parfum | The Scented Hound

September 24, 2015
by The Scented Hound 2 Comments

Madame de Pompadour by Maison Nicolas de Barry

WHAT I SMELL: Madame de Pompadour opens with a green bouquet of big florals dominated by a warm and slightly mentholated tuberose. As big as the combination of florals is, the perfume feels light and airy and as if sunlit through and an elegantly draped window. The perfume is warm and inviting, mature but yet still carefree like it’s full of laughter. After around 10 minutes the perfume begins to become more powdery and dry. But thankfully, this does not dilute the florals, but instead brings forth a more sweetened and condensed bouquet where the iris starts to come towards the front. Here, the perfume becomes more delicate and more ladylike. But as soon as I say that, a warm amber begins to sit at the base which really makes the perfume project. Madame de Pompadour has an aura of grace and femininity combined with a substantial confidence. In the end the perfume softens becomes a powder puff of florals…only to move into a rather hefty soapiness.

From the Maison Nicolas de Barry website:

The iris flower dominates the head and bouquet brings together the favorite flowers of the Marquise: rose, jasmine, gardenia, violet, hyacinth, daffodil, carnation and tuberose. The iris and amber persistent nature give more elegance to this powdered mix. The iris flower dominates the top notes and the bouquet is a collection of the favorite flowers of the Marquees: roses, jasmine, gardenia, violet , hyacinth, daffodil and tuberous. Iris and amber in wide quantities to give this bouquet has more powdered elegance.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: The beautiful Madame de Pompadour matches perfectly with the fragrance whom it is named for.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE MADAME de POMPADOUR: graceful, classic, refined

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MADAME de POMPADOUR: Parfumistans Blogg, CaFleureBon

BOTTOM LINE: Oh my, Madame de Pompadour had me in her spell until the final drydown when the soap appeared. She is a beauty for sure, but if you have any aversion to soap in your perfume, you may want to stay away.

Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral Woody Musk
Noses: Nicolas de Barry and Eddy Blanchet
Classification: Feminine
Expense: $149 Euros for 100 ml Eau de Parfum

September 21, 2015
by The Scented Hound 7 Comments

Marlowe by Jardins d’Ecrivains

WHAT I SMELL: Marlowe opens with an almost stinging tuberose note that quickly turns to a big and bursting soured floral. I can’t say that it’s pretty, but it’s intriguing in that it feels like there’s some measure of decay involved. In a few minutes, the perfume starts to powder and blend with a dried osmanthus. Soon, all of the moisture is sucked out of the perfume making it incredibly dry. Past this point, and for the first few hours, the perfume radiates substantial layers of powdered florals that seem broken down and aged.

From the Jardins d’Ecrivains website:

This scent is dense, heady, feral, and theatrical. The top notes feature the poisonous nectar of the tuberose blended with opulent osmanthus. The middle notes of dried flowers evoke tragic poetry. Hints of powdered leather with chypre make up the base notes.

Bilbo Baggins, Alexandria, VA

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Bilbo Baggins restaurant, Alexandria, Virginia. OK, let me explain…Bilbo Baggins is a restaurant in the town where I live. The interior of the restaurant feels like it has not been updated or cleaned since 1975. It’s dusty, tired and someplace I will not return to if I can help it.

THREE ADJECTIVES THAT DESCRIBE MARLOWE: labored, tired, burdensome

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT MARLOWE: Kafkaesque, The Non-Blonde, Colognoisseur

BOTTOM LINE: Marlowe is a complete miss for me. There’s something about the tired and powdered florals that just weighs it down, like a forgotten sachet in the back of your mother’s “delicates” drawer. Only hours into the wear does it soften to a point of actually being amenable.

Bone Rating: 2 out of possible 5 bones
Scent: Floral
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $110 for 100 ml Eau de Parfum

September 9, 2015
by The Scented Hound 8 Comments

Solid State Cologne by Solid State

Why should women have all the fun with being able to refresh their fragrance throughout the day with a perfume lift? Of course most men don’t carry purses or bags, so this new line of solid perfumes from Solid State is just the answer to what us gentlemen need for all day perfumed freshness. Solid State, a new venture from Australia, kicked off their line with three different offerings just for men. Each is unique, but all are compact in size and perfect for carrying around in your pocket.

VOYAGER

WHAT I SMELL: Voyager is radiant. The combination of the rose and the leather provides this sweetened tinge to a dried and smokey and incensed boot leather. It’s masculinity with a measure of mystery due to the rose. And the projection is incredible; as it warms on your skin, the perfume really illuminates. A little gloss of Voyager goes a long way so use sparingly. Voyager rates 3.5 bones.

Voyager notes: leather, rose, white musk

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A sexy cowboy.

JOURNEYMAN

WHAT I SMELL: Journeyman is quiet. The perfume is light, soft and subdued and is very much a skin scent. This perfume would be perfect for hot summer days when you want to feel fresh and breezy. There’s an ease and warmed salty crispness that makes Journeyman an easy wear. Journeyman rates 3 bones.

Journeyman notes: warm, cedar, vetiver

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: A warm summer day on a breezy ocean coast.

WAYFARER

WHAT I SMELL: Wayfarer is spicy. The perfume feels as if there’s a top layer of chili peppers on top of a base of tobacco. There’s a bit of sharpness which seems to stem from an unrefined vanilla. Journeyman, like Voyager projects rather large and as it wears and melds with the warmth of your skin, the spiced vanilla really comes front and center. Wayfarer rates 3 bones.

Wayfarer notes: spicy tobacco, vanilla, cacao

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: An ivy league college football day tailgate.

BOTTOM LINE: Solid State Colognes are a no brainer. They smell great, are affordable, easy to carry in your pocket and easy to use. I can’t wait for my next trip…now the question is, which one to take?!

You can purchase Solid State Colognes via the Solid State website for $24 each or $62 for all 3.