Skip to main content

Voyage En Mediterranee Labdanum De Seville

Image
By
Hhhmmmm......Labdanum......one of my favorite notes. Of course, that's contingent on how and to what degree it's implemented.

L'Occitane released this in an EDP version and to my knowledge, the EDP is what I received in a generous gesture from a basenoter by the name of arwen_elf.

Voyage En Mediterranee opens its uncomplicated accords with a spicy citrus. This doesn't possess the depth of most EDP formulations I'm accustomed to, but I believe the objective of this scent was to keep it buoyant. It falls in between light and heavy....and from the birth of it on skin, one can tell this is a shared scent regardless of marketing strategies.

In 5 minutes or less, the amberish labdanum, spiced up from the initial accord, makes its appearance. This is the entire heart accord....labdanum and only labdanum. This note isn't sweet and to me is borderline dry with a slight resin quality to it. The volume is very respectable and unobtrusive. I find the opening and heart a pleasant scent since I like amber and spice. This isn't dense like others of this ilk and has a breathe-ability that makes it versatile for climate or occasion.

The base accord is as simple and straightforward as its predecessors. Benzoin and vanilla patiently wait their turn and do it in a subtle and unassuming fashion. It's a soft and comforting drydown and remains understated. No dramatic transitions here folks. Linear? Yes......I'd say so, but the simplicity gives this scent a comfortable symmetry. The fragrance world ( like our own) needs all kinds of diversity....or else what's the point? Variance is born from diversity.....and it's a good thing.

All things being equal, Voyage En Mediterranee Labdanum is a very nice and casual wear for those who have a proclivity for spice and amber type fragrances. Don't expect the earth to move or otherworldly sillage and projection. That's not the skill set here. Comfort and a pleasant wear is the name of the game. I like it and allow me to again thank Adriana for her generosity.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Oriental Lounge by The Different Company

By
Bergamot, Curry Leaf, Pepper, Red Rose, Tonka Bean, Labdanum, Satinwood. I suppose the first thing I noticed about Oriental Lounge is that as a man, this is a bit of a stretch to pull off. Since the core of Oriental Lounge is a powdery tonka and amber duo, it really does lean a bit too far feminine for me to wear. However, it would smell just as lovely on a woman and more appropriate as well. I bring this up simply because it's marketed as shared. I was wondering about the curry leaf. Actually, this "note" brought nothing to the table with the exception of possibly enhancing the pepper note just a bit. Even so, the pepper note itself was low key ( at least on me ) and both blended nicely with the citrus opening. From the onset of Oriental Lounge, it's unmistakable that this fragrance is.......well.....an oriental. From other opinions, I read some gripes about longevity, but it lasts on me quite awhile. This fragrance is uncomplicated and without much movemen...
4 comments
Read more

Black Suede by Avon

By
Nutmeg, Clove, Amber, Musk, Moss, Wood Notes. Yes.........I am reviewing one of the Rodney Dangerfield's of fragrance. Black Suede has been gracing medicine cabinets, for better or worse, since 1980 my friends. If you're expecting me to inform you ( like others may have already ) that Black Suede is a nasty scrubber, you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're expecting a glowing review claiming it's a diamond in the rough, you won't hear that from me either. I will say though that Black Suede doesn't deserve the hate it's received and most of that is due to snobbery aimed at Avon products in general. I kid you not when I state that a close relative to this fragrance is Cacharel Pour L'Homme. The array of spice in both ensure comparison, but the "smoother" of the two is Black Suede due to its implementation of Amber. While wearing Black Suede, one can detect a hint of "drugstore". That quality doesn't manife...
1 comment
Read more

Paco Rabanne Pour Homme

By
I am reviewing the original Paco Rabanne Pour Homme ( circa 1973 ) thanks to a generous basenoter who sent it to me recently in a swap. He also sent me the current formulation in order for me to do a side by side comparison. The side by side resulted in what I had already imagined would be the case. Not that the newer formula is terrible by any means. The original version simply is better by being deeper and a bit more masculine. No......you shouldn't go to ebay searching for the vintage formula and paying stupid prices. It's simply a notch or two better than the current and noticeable by comparing the two in real time. Rabanne Pour Homme opens with a slight shimmer in conjunction with lavender, spices and a subtle woodiness. It's an old school introduction, however a good one. The lavender takes about 5 minutes to raise its volume and evolve into a soapy rendition. I dislike when a boatload of soapy lavender takes over a composition, but here it doesn't go over t...
2 comments
Read more