Halykfr
Reviews
Filter & Sort
Detailed
Cacao and woodsy spices
Coming back to Diamonds after all these years was a great nostalgic experience. The bergamot note leads things early on, with a blend of cacao and woodsy spices underneath. It’s bright, sweet, and fresh in this opening act.
The cacao note is going to be a highlight and grow in strength, as we move along. But, I really like the way that it sits underneath the citrus, guaiac wood, and hint of pepper. It all comes across a nuanced and balanced. Each sniff, gives me a slightly different aroma.
What’s interesting is that Diamonds has periods of a powdery or a bit of a dusty sort of smell. Not overwhelming to me, but it’s there.
One note that surprised me with its strength during this return to Emporio Diamonds, is the amber. Smooth and warm, almost combining with that rich cacao. The cacao is kind of wrapped up throughout the wear, despite being the dominant ingredient. It’s not a pure chocolate smell, actually has similarities to Valentino Uomo.
The bergamot will start to lose some of its potency. This one becomes drier and woodier. Guaiac, vetiver, and some cedar really provide a fresh boost as you transition into the middle of the wear.
The dry down is a woody fresh mix and the amber and cacao together. Much less of the spice and almost none of the bergamot. Any of the powdery quality has also evaporated away.
The cacao note is going to be a highlight and grow in strength, as we move along. But, I really like the way that it sits underneath the citrus, guaiac wood, and hint of pepper. It all comes across a nuanced and balanced. Each sniff, gives me a slightly different aroma.
What’s interesting is that Diamonds has periods of a powdery or a bit of a dusty sort of smell. Not overwhelming to me, but it’s there.
One note that surprised me with its strength during this return to Emporio Diamonds, is the amber. Smooth and warm, almost combining with that rich cacao. The cacao is kind of wrapped up throughout the wear, despite being the dominant ingredient. It’s not a pure chocolate smell, actually has similarities to Valentino Uomo.
The bergamot will start to lose some of its potency. This one becomes drier and woodier. Guaiac, vetiver, and some cedar really provide a fresh boost as you transition into the middle of the wear.
The dry down is a woody fresh mix and the amber and cacao together. Much less of the spice and almost none of the bergamot. Any of the powdery quality has also evaporated away.
Amazing sunshine
There is nothing more refreshing than spritzing on your favourite citrus perfume. Something light, effervescent and uplifting will do the trick!
Now, Acqua di Parma’s new release Buongiorno fits this profile and honestly, I cannot recommend it highly enough!
Gorgeous essence of lemon, fresh spearmint, a co-distillation of basil and petit grain, mandarin, lavender, cedar, amber and musks - the notes speak for themselves. It’s simple yet stunning.
At times, it feels like you’re sipping a tart, sugary, minty mojito in the heat of the Tuscan sun.
I’m a huge fan and there’s already an even bigger dent in my bottle, which will surely grow over the coming days with all the amazing sunshine we’re due.
Have you tried this new release yet? What will you be wearing this week?
Now, Acqua di Parma’s new release Buongiorno fits this profile and honestly, I cannot recommend it highly enough!
Gorgeous essence of lemon, fresh spearmint, a co-distillation of basil and petit grain, mandarin, lavender, cedar, amber and musks - the notes speak for themselves. It’s simple yet stunning.
At times, it feels like you’re sipping a tart, sugary, minty mojito in the heat of the Tuscan sun.
I’m a huge fan and there’s already an even bigger dent in my bottle, which will surely grow over the coming days with all the amazing sunshine we’re due.
Have you tried this new release yet? What will you be wearing this week?
Very straightforward & Linear
While there is a lemon top note to Akaster, it is very subtle and just a hint of citrus to what is otherwise a very woody and rose-laden fragrance. There is a crisp forest element and a bit of spice, just to change things up somewhat.
However, the two main attractions here are the rose and the oud notes.
I’m usually pretty hesitant with rose colognes, because it’s not my favorite note, and it can be absolutely too much. However, I think that Parfums de Marly really did a great job of blending this cologne.
The oud isn’t too powerful and the rose isn’t too overbearing, there is a firm balance between the two, and it makes this fragrance better than it otherwise would’ve been.
Akaster is a very straightforward, linear, cologne. You are going to get a oud base that is flanked by a fresh and crisp array of other tree notes. Other than the oud, I get a good deal of the cypress. Very green.
This is all surrounded by an air of roses growing in a garden and a squeeze of lemon. Simple, but actually quite effective.
However, the two main attractions here are the rose and the oud notes.
I’m usually pretty hesitant with rose colognes, because it’s not my favorite note, and it can be absolutely too much. However, I think that Parfums de Marly really did a great job of blending this cologne.
