Reviews by vitaman
Pegasus by Parfums de Marly
A general theme of most of the reviews is that this one has nuclear projection and too many sprays can choke you out.
I did not find this to be the case at all. It's a safe and pleasant easy to like scent. Not groundbreaking....just smells good.
Had samples of Initio Oud for Greatness and TF Vert Bois arrive at same time as Pegasus.
Comparatively Pegasus was the easiest to approach and easiest to imagine spraying more heavily than the other two.
Could become the 9th favorite in your collection but gets worn in your top 3.
I did not find this to be the case at all. It's a safe and pleasant easy to like scent. Not groundbreaking....just smells good.
Had samples of Initio Oud for Greatness and TF Vert Bois arrive at same time as Pegasus.
Comparatively Pegasus was the easiest to approach and easiest to imagine spraying more heavily than the other two.
Could become the 9th favorite in your collection but gets worn in your top 3.
Lune Féline by Atelier Des Ors
Don't get any Cinnamon or Cardamon despite the listed notes.
I do get some Ambergris and Styrax and a smokey animalic vibe.
Eventually Vanilla comes through and believe me it is a welcome relief.
Reminds me just a little of Mancera's Aoud Vanille. It is more complex but ultimately not something I would ever reach for.
I do get some Ambergris and Styrax and a smokey animalic vibe.
Eventually Vanilla comes through and believe me it is a welcome relief.
Reminds me just a little of Mancera's Aoud Vanille. It is more complex but ultimately not something I would ever reach for.
Myths Man by Amouage
I'm a big Amouage fan and own 8 different bottles.
This one is the biggest disappointment of their entire line.
I mostly got synthetic violet blended with a smoke like accord.
Just dreadful.
Love the bottle and was predisposed to liking it.
Sprayed Amouage Silver on top to be able to get on with my morning.
This one is the biggest disappointment of their entire line.
I mostly got synthetic violet blended with a smoke like accord.
Just dreadful.
Love the bottle and was predisposed to liking it.
Sprayed Amouage Silver on top to be able to get on with my morning.
Bal d'Afrique by Byredo
I have absolutely no idea why this one is labeled Feminine.
I have maybe 75 bottles in my collection. This is the only one officially sanctioned to the fair gender. Out of the 75 bottles, maybe 20 smell decidedly more masculine than this.
Byredo claims that this is a vetiver scent....i'd say maybe a touch but not to the point of domination. They also point to the meeting point of Paris life in the 1920's and African culture. Sounds poetic...not sure what that would smell like.
To me this is a decidedly masculine floral with hints of musk and cedar.
Perfect Summer frag with solid longevity.
I have maybe 75 bottles in my collection. This is the only one officially sanctioned to the fair gender. Out of the 75 bottles, maybe 20 smell decidedly more masculine than this.
Byredo claims that this is a vetiver scent....i'd say maybe a touch but not to the point of domination. They also point to the meeting point of Paris life in the 1920's and African culture. Sounds poetic...not sure what that would smell like.
To me this is a decidedly masculine floral with hints of musk and cedar.
Perfect Summer frag with solid longevity.
Set Sail St. Barts for Men by Tommy Bahama
Just got this yesterday. Have to admit I was attracted by the name (great little French Island) but the positive reviews didn't hurt either.
This one was a surprise. It is considerably more versatile than the majority of reviews led me to believe. Although it is a smiley Summer scent in some regards I would have no problem wearing it in Winter. It's basically a creamy, musky lime on my skin. It's a welcoming scent and my Wife was drawn in immediately. Longevity is better than expected. Although it's inexpensive it is not one you smell often which gives it a certain cache.
Bottom line it smells really good. Seems somehow wrong that a good fragrance with a name like St. Bart's should be made in New York but that's life in globally shrinking world.
This one was a surprise. It is considerably more versatile than the majority of reviews led me to believe. Although it is a smiley Summer scent in some regards I would have no problem wearing it in Winter. It's basically a creamy, musky lime on my skin. It's a welcoming scent and my Wife was drawn in immediately. Longevity is better than expected. Although it's inexpensive it is not one you smell often which gives it a certain cache.
Bottom line it smells really good. Seems somehow wrong that a good fragrance with a name like St. Bart's should be made in New York but that's life in globally shrinking world.
Alford & Hoff by Alford & Hoff
Picture the most generic Men's fragrance and you've got Alford and Hoff.
I pick up none of the listed notes.
It's a slightly sweet, highly synthetic, very boring scent. Anything by YSL and a host of other designers is superior.
Nothing to smell here.
I pick up none of the listed notes.
It's a slightly sweet, highly synthetic, very boring scent. Anything by YSL and a host of other designers is superior.
Nothing to smell here.
Reflection Man by Amouage
I simply do not get how any reviewer can pan this one for smelling synthetic. Nor can I understand comparing it to an inexpensive synthetic fragrance.
