The Scented Hound

Perfume blog with abbreviated perfume reviews & fragrance reviews.


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Zoologist Cockatiel

WHAT I SMELL:  Cockatiel opens with a combination of muted fruit and tangy champagne which quickly moves to a warmed powder.  It’s lightly sweet and lightly candied as if it was concocted from an old confectioner of years past that can now only be found in tourist centric candy stores in mid-America.  As Cockatiel flaps its wings, an undercurrent of musk pushes out from the center to the bottom of the perfume.  It has a bit of a dull feel accentuated by a woody vanilla.  Here, the perfume smells a bit like wet socks that have been sprinkled with powder.  But that quickly dissipates and turns wholly to a soured spicy powder.  Cockatiel is different, but I’m not sure if different in this case is a good thing.

From the Zoologist Perfumes website:

Australian spring arrives, bearing dazzling frocks of yellow blossoms to dress the bare golden wattle trees. Clouds of sweet honeyed fragrance, caught upon the breeze, carry an invitation inland, where a flock of cockatiels happily take up the celebration. Emerging from dusty nests, the birds are ready to preen and prance. On a wobbly stage of branches, vivid crests bop to the rhythm of their joyous songs. After a final encore, the flock takes flight. Alighting in a nearby field they share a delightful brunch, buzzing with the thrill of their stunning recital.

Zoologist Cockatiel exudes joy. A sunny burst of yellow acacia offers a friendly welcome. Dots of raspberry and tart rhubarb suggest a hint of mischief, like a pair of rosy cheeks beneath a golden plume. Finally, soft notes of musk and vanilla enfold the vibrant Cockatiel, like downy feathers cushioning the brashness of this cheeky bird.

Top Notes: Champagne, Raspberry, Rhubarb
Heart Notes: Acacia, Powdery Notes, Cashmeran
Base Notes: Guaiac, Patchouli, Vanilla, Musk

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  Ye Olde Candy Shoppe.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE COCKATIEL:  soured, confectionary, muted

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

BOTTOM LINE:  Cockatiel is an interesting perfume in that the first half of its development it does provide the wearer with this mix of muted sugar and powder that gives the feeling of a bird flapping its wings.  However, the drydown becomes flat, somewhat sour and a little dull.

  • Bone Rating: 3 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Floral Woody Musk
  • Nose: Sven Pritzkoleit
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense:  $175 for 60 ml eau de parfum.  Also available in 10 ml travel spray.


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Zoologist Snowy Owl

WHAT I SMELL:  Snowy Owl opens with bright reflective aldehydic snow and the smell of freshly turned earth.  Quickly, it begins to move to the cool and fresh along with a cottony finish that feels light and fluffy.  There’s a wonderfully light herbal hint of mint, but its portrayal is much more attuned to the smell of warmed faux fur that lines the inside of worn leather gloves.  As the perfume continues to develop, light and soft florals seem to pop out from the snow and once again the smell of moist earth begins to emerge as if the frozen ground has melted to reveal some hints of spring.  The perfume at this point is soft and inviting and quite powdery and it feels as if it has been lightly applied to the skin with the softest makeup brush.  As Snowy Owl continues to develop, it begins to strengthen just a bit and the light florals make way for a radiating amber tinged woodiness.  In the end, the perfume feels as if it is full of contained energy that’s held secure within a cocooned wrap of musk.

From the Zoologist Perfumes website:

A thick carpet of silver envelops the landscape, untouched but for the dazzling reflection of the sun. Snow stretches as far as the eye can see, while a bitter wind rolls silently across the sky, its hush barely broken by the powerful beat of an ivory wing. Despite the stillness of the arctic, the snowy owl senses a flutter beneath the icy crust far below. Through snowy tunnels voles scamper, oblivious to their fate. A warm glow stirs within the breast of the majestic bird as it dives, confident in its mastery over the frigid kingdom.

