Farneon

It took me a few years before I dared to try "Pegasus | Parfums de Marly". According to the classification here, I always thought that it wasn't for me because it was too sweet, too creamy, too gourmand, too "ladylike" (white bottle). Although I might have liked it less a few years ago, but I'm only guessing because I'm now bored by most of my former favorites in the standard blue bottles

But the best thing is always when you're not only pleasantly surprised, but when it even elicits a loud "WOW". That's what happened to me and Pegasus a few weeks ago. I practically saddled up the winged horse straight away and set off on an olfactory flight of fancy. Of course, "Pegasus | Parfums de Marly" has a certain basic sweetness, which I can expect from a Marly fragrance (exceptions prove the rule). A pleasant, slightly balsamic creaminess is always welcome anyway.

But that's not what makes this fragrance so special, so incomparable. What is so often described here as "metallic almond" is unfortunately something I can't put into words any better. In any case, it gives the fragrance a pithiness and freshness in my nose that I have never smelled before in this form. The fact that it doesn't degenerate too much into extremes is certainly thanks to the finely balanced lavender, bergamot, jasmine and amber notes, which are more than just accessories here.

Of course, I can understand that as soon as a fragrance is so unique, it also polarizes. However, I only like it and I very much welcome the fact that "Pegasus | Parfums de Marly" is a little less loud and much more linear compared to its "colleague" "Layton | Parfums de Marly" (which I also like very much). In other words: If you like the top note, you will also be more than satisfied with the drydown, which is a little more creamy, as is the case with "Allure Homme Édition Blanche (Eau de Parfum) | Chanel", for example.

But what do I do with the term "metallic"? Of all the fragrance types available here, "fresh" is probably the closest match. In a figurative sense, "metallic" naturally stands for shiny, strong and modern. Be that as it may, to my nose, "Pegasus | Parfums de Marly" is a big hit that suits every season and many occasions. If there is such a thing as "cuddly freedom", this fragrance embodies it for me.

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H/S = Marly-typically very good

Yes, the shape of the bottle is reminiscent of "Spicebomb Extreme | Viktor & Rolf", but primarily we're supposed to be dealing with a clone of "Noir Extreme (Eau de Parfum) | Tom Ford". I even have a mini-bottle of the latter, so I can compare the two quite well.

I'll go into a little more detail beforehand: I have a problem with most Tom Ford creations apart from the price, namely that they only appeal to me in exceptional cases. I actually like "Noir Extreme (Eau de Parfum) | Tom Ford" the best, even though I'm not a fan of overly sweet and gourmand fragrances. The name doesn't really fit at all, because "black" and "extreme" really mean something else to me. How do the marketing people come up with such ideas so often?

Anyway, the fragrance test: I spray one paper with "Noir Extreme (Eau de Parfum) | Tom Ford" and another with "Odyssey Homme | Armaf" and lo and behold, I can tell clear differences, although I think both fragrances smell good and are in the same vein. Warm and sweetish, but nicely cushioned by spicy and fresh-creamy nuances. I like that and it's so skillfully balanced that I wouldn't say it's clearly an autumn/winter fragrance here or there. Because the sweetness doesn't overwhelm me and there's a kind of playful lightness that comes across even more strongly in "Odyssey Homme | Armaf".

I spray both fragrances on my skin and, lo and behold, I hardly notice any difference. But this is about "Odyssey Homme | Armaf", so "Bye, bye, Tom Ford" ;-) The individual ingredients are not listed here and unfortunately not on the Armaf homepage either. In this respect, I can only assume that amber, iris, spices and a hint of suede set the tone here. The result is a long-lasting, airy-sweet fragrance experience with a sillage suitable for the office, a wonderful creaminess and an "I'd love to wear this again and again" DNA - and all for around 20 euros!

Yes, this fragrance is supposed to be a clone of "Le Vestiaire - Tuxedo | Yves Saint Laurent", just like "Turathi (Brown) | Afnan Perfumes" and "Moustache (Eau de Parfum) | Rochas". However, it is the only one with the same ingredients as the original and should therefore be somewhat suitable as a supposed "twin brother". The problem for me in comparison: I don't know the extremely expensive Tuxedo and have never had a sample of it to hand. So I'm concentrating entirely on "Penthouse Larvotto | Rue Broca", which I bought for an incredible 18.60 euros.

Spicy-sweet is a very good description. After a lightning-fast alcoholic opening, the fragrance unfolds in a very linear fashion. I find it difficult to pick out individual components, but a vanilla-like sweetness forms the foundation of a masculine blend of herbs, which is given a tangy but never sharp note by bergamot and pepper. As it progresses, the floral notes of rose and lily of the valley add grace and elegance.

The nice thing about it: even though the Tuxedo (as in YSL) means tuxedo, I don't necessarily think of a posh evening party when I think of Penhouse Larvotto. Larvotto is probably a district in Monaco on the Côte d'Azur. The rich and famous probably live here too, especially in the penthouse, but they are welcome to wear this fragrance for any occasion and, as far as I'm concerned, at any time of year.

"Penthouse Larvotto | Rue Broca" is dignified in every respect, and I mean that in a positive way. We are dealing here with a persistent male flatterer who, due to his class, has no need to play to the fore with outstretched elbows, as the elegant basic DNA cannot be compared with any other I know.

I can recommend this budget perfume as a blind buy for anyone who wants to surround themselves with an elegant and multi-faceted fragrance aura for all kinds of occasions.

I'll be brief! :-) When I sprayed Imagination on for the first time, I was blown away! Right from the start, there is this very unique scent that probably comes from tea. I perceive slight hints of fougère and excellent citrus notes. Imagination is so pure, clean, fresh, sparkling, airy, carefree ... and yet a little mystical. Like a light, cooling mist through which the sun breaks through from the sea. Well, something like that anyway ;-) For me as a Frische fan, Imagination is an original delight that can play in any age group, and certainly doesn't need a flanker called "Sport".

The whole feeling certainly lasts for 30 minutes, perhaps up to an hour, then the fresh feel-good aura gradually fades and with it the originality of this fragrance. After about two hours, there is no longer any sillage and what remains after 3-4 hours is a woody-warm background noise that is pleasant, but nothing special and only perceptible close to the skin. That's my experience with Imagination.

I don't even want to get into the eternal price-performance discussion here. It's just the way it is. But I have to spray it on every 2-3 hours if I don't want my "imagination" of a perfectly fragrant summer day to suffer.

I had already tested this fragrance years ago and I am now certain that my bottling at the time was tipped. So here's to a new one!

Roja serves us with a veritable abundance of ingredients, so that only a few clearly stand out. As expected, the citrusy notes dominate the top note, which is quickly overtaken by slightly floral notes and an apple that tends towards sweetness. The base, in turn, contains pretty much every base note you can imagine, each used very discreetly. At most, a slightly peppery spiciness emerges in the drydown. All in all, this creates a fragrant but unspectacular cocktail on my skin, which I would describe as fruity-warm rather than citrusy-fresh, at least after the top note fades quickly.

For a niche fragrance, Elysium is very pleasing and, unlike many others, is unlikely to cause much controversy. The fragrance can be worn on any occasion, if only because it is only likely to elicit compliments from intimate contacts due to its low radiance ;-) For me, price and performance are not in any acceptable relation to each other, as if Roja Dove had deliberately not wanted to offend anyone with his creation. In its own way, Elyxsium is nevertheless very independent and harmonious all round ... but I miss that certain something and, above all, an aura that I would like to be enveloped by in a fragrance of this price range.