The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.

Tag Archives: masculine


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Loewe Solo Pour Homme

WHAT I SMELL:  Solo’s opening is a nicely warm one with a lightly herbal lavender that is quickly met with a brightened patchouli that sits between earthy, funky and cottony fresh.  There’s also an underlying citrus note that helps to keep the patchouli in an uplifted manner.  Pretty much from the first spritz, the perfume is fresh, rather dewy and light with a wonderfully positive persona.  As the perfume continues to develop, it begins to move to the more spiced with a lightly sweetened cumin, nutmeg and cinnamon melding with the patchouli.  Thankfully, the perfume remains light and airy as the spice is kept at the right depth.  Soon afterwards, the perfume begins to dry and it takes on a hazy finish.  For the most part, Solo remains true to the lavender, patchouli and lightly spiced heart, but it starts moving towards a clean musk finish.  But as soon as I thought it would end there, a flattened slightly sour woody note comes to the forefront and that’s unfortunate as the perfume prior to this development was very likable and now it’s just… OK.

From the Loewe website:

A timeless yet novel fragrance, its secret lies in its contrasting accords of aromatic notes that are juxtaposed in perfect counterpoint.

A spicy, woody fragrance with contrasting notes of sandalwood, guava and marzipan, for the elegant man of distinction who appreciates the value of balance.

The harmony of extremes.

Olfactive Notes – 

Humid Stone Chord : guava, lavender, boldo and thyme

Dry Wood Chord : cachemire and patchouli

Hesperides Chord : bergamot, lemon and tangerine

Spicy Chord : cumin, nutmeg and cinnamon

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  A careworn ranch house from the 1950s or 60s.  When it was built it was a beauty, but over time it has become a bit tired and dated and needs a little sprucing up.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE SOLO:  cottony, herbal, semi-delightful.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SOLO:  No reviews found.

BOTTOM LINE:  I really wanted to like Solo as the opening and middle stages of development are fantastically alluring.  Unfortunately, it’s only at the end that the perfume begins to fade from my enthusiasm.  And call me shallow, but there’s something about the Loewe aesthetic that leaves me a bit cold.

  • Bone Rating:  3 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent:  Oriental
  • Classification:  Masculine
  • Expense:  Prices start at around $100 for 50ml eau de toilette.


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Guerlain Habit Rouge Eau de Toilette

WHAT I SMELL:  Habit Rouge opens with a bright and sparkling mix of citrus highlighted by a clean barbershop lemon.  It feels neat, brisk and fully energetic.  After a short time, the citrus begins to mute and a warmth begins to wrap itself around the lemon with a light creamed sandalwood at the center.  The perfume still retains its barbershop vibe, but instead of just coming out of the barber’s chair, it feels a bit more like one has prepped for a night out with a great aftershave.  As the perfume continues to develop, a light floral note gives the perfume a bit of a softer and more rounded feel.  After some more time, the perfume dries, flattens and becomes more herbal and vanilla-woody.  Habit Rouge has a proper feel, but not so much as it feels too buttoned up or uptight.  And in the end, it’s a perfume that’s easy to wear, gentlemanly and perfect for the office or for any occasion.

From the Guerlain website:

Habit Rouge Eau de Toilettes is a classic of elegance, glorified by the freshness of citrus notes.

Created in 1965, Habit Rouge was the first oriental fragrance for men in perfumery. From the moment of its launch, this tribute to Guerlain’s passion for the dressage of horses created an element of surprise with its scents of sensual and bold vanilla. An oriental that is by turns citrusy, warm and accented with vanilla, it expresses the genius of contrast and well-mastered emotions.
Habit Rouge embraces a dandy man who dares everything. combining sophistication and refinement. He lives his life fervently and distinguishes himself with a trail of extreme sensuality.

With its modern geometry and mastery of form, Habit Rouge has an eternally elegant French appeal.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:   Classic man of the mid 1960’s.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE HABIT ROUGE:  tailored, reserved, mature

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT HABIT ROUGE:  Bespoke Unit, Bois de Jasmin, Olfactics

BOTTOM LINE:  I can’t believe that I’ve never reviewed Habit Rouge before even though it’s been part of my collection for years.  It’s probably because it’s one of the perfumes that I take for granted as a workhorse and don’t wear when I go out for the evening, but instead reserve it for running errands and working out where the citrus and florals come front and center with the sun and heat.  Habit Rouge makes it easy to smell fantastic no matter what you’re doing.

  • Bone Rating:  3.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Oriental Citrus
  • Nose:  Jean-Paul Geurlain
  • Classification:  Masculine
  • Expense:  Prices vary, but it can be found for around $50 for a 3.4 oz. eau de toilette.


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Roja Parfums Scandal Pour Homme Parfum Cologne

WHAT I SMELL:   Scandal Pour Homme Parfum Cologne isn’t quite scandalous as it opens, but it is rather uplifting with zesty bergamot, lemon and lavender with a perfect touch of spearmint.  Instead of being infused with juice, the perfume enters with a dryness that reminds me of an application of talc.  From first spritz, Scandal is a refined masculine scent and its herbal sweetness is incredibly magnetic.  As the perfume continues to develop, the dryness begins to lessen in order to allow for the most delicate of florals to begin to grace the skin.  Here, the mix of florals, with a quiet violet and rose being most prominent, make the perfume a bit brighter and more lighthearted.  Continuing on its journey, a woody vetiver rises to take its place at the heart of the perfume.  After some time, the perfume warms with a wonderful tonka bean and becomes ever so lightly sweet and sour.  Scandal is a traditional fougère with just the right amount of “twist.”

“When a scandal hits, heads turn and secrets unravel. Everything is exposed as barriers are pushed and limits are tested. You either hide, or embrace it. A true head-turner, Scandal opens with an exciting burst of Lemon, Spearmint and Lavender, which flirts with an unusual Rhubarb note spread across a rich and sensual bed woven around the indulgent nuances of Tonka Bean. Tempted to do something which causes a scandal, it ensures you are talked about.” – Roja Dove.

Scandal Olfactory Description:  Basil, Spearmint, Lavender, and Tarragon add their pronounced aromatic freshness to a medley of Bergamot, Lemon, and Petitgrain, then given touches of sweetness from a mix of Jasmine, Violet, Rose, and Lily of the Valley, warmed by Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Casmir Wood, Cardamom, Nutmeg, and Clove, held captive by Vetiver, Patchouli, and Mosses, with an unusual note of Rhubarb, on a sensual base of Ambergris, Musk, leather-like Labdanum, and Tonka Bean.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Alain Delon in ‘Plein Soleil’ (Purple Noon) 1960…rakishly handsome.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE SCANDAL:  refined, self-assured, polished

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SCANDAL:  CaFleureBon

BOTTOM LINE:  Roja Dove has mastered the quiet development in perfumes where the mix of ingredients unfolds in a graceful and easy way, and Scandal is no exception.  Roja Parfums has created the Parfum Cologne collection of five men’s fragrances with Scandal and Danger being the stars in my estimation, but all are fantastic in their own way.  Scandal is perfect in its modern nod to a vintage past.

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Fougère
  • Nose:  Roja Dove
  • Classification: Masculine
  • Expense:  $290 for 100 ml parfum cologne