The provocative name is rather shocking but the perfume is an absolute find especially given the fact that the market is sometimes flooded by all sorts of bland things that go under the guise of a serious perfume. Given the relative anonymity of the perfume it is ironic that it has been called Nude yet when one wears it they feel that they are experiencing real class. Furthermore it is interesting to note that the price of the perfume is quite low which adds to the impetus to buy it.

The Brand

The perfume is the creation of Sophia Grojsman . The product has only been launched in 1990 with some other branded fragrances and has done fairly well since then. The brand is not very strong because it has not made perfumes that have gone on for decades but has rather been updating its production in line with modern tastes. This has given it something of a disadvantage when compared to the establishment houses of yore.

The Fragrance

The perfume has a surprisingly complex list of constituent fragrances that on first blush suggest the they might clash but in the event they tend to work together very well. The perfume starts off with the standard aldehydes, rose, galbanum and narcissus. These are rather vanity items which progress to jasmine, ylang ylang and mosses. The masculine hints are provided by  musk, sandalwood, vetiver, and orris. Rather than causing a clash, the perfume list tends to create a sweet mush of feminine extravagance.

The Packaging

They use a very clean swampy green bottle that gives one the unfortunate impression of a medicine bottle. However it must be said that the packaging on the perfume seems clean and focused. There is no reason why this should not be an idea packaging for the perfume.

General Customer Feedback

The perfume was well praised by the customers in terms of its rather sophisticated approach to perfumes. There was concern that it might become a collection of fragrances rather than a logical perfume that is able to compete with the best of them. However in general terms one might consider that the perfume has been a great success.

Popularity: 7% [?]

One might say that if you want to sell a perfume with the help of a celebrity, there is no better choice than the Beyonce.  The star really needs no introduction and her endorsed perfume has not let the fans down with the excellent quality credentials and the presentation. The sales reports indicate that the singer has had a profound impact on the sales figures and the makers feel that they can make a log of capital from the perfume. The perfume seems to speak with the target audience and they like what they see and smell. One would hope that the company will see this as a stepping stone to greater things in this sector. Perhaps the star herself might like to create her own brand to tantalize the nations.

The Fragrance

The overall feel of the perfume is that of a fruity musk and the  fragrance list seems  to bear out this summary. When you first put on the perfume you feel the peachy highlights . The full list of the notes then starts to hit with red vanilla orchid, magnolia, neroli, blush peach, honeysuckle nectar, almond macaroon, crème de musk, sequoia milkwood, tonka bean and amber. One definitely feels a very pleasant hue when they use the perfume but there is not harsh tone to add a discordant note to the general sweetness.

The Packaging

The presence of Beyonce is enough to sell any perfume no matter what the quality.  I have to admit some bias but the bottle seems quite effective with its wide bottom shape that moves onto a narrow top with a golden cap. There is a red that is running throughout and I believe it is particularly appropriate.

General Customer Feedback

Given the strong association with a celebrity there is a minority of people who are not impressed by the perfume. However the people seemed quite fascinated by the celebrity at the expense of what is rather a good perfume. Perhaps this is something that they might want to look at with the marketing strategy. One does not really want the celebrity to overtake the perfume in a major way.

Popularity: 9% [?]

The Mark Brand has joined the launches of the year with the Rio Rhythms which is a counterpart to the Rio Bikini Perfume. Unfortunately for the majority of the perfume loving public, they are limited editions so that those who want them have to rush out and make the purchase as soon as possible. One can say that these perfumes are really meant for holidays in the sun and sea resorts that have mushroomed across Europe.

The Brand

The Mark brand has only been recently established when you compare it to the stalwarts such as the great Channel and Givenchy. It has therefore worked to build its reputation on experimental perfumes that are released on limited editions. It is ideally suited for younger customers who like to experiment with things. The older people might get disturbed by its lack of traditional backing. It has also been involved in direct sales which is not really suitable for the traditional high end perfumes.

The Fragrance

The objectives of the perfume makers were to create an element of tantalizing sensuality and they have been very successful at this because of the fragrance list that they have incorporated in the product.  One is introduced to an element of Jasmine and coconut which has a definite tropical taste. We then move to the traditional peony, gardenia and lilac. The closing highlights include vanilla, wood and amber. This type of fragrance list is a challenge and it is surprising that there are no sharp criticisms because it could have gone horribly wrong. However the result on this occasion has been a roaring success.

The Packaging

There is a pink lilac thing going on with the pyramid bottle and the elaborate writing. I have to admit that it is not my cup of tea but I would not kick it out. It is a competent packaging for the perfume but it does not stir my feelings. At least this is better than some of the fashion crimes that have been reviewed in the past.

General Customer Feedback

Customers have commented on the interesting mix of the soft and hard elements of the perfume. However they are satisfied that it is good value and will bring them a renewed confidence.

