Fragrance Reviews

Fragrance Reviews by SirSlarty

Showing all 1120 reviews

Messages d'Homme by Mariella Burani

A throwback to the 80's powerhouse chypres but tuned down into a very wearable citrus-woody-oakmoss scent. Fresh yet dirty. I don't know how to describe it exactly, a mutsy kind of sandalwood but not realy in the drydown.
21 November 2008

Ambre à Sade by Nez à Nez

Well, if you liked Black XS pour Homme, you might like this. Distinctly strawberry. Smells like those cheap cherry chapsticks you can get at the drug store. I couldn't discern the strawberry until I read the notes but at first thought it was bubblegum. Sweet, subtle, fruity... kinda good but nothing exciting. For a really nice berry I prefer the delicious Acqua e Zucchero from Profumum.
21 November 2008

Wilderness by Romane

Fresh, cooling and open. Citrus, cedarwood and soapy accords. A "skin scent" as it has little projection. Very linear with no development but I wouldn't want to stray from its top notes any ways.
21 November 2008

Kanøn by Scannon

Cologne strength, so I'm bearing that in mind. Nice and not overbearing spicy oakmoss. There's a unique fizzy citrus in this that you don't really find in other chypres. Another accord creeps in towards giving you a fresh wood comparable to Paco Rabanne. Refreshing and cheap.
21 November 2008

Beige by Chanel

Cnahel no. 5 Eau Fraiche? Has that baby powder-esque note of no. 5 with the added slight green notes of freesia and hawthorn and the distinct aldehydes are bolstered by frangipani. Rather so-so fragrance good for pretty much any woman to wear. Smells a little like a sweet banana floral bouquet.
21 November 2008

Domenico Caraceni 1913 by Domenico Caraceni

It's another rose scent that's dark. It's dark but not deep because it lasted 4 hours for me. Starts off green and slightly soapy. Ends with a light aoud-ish accord. Poof. Felt like a big disappointment.
21 November 2008

Ferruccio Black by Tonino Lamborghini

Didn't last long on me, two hours tops. Pronounced lavender based oriental, very musky and sweet vanilla. I almost felt like I was wearing a feminine oriental at times, like Tabu! Truly unique.
20 November 2008

Franck Oliver Montecristo Club by Franck Oliver

Nice, strong smelling but subtle (stays close to the skin). It's a chypre, no doubt. Good oakmoss base and light bitter citrus notes on top. Lavender in the heart with some rosemary/basil/herbal accord. Nice.
20 November 2008

CK In 2U POP Him by Calvin Klein

Nice, fresher version of the original which I found somewhat boring even though I like it. POP opens up with crisp top notes of mint and violet and ends on a base of warm woods and vetiver. Pleasant and a good change from heavy, mature perfumes. Let yourself go wild!
19 November 2008

Cologne Sologne by Parfums de Nicolaï

Nice cologne. Good office wear. Very linear. Nothing special.
19 November 2008

Rousse by Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido

An ugly array of nutmeg, anise and vetiver. Very messy.
19 November 2008

Iss by Laura Tonatto

Opens up really green like a fourgere but gives way into a really fine, clean vetiver. Refreshing.
18 November 2008

Aoud Lime by Montale

Rosy citrus and sandalwood? Actually, it smells a lot like M7 with a heftier tropical citrus instead. Not a well defined aoud/oud/aoudh/whatever in blazes you want to call it. I don't what all the fuss is about though not a terrible scent overall.
18 November 2008

Marron Chic by Nez à Nez

First sniff is unmistakably iris. Opens up like Ferre for Him or a non-sweet Dior Homme; lipstick. Goes into a doughy gourmand accord on the bottom. I kinda like this but am turn away by the cosmetic note.
18 November 2008

Lonach by Castle Forbes

Fantastically clean, green, spicy and fruity sandalwood. Easy to wear for daily wear.
18 November 2008

Matchabelli by Prince Matchabelli

A toned down 80's chypre with a very, very good lemon and sandalwood note and a hint of leather at the bottom.
18 November 2008

Eau Neuve (original) by Lubin

Lemon and cedarwoods. Aramand Basi with a stronger lemon. Decent.
18 November 2008

Rose 31 by Le Labo

I don't smell rose, though maybe just a little. I smell what's below the rose bud, the woods and leaves. With a touch of incense. You know, just like Vetiver 46 and other Le Labo's. Seems like what they do is make vats of the same perfume and drop in a dash of neroli, rose, bergamot, whatever into the mixtures and call them that and sell them for large wads of cash monies. What a joke. Fragrance isn't bad.
18 November 2008

Eau de Lavande by Annick Goutal

Pure herbal lavender right off the stem with a touch of bitter sweet notes of vanilla. Classy.
17 November 2008

Cuir Ottoman by Parfum d'Empire

Interesting, this smells like leather and... candy powder. Like Romeo Gigli for men. Leather and florals in reality, it just doesn't get anywhere else aside from SweeTarts dipped in tanning solution. Smells very well construction but definintely not for me to wear.
17 November 2008

