Bona

Reviews by Bona

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Tubéreuse Indiana by Creed

Interesting composite overrun with floral soapy notes, but the good lathering type and one I don't mind. Almost a clean overtone paired with a light musky base that gets more prominent while wearing. I found the floral stays foremost even throughout the dry down. Decent amount of woody-spice notes as the day wears on.

Very much a 1980's perfume; I find myself reaching for my decant of Indiana often.
#251549
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R.E.M. by Ariana Grande

Honestly not that bad, the opening is definitely sweet and gourmand, but not overwhelmingly so. The caramel and marshmallow notes were done just right and brought on a slight smirk to my face after smelling. Settles to a nice soft lavender and musk after an hour to two and men shouldn't be afraid to try this one either.

Longevity was not a strong suit with this perfume, but it's a nice soda shop scent and surprisingly excellent for layering with other perfumes, such as her Cloud perfume. Definitely worth a try and a bottle, especially at the lower price point.
#244927
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Aqua Allegoria Flora Salvaggia by Guerlain

Absolutely lovely, airy violets! Lush and sweet melon in the opening, nice easy assorted wildflowers. Hints of orange blossom and jasmine peeks out as reminders. Reminescent of Jo Malone's Wild Bluebells when it starts to dry down. As usual for this line, the aquatic aspects are as expected, same with the longevity. I wish it lasted longer than the 4-5 hours, but it was a treat.

I enjoyed refreshing this one and would definitely consider adding it to my collection.
#244266
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White Suede by Tom Ford

Balanced notes of suede, light white florals and unlit cigarettes. Reminds me of my youth wearing a vintage suede coat wearing those powerhouse floral scents of the early 2000's white carrying a pack of Winston Lights or Camels. Don't get me wrong, the tobacco/cigarette notes I get are very well done.

Longevity wasn't so great on this though and I'd be hesitant to pull the trigger on a full bottle, but definitely worth trying a decant.
#244192
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Inflorescence by Byredo

There must be a note in Inflorescence that my nose just cannot pick up. The first hour of so of wearing this I didn't smell a thing. Frustrated I applied a bit more, shrugged my shoulder and went about my day. Some time later I started to get hits of Magnolia and Lily of the Valley. And then I started to smell like a Downy April Fresh scent dryer sheet.

Eventually this did morph into bits of other florals and in the end it wasn't terrible, but there are better lighter and fresh florals out there, especially in the Guerlain Aqua Allegoria range and Jo Malone. I went with neutral rather than thumbs down sheerly because I must be nose blind to the top note.
#244107
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Bona

Foin Fraîchement Coupé (new) by Oriza L. Legrand

Really odd public toilet bath dispenser soap scent. The kind that is this weird pepto-bismal pink color and has this fake-cherry scent that overpowered the 80's slushee craze. The cherry note moves away but that soapiness just continues on and on and on into some odd minty licorice. Don't get me wrong, mint and licorice can blend beautifully together, but with the soap it's a train wreck. Eventually I got some hay and musk notes. Thankfully this disaster didn't last more than a few hours.
#243621
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Fougère L'Aube by Rogue Perfumery

Sweet and floral citrus opening that melds into lovely hay and light ivy notes. Really nice entry of the rose and oak moss really balances well on my skin. Much has already been said about Fougère L'Aube which paints the picture with much more detail than I can. This is very much a nostalgic perfume and I can't quite put my finger on why. Definitely a unisex perfume.
#243622
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Baptême du Feu by Serge Lutens

Harsh opening of burnt citrus and smoke that is overwhelming for the first hour, but the more I wore Baptême du Feu the better it evolved. After an hour or so more dried fruit notes reminiscent of Christmas puddings. I got more hints of the cake-like gingerbread rather than the crisp cookie style and the smoke notes really simmered down and reminded me more of dying fire embers.

Wear was exceptionally long, 10+ hours.
#243482
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Portraits : The Ruthless Countess Dorothea by Penhaligon's

Surprisingly sweet bergamot in the opening with a little bit of vanillin. Eventually shifts to a nice rich sandalwood and patchouli still retaining the tartness of the bergamot in the background. I sense a lot of the warmth and spice is due to the red ginger oil. Overall a very surprising and pleasant addition to Penhaligon's Portraits collection. The only downside is longevity is not the strongest, although an over spraying in the beginning can really help it along. I found this worked well sprayed in the hair and clothing to extend the warmth and coziness of the fragrance.
#243485
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Horizon (new) by Oriza L. Legrand

Opening of cognac, tobacco and old woods - weathered old woods. I get the bitter orange at first but it fades away allowing light cocoa whiffs with honey, vanilla, and rose to really dominate the scene.

