Fragrance Reviews by howardbweiner

Part of a larger collection of fragrances called Hermessence. Fresh, elegant, casual; definitely a summer fragrance. Not too complicated and doesn't pretend to be anything it isn't. Beautiful packaging and also available as part of a junior sized boxed set.

Like a soft summer breeze in a sunny pine forest. Sweet, yet very clean and subtle. My signature summer fragrance!

I love it but, then again I also loved Alien when it first came out. I sprayed a sampler card with Black Orchid while at Nordstrom the other day. I put it under the noses of at least six sales people in several departments of either gender and they unanimously said: " Ummmmm...I like that! What is it?' I then flipped the card over to reveal the name: Tom Ford's Black Orchid. They were as surprised and delighted as am I when I spray it on in the a.m. I agree that it is a fragrance for men or women in moderation.

This fragrance is an excellent example of how dynamically subjective fragrance can be. Though some reviewers find Aquarama synthetic and truly awful, my experience is entirely different. I find it wonderfully layered and complex. In essence, it reminds me of "old money". I love it and use it often.

I used to really enjoy Jaipur, but now cannot tolerate it. The heaviness of the Tonka Bean combined with the Helioltrope leaves me gasping for fresh air. Odd how our fragrance preferences change over time. One moment you love it and the next you can't abide it!

Once experienced, Vol de Nuit cannot be forgotten or mistaken for another fragrance. Layer upon layer of memories. Kaliedoscopic. Ancient. Feral. Powerful. Evocative. Dangerous.

Though the ingredients seem quirky and exotic, in combination this is not an original fragrance. I smell a lot of "Angel" in it; especially in its drydown. The bottle is indeed ludicrous. If you don't get the symbolism it's your loss.

Alien is definitely retro and quite nice. Very 70's. Sweet, intense and incensey. Somewhat like boucheron but all on its own. There's a top note that I can't identify but I think it's green or metal. Packaging is beautiful. A winner in my book!

Sexual is a fragrance I use but not often. It's definitely not an everyday scent but rather for special use. It's that unique though it does remind me of Salvador Dali's Fragrance: incensy, heady, intense, overpowering if used too profusely.

Though a "feminine" fragance, I really respond to Poison Hypnotique. It's a very complex, very sensual fragrance that stays with me all day. The key is to use only one small spritz otherwise the experience is definitely overwhelming.

This is a very classy fragrance...just like the designer. Subtle, refined, restrained, tasteful and rich. This is not a fragrance that shouts and that's part of its charm. Can be used all year round. Casual and formal simultaneously. Very special. HB Weiner/Seattle WA.

I agree that this is a marvelous new cold weather frangrance. I've never experienced Le Dandy so I find Varvatos very special and distinctive. HB Weiner/Seattle, WA