Kiehl's Original Musk by Kiehl's

A musk touted as the best musk. I don't think it's all that great. A mix of florals on top of the musk don't help it from being a tad unnerving. If you love musk, don't hesitate with this one.
17 November 2008

Versace l'Homme by Versace

Ugly green citrus fragrance. Not very pleasant for me.
17 November 2008

Reporter by Oleg Cassini

I must disagree, Reporter doesn't smell like Paco Rabanne pH, it's more like an aromatic Declaration with lavender and green notes. Cedarwoods is a major player here. Discontinued but still can be found many places.
17 November 2008

Acqua di Selva by Visconti di Modrone

Minty cologne. Well defined citrus, lavender and a pine note in there gives it a minty illusion. Darned good though average. Best bang for your buck.
17 November 2008

Salvador Dali pour Homme by Salvador Dali

This is what all those "black" fragrances should be modeled after. This is a deep and dark fragrance but not so much as gothic bt more melancholy. Like a whimsical sadness. Incense and animalic notes conjure up images of castles but in modern day, surreal terms. Herbal accords bring in a touch of witchcraft and some flowers are thrown in to make the whole concoction a trip.

Thumbs up for a crazy frag. I would never wear this outside.
17 November 2008

L'Hêtre Rêve by Nez à Nez

Spicy amber and aromatic sandalwood... hey wait, I know this frag! This smells a heck of a lot like Egoiste. It's subtler and develops into a vanilla amber towards the end but the opening and heart feels just like Egoiste. Sometimes "clones" are good.
17 November 2008

Façonnable by Façonnable

Fresh florals. Rose and neroli mingle with a musk note to make the whole thing a touch too sweet. Later turns soapy and slightly unpleasant. Average fragrance.
17 November 2008

Ivy League by Domenico Caraceni

A fresh, green aquatic that's got a touch of liquid hand soap scent to it (chamomile). After the top notes fade, a wonderful floral aquatic opens up with a base of sandalwood and musk. Clean and elegant.
17 November 2008

Monsieur Morabito by Pascal Morabito

Thick, animalic civet and oakmoss. A real stinker for those guys that like stinkers.
17 November 2008

parfums*PARFUMS Series 4 Cologne: Citrico by Comme des Garçons

Everyone must know that cologne means citrus and some kind of lavender. Fresh and open, Citrico is a good study in synthetic colognes. Very pleasant and a good offering, it can get a bit too much at times but on the plus side it fades away quickly. Weird? Yeah. Good pick me up for summer.
17 November 2008

1869 by Acca Kappa

Being an EdC, I gave this due justice. 1869 smells very, very similar to the pimento Gucci pour Homme II and sweeter than Jil Sander for Men. A very nice accord in both of those scents and 1869 does it just as well. Nice, subtle and good.
17 November 2008

Noir by Christian Lacroix

Big let down or are people expectations too high for a $28 fragrance? Geez. Nice woodiness with light spices and musks. It's very light on the skin. In fact, I can barely smell it on myself after application. however, everyone else around me can and that's important as much as anything. If I didn't have so many bottles I'd get this. Speaking of bottles, this one looks neat.

What I find amazing about this scent is that amongst all those $100-$200 bottles of "niche" fragrances, this and Burberry London are the two top compliment-getters I've tried so far.
17 November 2008

Tricorn by Caswell-Massey

Amber and sandalwood? Yeah, I think that sums it up nicely.
16 November 2008

Tamerisk by Mary Kay

Creamy amber woods and soapy oakmoss, Tamerisk is an elegant fragrance and it's also purple!
16 November 2008

Basala / Basara by Shiseido

Interesting fragrance. Dark green but not forest green notes mix with citrus and lavender. It hints at being a fougere and a chypre at the same time while being its own identity though \I'd tuck this under an aromatic fougere. I like.
16 November 2008

Derby by Guerlain

Reviewing the re-issue. Pretty good leather. I smell more minty citrus than leather. A nice modified leather chypre with a heavier patchouli note than usual. If it didn't have the name Guerlain, I'd swear it was any other un-of-the-mill leather chypre from the 80's.
16 November 2008

Tiffany for Men Sport by Tiffany

Light and clean green sporty scent that somewhat reminds me of ck One. Nice and easy scent.
16 November 2008

Signoricci 2 by Nina Ricci

On first application, the smell of alcohol is there, making this smell like it's going to be a boozy scent. Sometimes first impressions can be deceiving. It turns into a light, well constructed citrus and oakmoss chypre with a touch of lavender and orange blossom and possible neroli. Nice and not too potent as most from the 70's and 80's.
16 November 2008

Chance by Chanel

All the notes read as if I would like this as I did Coco Mademoiselle but nope, it's smells like a regular ol' fresh patchouli and musk that's found in a number of mens fragrances. It's well composed but it fails at being anything interesting. I'd say it's a safe scent.
16 November 2008