Zoologist Snowy Owl glides on with a minty opening, while the gentle warmth of musk combines with beautiful hints of snowdrops, lily of the valley and iris. Sweet coconut and woody vanilla swoop in to surprise and entice. Snowy Owl merges cool vitality with exquisite softness in a captivating scent, ideal for those who aren’t afraid to take what they desire.

Top Notes: Snow Accord, Lily of the Valley, Mint, Coconut
Heart Notes: Iris, Snowdrop, White Rose, Mate, Frankincense, Galbanum
Base Notes: Ambrette, Cedar, Civet, Musk, Oakmoss, Tonka, Vanilla

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:  I can’t argue with the fact that this perfume captures the spirit of the snowy owl and it’s winter environment.  But what I can add is that it’s a very well dressed snowy owl at that.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE SNOWY OWL:  soft, enticing, engaging

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT SNOWY OWL:  Now Smell This, The Sniff, Colognoisseur

BOTTOM LINE:  The first half of the development of Snowy Owl is wonderfully delightful and you can feel the cool air of the snowy landscape swirl around you as you wear it.  I just wish it would have remained in the soft and pretty for a greater amount of time.  Maybe like snow, all it requires is an occasional dusting to keep it in the “pretty” realm?

  • Bone Rating: 3.5 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Floral
  • Nose:  Dawn Spencer Hurwitz
  • Classification:  Unisex
  • Expense:  $165 for 60 ml parfum extrait.  Also available in 10 ml travel spray.

 


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New Release: Zoologist Chameleon

WHAT I SMELL:  Chameleon unfolds on first spritz all soft and warm with delicious, bergamot, edible fruits and ylang ylang.  Surprisingly it’s not too juicy or really sweet…instead it’s just so very inviting.  In fact, it feels as if you’re walking down the street and you catch a whiff of a fragrant tree whose rapturous scent grabs your attention with its intoxicating spell.  After a short while, the perfume delivers a creamy accord of frangipani that really begins to radiate off the skin.  Underneath it floats a layer of sandalwood in the same vein of Guerlain’s Samsara (and that’s a good thing).  After some more time, a light chalkiness enters which soon begins to powder slightly after which the creaminess returns which a small dose of sweet.  The perfume then quiets to the perfect stage of just the right amount of creamy, sweet and floral.  Chameleon is everything tropical, but instead of overpowering the wearer with heavy handed florals, instead you seem to float in sun drenched flowers dancing in a sun-kissed breeze.

From the Zoologist Perfumes website:

Madagascar, home to half of the world’s species of chameleons, holds the key to Zoologist Chameleon. Like the kaleidoscope of hues that swirl within the flesh of these exotic creatures, ylang dances with delicate frangipani upon your skin in a melody of creamy florals, while aphrodisiac vanilla blends with salty, silky musks to envelop you in the fruity, exotic atmosphere of the island. Whether you desire to shroud yourself in an air of mystery, or blatantly flaunt your true colours, Chameleon becomes you.

Top Notes:  Bergamot, Lemon, Madagascar Ylang Ylang, Mango, Pink Pepper, Star Fruit, Violet Leaves
Heart Notes:  Cashmeran, Clove, Coconut, Frangipani, Jasmine, Saffron, Salty Skin Accord, Sea Breeze
Base Notes:  Amber, Woods, Musks, Opoponax, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Vetiver

WHAT IT SMELLS LIKE TO ME:   Vintage tropical florals.

THREE WORDS THAT DESCRIBE CHAMELEON:  colorful, calming, sunny

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING ABOUT CHAMELEON:  Ventvenir, Colognoisseur, Nose Dives

BOTTOM LINE:  This is my kind of tropical perfume.  It all about being “not too.”  That means it’s balanced perfectly and it’s perfectly modern with a vintage bend.  Chameleon is summer fun….but of course, “not too” much fun!

  • Bone Rating: 4 out of possible 5 bones
  • Scent: Oriental Floral
  • Nose:  Daniel Pescio
  • Classification: Unisex
  • Expense:  $145 for 60 ml eau de parfum

Sample courtesy of Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.