 | Salvatore Ferragamo pour Homme by Salvatore FerragamoThis must've been the first fig centered mens scent that came out and started a mini-wave of fig scents in the early 00's. Marc Jacobs comes to mind...Vera Wang was pretty figgy. It was the BIG FIG gig of the New Millenium. Thankfully, the whole fig thing didn't take off, like say, the Aquatic thing. Or the Fresh thing. Come on...figs? Who wants to smell like a fig? They just are not that intoxicating. I'd rather smell like a kiwi, or a pomegranate. 28th January, 2012. |
 | Azzaro pour Homme by AzzaroI have so many fond memories of this. My best friend acquired it in 1982 and it always brings back those free and easyish days of yore. Underage consumption of gin and tonic and dancing to "Let The Music Play" whilst smoking and smelling of APH. 25th January, 2012. |
| | Giorgio by Giorgio Beverly HillsThis was perhaps the first "phenomenon" perfume. It was inexplicably the one EVERY woman had to have. It literally suffused the atmosphere in most American metro areas for the first half of the 1980's. It captured the zeitgeist and then created a new zeitgeist. That it launched the same Fall as "Dynasty" premiered seems to make perfect sense. Giorgio announced the arrival of The Big 80's in a big way; setting the stage for over the top distaff scents that kept rolling in during the decade, like so much disposable income. Obsession, Poison...all those subliminally sinister concotions that were the witch's brew of wanna be Crystal and Alexis Carrington's. And it seemed that every woman identified with one or the other. And both seemed to choose Giorgio as a signature scent. That it wasn't right for most women didn't seem to matter. It was a grand dame sort of thing that should've been saved for formal occasions. But it was worn everywhere from the office to the beach...ad nauseum. 24th January, 2012. |
 | Attraction by LancômeI was at the Goodwill store today and there was a bottle of this in the case. I smelled it. I was not impressed. There was nothing about it that made it stand apart from any other mainstream floral from any decade. Lancome has a history of excellent scents, so I was surprised at how run of the mill this was. Oh, you could tell it had quality ingredients and any perfume from France is just going to be good. But this could've been some non-descript Elizabeth Arden also ran. Or worse yet, an Avon creation. Lancome should not be putting out bland stuff when they don't put out that much to begin with. It was a full 2 ounce bottle too, marked .95 cents. But even at that price, I couldn't be bothered. Now that's pretty sad. 12nd January, 2012. |
| | Halston Z-14 by HalstonMany Basenoters have mentioned how much is going on with Z-14. I couldn't agree more. Jtd describes the symphony perfectly. I think it is maybe one of the most note packed masculines I've ever smelled. It makes me think of Burt Reynolds. But in a good way. I think we forget how popular he was there for a while. When Z-14 came out I believe he was the top male box office star. Anyways, I always thought old Burt was underrated. He had a huge range as an actor. He was menacing and tough in "Deliverance", fun and frisky in "Smokey and the Bandit" and just plain old sexy in everything. 70's sexy. Again, in a good way. Remember that centerfold he did for Cosmopolitan magazine? I'm losing my train of thought-- 30th December, 2011. (Last Edited: 9th January, 2012.) |
| | Midnight Poison by Christian DiorI tried this one after reading some of the rave reviews. I got the idea this is kind of a Poison for Men without actually being branded as such. I liked it, but there was a note to it that started to annoy me after an hour or so. It wouldn't go away. I couldn't quite put my finger on it but Vick's Vapo-Rub kept coming to mind. I just read awesomeness's review and she put it into words for me. "Medicinal and camphorous". That's exactly it! And that's what it smells like on my arm, still, three hours later. It doesn't work for me, so I'll have to pass on Midnight Poison. But that's not to say it's not interesting and good in its' own camphorous and medicinal way. Just, not for me. 7th December, 2011. |
| | Azurée by Estée LauderI just tried this today at the department store. Except for some very, very minor differences; this is exactly like Lauder for Men. Maybe a touch more floral. Please see my review for Lauder for Men since it would be exactly the same for Azuree, pretty much. In any event, a very excellent nine stars out of ten! 18th November, 2011. |