English Lavender by Atkinsons

A fresh lavender that is pleasing and not harsh and not bolstered by a vanilla note. Sage and rosemary is used instead to give it a more herbal scent and is soothed with a divine bergamot/citrus accord making this a rather lovely and linear lavender cologne. Darned good lavender.
16 November 2008

Royall Vetiver by Royall Lyme of Bermuda

A citrus vetiver that, for what it's worth, is a slightly cheaper alternative to Guerlain's Vetiver. Just spend a few more bucks for Guerlain's.
15 November 2008

Serge Noire by Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido

Smoky, incensed and slightly sweet cedarwoods. Hmm... smells like someone's burning a bottle of Declaration and 2 MAN! Towards the end, it ends up smelling like ash but not like cigarette ash. I like the smell as it's truly unique but I'd never wear it daily, but highly formal times when you want to impress people up close as the sillage and longevity is lacking.
15 November 2008

La Base for Him by Magic Helvetia

Earthy/herbal mint with a thin layer of citrused pine woods.
15 November 2008

Arden Men - Sandalwood by Elizabeth Arden

Meh, nothing great. Sandalwood is good woods and citrus with oakmoss. Good scent.
15 November 2008

Moustache by Rochas

If you didn't already have a moustache before smelling this, you'll get one.
15 November 2008

Diorella by Christian Dior

I can't say anything better about this fragrance than what has been said. Eau Sauvage with fruit. Eau Sauvage is a brilliant animalic citrus masculine from the late sixties and a few years later Dior decides to give it to the women with a drop of peach juice in it.
15 November 2008

Cuirasse by Jacques D'Auvillers

Citrus leather, light animalic notes and a beutiful oakmoss base... hey this is just a darn good leather chypre!
15 November 2008

Aramis Cool by Aramis

Nice sporty aquatic along the same lines as Bulgari Aqua Marine with a clean synthetic soapy touch of Azzaro Chrome.
15 November 2008

Olibanum by Profumum

A woody incense, Olibanum is a dry sandalwood with a touch of flowers to lighten up the wall of darkness it gives off. Incense and some myrrh is predominant throughout giving this an liturgical feel but incense and myrrh isn't as smoky as it is in perfume forum like in burned form. Heady and stolid, it's a fragrance for an introvert.
15 November 2008

Pomegranate & Currant by Antica Farmacista

Simple but domineering fruity scent. Smells of bitter apples and sour oranges. A little more sticky and thick than I'd like. Spices in the forefront tones done the fruitiness. Nothing exciting and almost too much at the same time.
15 November 2008

Colonia Russa by Santa Maria Novella

Eh, it's ok. It definitely does not hide the fact that it's a floral citrus cologne. A touch of leather in this makes a very interesting but blase accord. Not very long lasting but it was nice while it lasted.
15 November 2008

Hyperessence Matale 12 by Parfumerie Generale

Man I love this! After smelling this I need to test out the entire PG line.

To me this smells somewhat... salty? Like a lemon with salt and tea leaves on it but the lemon is just there for decoration. Oh and the whole thing was on fire and now is smoldering with smoke. And the projection is amazing due to its smoky nature. Fantastic on me I love it!
15 November 2008

Vétyver by Roger & Gallet

The best citrus and vetiver ever made (and I've so far smelled). If the tobacco note in Guerlain Vetiver is offputting, look no further and R&G's version, miles better. The haunting vetiver drydown is fleeting albiet a good one. Unfortunately lacks strength in EdC form but wonderful none the less. Get a bottle, get a small atomizer and refresh yourself all day. So good!
14 November 2008

Bijan VIP for Men by Bijan

Very spicy and tropical woody on top and a fizzy yet subdued citrus in the bottom coupled with vetiver. Hmm, sounds like a conglomerate of Tommy Bahama and L'eau d'Issey! Hmmm, yes yes, that's what this is! A mix of those two and make it subtle but just enough presence to give off your scent. Good but nothing to rave about.
14 November 2008

Vendetta pour Homme by Valentino

The clove is clearly stated here and is quite sickening. A puffy spicy fragrance that takes some getting used to. Way too over the top for me.
13 November 2008

Aqua Allegoria Pamplelune by Guerlain

Florals and grapefruit? Wow, this is uplifting. I wear this all the time in the summer if I didn't like ck One Summer so much.
13 November 2008

L'Essence de Must de Cartier by Cartier

Ginger and cinnamon that creates an illusion to anise. Neat. Slightly minty, too. I smell the same cedarwoods that Declaration has and if Roadster is minty, I wou;dn't be surprised if it's similar to Must Essence.
13 November 2008

Bazar Homme by Christian Lacroix

Aquatic? Maybe. Bazar starts off a little bitter and a little watery and a little spicy. All together... steamy. Like Essenza di Zegna's woody steam, Bazar gives off an airy watery feel but a little fruity. Very fresh.
13 November 2008

Yujin pour Homme by Ella Mikao

I can't find any information on "Ella Mikao Design". I assume that the person is Japanese from the name and the name of the fragrance which means "friend". This smells spacey and flowery woods and I first thought it was part of the Comme des Garcons line. It would fit there nicely. Strange and weird stuff in a purple bottle.
13 November 2008

