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 →

I'll preface this post by noting that I'm much more enamoured by and with the women's section of the designer fragrance department in 2019 than the dreck that is currently in the men's section. Having said that, some of the new releases from the big designers such as Chanel and Dior play it too safe. … Continue reading First Impressions – Dior, Chanel, YSL, Tom Ford →

Giorgio Armani Acqua Di Gio Absolu Instinct - This is better than last year's flanker, Absolu. It is still a wishy-washy woody watery scent that does little to add to the legacy of the original Acqua di Gio Pour Homme. Thumbs down. Davidoff Cool Water Intense - This is one of the disappointments of the … Continue reading First Impressions – Armani, Davidoff, Salvatore Ferragamo, Guess, Joop, Victor and Rolf →

Dolce and Gabbana K - K is Dolce and Gabbana's new fragrance to go up against the likes of Savage and Dylan Blue. The hideous monstrosity of a bottle should have warned me to stay clear, but I had to try it, and sure enough the juice is a fairly run of the mill men's … Continue reading First Impressions – Dolce and Gabbana, Bvlgari, Issey Miyake, Guerlain, Trussardi →