite colognes. Still.
It does everything right for me.
Super fresh and clean without a trace of cleaning products :)
Pleasantly and Mildly spicy and tart.
Just barely enough sweetness to the mild citrus/fruit.
A hint of woods and fresh greens.
Effervescent/minty without coming off sharp/offensive.
And most important, realistically and genuinely AQUATIC without being cold or sterile. No trace of chlorine, fake olfactory freeze FX, or powdery "aquatic florals".
Just a very clean, refreshing, genuine, organic sea essence.

Both thumbs way up. Now they need to make a dark oriental I like as much as this :)
21 June 2009

Millésime Impérial by Creed

If Creed could make the first blast of this scent linear, I would wear it almost daily.

It is perfect citrus/floral when the bergamot and lemon are very strong.
Then once the top notes fade, the florals are somewhat feminine mixed with watermelon.
I think though it's not possible (due to volatile nature) for a natural Citrus dominant fragrance to be linear?

But regardless, it's an extremely appealing scent, with mediocre longevity.
21 June 2009

Erolfa by Creed

I initially found this scent unimpressive, as it's sillage and longevity are not good. But after almost 2 years of re-testing, at many different levels of application, from a spray or two to a downright drenching, I have finally com to appreciate this masterpiece. No other scent to date have I turned my initial opinion around for.

On it's surface it invokes a simple image, a rough saltwater ocean on a slightly overcast day. But it's construction is far from simple:

Top: Ozone, Sea Salt, Marine Algae, Seaweed, Morrocan Tangerine, Lemon, Bergamot, Orange, Mandarin, Lime,
Heart: Violet, Honeydew melon, Cyclamen, Jasmine, Ginger, Coriander, pepper, Caesarean Basil, Rosemary, Cumin, Pine,
Base: Cedar, Sandalwood, Musk, Ambergris

At first, the notes look dissonant, but when you analyze further, small doses of all these elements makes sense in evoking the perfect aquatic image. And that is what Creed has done. Both thumbs way up.
21 June 2009

XS pour Homme by Paco Rabanne

A bargain. If you like Creed's Himalaya, Chanels' Platinum Egoiste, or Abercrombie's FIerce, you'll probably like this. It is essnetially a summation/combination of all 3, Himalaya being the closest. The top notes of Mint, poised citrus, and semi-sharp Juniper berries really add a natural outdoors air to the fresh appeal of this one. It shares some aldehydes with Egoiste and Fierce, which again, make it a very fresh masculine scent. It shares the same light crisp/cool/bracing mineral/fuel smell with Himalaya, and this may be the long-lasting subtle synthetic heart note they both share. XS is less musky and peppery than Himalaya, and obviously has less Ambergris, but the base still has the same smooth appeal. Overall, XS is a fragrance that can compete with much more expensive scents, when it comes to fresh, cool, understated, sober, clean and contemporary appeal.
01 February 2009

Hilfiger Athletics by Tommy Hilfiger

This is the least marked/dated of Hilfiger's 90's scents. Everyone knows the Apple pie/cranberry/rhubarb accords in Tommy, and it's played. Athletics flew under the radar, and I think this is an excellent pickup for citrus lovers. Its a long-lasting Grapefruit accord that totally dominates here, everything else is a distant 2nd. Some light aromatic Greeness and woods play the back all the way to the final drydown. THe main Grapefruit/Citrus accord, while not as natural as either Hermes D'Orange Verte, Miller Harris Tangerine Vert, or any of the Creed Citruses (Zeste Mandarine Pampelmousse being the closest), it lasts much much longer, and is just a little bit sweeter. On the other end of Citrus comparison, it is no where near the candylike synthetic sweetness that is Clinique Happy or Bond no.9 Little Italy. The scents that are closest in overall feel are Fresh Hespiredes (very similar, although hespiredes is more feminine), and to a lesser degree AdP Arancia Di Capri. If you like those 2 you will like Athletics, as I do.
01 February 2009

