Reviews by EastonBMW

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    EastonBMW
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    Showing 1 to 17 of 17.
    rating

    X for Men by Clive Christian

    This is an interesting one. Probably one of the most interesting scents I've experienced. Again, I believe that Clive Christian is more marketing than a high end perfume house should be ... and they exploit the luxury market by selling their cologne at exorbitantly high prices. However, every Clive scent I have tried blows other high end designers out of the water. I would never actually spend the money on a bottle of this scent ... not because I don't like it, but because I can't imagine spending $1,000 on a bottle of cologne.

    This cologne has a little more bite than the more expensive Clive Christian Number 1. It is more spicy ... whereas the Number 1 is more floral. I think the X is very exotic smelling and the notes that stand out most to me are the cedar, tonka bean and pepper. The most interesting thing is how well of a symphony these scents blend into to form a great scent.

    I think that Lucky Brand used this fragrance as an inspiration when they launched their Oriental inspired fragrance. Obviously, there is no comparison between the two ... the Clive Christian is hands down more powerful and blended a lot better. However, if you are looking for a similar scent and only have a $50 - $100 budget, the Lucky Brand No. 6 would be along the same line ... but obviously much much less complex.

    I seem to be one of the minority who like the Number 1 better than this scent. This is a little more powerful and less subtle and classy as the Number 1. The sample is labeled as 'unconventional, unusual and exotic'. It is also stated that it is made from a combination of 'some of the most powerful aphrodesiacs known to man'. A little too heavy on the marketing for my taste ... but this is the type of cologne I would expect a very well traveled explorer/adventurer would wear during the golden days of British Colonial Imperialism. I imagine someone like Teddy Roosevelt wearing this ... well traveled, exotic yet refined.

    This definately does smell like some exotic middle eastern spice market. There are a lot of notes that are not used together in other colognes, which really does emphasize that Clive Christian really does know what they are doing in blending fragrances. I wish this was less expensive, because I would really love to have this scent in my wardrobe. However, even the sample sizes are too expensive for me to justify the purchase. I'd rather spend $200 on a large bottle of Creed than 3 small bottles of Clive in a satin holder. This is one of the most exotic and unusual smelling scents I've tried. It lasts a lot longer than some of the other scents I've tried. I am guessing there is a good amount of juice in this.

    If I hit the lottery, I will always have a bottle of this in my travel bag.

    29th June, 2009.

    rating

    Number 1 for Men by Clive Christian

    I am no stranger to expensive scents, which I normally use sparingly on special occasions. However, there is no way I could justify spending almost $1,000 on a bottle of cologne. So, for this review I used a tester of the scent. Even if women clung to me like I was covered in flypaper and every business negotiation I ever entered went successfully because I was wearing this scent, I probably would put the money this cologne costs towards a down payment on a Mercedes. And that is exactly why Clive Christian's marketing team is probably paid so well. Come up with a product so exclusive and expensive, that those who enjoy spending money will buy it. Just as some marketing people will market a product as the cheapest on the market and make money on the volume of sales ... Clive Christian's marketing people know you can be just as successful on the opposite end of the rainbow. If you price something so ridiculously high, people will buy it to celebrate or feel good about being able to afford it. In blindfolded taste tests, Dom Perignon and Crystal champagnes test slightly lower than a $40 range bottle of lower end French champagne.

    Having vented about $600 - $1,000 per bottle cologne, I realize that someone like the fictional character Thomas Crown would have no problem splurging on such cologne. The dillema I had when I applied the sample of Clive was ... if I was incredibly rich (and semi-foolish) would I still think this scent was worth the cost of what some would pay for a designer suit.

    This, to me, smelled like a much more powerful version of a Prada scent. It has a very clean and crisp scent. I detected a little grapefruit and maybe pepper. There was also a slight scent of baby powder. Obviously, this isn't someone with a chemistry set creating a scent and marketing it as the most expensive scent in the world ... these people know what they are doing. There is no question that the experise Clive uses in blending the notes perfectly. It is simple but at the same time complex. It doesn't stand out and slap you in the face the way some of the Creed scents do ... but there is no question that this smells like you'd expect Pierce Brosnan to smell in the part of Thomas Crown. This is the scent of someone who has everything they want and still feels the need to impress.