| | Vera Wang for Men by Vera WangThis is perhaps the best from the early 2000's cycle of post acquatic, spicy-florals with a pronounced "fig" note (even if not listed in pyramid, it's there, here). Vera Wang for Men is quite good. It could have been great however. Everything is there, a construct for something that never quite appears. What is that missing basenote element? I'm not sure. But Vera Wang for men seems to be crying out for civet or ambergris. The magic element that would have made it a classic. A Magie Noir for men, if you will. Ah well... 29th October, 2011. (Last Edited: 13rd December, 2011.) |
| | Woodhue by Fragrances of FranceFound a small bottle of this at a thrift store. Assumed it was a masculine due to the downright lumberjackiness of the bottle. And I do think it's rather unisex. It's really excellent too. Powdery cedar, as though you spilled some Johnson's talc in an old trunk. Smells really high end too, which I wasn't quite expecting from this mass market house. 8.5 out of 10. 12nd October, 2011. |
| | Photo by LagerfeldI have had a mini of this for years, and every time I try it, I'm just...confused. I guess that's the best word. Maybe it's the concept I don't understand. Or the fact that it's in the same bottle as Lagerfeld "Classic". Except it's black and meant to remind one of a camera. So I guess in my mind I'm thinking...sporty version of Lagerfeld classic. But then I smell it and it's nothing at all like Lagerfeld classic, which further adds to the confusion. And then the scent itself is so thin I can't get a bead on it...so I end up putting the mini back on the shelf. But not today. I made a point to put on a lot of the stuff so that I could really follow it through its progression. And I've been doing that while I've been reading the other reviews. Shamu, The Cologneist...all have really nailed down what Photo is all about. And it makes perfect sense that it came out in 1990. It's a tamped down powerhouse with elements of (at that time) the newly emerging fresh acquatic notes. And now I'm certain it just doesn't do it for me. It's missing that X factor that a fragrance needs to distinguish it. I can't really explain this X factor, but I think most of you will understand what I mean. Lagerfeld classic had this X factor. KL had the X factor. Photo doesn't. It's not bad, now that I understand it, but for me it's not unique enough to actually wear. Whatever the driving note in Drakkar Noir is; is a note that is in Photo as well...and I 've discovered it's a note I really don't cotton to. 25th September, 2011. |
| | Giorgio for Men by Giorgio Beverly HillsRecently found this in a CVS drugstore. A big 4 oz. bottle for twenty dollars. Quite a comedown from his old Rodeo Drive heyday. But Giorgio for men was always overshadowed by his even more ostentatious and haute bourgeoisie sister. So now that he's back, not many people remember him from back in the day. Which is good, because now you can wear him and not fear that all the response you will get is "Hey, 1985 called, they want their cologne back!" No, Giorgio for men, despite the fact that he's gone slumming, is still quite the dapper fellow. A delicious, smooth, balanced, artfully blended masculine fragrance. Why it's not considered a classic is perplexing. It's a masterpiece of sorts...certainly the best thing I've ever smelled from Giorgio of Beverly Hills. Super long lasting and wildly potent; I can't imagine that more than one squirt would ever be needed. Which makes Msr. Giorgio a Super-Bargain! 28th August, 2011. |
| | Love's Fresh Lemon by Love'sI love lemon in fragrance, so when I saw a bottle of Love's Fresh Lemon at the drugstore I had to sample it. Most lemon based fragrances are pretty awful. They may start out okay, but end up either totally fake or syrupy sweet. Love's Fresh Lemon didn't. It remained lemony for several hours. A nice, honest, almost real lemon. Lemon is fleeting, so it has to be a synthetic for a long haul...and Love's has managed to create the closest I've ever smelled to the real thing. Now I can't vouch for Love's Fresh Lemon from back in the day (children of the '70's, you know who you are), but I can attest to Love's Baby Soft still being as groovy now as it was back then. That's why I'm a little surprised by Zahara 8's negative review. That original stuff must've been the total Lemon Bomb, because I think the current version is pretty damn good. I've seen bottles of the original on Ebay...maybe I'll do a comparison. But in any event; for dudes who dig the big yellow citrus, Love's Fresh Lemon will do you proud. 20th August, 2011. (Last Edited: 28th August, 2011.) |