Himalaya by Creed

Himalaya is a scent I've never really been sure of whether it's a keeper for me. But at the same time I'm not in a rush to get rid of it. Very similar to Paco Rabanne XS pour homme, with less mint and citrus, and of course more Ambergris and Musk. Top notes are cool and discreet, mildly minty and citric, with just a slight hint of flint/fuel/mineral smell. Grey Ambergris and musk really are dominant, but it's not too animalic or offensive in any way, even with heavy application. It is cool and composed, and strangely capable of smelling warm at it's core and pleasantly cool on it's surface in cold weather. the spicy pepper, vetiver, and blend of dry/oriental woods is all discreet, possibly too discreet for some. I'll gived it a neutral, due to it's price, but with so many reputable online discounters charging $25/oz, it's not as prohibitively expensive as it seems.
01 February 2009

Green Valley by Creed

Great opening of several types of Mint, some light happy citrus, and a grassy field field full of wildflowers, new spring growth/buds. When the citrus and mint lose their edge, the earthy leafiness left from the mint blends in with the Violet Leaves, wildflowers/buds/grass, and a spicy mix of ginger and pepper. the overall feel here lasts for some time, and gives off a very natural and earthy scent, not entirely green, but more green/white/beige, all mixed together in open air, air that is rich with the smell of sweet wildflowers still sporting dew. I smell nothing synthetic like any of the Fahrenheits. after several hours of this, the scent finally settles into a sweet light brown, full-bloom patchouli, very earthy, with some lingering greens to balance the sweetness. My only complaint is just slightly too much vanilla in the drydown. But it's not anywhere near cloying, I am just someone who likes minimal sweetness. Possibly the most underrated Creed of them all.
01 February 2009

Concentrée D'Orange Verte by Hermès

Whereas the original Eau smelled wetter, perfectly natural, and more green/leafy, it also smells "older" than Concentre. Concentre not only lasts longer, but is both mintier, sweeter, and more complex. The very natural Papaya and Mango notes being amped up make it smell much more contemporary, without giving it any hint of candy. My only gripe, albeit a small one, is that in colder temperatures this scent smells somewhat dry, which is not flattering for a citrus scent imo. But above 50fahrenheit, it's the best all-around citrus-dominant scent I've smelled, when factoring in natural aura, longevity, and price. I will never be without a bottle of this. Both thumbs way up and a big grin.
01 February 2009

Central Park by Bond No. 9

This is the safest and most accessible of Bond's Green scents, although the notes may not seem that way. Neither masculine or feminine, nor too sheer or sharp, this is a good citrus/greens scent with pretty good longevity on both the citrus and freshness of the greens. It's not particularly natural, but it is not overly synthetic either, which imo many bonds are. The overall impression is very clean, even in the base, which is moderately sweet, and still transparent. This scent could have benefitted from a little more richness/smoothness, but it might be perfect the way it is for those who like extremely clean smelling scents. Worth the price at an online discount.
01 February 2009

Bleecker Street by Bond No. 9

I was looking forward to this scent more than any other bond, and I was again dissapointed. The longevity is less than the other bond scents, and the notes which do last are not natural, warm, or particularly pleasant. The galbanum/herbal notes are very synthetic, and seem far too sheer and sharp, possibly due to overuse of dissonant aldehydes. Regarding the Violet Leaf, I much liked the synthetic violet leaf used in Chez Bond, which is very similar to the violet leaf in Creed;'s GIT, but this is either a different synthetic violet leaf( a wet one like Kiton Black or the Cartiers), or just far too little of it. A larger dose could have been used to make the composition more earthy/natural, which imo Bleecker st. needs. The woods could have been mixed up at a higher concentration as well, which may have taken off some the sheer and sharp edge of the green heart accord. I smell very little if any cinnamon. Not what I expected.
01 February 2009

