TAAKE
Reviews
Filter & Sort
Detailed
Translated · Show original
Diary of a Chameleon
“Everything changes, nothing perishes.” - so Ovid. If that wise man had not been describing the cosmic laws here, I would be sure he was reviewing “Mage d`Orient”.
Herewith a “Warm Welcome” to the changeable and nebulous world of the siblings “Clear & Fresh”, “Lovely & Sensual” and “Woody & Herbaceous”. Compteur Sud Pacifiques Mage d`Orient is so wonderfully vibrant, so unusually adaptable, yet never nervous or even moody - a light-footed and colorful fragrance, whose notes all showcase a perfect interplay of refreshment and calmness.
Immediately after pressing the spray button, a wonderfully fresh spirit from the bottle floods the room and masterfully stimulates the senses. The bergamot is one of the most beautiful and lively I have ever smelled, and the coconut is masterfully and absolutely fittingly integrated here. This deliciously clear top note is killer!
With the conclusion of the first sensory impressions and the top note, the system of the conventional fragrance pyramid simultaneously takes its leave. Its familiar triangle skillfully transforms into a quietly and slowly rotating wheel, bringing individual fragrance components to the surface at irregular intervals and allowing them to gracefully disappear again. Sometimes the coconut greets with a gentle voice and sinks back to make room for the bergamot. An incredibly pleasant jasmine appears and announces a subtle and shy vanilla, which elegantly submerges again with the grand entrance of sandalwood. Despite the separate emphasis on these delightful ingredients, nothing completely disappears from the fragrance progression - on the contrary, this development repeats again, and again, and… the magician lives up to his name!
With a hand held up, I dare to claim that “Mage d`Orient” is the little masculine brother of Yosh Han’s masterpiece “Ginger Ciao 2.27” - no copy, no imitation, not even in the same league qualitatively, but still worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence. Since I can also smell a wonderful jasmine note in Ginger Ciao 2.27, the coconut harmonizes beautifully unsweetened there as well, and the ginger skillfully takes over the role of the bergamot present here, I would at least classify both fragrances in the same category - and this side by side, not hand in hand. Mage d`Orient is a bit more daring, more pronounced, and also more masculine, unfortunately also weaker in terms of longevity (still very good with 5-6 hours). A refreshingly idyllic vacation association to a palm-decorated South Sea island certainly allows for this, and with its acceptable price, one can press the spray button again without a guilty conscience.
CONCLUSION: Those who like coconut notes in fresh fragrances should definitely grab a tester, those who enjoy Ginger Ciao 2.27 might discover its masculine counterpart here, and anyone in the mood for an eccentric fragrance, whose color constantly changes, should open the gates to the magician of the Orient and let themselves be enchanted. Hex Hex!
Herewith a “Warm Welcome” to the changeable and nebulous world of the siblings “Clear & Fresh”, “Lovely & Sensual” and “Woody & Herbaceous”. Compteur Sud Pacifiques Mage d`Orient is so wonderfully vibrant, so unusually adaptable, yet never nervous or even moody - a light-footed and colorful fragrance, whose notes all showcase a perfect interplay of refreshment and calmness.
Immediately after pressing the spray button, a wonderfully fresh spirit from the bottle floods the room and masterfully stimulates the senses. The bergamot is one of the most beautiful and lively I have ever smelled, and the coconut is masterfully and absolutely fittingly integrated here. This deliciously clear top note is killer!
With the conclusion of the first sensory impressions and the top note, the system of the conventional fragrance pyramid simultaneously takes its leave. Its familiar triangle skillfully transforms into a quietly and slowly rotating wheel, bringing individual fragrance components to the surface at irregular intervals and allowing them to gracefully disappear again. Sometimes the coconut greets with a gentle voice and sinks back to make room for the bergamot. An incredibly pleasant jasmine appears and announces a subtle and shy vanilla, which elegantly submerges again with the grand entrance of sandalwood. Despite the separate emphasis on these delightful ingredients, nothing completely disappears from the fragrance progression - on the contrary, this development repeats again, and again, and… the magician lives up to his name!
