The Scented Hound

June 11, 2015
by The Scented Hound 7 Comments

Bottega Veneta Eau de Parfum

WHAT I SMELL: Bottega Veneta Eau de Parfum opens up light and sweet with an oh so pretty bergamot that’s sparkling and fizzy. The jasmine is lively and full of energy and it has an incredibly happy disposition. The projection of this delightful perfume is big and rather candied. But there’s a slight spice that keeps the candied aspects from going full-blown lollipop. There’s not a lot of morphing with the perfume, but the addition of patchouli brings another sweet tincture to the scent and the fragrance begins to become a bit more woody and it starts to flatten. There’s a high level of radiant projection here, but the patchouli begins to completely take over with a brush of musk. The perfume begins to dry with an oak moss powder, but the one spritz I applied begins to overpower. What started off a lovely, is now turning into a shouting superpower that’s too sweet, too artificial and too in your face. In the end, it does quiet down, but what promise there was in the beginning just makes me feel a bit tired. What else is there to say?!

From the Bottega Veneta website:

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A overpefumed cotton ball.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE BOTTEGA VENETA EAU DE PARFUM: overt, sweetened, billowing

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT BOTTEGA VENETA EAU DE PARFUM: Now Smell This, The Candy Perfume Boy, Olfactoria’s Travels

BOTTOM LINE: Boy, my nose missed the boat on this perfume. If you read the other reviews, there was a much more positive experience had by most. And the suede or leather aspects? I got nothing of the sort and I wore this several times to see if it was just the heat, humidity, my skin at the time, etc. I guess all perfumes are not equal when it comes to the wearer….especially in this case. But I have to say, it does come in a lovely bottle!

Bone Rating: 2 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Chypre Floral
Nose: Michel Almairic
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $115 for 50 ml Eau de Parfum

June 8, 2015
by The Scented Hound 13 Comments

Iniezione di Morfina by Peccato Originale

WHAT I SMELL: Iniezione di Morfina (Injection of Morphine) opens up light and ethereal, yet somehow deep in floral warmth. It’s full-bodied, but very close to the skin in the beginning and the mysterious florals are blended with the lightest of vanilla. After five minutes, the scent feels like it’s fading from my skin; it’s there, but the projection is so muted and subtle. There is something completely intoxicating about the perfume as it wraps it light tendrils around me as it begins to grow. It’ also quite sexy without being overtly so. After 10 minutes, the projection is still close to the skin, but a light soapiness reveals itself, but like the rest of the creation, it too is muted. Soon the soap exits and a powder enters. That, combined with a floral sweetness dries out the perfume. I find Iniezione di Morfina intoxicating and strangely hypnotic. After 30 minutes, the perfume introduces a light puttiness that wraps itself around the florals. After some more time, the vanilla and labdanum come to the front to blanket you in their morphine inspired lullaby.

From the Peccato Originale (Original Sin) website:

L’Elisir based Opium is the source of inspiration. Paracelsus called it Laudanum which means praise. Established quickly addictive and habit forming. Charismatic and enterprising. A debut with white and delicate Jasmine and Lily of the Valley from which bloom Rose Petals and a touch of Iris. The bouquet clear and elegant finishes in White Musk and sensual vanilla.

Notes: Iris, Rose, Jasmin, Lily of the Valley, White Musk, Vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A Victorian angel.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE INIEZIONE DI MORFINA: unique, intriguing, genuine

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT INIEZIONE DI MORFINA: CaFleureBon

BOTTOM LINE: I have not been intrigued by a perfume in a long time. The opening with this perfume is like a dream and I wish it would have stayed in that realm through its entire life. The drydown is comforting, but makes me long for the top notes. This may be a full bottle for me, but I think I need a few more sample injections before I commit to this incredible morphine.

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Nose: Silvia Monti
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $155 for 100 ml Eau de Parfum, exclusively available at Twisted Lily in the U.S.

June 4, 2015
by The Scented Hound 13 Comments

Armani Prive Pivoine Suzhou

WHAT I SMELL: Pivoine Suzhou opens with a sweet, fresh, juicy and mouth-watering fruitiness, with just a tinge of pepper. The florals are front and center with the peony as the star and it’s bright and easy and gracefully light. After a few minutes, a light ambery warmth brings a radiance to the mix. A layer of musk also comes into play which unfortunately takes the pretty florals into a more artificial stage that feels as though the perfume has been created in a lab rather than in a garden. It also adds a slight “bathtastic” edge to the perfume even though there is nothing soapy about it. In the end, Pivoine Suzhou doesn’t wow, but instead maintains a quiet beauty that is easy to wear and is perfect as a light spring breeze.

From the Armani website:

With Pivoine Suzhou, Giorgio Armani has reinterpreted the Eau de Toilette, combining elegance and freshness with soft, lingering sensuality.

It is the first Armani Privé fragrance to be inspired by the legendary gardens of Asia.

Pivoine Suzhou Eau de Toilette is also a celebration of China’s most beloved flower – the peony. The symbol of the ancient Chinese empire, the peony represents happiness, grace and prosperity.

Pivoine Suzhou is an ensemble of great beauty, balancing art and nature. For Giorgio Armani, creating a couture or fragrance collection requires this same harmony of elements.

From Fragrantica:

ARMANI PRIVE PIVOINE SUZHOU opens with notes of juicy mandarin, pink pepper and raspberry which when blended, ensures a spicy-fruity introduction. Floral notes of peony in the heart are enhanced with essences of rose and May rose absolute, followed by amber, musk and patchouli.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A beautiful Geisha

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE PIVOINE SUZHOU: fruit-kissed, airy, delicate

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PIVOINE SUZHOU: Sandra’s Closet, AustralianPerfumeJunkies

BOTTOM LINE: I don’t love this perfume, but I rather like it. There’s a delicateness about it that is rather comforting and overall the light and pretty aspects are enticing. But a little goes a long way and too much of a good thing will reveal a heavy sweetness so it’s best to apply with a light touch.

Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Nose: Cecile Matton and Julie Masse
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $165 for 100 ml Eau de Toilette