Acqua di Parma Colonia by Acqua di Parma

The Citrus and Rosemary in the topnotes is unmatched. Very natural, fresh, classy, and timeless. My only wish is that the topnotes would last alot longer. When they give way to the lavender, this is the only stage I dislike, as the bitter top-edge of the lavender is still there, unguarded by verbena or citrus. Once the Lavender mellows, and the rose comes in, the composition regains it's timeless appeal, and although it does become sweet and floral, the rose is not a particularly feminine brand of sweet. This stage lasts and lasts, well past it's EDC moniker. My only wish is a lower dose of Lavender, and a higher does of Verbena (vervaine), and Citrus. Excellent scent, and a must try, for historical reference at the very least.
01 February 2009

Acqua di Parma Colonia Intensa by Acqua di Parma

This one is very different from the original Colonia, not necessarily a different take on it, with additional/omitted ingredients. Almost like a whole new scent. It is a dry, masculine, and very elegant scent, nothing too sharp or astringent like Assoluta. The top and heart is nicely blended, more herbal than citrus, and the base is very dry, nearly in the same realm of refined dry dustiness as Tuscany or Tabarome Millesime, but I would say even more reserved and elegant. A very good addition to the AdP line, and not just another flanker.
01 February 2009

Acqua di Parma Colonia Assoluta by Acqua di Parma

This, while without doubt a classy and elegant masculine scent, shares too much in common with an unlikely cheap drugstore scent for me to fully credit it as a legit sibling to the great original Colonia. The Citrus is there, but it is not able to shine past the bitter and sour, extremely masculine smells that were added. These "additional" smells are not conifereous, although their time-period association, imo, is. As is their appeal to me, which is to say not much. That said, if you really enjoy Brut aftershave, but felt it was lacking enough citrus, too cheaply constructed, and too synthetic, Colonia Assoluta is for you.
01 February 2009

Jubilation XXV by Amouage

I disagree that this scent has too much going on. No matter how much is listed, if it all goes together, and adds to the collective blend, without dissonance, I say yes. The result of so many distinct smells being proportioned as they are here, is a very pleasing one. No note sticks out, but many notes are individually percetible. None of the fruits/herbs/aromatics are mixed too heavily, they all sit behind the incense, spices, and woods. THe initial and middle stages are worth the price, but the base, not quite. SO, going back to my original point, a little MORE opulence at the base would have made this bottle worthy for me, which is difficult to do at this price with few, if any, online discounters. Overall though, wonderful scent. Amouage's best release to date.
01 February 2009

Reflection Man by Amouage

Not what I expected. This is an extremely clean powdery, thick cloud of Orris, Jasmine, and Neroli. I smell no Aromatics, spice/pepper, or leafyness. The woods are similar in texture to something between the thick, waxy bases of Canali and Himalaya. It's overall impression would be a sweeter, more feminine, richer, more powdery/floral mixture of Canali, Dunhill Fresh, Burberry Brit, and Fleur De Male. If those are to your liking, and you want the entire experience to smell much richer and last longer, this is for you. I think this might be good on a strong female, wearing soft fabrics in white/lilac/silver, in the right situation. But to designate this as a masculine scent is lol
01 February 2009

Dia for Men by Amouage

One of the few Amouage offerings I would classify as distinctly masculine. Not for the price, but this is a very nice, slightly powdery patchouli/woods combo. The patchouli smells very dark, and moderately sweet. Well blended, nothing sticks out or is brash. It's a very classy scent. I wouldn't wear it due to the powder, but I think this is Amouage's 2nd best Men's scent.
01 February 2009

Amouage Silver Cologne by Amouage

As usual, with the house of Amouage, this smells expensive. But expensive and dated, not at all classic. This smells somewhat fresh, bitter, and rich/deep. But the overall scent is very very late 80's, and has not held up as well as some of the other 80's western designer scents. If I were to attach a time and place to this, I would say wilshire boulevard in 1986, on a wealthy man who had no confidence in his own taste, and instead relied on expense to dictate his taste.
01 February 2009

