LicoriceRain

First of all, Rouge Bvlgari has NONE of the notes that I don't generally like (tobacco, leather, amber, or vanilla), but it has tea, fig, pink pepper, and orange notes that I prefer. And as another reviewer said, it smells hot! Very rouge/red. There's nothing about this to NOT like. In fact, it has already earned it's place on my "love" shelf. I just got my 2ml sample Friday and have already almost used it all up, such an addictive smell. And so perfectly unisex. I don't say this too often about any fragrance, but Rouge Bvlgari is certainly worth buying a full bottle.

Cedrat Boise smells like quality, but there’s something in there I find unpleasant. I like the notes listed, most of them: bergamot, lemon, I love black currant, and I don’t have a problem with jasmine, patchouli, sandalwood, cedar, leather, moss, musk (unless overdone), or vanilla (unless overdone), so I don’t know what is so harsh and offensive to my nose except it must be one (or more) of the spices in the “spicy notes” accord. As I said, it smells like quality, but will never be a personal favorite. Aoud Black Candy also smelled like quality, but not a favorite because of that amber, which I can only tolerate in small doses. Definitely a “try before you buy” fragrance.

Such an understated name, Background, which appeals to me a little, but maybe a little TOO understated. I mean, who would want to try and/or buy this based on such a boring name? I personally think a name can make or break a fragrance. Maybe this has something to do with it being discontinued? But anyway, as I read the notes, I now realize it has quite a bit of anise, which I didn’t recognize during my first wearing, although I love the smell of licorice. It’s nice, but not Full Bottle worthy. As others have said, it does remind me of Noxema, but also has a slight COLA vibe, maybe a raspberry cola. (I love a raspberry note, if done right.) Nice enough, but my humble opinion is Background is a bit muddled, with too many unnecessary notes. It’s alright, but I think it needs to stay in the… background.

I am in-between ordering samples, so I decided to wear Spark again, from 2003, found in my closet. For a cheapie, it has a lot of character. Seriously, Spark for Men is not bad, but watered-down, very weak. For a better-quality fragrance, if you want the same vibe minus all that rum, you might want to try Comme des Garcons Harissa.

I want to say first that I’m not familiar with Jean Paul Gaultier, and I have never worn any of his fragrances before now. I’ve never tried the original Kokorico flanker, which sounds very dry and interesting, but when I heard Kokorico by NIGHT features cocoa and rhubarb together, I HAD to sample. (I won’t take time to explain my fascination with that tart smell of rhubarb, I don’t really understand it myself. All I know is, to me, it smells healthy.) But Kokorico by Night, as somebody else already said, smells like La Nuit by YSL. After wearing for awhile, off-and-on for a few days, on skin AND clothes, I have to agree. And I have decided Kokorico by Night isn’t unique enough or fascinating enough to hold my interest. That nice, tart rhubarb opening doesn’t last through drydown. Honestly, KbN reminds me TOO much of YSL La Nuit, which I consider headache-inducing. Nothing bad about KbN, but nothing special, either.