masculine | The Scented Hound

April 30, 2012
by The Scented Hound 4 Comments

Musc Ravageur by Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle

So what’s all the fuss about? Musc Ravageur is a fragrance that evokes the either “I love it” or “I hate it” responses by those who have tried it. It’s also one of those fragrances that have been described as dirty, sexy, sensual (and many other things in which I won’t go into detail). Of course, given the discourse and the descriptors I too had to give this a try. And I can see what everybody is talking about. The first thing that comes to mind when I put this on is the phrase “plastics are the wave of the future!” There is truly an artificial plastic petroleum aspect to this scent. It’s heavy and it’s a heaviness that fills up your lungs. Musc Ravageur starts with a bitch slap to the senses. It’s moist and musky with hints of vanilla. As the slow dry down takes place, out comes more of a warmed peppered base. It mellows ever so slightly but not enough to take away it’s oomph. I would have a hard time seeing a woman pull this one off, because I think of this really as a man’s fragrance because of its heaviness. In going back and reading what I have written so far, you would think that I don’t like this. Wrong. I love it. It’s a fragrance that gives you power. There is nothing shy about Musc Ravageur, so much so that this may have to go on my wish list for a full bottle.

From the Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle website:

Sensual and sophisticated. Powerful yet perfectly controlled. Dramatic and mysterious. MUSC RAVAGEUR is a grown-up perfume, an uncompromising Oriental, which trumps current fads. Its explosive departure of bergamot, tangerine and cinnamon is set against a lusty backdrop of vanilla, musk and amber. No flowers, just a refined and exalted skin scent.

Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent Type: Oriental
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $165 for 50ml EDP

April 5, 2012
by The Scented Hound 4 Comments

Tom of Finland by Etat Libre d’Orange

Yesterday was my partner’s birthday and I gave him a present of Tom of Finland Eau de Parfum. This was a fun gift. For those in the know, Touko Laaksonen, better known as Tom of Finland, created erotic illustrations primarily revolving around gay leather and hyper-masculine men. I think that it’s ironic that this caricature of masculinity has been turned into an Eau de Parfum, but that’s part of the fun with Etat Libre d’Orange. So one would expect a rough and tumble scent based on the inspiration. What you get instead is a lovely, sweet and soothing suede composition.

The first thing you notice is that in the bottle, Tom of Finland is a very bright and artificial orange color. I wonder if this is a new formulation since all ads show a clear composition. Upon application, you immediately smell burnt rubber, pine and lemon. The pine and lemon quickly dissipate and you are left with the rubber and an introduction of leather. At this point, it’s a bit harsh and you wonder where besides a smoky dive bar you would wear this. However, as the dry down occurs, the leather turns to suede, with vanilla and a touch of powder. It turns out to be rather sweet and intoxicating and surprisingly luxurious. Now, I’m not a fan of leather scents, but this is a fragrance that I would wear.

From the Etat Libre d’Orange website:

This is a fresh, pure water that can wash away the sins of the night. Clothing becomes merely ornamental, an insignificant wrapping paper that only serves to cloak the true erotic power of the flesh. This is a man who wants to play, to love, to ravish, and to be free of all inhibitions. Tom is sex.

Tom of Finland Notes:

Aldehydes, lemon, birch leaves, pine, safraleine, pepper, cypress, galbanum, geranium, vanilla, tonka bean, orris, vetiver, pyrogened styrax, suede, musk, ambergray…

Bone Rating: 4 out of 5 possible bones
Classification: Masculine
Expense: $80 for 50ml EDP

March 27, 2012
by The Scented Hound 2 Comments

APOM Pour Homme by Maison Francis Kurkdjian

APOM, which stands for A Part of Me, is one of those “I just got out of the shower” scents. To me, it reminds me of the freshness associated with bathing and the wonderfully clean feeling that you have afterwards. So given that, what exactly does APOM smell like? The listed ingredients are simple, orange flower, amber and cedar wood. This to me is a pretty linear scent; it doesn’t change much and the orange flower is the dominating note. The amber does warm the scent and tone down the orange flower a bit, but it ultimately remains in the background. This to me is a safe fragrance; clean and fresh, but not very interesting. For those of you who like fresh; this would be a great fragrance. Me, I like it a little dirty and will stick with my Absolue Pour le Soir.

From the Maison Francis Kurkdjian website:

APOM (A Part Of Me), a bit of oneself that one leaves on others. A relationship inspired from the beauty of the Orient: movement of people, flavors, colors and scents rediscovered from Lebanon. A combination of softness and strength.

APOM Notes: orange flower, cedar wood, amber