Carthusia – Intenso Collection – Basilico, Ginestra and Mirto

On paper, Carthuisa's latest trio, paying homage to three plants that form a vital part of the Mediterranean landscape, seemed a winner. But you don't play the game on paper; you play it on skin. And on skin Mirto, Basilico, and Ginestra didn't come to play. Antoine Lie and Luca Maffei combined to bring the … Continue reading Carthusia – Intenso Collection – Basilico, Ginestra and Mirto

Santa Maria Novella – Acqua – On Fragrant Pond

Earlier this year, I posted my thoughts on the garden series from Santa Maria Novella – I Giardini Medicei – Quercia. At that time, I'd tried five of the eight fragrances in the line. I've since sampled Ambra and Acqua, with Incenso being the only one left to try. Today I'll share my thoughts on … Continue reading Santa Maria Novella – Acqua – On Fragrant Pond

Dolce & Gabbana – Devotion Pour Homme – Aromatic Coffee

When life gives you lemons, Dolce & Gabbana (D&G) and Olivier Cresp make perfume. Well, something like that. They've certainly utilised a lot of lemons in the perfumes I'm going to discuss today. I wanted to focus on Devotion Pour Homme (DPH), Dolce and Gabbana's new masculine fragrance. However, I'll briefly touch on the 2023 … Continue reading Dolce & Gabbana – Devotion Pour Homme – Aromatic Coffee

Santa Maria Novella – I Giardini Medicei – Quercia

My forays into Santa Maria Novella's I Giardini Medicei collection have mainly been successful. So far, I've tried and enjoyed four fragrances from the collection. All four fragrances smell cheerful and happy, radiating a pleasant, sunny disposition. Even the iris (L'Iris) defies preconceived notions one might have of an iris fragrance. There's no sense of … Continue reading Santa Maria Novella – I Giardini Medicei – Quercia

Reviews – Acca Kappa – Muschio Bianco EDP

Acca Kappa - Muschio Bianco - Gin and Tonic Musk - 7.5/10. Founded in northern Italy (Treviso) in 1869, Acca Kappa is a brand that initially specialised in making hair brushes. Their founder Hermann Krüll plied his trade as a bristles merchant in Venice before moving into a brushmaking working partnership in Treviso. The company … Continue reading Reviews – Acca Kappa – Muschio Bianco EDP

First Impressions – Masque Milano – Sleight of Fern

I've got a lot of time for the Italian brand, Masque Milano. Their scents are always well thought out and executed. I like most of their perfumes, some more than others. My favourite is the animalic tobacco of Montecristo. Montecristo forms one scent of sixteen from the brand's "Opera" series. Up until recently, the collection … Continue reading First Impressions – Masque Milano – Sleight of Fern