Basenotes - Reviews by elmatador75

United States

Showing 1 to 17 of 17.

Allure Homme Sport by Chanel

I can't stand this "safe" fragrance. If you want to smell like every boring guy in town, this is for you. Give me Anteus or Egoiste. Not this. Simple, inoffensive and nondescript.

28th October, 2011.

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Thank you, Tom Ford. Will this fragrance please everyone? No. Will it please those who prefer that which is bland, safe and accepted? No. This fragrance is for rakish men. James Bond would wear this with a tuxedo. This is for type-A, daring types: a fellow reviewer keenly opined that M7 is the fragrance the devil would wear. Correct. Smoky, syrupy, medicinal, rich, warm and sensuous. Imagine a bowl of cherries, doused with wine, marinating in a cathedral stone room in which incense burns.... After a couple of hours of use, I detect an array of scents--uncommon scents--which, to me, is a reflection
of luxury and high quality. Bravo. "The great will always soar above the mediocre. They create while others destroy."

11th October, 2011.

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Black Fleece for Men by Brooks Brothers

I agree wholeheartedly with Kaern. This fragrance is old school. In a good way. It is cologne for a gentleman who will wear it for years and eventually introduce and hand it down to his son. The different ingredients that went into this are easily discernible as they arise individually and at different phases. The patchouli, incense and cedar wood interplay is divine. I cannot pick up the vetiver, though. But it doesn't matter. This is an intriguing work of art. The floral middle notes, at times, seem on the verge of overtaking the fragrance and skewing it. But they tease. For, they stop at the right moment and permit the wearer to shift focus to the woodsy base notes and back to the top fruit notes. And then back to the floral middle notes. I love this; this is how three distinct levels of scents should work with one another. There is a salient powder/talc cloud that hovers ever so slightly above the wonderful mix of high quality ingredients that were well executed in regard to the amount of each that was included in the final product. As to how to wear this stately fragrance, one would wear this with a suit or slacks and a sports coat. Office or dressy casual settings. And with nice leather dress shoes. Not for the nightclubs. Not for those who enjoy Diesel or Ed Hardy type of fragrances--the hyper sweet aquatics that permeate the market. Black Fleece invokes classic men's fragrances of the past while adjusting the formula expertly to present a modern, masculine classic. Ralph Lauren should take note.

23rd June, 2011.

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Aventus by Creed

I was a bit wary when first approaching this. When I sprayed it on, the pineapple was very noticeable, then very quickly the mineral-like base kicked in. I was uncertain about the odd mix of fruit and musk contrast. After the dry down, however, I concluded that Aventus is an original and an excellent fragrance. Three sprays in the morning last me all day. The fragrance also changes throughout the day, with the dry florals and herbs kicking in after four hours or so. The quality ingredients used by Creed are evident here. Nothing synthetic. Is Aventus the best fragrance of all time? No. But, it is a welcome newcomer that will cut through the many dull, unoriginal scents in the market. The price is the only downside.

23rd June, 2011.

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Hugh Parsons (Blue) by Hugh Parsons

Gin and tonic with a bit of pencil shavings. I first encountered this at Nordstrom's a few years ago and it made me realize I was heading toward a serious, nuanced appreciation of fragrances. Looking back, I now admit that Blue is a bit linear. But, the lead and juniper scent I discovered years ago still invokes positive feelings. This is a business man's fragrance. Masculine, crisp, direct, refined and understated. My only qualm lies with the notion that it needs something more in the middle to make it a true classic. I enjoy wearing this with a grey suit and white tie. It is not a fragrance to attract the ladies at a club. But, you will convey authority and sophistication at the office with this one. If only Hugh Parsons could create a flanker and release a mixture of Blue and Guerlain's Vetiver, a new classic will be introduced.

23rd May, 2011.

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Bleu de Chanel by Chanel

Initially, I had a problem giving this a thumps up. However, the quality ingredients and longevity--combined with the fact that it smells nice--convinced me to give it a positive review. Bleu is the little brother of Green Irish Tweed, Cool Waters and Bond No. 9's "Chez Bond," as they are all similar fragrances. Bleu is the more subtle, powdery sibling of the four. It's by far more discreet and yes, it is not very original. It was a blind buy for me and it disappointed initially. However, I gave it a second and then a third try, and it won me over. To begin, my girlfriend likes it. My favorite frag is Guerlain's Vetiver, which she doesn't like, so occasionally I purchase more "accesible" scents. Bleu lasts all day and night. It is also multilayered as it changes pleasantly as you wear it. The Chanel quality becomes evident on the dry down. It is an office/day fragrance that will please all but the most discriminating basenoters. After all, we cannot always wear the more pronounced, opulent, attention-seeking fragrances that rank so highly (and rightfully so) among the elite on this wonderful website. Some times it is okay to conform. Just a little.

10th May, 2011. (Last Edited: 19th May, 2011.)

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Rive Gauche pour Homme by Yves Saint Laurent

I bought this online after reading Basenote reviews. I'm glad I did. This is the fragrance for confident, successful people. I appreciate how it smells nothing like what you will find at a typical department store in Los Angeles. Barbershop? Yes. Sophisticated? Yes. Slightly powdery and floral with a subtle wood base, and crisp middle notes that pop in and out throughout the day. Initially, it may appear overpowering. But, do yourself a favor and allow it to settle in. It gets better after two to three hours. My only complaints are the cheap canister the fragrance is housed in and its longevity. It loses punch after four hours. But, no problem. I simply spray more when I get home. Thanks, YSL. Rive Gauche is in my regular rotation for work or evenings.

9th May, 2011. (Last Edited: 24th November, 2011.)

