Bruno Fazzolari | The Scented Hound

WHAT I SMELL: The opening of Chamade Pour Homme is a welcomed surprise of warm sensual bergamot and dried black pepper. It sings, it zings and it’s very debonair and rather sexy as it hits the skin. In addition, it’s rather beefy without being heavy, but it certainly makes its presence known. After a short time, a lightly metallic floral note emerges…neither big, nor loud; instead it provides a calming presence to the bold opening. A nutty note is added to the florals which provides just the right amount of depth without being overly spiced. As the perfume continues to develop, a very light soapiness and light leather wrap themselves around a brown vetiver. Eventually, the perfume begins to powder which then brings out the floral heart again. Here the perfume remains with the most radiant of personality. Chamade Pour Homme is confident in its masculinity without being brutish.

From the Guerlain website:

In 1999, Jean-Paul Guerlain created this moment of love to respond to the exhilaration of Chamade pour Femme, composed in 1969, a dazzling gift for a beloved woman. This men’s fragrance with its stirring charm makes the heart quiver and the pulse race, just as the momentum of desire kindles awaited pleasure.

Top notes: Italian bergamot, black pepper.
Heart notes: hyacinth, violet leaf note, nutmeg.
Base notes: vetiver, leather, precious wood.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The perfect 1960’s family: what I envision the dad smells like – clean and confident, and of course he’s one helluva nice guy.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE CHAMADE POUR HOMME: semi-tailored, approachable, easy

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CHAMADE POUR HOMME: EAUMG, WMSSL

BOTTOM LINE: Chamade Pour Homme isn’t revolutionary, but it’s an incredibly beautiful perfume. It’s the perfect example of a masculine perfume that doesn’t require its masculinity to be overt. And the floral heart of the perfume provides for the right amount of softness. But please Guerlain, can you trade in the woody and boxy perfume bottle for something more attractive? It actually looks like something that I made in shop class in 7th grade.

Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral Woody
Classification: Masculine
Expense: $250 for 100 ml eau de toilette

WHAT I SMELL: Monserrat’s opening is delightful with its green hue and pink and juicy citrus. The perfume feels like it’s sparkling in the sun. It’s bright and vibrant, yet warm and deeply radiant. After a bit, a rooted note from the earth comes up from beneath and takes the bright to the realm of the plane. An osmanthus note begins to develop to create a rounded and dry light fruited note. The perfume is beyond cozy and it wraps around you like the airiness of a feather boa. It’s pretty, but not delicate, not feminine…but alluring and rather sexual, but not in an overt way. Instead, it’s sexuality is completely natural. After quite some time, a light jasmine and musk appear along with a dried layer of putty. The putty adds a different and unusual element to the aesthetic, making the perfume that more modern…but not any less attractive. In fact, if anything it helps to bring out the peach. In the end, the perfume takes on a cottony feel. It’s peach and jasmine wrapped around a spun musk. Monserrat is sublime.

From the Bruno Fazzolari website:

Inspired by the burnished colors of classic Italian fresco painting: juicy grapefruit and apricot laced through with green leaves and an unusual, fresh setting plaster note. Luscious and radiant.

Notes: pink grapefruit, green leaves, carrot seed, osmanthus, jasmine, white musk, setting plaster.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A peach colored boa.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE MONSERRAT: delicious, modish, distinctive

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MONSERRAT: Colognoisseur, CaFleureBon, The Non-Blonde

BOTTOM LINE: Monserrat is wonderfully different and modern as well as pretty without being too feminine. In all, it’s a fabulously unique, but very wearable perfume.

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral Woody Musk
Nose: Bruno Fazzolari
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $110 for 30 ml eau de toilette.

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.