A couple of weeks ago, Freddie author of the smellythoughts blog, tricked his readers with a review on a new perfume May Lily.  As it turns out, this was Freddie’s first foray into creating a scent.  Creating that perfect scent is something that no doubt, all perfume lovers dream about and I believe that he was extremely tickled to have the opportunity to actually try.  You can read all about May Lily by clicking here.

After reading his review, I said I would love to sample his new fragrance and to give it a review of my own.  Freddie kindly offered to send me a sample of May Lily and forwarded a batch of other scents as well.  There was only one problem, when the package arrived, all of the writing on the labels had faded and as a green pen was used, all that was left was green & yellow undecipherable smudge.  So Freddie told me what he sent and I am seeing if my nose can differentiate the different scents.  So hold on, I hope that I am giving the proper quick reviews for these fragrances.

May Lily by Freddie – May Lily starts off with a floral sweetness.  There is a nice, soft and sweet innocence about the opening.  But given a short amount of time, May Lily turns a bit more subdued, I smell ever so much of a hint of leather and what I almost characterize as a baby powder kind of smell, but without the powder aspect.  There is something strangely familiar with the mid notes, maybe its the lily, but it doesn’t seem like lily to me.  And as time goes on, there is a bit of a burnt smell that lightly creeps out.  Kudos, to Freddie for this first attempt, there is nothing linear with May Lily and that’s part of the excitement to watch the scent change and morph!  And this is clearly a unisex scent that could work for anybody. Bone Rating of 4 Bones out of 5.

Aoud Lime by Montale – I made the mistake of opening up the Aoud Lime by Montale and applying that first.  Unfortunately, once you get a whiff of this scent it holds your nostrils hostage and you can’t smell anything else.  Aoud Lime holds nothing back, it’s loud and sharp in almost a plastic beefy sense.  I smell some rose and saffron, but am not really getting the lime.  I’m not a huge Montale’s fan and this scent hasn’t change my mind.  Bone Rating of 3 Bones out of 5.

Commando by Smell Bent – If you read the review by Freddie on Commando, you’ll find that he is in love with this scent. To me however, Commando smells like a dirty jockstrap. Commando is a mix of sweat, musk and other fecal and noxious ingredients.  I have said enough.  Sorry Freddie. Bone Rating of 1 Bone out of 5.

Avignon by Comme Des Garcons – Avignon reminds me of summers at my cousin’s farm.  There is something very familiar with this scent. Old wooden floorboards, mixed with dust.  Burnt wood and ageless use of an old building.  Avignon’s incense and dryness make for an unusual scent.  It is a scent that I would have a hard time finding the right time and place to wear it.  And I typically like scents that make me feel warm and happy.  There is something very remote about this scent.  Avignon is a scent that wears you, not the other way around.  Incredibly interesting… probably more suited for the Goth in your life.  Bone Rating of 3 Bones out of 5.

Freddie sent some other samples to me, but at this time, by nose is tuckered out from identifying and testing these different scents in one setting.  More to come with the others!