Yes there is a perfume that is known as True Religion for Men and I am not trying to shock those of your with religious leanings.  This innovative and challenging perfume is marketed as a fragrance for the senses and is meant to break all the conventions that we know about perfumes. The theme has to be rugged and masculine at the same time.  Whether this is going to be a classic or a short term gimmick is anyone’s guess but the quality of the perfume is quite high. The provocative title smacks of arrogant over confidence but perhaps that was the aim of the perfume in the first place.

The Brand

True religion is a clothes manufacturer that concentrate on men’s jeans. Therefore you can immediately identify the masculine themes of their product. They rely  on their knowledge of the modern working man but at the same time they look to create innovation and to shock in what they do. The fragrance continues these objectives very well.

The Fragrance

The perfume starts in a citrus hue which then gives way to violet . There are hints of moss and patchouli. That is it folks. The perfume really does take the term simple to a new level. However because the final fragrance is quite strong, it appears to me that they made a great decision to limit the number of scent themes. If they added anything extra the perfume might have become unusable due to the strong scents that it already has. I think it is nothing short of a miracle that they got so much out of a few ingredients.

The Packaging

It is a very disturbing packaging for a perfume. It looks like a tin of petrol or some strong alcoholic mix. There are hints of a rough brownish edge that appears to suggest that it is too tight for the stopper at the top. I do not know how to explain it but they have somehow managed to suggest that one is putting on tight jeans by use of different shades on the coloring of the bottle. I must comment them for being able to bring their clothes theme to the packaging of the perfume.

General Customer Feedback

Customers do acknowledge that it is a challenging perfume but they have come to the conclusion that it does not irritate. This is a definite plus for a perfume that is quite innovative and can challenge the tastes of everyone. It is definitely a modern perfume but without the challenges that go with that labeling.

Popularity: 6% [?]

This is a reworking of a vintage Givenchy perfume and the 2007 has been quite a success. Some would be so bold as to suggest that the new version is better than the old. It is a feminine and sunny perfume that has some floral overtones to bring out the essence of a modern woman. The Givenchy elegance is there to see but somehow this perfumes manages to add an extra dimension of humanity which I find touching to say the least.

The Brand

Givenchy has been with us like forever and they keep churning out these gorgeous perfumes that would put anyone else to shame. The beauty of the brand is that they have found a winning formula and stuck to it. I am normally anti revivals but this particular revival has shown off Givenchy at its best. In this project the fashion houses has been helped by the famous duo of  Jean Guichard and Olivier Gillotin . They got the old formula and added a strawberry note. The result has been spectacular and has probably exceeded all expectations.

The Fragrance

The fragrance is simple when compared to the magnificence of the final product. It starts off with galbanum, pepper and clove. We then move to the principle flavor strawberry that gives way to aldehydes, rose, jasmine and jonquil.  The floral theme continues with violet but then we take a more masculine turn with sandalwood, amber and musk, The perfume is developed by benzoin, iris, patchouli and vetiver. The closing notes are frankincense and tonka bean. On a normal scale this might appear to be a complicated list but bearing in mind the quality of the outcome, I am not complaining.

The Packaging

A really interesting bottle and the perfume itself is made up of a peachy lemony hue which I find absolutely appealing. The bottle has a snowy exterior but clear enough so that you can see what is inside. The silver top is neither here nor there but the purple label is somehow out of place. However I think this is perfectly acceptable packaging for the perfume of its caliber.

General Customer Feedback

The customers loved the perfume to the extent that may of them were saying that it was better than the old version. There was one small complaint that the label tends to appear as if it is going to fall off but no one worried about the value of the fragrance.

Popularity: 23% [?]

Lyric woman is based on a soprano voices that has lightness but also darker colors. This is apparently supposed to reflect the difference between the top notes and the bottom notes of this perfume. I like the concept of mixing two different notes to form a balanced perfume but I think that the operatic theme is a touch pretentious. This is merely a matter of taste and I am sure that there are many who love the comparison.

 The Brand

Daniel Maurel is the perfume genious behind Lyric Woman but he is ultimately representing Amouage.  Amouage is a luxury perfume house. It was established  around 1983 by the Sultan of Oman. The theme for the fashion was the revival of the ancient Omani art of perfumery. This means that the perfume is delivered with a rich oriental twist arises out of its Persian origins.

