Category: Reviews

Fragrance reviews

Reviews – Eau d’Italie, Acqua di Parma

Eau d'Italie - Acqua Decima - Italian summer in a perfume bottle 7.5/10 A wonderful refreshing citrus aromatic scent from this Italian niche house.  Acqua Decima features a bracing top of lemon, mandarin and mint.  The heart features citrus and floral notes of petitgrain, neroli and hedione (jasmine). It sits on a base of white wood … Continue reading Reviews – Eau d’Italie, Acqua di Parma →

Reviews – Costume National, Lolita Lempicka, Bond No. 9

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 … Continue reading Reviews – Costume National, Lolita Lempicka, Bond No. 9 →

Reviews – Guerlain, Serge Lutens, Byredo

Guerlain - L'Instant Pour Homme - A modern day classic from Guerlain 9/10 The lemon burst at the top of L'Instant Pour Homme Edt may lull one into thinking this may be another anonymous citrus.  However, the magic of this Guerlain masterpiece becomes evident half an hour into development, as the lavender, sandalwood, patchouli and … Continue reading Reviews – Guerlain, Serge Lutens, Byredo →

Reviews – L’Artisan Parfumeur, Atelier Cologne, Frederic Malle, Oscar de la Renta

L'Artisan Parfumeur - Timbuktu - Into the Wild 9/10 A dry, smoky, spicy vetiver that I initially did not like when I first tried it over 10 years ago. The combination of papyrus and vetiver was too dry. I've begun to appreciate it more over the years. The smoky nuances of the incense, the fruity … Continue reading Reviews – L’Artisan Parfumeur, Atelier Cologne, Frederic Malle, Oscar de la Renta →

Reviews – Histoires de Parfums, Olfactive Studio

Histories de Parfums, 1899 Hemingway - Juniper, Cinnamon 8/10 Juniper and cinnamon are a couple of my favourite notes, and they're featured prominently in 1899 Hemingway. Vanilla also plays a starring role, in a fragrance often compared to Spicebomb. I see the comparisons, but I think this is smoother, and less pepper dominant. Creamy, smooth … Continue reading Reviews – Histoires de Parfums, Olfactive Studio →

Reviews – Etat Libre d’Orange

The house of Etat Libre d'Orange is without doubt one of my favourite niche houses. Avant-garde and with many quality offerings that push the boundaries. In today's blog post I'll review a couple of their offerings, Remarkable People and Fat Electrician. Etat Libre d'Orange Fat Electrician - Gourmand Vetiver 8/10 A vetiver from Etat Libre d'Orange that … Continue reading Reviews – Etat Libre d’Orange →

Mini Reviews – L’Artisan Parfumeur, Eight and Bob, Shay and Blue, Elie Saab

L'Artisan Parfumeur Tea for Two - Gingerbread Spice 9.5/10 As with many L'Artisan scents the magic happens in the dry down, and in the case of Tea for Two it's when the sweet notes come into play. Spices, tobacco, Lapsang Tea, gingerbread, cinnamon, honey and vanilla combine to provide an irresistible brew that never fails … Continue reading Mini Reviews – L’Artisan Parfumeur, Eight and Bob, Shay and Blue, Elie Saab →