The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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RudRoss Proud

WHAT I SMELL:  Proud opens with a puddy like melon and a blunt and flattened pear note that quickly moves to a dusty musk.  This is a strange opening that feels as if it was born in the future.  And what i mean by that is that it feels incredibly modern as if it was conceived through a laboratory.  After a bit, a floral note begins to break out from underneath the plastic clapboard and it helps to soften the base which has moved towards a woody note. After some more time, a softened vanilla makes it’s way in to help sweeten the now lovely perfume.  There’s a bit of mystery that seems to be intertwined within the notes of the perfume, like a light incense which gives the perfume a wonderful depth.  Here, the perfume begins to grow, project and warm in the most energetic way.  In the end, Proud is a floral fragrance that is big, bold and different from what you think of floral perfumes.  The warmed ambered base is like a springboard for the deep and heady florals to project off the skin and it works beautifully.

From the RudRoss website:

Conquering new heights, claiming first places, and simply training will be easier with this fragrance. Our fragrance, like the sport of running, is for active and hardworking individuals.

What is it like? Rich, sensual, invigorating. It feels like being transported into space with its sharp transformations. The sweet and spicy elements of the fragrance will keep you energized for a long time. It won’t let you relax, but instead will charge you with its energy and audacity. You will achieve success! Conquer pedestals with this fragrance!

Head notes
Citrus, Melon, Pear

Heart notes
Lily of the Valley, White Musk, Tonka Bean

Base notes
Amber, Saffron, White Powder, Vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Flower power.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE PROUD:  bold, modern, striking

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT PROUD:  No written reviews found.

BOTTOM LINE:  Proud is shape shifting unique perfume that takes the wearer on a wild ride and in the end it makes for a beautiful, but bold wear.  When I say bold wear, that means that a little goes a long way so be sure to spritz lightly.  But that said, I find that Proud is almost like a mood ring and seems to change with the weather and with your state of mind.  At times the perfume seems a bit more subdued and at other times it’s full on blossom.  This is my first foray into RudRoss Perfumes and I have to say I am pleasantly surprised.

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent:  Oriental Floral
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense:  $150 for 95 ml eau de parfum

Sample courtesy of RudRoss.  Opinion my own.


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Altaia Atacama

WHAT I SMELL:  Atacama opens with warmed saline infused earth that feels unmeasured in its vastness.  It’s serene right from the beginning with just the perfect mix of dew and salt.  Slowly, a mix of florals enters to add an additional measure of softness along with just a hint of caramel buttered creaminess.  The perfume retains its salt of the earth feel as it begins to grow with an woodiness that can only be described as remnants left by a hard rain on the ocean mixed with the driftwood that has been swept up on the shore surrounded by flowers glistening in the sun.  In the end, Atacama is soft and beautiful lightly salty and sweetened uniquely personal perfume.

From the Atlaia website:

True love waits: in South America lies Atacama, the highest desert on earth, a majestic extension of salt and sands which changes colour according to the seasons. Rain is scarce but it just takes a few drops to awaken the seeds which abide underground and turn it pink with flowers. A beautiful metaphor for Love patiently awaiting the kiss that kindles it.

Notes:  Salt Grains, Freesia, Jasmine, Clary Sage, Tonka Bean, Cashmere Wood

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Sun kissed pink salty sand that’s been touched by the rain.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE ATACAMA:  fresh, personal, infinite

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT ATACAMA:  Colognoisseur

BOTTOM LINE:  Atacama is a hard perfume for me to put into words.  It changes and morphs depending on the heat and humidity of the day.  At times it gravitates towards the sea and the salt and at other times is moves towards the light florals.  But in any shape or form, Atacama is a beautifully executed perfume that is easy to wear.  And as an added bonus, the bottle and packaging are gorgeous.

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Nose: Fabrice Pellegrin
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense:  $230 for 100 ml eau de parfum at Beautyhabit.

Sample provided by Beautyhabit.


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Xerjoff Warda Al Oud

WHAT I SMELL:  Warda Al Oud opens with a thick and heady osmanthus that feels as if it’s dripping off the skin.  It’s big, bold, rich and completely overwhelming but in the best possible way.  While the main star is the osmanthus, jasmine begins its ascent to the osmanthus mountain by adding hints of the light and bright.  After a bit, a buttery note makes its way in making it feel more like a lotion than a perfume.  I don’t want to call it pretty at this point, instead it’s beautiful in a seductively exotic, erotic and carnal way.  Here the perfume resides for quite some time, it’s rounded and voluptuous and it’s hard to believe that there’s any oud in it because it’s so smooth and just slightly earthy.  As the perfume slowly continues to develop, the jasmine and a slightly soapy metallic rose dance intertwined in a lilting manner off of the skin.  In the end, Warda Al Oud exquisitely embraces the wearer and anyone lucky enough to be near them.

From the Xerjoff website:

Warda al Oud opens with pungent osmanthus and seductive jasmine. Hints of Cambodian oud and tobacco notes are married to bitter roses and establish their auburn scent reign.

Warda al Oud is an attar composition of condensed metallic rose embracing the smoky oud and musk which intensifies the incense.

OLFACTORY NOTES

    • Bergamot
    • Osmanthus, Jasmine, Bulgarian & Damascus Rose
    • Vanilla, Cambodian Oud, Amber & Musk

Actress Peggy Drake, 1941.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Seduction.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE WARDA AL OUDthickened, creamy, rapturous

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT WARDA AL OUD:  Scented Intuitions

BOTTOM LINE:  It is very rare for me to make a blind buy anymore.  But this offering was on sale and combined with a very generous coupon allowed for this beauty to end up in my collection.  I was a bit worried that with “oud” in the name the perfume would be too heavy, but Cambodian Oud is much softer and that’s very true in this case.  Warda Al Oud is so wonderfully beautiful and it blooms off the skin in the hot environment that I live in without becoming cloying and heavy.  But what I love most about this perfume is that it stays with you in a very quiet manner throughout the day and into the evening…and even the next morning.  Actually, it’s like a haunting tune that you can’t get out of your head.

  • Bone Rating:  4.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent:  Amber
  • Nose:  Chris Maurice
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense: $225 for 10 ml attar