| | 360 Degrees Blue for Men by Perry EllisI absolutely concur with foetidus on PE 360 Blue. Great topnotes then it devolves into a synthetic mess. Something needs to come to the fore...something velvety, intense, incensey or ambery...but it just doesn't happen. This house could be one of the greats if they just tried a little harder. 4th August, 2011. |
| | Monsieur Musk by DanaI found a massive bottle of this at Big Lots. 8 ounces! Nobody makes 8 oz. bottles anymore (what I wouldn't give for a vintage 8 ouncer of Chanel for Men...). For less than ten bucks. I couldn't not buy it. This is really interesting stuff. Really complex. It goes on like green spices...top notes I can't really describe. It took me a long time to like the top notes. It's so not musky you think it's a mistake. The sheer hint of musk only comes much later in the dry down...I can't quite put this one into words...you just have to try and see if you like it. I most decidedly do! 25th June, 2011. |
| | Bowling Green by Geoffrey BeeneI love the first twenty minutes of Bowling Green...so fresh, so uplifting, so peppy. But then it kind of goes syrupy sweet. It's still great, but not AS great. It is very much like Drakkar Noir (which I can't take) if it had a summer version. Bowling Green seems to never have really found its place. It was around for a good twenty years, and it's a shame to see it go...but I kind of understand why. At first it was ahead of it's time, then it was behind the times, and now it's out of time. Luckily, the original LaCoste in the square green bottle with the white accents is still around. If you like Bowling Green, I think you'll love LaCoste original (1984). It seems to be what Bowling Green just missed being. A bit drier and none of that syrup. 19th June, 2011. |
| | Halston Z by HalstonThis came out in 1998, a year after Lauder's Pleasures for Men. Pleasures was, of course, a massive hit for Lauder. And Pleasures was, of course, a direct descendent of Cool Water, the mega-influential offering from Davidoff which set the trend in men's scents for the entire decade of the 90's into the 2000's. So now, here we consider "Z" from the Halston line, a now nearly forgotten offering from a design firm with major identity problems. Halston desperately needs a Tom Ford to get it back on the rails, as it's still floundering creatively. Which brings us back to "Z", a desperate late 90's attempt to cash in on the fresh aquatic craze. "Z" is literally a mash-up of Pleasures and Cool Water. Even the classic Elsa Peretti bottle has attempted to morph into the Pleasures decanter. "Z" of course can't really live up to either Cool Water or Pleasures; but it does introduce a pronounced orange note to the proceedings which makes it pleasant summer fare. Perhaps they were trying to cut into Clinique's Happy for men while they were at it? In any event what we end up with is a pale imitation of three other far better concoctions...but what remains is a not so bad, albeit forgetable citrusy cyphre. 11th June, 2011. |
| | Quorum by Antonio PuigI've often heard the term "mess" applied to Quorum and I can't say I disagree. But it's one hot mess though. I bought this back in the 90's based solely on a whiff and I wore it quite a bit. But it never clicked for me. I liked it enough. I favored it in the colder months. Eventually Quorum and I had to break up. It just wasn't working out. He was just a sad reminder of my first love, Paco. It was better we went our separate ways. 25th May, 2011. |
| | Lola by Marc JacobsI don't know...I kinda like this. With a perfume market that is now absolutely glutted with product; so much so that you can't remember what you smelled ten minutes ago because there's ten new scents behind it--Lola kind of stands out. Nowadays, this is an incredible feat. A bold fruity floral, heavy on the aldehydes. That's it. But it's well done. Coco Belle's description of night blooming flowers and kissing in the dark are lovely and right on the money. This Lola is a fun girl. The kind of girl who likes to put on a mini-dress and go to a carnival on her first date. Very summery. But she has an overwhelming persona at times. Just buy her some cotton candy! 24th May, 2011. |
| | Rush for Men by GucciIt took a while, but this one grew on me at the time it first came out. It was basically a white-floral-cedar-musk in a mid key. It was different and stood out from the pack; but wasn't quite up to Gucci's usually excellent standards. I would try it again if I came across it. I also rather liked the minimalist decanter. Very 2001 (a Space Odyssey, that is!). 16th May, 2011. |
