Dior - Santal Noir - Smooth sandalwood from Demachy - 7/10 I don't think I'm Robinson Crusoe when I say I haven't been overly enamoured with Dior's recent output. By and large, most of their latest perfumes have come and gone, stirring up little excitement. Perhaps most surprisingly, the "La Collection Privee" has taken a … Continue reading Reviews – Dior – Santal Noir
Category: Reviews
Fragrance reviews
Reviews – Santa Maria Novella – Tabacco Toscano
Santa Maria Novella - Tabacco Toscano - The tobacco for summer - 7.5/10 I never hear much about the house of Santa Maria Novella. The luxury apothecary from Florence is criminally under the radar. Although they have stores worldwide, it remains a perfume "bucket list" item for this fraghead to visit their Officina Profumo/pharmacy in … Continue reading Reviews – Santa Maria Novella – Tabacco Toscano
Reviews – Van Cleef & Arpels – California Reverie
Van Cleef & Arpels - California Reverie - Fine and sunny with just the right amount of sweetness - 8/10 Van Cleef & Arpels is best known as a jewellery brand. However, they have surprisingly good perfume selections. Undoubtedly, they produce one of the more underrated higher-end lines. Dubbed the "Collection Extraordinaire," amongst their impressive … Continue reading Reviews – Van Cleef & Arpels – California Reverie
Mini Reviews – Xerjoff, Frederic Malle
Xerjoff - Naxos - Sicily in a bottle or headache in a bottle? 6/10 Naxos was released in 2015 as part of a trio of scents honouring Italy's 150 years of unification. The other two in the line are 1861 Renaissance and 1861 Zefiro. At the time of writing, a new scent, Decas, has joined … Continue reading Mini Reviews – Xerjoff, Frederic Malle
Mini Reviews – Guerlain
Guerlain - Santal Royal - Hyped, but not much to write home about 4/10. I've tried with all my might to love this one from Guerlain. But, effort after effort and sample after sample results in disappointment. It seems to be the most popular fragrance in this line. I can't quite work out why. Undoubtedly, … Continue reading Mini Reviews – Guerlain
Mini Reviews – Roja Dove, Van Cleef & Arpels
Today on the blog, I'm reviewing a couple of scents that always seems to get a lot of play during the winter weather, and with winter being in full swing here in the Southern Hemisphere, what better time than now to explore them both. Roja Dove - Enigma Pour Homme Parfum Cologne - Overpriced spicy … Continue reading Mini Reviews – Roja Dove, Van Cleef & Arpels
Mini Reviews – Atelier des Ors
Ah, the golden flake bottles. Instagram worthy, most certainly. However, are they worthy additions to a burgeoning fragrance collection? Let's put a few under the microscope. Atelier des Ors - Lune Feline - Hyped vanilla. Not sure I buy into it. 5/10 The hyped Lune Feline failed to make much of an impression on me. … Continue reading Mini Reviews – Atelier des Ors
Reviews – L’Artisan Parfumeur
L'Artisan Parfumeur - Noir Exquis - Coffee shop in a perfume bottle - 6/10 Noir Exquis is a decent stab of cramming the scent of a coffee shop into a perfume bottle. The opening salvo evokes lazy Sunday mornings drinking coffee whiling away the hours eating pancakes drizzled in maple syrup. The combination of candied … Continue reading Reviews – L’Artisan Parfumeur
Reviews: Guerlain Tonka Imperiale
Guerlain - Tonka Imperiale - Enjoyable but something's lacking 7/10 High-end expensive scents are always placed under the microscope and scrutinised more than their cheaper counterparts. I guess it's only fair. We want bang for our buck. Longevity, projection, and originality are all prime factors in deciding whether a perfume is worthy of a place … Continue reading Reviews: Guerlain Tonka Imperiale
Mini Reviews – Azzaro
I'm a huge fan of the classic masculine fougere, Pour Homme from Azzaro. The 1978 staple has stood the test of time reasonably well. Therefore, I was excited to try their "Sensual Blend" scents that borrowed the same flacon design of the 70's masterpiece. I'd seen plenty of gushing reviews online of the fragrances. So, … Continue reading Mini Reviews – Azzaro