The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.

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Mona di Orio Domaine

WHAT I SMELL:  Domaine graces the skin with a warm buttery and creamy green opening.  It’s abundantly rich and intoxicatingly lush.  As the initial intoxication fades, the perfume’s development unfolds subtly and quietly and tonka discretely emerges in the base, adding depth and warmth.  The lily of the valley here however is not what we think of as spring-like that’s light and airy.  Instead, a touch of earthy richness binds the lily of the valley to the other notes.  Here, this soliflore perfume resides like a heavenly body for eternity.  Domaine is beyond beautiful.

From the Mona di Orio website:

Please note that the Mona di Orio website at the time of this posting is being redesigned.

Official notes:  Lily of the Valley

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  A French chateau ravaged by time but which still beholds its beauty of days past.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE DOMAINE:  quiet, serene, otherworldly

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT DOMAINE:  CaFleureBon

BOTTOM LINE:  Domaine is a rather quiet perfume.  But this creamy lily of the valley elixir is an incredible gift from the perfume gods thanks to perfumer Fredrik Dalman.

  • Bone Rating:  4.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Floral
  • Nose: Fredrik Dalman
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense:  $215 for 75 ml eau de parfum


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Katana Parfums Je Vois Encore Qadah dans Tes Yeux

WHAT I SMELL:  Je Vois Encore Qadah dans Tes Yeux (I still see Qadah in your eyes) opens with a warmed and grounded bergamot along with a very muted mandarin.  It’s earthy, but rather sexy as the florals begin to enter along with a mentholated finish that seems to push them off of the skin.  I won’t say that it’s pretty in a light and airy way, but instead is pretty in a mature and somewhat masculine sense.  After a bit, the perfume seems to retreat into itself and a smoky leather begins to grown in projection.  Here, Qadah is full of energy and meditative reflection as the smokiness continues to build.  A hint of vanilla keeps the perfume from relenting to the smoke and gives it a softened finish that wraps the wearer in an incredibly wonderful self assured blanket of scent.

From the Katana website:

At the opening, the fresh and soft side stands out, in particular the work of the mandarin coupled with the bergamot immediately launches the burst of freshness.

The base is defined by rosy floral notes, the addition of jasmine and patchouli to soften the sensitivity.

On a strong final note of sandalwood, tobacco citrus, vanilla on a hint of Oud to fix this opus.

Mandarin, Bergamot, powder roses, Balsam, Jasmine, Myrrh, Frankincense, Patchouli, Leather, Sandalwood, tobacco, Oud.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Smoke and incense encompasses the temple.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE QADAH:  assured, meditative, wise

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT QADAH:  No written reviews found.

BOTTOM LINE:  I’ve never been a lover of incense in perfumes as it will become overbearing to me.  Qadah is a bit different; what starts off sexy turns to the more reflective.  The perfume doesn’t allow the incense to completely dominate and therefore it makes for a really quiet and introspective wear.

  • Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent:  Oriental
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense:  $275 for 5oml parfum extrait

 


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Juliette Has a Gun Lust for Sun

WHAT I SMELL:  Lust for Sun opens with a soft bergamot and a sweetened freesia that becomes intensely sweet with the inclusion of ylang ylang.  In short time there’s a light coconut that seems to hover beneath the florals and which seems to add more oomph to the overall heady sugared flowers.  Soon after, a hazy musk like puffs of cotton joins in to draw some of the sugar out.  And there’s an undercurrent of some soured note that combined with the sweet and cottony reminds me a bit of a dirty pee filled diaper.  Thankfully, after a bit, that soured note dissipates and you once again are left with the cottony sweet.  After quite some time, the perfume begins to mute with the inclusion of a buttered finish which helps bring it back to earth a bit but leads it to the realm of a Zara Home-like room spray.  But overall, musks, flowers, sweet, etc.; well, with a light spray it may just work.

From the Juliette Has a Gun website:

In Juliette’s trail, bursting with light, her perfume’s sillage is nothing short of a caress.

Floral, with notes of Ylang-Ylang, Monoi and Coconut, a splash of Lust For Sun immerses you in the summertime. A sensual fragrance reminiscing of the rays of sunshine on a warm and golden skin.

Top notes:  Bergamot, Coconut, Freesia

Heart Notes:  Gardenia, Monoi, Orange Blossom, Ylang Ylang

Bottom Notes:  Musks, Ambroxan, Vanilla

L.O.L. Sour Sweetie Doll

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Soured sunshine.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE LUST FOR SUN:  too much, indulgent, artificial

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT LUST FOR SUN:  Musings of a Muse

BOTTOM LINE:  Lust for Sun would probably be perfect for a 15 or 16 year old who likes their perfumes on the sweet side.  A little goes a long way with it and I have to say that I am having a hard time seeing how this would work on any adult.  But that said, I held my arm up to my husband’s nose and he said “well that’s nice.”  Go figure.  I will say this…don’t overspray, Lust for Sun is meant to be put on with a mist like ease to ensure that you don’t overwhelm yourself or those around you.

  • Bone Rating: 2.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent:  Floral Fruity
  • Classification: Leans feminine
  • Expense: $110 for 50 ml eau de parfum. Also available in 17 & 100 ml sizes.