The Fragrance

The perfume has always marketed itself as a mish mash of different textures and scents. Therefore you will have sharp notes that are then complemented by more dulcet ones. It all kicks of with bergamot, spicy cardamom, cinnamon and ginger. This provides the oriental base for the whole perfume. We then move on to heart of rose, angelica, jasmine and ylang ylang. The spicy flowers continue with geranium, and orris. The base is quite substantial with hints of oakmoss, musk, wood, patchouli, vetiver, sandalwood, vanilla, tonka bean, and frankincense. The ingredients are many and interesting but the final perfume is much greater than its ingredients.

The Packaging

I absolutely love this packaging because it has detail. Many packages are far too simplistic but this is red with a silver logo at the front and a fruit shaped cone at the top. The top has a little button structure that adds texture to the packaging. It all speaks of elegance and sophistication.

General Customer Feedback

The customers loved the complexity of the perfume and were seduced by the oriental flavors that occasionally interrupted their feast with new knowledge of what was to come. The packaging was very popular but was not seen to be a crucial factor in whether they bought the perfume or not. The operative theme was lost on most people.

Popularity: 11% [?]

Black is a rather dark perfume concept from Bvlgari which relies on shock value as well as a first class scent to lure its  prey in. This is one of those perfumes where the genius of the creator is partly due to their ability to shock our sensibilities. The perfume is therefore quite rightly marketed as a metropolitan fragrance for fashionable men and women. This is one of those rather rare occasions when ultra modern is quite pleasant actually.

 The Brand

The great perfumer Annick Menardo launched Black on behalf of Bvlgari in 1998. The brand belongs to an Italian jewelry line. Founded by an immigrant, the house relies on hard work and constant innovation. That is why they have successfully been able to move from jewels into high end perfume. The brand brings with it an awareness of customer needs and wants.

The Fragrance

The opens up appropriately with black tea. We then move into rosewood and bergamot. A woody quality is brought to by the presence of cedar and oak moss. The perfume then moves to confectionery with vanilla.  The final hues are of amber, sandalwood and musk. What then is absolutely surprising is that such a relatively simple array of ingredients can produce such a challenging perfume.

The Packaging

I am sorry to say this but the packaging on this perfume reminds me of a bullet. Perhaps the shock value was pushed on for  a touch too long with the design. It is composed of ebony and silver with a circular motive just like a bullet or some other sort of modern weapon. The packaging is a curiosity but I am not sure that it speaks to anyone of perfumes. In short the packaging does shock but does not add much to a great perfume

General Customer Feedback

The customers loved the quirky nature of the perfume and pointed out the fact that it was one of those things where shocking was better than bland. Perhaps customers are generally getting fed up with the bland perfumes that are being produced almost on a factory basis. It is a treasure to find such a perfume and I would recommend it for both women and men.

Popularity: 7% [?]

Bellodgia is the latest incarnation of the Caron brand. It is shamelessly marketed towards the American market which gives it a rather alarming sense of commercialism. However the designer denies this on the basis that it is meant to remind one of sunlight but anywhere in the world. However the reality is that Bellodgia is for all intents and purposes, an American perfume. Some readers may be surprised to note that this is in fact one of the older perfumes that was introduced in 1927 but is still going strong on the basis of its great smell.

The Brand

The perfume was created by Ernest Daltroff on behalf of the Caron brand which he founded . The production values of the product are simply amazing. The perfumer was well taught and the brand marketed itself on the basis of very high quality ingredients and even better quality outcomes in terms of perfumes that could last for a rather long time. Given the fact that the perfume has been going since 1927 we can safely say that they have lived up to the brand values.

The Fragrance

The perfume opens with the obligatory rose which is almost standard for a lady’s fragrance these days. We then move on to the more oriental jasmine and then back to the floral violet and  lily of the valley. A musky tone is introduced by the sandalwood and musk yet in between we have the confectionary flavors of vanilla. Compared with some of the perfumes I have reviewed this is a relatively short list of fragrances.

The Packaging

The standard is the standard glass bottle with the golden tea liquid but there is a slight difference. The cap has a sort of purple lavender hue which reminds me of some of the  perfume flavors. However I am not entirely sure that lavender quite works well with the rest of the colors.

General Customer Feedback

The customers absolutely loved it and its classic scent. In fact the general consensus was that this perfume was one for the great occasions rather than everyday use. I suppose this is a vindication for the brand owners because the brand remains quite successful after all these years.