The oud isn’t too powerful and the rose isn’t too overbearing, there is a firm balance between the two, and it makes this fragrance better than it otherwise would’ve been.
Akaster is a very straightforward, linear, cologne. You are going to get a oud base that is flanked by a fresh and crisp array of other tree notes. Other than the oud, I get a good deal of the cypress. Very green.
This is all surrounded by an air of roses growing in a garden and a squeeze of lemon. Simple, but actually quite effective.
Blend of spice, florals, and greens
It’s been a long time, since I’ve smelled this cologne, so I’ll keep my more basic review from then. At least until I encounter Le Fou 21 again.
I had no expectations of Le Fou 21 before I got it and frankly only bought it on the strength of the Dolce & Gabbana name. I didn’t check the notes which made up this fragrance nor did I check to see what category of scent it could be placed under, so I was going into this sort of blind.
When I first sprayed Le Fou 21 from the tester, I immediately noticed its warmth and spice. It reminded me somewhat of YSL’s wonderful Opium for Men, in that respect, with its oriental spice and smooth aroma that is similar to a vanilla.
Le Fou, however, is a different fragrance from Opium, especially once it settles down. It is a really great blend of spice, florals, and greens. The cognac gives this fragrance its warmth and I think that it would work beautifully in late Autumn or Winter.
I had no expectations of Le Fou 21 before I got it and frankly only bought it on the strength of the Dolce & Gabbana name. I didn’t check the notes which made up this fragrance nor did I check to see what category of scent it could be placed under, so I was going into this sort of blind.
When I first sprayed Le Fou 21 from the tester, I immediately noticed its warmth and spice. It reminded me somewhat of YSL’s wonderful Opium for Men, in that respect, with its oriental spice and smooth aroma that is similar to a vanilla.
Le Fou, however, is a different fragrance from Opium, especially once it settles down. It is a really great blend of spice, florals, and greens. The cognac gives this fragrance its warmth and I think that it would work beautifully in late Autumn or Winter.
Citrus as a background
The opening of Polo Black features a striking mango note, that is accompanied by an underlying woodsy spice, provided by the patchouli and sage notes. This is a fruity type of aroma, but it isn’t overly sweet, like some other tropical noted scents out there.
It takes a different tact from Polo Double Black, which I previously reviewed, and sticks to being a much brighter fragrance than the darker coffee and spice of its flanker scent. I really find it interesting, how the sage plays off of the mango, which is itself a pretty unique choice for a fruit note in a men’s cologne.
Aside from the mango, (mostly) tangerine is present in the beginning, and gives this one a further tropical sort of appeal. The citrus is juicy and with the mango, allows Polo Black to have a watery aroma, which is energetic and refreshing.
The herbal and earthy spice give it some added depth in the beginning, but never overpower the fruit notes or even reach equality with their strength.
During the dry down period, the woodsy notes begin to take more prominence. The smooth and familiar sandalwood note comes through and I can detect the tonka bean as well, which is one of my favorite notes.
Also, the lemon and tangerine are still there somewhat, which gives the top layer an added citrusy zest to it. The citrus is nice, a welcome addition really, but isn’t the main attraction.
To me, the opening act of Polo Black is the most dynamic aspect of this fragrance. You get an interesting development and contrast, between fruits, spices and wood. After that, the cologne becomes much more of a linear affair.
It’s mango, citrus as a background, sandalwood, and tonka bean. This Ralph Lauren fragrance, becomes less juicy, and has more of its dry woody element come through.
It takes a different tact from Polo Double Black, which I previously reviewed, and sticks to being a much brighter fragrance than the darker coffee and spice of its flanker scent. I really find it interesting, how the sage plays off of the mango, which is itself a pretty unique choice for a fruit note in a men’s cologne.
Aside from the mango, (mostly) tangerine is present in the beginning, and gives this one a further tropical sort of appeal. The citrus is juicy and with the mango, allows Polo Black to have a watery aroma, which is energetic and refreshing.
The herbal and earthy spice give it some added depth in the beginning, but never overpower the fruit notes or even reach equality with their strength.
During the dry down period, the woodsy notes begin to take more prominence. The smooth and familiar sandalwood note comes through and I can detect the tonka bean as well, which is one of my favorite notes.
Also, the lemon and tangerine are still there somewhat, which gives the top layer an added citrusy zest to it. The citrus is nice, a welcome addition really, but isn’t the main attraction.
To me, the opening act of Polo Black is the most dynamic aspect of this fragrance. You get an interesting development and contrast, between fruits, spices and wood. After that, the cologne becomes much more of a linear affair.
It’s mango, citrus as a background, sandalwood, and tonka bean. This Ralph Lauren fragrance, becomes less juicy, and has more of its dry woody element come through.