Popularity: 17% [?]

Only the Brave is the latest brave attempt from Diesel. Sporting the image of Serena Williams’ alleged boyfriend, it is a fantastic perfume for gentlemen across the spectrum. It is not one of the standard issue fragrances that do not have any particular distinction apart from a celebrity endorsement. This is a rather solid and dependable perfume for men.

The Brand

Diesel has built a reputation as one of the leading providers of perfumes that appeal to teenage boys in particular. They tend to have sweet smelling perfumes with a definite masculine flavor that makes them the teenager’s dream. However this is not to say that grown gentlemen cannot enjoy the great products from Diesel. It is in fact a very good choice for all occasions in terms of building the customer base.

The Fragrance

The fragrance opens with lemon, leather, cedar and amber. I like the simplicity of the ingredients which start with the fresh lemon. This is a flavor that never fails to make a perfume fresh no matter what else is added to mask the distinctive flavor of lemon. In my book it is always a winner no matter what the occasion is. The leather is an interesting theme because it brings in the masculinity that is further emphasized by the presence of cedar and amber. All in all this is a well balanced perfume.

The Packaging

The packing is quite striking with a glass fist that is topped by the elaborate silver cap. I think this is a great packaging because it says that the perfume is definitely masculine. Moreover it is something that would interest someone on the mantle or drawer because it has such striking features. Some people might find the fist a touch aggressive for their tastes.

General Customer Feedback

This is not a perfume that was ever going to fail the customer feedback test because it has been well set up and delivers a good punch. The feedback is universally good and many gentlemen promised to buy it, even if for the purposes of owning the brave fist. I would buy one sample for myself if I was near the shops.

Popularity: 10% [?]

This is an interesting perfume that briefly tittered on the age of trashy celebrity. However it was quickly rescued and is one of those perfumes that intrigue people for a long time. It has had some associations with real royalty because some people decided to review it as a tribute to the late Diana Spencer, previous Princess of Wales. I rather wish they had done one for Camilla Shand and we would have some real drama.

The Brand

Creed’s name belies its rather older history. By just looking at the name of the brand one might think that it is one of the new age stuff that is dominating the hippy market. However the perfume house was established in London around 1760. It them migrated to Paris in 1854. It is still a successful family owned industry. Their foray into perfumes has been successful.

The Fragrance

The notes are varied and interesting. They start off with mandarin, bergamo and peppermint. It then moves on to cumin, basil and juniper berry. The musk just adds a touch of masculinity. The perfume seems to be challenging out views on gender and it constantly shifts the boundaries such that one never really knows where they stand with this perfume. Although this is a great way of adding interest to the perfume, it can end up confusing the customers such that they do not know where they stand.

The Packaging

A simple combination of silver, crystal and pearls comes to mind when one looks at the bottle of the perfume. It looks like a great white wine but at the same time one knows that it is definitely a perfume. The packaging is elegant and appropriate. They have done justice to their perfume.

General Customer Feedback

Although some people seemed to be confused about the gender of the target audience, almost all of them agreed that it was a great perfume that did justice to the princess who inspired some of the reviews. They found it sultry and alluring yet having a certain level of innocence. Perhaps the inspiration for the perfume was quite accurate about the requisite attributes.

Popularity: 19% [?]

According to some sources Ma Griffe comes from the class of perfumes known as the floral chypre. This is one of those perfumes that are meant to shock rather than soothe the perfume and therefore it has to be approached with some level of trepidation given the fearsome reputation that it can bring to the table. You will either love or hate this perfume because there are so few compromises when it comes to creating what is a great fragrance in reality.

The Brand

According to historical sources Ma Griffe was created around 1946 under the auspices of the great design house known as Carven. The genius behind it was none other than nose Jean Carles. It is rather a curious chance of fate that by the time this perfume was created, the creator had lost a sense of smell. Perhaps this explains the rather powerful fragrance.

The Fragrance

The fragrance list for the perfume reads like a who is who of the remote notes that can be included in a perfume. They include gardenia, greens, galbanum, citrus and aldehydes. We then move on to clary sage, jasmine, rose and sandalwood. After that comes a list of some interesting notes that include vetiver, orris, ylang ylang, and styrax. Finally the perfume closes with hints of oakmoss, cinnamon, musk, benzoin, and labdanum. This is a rather complicated list of ingredients and the final product follows suit by adding complexity. Whether people like it will largely depend on their personal tastes.

The Packaging

I have to apologies for the designers but I really hate the packaging. It is a mixture of cream and green zigzags that cover the box. When you open the bottle it actually looks like something from a clinical cabinet. This is not their finest packaging by a long shot.

