It's freakin' JULY in Southern CA and the temperature's soaring. I'd like a good (naw, great) summer citrus but can't seem to find one.
My favorites are Le Roy Soleil Homme (which is more fruity than citrus) and Habit Rouge (which is an oriental) and neither should be worn in hot, humid weather.
OK that's what I like. Here's what I don't, but have bought blind on the strength of recommendations, and lived to regret:
( DISCLAIMER: This is strictly subjective, a matter between my nose and brain, so try not to hate me if you love these; please allow me to rant after all the $ I've spent. Thanks)
1. Armani Eau PH--Sorry, but this is lemon juice, period. I don't care if Giorgio made it for his private stock, or kept it in the cellar next to his best wines. About as boring as it gets.
2. Ferrari Black: An interesting cheapo scent by comparison to the sophisticated (?) Armani. This is a drugstore special. Mediocre but at least unpretentious.
3. Santa Fe: Ditto.
3. (Calude) Montana PH: Blundered and got the blue box, that's the new one and 'they' say the old juice was far better. If you've sampled both, please post. Gave it away to a friend. He got so many compliments he re-ordered. Body chemistry? I dunno. Wasn't anything to write home about.
4. Grey Flannel: I've reviewed it here on BN, too prom night rented tux retro. No one can accuse this one of being sophisticated or subtle. Overbearing as all get out. Too high a price to pay for longevity.
5. Hermes Eau D'Orange Verte: And here's the other extreme. My favorite of all the ones I'm bashing. Good juice! But applying throughout the day drove me nuts. Also gave this one away to a friend.
6. Cerruti 1881: Yawn. Another one in the 'sophisticated' category that's a snoozefest.
7. Ho Hang: Ho-hum, say is ths more sophisticated still?
8. Eau Savage: Ah! the masterpiece of sophisticated snooze! Basil tea on my hairy chest, with a twist of lime. May the cognoscenti enjoy it forever!
9. Bowling Green: What's this doing here? It's an aromatic, never mind . . .
10. Chanel Pour Monsieur Concentree: Ok, we're leaving the 'pure' citrus category (don't look now but we left it back at # 4. ) but what the hell, it's got strong citrus notes throughout, so gimme a break! I spent good cash on it. Can we say office scent'? Yeah vanilla drydown, so what? Not loud and offensive like Platinum Egoiste but . . .hey, I know! It's probably sophisticated!!! Quickly grew tired of it. No friends would take it . . .
11. Versace L'Homme: A tie with Eau D'Orange Verte, but I'm really cheating here. Citrus top notes but soon we're in grassy fougereland. Good juice, had to take a break from bashing.
12. (Geo F Trumper) Extract of West Indian Limes: Allright you might say, what was this idiot expecting, Bay Rum? No, just something memorable.
Well, there it is.
(sigh)
I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER
But I'm paranoid now. Or is it citrus-phobic?
When I'm told what great frags Blenheim Bouquet, L'Eau par Kenzo PH, Creed's Neroli Sauvage, Monsieur Givenchy, Signoricci or Eau de Rochas and Miller Harris Tangerine Verte are; I really, really want to try them, but I'm afraid to reach for the tester at the store, let alone order a decant.
HELP
Mario.
My favorites are Le Roy Soleil Homme (which is more fruity than citrus) and Habit Rouge (which is an oriental) and neither should be worn in hot, humid weather.
OK that's what I like. Here's what I don't, but have bought blind on the strength of recommendations, and lived to regret:
( DISCLAIMER: This is strictly subjective, a matter between my nose and brain, so try not to hate me if you love these; please allow me to rant after all the $ I've spent. Thanks)
1. Armani Eau PH--Sorry, but this is lemon juice, period. I don't care if Giorgio made it for his private stock, or kept it in the cellar next to his best wines. About as boring as it gets.
2. Ferrari Black: An interesting cheapo scent by comparison to the sophisticated (?) Armani. This is a drugstore special. Mediocre but at least unpretentious.
3. Santa Fe: Ditto.
3. (Calude) Montana PH: Blundered and got the blue box, that's the new one and 'they' say the old juice was far better. If you've sampled both, please post. Gave it away to a friend. He got so many compliments he re-ordered. Body chemistry? I dunno. Wasn't anything to write home about.
4. Grey Flannel: I've reviewed it here on BN, too prom night rented tux retro. No one can accuse this one of being sophisticated or subtle. Overbearing as all get out. Too high a price to pay for longevity.
5. Hermes Eau D'Orange Verte: And here's the other extreme. My favorite of all the ones I'm bashing. Good juice! But applying throughout the day drove me nuts. Also gave this one away to a friend.
6. Cerruti 1881: Yawn. Another one in the 'sophisticated' category that's a snoozefest.
7. Ho Hang: Ho-hum, say is ths more sophisticated still?
8. Eau Savage: Ah! the masterpiece of sophisticated snooze! Basil tea on my hairy chest, with a twist of lime. May the cognoscenti enjoy it forever!
9. Bowling Green: What's this doing here? It's an aromatic, never mind . . .
10. Chanel Pour Monsieur Concentree: Ok, we're leaving the 'pure' citrus category (don't look now but we left it back at # 4. ) but what the hell, it's got strong citrus notes throughout, so gimme a break! I spent good cash on it. Can we say office scent'? Yeah vanilla drydown, so what? Not loud and offensive like Platinum Egoiste but . . .hey, I know! It's probably sophisticated!!! Quickly grew tired of it. No friends would take it . . .
11. Versace L'Homme: A tie with Eau D'Orange Verte, but I'm really cheating here. Citrus top notes but soon we're in grassy fougereland. Good juice, had to take a break from bashing.
12. (Geo F Trumper) Extract of West Indian Limes: Allright you might say, what was this idiot expecting, Bay Rum? No, just something memorable.
Well, there it is.
(sigh)
I FEEL SO MUCH BETTER
But I'm paranoid now. Or is it citrus-phobic?
When I'm told what great frags Blenheim Bouquet, L'Eau par Kenzo PH, Creed's Neroli Sauvage, Monsieur Givenchy, Signoricci or Eau de Rochas and Miller Harris Tangerine Verte are; I really, really want to try them, but I'm afraid to reach for the tester at the store, let alone order a decant.
HELP
Mario.