Hugh Parsons (Yellow) by Hugh Parsons

Spicy, herbal lemon. The citrus goes throughout the drydown and fades into the base which is woods and vetiver, but a citrus/tobacco vetiver like Guerlain's. Though it doesn't really smell like vetiver.
13 November 2008

Lancetti Monsieur by Lancetti

Green oakmossy scent with a spicy top. A little bitter. A watery version of any powerhouse 80's fougere.
13 November 2008

Quelques Fleurs Royale by Houbigant

Sweet, woody floral. Middle a little like YSL L'Homme. Nothing much else to report here.
13 November 2008

Bijan Nude for Men by Bijan

Strange woody floral but in a good way. Comes off as a conglomerate of citrus, woods/herbal spices and gardenia. Very creamy and smooth and warms you up. I think the name is offputting for some.
13 November 2008

Eau de Caron Forte by Caron

These notes don't lie, however they also don't like me and I don't like them. The top note of apple makes this smell like watered down apple juice. No sweetness. A middle of spices and a funky weird powdery floral (assuming it's the musk and lilac combination) near the end before it poofs out of existence in 2 hours.
12 November 2008

Roberto Cavalli Black by Roberto Cavalli

Damn I love the tonka bean in this. The entire frgrance is slightly spicy, slight sweet with a nutty bitterness to it that lingers for hours. One of the few "black" named fragrances that comes close to its moniker. Rather interesting graphic on the bottle.
12 November 2008

Frank No. 3 by Frank Los Angeles

Notes of light citrus and a light musky base. A cooling top note of cucumber gives this a wonderful chill to it which makes it great for the summer. Nothing special, though.
12 November 2008

Rosier Ardent by Nez à Nez

Mild spices hord’oeuvres. The cumin really puts this off a bit. Smells almost like a fourgere but leaning towards an oriental with a skeletal structure of amber and woods but there's a floral in there. Now that I think about it, it's more like a haphazardly planted botanical garden.
11 November 2008

Aqua Colonia Du Soleil by Florascent

I put this on and didn't even look at the label. I first thought, "huh, what a nice aquatic". I can smell sage and... hey wait where'd it go? Oh there it is, citrus and aromatics... and aw it ran away again. Come back you!
11 November 2008

Eau de Cologne Impériale by Guerlain

Fairly straightforward and good for Guerlain collectors of those that like a bit of green in their cologne style fragrances. Doesn't last at all on me.
11 November 2008

Infusion by Bombay Sapphire

I smell the almonds. A nutty, boozy accord that feels like an acquatic (without the saltiness). A fresh good feeling from this scent.
11 November 2008

Almaktoub by Madini

Fougere, definitely a fougere. Reminded me more of Platinum Egoiste or Avatar at first. It's not as mossy as Drakkar Noir but it's still clean and soapy. Well, not soapy as in handwashing soap, soap, more like squeaky clean soap. I dunno. Just reminds me of a shower gel.
11 November 2008

Saida by Madini

This screams at you first in a bright green and citrus voice. Then it mumbles in a weird tone of green floral aldehydes. Actually, very cooling on the skin. Warning, this stuff stains a bit since it's so thick.
11 November 2008

Bijan Black for Men by Bijan

Rather subtle so it's perfect office wear. Vanilla, florals and a bit of woods. A skin scent for you to enjoy as the sillage is fairly low.
11 November 2008

Grapefruit by Jo Malone

I'm going to have to accept the facts that acceptfacts is right. Grapefruit at first... for like a second but goes right into an overwhelming soapy, clean fragrance like 1881. Up close you can still smell grapefruit but the people around me smell soap. As a fragrance, yuck. As a bath soap, it would be delightful (and it is offered as one).
10 November 2008

Omnia Crystalline by Bulgari

Fresh and clean. Being EdT strength, I thought I'd take a shot at wearing this myself. I would consider this unisex. Works very well. If you are familiar with Jack Black Signature Blue Mark, it smells incredibly similar to Omnia Crystalline. Heck, even Acqua di Gio smells similar, but Monia C isn't as cologny. Bulgari's tea note is still here but it's subtler like in Bulgari pH Extreme. Very, very nice.
10 November 2008

Perfect Man Alternative by Bella Bellissima

I find this very similar to the new Emporio Armani Diamonds for Men. Has a fruity yet herbaceous woodiness accord. Not as much cedarwood as Diamonds. I find this a pleasant scent with good longevity and sillage. Funny name, probably inspired by a sex toy.
03 November 2008

Douce Amère by Serge Lutens Les Salons du Palais Royal Shiseido

Gah, the anise is a bit unnatural to me, almost... spacey and transdimensional. Maybe I'm used to heavier types of anise/licorice scents. Thankfully, it's rather tame, especially or a Lutens where everything else I've tried from them is heavy and syrupy. Overall, it's an oriental anisic woody fragrance. For a nice woody and sweet oriental fragrance from Lutens, I still prefer Cedre (which still ironically doesn't smell like cedar).
02 November 2008

