The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


3 Comments

Ormonde Jayne Gatsby 22

WHAT I SMELL:   Gatsby 22 opens with a sweetened bergamot that has been basking in the sun.  In quick manner, a juicy citrus rushes in bringing with it joy, happiness and so much positive energy.  And soon after, the citrus moves to the floral with a very tame osmanthus sitting below the prettiest of violet.  Together they move the perfume from the joyous to the sublime.  At this point the perfume is so pretty and full of life that it makes you want to dance the day away.  As the perfume begins to settle, Gatsby 22 begins to warm and become more radiant.  The osmanthus remains, but a lightly sharpened vetiver joins the mix which helps to keep the energy level of the perfume intact.  And after some more time the perfume the really expands and seems to take on a bath note, or as I call it a “bathtastic” note where the combination of notes reminds me of the remains of a bubble bath.  In the end, Gatsby 22 keeps on giving as the perfume doesn’t shy away from the party as this beauty seems to last well into the night with the lively use of jubilant musk.

From the Ormonde Jayne website:

What fun I had creating a perfume to personify a stylish and sophisticated era – nostalgic for a time of jazz, pearls, well-tailored dinner jackets, cigars and Rolls Royce cars.

Gatsby 22 is confident, edgy and sophisticated. A boisterous burst of Sicilian lemon and bergamot penetrates the senses. Osmanthus, orange blossom and violets follow instantly to smooth off the sharpness. Notes of vetiver linger on, giving Gatsby 22 true staying power. Wear it anytime, anywhere to make a stylish entrance.

HEAD: BERGAMOT, SICILIAN LEMON, PINK PEPPER

HEART:  OSMANTHUS, VIOLET, ORANGE BLOSSOM

SOUL: VETIVER, LEATHER ACCORD, TONKA BEAN, MUSK

Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan – The Great Gatsby (1974)

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  I won’t mess with the Gatsby inspiration as it fits the perfume perfectly.  But in looking towards my inspirational picture, I chose the 1974 version of The Great Gatsby with Mia Farrow as Daisy Buchanan as the perfume has a bit of softness in it that the latest version of the movie didn’t possess.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE GATSBY 22:  joyful, exuberant, radiant

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GATSBY 22:  Taking One Thing Off

BOTTOM LINE:   Gatsby 22 is a perfume that keeps on giving.  All throughout the perfume’s progression the light and energy continue to be boundless.  And it’s an easy wear.  What’s not to love?

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Citrus Floral Woody
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: $150 for 50 ml eau de parfum.

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.


2 Comments

Ormonde Jayne Zizan

WHAT I SMELL:   The first spritz of Zizan is a blast of citrus that is quickly tempered with a light mix of pepper and herbs.  It’s very clear from the beginning that Zizan is classic male fragrance…there’s nothing avant-garde here.  As it continues to develop, a sweetened floral mix entwines with the herbs as it warms the skin.  Soon enough, a green vetiver comes forward with a lemony edge.  Actually, it smells a bit like Lemon Pledge at this point.   But at soon as I say that, it starts to have a boxing match with a more woody amber.  There is a lot of movement with Zizan which is fine with me as I can’t wait to see where it settles down.  As the perfume continues to morph, the warmth intensifies and there’s an increase in its projection off of the skin.  At this point, the vetiver has a rather sharp edge, but lingering below may be some other notes to rein it in.  After ten more minutes, the vetiver bows to the light amber.  Still peppery and woody, Zizan begins to quiet down with just the right amount of fight.

From the Ormonde Jayne website:

Zizan, a perfume like no other because it has everything a man could possibly want in a single spectacular scent. This is a powerhouse perfume. Expect a deluge of boisterous Sicilian lime, lemon and bergamot but to smooth the biting edge, a brilliantly refined concentration of vetiver.

HEAD:  Sicilian Lime, Lemon, Bergamot, Clary Sage, Pink Pepper and Juniper Berry

HEART:  Bay, Violet and Jasmine

SOUL:  Vetiver, Cedar, Musk and Amber

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Classic in its approach, Zizan’s confidence spreads to the wearer.  Think Herb Alpert’s 1960’s classic album, “Whipped Cream & Other Delights.”  Full of energy and oh so sexy.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ZIZAN:  confident, secure, classic

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ZIZAN:  Manface, Perfume Shrine, EauMG

BOTTOM LINE:   Sometimes I find myself wanting to wear a classic men’s fragrance rather than something unisex.  Zizan fits the bill as it exudes a hefty dose of masculinity without being too overt or offensive.

  • Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Citrus Aromatic
  • Nose:  Geza Schoen
  • Classification: Masculine
  • Expense: $150 for 50 ml eau de parfum.  Also available in 30 ml or 100 ml.

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.


1 Comment

Tolu by Ormonde Jayne

Please remember that when I am reviewing scents, it’s based on my opinion and my opinion only.  Scared??  Well, I wanted to get in this review quickly after finally getting home from being out all day so I could wash this off my skin and put on something else.  I received this sample a few weeks ago and thought I would give it a spin.  Have you figured out yet that it’s not my favorite?  At it’s base, this perfume is amber, but you can’t really tell that it’s so.  The juniper when first applied is all that you smell.  Very green, very crisp.  As time goes on, this mellows into a very light and green clean scent.  And when I say clean, I mean it felt to me as if I just got out of the shower and you could still smell the soap.  It has a bit of a soapy edge to me.  I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing laundry detergent.  This scent reminds me a lot of Mirto di Panerea, one of the fragrances in the Blue Mediterraneo line by Acqua Di Parma.  They both share a lot of the same ingredients.  Neither are for me.  Enough said, time to wash up.

From the Ormonde Jayne website:

Tolu is a Peruvian tree resin.

Perfume treasure, this opulent velvety formulation with pure Tolu resin takes you on a sensual Oriental journey. Laced with golden frankincense and amber, the scent’s core is enveloped with a heady mix of orange blossom and clary sage, while intense citrus notes consolidate the harmony.

Top Notes: Juniper berry, orange blossom and clary sage
Heart Notes: Orchid, Moroccan rose and muguet
Base Notes: Tolu, tonka bean, golden frankincense and amber

  • Bone Rating:   2 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent:  Oriental Floral
  • Classification:  Feminine or Unisex
  • Expense:   Moderately Expensive – $126 for 50ml EDP