The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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ROSAE MVNDI by PROFVMVM

Rosae MvndiWHAT I SMELL: Rosae Mvndi has a sweet and tarty rose opening that smells like candy (Sweethearts), and it  has this cotton candy consistency, like rose spun sugar.  Even though it’s rosy sweet it’s light enough not to make it oppressive.  A woody patuchouli lurks underneath to help bring the spun sugar down to a more earthly existence.  After around 15 minutes a slight sourness comes in I believe from the vetiver which kind of gives the fragrance a salty edge.  After another 10 minutes or so, Rosae Mvndi begins to smell exactly like Bazooka Bubble Gum.  It almost has that sweet and juicy first bite into the gum feel.  After some more time, the fragrance deepens, although it has that Bazooka edge, the warmth and woodiness starts to make it diminish and instead, it beefens up the fragrance.  Wait… after almost an hour, the fragrance went into sugar overdrive, like someone spilled sugar all over it.  In the end Rosae Mvndi is a woody rose fragrance that is sweet, but not overly shiny and bright.

Rosae Mvndi Notes:  rose, patchouli, vetiver, cedar wood

BazookaWHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Of course, Bazooka Bubble Gum (OK, not through the entire life, but enough of it to warrant the comparison).

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE ROSAE MVNDI:  sugary, sweetened, candy-coated

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ROSAE MVNDI:  Scent for Thought, AustralianPerfumeJunkies

BOTTOM LINE:  I don’t love it.  I don’t hate it.  I can tell you that a little goes a long way and this is probably more suited for cooler months as the sugary sweetness would probably become extremely cloying in the heat and sun.

  • Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Floral
  • Classification: Leans Feminine
  • Expense: $265 for 100ml EdP


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MON JASMINE NOIR L’EAU EXQUISE by BVLGARI

000001_PressKit_Eau_Exquise_booklet_usb_card_MJN Cartella Stampa005.tifWHAT I SMELL:  Mon Jasmine Noir L’Eau Exquise opens with a tangy sparkling grapefruit and citrus.  It’s fresh and soon turns lemony and then quickly following comes a lush and radiant jasmine.  It’s really pretty, very feminine, somewhat sweet and oh so heavenly.  The fragrance just radiates off of my skin like a layer of sunshine.  It’s very heady and if not careful, I could see how this could overwhelm.  But after around 15 minutes the radiance tempers itself and the fragrance is met with a tea accord which pulls me away from my “love” of the fragrance to a “like.”  Don’t get me wrong, it’s just that tea notes are not generally to my liking.  I actually find that the tea takes the fragrance into the “bathtastic” mode and makes it feel like it’s turning into bath oil beads.  In the end you’re left with a slightly sweet white tea and floral fragrance that is clean and pretty.

Mon Jasmin Noir L’Eau Exquise Notes from the Bvlgari website:

Top Notes: Pink Pomelo, Fresh Green Almond
Heart: Grandiflorum Jasmine, Sambac Jasmine White Tea
Base: White Musks, Delightful Woods

conservatoryWHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  A grand sun filled conservatory.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE MON JASMINE NOIR L’EAU EXQUISE:  rapturous, voluminous, fulfilling

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MON JASMINE NOIR L’EAU EXQUISE:  The Beauty Junkee, IamBrigitte, SassiSam

BOTTOM LINE:  The opening of this fragrance was incredible and I was in love.  The dyrdown not so much.  It’s nice and all, but it could have been so much more.

  • Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Floral
  • Nose:  Sophie Labbe
  • Classification: Feminine
  • Expense: $96 for 75ml EdT


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TRIOMPHE by RANCE

TriompheWHAT I SMELL: Triomphe opens with a spicy bergamot and a little pepper; it’s warm and inviting and well blended.  After a few minutes the rose makes it presence, but it’s really muted by the warmth of the base which is rather smooth and creamy.  As time progresses, the fragrance projects the patchouli woodiness and seems to sink deeper in a warmish pool.  The fragrance begins to dry out, but it’s so full-bodied with the florals that help to give this so much shape.  After around 30 minutes the fragrance really dries out and that rounded floral makes way for the balsam and the patchouli takes the center stage. In the end, you’re left with a lovely slightly smoky, nutty and peppery woody scent.

From the Rance 1795 website:

Only the word Triumph could describe Napoleon’s immense glory. And Triomphe was the name of one of the perfumes François Rancé dedicated to the idol of his life.

Napoleon loved the fragrances of his native island, and François Rancé drew inspiration from these: the light perfume of citrus fruit merges with the fragrance of roses and orange blossom, adorned with Grasse jasmine and Florentine iris. Cedar wood and musk, with hints of vanilla, give the fragrance intensity. 

A decoration which represents the military virtues of the Victor was etched onto the glass by a Parisian master glassmaker. It is today as it was 200 years ago.

The precious perfume is made entirely of the rarest and most highly-prized natural essences, obtained from the best years, i.e. “millésimé“(vintage) mixed, stirred and left to age according to Rancé tradition.

Head Notes:  bergamot, neroli, mandarin

Heart Notes:  Bulgarian Rose, magnolia, wisteria, nutmeg

Sophisticated HoundBase Notes:  patchouli, cistus labdanum, tolu balsam, Reunion vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  The sophisticated hound

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE TRIOMPHE:  classic, classy, gentlemanly

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT TRIOMPHE:  None to be found.  How is this possible given how fantastic this is?!

BOTTOM LINE:  Rance has been operating in perfumery since the 18th Century and I can see why.  If this is any indication of their products, I need to do some more exploring.  And how pretty is that bottle?!

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Aromatic Fougere
  • Classification: Masculine
  • Expense: $110 for 50ml EdP