With a hand held up, I dare to claim that “Mage d`Orient” is the little masculine brother of Yosh Han’s masterpiece “Ginger Ciao 2.27” - no copy, no imitation, not even in the same league qualitatively, but still worthy of being mentioned in the same sentence. Since I can also smell a wonderful jasmine note in Ginger Ciao 2.27, the coconut harmonizes beautifully unsweetened there as well, and the ginger skillfully takes over the role of the bergamot present here, I would at least classify both fragrances in the same category - and this side by side, not hand in hand. Mage d`Orient is a bit more daring, more pronounced, and also more masculine, unfortunately also weaker in terms of longevity (still very good with 5-6 hours). A refreshingly idyllic vacation association to a palm-decorated South Sea island certainly allows for this, and with its acceptable price, one can press the spray button again without a guilty conscience.
CONCLUSION: Those who like coconut notes in fresh fragrances should definitely grab a tester, those who enjoy Ginger Ciao 2.27 might discover its masculine counterpart here, and anyone in the mood for an eccentric fragrance, whose color constantly changes, should open the gates to the magician of the Orient and let themselves be enchanted. Hex Hex!
5 Comments
Translated · Show original
"Sensuality makes ascetic, abstraction whore"
"Hugs & kisses guaranteed" - under this advertising banner, Michel Germain launched the sexual sugar line. The marketing campaign, with allusions to mysterious aphrodisiacs and the sensually bittersweet fragrance pyramid, is supposed to do the rest. The question remains: does this calculation really work?
Let's start with the name of the self-proclaimed ladykiller: "Sexual Sugar Daddy" - if there were a prize for clumsy, stupid, and even nonsensical titles, this candidate would rightfully join the second row, immediately behind the eternal firsts from Etat Libre d'Orange, occupying that place with dignity. The idea of a response to the question: "What fragrance are you wearing?" is even delicious. But shame has always been one of the greatest enemies of sex and sensuality. The evolution of primitivism has thus begun - seemingly.
Now to the scent: Sexual Sugar Daddy undoubtedly possesses a phenomenal and inviting fragrance pyramid, especially for fans of the extravagant gourmand category, which turned my interest into a purchasing urge, even leading to a daring blind buy. However, applied to the skin, the mystical womanizer reveals its authentic side and turns out to be an elevated mediocrity, no more and no less. Here, the sometimes disappointing high expectations downgrade the fragrance towards mainstream, and the seemingly alluring fragrance pyramid reveals itself as a facade, albeit a positive facade with potential.
Throughout the entire scent development, many parallels to Prada's Amber Pour Homme cannot be dismissed. An amber note accompanies both the top, heart, and especially the base notes. Cinnamon and fir balsam harmonize very well together, most of the grapefruit peels disappear immediately after their greeting, and the caramelized pralines continuously strive to produce a relatively heavy sweetness, which unfortunately they eventually achieve. The patchouli note is skillfully showcased here, and there is no trace of the listed leather. The fragrance overall is very sticky and scratchy, even stuffy, and yet (or perhaps because of that) captivating and sensual; it possesses an interesting face with natural edges and corners. The combination of smoky fir balsam and mild cinnamon clearly wins the race here, while the dragging amber note and the oppressively sweet praline accord hold back the triumphal march of the magic potion. Sexual Sugar Daddy is a good and interesting fragrance, but far from an olfactory masterpiece.
The bottle is solidly made, its contents in a light aquatic blue (not tending towards black as in the marketing photos!) and the outer packaging wins the embarrassment award with its black-gray speckled glitter design (fitting for the name). The longevity is good to very good, and the chance of fading the scent itself is rather low. Ultimately, a nice and presentable "Daddy," who, however, wants more than he can ultimately deliver.
CONCLUSION: Those who like Prada's Amber Pour Homme and can appreciate exaggerated fragrances like A*Men might make an interesting new discovery with Sexual Sugar Daddy. Those who count sweet smoky scents among their preferences can confidently try the test strip, and those who trust aphrodisiacs as an ingredient and seriously believe in a promising marketing campaign should let themselves be convinced of the opposite. So f**ing what - sex sells.
