Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Intense: Darker, less sweet iteration of Black Opium. The emphasis is on coffee, vanilla and liquorice. Longevity was excellent at well over 10 hours. This should be worn in cold weather as it could get cloying in the heat. It’s worth a try for lovers of Black Opium. I still prefer the original over the intense.
Narciso Rodriguez Pure Musc for Her: American designer, Narciso Rodriguez produce some of the most underrated fragrances on the market. They always seem to release quality fragrances and Pure Musc for Her is no exception. The signature Narciso musk is present along with fresh flowers. It’s like the wearer is being transported on a powdery marshmallow cloud of musk. An elegant, excellent release that can be worn at any time and for any occasion. An early leader in best designer releases for 2019.
Jean Paul Gaultier Le Male In The Navy: As a lover of the original Le Male it pains me to say that In the Navy does not measure up. It has a harsh synthetic salty mint toothpaste vibe that is to put it bluntly, unpleasant. Mercifully, short lasting, it makes you wonder how this sailor ever made it through the recruitment process.
Ralph Lauren Red Rush: Harsh synthetics strike again. I won’t be rushing back to the store to buy this one. I’ll stick with vintage Polo Sport.
Atelier Cologne Pacific Lime: Purveyors of all things citrus, Atelier Cologne are back with another entry. Their grapefruit scent, Pomelo Paradis and bergamot scent, Bergamot Soleil are favourites of mine. On first testing, Pacific Lime sits right alongside those fragrances. Lime, spearmint and an ever so subtle coconut note should provide the wearer with an instant pick me up. Despite the notes it does not resemble Creed’s Virgin Island Water.
Etat Libre d’Orange I Am Trash: It was with some trepidation that I sprayed on my sample of I am Trash as I didn’t really want to smell like a dumpster. After all, Etat Libre d’Orange has some prior form with polarising scents (Secretions Magnifiques). I needn’t have worried, as Etat Libre d’Orange, perhaps with tongue planted firmly in cheek, release a fragrance called I am Trash that is a rather pleasant amalgam of Dolce and Gabbana Light Blue for Women and Paco Rabanne Black XS for Him. I like both those fragrances and I like this. I’m just not sure I like it enough to recycle it.