Amouage Gold Men by Amouage

Most are familiar with the very early 80's dull-bitter "opulent urine" accord. This has that in spades. And while it does indeed smell expensive, it also smells of Jovan Musk and Old Woman perfume as well. Very strange mixture to smell in 2009. Not recommended unless you really enjoy projecting self-aware parody in your fragrances.
01 February 2009

Ciel for Him by Amouage

This has many blue and green notes in it I like, some seem luxurious and even convey a natural and smooth feel. But there is also a strong, familiar, slightly "muted-bitter" accord that was common amongst many high-end late 80's scents, and it is not a fresh/aquatic note, it is a bitter masculine note that I can't place. It is blended so that the entire fragrance seems to be a unified accord, and would have been better without the "dull-bitter" 1989 heart note. I would give it a neutral if the price wasn't absurd.
01 February 2009

Acqua di Sale by Profumum

Imagine a beautiful saltwater beach, sunny and packed with people, some have lotion on, some smell like camphor-sunscreen/noxcema, and just off the beach, is a resort hotel with a chlorine pool. you are standing at the back of the beach, near the hotel pool. From here, if you turn towards the beach, you smell the saltwater and the lotion/sunscreen. what a refreshing smell. You then turn back towards the hotel pool, just in time to see someone carrying soda, nachos, and a little candy get pushed right into the pool. it causes a big splash and all the food scatters over the waters surface. 3 surprised children in the pool simultaneously sh!t their bathing suits, and the feces float amongst the soda/nachos/candy. it all floats together in the chlorine water, and a breeze blows the smell out towards you, and you are now having trouble smelling the ocean air. you move back out towards the ocean, away from the pool, but the breeze is still blowing out. hopefully they clean the feces and food out of that pool soon. meanwhile, mothers are applying purel to their hands, after frantically wiping their children with baby wipes, upon taking them out of the pool.

it smells like that.
31 January 2009

Pasha Fraîcheur Menthe by Cartier

I expected more mint as well. It has some mint, but really is just a lighter version of Varvatos Vintage/Michael Jordan Cologne (think i'm bullsh!zzing and go smell both, it's the Jordan in the black box.) Not quite what I expected from the pyramid, as so often is the case. Not at all a bad scent. On the good side of neutral.
23 January 2009

L'Essence de Déclaration by Cartier

Cartier have managed to make a prominent smoky woods accord smell young.
Didn't think it was possible ?
Try Declaration Essence.
23 January 2009

The Scent of Peace by Bond No. 9

I like this alot.
Yes, there's the fruity peach/berry bubble gum, but it's played just right.
But it's just so pleasant, so happy.
"Beautiful" would be the wrong word, this scent is very very cute, bright, and sexy.
Perfect for so many girls.
Two thumbs up.
My favorite Bond scent.
14 December 2008

Saks Fifth Avenue for Her by Bond No. 9

It starts of great, when the coconut and youthful smells are holding their own, but within 30 minutes it gives way to a scent that smells, for women in their 40's/50's.
THis may be a good thing, with wide appeal, but I like the toip way more than the bottom in this one.
14 December 2008

Riverside Drive by Bond No. 9

I was expecting alot of this.
It is a well done, somewhat natural Pineapple/green/woods/moss.
One of the few bonds that actually do smell masculine, although it's too sweet for me.
I've smelled the sweet heart note before in a recent/current designer scent, but I can't place it now.
Still ,a good scent.
14 December 2008

New Haarlem by Bond No. 9

This is a good, sweet, unisex coffee/mocha/vanilla scent.
It does smell natural enough, and is overall very pleasant.
I wouldn't wear it, but it'd be good on the right girl.
I give it a thumbs up.
14 December 2008