    I tried to put the thought of the cost of the cologne out of my mind to give it a fair test. But no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't. Maybe it was the fact that every sample I was given was marked 'the world's most expensive cologne'. Marketing works. I literally don't know if I would love this scent as much if I walked by a perfume counter at the mall and smelled it in a bottle marked Armani or Paul Smith. But what I can tell you is ... I do like this cologne a lot. Maybe its the way it makes me feel about myself when I wear it more than the actual scent. But it lasts a long time (longer than Creed's scents last ... maybe it has more juice) and the notes are blended so amazingly well, it is the equivalent of eating a meal at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant as compared to the Olive Garden. No individual note stands out over the others to me ... but they create a perfect blend or harmony together.

    Maybe one day I will be so apathetic to the value of money, I will be able to not worry about the cost of a bottle of Clive Christian No. 1. But until I get to that point, I will remain in awe of the scent's simplicity and perfect blending. For all those people who actually hate this scent and happen to have a bottle hanging around that they no longer want ... I'd be happy to take that bottle off their hands. Perhaps you can claim it as a tax write off? ha ha

    29th June, 2009.

    rating

    1872 for Men by Clive Christian

    Just as I was beginning to think Clive Christian's colognes were amazing in every sense, along comes this one. This is very dissapointing. Every maker of fine designer cologne is allowed to be off the mark every once and a while. However, when you charge $300 - $500 per bottle, you aren't allowed that luxury. In my opinion, Clive Christian 1872 is off the mark. This is a feminine scent marketed as a man's cologne. It is not very distinguishable and doesn't last long. There are green notes blended with floral notes and this smells sort of grassy.

    This was supposed to be a cologne that commemorates the year in which the Queen gave the crown stamp to the perfumery. Perhaps Clive Christian should have made this for the Queen herself because the scent would be way too feminine for any male royalty. This has notes of mandarin and talcum powder/baby powder with an overall green/grassy scent.

    This is an extremely underwhelming scent and I could recommend better scents of this type that cost $50 - $100, which is an amazing thing because of the price tag on this scent. If I had the money to spend exorbitant amounts on cologne, I'd be more likely to spend it on a scent like Number 1 or X from Clive Christian, which at least distinguish themselves from almost any other cologne I've tried. 1872 is more generic, not long lasting and feminine. Perhaps this is why this is priced in the 'bargain basement' of only $300 compared to $1,000+ for the other Clive scents. I'd avoid this one unless you like floral colognes that fly under the radar.

    29th June, 2009.

    rating

    David Beckham Instinct by Beckham

    I will admit that I am a David Beckham fan. The fact that I am a soccer player and have my BA in Public Relations/Advertising and an MBA with a concentration in Marketing make me realize how great Beckham is in both areas. Beckham the athlete (although pretty much over the hill) and Beckham the brand are pretty amazing to consider. How does a talented but fairly mediocre athlete (poor footwork, no left foot, no speed but an incredible passer/shooter) rise to such superstardom? By carefully crafting a public relations image that is appealing and creates excitement. Given that Beckham's endorsements usually come from products he personally uses, I assumed when I bought this bottle that Beckham would never sign off on a scent that wasn't something he would want his name alligned with ... especially given that his name is on the bottle and he is the model in the advertising. One mistep in terms of a bad product associated with the Beckham name and he doesn't have his soccer to fall back on.

    Celebrity scents have not all been bad. many of them have. I will agree that most of them are generic smelling cheaply made colognes or perfumes that a celebrity tacked their name on because it costs about 5 cents to make a bottle of cologne, which then sells for $40 or more because of the advertising. When Sean Combs (aka: P Diddy) came out with Sean John Unfogivable, it was clear that he pretty much copied a Creed scent and that, in my opinion was the last of the decent celebrity scents.

