Fragrance Reviews by Zut

Ambre de Molinard is my new winter EDT and I just adore it. Why this fragrance is labeled for women, I just don't know. Although it is rather powdery (which is quite normal for an amber-based perfume), it does not make me smell like a melted vanilla ice-cream cone. Ambre develops very well and its staying power is impressively good for an inexpensive fragrance. A big two thumbs up as far as I am concerned.

This was my mother's perfume. I miss her and I miss the fragrance. Via was fresh and woody at the same time. The EDT was available in two different concentrations. I was told Via was created with the North-American woman in mind. I bought a bottle for my mother in Paris in September 1984 at the main Lanvin store and I was a little disappointed with the fragrance. Perhaps there was an American edition and a European edition of Via. Although it was not bad, the EDT I bought in Paris was much more sweet and powdery than the one I was used to. All in all, Via was a very original fragrance and I am so sorry it is no longer available while some nasty perfumes are still around.

I am wearing Cravache (the original) as we speak. I have the largest bottle available (collectors offered me several hundred dollars for it, but I declined). I love this fragrance. Yes, it it old-fashioned but it is also very masculine and classy. I did not know Piguet reissued Cravache without the leather note. If so, pity.

On me, Axe Dark Temptation body spray smells almost exactly like A*Men (Angel Men) by Thierry Mugler. Unfortunately, I do not really care for A*Men... But if I did, I should use ADT/LDT deodorant as an inexpensive complement to A*Men.

This is one of my all-time favourite fragrances. Strangely enough, while Shalimar can be feminine and delicate when worn by a woman, it has a powdery yet not too sweet amber note that makes it suitable for a man. When I wore it many years ago, all my coworkers thought it was a masculine fragrance. What makes a fragrance masculine or feminine can be so subjective. Is Shalimar old-fashioned? Yes, a little. But it is classy and distinctive.

Envy is my new winter fragrance. I find it warm, spicy and extremely sensuous. I love it so much I wear it to bed! At last, an edt that has a reasonable staying power. I spray it early in the morning and a subtle aura is still noticeable 10 or 12 hours later. My friends and co-workers all love it too.

In 1972, I won a bottle of this so-called "cologne" as a door prize at a dance. I tried it before I went to see a movie. The stench was so overpowering it gave me a severe headache and people sitting next to me kept moving away to another row after a short while. Quite humiliating... True story!

One of my co-worker wears Marescialla (Italian for "Marshal's wife" or "female Police Officer") and I love it. Of course, some might consider it a little too strong for casual daily use but it is warm, sensuous and original nonetheless. It also has an unbeliavable staying power. Is it outdated? Probably so. Marescialla may be an acquired taste but it does make a statement.

I still have the last bottle of Halston 101 ever sold by Bloomingdale's NY! Halston 101 is much too dry for my personal taste but since it is now a collector's item, I keep it as such. I have better results with Pino Silvestre which has a surprisingly similar composition. Those of you who miss Halston 101 could try Pino Silvestre. All the ingredients of Pino were in Halston.

I don't want to offend anyone who loves Samsara but this fragrance is by far the worst I have ever smelled. I am sure some women smell good with it but I haven't met one yet. I think the jasmine note is overpowering. In my opinion, there is nothing subtle about the entire composition. I like many of Guerlain's classics but I hate Samsara with a passion. Some perfumes are heady, this one is headachy. Nasty.

Envy is my new winter fragrance. I find it warm, spicy and extremely sensuous. I love it so much I wear it to bed! At last, an edt that has a reasonable staying power. I spray it early in the morning and a subtle aura is still noticeable 10 or 12 hours later. My friends and co-workers all love it too.