I am very sensitive to overly sweet and synthetic feeling scents. For example, although I love the Bond No. 9 bottle designs, I could never own one due to the lack of natural notes.
Reflection is particularly well blended and one of my 3 favorites by Amouage. In general I prefer their smokier more middle eastern scents like Interlude and Jubilation. But Reflection is just so pleasant especially after about an hour or so, that it won me over on first wearing in spite of its somewhat sweet opening.
For those that judge a fragrance on how many compliments it garners, this one is stellar in that regard too.
I am very sensitive to overly sweet and synthetic feeling scents. For example, although I love the Bond No. 9 bottle designs, I could never own one due to the lack of natural notes.
Reflection is particularly well blended and one of my 3 favorites by Amouage. In general I prefer their smokier more middle eastern scents like Interlude and Jubilation. But Reflection is just so pleasant especially after about an hour or so, that it won me over on first wearing in spite of its somewhat sweet opening.
For those that judge a fragrance on how many compliments it garners, this one is stellar in that regard too.
Safari Extreme by Abdul Samad Al Qurashi
Not sure why they called this Safari or Extreme, but it's just wonderful.
At first I thought it was similar to La Yuquawam by Rasasi. It certainly has an initial Suede vibe. But the Perfumer has a more deft touch and possibly better quality ingredients. There is a little vanilla and a lot of florals here but never so flowery as to overwhelm with sweetness. An addictive scent that seems versatile. You could wear this to the gym or to the Opera.
At first I thought it was similar to La Yuquawam by Rasasi. It certainly has an initial Suede vibe. But the Perfumer has a more deft touch and possibly better quality ingredients. There is a little vanilla and a lot of florals here but never so flowery as to overwhelm with sweetness. An addictive scent that seems versatile. You could wear this to the gym or to the Opera.
Oriental Lounge by The Different Company
Should have paid more attention to rogalal!
Blind bought this and and it is unisex if you use a very broad definition.
Very sweet and feminine, may have some similarities with one of the Chanel fragrances marketed to women. Will have to go through my wife's collection to verify.
Good quality, a little interesting touch of spice, but mostly sweet!
After revisiting my wife's fragrances, it indeed it is a 1st Cousin to Coco Chanel.
Smells better for the first 20 minutes, but does not have the legs of Coco which gives a solid 6-7 hours. If it had solid longevity I would recommend it highly to women. As it is, it is severely over priced for anyone.
Blind bought this and and it is unisex if you use a very broad definition.
Very sweet and feminine, may have some similarities with one of the Chanel fragrances marketed to women. Will have to go through my wife's collection to verify.
Good quality, a little interesting touch of spice, but mostly sweet!
After revisiting my wife's fragrances, it indeed it is a 1st Cousin to Coco Chanel.
Smells better for the first 20 minutes, but does not have the legs of Coco which gives a solid 6-7 hours. If it had solid longevity I would recommend it highly to women. As it is, it is severely over priced for anyone.
Ambre & Santal by L'Occitane
This is an excellent scent for Amber lovers of which I count myself as one.
However I will probably sell my bottle after only 2 wearings.
Why? It just has no longevity. And even though I prefer it to Lubin's Amber offering, it disappoints every time by pulling a disappearing act.
My advice is to save up a little bit more and go for Serge Luten's Ambre Sultan.
However I will probably sell my bottle after only 2 wearings.
Why? It just has no longevity. And even though I prefer it to Lubin's Amber offering, it disappoints every time by pulling a disappearing act.
My advice is to save up a little bit more and go for Serge Luten's Ambre Sultan.
Balsamo della Mecca/ Mecca Balsam by AbdesSalaam Attar Profumo
Wore this for 3 hours with a vague feeling that I've smelled it before. Finally dawned on me that this is Messe de Minuit by Etro with less projection.
A nice rich Frankincense skin scent. Feels sacred and comfortable. Main gripe is that even applied generously, it keeps its cards a little too close to the vest (vestments?).
A nice rich Frankincense skin scent. Feels sacred and comfortable. Main gripe is that even applied generously, it keeps its cards a little too close to the vest (vestments?).
Endymion by Penhaligon's
First I must say that Lucy's review was simply one of the best I've ever read…..had to read it three times.
Now to Endymion. Received a sample from Penhaligons. Of the 4 samples sent this one stood out. The masculine take on powder is attractive. Liked it until I smelled LP No9 for men by the same House. The top notes of Endymion are clearly superior, but once they die down, LP blows it away. Similar vibe but just more spice, more interesting and longer lasting to boot.
Now to Endymion. Received a sample from Penhaligons. Of the 4 samples sent this one stood out. The masculine take on powder is attractive. Liked it until I smelled LP No9 for men by the same House. The top notes of Endymion are clearly superior, but once they die down, LP blows it away. Similar vibe but just more spice, more interesting and longer lasting to boot.
