3 bones | The Scented Hound

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 20, 2013
by The Scented Hound 20 Comments

Wilde by Jardins d’Ecrivains

WHAT I SMELL: Wilde opens with a bright bergamot and a very light green tea accord. It’s kind of zingy and snappy and almost a bit sweet in a green kind of way. The fig soon comes to prominence, making this fruity, but not succulent as the vetiver and oakmoss keep it from being too round and juicy. After around 10 minutes or so, a bit of warmth emerges which comforts without taking away the zestful aspects of the fragrance. In the meantime, the oak moss combined with the carnation provides for a dusty and slightly spicy backdrop from the fig. In the end Wilde leaves you with a clean, and slightly beefy vetiver that is very easy to wear.

Notes from the Jardins d’Ecrivains website:

Top notes are bergamot and grapes; middle notes are fig, carnation and tea; base notes are oakmoss and vetiver.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A zest for life… like a fig and green cornucopia of goodness.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE WILDE: lively, joyful, positive

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WILDE: The Silver Fox, Chemist in a Bottle, Cafleurebon

BOTTOM LINE: I normally would have passed Wilde by, just by the fig and carnation notes alone. But here they don’t overwhelm, but add additional zest to this very uplifting fragrance. I am rather wild about Wilde!

Bone Rating: 3.5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Aromatic Fruity
Noses: Anais Biguine
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $110 for 100ml EdP

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