    I was expecting some kind of a sweet smelling perfumely cologne with Beckham's first cologne. Maybe it is because he talks in such a high pitched voice and let's be honest ... is famous for wearing thongs and skirts as part of his fashion. Also, usually the sweeter smelling colognes are less complex and cheaper to make. I was surprised that this cologne is a manly sort of scent. The orange/citrus bergamont smell is very notable. As the cologne is worn, the orange smell is complimented by a patchouli/spice smell. To me, this cologne reminds me a little of Burberry Touch blended with Bay Rum. It also is a little reminiscent of J Peterman's cologne in that it has some musky/earthy tones.

    This cologne gives me the vibe of a young soccer player in England ... someone who cares about their appearance and likes the attention of the ladies. I can't imagine this cologne would turn heads the way Curve or Abercrombie Fierce would because it is much less unique smelling, but at the same time ... I think it is fresh and young enough where it would make a good going out scent for someone younger.

    9th April, 2009.

    rating

    Paradise for Men by Alfred Sung

    I bought this cologne for $15 at TJ Maxx. When I sprayed it for the first time, it smelled very complex and tropical out of the bottle. After about 20 minutes, it had a citrusy and slightly spicey smell. 10 minutes later, it was almost unnoticeable. This is an interesting mix of sweet, sour and spicey smells and it smells very complex for a cologne that is so inexpensive.

    It seems that everyone agrees that the longevity of the cologne is something that could be worked on. It would be good for a summer scent but I don't really get the guava note as much as the grapefruit. I almost can get a hint of lime out of it as well. The patchouli notes and muskiness is a secondary note and gives the cologne a manly scent for a citrusy summer cologne.

    I can't complain for the price, but because of the longevity, I would go with a Versace Green or Diesel Green or even a Royal Lyme. This cologne isn't one that will stay in my collection because of the longevity.

    11th August, 2008.

    rating

    Lucky Number 6 for Men by Lucky Brand

    I bought this cologne because I read an article where B List celebrity women (I think one was Howard Stern's girlfriend, Beth Ostrosky and there may have been a Playboy Playmate or Porno Star reviewing) rated men's colognes based on sexiness and this one was at the top of the list. I did notice however, that they were a featured advertiser in that month's magazine, so maybe it was all BS.

    I am not really all that pleased with this fragrance. It smells very different from when you first spray it on than it does when it dries down. It is a very exotic Oriental smelling cologne. Very heavy on the Vanilla scent. I can't smell the notes of Cherry Blossom. But Oriental Wood and Musk are present. This is a very sweet smelling cologne and I'd almost think it was a perfume if I smelled it for the first time without knowing which sex it was designed for.

    Still, I hear a lot of people get good compliments on it. I have not, personally but on dry down I think it smells too sweet on me. The bottle looks nice. Overall, I'd keep it around because it is a unique, exotic scent and I think it would be best when worn close range on a date. If a girl was snuggling up to you, I am sure she would fell warmed by this scent. It might not be strong enough to get noticed when worn outside of a close range date.

    This is definately not a scent for everyone. Try it first and walk around with it before buying it. This shouldn't be an impulse buy. You can find this for $15 at TJ Maxx because it was not a big seller in the department stores.

    7th August, 2008.

    rating

    Purple Label by Ralph Lauren

    For the price you'd think it would last longer. I find that this is one of the scents that dissapears the quickest. It flies very low below the radar ... in fact, often I wear it and ask people how they like it and they mention that they didn't think I was wearing any cologne at all. This is one of those scents that could be sold by any designer. Based on the Purple Label's reputation, I expected a lot more of this cologne.

    I think the fame of the Purple Label is what sells this cologne along with its hard to find nature. Believe it or not Designer Fragrance Company at the outlet mall is the best place to find this ... they sell all the Ralph Lauren scents because they are the company that make them. A large bottle was $50 at the outlet, which is about half off the regular price. I didn't buy it at that discounted rate because of how generic this cologne is and how short the scent is. For the price, there are many different 'British Style Gentleman's Classics' out there. I'd buy Aqua di Parma or Tom Ford Tobacco before I bought this, because subtle colognes that are bearly noticeable seem like a waste of money.

    I would have liked to see a better cologne released by such an exclusive label. This smelled kind of like a watered down version of Cool Water with some more floral and fruity notes. Clearly, those who buy this are buying it for the name unless they have magic skin which really brings the scent out.