Let's start with the name of the self-proclaimed ladykiller: "Sexual Sugar Daddy" - if there were a prize for clumsy, stupid, and even nonsensical titles, this candidate would rightfully join the second row, immediately behind the eternal firsts from Etat Libre d'Orange, occupying that place with dignity. The idea of a response to the question: "What fragrance are you wearing?" is even delicious. But shame has always been one of the greatest enemies of sex and sensuality. The evolution of primitivism has thus begun - seemingly.
Now to the scent: Sexual Sugar Daddy undoubtedly possesses a phenomenal and inviting fragrance pyramid, especially for fans of the extravagant gourmand category, which turned my interest into a purchasing urge, even leading to a daring blind buy. However, applied to the skin, the mystical womanizer reveals its authentic side and turns out to be an elevated mediocrity, no more and no less. Here, the sometimes disappointing high expectations downgrade the fragrance towards mainstream, and the seemingly alluring fragrance pyramid reveals itself as a facade, albeit a positive facade with potential.
Throughout the entire scent development, many parallels to Prada's Amber Pour Homme cannot be dismissed. An amber note accompanies both the top, heart, and especially the base notes. Cinnamon and fir balsam harmonize very well together, most of the grapefruit peels disappear immediately after their greeting, and the caramelized pralines continuously strive to produce a relatively heavy sweetness, which unfortunately they eventually achieve. The patchouli note is skillfully showcased here, and there is no trace of the listed leather. The fragrance overall is very sticky and scratchy, even stuffy, and yet (or perhaps because of that) captivating and sensual; it possesses an interesting face with natural edges and corners. The combination of smoky fir balsam and mild cinnamon clearly wins the race here, while the dragging amber note and the oppressively sweet praline accord hold back the triumphal march of the magic potion. Sexual Sugar Daddy is a good and interesting fragrance, but far from an olfactory masterpiece.
The bottle is solidly made, its contents in a light aquatic blue (not tending towards black as in the marketing photos!) and the outer packaging wins the embarrassment award with its black-gray speckled glitter design (fitting for the name). The longevity is good to very good, and the chance of fading the scent itself is rather low. Ultimately, a nice and presentable "Daddy," who, however, wants more than he can ultimately deliver.
CONCLUSION: Those who like Prada's Amber Pour Homme and can appreciate exaggerated fragrances like A*Men might make an interesting new discovery with Sexual Sugar Daddy. Those who count sweet smoky scents among their preferences can confidently try the test strip, and those who trust aphrodisiacs as an ingredient and seriously believe in a promising marketing campaign should let themselves be convinced of the opposite. So f**ing what - sex sells.
10 Comments
Translated · Show original
"Perfect charm carries itself with grace"
The Creed fragrance house seems unstoppable, and its traditional "will to please" is indelible. Scents for emperors, kings, and compromised celebrities who are exploited for advertising purposes. Much of this is appealing, smiles at you, or winks with one eye, yet the majority of the range does not justify its price and is bid farewell with friendly glances.
Not so with Aventus! This time, the gentlemen from England have achieved something I have longed for in many other fragrances from Creed: Aventus is subtle! The bleakly fresh Creed accord is greatly misleading here, even though it still resides in the fragrance in some way. Aventus is a very complex and substantial scent, and it is time to champion it: A Creed that is worth its money!
The top note already floods with an indescribably zesty, fresh, and above all, fruity scent, primarily characterized by an extremely dominant pineapple. The apple patiently follows, the blackcurrant provides the necessary acidity, and the bergamot ensures the obligatory noble note. A wonderful start, which, however, threatens to slip into the drawer of insignificance over long stretches - but this is exactly where the enormous potential of the Englishman comes into play: I smell fir, balsamic notes spread out, and the vanilla is so smoky as if it were burning. The oakmoss fits like a glove. Aventus stands for exactly what I have been searching for a long time: A WARM FRESH SCENT WITH CHARM!