Vraie Blonde by Etat Libre d'Orange

Ever smell the room after a champagne party? You know those times where you just shake up bottles of champagne and spray it everywhere? It smells horrid, musty and of rot. The aldehyde in this capture that effect.
02 November 2008

Incanto pour Homme by Salvatore Ferragamo

Very similar to a lot of other colognes I've smelled, namely Calvin Klein Man but it's a little stronger and spicier. Nice casual wear.
02 November 2008

Quorum by Antonio Puig

The king of 80's powerhouses? I smell pretty much all the other stuff from the 80's in the this and yet I see that this was possibly realeased first and carried on a tradition of cloning. Dark, earthy, leathery, mossy, heady, sandalwoody... they all mix, well, great together. The sandalwood really shines on my skin and gives way to a leathery moss drydown. For those who enjoy: Pancaldi, Carlo Corinto, Bijan Men, Coveri, Maxims, Krizia Uomo, Armani pour Homme, Aramis, Sung Homme, etc.
02 November 2008

Quasar by J del Pozo

Interesting aquatic that doesn't smell too fresh, more like stale lakeside air on a shore filled with a million rotted, then washed banana peels. A rather interesting and at times demanding scent to say the least.
02 November 2008

Amazing for Men by Bill Blass

Cheap, aromatic fougere like Coty's Avatar. Typical musky drydown. Not much to it.
01 November 2008

Cold by Benetton

Green citrus musk. The scent itself is rather fleeting but itsn't terrible. I see this go for liek four bucks sometimes so just get it for someone you know that needs to smell better without spending a fortune.
01 November 2008

Benetton Sport Man by Benetton

Non-descript citrus and musk "sporty" thing. Not high quality but not total junk. Smells perfectly fine but can get a bit ugly at times. Wear in hot weather to enjoy.
01 November 2008

Mat; Very Male by Masakï Matsushïma

Anise, vetiver and musk. The sweetness comes from the musk I smell and the herbal and licorice note comes from a combination of vetiver and anise. Didn't seem to last long on me but it was wonderful.
01 November 2008

Tangerine Vert by Miller Harris

Green citrus, not bitter like oranges and not tart like lemons but the unique scent of tangerines (like the bottle says!). Very linear but uplifting and straightforward. Lasts long enough and is what I wanted Hermes Eau d'Orange Vert to be.
01 November 2008

Eau d'Hermès by Hermès

Interesting take on the normal lemon and lavender eau de cologne formula adding in a drop of Jicky and cumin into he mixture. I was hoping for a Eau d'Oragne Vert but "better" kind of thing but it's not what you'd expect. I go back and forth between thinking it stinks and smells like sweat to this is a wonderful animalic cologne.
01 November 2008

Un Jardin en Méditerranée by Hermès

Calm citrusy florals and figs with an impression of the sea. The fig gives off an illusion of booziness like in Paul Smith London and really green. I really like this and really it's just a nice scent to wear during the day.
01 November 2008

No. 5 by Chanel

I could not resist getting this classic. I purchased a mini of the parfum after watching the Chanel bio-pic that was on a few months ago. I've always been drawn to Chanel's philsophy "simplicity is elegance". No. 5 does just that. A simple and elegant baby powder floral. I actually wore this on my skin, dry men's skin, and it smells wonderful. Some would say "old lady" just because now the elderly wear it because they wore it when they were teenagers! Teenagers now can wear it but I suppose they are too used to dousing themselves in perfume to understand only a dab of No. 5 is all you need. If you smell it directly from the bottle or from the atomizer on a sprayer, you do not get anything as remarkable as you would on skin.

Beautiful and timeless.
31 October 2008

Umè by Keiko Mecheri

A woody floral that's really, really good. I like the tuberose-like accord that's possibly the combination of several fruit notes. A rich, warm, musky drydown. Men, wear this with confidence.
31 October 2008

Peau de Pêche by Keiko Mecheri

Perfumed peaches. Filled with aldehydes, this is well made and doesn't fail to please. It's like Chanel no. 5 for kids... just kidding ;)
31 October 2008

Patchoulissime by Keiko Mecheri

Animalic dry patchouli and a bit of a hay-like note that I think is supposed to be vetiver. What's really nice about this is that it's not over the top like the patchouli in A*Men or others and not too minute as if it's never there. Still, one wonders why every perfumer does a patchouli. Probably it's because people like me like patchouli when it doesn't smell like their old college dormitory at 2am on Thursday night.
31 October 2008

White Petals by Keiko Mecheri

A pleasant fresh floral to brighten the mood on a cool, crisp spring day. A bit woody and powdery.
31 October 2008

Gravel for Men by Gravel

I really have to lay this on thick to get anything from it. Smells like a dirty sandalwood and lemon cologne. Not bad. I've read other reviews and comments about Gravel that either the reviewer's grandfather or father wore Gravel and have had good memories of that cologne.
31 October 2008