    7th August, 2008. (Last Edited: 30th June, 2009.)

    rating

    Brit for Men by Burberry

    I never seem to get compliments on this scent but absolutely love the way it smells on me so I keep it in my rotation. It smells to me like I'd imagine James Bond would smell. It has a very distinct British Gentleman's Club smell. But it also has a modern smell so its not like something too formal or stodgy. I'd imagine the person who wore this would carry an umbrella by Swaine & Adney and get his suits Tailored on Saville Row and drive a NEW Aston Martin. I think this has a nice modern edge to it compared to some of the classic gentlemen scents like Aqua di Parma and Penhaligon's Blenheim Bouquet. Those scents are like classical music. Brit is like jazz.

    I do detect the musk, ginger (been trying to put my finger on it since I bought this) and tonka bean. I can see the Oriental notes as well. This is a pretty complex scent in my opinion which stays the same from the time I put it on to the dry down. The staying power is very good as well and it will last me through a night of bar hopping. It does have a tendency to stay on clothing, which isn't always a good thing with suits because this cologne does not blend well with others as it is fairly overpowering.

    For some reason, any rating I leave on here comes out as neutral. But I love this scent and would recommend it. When I put this on, I just feel more confident.

    7th August, 2008.

    rating

    Curve for Men by Liz Claiborne

    Normally, I tend to like the luxurious things in life. I wear the top designers for suits, seven fold ties and make sure that I am always keeping up with the most current styles from Milan and Napoli. I only say this because I am about to admit that $20 a bottle Curve cologne is my 'go to scent'. Believe me ... I don't want it to be. It doesn't smell like an expensive cologne. It smells like you'd expect a college kid to be wearing it. A college kid surrounded by beautiful girls.

    You won't find a better bargain for your money. This has among the best dry down scents I've ever experienced. I would not like it as much if it smelled like it did right out of the bottle. The best way I could describe the change in scent from spray on to dry down is ... on first spray it smells like an alarm clock radio. After about an hour of wearing this, it smells like a Bose Wave Radio. It gets a very rich mossy smell when it dries down.

    You can pick out moss and citrus notes. There is a juniper note as well. This has incredible staying power. Every single girl I've talked to either has an ex who wore this ... or is my ex who forces her boyfriend to buy it because I wore it. Women simply like the way this smells on a man. It is a confident man's cologne. There is nothing luxurious about it. There is everything effective about it.

    Believe me ... as someone who has Creed and all the other expensive colognes in their cologne collection ... I am not wearing this because I have to. I wear it because its like the fast ball high and inside that I know I can always go to in order to get me out of a jam. This is the derringer in your boot when you are in a rough part of town. And other than another cheap cologne, Abercrombie Fierce, I've never got more compliments about a cologne as I do this. (Which is slightly depressing considering I could buy about 15 bottles of this with the money I spend on one bottle of Creed.)

    A little goes a long way and this smells different on everyone who tries it. This should be called "Chemistry' instead of 'Curve' because each person wears it differently. I like this though because you could be out in a group of people and three people can be wearing Curve and after the dry down, you'd never know they were wearing the same cologne. Its played out ... maybe ... and a lot of people have it. But thats because it works. For some reason, every rating I leave comes out as neutral but this would get thumbs up. (Stay away from the other versions of Curve. This one is the only one worth buying.)

    7th August, 2008.

    rating

    Chrome by Azzaro

    I like this cologne. Its really a mediocre scent. Nothing special ... but unique enough to where I am considering adding it to my collection of colognes. It has a very fresh smell ... I'd say it has metallic notes mixed with citrus and linen or cotton notes. It is crisp.

    I love how this smells right out of the bottle. I think the alchohol may make it smell crisper. On the dry down, I almost get a tinny, metallic sort of smell ... almost like rusted metal or tin which I do not like. This could just be the chemistry on me. I notice the same sort of smell when I have been lifting weights and my hands smell like the sweat and iron bar.

    However, overall ... this is a good scent. I do agree that it would be more of a high school or middle school scent but have noticed that a lot of the men's magazines like Details and Esquire have included it as a sample in the advertising pages. I'd expect to see this advertised in Maxim or Stuff because that is the type of guy who would probably wear this on a regular basis.

