unisex | The Scented Hound

November 7, 2016
by The Scented Hound 6 Comments

Gothic Angel by O’Driu

WHAT I SMELL: Gothic Angel opens like an angel with a fleeting mimosa riding on a soft bed of lavender in a manner that’s ever so subtle and contained. Quickly, the perfume begins to move towards the medicinal with a semi Band-Aid smell which makes the perfume feel a bit antiseptic. However, that Band-Aid smell is rather comforting…at least to me. After a bit more, a light wood covered in incense begins to appear. Again, the perfume is very subtle, the kind of perfume in which you smell something, but you’re not sure where it’s coming from. As the perfume continues to develop, a sweetened floral appears that’s enclosed in decay. At this point the perfume feels old, like a building that’s been sitting untouched for years. That’s not a bad thing, as it feels like it contains a story that’s been long forgotten. As Gothic Angel continues it drydown, there’s a subtle oil or petroleum edge that appears which adds to the decay. After some length of time, the decay makes way for a brighter and lighter component as the perfume begins to dry and powder which makes the perfume comforting. In the end, Gothic Angel becomes a complete angel as it becomes a soft floral and musk perfume set on top of an understated sandalwood and incense.

The fragrance features mimosa, ylang-ylang, jasmine, violet, rose, lavender, wormwood, sandalwood, musk, incense, olibanum, tobacco, grapefruit, cassis, amber and vanilla.

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: An apparition.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE GOTHIC ANGEL: storied, obscure, mystical

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT GOTHIC ANGEL: None to be found.

BOTTOM LINE: Gothic Angel is my introduction into the O’Driu perfume line. Unlike the well-known Peety, this perfume, released earlier this year, is a bit unknown, but is an interesting step into the collection. I’m looking forward to testing more from the quirky perfume house which I have no doubt will take me on an interesting ride.

Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
Scent Oriental
Nose: Angelo Orazio Pregoni
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $165 for 50 ml eau de parfum

Sample provided by O’Driu. Opinion my own.

October 31, 2016
by The Scented Hound 25 Comments

New Release: Jul et Mad Secrets du Paradis Rouge

WHAT I SMELL: Intoxicating is what the opening of Secrets du Paradis Rouge is as it’s sweet and lush with this incredible honeyed rich orange. It’s also waxy and thick, incredibly gourmand and head spinning pretty. The thickened orange like a sheen of wax paper feels like it’s covering the skin like a sheath. After a little while, the perfume begins to warm ever so slightly with an almond hue. The scent is delightful but at the same time has a very comforting and reassuring edge that makes you feel that all is right with the world. A lovely understated musk enters and the waxy begins to dry. The orange blossom sweetness makes way for a sweetened woody patchouli and vanilla. All combined, the experience is opulent and grand. The perfume dances between the orange and the amber with a radiance that burns brightly. This is a perfume that cannot help but be noticed, but it does so in the most benevolent manner. As the perfume continues it’s journey, the musk becomes more prominent, but still warmed by the benzoin and amber the fragrance continues to radiate a warmth and glow that makes this shimmer on into the night.

From the Jul et Mad website:

A timeless ode to the Orange Blossom, opening on a note of Neroli Absolut and sublimed by the freshness of the orange peel and the Davana essence. Scents of almond, honey and rose accompany us through the mysterious streets in the heart of the Medina.

The gates of a Secret Paradise open suddenly, unveiling a majestic Orange Blossom that blends perfectly with sensual notes of vanilla and Tonka beans; the whole, sustained by a perfectly balanced accord of benzoin, amber and musk.