Quorum Silver by Antonio Puig

Vetiver, amber and some spice. Maybe it's more pine from the combination of amber and spices? Sweet spices maybe... Pretty good.
31 October 2008

Fendi Uomo by Fendi

Looks like a love it or hate it fragrance. I hate it. It's a real stinker. Comes off overly boozy, leathery and spicy/herbal. It's so potent that it gets to the point of smothering you into oblivion. This is a fragrance that ends up wearing you.
31 October 2008

Wild Berries by Keiko Mecheri

Polished raspberries. Not sweet. Not tart. Just a berry smell. Like candy. Like those Creamsavers candies.
30 October 2008

Lagerfeld Classic by Lagerfeld

Reminds me of Serge Lutens' Chypre Rouge even though this is an oriental. Strong, powdery, sweet and over the top. A classic? Maybe but from my perspective as a young adult, this is old and smells like the weird uncle most families have. I can see the appeal but it's definitely not me.
30 October 2008

VIP for Men by Giorgio Beverly Hills

Patchouli and leather floral chypre. Touches of cinnamon and another spice with oakmoss in the base. Woody notes like to dance around in the middle. Not a bad scent at all.
30 October 2008

Baldessarini Del Mar by Baldessarini

No way. Smells like a lesser version of Armani Code which doesn't make it inherently bad. A musky vanilla... smells OK. Doesn't project a lot.
30 October 2008

Safari for Men by Ralph Lauren

A less than average modified chypre with leather and oakmoss in the drydown, florals in the heart and a top note of watery freshness in the opening. You can pick this up for cheap and be confident about your pruchase. WHile nothing truly amazing, it's a good scent to lounge around in. Not sure what Ralph Lauren had in mind with the name and packing in conjunction with the scent.
30 October 2008

Mare by Beth Terry Creative Universe

Traveling Air Mare to foetidus' beach we arrive on the moon Titan circling around the gaseous giant Saturn. Mare smells ethereal, airy and clean and one heck of an oddball aquatic since it's more green, like seaweed, than blue like fresh scents. Cuts to a floral in the heart and fades.
30 October 2008

Relax by Davidoff

Davidoff Relax, you are an odd creature. I find you comforting yet I cannot take you outside. You are a loud, obnoxious fougere. When you are around you have to tell everyone around you who you are. You are relentless and obscene and you smell like you've been drinking. Relax, big guy and douse yourself with some mint to cool your nerves. Ahhh no not with a mohjito... ah well.
30 October 2008

Phileas by Nina Ricci

Stinky! But in a good way. First sniff I recognized it as yet another 80's powerhouse. Fun fact: it's not, it fools you. It's still citrusy, mossy and a little dirty but it's quiet about it. Quiet for an 80's scent that is. Very nice but I still wwould have to go with Paco Rabanne pH or Bijan because they have a woodiness to them I like. Phileas has more of a vegetal/herbal tone to it and would be good to wear in the fall and spring or on cooler summer nights.
30 October 2008

Milk of Flowers by Geo F Trumper

Cloves are a favorite smell for me from clove cigarettes I used to smoke in college. Milk of Flowers is a little odd in that it's waaaay too much clove, cinnamon and nutmeg. THere's also a creamy/milky amber base. It's like a Christmas pie in your Fruit Loops.
30 October 2008

Eucris by Geo F Trumper

Spicy oakmoss. This opens with an unmistakable cumin and citrus accord (a dirty, musky, peppery and spicy note) and dries down into the soap-like note of oakmoss. For distinguished gentlemen.
30 October 2008

T Gregory by T Gregory

I smell an orange citrus and amber based cologne like a cross between SIlver Shadow, Halston Z and Allure Homme. Not much going on, really.
30 October 2008

Knize Forest by Knize

Minty pine like Polo. It wears like Cool Water (doesn't smell like it) with more refined notes and pine added. It's not that simple, though. A refreshjing lemon accord interplays with the pine giving an elegant cooling effect of a forest. Sehr wunderbar!
30 October 2008

"Vintage" Tabaróme by Creed

Musty tobacco. Tobacco that's burly, even intimidating. Very heavy and off-putting if you don't know what to expect! Like Yatagan or Kouros, you need to know what you're sniffing before passing judgment. My judgment is this: old, musty and a little over the top. I'm afraid I do not like this. Perhaps I'm too immature or perhaps my nose just smells something completely different. I can appreciate the following of this scent. Manys positives here and elsewhere. The scent, on me, doesn't work. On the card, it smells fine and even from a distance it's good. Not on me.
28 October 2008

Vetiver Eau Glacée by Guerlain

Good for summer. Opening citrus is a little sweet with the lime note. Rest is the same as Vetiver just doesn't last as long.
28 October 2008

Vetiver Extreme by Guerlain

Hmmm, should be called Everything Else But the Vetiver Extreme. TO me, the vetiver notes in the original is exactly the same here. Everything else, the slightly sweet base and the opening dull citrus notes are intensified. Maybe that's what happens when you make vetiver more extreme? You know what? I really dislike all these "extreme" versions. If Davidoff goes bonkers and makes Cool Water Extreme, I'll laugh.
28 October 2008