Decently longevity that eventually settles to a vanilla and patchouli base with a smooth leather undertone.
#243509
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Oranges and Lemons say the bells of St Clement's by Heeley

Crisp citrus opening heavy in the bitter range of the fruit that really dominates for an hour. Slowly the petitgrain and neroli slink on through, but by this time most of perfume has gone from my skin. Despite countless times wearing this scent I found it was gone by the third hour. The only time I got the whiff of the tea notes was after spraying this on paper, it never presented on my skin.
#243510
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Cairo by Penhaligon's

Powdery opening with definite rose overtones and slowly enters a bit of light spice, nothing too punchy. Eventually the saffron edges out. After about two hours Cairo is nothing more than vanilla incense on my skin. It's not bad, but at this price point I expect better longevity.
#243312
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Une Amourette Roland Mouret by Etat Libre d'Orange

Starts off with a similarity to those peachy scratch stickers with some neroli, eventually morphing more towards light woody notes with a touch of eucalyptus. After some more time rounds out to something metallic and ozonic and dries down to a simple patchouli vanilla accord. Complete chameleon from start to end.
#243322
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Black Collection : Wool by Commodity

I'm on the fence about Wool but in the end, a thumbs up - it's really a lavender/cedar/vanilla perfume with quickly dissipating citrus top notes that eventually brings out a bit of musk and amber near the end of it's lifespan. It's not bad, but reminds me a bit of Armani Code. It's got that familiar 'walk through the Macys perfume section' ambiance about it because its so familiar, that mish-mash of difference testers in the air.

You really cannot go wrong with this as an office scent or even to gift. It's agreeable, cozy, and non-offensive.
#243236
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Black Collection : Gin by Commodity

Overwhelming opening of straight up eucalyptus and lime that evolves into an almost bitter herbal almost medicinal scent. Eventually after an hour or two it dries down to a woody and almost dirty leather note. Thankfully it's gone soon after. Longevity is tops three hours.
#243237
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Graine de Joie by Eau d'Italie

Fizzy fruity floral times a thousand. The opening is extremely heavy and almost overboard and reminds me a bit of Baby Doll by YSL. Over time it does settle but sadly I get strange notes of cherry tomatoes on the dry down and then it's almost gone. Less than two hours on my skin.
#243181
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Gin & Rose Water No. 12 by Tokyo Milk

Light and bright easy going citrus spring/summer perfume. I only got hints of the rosewood on my clothing as it disappeared quickly from my skin. I get a hint of juniper berries, but that too is short lived. Nonetheless a delightful uplifting citrus perfume and at such a nice price point too.
#243192
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Orange Blossom by Jo Malone London

Lovely aromatic and lightly floral orange blossom. Very fresh and the water lily is just slightly in the background. Surprisingly decent longevity as Jo Malone perfumes usually fade after two or so hours. It feels almost linear for the longest time but eventually I get hints of neroli. As with most JM perfumes, this one would probably do well layering with her other perfumes.

Quite nice, I think even a small bottle has a place on the shelf.
#243196
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Fleurs d'Oranger by Serge Lutens

Punchy citrus and tuberose opening the flows into jasmine notes. Sadly this floral bomb doesn't last long, it starts out so strong and so thick eventually ends up almost a dry and grassy note. I feel there is something missing here and perhaps tea notes might round this out.
#243130
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Champaca by Ormonde Jayne

Reminds me of sipping floral green tea in lounge after a spa treatment. The sweeter, honeyed, and cream notes like many manicure lotions and creams. Eventually the light florals give way to a warm myrrh. Lovely, but at this price point I'd rather go with the more affordable manicure hand lotion.
#243078
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L'Ombre dans L'Eau Eau de Parfum by Diptyque

Surprising crisp green garden perfume with amazing longevity and excellent light rose just cut stem notes. Very vegetal in the opening which opens up to a very steady and calm floral. L'Ombre dans L'Eau EdP eventually settles to a slightly sweet floral on my skin, but remains crisp on a paper strip, so this might be personal body chemistry bringing the sweetness out.

As the day wore on the scent improved. Overall very impressed.
#243048
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Gli Invisibili : Cristina by Hilde Soliani Profumi

Patchouli for those who can't stand patchouli. This is not your hippie patchouli, but rather a more softer rounded and warmer patchouli. Hints of woody and leathery notes from the labdanum really help round it out and the vanilla notes warm it up as it wears on. A very light incense perfume reminiscent of the smell of some churches. Good longevity and improves as the day goes on.
#243017
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Madeleine by Masque

My scent memories of Angelina in Paris on the Rue de Rivoli doesn't even match Masque Milano's interpretation here. Perhaps it's due to the time period I visited (early 2000's), but I expected the smells of their Chocolat chaud à l'ancienne, millefeuille's with their light vanilla cream, or perhaps their breakfast menu with croissants or caramalized brioche pain perdu.

Instead Angelina is a mish-mash of heavy chestnut and vanilla notes with some florals thrown in. No where are the hot chocolate or tea scents that should be front and center. Angelina went from dud to passible after the first two hours when the chestnut notes faded and floral-vanilla dominated.

Sadly a grand disappointment especially considering the price point and the failed promise of a famous tea room recreated.
#243018
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Bona

The Fragrance Journals : 1976 by Floris

Thankfully a short lived patchouli and cheap incense based concept perfume with a few redeeming qualities. Opening is decent with a spicy citrus top and a slightly astringent juniper and vetiver note. However the peppery note ends up being the same peppery scent I get when opening up a box of old clothings, almost a musty scent that is somewhat unclean. I'll be the lone duck here turning up my nose at this one. I find it barely tolerable and smells like old attic clothes.
#228202

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