The Bigarade lemon combined with the bergamot lets one expect summery freshness, and to sone extent this expectation is not completely disappointed, but the cardamom with the pink pepper provides a slightly spicy counterbalance such as to creates and overall feel that is more defined by bright crispness than by summery happiness.
The drydown adds a bright and light patchouli with exactly crispness that I in the top notes, without any sharpness or scratchiness. A woodsy note, quite nonspecific with touches of sandalwood and the occasional whiff of guaiac, leads into the base. At times whiffs of florals - iris and violet - come and go
The base continues with the same overall lively brightness, hut the pepper has rescinded and is replaced by a cistus impression that adds an additional edge without changing the overall character of the whole. An olibanum develops late, and at times a very restrained nigh-balsamic hit is accompanying the sandalwood and the cistus.
I get moderate sillage, excellent projection and a superb thirteen hours of longevity on my skin.
The scent for cooler summer or warmer autumn day is delightful and quite original. A refreshing change from the common fruitchouli mainstream of today, it uses a few creatively applied olfactory brushstrokes to creates strong but harmonious experience that convinces, inter alia, though the good quality of its ingredients. Is might not be an overly complex creation, and the development is not overly exciting, but it provides enough variety such as to entice most of the time. The performance is excellent. Overall 3.75/5
This is quite an interesting little frag. First, it's purple. That is just an odd color for a fragrance. It has a sort of smoky white floral patchouli, no florals in the pyramid, but that is what I get. It is quite interesting stuff. The kind of stuff you just want to keep spraying and smelling. Captivating. Beautifully blended, a modern fragrance that smells classical. If it were easy to find it would be full bottle worthy for sure. Hopefully discontinuation will be temporary and they will bring it back.
I get a mature, incense, wood-sappy scent in the opening that dries down to a powdery-makeup smell with some drier wood notes. That drydown is much more acceptable to the masses than the opening which I find pretty abrasive. Leans feminine to me, especially in the opening, except it has that mature-guy feel to it throughout. Either way, it smells dated to me.
Performance is good, with better than average projection for 4-5 hours with only 2 sprays and around 8-9 hours with the skin scent remains.
Great olibanum-rich EdP scent from Guerlain (now discontinued). It comes across to me as dark, powdery, and spicy - approaching but just shy of beast mode!
ALD is rich with aromatic, balsamic goodness, classy in character and very enjoyable to wear. Resembles a more complex version of Christian Dior's Sauvage EdP, and has great longevity and projection like that scent.
Prices are looking steep for this nowadays - I'll pass on getting a full bottle and keep enjoying my Sauvage EdP.
Stardate 20180705:
Arsene Lupin (Lopin) is a fictional "gentleman" thief extraordinaire. Brought to life in early 1900s by a French author Maurice Leblanc, Lupin goes on to have great adventures and even had a cross over with Sherlock Holmes.
The two perfumes Dandy and Voyou are an homage to this fictional thief. I assume that Dandy is what JPG thought Lupin wears when moving as a gentleman in high society and Voyou when he is stealing :).
Arsene Lupin Dandy like its namesake is a master of disguise. Starts as a bitter green aromatic - galbanum,cardamon, cumin/incense.
Then it moves on to a "dandy" phase - leather,patchouli, florals and olibanum.
Finally it settles down to a powdery, smoky woodsy iris.
I think this is influenced by Habit Rouge and Heritage. Perhaps a formula that did not make it in the end for either. In any case, a great fragrance.
Green peppery-spicy fragrance. Chypre/barbershop type fragrance. I get a powdery accord that knocks a couple of points off. Sandalwood and a light floral round this out. Not sure why this is "Masculine" it could easily be worn by a mature woman.