The Scented Hound

July 3, 2014
by The Scented Hound 14 Comments

New Release: Arquiste L’Etrog Acqua

WHAT I SMELL: L’Etrog Acqua opens with a fresh dewy lemon on top of a light cedar. It’s a relaxed and happy smell and rather dreamy and It radiates lightly off the skin. The fragrance soon moves into this semi sweet cedar with a light lavender, but it really is hard to distinguish notes as they blend so nicely. After around the 15 minute mark, the labdanum comes in to lower the tone of the fragrance making it warmer and more grounded. After a while more, the fragrance starts to dry out, becoming more woody, but thankfully still retaining this slightly sweetened tinge which gives it just an extra something special. L’Etrog Acqua does not project a great deal, but it’s one of those fragrances that when someone gets close in to you they’ll let you know that you smell incredible.

From the Arquiste website:

Early Morning, October 1175, Calabria, Italy. The cool night air dissipates under the sun’s first rays. The ripe citrus in the field has absorbed all the water of the morning dew and the farmers are ready to work on the misty green fields, speckled by the bright yellow of the citron. They leave their woody cabin and take a deep breath…

Notes include: Myrtle leaf, Calabrese Cedrat, Sicilian Lemon, Italian Mandarin, Petitgrain Citronnier, Bergamot, Mediterranean Lavender, Labdanum, Cedar wood, Vetiver.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Flirtation. There is a subtle sexiness about it.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE L’ETROG ACQUA: easy, gentle, comfortable

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT L’ETROG ACQUA: CaFleureBon, Chemist in a Bottle, Colognoisseur

BOTTOM LINE: L’Etrog Acqua is a nicely done and easy to wear fragrance that is perfect for when you’re in the mood for a no fuss, no muss, easy to wear perfume. I do like it better than the original L’Etrog which I found to be a rather undistinguishable citrus scent. This has the citrus, but it also has just a bit of something extra to make it a cut above the original.

Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Citrus Aromatic
Nose: Rodrigo Flores-Roux
Classification: Unisex, but to me leans more masculine
Expense: $190 for 100ml EdP

June 30, 2014
by The Scented Hound 17 Comments

Lilac Extrait by Roja Parfums

WHAT I SMELL: Lilac Extrait has a warm and enveloping opening with a quick dash of bergamot followed by this lovely peachy tinged floral which proves to be rather demure. It’s hard to single out any one note as they all float ethereally in this radiant haze above the skin. After around 15 minutes the soft and lovely lilac builds into this green and powdery bouquet of pure heaven. After the 30 minute mark, Lilac Extrait really begins to project, although it’s not a shouter, and what you’re left with is this cozy warm blanket of lilac comfort.

The Roja Parfumes website describes Lilac Extrait as “heady sweet freshness”

Lilac Extrait Notes:

TOP: Bergamot

HEART: Heliotrope, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Peach, Rose, Violet, Ylang Ylang

BASE: Amyris, Benzoin, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Clove, Ginger, Oakmoss, Orris, Patchouli, Peru Balsam, Sandalwood, Vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Like a happy lamb…soft and sweet. How can you resist such a love?

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE LILAC EXTRAIT: comfortable, enveloping, intimate

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT LILAC EXTRAIT: CaFleureBon, The Non-Blonde

BOTTOM LINE: Lilac Extrait is a beautiful fragrance that is well blended and really carries lilac into comforting territory. Is it complex and daring? No. But sometimes beauty is best in its simplicity.

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $395 for 50ml for Parfum Extrait

Sample courtesy of Osswald Parfumerie.

June 28, 2014
by The Scented Hound 16 Comments

Flowerhead by Byredo

WHAT I SMELL: Flowerhead opens with a sweet and spicy zesty lemon which is soon followed by this wonderful Lingonberry, which is pure jelly happiness as its not thick and jam like. Instead, it’s oh so uplifting, lilting and buoyant. After a few more minutes, the Lingonberry dissipates and the fragrance begins to become more full-bodied and radiant. The florals are rich and enrapturing without being too heavy and heady. After around the 10 minute mark the jasmine takes center stage with a peppered edge. Thankfully, the tuberose plays 2nd fiddle which keeps the whole structure lighter, although there is a spice that seems to fleck around the edges along with the greenish base. And just when I thought the fragrance had settled in, after around 30 minutes Flowerhead starts throwing out big flowered balls as it begins to really project as if the tuberose is yelling that it wants to be seen! A couple of spritzes and no one will miss the fact that you’re wearing this beauty. As far as I’m concerned, Flowerhead can wrap itself around my whole body!!

Flowerhead notes from the Byredo website:

Top: Angelica Seeds, Sicilian Lemon, Lingonberry

Heart: Wild Jasmine Sambac, Dewy Tuberose, Rose Petals

Base: Fresh Amber, Suede

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Who can fight with the perfect visual…Flowerhead!

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE FLOWERHEAD: delightful, positive, chic

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT FLOWERHEAD: EauMG, The Glow How, Another Perfume Blog

BOTTOM LINE: Flowerhead is a big full bottle “yes” for me. Every time I put this on, I crave more. This is perfect for summer…and really all year long. My sample is almost gone…I need more!!!

Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $145 for 50ml EdP