This fresh warmth spreads relatively quickly, even during the course of the top note, and is, in terms of scent progression, by far the longest present. Associations with an idyllic morning walk, a damp moss-covered forest floor, a sun-drenched clearing with fresh forest berries are very close and hit the nail on the head. A wonderful, subtle, and charming companion that neither rants nor provokes - Aventus is friendly, yet still dangerous. A fragrance that attracts attention and approval like the proverbial light attracts moths.
The bottle is in the typical Creed design and offers no special features. The longevity is, as with all Creed fragrances, a drawback, although Aventus, with a good 4 hours, relegates most of its shelf neighbors to the back ranks. Price-wise, the royal water is, in the best Creed manner, in the upper range, but is certainly justified by the small amount needed for dosing and the refinement of the fragrance.
CONCLUSION: If you like Annayake's Myiabi Man and enjoy Azzaro's Twin for Men, you will feel at home here; those in the fan club of the fruity-fresh faction should definitely test this, and anyone looking for a zesty summer fragrance with a warm character should hit the purchase button and moisten their skin (not the test strip!). You have 1 item in your cart.
Not so with Aventus! This time, the gentlemen from England have achieved something I have longed for in many other fragrances from Creed: Aventus is subtle! The bleakly fresh Creed accord is greatly misleading here, even though it still resides in the fragrance in some way. Aventus is a very complex and substantial scent, and it is time to champion it: A Creed that is worth its money!
The top note already floods with an indescribably zesty, fresh, and above all, fruity scent, primarily characterized by an extremely dominant pineapple. The apple patiently follows, the blackcurrant provides the necessary acidity, and the bergamot ensures the obligatory noble note. A wonderful start, which, however, threatens to slip into the drawer of insignificance over long stretches - but this is exactly where the enormous potential of the Englishman comes into play: I smell fir, balsamic notes spread out, and the vanilla is so smoky as if it were burning. The oakmoss fits like a glove. Aventus stands for exactly what I have been searching for a long time: A WARM FRESH SCENT WITH CHARM!
This fresh warmth spreads relatively quickly, even during the course of the top note, and is, in terms of scent progression, by far the longest present. Associations with an idyllic morning walk, a damp moss-covered forest floor, a sun-drenched clearing with fresh forest berries are very close and hit the nail on the head. A wonderful, subtle, and charming companion that neither rants nor provokes - Aventus is friendly, yet still dangerous. A fragrance that attracts attention and approval like the proverbial light attracts moths.
The bottle is in the typical Creed design and offers no special features. The longevity is, as with all Creed fragrances, a drawback, although Aventus, with a good 4 hours, relegates most of its shelf neighbors to the back ranks. Price-wise, the royal water is, in the best Creed manner, in the upper range, but is certainly justified by the small amount needed for dosing and the refinement of the fragrance.
CONCLUSION: If you like Annayake's Myiabi Man and enjoy Azzaro's Twin for Men, you will feel at home here; those in the fan club of the fruity-fresh faction should definitely test this, and anyone looking for a zesty summer fragrance with a warm character should hit the purchase button and moisten their skin (not the test strip!). You have 1 item in your cart.
10 Comments
Translated · Show original
The Miasma of the 21st Century
To get straight to the point: From the depths of my being, with incredible passion and without any doubt, I HATE THIS FRAGRANCE! Coney Island is aggressive - it smells of plague, decay, and rot, and it does so to the heavens!
Well, a scathing review is quickly written; it is rarely insightful, but it is nice to read. I would like to elaborate a bit more here, not to annoy the sympathizers among me, but rather to serve as a warning to potential blind buyers.
Coney Island is a brilliant deceiver: Famously named, beautifully packaged, hotly debated, and possessing a fragrance pyramid that makes the gourmand crowd's mouths water and gives many niche explorers the final push to click. With all due respect, dear Mr. Herpin, but if deception through a manipulated fragrance pyramid were to be punished, it would warrant a life sentence - without parole.
Guava? Melon?? Caramel??? Chocolate???? Cinnamon????? Vanilla?????? Nothing, absolutely nothing of these ingredients can be found here. Where, please, do you smell anything gourmand? Where are the orange cream cakes, where are the Nimm2 candies? I attribute my completely contrary perception to nothing other than the undeniable existence of diverse and differing tastes - and I am not alone in this.
