2 bones | The Scented Hound

March 16, 2012
by The Scented Hound 3 Comments

Je Suis un Homme by Etat Libre d’Orange

I had high hopes for my first venture into the line of Etat Libre d’Orange. I recently received a few samples, one of which was Je Suis un Homme. Although tame in name in comparison with some of the other irreverently titled fragrances in the line, it is the perfect place for me to start. Upon application, I noted a very subdued and almost elegant combination of citrus and musk. It went on beautifully understated with a warm undertone. I really loved the initial impact of this scent. I wanted those initial notes to stay with me; unfortunately they did not. Much too soon for my liking, the citrus notes disappeared and all I got was a slightly green, medicinal, Mennen Skin Bracer scent. In looking at the composition of this fragrance (see below), I would have thought that there would be many surprises that would come to light when wearing this, but it just seemed to flatten out. And not only did it flatten out; after a couple of hours it just disappeared. I have not given up on this one, hoping that it’s my body chemistry today, but I have to admit I’m pretty disappointed.

Oh, and one of the other samples was for Don’t Get Me Wrong Baby. I won’t be reviewing this because it is targeted to the female gender, but I did give it a dab on the back of my hand. If you love Lily of the Valley (and more Lily of the Valley), you might like this. Uggh. Not my thing!

Oh, but I will be back. I’m just too intrigued by this brand!

From the Etat Libre d’Orange website:

Composition: Bergamot, orange, lemon, myrrh, cinnamon, clove, cognac accord, leather, patchouli, animal notes…

Napoleon would have sprayed himself with this, a reinterpretation of his favorite cologne. Citrus and bergamot summon the guard to prepare an attack. Birch wood and cognac evoke the leather of saddle and boots. Energetic and masculine, this is a scent for the man – or the woman – who is ready to launch the offensive…

Bone Rating: 2 out of 5 possible bones
Classification: Masculine
Expense: $80 for 50ml EDP

February 26, 2012
by The Scented Hound 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

February 22, 2012
by The Scented Hound 9 Comments

L’Air du Desert Marocain by Tauer Perfumes

I really wanted to like this scent. I had read some wonderful reviews where people were raving about how distinct and special L’Air du Desert Marocain was. Maybe it’s just my body chemistry but this scent just got lost on me. In the bottle it smells amazing and when I applied it, I got an immediate rush of green in an almost medicinal sense. Then it quickly moved into an ever so slight floral…I was thinking that this may turn sweet? No, it then moved to a very dry and woody single layered scent that I found to be nice. But I need more than nice. As the day wore on, it just disappeared on me. I recently reviewed 07 Tanoke by Odin and found this to be similar, but it lacks the extra special something (maybe the tinge of sweetness?) that Odin found.

From the Tauer Perfumes Website:

Head Notes: Coriander and cumin, carefully blended with petitgrain.

Heart Notes: A warm heart note with rock rose and a hint of jasmine.

Body Notes: Dry cedar woods and vetiver, brilliantly joined on a fine ambergris background.

Powerful, sensual and pure. Laying on the bed, watching the moon raising over the sandy hills of the Saharan desert, he dreamt the fragrance of a Moroccan night.

Bone Rating: 2 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: dry, woody
Classification: Unisex but leans towards masculine
Expense: Moderately expensive – $105 for 50ml EDT intense