Fragrance Reviews by bamacharm

I detect the same essence in Eau de Caron Forte that I find offensive in Body Kouros. It's not as strong but it's unmistakable. Some people adore that Kouros accord and an equal number detest it. Count me in the latter. I blindly purchased a 3.4 oz bottle of Eau de Caron Forte on Ebay that will now go unused. For me, there isn't anything in this that I find appealing.

My review is for the "average Joe or Jane" like me, who is not trained to distinguish between the various notes. I almost skipped buying this because of what turned out to be a very exagerated review that this fragrance smells like pipe tobacco ashes. What a mistake that would have been. The Dreamer is simply awesome. The base notes I picked up, if anything, are tobacco flower and amber. There is nothing in this that smells like tobacco smoke or ashes. If there is, it is so faint as to be virtually indetectable by us average Joes and Janes. Nothing in the top notes caused me any problem either and there are couple of fragrances that do. The Dreamer is a very masculine, refined scent that smells like nothing I've ever used. It is how I imagine a well groomed man of some affluence should smell. I think it is suited for a romantic evening or anytime you'd like to make a great impression.

I started my fragrance collection just 3 short months ago and already have 30 plus of the very highest rates ones here on base notes. You should consider the Dreamer. In my opinion, it is outstanding and one of the best fragrances a man can own.

This is my numero uno. This is not a clubbing scent nor will it be a top choice of the college & younger crowd. This is, however, sophistication and class in a bottle. Boucheron does not knock anyone over but lures them closer, especially the ladies. The light floral tones are extremely well done. One reviewer called it "old fashioned". I can't see it. To me, it is more in line with the fresh scents of today.

Absolutely gorgeous scent. I love it. It is in my top three for sure. Very classy.

This isn't my cup of tea. I sprayed some on the back my hand in a department store today. I cannot handle this scent. My guess is that the castoreum oil, taken from the musk glands of beaver and used to set traps by North American Mountain men in the days before westward expansion, could not have been far different from this. I have scrubbed the back of my hand three times with hot water and that strong handwashing liquid commonly found in restrooms. The scent must have penetrated my skin because it will not go away. I asked the ladies in the office what they thought about it and they were all equally repulsed. This after three scrubbings, mind you. So there's a positive. This stuff has BIG TIME staying power! My recommendation is that you test this and allow that special someone in your life to sample it too before buying. Oh yes, spray on a swatch or something and not your skin. From my experience, it will not disappear when you need it to do so. I am headed home now to apply vinegar or ammonia cleaner or whatever else I can find to the back of my hand before taking a hot shower. Different strokes......I guess.

I bought a bottle of this blindly based on positive reviews here and elsewhere. BIG MISTAKE. There are two things I now know: (1) some people love nutmeg; and, (2) I'm not one of them. Actually, I don't mind nutmeg in moderation but it so dominates this scent, for me, to the point of nausea. No scent, not even the cheapest dollar store variety has ever given me a headache. This one did and almost instantaneously. My first reaction is that it smells like a bargain basement fabric softener. Anyone need a full 3.4 oz bottle of this stuff? Those of you who grew up in the 60s-70s will remember the ultra repulisive and cheap "Hai Karate". I'd take that over this concoction.

I'm not in the same league with you guys when it comes to evaluating fragrances. I have read hundreds and hundreds of your reviews, really appreciate them, and have purchased a lot of those fragrances that you favor. This is one where I went against the flow. I'm no expert, so I'll go with the reactions I get from the opposite sex.

I'm a 53 year-old Department Director who has a decent sized secretarial pool. Those ladies notice what I wear and feel comfortable enough with me to comment on it.

They like the Bulgari Pour Homme, the Chanel Platinum Egoiste, the Burberry Touch, the D&G, Boucheron Homme, Issey Miyake, Hanae Mori, etc. However, everyone of them swoons when I wear Euphoria. They love it and even request that I wear it again after I've gone a few days wearing other fragrances. I love the fragrance too. I think it's the suede that I and they like. Out of all the many colognes I have, this is my favorite and gets the best reaction - from Southern girls anyway. I don't know. Maybe we aren't as sophisticated and don't know any better.

You guys are the experts but there is one thing this rank amateur would like to take issue with you on. I've read so many of your comments that this cologne or that isn't strong enough or doesn't stay with you long. I think it depends on what you're definition of "staying" is. There are a lot of people out there who get physically ill at the smell of fragrances. Plus, many, many women have told me that they don't want to be blown over with a fragrance. It should be a subtle, suggestive hint. Otherwise, your fragrance no matter what it is can be a turn off. This past weekend, I purchased D&G Light Blue Pour Homme and applied 2 squirts before attending church. I was convinced an hour later that there was no trace of it remaining. Seven hours later, I was hugged by a lady and, to my surprise, she commented that my cologne was fantastic. Eight hours after applying Euphoria (just 2 squirts), I've had ladies ask me what that wonderful fragrance is. I couldn't smell it but they still could.

I guess my point is that perhaps many of these fragrances have a lot more staying power than that for which they are credited. I admit, my experiences have been the "up close and personal" variety. The question is do you want your fragrance to "reach out and touch" EVERYONE or primarily those who get close to you? I prefer the latter. My rule of thumb is if I can still smell myself after a few hours, the cologne is too strong and/or I applied too much.

Can any of you suggest other fragrances with creamy suede as a basenote?