Serge Noire by Serge Lutens
Bought this based on the reviews here and from enjoying other Luten's frags.
I am trying hard to get the onions, cumin and spice shop vibe that others mention, but I get nada.
I tend to love that sort of thing (Odori's Glio is a revelation in the Indian spice shop genre), but all I get is a far more ordinary semi formal rich sweet thick wintery scent. It has monster silage and an immediate appeal; the quality is obvious. It reminds me of an 80's fragrance tweaked up for the present and with better sourced ingredients.
I am trying hard to get the onions, cumin and spice shop vibe that others mention, but I get nada.
I tend to love that sort of thing (Odori's Glio is a revelation in the Indian spice shop genre), but all I get is a far more ordinary semi formal rich sweet thick wintery scent. It has monster silage and an immediate appeal; the quality is obvious. It reminds me of an 80's fragrance tweaked up for the present and with better sourced ingredients.
Givenchy Gentleman by Givenchy
Maybe it was the expectations from reading so many positive reviews but this is very close to a Negative.
Opens with a generic, synthetic, sweet cloud of everything I dislike in a fragrance.
I could not pick out a single note. Dries down an acceptable although not distinct "gentleman's" fragrance. There are better frags available certainly over the last 20 years (maybe 40) that should render this obsolete.
Once it dries down it is not offensive and reasonably pleasant but does not live up to its legend. Maybe the Vintage variety would be different but not motivated to find out at this point.
Opens with a generic, synthetic, sweet cloud of everything I dislike in a fragrance.
I could not pick out a single note. Dries down an acceptable although not distinct "gentleman's" fragrance. There are better frags available certainly over the last 20 years (maybe 40) that should render this obsolete.
Once it dries down it is not offensive and reasonably pleasant but does not live up to its legend. Maybe the Vintage variety would be different but not motivated to find out at this point.
Sana by Slumberhouse
Forget the listed notes.
This is all about stewed fruit. Prunes, apples, peaches.
Thought I really knew what was going on here until my wife caught a whiff.
You smell like Bourbon she declared. And not just any bourbon….Maker's Mark she specified. And dang if she wasn't spot on. If that's what you want to smell like, Sana will do the trick.
Excellent sillage and longevity.
This is all about stewed fruit. Prunes, apples, peaches.
Thought I really knew what was going on here until my wife caught a whiff.
You smell like Bourbon she declared. And not just any bourbon….Maker's Mark she specified. And dang if she wasn't spot on. If that's what you want to smell like, Sana will do the trick.
Excellent sillage and longevity.
Gli Odori by Odori
This one is all about the cumin.
And that does not sound good.
Cumin is great as an unexpected foil for a floral, or sweet ginger or tea fragrance, but it is rarely found on its own. It just doesn't have the chops the headline the show.
But Gli is the exception. The cumin hits you early and often and I just can't get enough of it.
There is just enough warm sweetness behind to keep it balanced and ever interesting.
Maybe with future wearing I will pick out the green herbs and woods, but in only one wearing I can tell this is one amazing cumin perfume and is going to be one of my favorites.
And that does not sound good.
Cumin is great as an unexpected foil for a floral, or sweet ginger or tea fragrance, but it is rarely found on its own. It just doesn't have the chops the headline the show.
But Gli is the exception. The cumin hits you early and often and I just can't get enough of it.
There is just enough warm sweetness behind to keep it balanced and ever interesting.
Maybe with future wearing I will pick out the green herbs and woods, but in only one wearing I can tell this is one amazing cumin perfume and is going to be one of my favorites.
Rectoverso Man Tea Tobacco by Ulric de Varens
Think of this as a poor man's Odori Tobacco.
The top notes are not nearly as nice and it does not have the longevity but the crux of the scent is similar.
It opens with a cheap sweetened tea note (instant?) and takes a while for the tobacco to shine through. But once it does, it becomes likable and at it's price point even lovable.
If price is not a consideration there are better Tobacco scents out there.
Factoring in bang for buck, this one is hard to beat.
The top notes are not nearly as nice and it does not have the longevity but the crux of the scent is similar.
It opens with a cheap sweetened tea note (instant?) and takes a while for the tobacco to shine through. But once it does, it becomes likable and at it's price point even lovable.
If price is not a consideration there are better Tobacco scents out there.
Factoring in bang for buck, this one is hard to beat.
Acteur by Azzaro
Cannot really pick up any individual notes in this.
It has a sharp synthetic smell that is married to a sweet synthetic one.
Was expecting more after reading reviews. Not sure it would even make a good air freshener.
It has a sharp synthetic smell that is married to a sweet synthetic one.
Was expecting more after reading reviews. Not sure it would even make a good air freshener.
Individuel by Montblanc
Blind Buy based on reviews.