    7th August, 2008.

    rating

    Set Sail St. Barts for Men by Tommy Bahama

    After buying a bottle of Tommy Bahamas's Very Cool and loving it, I decided to give the brand some more business. Again, I went to TJ Maxx and bought a 3.4 oz. bottle of Set Sail St. Barts for $20. I believe the same bottle is around $65 at Macy's. I was pretty dissapointed with this cologne for the reason that it lasts only about 10 - 15 minutes on me before I can no longer smell it. I will say that this cologne has a very unique smell and a complex dry down. I've never smelled anything quite like it. I can surely get the tequilla and salt smell out of it, but as it dries a vanilla and coconut sort of scent remains. Honestly, I'd be happy if it always smelled like it did right out of the bottle ... which makes me think of drinking a Tequilla and Grapefruit juice by night at a beach bar near a pool at a resort in the tropics. The dry down smell almost reminds me of cotton candy or coconut and linen. However, it doesn't really matter because after a few minutes, only a very faint scent remains. I have a feeling if this cologne had more staying power, it would probably be one of the most unique and complex and mysterious colognes I own. I can surely see this scent as being the type of thing that women would use as an excuse to snuggle up next to if it lasted longer than 20 minutes. I was looking forward to trying the next version of Set Sail in the black bottle, but after the dissapointment with this version, I may pass ... even for $20.

    10th June, 2008.

    rating

    Unforgivable Multi Platinum by Sean John

    I was told by the cologne salesperson at Saks 5th Avenue on 5th Avenue in New York City that Diddy tried to buy the scent from Creed's scent library because it is the one he wears so he wanted to make it his signature scent. When Creed did not allow him to, he basically ripped the scent off anyways changing a few small touches. When it first came out, there was a limited edition of bottles, which sold out that cost hundreds of dollars because they had a higher concentration of oil. Then there was the regular version which has much less staying power. The Unfortivable Multi Platinum is basically in between those two.

    It has a higher concentration of oils to alchohol so it will last longer. This could be why many people believe it to be more citrusy than the original Unforgivable. It also is why it is more expensive. Diddy did some marketing spin and said that the cologne was designed for him because it reminded him of the French Riviera with citrus, ocean air and sand notes. I personally think it has notes of lemon and also cola. Yes ... cola ... it has a sweet smell when you first spray it on that can smell a little like those gummy coke bottles.

    This fragrance will be in my rotation for as long as they make it. Although, I think they have taken it out of stores and only sell the original and a new black edition. However, the most dissapointing thing about this fragrance is that I know it is a copy of a Creed scent and I personally believe it to be one of the best smelling and longest lasting colognes I own. However, I NEVER get any compliments on it when I wear it like many of the other less expensive fragrances. It bothers me that the Creed version of this is $300 a bottle and this version is $70 a bottle and I get more compliments by wearing $50 Abercrombie Fierce. Still, I keep this one in the collection for me. It makes me feel good to smell this when I am out.

    10th June, 2008.

    rating

    Very Cool for Men by Tommy Bahama

    I bought a 3.4 oz. bottle of this at TJ Maxx for $20 on a business trip because I forgot to pack cologne and must admit, it wildly exceeded my expectations. The cologne reminds me of having a gin and tonic on the sunbeaten wooden deck of a boat in the tropics. I know the cologne is supposed to sort of smell like a mojito, but I think it has a classy, cool scent. More manly than most 'light' colognes. I don't normally go for the 'marketing' behind a cologne, but really feel that this captures the idea of Tommy Bahama's Island Lifestyle nicely. The bottle of clear, nautical glass with a weathered wooden top is very simple and is not at all gimmicky. I receive a huge amount of comments when wearing this cologne and find that it lasts very long. Because it is a subdued sort of scent, I usually put on 4 or 5 pumps which is strong at first but then turns into a nice light scent that lasts all day. I will keep a bottle of this around for spring and summer ... it just makes me feel good to smell it. Not to mention while I was traveling, the beautiful girl whom I never met before who grabbed my arm and pulled me in close and kept me there for 10 seconds because she liked the cologne. If she didn't ask what the scent was so she could buy it for her boyfriend, that would have been a great day. ha ha

    10th June, 2008.

    rating

    Burberry London for Men by Burberry

    To me this smells very anticeptic. Almost like Bactine that you put on a scrape. I don't like the scent at all on me, on a blotter or on someone else. I can't pick out cinnamon notes but the black pepper and alchohol notes come through clealy along with maybe a moss. The bottle is nice looking ... that is about the only thing I can think of to say about this cologne that isn't negative.

