Dior – Spice Blend* – The latest edition to the Maison Christian Dior Line is Spice Blend. A fragrance designed to evoke / recall the sensation of bay rum lotion. The cinnamon, spicy, rum, bay leaf blend is true to its name and description. It smells great and is more of a return to form for this line than previous releases. However, like some of the more floral, watery scents of recent releases Spice Blend has no lasting power or projection. In fact, I struggle to pick this one up on skin after 1 hour. It’s a shame because it is one I enjoy, albeit for a brief period. Masculine leaning, it is one I suggest you try on skin for yourself, to see if you can enjoy better performance. As it is the lack of staying power on my skin makes it a difficult proposition to recommend.
Maison Martin Margiela – Coffee Break / Springtime In A Park** – The latest editions to the Replica Line have recently hit stores here in Australia. I haven’t been the biggest fan of this line but have enjoyed a couple including Lipstick On and At the Barbers. I’m not a fan of Coffee Break, which I find a little weak. The notes of lavender and frothed milk dominate over a coffee note, that lasts only a short time on my skin. There are better options for coffee lovers at lower designer price points. For instance, Rochas Man and Givenchy Play Intense have more heft and bite than Coffee Break, which I find a quite synthetic, unappealing blend. Springtime In A Park at least put a smile on my face, a light bubble-gum floral that has notes of lily of the valley, musk and pear. There feels like there is cherry blossom and rose here also. Fresh, like a walk through an Asian garden in the springtime. Not bad, likeable, though quite fleeting on skin.
Lubin – Sinbad* – Stunning bottle. The fragrance is Ok. Too feminine for my taste. Watery rose petals mixed with a hint of incense with a sweet spicy dry down of vanilla and benzoin. It’s all a little too quiet on my skin for an extrait and for the price. A pleasant, well put together oriental though.
BDK Parfums – Wood Jasmin* – Not a new release but a 2016 scent from BDK Parfums, a house that I’ve been most impressed with. Wood Jasmin, places jasmine in an unfamiliar setting of cinnamon and caramel like Peru balsam, boozy plum, smoky incense and honey like tobacco. A wonderfully long-lasting syrupy blend that opens boozy and dry’s down into a smoky vanilla, as jasmine floats in the background. Superb stuff, perfectly unisex, and one that I highly recommend testing.
Have you tried any of these fragrances? What did you make of them?
Note – Bottle images courtesy of fragrantica. *Denotes sample obtained by author. **Denotes tested from a bottle in store.
Great reviews! I am willing to try “Wood Jasmine” . Sounds great!
Thankyou. It’s a good one, let me know if you like it when you try it.
I was suprised by how sweet Wood Jasmine was when I smelled it. In fact quite a few of the BDK line I found to be very sweet. Not that it’s bad, just unexpected. So, syrupy is right! I like it though and it has been added to my “potentials to buy list” haha…I think I have far too many lists!!
Ah yes Wood Jasmine was an instant love for me. It is a lot sweeter than you expect though. Creme de Cuir and Rouge Smoking were a couple of others I enjoyed, both quite sweet. They have 10 ml travel sprays of some of their scents that I have my eye on.