| | Bal à Versailles by Jean DesprezI, like Lilybelle, have the little white bottle of Bal A V. and I couldn't love it more. I found it at the Elizabeth Arden warehouse sale(!). Who knows how it got there; and the price was certainly right. It was an offer I couldn't refuse. And of course, the scent itself seduced me, so to speak, at first whiff. I wasn't aware of the scents rather prestigious history at the time. I just thought it smelled great. Instantly taken by it, and I'd been smelling stuff all afternoon. Bal A Versaille just cut through all the others. It has all these decadent, libertine associations and I'm not sure if that's warranted or simply the image it's meant to project... 14th May, 2011. |
| | Paradox for Men Blue by JacomoI've tried this a couple of times now and it just doesn't do it for me. I have this problem with a lot of Jacomo fragrances, even the semi-classic Jacomo de Jacomo in the black bottle. In fact, this one is kind of a light, warm weather version of J de J. Intellectually, this one is interesting...I sense it's trying to do a bit more than your usual fragrance du jour...but I have no idea what that is. 14th May, 2011. |
| | 4711 Echt Kölnisch Wasser by 4711You know, I really want to LOOOOVE this one but I don't. I like it. I like it a lot. But there's something off about it. It needs to be fresher, brisker, crisper, a little juicier. I think it wants to be. I think it needs more lemon. It gets too musky by the end. It tries to do the same thing as YSL pour homme but just can't pull it off. I'm always disappointed by it I guess is what I'm trying to say. Maybe I should stop trying to make it work in the summer and only use it on the coldest winter nights. That could be interesting. 3rd May, 2011. (Last Edited: 4th November, 2011.) |
| | Grey Flannel by Geoffrey BeeneFor a while there it seemed like every man in America had a bottle of Grey Flannel. Maybe it was that little bag it came in that made it seem so special, like Crown Royal. And when you think about it, Grey Flannel smells very much like a high end whiskey or scotch. 150 proof yet. But if it Grey Flannel is anything, it's sobering. It's almost like a throwback to the Victorian era and its smelling salts and tonics...there is something very medicinal and harsh about Grey Flannel. It was often advertised with images of sharply cut, bespoke suits and this was very appropriate I think. I think GF should only be worn if wearing one of those very British suits or in wintertime under layers of wool and leather. I find it really only lends itself to these two extremes. It is one of the least versatile fragrances I've ever smelled. But what it does do--and I suppose that is to give the wearer a certain gravitas--it does perfectly. But please, never under any circumstances in summer! And go with a light hand. Grey Flannel takes on a life of its own once out of the bottle. 3rd May, 2011. |
| | Roger & Gallet L'Homme by Roger & GalletA fellow Basenoter was asking me about this so it inspired me to write a review. He mentioned it reminded him of Azzaro Pour Homme which came out about four years earlier and I imagine was a huge success in Europe. It's pretty plain to see why Roger & Gallet came out with L'Homme. Not only to compete with APH but to throw down their gauntlet in the late 70's early 80's arena of Powerhouse Mens Fragrance. Look at what was just coming out of the gate: Antaeus, Kouros, Trussardi Uomo, Polo, Calvin and Azzaro. We're talking Titans here. In fact, I'm surprised there wasn't one called "Titan"! It's very interesting that R&G, purveyors of super light classic colognes, managed to come up with one of the very best Powerhouse Mens Frags. Maybe it was one of the best because it still managed some understatement. I think it's actually better than Azzaro, which is still a top seller. It's more complex and warmer. It's kind of the love child of Azzaro PH and Calvin. The thinking mans powerhouse. So of course R&G had absolutely no clue as to how to market it. They had very odd ads in mens magazines. They looked like L.L. Bean ads. And you had to send away for the cologne and just take their word for it that it smelled good. Because you sure as heck couldn't find it anywhere in the United States. Anyways, take my word for it. This stuff is fantastic! Just make sure you get some new, because all the vintage I've acquired was vinegar. 30th April, 2011. |
| | Shalimar by GuerlainWhat can I add to the accolades strewn like wreaths of the finest blossoms at the feet of Shalimar? My two cents, of course! 24th April, 2011. (Last Edited: 25th April, 2011.) |
