4 bones | The Scented Hound

January 20, 2016
by The Scented Hound 7 Comments

Chloé Eau de Parfum

WHAT I SMELL: Chloé opens up warm, with a slightly bathtastic rose and peony combination mixed with a restrained honey accord. My first thought is that the perfume is incredibly romantic and sensual, but it also feels very carefree without seeming juvenile. Soon in the development, there’s a magnolia note that adds a welcomed floral pop that provides a lovely compliment to the rose and peony. After around 10 minutes, a light woody accord seems to weave in and out of the perfume which helps to balance out the sweetness of the florals. As the perfume continues to develop, the projection begins to grow as does the sweetness and the powder. But by no means does the perfume overwhelm. Instead, it maintains this pretty peony spring like freshness. Chloé is an easy to wear perfume that would be the perfect perfume for any occasion.

From the Chloé website:

The heart of a blooming rose

This rose blooms with confidence and individuality, free from the usual codes. She is the original Chloé girl – warm, playful and seductive.

Chloé Eau de Parfum is our signature scent. Combined with magnolias and generous peonies, it is both honey-like and powdery on the skin. Cheeky, free and sophisticated, it vibrates with a woody tone, a touch of ambergris and a sheen of cedar scent.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Pink peonies and sunshine.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE CHLOÉ EAU DE PARFUM: bright, easy, effortless

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CHLOÉ EAU DE PARFUM: Diary of a Perfume Addict, Mostly Sunny, Cute and Mundane

BOTTOM LINE: Chloé was a wonderful surprise for me. The understated prettiness and ease of wear makes this an anywhere and anytime perfume. As I write this review on a cold and dreary day, Chloé is a much-needed ready-made prelude to spring!

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Oriental Floral
Noses: Amandine Marie and Michel Almairac
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $105 for 1.7 oz. Eau de Parfum

November 4, 2015
by The Scented Hound 4 Comments

À la rose by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

WHAT I SMELL: À la rose has a sparkling opening with clean and bright citrus mixed with violet and the freshness of green. I love the fact that the opening is incredibly cheerful with an unassuming easiness about it. In addition, there’s a nice light powder that dusts the perfume; and strange as it seems, the perfume is both cool and warm at the same time. The rose in the perfume starts to come forward, but in a tender and soft way without any harsh turns or nuances. There’s a bit of a “bathtastic” aspect to the perfume, but not so much that it feels like soap. Overall, the perfume doesn’t transform all that much, but instead maintains this soft, clean floral warmth that is close to the skin and incredibly inviting.

From the Maison Francis Kurkdjian website:

Damascena rose from Bulgaria – bergamot from Calabria – orange from California – violet – magnolia blossom – cedar wood – musk – centifolia rose from Grasse

À la rose is an ode to femininity, a declaration of love captured in a fragrance. Two hundred and fifty precious roses from Grasse offer their radiance and their unmatched richness in every flacon.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A Victorian woman sitting at her dressing table getting ready for the beautiful spring day ahead.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE À LA ROSE: pretty, proper, soft

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT À LA ROSE: Kafkaesque, Colognoisseur, The Women’s Room

BOTTOM LINE: À la rose is not an earth shattering perfume. What it is though, is a lovely, soft and thoughtful rose beauty.

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $245 for 2.5 oz. eau de parfum

Sample courtesy of Arielle Shoshana.

October 26, 2015
by The Scented Hound 7 Comments

New Release: Voyage by Hiram Green (Limited Edition)

WHAT I SMELL: Voyage opens with a Sweetart candied sweetness that very quickly moves to a soured and spiced citrus that has a undercut flattened note of what I can only describe as shoe leather that is met with a bit just a hint of rubber. I know that my description doesn’t sound so appealing, but the combination of those ingredients are rather interesting and exotic. After around 15 minutes, the flatness disappears to give rise to a spiced amber that seems to buzz with vibrant energy as well as helps to bolster the perfume’s projection. The perfume at this point is rather prickly and reminds me of a large sack of exotic spices in a large burlap sack located in a hidden gem of earthly delights in an Indian street market. As the perfume develops more, there’s a floral component (I am guessing because the notes don’t list any florals) that helps to smooth out the spice and which helps to give the perfume a more dream like quality. The real magic with Voyage for me is after about an hour into the wear when the florals, spices and vanilla begin to blend, taking off any sharp edges to create this creamy and wonderfully exotic perfume that’s perfectly fitted for the fall weather.

From the Hiram Green website:

An ode to the exotic mysteries of India, our new fragrance is as atmospheric and thrilling as a Mysore street market and as opulent as Octopussy’s floating palace on Lake Pichola.

Voyage is an intoxicating blend of fresh citrus top notes, a heart of warm amber and luscious suede over a smooth vanilla base.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Hiram has chosen the peacock as a visual representation of the perfume. He made the perfect choice.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE VOYAGE: spicy, exotic, mysterious

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT VOYAGE: Kafkaesque, Chemist in the Bottle

BOTTOM LINE: Some perfumers have a very distinctive signature to their perfumes and once again with Voyage, this is easily identifiable as a Hiram Green perfume. I asked Hiram if there was a note that was central to all three of his perfumes (Moon Bloom, Shangri La and of course Voyage) and he said that there was not. Given that, all I can say is that on my skin there is a common thread…so I’ll just say that each perfume has a very distinct “Hiramism”….and that’s a good thing!

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Oriental
Nose: Hiram Green
Classification: Unisex
Expense: 135 Euros for 50 ml eau de parfum from the Hiram Green website. Limited edition of 250 bottles. Pre-orders ship November 2, 2015 and come with a 5 ml atomizer of your choice of Moon Bloom, Shangri La or Voyage.

Sample courtesy of Hiram Green. Opinions and observations are my own.