Monstaro

What can I say that hasn't already been said? Clean, fresh, soapy, like a classy hotel soap or lobby. I have always loved that sophisticated, clean smell. So I was very excited when I smelled this.

This is a freshie that lasts, isn't too strong or too weak. I don't have much more to explain, honestly. It's such a simple scent, but it's pure bliss. The ambroxan gives it a nice sensuality, but it's gentle. It's not overtly masculine imo...which I like. I don't love overtly masculine fragrances most of the time. So for those who prefer more subtle and not-aggressive scents, definitely check this one out.

It was the summer of 1934, I was a young woman on the coast of Marseille. A gentleman stopped me and smelled this on me, and said it was the most beautiful thing he ever smelled, and that he had to have it. We went into the hôtel de fleurs and he deflowered me. I was in love. As I lay in the bed engrossed in the soft white linens, he went up to go to the bathroom - so he said - instead, he went through my purse and stole my bottle of Heures d'Absence. I never saw him again. Oh, Jacques, why??

This was not at all what I expected at first. You really get a lot of the woods here, that's takes center stage, but it's uplifting with a spritzy side to it. This is great for those who don't like a typical "freshie" like the Versace PH, but still want a freshie for the spring/summer months, and perhaps want one that has more of a masculine or unique edge than your typical fruity or soapy smells.

The longevity is on the shorter side. Sillage, perhaps a bit better. But for a freshie it's whatever. I know some may crucify me for this but I've been putting one spray underneath my shirt before exercising and again once I'm done and showered. I just keep this one in my gym bag. It's good in this case because it doesn't last very long and it's not overly strong in any way, despite the woodiness. Eau Fraiche as many of us know is the lightest concentration of fragrance, and while this is not technically an Eau Fraiche (it's an EDT) it really does pay homage to a fleeting fresh masculine scent so it's perfect to throw on casually.

I can't put my finger on it. The way the neroli plays with the base notes is just a bit stuffy to me. It has evolved on interesting ways on my skin. At times, it comes across like a citrusy-leathery which I enjoy. Other times, it feels more like a rose sandalwood, which I don't like at all. Perhaps it's the cardamom that just weighs this one down too much. In any case, this 10mL tester is going to last me a long time...weirdly I liked this one a lot at first, I mean as a LV frag it's obviously well crafted, but over time I liked it less and less. It just doesn't make me feel happy like Imagination or AS.

Worth a try, maybe some peoples skin will project the heavier notes more and it will mix better with the neroli. It's a nice scent, but it's not for me. Definitely not a blind buy.

I get mostly jasmine from this up-front. The ambrox and musk provide a touch of sensual nature to it. I have the sampler pack from M+G and I like to layer it with Vetiver during these spring months. The unisex nature makes it feel very natural, like I just got back from a botanical garden or something. But don't overdo it, jasmine in itself is a pretty noticeable - albeit pleasant - fragrance, so a few sprays should do. As I mentioned, it pairs well with the vetiver which "grounds" the scent a little bit. I may try layering those with bergamot too, the juicyness of the bergamot could play nicely with the brighter floral nature of this one and the earthy green nature of the vetiver.