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Essenza di Zegna by Ermenegildo Zegna

This is no aquatic. But, I do agree that it bears a strong resemblance to Aqua de Gio, which I dislike. Confusing? No, and here are the reasons why. Aqua de Gio is what happens when you get a quality fragrance like Essenza and then strip it down and add cheap ingredients while tampering with the settings of what was a fine-tuned piece. Where Gio goes awry with high-pitched, cloying notes, Essenza grows into a complex citrus-wood fragrance. The middle notes is where this frag excels. The herbal notes balance out the lemony top notes and the wood base notes. It has at least four layers whereby the fragrance changes as you wear it. Is it original? Not really. But, it is a quality scent for work and summer. It has quality ingredients and will only get you compliments at work. If you want a super original, come and look at me fragrance, get M7 or Angel. But if you want to be taken seriously at your place of work, get Essenza.

9th May, 2011.

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Jaïpur pour Homme Fraîcheur by Boucheron

I purchased this at a discount retailer out of sheer curiosity. I was not disappointed and was pleasantly surprised. This version is not as powdery as the original Jaipur and it has a wood/cedar base. It lasts all day when I wear it at work, and lasts well into the next day. It smells expensive and non-synthetic. Floral, a bit of spice and a strong wood base. The middle and top notes distinguish this fragrance from the many woodsy offerings out there. And I enjoy the fact that there is a low chance anyone else will be wearing it when I do. This is a great office and formal scent for the 30+ crowd. I can't see kids wearing this at the nightclubs. Thanks, Boucheron.

9th May, 2011.

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Envy for Men by Gucci

When I used to wear this, the dry down was always excellent. Vanilla, leather, vetiver and spice. Powerful, classy. Years later, I am of the belief that this fragrance has been reformulated as it appeared watered down last time I messed with it. Definitely a Fall or Winter scent to warm things up at the office or on a date. Very bold and far from casual. I worked with a very famous, now-deceased attorney who used to wear this in the office. I bought it for myself to emulate him. Envy was perfectly suited for such a man. I used to feel like a Soprano when I wore this fragrance. Years later, I still enjoy the fragrance but refrain from using it outside the house as my tastes have changed in favor of things understated and subtle: see Ferre for Men, which I just bought at Nordy's.

25th June, 2008. (Last Edited: 24th November, 2011.)

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Chanel Pour Monsieur by Chanel

Classic fragrance I've used since the age of fifteen. Eighteen years later, it remains a favorite I turn to when in need of inspiration. Unique and in a class of its own. My last visits caused me to suspect it has gone through a makeover of sorts. Can anyone confirm whether Chanel has modified this since 1991? I agree also that it is reminiscent of Tiffany for Men, but CPM is not as powdery and woodsy basenotes are more salient in CPM, thus edging out Tiffany as a masculine fragrance. In sum, CPM should be issued to all young men so as to divert them from adopting Boss, Lacoste, or any of the other aquatic/citrus offerings available out there. Chanel, please take us back to the era during which this fragrance was conceived. Your recent offerings do not come close to CPM.

25th June, 2008. (Last Edited: 22nd October, 2011.)

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Story by Paul Smith

Foetidus is on the money, for the most part. However, while I agree that there are no middle notes to discern, there is eniugh in this fragrance to make it stand apart despite it's simplicity and limited range. I really like this as my summer scent. As explained by others previously, the opening also caught me quickly: the ivy compliments the grapefuit well, for a combination of seemingly contradictory tastes. I would add that there is a discernible basenote of cedarwood--albeit slight--which combines well with high notes for an interesting fragrance of two or three simple notes. Simple, yet attractive. The ivy and vetiver do the trick at the end. And, it lasts most of the day for me. Hope it is never discontinued. My girlfriend likes this on me on Saturdays or Sundays during summer. If you dislike generic aquatics and citrus fragrances, you mght want to opt for ths green/fresh offering.

25th June, 2008.

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L'Homme by Yves Saint Laurent

I regret purchasing this. Was caught off-guard by the YSL name, sprayed and thought it would be better on the drydown. Completely wrong. Nice, clean smell like Burberry's London. Nothing original here. It lasts two hours or so. Want my money back not bceause it's a bad fragrance, but because it was a huge let down.

25th June, 2008.

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Tokyo by Kenzo

My favorite fragrance in 2008. At first it was a bit overwhelming: very spicy and and herbal--as the middle tones, perhaps more like moss or pine. However, after you wear it for an hour or so, you can tell the light notes (citrusy but with herbal spice), and the best is the woodsy lower tone. This stays on all day and it smells better as the day wears on. very good for my body chemistry. Love the mix of highs and lows. Don't be put off by the inital strength of church-like smells. In 2011, my taste has changed and I find this a bit synthetic now, almost medicinal.

24th June, 2008. (Last Edited: 28th October, 2011.)

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Armani Attitude by Giorgio Armani

Coffee with citrus and pepper at first. sorry for lack of better adjectives. Iight vanilla note, with the sharp-high citrusy notes common to armani, but with a musky bottom. this did not last longer than two hours on me. won't purchase again for this reason. otherwise, would have loved it. masculine and not too flowery. nice middle to heavy scent.

24th June, 2008.

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Nanette Lepore by Nanette Lepore

If this is the same perfume in the green bottle, I absolutely love this on my girlfriend. Floral, but not too strong. Creamy vanilla middles and lows. It lasts all day on her skin. Good for summer or spring.

24th June, 2008.

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Marc Jacobs for Men by Marc Jacobs

For what it is worth: Women in my office and two past girlfriends have told me they love this on me. I always have it in stock. Transitioned from my trusted Jean Paul Gautier (college in the late 90s) to Marc Jacobs in my late 20s and early 30s. Always wear it on dates. Never a complaint. Near classic.

24th June, 2008.

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