masculine | The Scented Hound

March 16, 2012
by The Scented Hound 3 Comments

Je Suis un Homme by Etat Libre d’Orange

I had high hopes for my first venture into the line of Etat Libre d’Orange. I recently received a few samples, one of which was Je Suis un Homme. Although tame in name in comparison with some of the other irreverently titled fragrances in the line, it is the perfect place for me to start. Upon application, I noted a very subdued and almost elegant combination of citrus and musk. It went on beautifully understated with a warm undertone. I really loved the initial impact of this scent. I wanted those initial notes to stay with me; unfortunately they did not. Much too soon for my liking, the citrus notes disappeared and all I got was a slightly green, medicinal, Mennen Skin Bracer scent. In looking at the composition of this fragrance (see below), I would have thought that there would be many surprises that would come to light when wearing this, but it just seemed to flatten out. And not only did it flatten out; after a couple of hours it just disappeared. I have not given up on this one, hoping that it’s my body chemistry today, but I have to admit I’m pretty disappointed.

Oh, and one of the other samples was for Don’t Get Me Wrong Baby. I won’t be reviewing this because it is targeted to the female gender, but I did give it a dab on the back of my hand. If you love Lily of the Valley (and more Lily of the Valley), you might like this. Uggh. Not my thing!

Oh, but I will be back. I’m just too intrigued by this brand!

From the Etat Libre d’Orange website:

Composition: Bergamot, orange, lemon, myrrh, cinnamon, clove, cognac accord, leather, patchouli, animal notes…

Napoleon would have sprayed himself with this, a reinterpretation of his favorite cologne. Citrus and bergamot summon the guard to prepare an attack. Birch wood and cognac evoke the leather of saddle and boots. Energetic and masculine, this is a scent for the man – or the woman – who is ready to launch the offensive…

Bone Rating: 2 out of 5 possible bones
Classification: Masculine
Expense: $80 for 50ml EDP

March 11, 2012
by The Scented Hound Leave a comment

New York by Parfums de Nicolai

Fragrances have a tendency to take you back in time. Memories of your past can come rushing forward with just one whiff of a smell. New York by Parfums de Nicolai is one of those scents. This is a scent that takes me back to my younger days when I was just discovering my love of fragrance. I couldn’t afford the best, but always had a few bottles on my shelf. I don’t know which fragrance this reminds me of, but it reminds me of the early 1980s. Clean, fresh and masculine this scent opens with a rush of citrus. It doesn’t take long for that to move into a very gentle woody spice. But the citrus continues throughout as the dominant note. This is a fragrance for those men who like to feel comfortable in a scent. It won’t offend and will probably lend itself to comments of how wonderful you smell wearing it. Unfortunately it doesn’t have a “wow” factor. Overall a nice scent, just not an adventurous one.

From the Parfums de Nicolai website:

Top note : fresh, citrus, lemon, bergamot, aromatics note, lavender
Heart : spicy, woody, pepper, patchouli and cedarwood
Base : vanilla, leather and amber

Bone Rating: 3 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Woody, Oriental, Citrus
Classification: Unisex, but leans masculine
Expense: $115 for 100ml EDT

March 4, 2012
by The Scented Hound 2 Comments

Les Nombres d’Or Cuir by Mona di Orio

Les Nombres d’Or Cuir was my first foray into the perfumes created by Mona di Orio who tragically passed away at the end of this last year. And what an interesting introduction into this line of fragrances. Les Nombres d’Or Cuir has an incredibly strong opening. And it’s an opening of smoke, cigarettes and burnt paper. This is considered a leather scent, but the leather is so hidden and disguised behind this screen of smoke. After about an hour the scent evened out to a sharp, almost green scent but with the smoke ever-present. This is an intriguing scent, but I am not sure when and where I would want to wear it. In the end though, if the other Mona di Orio creations are this daring, I am looking forward to sampling some more.

From the Mona di Orio website:

Opening with a whiff of Gauloise-like smoke it quickly becomes toasted spices and sweet absinthe before the appearance of the leather. Neatly straddling the line between biker and Birkin bag, the leather is almost carnal in its depth. In these days of anodyne scents and trans-fat free lives this is a welcome walk on the wild side that would be wonderful on a man. On a woman? Only one way to put it: Cuir is ruthlessly chic.

Cuir Notes:
Cardamom, Absinth, Leather, Cade, Resinoid Opoponax, Castoreum