The Scented Hound

November 4, 2013
by The Scented Hound 19 Comments

Enslaved Parfum by Roja Parfums

Please pardon me while I gush…

WHAT I SMELL: Deep and sweet, not sugary sweet, but sweet wrapped up in warm honey that seems to bellow up from darkened chasm. It’s intoxicating and hypnotic. The top notes are listed as citrus, but I’m not getting that so much as the lavender seems to absorb the sharper edges of what we typically experience with lemon and lime. Quickly the prominent jasmine takes the stage where it seduces you along with the ylang-ylang in a pool of heavy and heavenly juice. There’s so much depth to Enslaved that it literally creates this floral force field around you. Then add the rich and glowing labdanum and ambergris, Enslaved pulls out even deeper floral force field. Eventually the oak moss begins to dry out the juiciness, but it never leaves you out in the desert. Of course, everything is blended so seamlessly that picking apart the notes really is rather silly as in this case, it doesn’t really matter as I am completely intoxicated with its beauty.

From the Roja Parfums website:

“With Enslaved I loved the idea of falling in love so deeply and passionately there was no escape. In an old family dictionary, one definition of Ensalved was described as, to become a prisoner of love. I wanted to create a scent that enslaved both its wearer and those who smelt it on them: a scent with no escape where you become the wearers prisoner of love” – Roja Dove

Notes: bergamot, lemon, lime, lavender, carnation, geranium, Jasmine de Grasse, orange blossom, rose, ylang-ylang, cedarwood, oakmoss, patchouli, ambergris, labdanum, musk, vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Floral hypnosis.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE ENSLAVED: seductive, addictive, breathtaking

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ENSLAVED: I only found comments on Fragrantica.

BOTTOM LINE: I was lucky enough to be introduced to Enslaved at Sniffapalooza and then a wonderful perfumista sent me a sample which I am guarding like a grand jewel. I am addicted to this perfume and can only hope that even with the hefty price tag that Santa or the Perfume Fairy will make this mine as we were meant to be together!

Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Oriental
Nose: Roja Dove
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $435 for 50ml Parfum; also available in EdP

November 2, 2013
by The Scented Hound 5 Comments

John Russo Photograph for Men

WHAT I SMELL: Photograph for Men has a sparkling and zesty citrus opening which is energetic without being sweet . Funny, after a couple of minutes the fragrance seems to dissipate and it almost disappears. I’m thinking to myself… really? Is this it? All I get is a lightly fresh and sweet layer that smells good, but there’s not much there. After around 10 minutes or so, Photograph for Men starts to reveal its true self as it begins to bloom with more spice and hints of lavender. After some more time, the fragrance becomes richer and warmer with a light amber. This is no powerhouse scent, but it’s clean, neat, and somewhat spicy which gives it a bit of oomph. And for an eau de toilette, the development of the fragrance is remarkably lengthy and three-dimensional.

From the John Russo Fragrances website:

Photograph for Men is an ambery, earthy, green, woody type with top notes of mandarin, orange, bergamot, lemon, and bay oil, middle notes of lavender, ginger, leather, and clove, with an amber, woody musky smoky, tobacco note.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: John Russo is trying to capture the essence and glamour of old Hollywood. The picture on the box cover conveys the fragrance’s character very well.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE PHOTOGRAPH FOR MEN: smooth, effortless, put-together

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PHOTOGRAPH FOR MEN: Photograph for Men is so new that I only found one review on Fragrantica.

BOTTOM LINE: Not quite a celebrity fragrance, but bordering on so as John Russo is a famed celebrity photographer, I was a bit skeptical as to what to expect. But Photograph for Men is well put together and a very pleasant surprise overall. Nicely done.

Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Aromatic
Classification: Masculine
Expense: $65 for 100ml EdT; available from the John Russo Fragrances website

Disclosure: Product for review provided courtesy of John Russo Fragrances.

October 14, 2013
by The Scented Hound 12 Comments

Yuzu Fou by Parfum d’Empire

WHAT I SMELL: Yuzu Fou goes on with a rush of citrus which is cool to the touch of the skin. What starts off as primarily orange, quickly turns almost Lemon Pledge lemony. Soon after Yuzu Fou brings in the funk, as there is a sweaty cumin like presence that makes its appearance. There is this odd sensation of fresh lemon and sweaty armpits. Not soon after, the funk starts to take a back seat to some minty freshness, but every once in a while, the funky sweat still pops up, just to make sure you know it’s still there. While this interplay is going on, the constant is the fresh orangey-mint which remains at the heart. In the end, Yuzu Fou is very similar to Parfum d’Empire’s Azemour les Orangers, and that’s not a bad thing.

Yuzu Fou notes from Fragrantica: Top notes are kumquat, bitter orange, yuzu and mint; middle notes are bamboo, lemon verbena and cedar; base notes are neroli and white musk.

It’s impossible to find a picture of a teenager next to a lemon tree. So instead I posted a picture of Lance Kerwin, star of the horrific 1970s show, “James at 15.” The show was a stinker if there ever was one.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Like a junior high aged boy running around a lemon orchard. It smells so wonderfully fresh outside, but you can’t help notice that when he starts getting sweaty, he really needs to be wearing deodorant. Of course, he’s completely clueless, but you know it’s time to have that talk.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE YUZU FOU: fresh, semi-funky, dichotomous

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT YUZU FOU: Best Things in Beauty, The Alembicated Genie, The Black Narcissus

BOTTOM LINE: Don’t get me wrong, without the little bit of funk in Yuzu Fou, this would be a tad bit boring. But that extra something different makes this interesting, while not detracting from its wearability. Don’t worry though, others won’t notice it as I believe the funkiness probably doesn’t project all that much. I like that it will just be our little secret!

Bone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Aromatic Green
Noses: Marc-Antoine Corticchiato
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $75 for 50ml EdP