Little Italy by Bond No. 9

This is not an expensive smelling citrus scent.
It seems to have a strong majority of synthetics, blended with a weak minority of natural smelling citrus.
It's not full-fledged Orange soda or orange candy-jelly slices, but it does have those smells, and they dominate the natural side of this scent.
This scent is worth $55 tops for 3.3oz.
14 December 2008

Hamptons by Bond No. 9

A "wetter" and sweeter Silver Mountain Water.
With a worse, more synthetic base, lacking smoothness on it's exit.
Less depth and spaciousness when compared to SMW.
Laurice does so well copying topnotes and making them younger and sweeter, even does pretty well with middle notes...
...but her basenotes, for the price, are un-acceptable.
Neutral vote because it's still better than the average designer stuff/
14 December 2008

Eau de New York by Bond No. 9

Greener than I expected, but a little weak.
The citrus and greens are nicely done, but are lacking a 'natural majority'
Also lacking a cohesive base, and the base is does have is weak and unexceptional for the price.
Nice Bottle.

14 December 2008

Chez Bond by Bond No. 9

Smells closest to GIT of all the clones (Cool Water, Freshman, Chez Bond)
Better than Cool Water (especially the new batches of Lavender dominated cool water)
But is still very synthetic, and that makes the gap between GIT and chez bond wide.
The violet leaf is fresher and greener, less dusty, but the smoothness and killer drydown of GIT is just totally absent.
It is also sweeter than GIT, almost as sweet as Truefitt's Freshman.
But I'm on the fence as to whether I like Freshman more, Freshamn is much 'happier'.
It's still a good scent, plagarism and all.
But I vote neutral due to price.
14 December 2008

Coney Island by Bond No. 9

Bond seems to be able to make young, sweet, fruity, happy scents fairly well.
Coney Island does this, and while the note pyramid looks hectic, it all works.
It still smells synthetic, which is one of my beefs with Bond in general, but the synthetics are blended at far more tasteful than their designer/less expensive equivalents.
A weak thumbs up.

14 December 2008

Bryant Park by Bond No. 9

This is a good young scent, fruity and fresh w/o smelling like cheap candy.
The raspberry is there, but doesn't overpower.
No "old woman" flowers either, a nice mix of fresh and classic florals.
I like it.
Bond's 3rd best girl's scent IMO.
14 December 2008

Andy Warhol Silver Factory by Bond No. 9

THis has a very old smell in it, surrounded by nice fresh, new unisex smells.
The old smell is from a men's scent at least 25 years old.
I can't place it.
It also has a strange industrial smell to it that I dislike much.
14 December 2008

Saks Fifth Avenue for Him by Bond No. 9

Did she copy N-18 by Pal Zileri?
And didn't improve on it ?
It's not bad at all, in fact it's a nice sweet/spicy incense.
But for the money, Bond should improve upon the OG, which in this case, its most certainly Pal Zileri N-18
For that....
14 December 2008

Gramercy Park by Bond No. 9

The green notes are very good, and the base is both weightless, transparent, and powerful.
It is sweet, but not excessivley so at all. This all makes for a very good green feminine scent.
My only problem is that it shares a sweet/sharp topnote with tabarome millesime.
But the rest is good.
I would like a masculine version of this with the same green/leafy/ivy notes
14 December 2008

L'Eau de L'Artisan by L'Artisan Parfumeur

This is an excellent, natural light citrus/herbal scent, that seems to combine some of the top notes of the classic eau de colognes (think Colonia's topnotes), the green-ness of Sisley's Eau De Campagne, even a small taste of Creed's Selection Verte. I feel as if it should have a slightly stronger base, but that is just me. It likely appeals to a wider audience being just what it is. As typical of L'Artisans it smells 100% natural, and well blended and proportioned. Thumbs up.
14 December 2008