Vierges & Toreros by Etat Libre d'Orange

Sweet, smokey leather. Very subtle on my skin and great for a rainy cold day. A little warming and comfortable to wear. While not absolutely fantastic, it's just an all around pleasant scent but nothing outlandish. At the current price and exchange rate, $65 for a 50ml bottle isn't too bad.
28 October 2008

Eau du Fier by Annick Goutal

Smells like smoked BBQ chicken. It comes off as really salty and nasty on my skin.
27 October 2008

Infusion d'Homme by Prada

Soapy iris. I'm on the fence with this. I love, love LOVE the iris note in this. Much better than Dior Homme which I found way too powdery and heavy. Here, at the heart, it becomes an elegant beast. However, Prada puts the same sharp and soapy accord that's found in Prada Amber pour Homme. It turns me off just enought to not like the rest of the scent. Lasts all day and sillage is reasonable.
27 October 2008

Sanguine by Keiko Mecheri

Shiny and sparkly orange peel and citrus. This fizzy lemonade gets a bit on my nerves because I feel as if it's trying to be an eau de cologne but pokes in areas that isn't edc territory. Beautiful construction but it lacks details on the inside.
26 October 2008

Mazzolari Lui by Mazzolari

Heavy dry sweet (amber) oriental patchouli. This is animalic and dirty. This beautiful scent needs to be worn with confidence and charisma. Two things I lack but I can appreciate the fact that others are and can enjoy this scent to the fullest.
26 October 2008

Séxual pour Homme by Michel Germain

With a name like Sexual, I expected a musky scent. Yup, it's a musk scent. It's very simple.
26 October 2008

Tam Dao by Diptyque

Gragh. A spicy dry woody sandalwood scent... Davidoff Adventure did the same thing! Tam Dao adds a touch of a boozy note, probably some kind of vanilla. It's an 'eh' from me.
25 October 2008

Sandalo by Etro

I find that you need to spray this which reminds me a lot of B*Men; if you spray it too close to the skin, it smells of burnt rubber and caramel. The sandalwood remains un"damaged" but still smells great even after a close spray. Beautiful sandawood and patchouli fragrance by the way but my skin just doesn't seem to like it. Turns a bit sour (not burnt rubber). Lasts a little over 3 hours for me. Overall, not bad, smooth and hit-or-miss on my skin.
25 October 2008

Chamade pour Homme by Guerlain

A leathery chypre that's well blended. The scent seems to appear all at once like Bulgari Black. The leather is a dominant player here and it's not a dirty leather nor a sexy leather, just a fine rich leather that teeters on herbs on florals. Good longevity on me.
25 October 2008

99 Regent Street by Hugh Parsons

A fresh violet scent much like Dunhill Fresh with a bit of a sandalwood top note.
25 October 2008

Nasomatto China White by Nasomatto

Nasamotto doesn't want their notes disclosed on their scents and with good reason. My experience with this is a lovely powdery violet/green incense that's great for wearing to bed. Soothing and calming for me. I like.
25 October 2008

Eau de Guerlain by Guerlain

A beautiful yet semi-generic EdC with huge citrus and an almost minty-herbal quality to it. Longevity isn't all that good on me. But like the other GUerlain scents that haven't lasted long on me, it's a beautiful scent.
25 October 2008

Mystra by Aesop

Resinous incense with fuzzy green notes. The green notes seem to be combined with the resinous notes. Overall, a puff of the church and a swig of the outdoors. A very mature scent and not for the light-hearted.
24 October 2008

Léonard pour Homme (original) by Léonard

Citrus and leather chypre and there's no doubt about it. It's not a powerhouse in my opinion. In fact, it's fantastic and still in the style of those 80's powerhouse. Love the sandalwood drydown and the herbal middile but is very short. Very nice though.
24 October 2008

Eau du Coq by Guerlain

Eau du Coq is a very cheery, open citrus with a green heart and a sweet low note. Only lasts 30 minutes on me. I'm not kidding. I tried it twice and no dice on longevity scent is completely gone, must be my dry skin. Those 30 minutes were beautiful.
24 October 2008

Kiss Him by KISS

While surprising (because of the name attached), this really isn't special. Though, it's got nice touches to it. If you've ever tried Diesel Zero Plus, the texture is similar. Opening is a huge cumin note that's really a turn off. A smooth yet synthetic leather after you let it settle. Lasts a good while.
24 October 2008

Tous Man by Tous

Fresh yet sweet, odd little combination that I find perfect for fall weather. A touch of fruits in it. Perhaps it's comparable to Animale or Xeryus Rouge in its muskiness but Tous Man has a fruit note that's also a little powdery. While not special amongst all the other fresh, clean scents, alone and without needing to compare it to anything else, this is very nice.
24 October 2008

Driven Black by Derek Jeter

Reminds me of the new Davidoff Adventure. It's a fresh spicy wood but more velvety/suede smooth texture. Good sillage. I was expecting a lot worse than this. Very decent.
23 October 2008