| | Curve Connect for Men by Liz ClaiborneThis smelled great for five minutes then turned into something I can only liken to vomit. Seriously. This company should just get out of the fragrance business once and for all. 22nd April, 2011. |
| | Magie Noire by LancômeWhen I was a teenager, I had a friend who wore Magie Noire like it was going out of style. That is to say, she wore this decidedly formal-nighttime-evening gown fragrance whenever she pleased. During summer days in her stirrup- pants, riding her moped. She had "discovered" it herself at some perfume counter and it was safe to say she was the only one wearing it. So for me, Magie Noire is her. She passed away in 1987. I never smelled it again. Seeing that Lancome has more or less relaunched it, I decided to revisit Magie Noire the other day at my local perfume counter. The adorable Lancome salesman got the tester and handed it to me. "It's very distinctive..." he said. Talk about an understatement! But the top notes were completely different. Lancome has lightened up the top and midnotes for (I'm assuming) a more modern and easily scared off new generation of ladies. As I was driving home and sniffing my wrist and ruminating on how strange it was for a seventeen year old girl to want to wear such a heady concotion (and sad that that was not what had come out of the bottle)--suddenly the Magie Noire I remembered came flooding back. She was there again in the basenotes, unchanged, and the memories of my friend came flooding back. As long as Magie came back, like being fashionably late to her own party, I could forgive the new notes. In fact, maybe they're an improvement. Magie Noire as I remembered her, sort of hit you over the head with a hammer. A purist, I hate when classic fragrances are tinkered with. It's usually a disaster. But not in this case. Now Magie Noir works her magic more subtley. But thankfully, she's still magic. 19th April, 2011. (Last Edited: 20th April, 2011.) |
| | DKNY Be Delicious by Donna KaranApple is a really difficult note to get right apparently. If it's wrong, it's just wrong. I think Be Delicious gets it right for the most part...the apple here is tart and tangy. A nice warm weather fragrance that's kind of unisex, like a classic eau de cologne. DKNY is the purveyor of good fragrances. They have yet to deliver a great one; but I think someday they will. The decanter for this is truly great though! It's tactile and delightful and pleasing to hold and look at. Karan's bottle designers are some of the best. 15th April, 2011. |
| | Pleasures for Men by Estée LauderI think Lauder's Pleasures for Men is the best FRESH scent from the 90's, which let's face it, was the FRESH decade. Cool Water was the touchstone for this family and some other notables are Polo Sport, Aqua di Gio, Eternity, CK One, Issey for Men and Azarro Chrome. They all sort of smell like one another. Let's call it the "fresh aldehyde" that runs through them all, including Pleasures. They all are blaringly synthetic, so I suppose the top prizes go to those that are most able not to smell like cleaning products. Pleasures has a bit of that classic Coppertone Suntan lotion thing happening, which might be why I like it. Because I really could live without this fresh family of fragrances. I'll take a good, citrusy, classic cologne any day over one of these. Hermes Eau Orange Vert for example...now that's fresh without being fake. The saving grace of Pleasures is that it has the faintest whisper of spice throughout the entrie composition. The "red ginger"? It's so faint you can barely detect it; but it keeps the fragrance from being just purely sweet, like Polo Sport. 15th April, 2011. |
| | Cristalle Eau de Toilette by ChanelI just acquired this, having tried "vert" frist, which all in all I think I prefer. It stays light and fresh where the Cristalle EDT veers towards a sharp, almost spicy finish which it retains through to the end...the vetiver perhaps? I can't help feeling--well--have a sneaking suspicion that this is something of a shadow of its former self. All of the Chanel scents I've recently revisited, many I remember from childhood all seem watered down. The only one that has retained its mojo is Antaeus. He went from having elephantitis of the balls to just merely large balls. But why all this spaying and neutering of these classics? Reduced sillage. Reduced projection. But increased price! 12nd April, 2011. |
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