Navegar by L'Artisan Parfumeur

The pyramid lists incense, but it should more accurately list Frankincense to avoid any confusion.
The base smells of very high quality lemony frankincense tears with cedar in the back.
Spices never take away from the freshness that Navegar has from start to finish.
I've seen this listed as green and grassy, and I disagree.
It starts off with cucumber, black pepper and citrus, this works somehow.
The aquatic/cucmber note lasts well into it's development, when it becomes more herbal and drier, but still fresh and clean.
Finally it becomes dominated by a very pale and fresh frankincense, that others may have confused with juniper/lime, as the best frankincense can do.
A very different "Fresh" scent.
14 December 2008

Fleur de Liane by L'Artisan Parfumeur

The best green feminine scent I've smelled.
Absolutely beautiful.
No note ever steps out of place and dominates the others.
Nothing smells synthetic, too sweet, or "old".
It's a perfect balance of greens and sweet, young, wet flowers.
Both thumbs way up.
14 December 2008

Dzongkha by L'Artisan Parfumeur

Very natural smelling, but another one of the L'artisans that smell like some of my early essential oil/sd-39 overloads.
A very deep woody/vetiver/herbal scent.
Stand-offish is a good term for this woody, as it's not inviting.
It's very reserved and snobby.
21 November 2008

Encre Noire by Lalique

This smells very natural, classy, and masculine.
But it smells far too much like some of my first attempts at woody scents:
see: SD-39c/Cypress/Sandalwood/Katrafay/Vetiver root/etc.

Too easy an effect to produce with essential oils.
Very classy and respectable, much better than most consumer woodsy scents
20 November 2008

Zirh by Zirh

Seeing the notes listed, I tested this expecting I'd like it.
If you like the smell of bitter green unripe banana peel, not the fruit, just the green peel, you'll like this.
And it's more synthetic. I smell nothing close to citrus, Ginger, or oakmoss.
Both thumbs down, toungue out.
20 November 2008

Cool Water by Davidoff

Forever a modern Classic.
IDC if it was a copy.

If anything, I'd like the OG Cool Water with a heavier dose of leafy mint.
29 May 2008

Black Orchid by Tom Ford

I've eaten something like this before.
And it's not dark chocalte, Vanilla, or truffles...?...hmm...

This maybe could work on the right girl.
It's edible, sweet, but not soft enough, the base is too dark, thick, and cloying.

A fresher, softer version is in order.
13 December 2007

Chrome by Azzaro

I agree with most of the positive reviews.

Yes, Chrome is very synthetic (like other Azzaro)
But it is so soft and pleasant, not what is assumed of Synthetics.

Yes, it is also very plain, but this is not necessarily bad.

Fresh laundry clean smell, good (and inoffensive) sillage, lasts and lasts, and is also very linear (another thing I view as positive).

There are better "Generic fresh" type of colognes (dunhill fresh), but this came out 10 years ago.

I think if less wore this it would get more play here.
13 December 2007

Vétiver by Creed

Very soft, very classy, almost feminine Vetiver scent.

Also very soapy.

I may be alone, but as far as being a man's cologne, I prefer Creed's Original Vetiver by a vary large margin.

I think this Vetiver would be better with Iris, Rose, Marigold, and some very soft florals, flipped into a feminine scent.

Still, it is very classy and well done.
13 December 2007

Sélection Verte by Creed

Much better than I had expected.
This is my 3rd favorite Creed.

The top is extra-ordinarily good, but the base is little more than the Creed house note to my nose.
Still, the notes are all so good it's hard to not like alot.

Both thumbs up.
13 December 2007

Santal Impérial by Creed

A very well done, very simple fragrance.
To me, it smells like a unisex version of AOS-Sandalwood, both with the clean bright top, and a Sandalwood base that's not the dark rich type of Sandalwood. More a light and creamy Sandalwood.

Worlds better than Creed's other "Santal"
12 December 2007

Orange Spice by Creed

Imagine eating am extremely spicy sweet snack, then peeling on orange, while walking through the bird cage at the zoo.

