LicoriceRain

Well, after giving Xeryus Rouge such a good review, I am back again. But THIS time, not so good. I thought I had found a new signature scent, but I was wrong. That raw (VERY raw) cactus flesh is a bit too much for me. (CACTUS flesh or ROTTING flesh?) I can certainly see why some people find XR disgusting. I find it almost tolerable on fabric, but definitely not on my skin. XR has gone from “love” to “dislike” in less than a month.

One of the cheapest of the cheapies, but worth reviewing because it smells so good! BUT… the second it touches my skin, it isn’t the same. Lavender? Suede? It’s too bad that wonderful smell doesn’t translate to skin. I sprayed maybe 10 times on my shirt AND skin, and I can’t smell anything after a few minutes. Granted, this bottle is old (original from 2005), so maybe it’s just TOO old. But I honestly believe, if this fragrance recipe was re-created by Chanel or Hermes, using oils and ingredients that would last more than a few minutes, it might be in my Top 10 favorite fragrances of all time. But as a weak Coty cheapie, no. You really do get what you pay for.

Just a reminder: when I give a bad review, it’s only my personal opinion, and I’m not trying to step on any toes. But I think Aoud Greedy is absolutely vile, and I don’t say that about too many fragrances. I don't get any licorice (this isn’t good because I love the smell of licorice), and it smells like cheap amber. But there’s more..… I wasn’t sure exactly what the problem was, until now. SOMETHING (not sure if the fragrance, chemicals, or both), but something in Aoud Greedy reminds me of a hangover. I don’t make a habit of getting hangovers, but smelling Aoud Greedy is that same feeling/experience, only not quite as bad, but still the same. I cannot imagine anybody wearing and liking this hideous creation.

No, no, no! I’m sorry, but New West is a dated, over-rated, muddled, choking mess. (I don’t give bad reviews to step on toes, but to give my honest opinion.) I like the smell of pine, but I think I would rather wear Pine-Sol than this. The only good thing about New West is the name. Where is my Excedrin?

Okay, when I first sampled Rhubarb, I thought, “Not bad, but nothing special, either”, and I put it aside with all my others samples. But one day when bored with my other samples, I decided to wear it again. Rhubarb is perfect: not too sweet, not too tart. There probably aren’t too many men out there who love this note, but I do. Sweet Pea from Bath and Body Works also shares this rhubarb note, and I have actually always liked that smell, except Sweet Pea seems a bit over-the-top synthetic, while Rhubarb smells perfectly natural. And perfectly balanced. But one complaint, if you call it a complaint, is the name “Sherbet Series” sounds a bit juvenile, so that a serious fragrance connoisseur might easily overlook it. Yes, longevity is an issue (as with most frags), but if there is a better rhubarb fragrance out there, I’d like to know.