Costume National – Cyber Garden – Futuristic Vinyl 6.5/10
Costume National borrow from the past and use a little creative marketing (a supposed vinyl note) to create their slightly left of centre fragrance, Cyber Garden. The fragrance opens up fresh with green notes, bergamot and grapefruit. The zingy top fades and gradually gives way to a heart featuring the vinyl note plus violet leaf and geranium. At this point the fragrance reminds me of mossy fougere fragrances of the past and perhaps, the violet leaf in the heart reminds me a touch of Dior Fahrenheit. There is a plastic, synthetic like accord running through Cyber Garden that does remind me somewhat of vinyl. An interesting fragrance that isn’t so left of centre that it becomes unwearable. I get 6 plus hours of longevity with Cyber Garden, with moderate projection for the first couple of hours.
Lolita Lempicka au Masculin – Licorice, Rum, Vanilla 9/10
An old designer favourite from the year 2000, Lolita Lempicka au Masculin. This one isn’t for everyone, as it’s licorice, anise and vanilla dominant. I also get notes of Praline, rum and violet. Quite unique, but perhaps similar in a way to YSL Body Kouros. Only need a couple of sprays and you’re set for 10-12 hours. Typically dark work from Annick Menardo. A long-lasting delicious gourmand from 20 years ago, that is atypical of releases on the shelves today. Not that easy to find, as the distribution of this one seems limited, but highly recommended for cold weather days.
Bond No. 9 – I Love New York For All – Coffee and Chocolate Delicacy 8/10
I parted ways with many of my Bond No. 9 scents, found most to be overly synthetic, but there was no way I was parting ways with Bond No. 9 I Love Ny for All. It’s a gourmand lover’s dream. The notes I pick up are candied chestnut, cacao, vanilla and coffee. It’s like a nutty chocolate cookie, mixed with coffee. Basically, if you like sweet scents, this is one you should enjoy. The fragrance is very long lasting, always over 12 hours on my skin. Perfect for cooler weather, and I much prefer this one to the maple syrup sweetness of New Haarlem. The first 5 minutes are a little sour, but then it settles into a delicious gourmand that remains linear on my skin. I think this is now discontinued, so I’m happy to have it in my collection.
Have you tried any of these scents?