Head : Orange, Mandarin, Davana, Neroli Marocco, Cloves
Heart: Orange Blossom Absolut, Damascus Rose, Bees Wax, Almond
Bottom: Patchouli, Timbersilk, Tonka Beans, Vanila, Benzoin, Amber, Musk

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: 18th century French court.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE SECRETS DU PARADIS ROUGE: grand, gracious, sublime

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SECRETS DU PARADIS ROUGE: Persefume

BOTTOM LINE: OK, I know that the inspiration of the perfume is the beauty of Marrekesh, but to me, it’s full on French court. The perfume is elegant, big and a bit over the top at the beginning, but in all parts, it’s just perfect. I would have to say that Secrets du Paradis Rouge is one of my favorite releases of the year!

Bone Rating: 4.5 out of possible 5 bones
Scent Floral
Nose: Luca Maffei
Classification: Unisex
Expense: $175 for 50 ml parfum extrait

Sample provided by Jul et Mad. Opinion my own.

October 24, 2016
by The Scented Hound 38 Comments

New Release: Puredistance Sheiduna

WHAT I SMELL: Welcome to the bazaar…Sheiduna’s opening is full of light and glistening peppery citrus and fruits that feel as if they were dried on top of a warm, sun-kissed sand. The perfume is dry, but it has an undertone of a rounded vetiver that sails along the top of an ambered plane tinged with the most beautiful incense. The dried fruits, along with the spice and the warmed florals feel like an invitation to an exotic table set in a tent in the middle of the desert welcoming guests in from a long, hot journey. As the perfume develops, the citrus and fruit begin to make way for a more linear vanilla infused base. The perfume feels very stratified with hidden layers of amber, vetiver, vanilla and myrrh…each feeling separate from each other, but each riding along this magic carpet that glides so effortlessly above the warmed sand dunes which are now becoming cooler as the hot daytime sun is beginning to set. The sweetened patchouli and vanilla really come to the forefront as the perfume cools and becomes more comforting and cocooning. Sheiduna never forces herself on you, but carries you along with mystical enchantment.

From the Puredistance website:

SHEIDUNA is a rich and intense Perfume inspired by the panoramic views and feel of golden sand dunes in the desert during sunset – soft, female curves changing from deep gold to warm, orangey red – embodying a promise of sensual comfort and silent seduction.

Wearing SHEIDUNA, one wafts sensuality, and intense colour waves of Persian rugs touch the senses. The perfect marriage between Sensuality and Style.

Sheiduna notes: Lemon, tangerine, blackcurrant, aldehydes, Bulgarian rose essence, geranium, clove, vetyver, patchouly, amber woody, incense, benzoin, myrrh, tonka bean, vanilla pods and musks.

Rudolph Valentino as The Sheik

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME: Rudolph Valentino as The Sheik…mysterious, seductive and so very smooth.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE SHEIDUNA: tempting, mysterious, alluring

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SHEIDUNA: Bonkers About Perfume, Parfuminstans blogg, Suzanne’s Perfume Journal

BOTTOM LINE: Sheiduna in all of its oriential splendor is a wonderful departure for Puredistance who has some of the most exquisite florals in their line. Sheiduna is the perfect antidote for the pending cooler months as its desert warmth will keep you surrounded by its exotic and comforting mysticism.

Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
Scent Oriental Spicy
Nose: Cécile Zarokian
Classification: Unisex
Expense: 175 Euros for 17.5 ml parfum extrait from the Puredistance website. 60 and 100 ml sizes are also available. And through November 30th, if you purchase a 17.5 ml bottle of Sheiduna you’ll also receive a 5 ml refillable travel spray as well!

DRAW: Puredistance is offering 3 readers of The Scented Hound a 2 ml sample of this exquisite oriental parfum extrait. The draw is open to all parties around the globe. All you have to do to enter is to:

Leave a comment below why you are excited to experience Sheiduna or what your favorite Puredistance perfume is, and
Be a current or new subscriber to the The Scented Hound, and
“Like” the Puredistance Facebook page

The draw is open until midnight, November 3, 2016, EST. Winners will be chosen via random.org and will be announced on this website.

Sample of Sheiduna provided by Puredistance. Opinions my own.