Then you exit the bird cage and catch a handfull of Gorilla Gung-Gung on your pants leg.

I assume Nieman Marcus wouldn't keep a spoiled tester on the floor?
12 December 2007

Acier Aluminium by Creed

Wow!, what a strange and complex cologne!
Much more complex than some of the other reviews give it credit for!

10% Joop.

20% GRANDMA's HOUSE YEA !!

20% Hospital Toilet.

20% Cheap 1950's Aftershave.

20% Armor All Dashboard Shine.

2.5% Mercury.

5% Astronaut Toilet.

2.5% Actual Aluminum.

=100% Bad

Eww.
12 December 2007

Un Jardin en Méditerranée by Hermès

Another one of the better "fresh" girl's perfumes.

It's not mega-nasty flowery(which is always a turn off for me), just nice and soft and clean.

Both this and Un Jardin Sur Le Nil are two of my favorites.
Thumbs up.
05 December 2007

Un Jardin sur le Nil by Hermès

Delicious, without smelling like candy.
No obnoxiously loud flowers either, just very delicate & clean florals.

Grapefruit is a little sour before the drydown, but other than that, very good.
I like this alot, a whole lot.

Both thumbs way way up.
05 December 2007

Silver Mountain Water by Creed

Beautiful bottle and name, but this is very very unimpressive.

Maybe suitable as a female sport scent?
28 November 2007

Original Santal by Creed

They should not have named this Original Santal.

I very much know distinctively high quality Sandalwwod, and this is none of it.

This is a classier Joop, and that is still very bad.
28 November 2007

Tabaróme Millésime by Creed

I think this would be very good for those who want a fresh version of something like Terre D'Hermes or Rocabar.

For me though, It doesn't justify near the price.
Well done though, like nearly all the Creed Colognes.
28 November 2007

Virgin Island Water by Creed

Like Erolfa, I expected more from this.
The bottle and name are beautiful, but the scent is dominated by Lime Initially, and the drydown is not enough Coconut or Hibiscus I think.

It's a very good unisex cologne, but for the price consumer deserves a stronger, richer version of the same scent.
28 November 2007

Bois du Portugal by Creed

This is great cologne.
Combine all the good timeless smells from all the old colognes (Polo Green, Aramis, Santos, Canoe, Armani pour Homme, Old Spice, etc.), and leave out all the dated bad smells...

= Bois Du Portugal

Probably will end up as the only "Traditional" cologne I ever buy.

This may be my 2nd favorite cologne.
Both thumbs way way up.
28 November 2007

Vetiver by Guerlain

(New Version)
Wow, very impressed.
The hot spice and sweet spice, and green roots blend so well together it smells like a single scent.
Like the better cousin to cloves.
And just enough citrus and sweetness, not too much.
My favorite of all the Vetiver colognes by a wide Margin.
28 November 2007

Original Vetiver by Creed

Very unlike other men's Vetiver colognes.
Well done, sweet, citrusy, and soapy, but not feminine.
Thumbs up.
28 November 2007

Terre d'Hermès by Hermès

Y'all were right.
Lime, lemon Pledge, and cigarettes.
Not for me.
20 November 2007

Gendarme Sky by Gendarme

I've been in the sky.
No chlorine or Dishsoap there.
20 November 2007

Purple Water by Asprey

"Grape" quarter water. ha.
Good scent for a female, cause it's not too flowery or powdery, just sweet.
20 November 2007

Narciso Rodriguez for Him by Narciso Rodriguez

It's alright.
Not too sweet, but a little too much flowers.
Also I smell fresh cut Green Bell & Poblano Peppers.
It's cool. Different.
20 November 2007

Équipage by Hermès

Smells exactly like what's used to soften cow's udders

Bag Balm/Udder Balm.

