The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.

Tag Archives: EDP


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Dia Man by Amouage

Happy Labor Day to all the US folks out there.  I’m having a quiet day off as we’re heading off to vacation later this week so I’m doing all of those things that require preparation:  loading books on my Kindle, making sure that my camera batteries are charged, washing clothes, etc.  Rather dull, but necessary. Of course, all of this dullness needed some help in pepping me up.  So, in the midst of cleaning up my office, I went in my “unsampled” bag and pulled out Dia Man.  I knew that an Amouage scent would be nice and strong and since I am doing chores all day I wanted to smell fabulous doing them.

WHAT I SMELL: A warm incense (very discreet and light), with bitter orange and I believe cardamon (based on the notes listing).  It smells like a modern/traditional scent, in that it’s elegant and luxurious.  It’s also surprisingly warm.  I was expecting something more heavily floral.  After a bit, an interesting plum notes barely sneaks out which adds more depth along with the peony.  For the next couple of hours, Dia stays in this warm slightly spicy amberish floral stage that is extremely luxurious and inviting.  I have the feeling if I was in the office today I would be asked what I was wearing.  In the end, what I was left with a nice and pleasant and slightly powdery woody floral, it’s very serene and I find it to be a bit feminine.  Of course since this is an Amouage fragrance, it has great longevity and sillage.

Top notes: cistus, bigarade, cardamom, frankincense, labdanum
Heart notes: peony, ylang ylang, orris, plum
Base notes: vetiver, leather, patchouli, amber, palissander

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  I am picturing a 1920’s “Out of Africa” scene.  Exotic, yet refined colonial atmosphere in the plains of Africa.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE DIA MAN:  warm, privileged, fluid

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT DIA MAN: From Top to Bottom, Eiderdown Press

BOTTOM LINE:  Amouage fragrances are quality personified and Dia Man is no exception.  As good as this is, it’s probably not something that I would add to my collection as I wouldn’t wear it enough to justify the hefty price.  But I’ll know that I’ll be back to visit every now and then!

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Woody Floral Musk
  • Classification: Masculine
  • Expense: $260 for 50ml EdP


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Field Notes from Paris by Ineke

A lovely friend sent me a package of goodies this past week.  Of course, I had to check them all out upon arrival, but Field Notes from Paris is the one that struck a chord with me most…

WHAT I SMELL:  Green, refreshing blast that slowly melts away into a beautiful patchouli and tobacco leaf middle phase.  It’s sweet, but what I call an adult sweet, not a kid kind of sweet.  Finally, what is interesting to me is that this fragrance ends up like two fragrances in one.  What do I mean?  When I bring my arm up to take in the fragrance, I get a light leather scent.  The kind of leather that belongs to a well-worn book where the cover has been used thin.  But when I am just enjoying the fragrance on me as a whole, Field Notes from Paris is almost gourmand, like coffee and almond/vanilla cookies (all very subtly dressed together).

Field Notes from Paris Notes:  coriander, orange flower, bergamot, tobacco flower & leaf, patchouli, cedar, tonka bean, beeswax, leather, vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Perfect for today’s rainy weather, Field Notes from Paris does remind me of exactly what Ineke was trying to convey; “sweet-scented Paris afternoons, life measured out in coffee spoons.”  Perfect for hanging out in your favorite sweater and jeans on a Sunday morning while recuperating from your all too fun Saturday night.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE FIELD NOTES FROM PARIS:  comfortable, laid-back, friendly

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT FIELD NOTES FROM PARIS: Scents Memory, Notable Scents, EauMG

BOTTOM LINE:  Lovely and subtle; good for a man or a woman.  This may just be the right fragrance for the coming winter when I’m curled up reading a book next to the fire.

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Woody Oriental
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Nose:  Ineke Ruhland
  • Expense: $88 for 75ml EdP


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Seville a l’Aube by L’Artisan Parfumeur

So many words have been used to describe the collaboration and inspiration for the creation of Seville a l’Aube.  Me, I’ll just get to the down and dirty…

WHAT I SMELL: Goes on almost medicinal, then quickly turns green, like cut grass…wait, that lasts for just a minute.  Here comes the orange blossom, lots of orange blossom mixed with jasmine.  I keep waiting for this to become sweet, but it never does.  It rests in this layer of subdued floral, green and orange blossom purgatory.  After about 6 hours, the scent had pretty much faded into oblivion; not that I minded so much.

Seville a l’Aube Notes:  lavender, pink pepper, lemon tree leaves, orange blossom, jasmine, magnolia, beeswax, incense, Benzoin Siam, Luiseiri lavender

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  A cross between floor cleaner and sour shampoo.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE SEVILLE A L’AUBE: labored, sour, pensive

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SEVILLE A L’AUBE: Second Cherry, AustralianPerfumeJunkies,  Bonkers About Perfume

BOTTOM LINE: As you could note from the reviews above, this fragrance is loved by some, just not by me.  What I do love is the story about the creation of this scent and have to laugh at the thought of what would be created with me as the muse (civit comes to mind!) so I can’t fault the fragrance as a whole.  However, I think I’ll stick with fragrances with citrus and neroli rather than orange blossom (see Orange Star review).

  • Bone Rating: 2.5 out of 5 possible bones
  • Scent: Oriental Floral
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Nose:  Bertrand Duchaufour
  • Expense: $165 for 100ml EdP (limited edition)