Black Suede by Avon

Musk, woods and amber. It almost, barely almost reminds me of Kouros... has that honeyed note to it that mimics civet. Not bad.
23 October 2008

Mesmerize by Avon

Spicy and resinous, a clashing combination that is a tad stomach turning. Not particularly enamoring or nice.
23 October 2008

Blue Rush by Avon

Clean and fresh citrus scent good for summer.
23 October 2008

Bois d'Arménie by Guerlain

While I find this rich and full of resinous sweetness, I also find this rather bland. It's all basenotes. Not as complex as you'd think though I do love the hint of woods in this. The woods round out the overall experience into a warm scent great for cool days. Stays very close to the skin and has good longevity. I'm not one to plunk cash down for this.
23 October 2008

Very Sexy for Him by Victoria's Secret

Orange musk. Not bad for a mall shop scent. Sillage is close and the staying power is low but is an okay scent.
22 October 2008

273 Indigo for Men by Fred Hayman

Good lord yes, this is so similar to Blu Notte pour Homme. It's more citrusy than it but it's definitely the same texture. That smooth yet dark velvety texture. Too bad the fabric is thin and wears down fast but it's not as yucky as Notte's airiness. Very linear scent with slight deviations from the citrus to musk drydown.
22 October 2008

U by Ungaro for Him by Ungaro

It's nothing like the other Ungaro scents at all. It's a fresh green fruity scent with a semi-sweet woody base. Cheap and fine.
22 October 2008

Jessica McClintock by Jessica McClintock

Sweet floral which smells a bit fresh that seems to not have aged very well. Its advertising is for young people butI cannot see 20-minus year olds wearing this. But if they like it, go for it. Too muhc lily and some faux-gardenia. On the plus side, it seems soft enough to get someone for a gift.
20 October 2008

He Wood by Dsquared2

Very sharp and abrasive vetiver cedarwood. It's longevity on me is outstanding, and smells OK but it feels very harsh on my skin. Imagine Prada Amber pour Homme's soapiness mixed with Tumulte pour Homme's cedar, cedar and more cedar accords.
15 October 2008

Santal Impérial by Creed

Seems light for a sandalwood fragrance but that doesn't make it bad. I like it a lot. It's subtle on me and it takes a while to get accustomed to. I smelled absolutely nothing at first spritz (well, 12 spritzes haha) but as your body heat interacts with it, the scent comes in at full force and turns around and fades away. A perfect scent for a perfect day.
15 October 2008

Zenzero by I Profumi di Firenze

A huge nutty vanilla accord, this stuff is unmistakably a gourmand. What's odd about this is near the end it becomes watery, almost a dirty floral that's very earthy while retaining its gourmand flavor. This has projection but limited longevity.
14 October 2008

Terre de Bois by Miller Harris

Terre de Bois is an unusual creature for me. It's floral yet earthy yet woody yet cologny... I fully smell the florals on top. As it develops, I get the woods but it's really fleeting. It's not as powerful to my nose as I thought. As it develops, it becomes a floral vetiver and then a woody vetiver. Too bad it came and went too fast.
14 October 2008

Fresco di Vetiver by I Profumi di Firenze

In a blind test, the first thing I thought was "this smells like the middle of Cool Water". The vetiver is toned down in this by the GIT/Cool Water accords and it's not as grassy as other vetivers I've tried. It's not as citrus as Guerlain's or as angular as Malle's, it's just there. A fresh vetiver, I'd say. I already have Mugler Cologne for a "fresh vetiver" (which smells steamy). Anyways, not a bad scent.
14 October 2008

Etienne Aigner No. 2 by Etienne Aigner

Smells "cologney" at first but it blossoms into a wonderful light and minty lavender and a classy clean smell of fern and moss. Very strong though lasts about 5 hours. Good stuff.
14 October 2008

Allure Homme Edition Blanche by Chanel

Damn this stuff surprised me. It's a lighter, more citrusy version of Allure Homme. Still has the peppery accords and minus the heavy amber/tonka bean base. Great for warmer weather with Allure Homme is way too much in. It just feels fresher in my opinion. Reminded me of the freshness from Dunhill Fresh of all things.
14 October 2008

Wild Lavender / Inglese by Lorenzo Villoresi

Powdery herbal lavender with a touch of citrus. A gentleman's cologne.
13 October 2008

Santal by Fragonard

Animalic sandalwood. The top notes of tobacco smell like tea and civet but dries down into an abrasive floral sandalwood.
13 October 2008

Wellington by Geo F Trumper

Ooo, spicy woods and fruity pine. Almost like a minty Polo green. Very classy!
13 October 2008

Perry Man by Perry Ellis

Perry Ellis' line of fragrances has a knack for smelling like other, already well-established fragrances... but making them a little different that they're their own entity. i.e. 360 Red = Acqua di Gio, 360 White = Le Male, Perry m = Allure Homme...

Perry Man, I think, smells a