Il Mondo di Odore

Tea, Green Apple, Bitter Orange, Musk, Moss, Cedar, Vetiver, Amber, Tonka Bean. I suppose what's most surprising to me about Chrome Legend is its presence and lasting power. Normally, this genre of fragrance doesn't last but a moderate amount of time on my skin. This however is of the stronger variety and that's an asset because Chrome Legend smells nice. What good does sillage and longevity afford oneself if the totality of the wear is indifference or unpleasant? As usually is the case, reviews already written run the gamut. My perception of Azzaro's creation is a scent that's slightly aromatic with accents of fruit, earth and woods, enveloped in an aquatic vibe. The renditions of Apple and Orange aren't the most realistic, but so what? They're enjoyable and smell more like peel than the pulp or flesh of either. For the price I paid for a bottle, it's a win-win situation. The overall aroma is an aquatic-aromatic that hints at fruit without being...

Bergamot, Verbena, Coriander, Sage, Cinnamon, Nutmeg, Saffron, Sandalwood, Cedar, Amber, Musk. The few reviews found on this particular release ( and I mean a FEW) didn't exactly inspire me to try this. What propelled me to purchase it was the whopping $7 NIB price tag for a 100ml. bottle. I own a few other Germain releases, and while not "go to" fragrances, they have relevance; especially for their price point. My initial reaction to applying Blue North PH was that it reminded me of the ever expanding Nautica line. I could hit you over the head with the worn out terms of "Innocuous and Generic". I'll refrain, in spite of them being appropriate. On the flip side of "Uninspiring" and even longevity-deficient, I actually enjoy the aroma of Blue North PH. Yes, the blending of notes is muddied, but I do experience ambiguous renditions of lemon-orange in the top. Also present is what I perceive as woods, subtle fruit and a low key aromatic quali...

Aldehydes, Bergamot, Green Notes. Orris Root, Jasmine, Muguet, Rose. Moss, Musk, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean, Vetiver. This particular aldehydic-floral took some getting used to on my part. Not that this is a precise comparison, but you know how we, as human beings, have to gaze upon a car wreck even though the images will be unpleasant? Aviance has that effect on me. I genuinely don't experience pleasantness, but I continue to sniff from either an instantaneous addiction or an unexplained need for pain. There's a waxiness to the combination of Aldehydes and Musk that's almost akin to a scent possessing high cholesterol. I know that sounds nuts and yet it's this, in combination with the "drugstore-cologne" vibe, that gives me a hard time. It's only after a few hours have elapsed that I begin to appreciate what it is I'm smelling. The "girth" has calmed down a few notches and soft, earth tones along with Lily and Jasmine come alive. The...

Iris, Jasmine, Amber, Crystal Musk, Sandalwood. I'm a fan of Keiko Mecheri's deft touch. That seems to be her signature and I deem her to be extremely talented. Her rendition of Musc has me undecided however and I've been in this state for quite some time. I own a bottle of this and while it possesses all the markers of subtlety and understated elegance, it lacks some important factors as well. I suppose that intangible quality that permits any fragrance to exist in the arena of interesting or even quirky is AWOL here. Perhaps bland would be a more appropriate description, yet Musc still has its redeeming qualities. It's low key and pleasant personality is just what the doctor ordered for some and simply not enough for others. Keiko Mecheri Musc opens with a genuinely transparent layer of Iris, Jasmine and Woods. The first few minutes of close-to-the-body sprays seems to work best on me. It surely has more heft applying it this way and those three players are ...

Tame Oud ... It has taken me a few wears to come to grips with Four. I loved it from the very first time I sprayed it, but it's not what one might expect from an Oud-centric house. This is something that I am going to enjoy wearing during the day in the tropics, where I work. The fresh, opening blast that Four presents is HEAVILY laced with an intense Peach note which worries me every time I spray it, considering that fruit in frags is not my favorite thing. Luckily, it doesn't stick around for long, morphing for some reason into a bubblegum like smell. When I was a kid I used to stuff my mouth with bubblegum called Whacky Wicks … this also short-lived phase of Four brings back fond memories of that … slightly minty, winter-greenish and pink!! Once the flowers take over, Four comes into its own and is a delight on the skin. This fragrance feels like a classic early 90's creation while remaining completely valid in the (not so) new millennium. Narcissus lovers ...

Lemon, Geranium, Saffron. Jasmine, Olibanum, Cumin. Vetiver, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Benzoin, Amber, Oud. My first wearing of Alyssa Ashley's Oud Pour Lui was not what I expected. Subsequent wearings produced the same result, however I'm more conducive to it after numerous applications. This isn't because there's anything off putting about the fragrance, nor is it because I find it inferior. It's due to the implementation of Incense and the tuning thereof. Oud Pour Lui is all about smoke and the resurgence of my Altar Boy memories at our local Catholic Church. I was expecting an Oud dominant scent and instead of Agarwood, Incense took the lead and never looked back. On my skin, I experience full-on Incense with the expected smokiness and woody undercurrent. Oud Pour Lui is also linear and only the lowering of volume and presence during the base and drydown does it reveal other facets. This isn't to say that Alyssa's interpretation is unsatisfactor...

Artemesia, Basil, Bergamot, Cumin, Juniper Berry, Rosemary. Carnation, Geranium, Jasmine, Pine Needles, Rose, Thyme. Amber, Cedar, Leather, Musk, Oak Moss, Patchouli. Approximately a quarter century ago, Polo Crest was released. Since then, there have been a few imitators good and not so good. Truth be told, others already blazed this trail before Lauren decided to try his hand at it. The Artemesia, Juniper, Carnation and Pine remind us of certain releases going back at least 15 years. This combination of implemented notes cannot avoid conjuring up others that are in this genre. That said, how does Polo Crest stack up or even better, stand on its own?  Comparisons aside, Crest is classically constructed that gives heed to a time before its own. Dated? I suppose some would and could think so, however it has stood the test of time and definitely has its fans. I would be one of them. Crest affords a mature wear for sure, but one has to remember that during its release, young...