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Geranium pour monsier vs Portrait of a lady

post #1 of 20
2/9/13 at 12:49pm
Thread Starter 
I'm told both are by Ropion, and one review stated POAL shares the basenotes of GPM.

I have smelled GPM and like it, and was wondering how it compares to POAL.

Thanks.
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post #2 of 20
2/9/13 at 1:12pm
I sniffed both on the same day at Barneys in Las Vegas, but PoaL was the only one of the two I bought and I would still make the same decision today. The scents really smell very different initially, though it is true the base notes have a lot of commonalities. I kind of view GpM as a prototype that Ropion later used and perfected with PoaL.
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post #3 of 20
2/9/13 at 1:34pm
Thread Starter 
Does POAL have any of the mint that geranium has? I've read people say they are similar, but to me GPM is very mint throughout (especially at the top), but don't see mint mentioned in POAL reviews.
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post #4 of 20
2/9/13 at 1:39pm
Haven't smelled either of the two.
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post #5 of 20
2/9/13 at 2:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by cameron View Post

Does POAL have any of the mint that geranium has? I've read people say they are similar, but to me GPM is very mint throughout (especially at the top), but don't see mint mentioned in POAL reviews.

No, and that to me is a very good thing as I disliked the mint in GpM.
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post #6 of 20
2/9/13 at 2:31pm
Geranium pour Monsier is much better IMO.
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post #7 of 20
2/9/13 at 3:09pm
While I like GpM, I much prefer Portrait of a Lady. I did not get any mint.
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post #8 of 20
2/9/13 at 4:24pm
Haven't smelled GPM, but have recently fallen for POAL. Arguably one of the best rose scents out there, in my opinion.
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post #9 of 20
2/9/13 at 4:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by sjg3839 View Post

Haven't smelled either of the two.

I really don't mean to be rude, but is this kind of post necessary?
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post #10 of 20
2/9/13 at 4:48pm
Quite different in feel. PoaL feels much bigger, a powerhouse. It has the structure of a modern masculine based on potent woody ambers, but here employed with exceptional skills, so that they manage both to radiate for miles and days, and to feel very pleasant and rich. GpM shares a similar structure, but much tamed and quiet, so that it feels less rich, and rather more minty-clean. But if you liked GpM, you should try it, and see whether you want to embrace the power.

cacio
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post #11 of 20
2/9/13 at 7:23pm
There is no winner. They are both related in that they have the same musky patchouli drydown. I find the mint in GpM refreshing for evening wear and also the perfect scent to flirt with. PoaL requires one spray max nowhere near then nose, whereas GpM is a two spray to the neck kinda fragrance. I would suggest buying small decants of both, maybe 2.5ml of PoaL and 5ml of GpM.
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post #12 of 20
2/9/13 at 7:30pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks everyone.

I am big about being able to wear scents to work comfortably. While the mantra "anything can be worn anywhere" applies, some fragrances are much easier to wear in the office. I find GPM to be easy to wear to work in part from the refreshing mint on top (though I haven't done it yet). My impression from reviews and the above replies that POAL wouldn't fit the same category (?).
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post #13 of 20
2/9/13 at 7:38pm
Both are nice but very different.

PoaL is patchouli / incense / rose while GpM is a minty geranium with a soft woody base.
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post #14 of 20
2/9/13 at 7:52pm
There's nothing uncomfortable in Poal, to the contrary, it's a modern, smooth, clean smelling masculine. It's a matter of power. As Sirnosebleed was saying, one spray is enough, perhaps even under the shirt. If you are heavy handed, it will radiate through the whole floor, which I assume falls in the "uncomfortable category". But, as usual, there's no substitute for trying them out for oneself.

cacio
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post #15 of 20
2/10/13 at 2:19am
Personally I don't find any similarities bewteen these two. I mean, they probably share some technical aspects and some aromachemicals but, in the end, they feel extremely different as a whole. GpM is a everyday, versatile, kind of clean, fresh fragrance while, to me, PoaL is more of a night-out scent. Richer, deeper, darker, thicker....
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post #16 of 20
2/10/13 at 3:44am
Me too, chalk 'n cheese, really.

I like Geranium Pour Monsieur in summer for a bit of a change. And I can crtainly see the attraction of Portrait of a Lady but not really my thing.
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post #17 of 20
2/10/13 at 7:05am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. reasonable View Post

And I can crtainly see the attraction of Portrait of a Lady but not really my thing.

Neither mine, I'm afraid...
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post #18 of 20
2/10/13 at 8:49am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

Personally I don't find any similarities bewteen these two. I mean, they probably share some technical aspects and some aromachemicals but, in the end, they feel extremely different as a whole. GpM is a everyday, versatile, kind of clean, fresh fragrance while, to me, PoaL is more of a night-out scent. Richer, deeper, darker, thicker....

This is the impression I got from reading all the reviews, yet a few of the reviews would also say "GPM was the fragrance that was modified and improved to make POAL", as if it was v2.0. But what you're writing here is consistent with what I thought overall.

I like GPM for a nice day and work scent. It's pleasant and bright IMO.
Seems POAL is darker and richer and a whole different vibe.

Thanks everyone!
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post #19 of 20
2/10/13 at 9:14am
I own GpM but haven't had the opportunity to smell PoaL. Is Portrait of a Lady a fragrance that is meant to be at least gender-neutral? I mean, the name is Portrait of a Lady.
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post #20 of 20
2/10/13 at 9:18am
Quote:
Originally Posted by lsp_NY View Post

I own GpM but haven't had the opportunity to smell PoaL. Is Portrait of a Lady a fragrance that is meant to be at least gender-neutral? I mean, the name is Portrait of a Lady.

Very gender neutral.
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