No good.
20 November 2007

Bulgari Aqua pour Homme by Bulgari

Well done aquatic.
Not crystal clear tropical blue water.
A dark saltwater bay with lots of greens & seaweed.
15 November 2007

L'Eau par Kenzo pour Homme by Kenzo

Gourmet Pool Chlorine.
15 November 2007

Very Irrésistible for Men by Givenchy

Mocha-Chocalate covered lime-blossoms ?
It's for men ?
Ok.
15 November 2007

DKNY Be Delicious Men by Donna Karan

Tangerine Coffee?
Ok that's cool.
14 November 2007

Pi by Givenchy

This would smell great on a female.
Almond-extract type smell, very soft, very pleasant.
14 November 2007

Tuscany / Etruscan by Aramis

A much lighter softer version of Armani pour homme or Bowling Green.

I like it.
14 November 2007

Baldessarini Del Mar by Baldessarini

The base is very good, but the florals ruin it.
Cross Canali & Very Valentino, then make it bad.
Nice looking bottle, name, etc.
14 November 2007

Incanto pour Homme Essential by Salvatore Ferragamo

rodent's review is not overstating it.
F- for the windex note.
Absolutely horrible.
14 November 2007

Polo Double Black by Ralph Lauren

Ralph lauren's colognes almost always seem to appeal to me, but some of his newer stuff put me off.

Double Black didn't.
I like it alot.
Very well done.
Almost every aspect of it I like, besides maybe one sharp green note it shares with alot of other colognes.
That one note sticks out past the coffee & earthy flavors. It shouldn't.
I'm new to knowing cologne, but I guess it's the Juniper is just slightly too strong.
Almost everything else is very very good. I'll probably buy this.
Thumbs up.
01 November 2007

Polo by Ralph Lauren

Even though I don't like it, this is the best of all the Evergreen colognes.
There is a sense of refinement and pleasant undertone that makes the over-powering Juniper and Pine tolerable.

I wouldn't wear it, but it's still the best Evergreen cologne I've smelled.
01 November 2007

Polo Black by Ralph Lauren

Normally, Ralph Lauren colognes agree with me more than any other brand.

Not here.
The Mango is good, but alot of the rest is too sharp and bright to be called black.
To me, this smells more like POLO CHROME, or POLO ALUMINUM.

There are multiple notes that disagree with me alot.
Thumbs down.
01 November 2007

Dunhill Pursuit by Alfred Dunhill

Very well done.
An old man's HUGO.
A little heavier low end, and a little less of the powdery floral would have improved it IMHO.
Still a very well done cologne.
01 November 2007

Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren

Nothing is wrong with this cologne.
Nothing out of place, or too strong.
It's simple, clean, and fresh.
Matches the bottle and color. No more.
Dunhill Fresh I think still has an edge on Polo Blue, as top of the "Plain Blue" Colognes.
On the good side of neutral for simplicity.
01 November 2007

Dunhill Fresh by Alfred Dunhill

Very plain, clean aquatic fresh.
Doesn't come off generic though.
This is by a wide margin my favorite fresh aquatic yet.
Nothing smells cheap or out of place.
Very plain, very good.
01 November 2007

Armani Eau Pour Homme by Giorgio Armani

Bowling Green ?
It's bowling Green without the air filter box.
Fresh and classy.
Thumbs up.
01 November 2007

John Varvatos by John Varvatos

Another good looking bottle.
Good scent to match.
Sweet funk grunge.
Like it alot.

A+ for Varvatos.
Thumbs way way up.
01 November 2007

Z by Ermenegildo Zegna

The original bottle (not the black ducati bottle) is IMO one of the best looking bottles ever.

However, Initially or on drydown, I can't get past the Windex notes (original & vinegar)

Sterile, hospital grade, stand-offish fresh. Thumbs way down. Beautiful bottle though.
01 November 2007

Calvin Klein Man by Calvin Klein

Very good, clean, and strong initially.
Once dry, Smells like sweet green relish (yup, hot dog relish) for the next 4 hours.
Clean, but much too sweetness.
24 October 2007
 
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