Jul et Mad - Stairway to Heaven* - A cold, cloudy fragrance of aldehydes, red berries and musk's that evokes Mure et Musc from L'Artisan Parfumeur minus the luminous blackberry note. Does a reasonable job convincing the wearer of its inspiration of hiking through the mountainous Himalayas. Doesn't seem quite as approachable as the blackberry … Continue reading First Impressions – Jul et Mad, Maison Sybarite, Parfums Dusita, Floris →

Bottega Veneta - Illusione for Him - Bottega Veneta has an enviable back catalogue of fragrances that I place high on the designer pedestal so Illusione had a lot to live up to, and does it? Well not quite. It isn't as bad as what I've read online, but it is a fairly redundant release … Continue reading First Impressions – Bottega Veneta, Dolce and Gabbana, Davidoff, 100 Bon, Jimmy Choo, Tiffany and Co, Hermes →

Nishane - Ambra Calabria* - I've not encountered anything by this Turkish house I've at least not liked. Ambra Calabria is no exception. A green, citrus scent with a wonderful sweet amber and vanilla dry down. The sweet notes never become cloying and the fresh green notes combine with the citrus (bergamot) at the top … Continue reading First Impressions – Nishane, Tauer, Teo Cabanel, Strangers Parfumerie, Liquides Imaginaires, Note di Profumum →

Frederic Malle and Le Labo are two of the largest, most well-known niche houses in the game. When they release a new fragrance, I'm always interested in testing them out. Over the last couple of weeks, I sampled their two new releases, Rose and Cuir and Baie 19, and I was underwhelmed by them both. … Continue reading First Impressions – Frederic Malle, Le Labo →

Italian fashion house Costume National recently released two new fragrances onto the market. The fragrances named, I and J are intended to explore the balance between the fashion cultures of Italy and Japan. I managed to get my hands on a couple of samples. Below are my first impressions. Costume National I - Julien Rasquinet … Continue reading First Impressions – Costume National →

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 … Continue reading First Impressions – Dior, Maison Martin Margiela, Lubin, BDK Parfums →

Penhaligon's - Heartless Helen* - I honestly feel Penhaligon's are investing much more time and money into the bottles of this "Portraits Collection" than they are the fragrances themselves. There are only three notes listed for Heartless Helen, mandarin in the top, tuberose in the mid and creamy woods in the base. It's a sparse … Continue reading First Impressions – Penhaligon’s, Jean Paul Gaultier →

Hermetica is a new niche house devised by the founders of Memo Paris, John and Clara Molloy. Their fragrances are all green, clean and alcohol free, and apparently provide a moisturising texture on the skin. The scents are a combination of natural and synthetic materials. They're starting in a big way by releasing 12 fragrances … Continue reading First Impressions – Hermetica →

I'll preface this post by giving a special shout out to my Instagram friend Tetê who kindly sent me samples of these fragrances to try. Thanks, Tetê I really appreciate your kindness. Sarah Baker Tartan - As I was born in Scotland, I was hoping I would love Tartan, and thankfully I do. It's Wonderful … Continue reading First Impressions – Sarah Baker, Masque Milano, Mugler, Sammarco →

Tom Ford Lavender Extreme** - Everything old is new again at Tom Ford. Following on from last year's fougere Private Blends, Tom Ford releases his take on the aromatic note of lavender, with the new Private Blend scent, Lavender Extreme. A clean, sweet take on the note that mixes in tonka and cinnamon for a … Continue reading First Impressions – Tom Ford, Amouage, Maison Trudon, Les Liquides Imaginaires, Penhaligons, Room 1015 →