Popularity: 4% [?]

Uomo is the latest mass market creation from Carthusia. I do not mean this is in a derogatory manner because this is a perfectly nice perfume. I only mean to describe its mass appeal and the design that is obviously commercial. The citrus theme of the fragrance suggest a cool summer scent. The perfume is meant for the gentlemen but the final outcome is almost metro sexual.

The Brand

Carthusia is an Italian niche fragrance line. They do not have the brand stamina of something like Givenchy but they have identified a perfume niche that concentrates on what one could call everyday users. Luxury is not one of their highest priorities especially when compared with practicability.

The Fragrance

One of the most interesting things about this perfume is that the top notes do not exactly match the final product. For example the raspberry would have added a fruity freshness but instead it is completely overwhelmed by a sharp citrus twist. Kelp is one of those unusual ingredients that should have sung out loud for the tester but instead it is merely hinted at. We finally end with the rather traditional rosewood. In my view this is the scent that manages to turn the ingredients into a totally different outcome.

The Packaging

There is something Grecian about the floral crystal bottle with the black square top. I have to confess that I like it very much. The perfume is a very clear liquid but the elegance is brought out by the black finish. It is rare for a perfume to combine cleanliness with elegance. Somehow elegant things tend to have something dirty about them.

General Customer Feedback

Customers did say that the perfume divided opinion sharply. They either fell completely head over hills or could not bear the perfume. One particular customer felt that the best way to enjoy the perfume was to give it something like a month and then come back to it. They also advised that the perfume should never be viewed as a sum of its ingredients because it was not. Rather customers should look to appreciate the  final haunting notes.

Popularity: 15% [?]

L’edition Imperiale is a men’s perfume that was created by perfumer Alexis Dadier on behalf of the cognac brand that is Courvoisier. This is a very unique perfume which is a distinct advantage in an industry that regularly churns out average quality products. The perfume will definitely stand out from the crowd and the review itself will pay testament to this fact.

The Brand

Courvoisier is a luxury cognac brand which is part of the  Beam Global Spirits Group. It has been on the market since 2007 and carries a heavy punch within the industry because of its distinctive products and excellent marketing technique. The brand plans to launch more perfumes for men. Perhaps they are working on a niche here. In any case I think their initial attempts have been very successful.

The Fragrance

This is a rather simple list of ingredients but the final product is far from simple. This is quite something to achieve. We start off with a homage to the fruits in the form of mandarin. We then take a herbal tour with coriander and cardamom. This then gives way to the rather unusual combination of tagette and smoked tea. The floral theme is provided by  royal calla lily and violet. The scent list is completed by cedar, vetiver, fir balsam, leather and amber.

The Packaging

For some unfathomable reason the packaging on this perfume reminds me of New York. The glass is made of ornate lines that are not floral but rather elongated like long fingers. The perfume itself is a golden color just like some rich black tea. The whole package gives off the air of confident sophistication that fits in with the overall impressions created by the perfume.

General Customer Feedback

The customers were almost universally pleased with the product. They commented that the perfume remained with them for a long time after the initial application but did not lose its great fragrance. It actually acquired new colors as it stayed on the clothes and body for longer. There was a particularly surreal comment from someone who said the perfume was too masculine but this negative comment seemed to be in the minority view.

Popularity: 5% [?]

If any perfume can claim to have history, it has to be Shiloh that takes the price. I do not have to go into the details of the infamous battle with a celebrity about who owns the name. However the perfume itself is based on a concept of adding up different delicate scents with the objective of creating a heady final concoction. In this objective Shiloh has more than achieved its aims and with some style too.

The Brand

Hors Là Monde is definitely in the news from new perfume launches to high profile legal battles. Fortunately for the brand they have not taken a tabloid stance to their marketing so  they retain a good deal of their dignity in spite of the celebrity dramas. Perhaps this has been achievable because they have not had a high profile celebrity endorsement. It seems that is one of the easiest ways to cheapen a product.

The Fragrance

The perfume starts off with lemon, bergamot and herbs. This is a mish mash of fruits and cookery flavors but I suppose they work on a deeper level that is apparently obvious to me. We then move on to the obligatory rose which is essential for any floral perfume. I am not sure what they mean when they talk of Virginia cedar because to me cedar is just cedar wherever it comes from. The complex fragrance ends with sandalwood, incense, oakmoss, musk, patchouli and vanilla. There are some standard notes there but also some quite intriguing ones.