I experience Coney Island as an extremely piercing fragrance; I smell an excess of my number one hate candidate: OZONE! This scent takes my breath away, it literally bites into my lungs and seems to want to corrode from the inside out. The citrus note is terrible, the heart note overwhelms with a truly disgusting scent accord of smoldering fire, decaying animals, and the contents of a compost bin that has been simmering in the blazing sun for hours. An exceedingly unpleasant fragrance that has nothing, really nothing to do with how it presents itself and is labeled. Here, the infamous Emscher flows directly into the heart of Rabbit Island. Coney Island has the temperament of a hearty gulp of lukewarm rusty water.
The longevity is, cynically, unfortunately impressively good…
CONCLUSION: Those who like Bond No.9's illustrious Wall Street or Demeter's Ocean MUST grab this, those who are tired of all the good fragrances and want to be thrown back onto the bare, cold ground of reality should spray this on, and anyone who has always wanted to know how the true devil smells from the throat should inhale this quintessence of evil and surrender to the full fragrance development of the island - the fish starts to stink from the head!
Well, a scathing review is quickly written; it is rarely insightful, but it is nice to read. I would like to elaborate a bit more here, not to annoy the sympathizers among me, but rather to serve as a warning to potential blind buyers.
Coney Island is a brilliant deceiver: Famously named, beautifully packaged, hotly debated, and possessing a fragrance pyramid that makes the gourmand crowd's mouths water and gives many niche explorers the final push to click. With all due respect, dear Mr. Herpin, but if deception through a manipulated fragrance pyramid were to be punished, it would warrant a life sentence - without parole.
Guava? Melon?? Caramel??? Chocolate???? Cinnamon????? Vanilla?????? Nothing, absolutely nothing of these ingredients can be found here. Where, please, do you smell anything gourmand? Where are the orange cream cakes, where are the Nimm2 candies? I attribute my completely contrary perception to nothing other than the undeniable existence of diverse and differing tastes - and I am not alone in this.
I experience Coney Island as an extremely piercing fragrance; I smell an excess of my number one hate candidate: OZONE! This scent takes my breath away, it literally bites into my lungs and seems to want to corrode from the inside out. The citrus note is terrible, the heart note overwhelms with a truly disgusting scent accord of smoldering fire, decaying animals, and the contents of a compost bin that has been simmering in the blazing sun for hours. An exceedingly unpleasant fragrance that has nothing, really nothing to do with how it presents itself and is labeled. Here, the infamous Emscher flows directly into the heart of Rabbit Island. Coney Island has the temperament of a hearty gulp of lukewarm rusty water.
The longevity is, cynically, unfortunately impressively good…
CONCLUSION: Those who like Bond No.9's illustrious Wall Street or Demeter's Ocean MUST grab this, those who are tired of all the good fragrances and want to be thrown back onto the bare, cold ground of reality should spray this on, and anyone who has always wanted to know how the true devil smells from the throat should inhale this quintessence of evil and surrender to the full fragrance development of the island - the fish starts to stink from the head!
27 Comments
Translated · Show original
Contemplative Comfort in Minor
I bow before this fragrance! Montale's Chocolate Greedy is the scent of my comfort, the scent of childhood, carefree days, and home; it carries me in familiar arms back home, it protects and enchants, it completes this peaceful refuge made of sweet dreams, charming memories, and cozy feelings. A fragrance for inner peace, created to transcend…
Chocolate Greedy is a scent that captivates immediately upon spraying. An exalted representative of the gourmand family. Here, they focused on a few exquisite ingredients that pack a punch - the olfactory experience promises an endless array of sensory impressions. The gourmand aspect has already been very well described, the chocolate note is extremely delicate and pleasant, vanilla and tonka bean dance closely intertwined on all levels of the fragrance pyramid, the nutty undertone perfects the scent, and one could immediately devour oneself; here, one experiences sweet gourmand in its purest form!