Have had some good luck doing so despite dire warnings posted against such irresponsible behavior. However this buy was irresponsible.
It's sicky sweet, highly generic, very synthetic.
The bottle is attractive, love the cap.
My advice is to play with the bottle if you see it in a store, and then buy something else.
Have had some good luck doing so despite dire warnings posted against such irresponsible behavior. However this buy was irresponsible.
It's sicky sweet, highly generic, very synthetic.
The bottle is attractive, love the cap.
My advice is to play with the bottle if you see it in a store, and then buy something else.
Eau Lente by Diptyque
This one although a little spicy, is on the feminine side with none of delicious warm masculine spice notes of say a Tauer Eau d'Epices.
Very linear with little to recommend it. Best part of it is that I bought a sample rather than a whole bottle.
Very linear with little to recommend it. Best part of it is that I bought a sample rather than a whole bottle.
L'Ambre des Merveilles by Hermès
The Amber that Pampers Sprayed this on at Bloomingdale's thinking it was a Men's frag. (It was right next to Terre d'Hermes). When I got home my wife was all over my wrist. "What is this?!?" Almost had to restrain her from licking it like candy. Although she likes amber based perfumes on herself, it did not read to her initially as a woman's perfume. When I discovered that it was marketed to women, I looked for the male equivalent, and purchased Ambre Narguile. The Cinnamon Apple notes in Narguile were a little off putting especially in July. My mind kept wandering back to Des Merveilles. Finally bought a bottle, and I can now report that the silage is solid, and the longevity is excellent. Still get a nice whiff 18 hours after application. Actually the staying power is superior to Narguile on me. This may be a fragrance that is more dependent than most on personal chemistry judging from the last reviewer's observations. Highly recommended. Pros: Approachable and SensualCons: Slightly feminine
H.M. by Hanae Mori
Bought this based on the reviews.
Luckily only bought the 1.7 oz size.
I get no lemon at all. It starts as a synthetic, generically sweetish smell.
Eventually dries down to a synthetic vanilla scent.
Nothing to like at all. The great country of France with its rich perfume history, should insist that this be made elsewhere.
On a happier note, in spite of the decidedly mixed reviews on Nicole Miller for Men, I bought a bottle recently. It's wonderful with decent longevity and a scent profile different from any other in my collection.
Luckily only bought the 1.7 oz size.
I get no lemon at all. It starts as a synthetic, generically sweetish smell.
Eventually dries down to a synthetic vanilla scent.
Nothing to like at all. The great country of France with its rich perfume history, should insist that this be made elsewhere.
On a happier note, in spite of the decidedly mixed reviews on Nicole Miller for Men, I bought a bottle recently. It's wonderful with decent longevity and a scent profile different from any other in my collection.
Nostalgia by Santa Maria Novella
After reading the reviews, sent for a sample of this for my brother. He is so much of a car nut that his license plate reads...you guessed it....CARNUT. He could not stand it but I loved it. It is an odd one to be sure. Starts with a blast of creosote. Does not jive a bit with the old-timey bottle and traditional sounding moniker. The scent starts to morph after about 15 minutes and goes from beast to beauty. Just following the changes is fascinating.
Winds up slightly sweet, very rich and captivating. The beginning would offend many. The ending will charm most.
Winds up slightly sweet, very rich and captivating. The beginning would offend many. The ending will charm most.
Eau d'Épices by Tauer
This smells extremely natural and at the same time fabulous.
It is not a powerhouse and tends to woo you softly. Excellent longevity and keeps getting better. If you are around people who are easily offended by fragrances, this may work. It can be appreciated by sophisticates and beginners alike. Deceptively simple, if the bottle I ordered yesterday was here, it would be on me now.
It is not a powerhouse and tends to woo you softly. Excellent longevity and keeps getting better. If you are around people who are easily offended by fragrances, this may work. It can be appreciated by sophisticates and beginners alike. Deceptively simple, if the bottle I ordered yesterday was here, it would be on me now.
Latest Threads
-
-
-
-
What I did wrong, except for the perfumers alcohol and the carrier?
- Started by jccg65
- Replies: 1
-
-
Popular designer fragrances that perform better then Sauvage Elixir?
- Started by Cryodus
- Replies: 1
-
Planet Vetiver has returned for a short time. Act to try it/buy it now.- Started by tspencer
- Replies: 0
-
-
[Men's] SOTD Monday 29th of May 2023- Started by Basenotes Robot
- Replies: 25
-
[Women's] SOTD Monday 29th of May 2023
- Started by Basenotes Robot
- Replies: 13
Whatever your taste in perfume, we've got you covered...
catalogue your collection, keep track of your perfume wish-list, log your daily fragrance wears, review your latest finds, seek out long-lost scented loves, keep track of the latest perfume news, find your new favourite fragrance, and discuss perfume with like-minded people from all over the world...