The Packaging

A very angular and straight faced stance on packaging with a plain bottle and while labeling. There is a stopper to add some element of glamour but essentially the packaging is not fussy in the least. I am not entirely sure that that is the best way to market a feminine perfume. Nevertheless it is an improvement on some of the extravagant monstrosities that I have had the displeasure of reviewing.

General Customer Feedback

Curiously most customers said that they did not like the perfume at first but once they got used to its strange flavors, they decided that it was all right after all. In fact it was not just all right. It was excellent. Most customers praised Shiloh to the heavens after overcoming their initial reticence.

Popularity: 5% [?]

“Conquest” is a very effective brand for a perfume that has scaled the heights of the industry. This is not a perfume for the diffident gentleman. You need a certain swagger to carry off conquest and that is why it has evoked memories of James Bond for many of its users. It is meant to be a luxurious inspirational product and it does succeed in its brief. In short this is the golden yardstick for many male perfume products. I am mightily impressed.

The Brand

Agatha Brown is a New York fashion and accessories designer. She specializes in high end products that are for the selected few. There is an air of elitism in the brand but it is definitely deserved elitism. The quality of their products speaks for itself and the exclusivity is not undeserved. The quality of their products speaks for itself and the latest product does not disappoint.

The Fragrance

It is a rather complex blend of flavors that come out with a product that far outranks its ingredients.  With start out with the essential bergamot which is complemented by lemon, yuzu zest and grapefruit. This then gives way to the fig leaf, stephanotis, jasmine, iced lavender and white muguet. As if that was not enough, we move into Braeburn apple, cedar, vetiver, tonka bean, sandalwood and patchouli. We then conclude with olibanum, benzoin and musk.

The Packaging

The packaging is very classy and very masculine. The glass has some angular lines which suggest solidity and dependability. The pale orange liquid lightens the mood. Overall the packaging is just right for the luxurious nature of the perfume itself. This is one of those perfumes that manages to capture elegance and sophistication with the simplest of designs. The packaging echoes that sentiment perfectly.

General Customer Feedback

The customers were just awed by the greatness of the brand. I have a suspicion that many of them did not actually sample the perfume but  assumed its qualities on the basis of a strong brand. It is not surprising that the feedback was extremely positive. For many this was a perfume that was meant to be worn on great occasions.

Popularity: 9% [?]

Jasmin is the latest creation from the little known perfume oil maker Bruno Acampora. The perfume is based on a concept of evening tide and childhood memories. Apparently it is supposed to remind one of honey or a first meeting . These are lofty sentiments indeed but I am not entirely sure that the perfume is able to live with them. I personally believe that this is a very decent perfume that would not go amiss in a gift cabinet but it is not one that I would break the house down for.

The Brand

The Bruno Acampora house specializes in perfume oils so it might not be very famous with the perfume connoisseurs who tend to go for the water based colognes. However it has been going for a good forty years so they must be doing something right. Their modus operandi is to titillate the senses of those who buy their product.

The Fragrance

The fragrance is fairly simple in as much as it is dominated by jasmine. You really cannot go wrong with jasmine because it instantly creates a perfume from nothing. However I tend to prefer a bit more imagination from my perfumes. On the other hand some people cannot abide complicated perfumes because  they do not give them a direct message. The message from jasmine is as direct as can be. There other fairly unique notes of cyclamen, cloves and ylang ylang. This gives the perfume a spicy oriental feel which is part of the exotic mix that works so well for so many fragrances.

The Packaging

The perfume comes in a silver box and rests on a motif of pink. The bottle is relatively small but has a floral print of pink highlights. I think this is an excellent idea and that pink is almost orange in the hue such that you have obvious femininity but with a twist. I am afraid that the packaging of the perfume outranks its smell. Whether this is a good or bad thing is another matter.

General Customer Feedback

I hate to say this but many of the customers were distinctly underwhelmed by the perfume. They could not find anything inherently wrong but they did not feel that the perfume had the wow factor. I personally take a slightly different view. It is neither possible nor desirable to have a full on high end perfume every time you review something. Some perfumes simple and we ought to appreciate them in their simplicity.

Popularity: 8% [?]