oriental | The Scented Hound

February 26, 2012
by The Scented Hound 1 Comment

Tolu by Ormonde Jayne

Please remember that when I am reviewing scents, it’s based on my opinion and my opinion only. Scared?? Well, I wanted to get in this review quickly after finally getting home from being out all day so I could wash this off my skin and put on something else. I received this sample a few weeks ago and thought I would give it a spin. Have you figured out yet that it’s not my favorite? At it’s base, this perfume is amber, but you can’t really tell that it’s so. The juniper when first applied is all that you smell. Very green, very crisp. As time goes on, this mellows into a very light and green clean scent. And when I say clean, I mean it felt to me as if I just got out of the shower and you could still smell the soap. It has a bit of a soapy edge to me. I don’t want to feel like I’m wearing laundry detergent. This scent reminds me a lot of Mirto di Panerea, one of the fragrances in the Blue Mediterraneo line by Acqua Di Parma. They both share a lot of the same ingredients. Neither are for me. Enough said, time to wash up.

From the Ormonde Jayne website:

Tolu is a Peruvian tree resin.

Perfume treasure, this opulent velvety formulation with pure Tolu resin takes you on a sensual Oriental journey. Laced with golden frankincense and amber, the scent’s core is enveloped with a heady mix of orange blossom and clary sage, while intense citrus notes consolidate the harmony.

Top Notes: Juniper berry, orange blossom and clary sage
Heart Notes: Orchid, Moroccan rose and muguet
Base Notes: Tolu, tonka bean, golden frankincense and amber

Bone Rating: 2 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: Oriental Floral
Classification: Feminine or Unisex
Expense: Moderately Expensive – $126 for 50ml EDP

February 10, 2012
by The Scented Hound Leave a comment

Jaipur Homme by Boucheron

What I love about oriental scents is that they make you feel exotic and propel you to far away places (or what you imagine far away places are like). A continued standby for the past few years for me has been Jaipur Homme by Boucheron. This is a spicy scent… the cinnamon, clove and nutmeg really pop. There is no dry down, there is no change as the day goes on. It is a one level scent that so beautifully feels exotic. It’s light enough in the summer to wear; mixed with a little perspiration and you feel like your walking through the streets of India. But it’s also perfect as a winter scent, the spices comes alive and adds color to any gray, cold and damp day. Whenever I wear this, I feel elegant. This is not a young man’s cologne, and it is most suited for evening wear unless you work in a law office. Jaipur has wonderful sillage and is incredibly long lasting. This is a scent for the sophisticated man…the exotic man.

Notes:

Heliotrope, Bergamot, Amber, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Clove, Tonka Bean

Bone Rating: 5 out of 5 possible bones
Scent: oriental, spicy, exotic
Classification: Masculine
Expense: Moderate. Available in EDP and EDT

February 7, 2012
by The Scented Hound 3 Comments

1969 by Histoires de Parfums

Yesterday, I received a lovely package from Paris (who doesn’t love mail from Paris!!!), because I had ordered a sample pack from Histoires de Parfums comprised of 6 samples of my choice for $10. A great deal considering that you can $10 off your first order. So today, I tried my first of the six, 1969. From a smell of the vial, I was expecting something heavier and more musky. But when I first applied it, the peach exploded off my skin. I was scared, I’m not the type who wants to smell like an orchard. I always have to remember to give it time, great things come for those who wait… and indeed it did. Once it began to dry, it mellowed into a lovely, calm and lightly sweet musky scent. The name of this parfum is based on the year 1969, which the website says is an “erotic year” that represents the sexual revolution. Not quite sure if it represents that for me, but what I did find was a scent that falls outside my normal preferences. I am looking forward to sampling the other Histories samples soon!

From the Histoires de Parfums website:

Top Note: Fruit of the sun, Peach.
Heart Note: Rose, White Flowers, Cardamom, Clove
Base Note: Patchouli, Chocolate, Coffee, White Musk