fragrance | The Scented Hound

July 5, 2012
by The Scented Hound 3 Comments

Beach Lovin

No, I’m not ignoring your posts, I’m just going to the beach for a few days. And as such, I am making a point of not being electronically connected (except for GPS requirements). We’re just taking a few days for rest and relaxation. Thankfully, Rehoboth Beach, DE has a niche perfume store (go figure!!!), Penny Lane Perfumes. Check them out here. I know how I am; too much sun + too many cocktails = purchase. If you clicked on the link above you now know what lines Penny Lane Perfumes carries. What purchase do you think I’ll come back with? If you guess correctly (brand and fragrance), I’ll send you something fabulous (OK, I’m not sure what it is, but it will be fabulous, guaranteed!).

See you next week!!! xoxoxo Steve

June 28, 2012
by The Scented Hound 6 Comments

Chypre Palatin by Parfums MDCI

Last week I received six samples that I haven’t had a chance to start reviewing until today. Of course, that didn’t stop me from stealing a quick sniff of each fragrance when I first got the package. The one scent that really stuck a nerve upon first sniff was Chypre Palatin by Parfums MDCI. So when I reached into the package today… that was my first choice.

Chypre Palatin’s first offered up a rush of citrus and cedar and then quickly a warm amberish lavender and what seemed to be eucalyptus (but I’m not seeing eucalyptus in the notes?? hmmm). The fragrance goes on very warm without being heavy and it’s very comforting. In a little while the scent then moves to an even warmer almost floral setting. It’s very peaceful and serene. The kind of scent where you want to close your eyes and breath in its aromatherapeutic qualities.

As Chypre Palatin continues it’s drydown it moves into a very familiar what I would call barbershop phase. It’s traditional and old world and masculine at this point. But stop, don’t let me confuse you by thinking this fragrance is old-fashioned and masculine. It’s not. The opening and the dry down make it much more universal and modern. In the end, Chypre Palatin quiets down to a nice oak moss and vanilla scent with just a touch of powder. However, depending on what you’re doing, those middle warm aromatic notes will still come to surface as the day wears on.

Longevity is average as is the sillage. Chypre Palatin is a lovely surprise that feels old and new world at the same time and I think would be perfect for men and women alike.

As I have issues with deciphering the notes from a fragrance with complicated compositions; just note that all the ingredients below make for a perfect fragrance!

From the Parfums MDCI website:

The result is incredibly complex and rich, a velvet-like fragrance, a sort of gold-embroidered, fur-lined brocade, somptuous and wild…

The surprise comes from the discovery that “Chypre Palatin” is utterly masculine, but could also be one of the most sensuous, voluptuous feminine fragrance !

Chypre Palatin Notes:

Head: jacinth, clementine, aldehydes, cistus essence, galbanum essence, thyme, lavender

Heart: rose, jasmin, iris concrète, prune, gardenia

Base: benjamin, styrax, leather, vanilla, tolu, castoreum, costus, oakmoss, everlasting absolute

Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Green Oriental Chypre
Classification: Unisex
Expense: Expense: $250 for 60ml EDP with bust, $375 with bust

June 21, 2012
by The Scented Hound 10 Comments

A Vacation From the Everyday: Fico di Amalfi Blu Mediterraneo by Acqua di Parma

It has been incredibly hot the last couple of days here in DC. In fact, today we broke the record by being 98 degrees with over 60% humidity. So basically it felt like it was about 106 degrees today. Thank God for air conditioning. I always wonder what people did before air conditioning, daily showers, etc. I guess if you had money, you covered up your stench with perfumes. Hmmmm, maybe in a past life I really stunk, thus my love of fragrance. In any case, I digress…

Since it was so hot, I thought I would pull out a fragrance from my husband’s collection, Fico di Amalfi from the Blue Mediterraneo line from Acqua di Parma. He received this as a gift last year and I have never really worn it myself. All that I can say is that the first time he wore it, it immediately took me back to our trip to Aruba last fall. Fico di Amalfi is tropical without being beachy, fruity without being too sweet and perfect for a hot summer day.

Fico di Amalfi goes on with zing. It’s really fresh and cool, with bursts of citrus and grapefruit. It’s also very zesty, like fruit that has just come off of ice or even better, a crushed ice fruit cocktail served on the beach. The opening notes are pure happiness!

After a little while that zesty freshness disappears and a light pepper musk comes to the surface. And then the fig. You are left with the fig, which is green and woody and oh so slightly fruity. It’s calming and fresh and a bit creamy and very comfortable. Fico di Amalfi would be perfect for walking around in a t-shirt and flip-flops to putting on your best linen outfit for a night out on a town.

My one disappointment with this fragrance is that late in the drydown, the scent you are left with reminds me a bit of Tide laundry detergent, but it’s not that significant to stand in my way of wearing it. However, I have to admit, I like smelling this on my husband more than on my self.

Fico di Amalfi is a beautiful fragrance that takes you on a mini-vacation from your everyday life. OK, so it’s not as a good as the real thing, but I’ll take it in the meantime.

Fico di Amalfi notes:

bergamot, lemon, grapefruit, citron, fig nectar, pink pepper, jasmine petals, fig wood, cedar wood and benzoin.