    10th June, 2008.

    rating

    Fierce for Men by Abercrombie & Fitch

    Normally I am very anti-mall store cologne because they are almost an after thought by the company and are one of the easiest ways to make money with an inferior product. However, Abercrombie prides itself on its scents, going so far as to install special vents in its flagship store to pump Fierce throughout the store. (In regular stores, the employees are required to mist all the mannequins and the air every 20 - 30 minutes with the cologne.) Fierce is without a doubt the cologne that gets me the most compliments whenever I wear it. I was in Montreal and was almost attacked (in a good way) by two women who wanted to know where to get the cologne. When I told them it was only available in the United States, they wanted to meet me at my hotel to buy my bottle. In Italy, I would notice people's heads turn and their eyebrows raise with the expression of 'wow!' when I wore this and walked near them. I have never been on a date while wearing Fierce that didn't end with a compliment on how well I smelled followed by a little kissing. This cologne made me a rock star during Mardi Gras. This is a young man's cologne, however. I can't imagine anyone under the age of 25 wearing it. It is a very youthful and powerful citrus and pine scent. It has a very distinctive scent and I have never smelled any other brand that is quite like it. I find that its staying power is INCREDIBLE and can often smell it on my clothes days later after only 2 or 3 pumps. I saw someone say on here that they didn't find it to last long. Did you buy it on EBay? EBay's sellers are notorious for watering this cologne down to 1 part water, 1 part cologne because it so strong out of the bottle that they can get away with this. This cologne is very unique and youthful and the right person can use this cologne to get a lot of attention.

    10th June, 2008.

    rating

    Reaction for Men by Kenneth Cole

    I purchased a big bottle of this at TJ Maxx for $15. So I can't complain too much based on the price I paid. However, I agree with just about everyone who said it lasts for only a few minutes. Other than Tommy Bahama's Set Sail St. Barts, I haven't had a cologne lose its scent so fast. I'd say 20 - 30 minutes and it was like I was wearing nothing at all. That is a shame because this cologne has a nice sweet sort of smell that is perfect for summer or spring. I'd almost say something like honey and apricot with a little bit of lemon mixed in. Anyone who wants a sweet smelling cologne probably won't find anything much sweeter than this. However, given the non existant staying power ... I feel like even at $15, I got ripped off. To be honest, this doesnt really smell like an expensive cologne ... it smells like an Adidas cologne or something you'd expect to find at a drug store. Its pleasant for a frat party. Surely there are classier scents and ones that will last longer. I wouldn't even put this in the same category as Sean John Unforgivable.

    10th June, 2008.

    rating

    1903 by J Peterman

    Distinctive. Classy. Those two words sum up 1903. This will forever remind me of Italy. I ordered it off the J Peterman website for my trip to Italy and it was the perfect choice. This smells like something you'd imagine a rugged pioneer or adventurer such as Teddy Roosevelt could have worn in a top coat and tails at a ball. Very British or Early American. It has a strong mossy, almost pine scent blended with other rich elements. It is a very masculine and powerful scent but remains very classy. Think Sean Connery as James Bond in Dr. No. It seems to have strong mossy and pine elements and leather and frankensence are present as well. I'd have to say I've never smelled another cologne like it and it is well worth the price. I like the spray bottle better than the more expensive bottle because it travels better and is easier to apply. I highly doubt the whole story of Peterman finding the cologne in a case he bought that hadn't been opened in a hundred years because of the whole glamorized catalog description thing he has going on but its very worthy to have in your collection. A little goes a long way with this cologne and it has unbelievable staying power. One night in Venice, I put it on in the afternoon and even after a night of drinking in the local bars, I smelled it the next morning when I woke up. And I am sure she did too before she left. Which is probably why she was there in the first place.

    10th June, 2008.

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