First Impressions – Bubble Baths and Soap – ELDO, Maison Martin Margiela

Etat Libre d'Orange - Exit the King - Interesting name. I wonder who or what they're having a go at this time? The mind boggles. The scent itself, composed by Cecile Matton and Ralf Schwieger, is a clean soapy scent, built on a chypre base of patchouli and oakmoss. The opening soap foam accord is a … Continue reading First Impressions – Bubble Baths and Soap – ELDO, Maison Martin Margiela →

First Impressions – Guerlain

Guerlain - Patchouli Ardent - Patchouli is the theme of Guerlain's latest scent to join the Les Absolus D'Orient line. This line has been up and down for me. I enjoyed Cuir Intense and Musc Noble but thought the much-hyped Santal Royal was grating and rough and a huge disappointment. I'm pleased to report Patchouli Ardent … Continue reading First Impressions – Guerlain →

First Impressions – Rose scents – MFK, Moschino, Aesop

MFK - L'Homme A la rose - Wonderful fresh, invigorating opening of grapefruit and rose. Watery, dewy, and never overbearing. Unfortunately, it falls relatively flat as it progresses. The unremarkable woody amber dry down, mimicking countless other "generic man" releases. Still, it is a step up from what you'll find on the department store shelves. Maybe … Continue reading First Impressions – Rose scents – MFK, Moschino, Aesop →

First Impressions – Andy Tauer, Laboratorio Olfattivo

Andy Tauer - Phtaloblue - Oh dear, unfortunately, this one isn't my favourite from Andy Tauer. Kudos to Andy for giving the much-maligned aquatic genre a shot, but it's a misfire. It's a heavy dose of calone, aquatic, salty, and seaweed-like, with the Andy Tauer ambery signature providing a base. A slap in the face, and … Continue reading First Impressions – Andy Tauer, Laboratorio Olfattivo →

First Impressions – Penhaligon’s

Halfeti Leather, courtesy of Penhaligon's website Penhaligon's - Halfeti Leather - Another week, another flanker. Again, it's another flanker of a scent that I didn't enjoy in its original iteration. I found Halfeti to be a loud, harsh, synthetic rendering of rose/oud, without too many redeeming features. Halfeti Leather smooths out a few of the … Continue reading First Impressions – Penhaligon’s →

First Impressions – Amouage

Amouage - Interlude Black Iris Man - A new perfume from Amouage always warrants a sample. Interlude Black Iris Man, is a significant release. It represents the first output for the brand since the tenure of Creative Director Christopher Chong came to an end. Interestingly, new Chief Experience Officer Renaud Salmon's first fragrance at the helm is … Continue reading First Impressions – Amouage →

First Impressions – Zoologist

Zoologist - Koala - As an Australian perfume blogger, I'd say it's my sworn duty to bring you my thoughts on the new Zoologist scent, Koala. It is, after all, one of my country's most recognised native animals. The cuddly marsupial spends 20 hours a day sleeping and feasting on the leaves of eucalyptus trees. Koala, … Continue reading First Impressions – Zoologist →

First Impressions – Miller et Bertaux

Miller et Bertaux - Pimiento - Sometimes I look at a note pyramid before I try a scent, and sometimes not. However, when I see things in the note breakdown such as ozonic notes, ambroxan, watery notes, and in the case of Pimiento, modern woods, it usually raises a few red flags. Most modern scents … Continue reading First Impressions – Miller et Bertaux →

First Impressions – Atelier des Ors

Atelier des Ors - Blanc Polychrome - The first thing you notice about Atelier des Ors is the stunning packaging, beautiful bottles complete with floating gold flakes. Real works of art. All this bling comes at a price, with Blanc Polychrome retailing for 345 Australian Dollars for 100ml. Unfortunately, all the world's gold flakes aren't … Continue reading First Impressions – Atelier des Ors →

First Impressions – Perris Monte Carlo

Vanille de Tahiti - (via Perris Monte Carlo website) Perris Monte Carlo - Vanille de Tahiti - First things first, there's been a couple of attempts at summer vanilla's in recent times. The marine-focused Vanilla Vibes from JHAG and L'Artisan Parfumeur's Couleur Vanille left me rather salty. I can unequivocally state that Vanille de Tahiti … Continue reading First Impressions – Perris Monte Carlo →