However, I would like to interject here; Chocolate Greedy has more to offer. Despite the simply chosen, almost clumsy name, there is a phenomenal fragrance surprise hidden in this brew…
But first, the all-important question: Is this fragrance wearable? I say "YES!!!", by the gods, it is! From this chocolate-vanilla treat note, a wonderful fragrance accord develops after some time: Roasted aromas are released, a mild shadow of smoke spreads, a hint of benzoin enters the room, the bitter orange hovers just above the ground, there is no trace of cloying sweetness, I search in vain for dried fruits, and headaches are completely absent. A wearable gourmand fragrance that draws a flood of compliments from mouths of all ages and tenderly presses warm chocolate lips against your cheek.
And here comes the second stone: This fragrance is the perfect companion for balmy summer nights! It inevitably awakens memories and associations with significant moments. Thousands of impressions rush through my mind, I stand at the fair with friends enjoying carefree times, the scent of cotton candy and roasted almonds fills the surrounding air, then the first kiss in the cinema, the smell of fresh popcorn wafts through the nostrils, here I find everything that Dr. Oetker wanted to convey with his advertising slogan: "Home is where the pudding is." Chocolate Greedy is the perfect ratatouille that Rémy serves to his critic Ego, a true experience!
The longevity of Chocolate Greedy is exceptionally good, and it seems to never want to fade away. The bottle is in the typical Montale design and pleases with its noble appearance and pleasant feel. The price-performance ratio exceeds itself here, and dosing requires a delicate touch.
CONCLUSION: Those who love extremely gourmand and sensual fragrance notes will adore Chocolate Greedy, those who are fond of chocolate and vanilla and own heavy, warm scents should stock up their collection with this, and those who are receptive to intimate, intense dream journeys through olfactory impressions should board this flying carpet of olfactory paradise. The journey can begin!
Chocolate Greedy is a scent that captivates immediately upon spraying. An exalted representative of the gourmand family. Here, they focused on a few exquisite ingredients that pack a punch - the olfactory experience promises an endless array of sensory impressions. The gourmand aspect has already been very well described, the chocolate note is extremely delicate and pleasant, vanilla and tonka bean dance closely intertwined on all levels of the fragrance pyramid, the nutty undertone perfects the scent, and one could immediately devour oneself; here, one experiences sweet gourmand in its purest form!
However, I would like to interject here; Chocolate Greedy has more to offer. Despite the simply chosen, almost clumsy name, there is a phenomenal fragrance surprise hidden in this brew…
But first, the all-important question: Is this fragrance wearable? I say "YES!!!", by the gods, it is! From this chocolate-vanilla treat note, a wonderful fragrance accord develops after some time: Roasted aromas are released, a mild shadow of smoke spreads, a hint of benzoin enters the room, the bitter orange hovers just above the ground, there is no trace of cloying sweetness, I search in vain for dried fruits, and headaches are completely absent. A wearable gourmand fragrance that draws a flood of compliments from mouths of all ages and tenderly presses warm chocolate lips against your cheek.
And here comes the second stone: This fragrance is the perfect companion for balmy summer nights! It inevitably awakens memories and associations with significant moments. Thousands of impressions rush through my mind, I stand at the fair with friends enjoying carefree times, the scent of cotton candy and roasted almonds fills the surrounding air, then the first kiss in the cinema, the smell of fresh popcorn wafts through the nostrils, here I find everything that Dr. Oetker wanted to convey with his advertising slogan: "Home is where the pudding is." Chocolate Greedy is the perfect ratatouille that Rémy serves to his critic Ego, a true experience!
The longevity of Chocolate Greedy is exceptionally good, and it seems to never want to fade away. The bottle is in the typical Montale design and pleases with its noble appearance and pleasant feel. The price-performance ratio exceeds itself here, and dosing requires a delicate touch.
CONCLUSION: Those who love extremely gourmand and sensual fragrance notes will adore Chocolate Greedy, those who are fond of chocolate and vanilla and own heavy, warm scents should stock up their collection with this, and those who are receptive to intimate, intense dream journeys through olfactory impressions should board this flying carpet of olfactory paradise. The journey can begin!
5 Comments
