August 2008

Natural Perfumers: Ayala Moriel, Claude Andre Hebert, Red Flower, Social Creatures

August 31, 2008

Luca Turin writes in Perfumes: The Guide, “(T)here are really very few perfumes you could honestly call all-natural. Of those, we have yet to find any that belong aesthetically in the top tier” while Chandler Burr, in his review of Guaiac by Red Flower, states: “Perfume as an art form (and as a commercial concern) [...]

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Clive Christian X for Men: photos

August 30, 2008

I reviewed Clive Christian X for Men in a previous post (I liked it very much), so here are some photos of the bottle and box — as with all the photos I post of perfume boxes and bottles, clicking on the photos will take you to my Flickr page where you can see larger [...]

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Theo Fennell Scent; biehl parfumkunstwerke MB02; Social Creatures Rebel Ambush; Claude André Hébert Africa

August 29, 2008

Social Creatures Rebel Ambush: with a name like Rebel Ambush, I might be forgiven for expecting something fiery and take no prisoners, but even with three full sprays to the back of my hand, Social Creatures Rebel Ambush is a rather mild and laid back woodsy scent with some tobacco leaf and just a hint [...]

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Lalique Encre Noire

August 28, 2008

I was all set to mow through a pile of samples today, when what should show up at my door but my order of Lalique Encre Noire. First off, this thing is heavy — it’s two ounces of eau de parfum in what feels like a five pound box . . . and the glossy [...]

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Sniffin’ the Oldies: Coty Chypre, Rochas Femme, Chanel No. 5, Guerlain Jicky

August 27, 2008

Coty Chypre: Originally created in 1917, Coty Chypre was so successful that “chypre” became the generic label for a whole classification of perfumes; specifically, fragrances based on a blend of citrus (bergamot, mainly), ciste-labdanum (or other amber resins) and oak moss (though vetiver and/or patchouli are starting to replace the use of oakmoss). Coty Chypre [...]

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Aqaba Sands of Aqaba; Indult Isvaraya; Agallocha Tedallal Homme; Ajmal Aqhawan

August 26, 2008

Aqaba Sands of Aqaba: it’s a snout full of flowers at the start, plus some green leaves and a clean, soapy element, but once the scrubbed, flowery part of the parade has passed by, the earthier coriander and cardamom make a welcome appearance and transition without a hitch into an incense/tuberose base. For as pretty [...]

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Parfums MDCI Ambre Topkapi vs. Clive Christian X for Men

August 25, 2008

Parfums MDCI Ambre Topkapi: Dry, dusty herbs in the opening are spiked with a mellow punchbowl of ginger, pineapple, melon and the citrusy bergamot, and yet it’s all so easy and laid back you’d swear there wasn’t a fruit peel in sight. But beyond the herbs and fruit opening, darker notes of nutmeg, oakmoss and [...]

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Les Nereides Imperial Opoponax

August 25, 2008

Imperial Opoponax by Les Nereides is a sugary Nilla Wafer of a perfume. Its namesake ingredient, Opopanax chironium (also known as “sweet myrrhe”), is an incense gum that grows best in hot Middle Eastern and Mediterranean climates, and it’s been used as an aromatic resin for centuries — it’s allegedly known as “the noblest of [...]

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Clive Christian No. 1 for Men: photos

August 25, 2008

I seem to be on a bit of a photog roll, lately, and I hope you’ll bear with me. Today, I’m including some snapshots of the bottle and box for Clive Christian No. 1 for Men. I reviewed the fragrance itself back in May: review of Clive Christian No. 1 for Men. I’m not a [...]

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Yohji Yamamoto by Yohji Yamamoto for Men

August 24, 2008

Yohji Yamamoto for Men is not the same creature as Yohji Homme. Yohji Homme is a sweet, anise infused fragrance with a warm and spicy amber base. It’s one of the more edible gourmands for men and it’s sadly discontinued. Yohji Yamamoto for Men is a sheer, rather translucent cologne that blends right into the [...]

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