General Customer Feedback

This is a perfume that is capable of dividing opinion significantly. Some people were of the view that it was too edgy while others felt that the final fragrance did not live up to the expectations of the fragrance list. However they did achieve their aim of getting noticed and this is not a perfume that can easily be set aside.

Popularity: 5% [?]

In the early part of 2009 the Missoni perfume was launched and judging from the customer feedback, it has had a soft landing especially when compared with its less fortunate counterparts. The perfume has been picking up prizes as if they are going out of fashion and this illustrates the confidence that the expert community has in the fragrance. If this start is anything to go by, the perfume will have a long and successful career in the business and is well on the way to becoming a great modern icon in the industry.

The Brand

The Missoni  brand is all about targeting the younger market and giving them innovative products that stand out in the crowd. In this endeavor it has created perfumes that have a distinct taste and feel to them and therefore appeal to people who like to stand out in a crowd. At the same time the brand is not about creating crazy concoctions that bear little resemblance to reality. In this they have achieved a balance that has eluded so many great perfumes.

The Fragrance

The fragrance notes include bergamot, nespolo and magnolia. We then move on to Magenta Pinks accord which comes out as being is peony and rose. Some of the reviewers said that the Intense Oranges accord has mandarin, bitter orange and kaki (persimmon. As for the Chocolate Browns accord, it has Gianduia chocolate and fluid amber. The fragrance list is very intriguing because it combines spicy elements with those that might be thought to be associated with desserts.  However the final results work very well and are a great credit to the designers.

The Packaging

The packaging is just great and it reminds me of a hone teardrop with its almost oblong shape that is complemented by golden hues. The overall impression is that of a luxurious brand that is willing to offer its allure to all and sundry. At the same time it definitely looks good o the side table.

General Customer Feedback

The great selling point for most of the customers who reviewed the perfume was the fact that it was unique and did not smell like all the other commercial perfumes on the market. This is an advantage that the brand cannot afford to give up because it will see them grow through the different avenues in the perfume industry.

Popularity: 10% [?]

This is a perfume that has been inspired by an iconic piece of jewelry and I am sure the manufacturer would like to think of it as a piece of jewel within the fashion industry. It is a recent perfume that has come onto the market not too long ago.  The genius behind the perfume is none other than the great Christine Nagel Quest. I can safely say that the foray into the perfume world has been a great success and one can only hope for more perfumes of the same ilk.

The Brand

Cartier is known for high end fashion items such as brooches and handbags. It is not surprising that they have decided to expand their influence into the perfume industry. After all it has always been a brand that is happy to do lots of innovation and to support the work of its other sectors. The consumers can only expect the highest qualities when it comes to the Cartier brand and the perfume is not anticipated to be lukewarm in its objectives.

The Fragrance

The perfume fragrance list includes frozen morello cherry and bergamot. We then have the great combination of pink, white and yellow jasmine. The list continues with pink pepper, freesia and violet. The perfume concludes with tonka beans, amber and sandalwood. These are not common place items but ones which bring to the user a sense of adventure that is closely associated with the brand. For some reason the perfume has been able to achieve the miraculous blending of floral hints with the masculine elements of sandalwood.

The Packaging

The packaging on this perfume reminds of a lollypop. Specifically it brings back memories of my childhood with the red and white confectionery signal that was of that age. I am not entirely sure that one wants a perfume to look like a sweet. The user might end up getting confused by the whole thing.

General Customer Feedback

The customer feedback was positive and many people pointed out the fact that the perfume was not as sweet as some of the sugary overtones suggested. Rather it was a pleasant and colored perfume that could suit many ladies who were in their thirties.

Popularity: 4% [?]

The Lacroix brand has now moved on to perfumes. This is the second item in the new venture for the fashion house that dominated the 1980s. Who can forget the references in Absolutely Fabulous when that ridiculous woman kept insisting that she only wore Lacroix, darling?  Nathalie Gracia-Cetto is to thank for this successful foray. One can only hope that Lacroix will continue to bring us great fragrances.

The Brand

Lacroix is a successful fashion house that brings to the client a blend of great items that portray elegance and sophistication. It is one of those brands which one can only wear when there is spare cash in the bank. The products do not come cheap by their quality more than justifies the prices in almost all cases. One only goes for Lacroix when they know a thing or two about fashion. They must also have the style and affluence to carry off the perfume.

The Fragrance

The fragrance opens with a citrus flavor that is quite reminiscent of a fresh bath. One immediately feels that they are refreshed and replenished by the perfume. We then move on to some sandalwood which injects the masculine theme that carries the perfume forward. The final mix is heady and oriental, almost like an old wood piece that has been well cared for. This is a perfume that is not entirely unique but brings a masculine freshness to the market.

The Packaging

The packaging is just extraordinary with a hint of peacock patterns but in black and white. The bottle is like a rich crystal glass. Some might think that this is way over the top but I happen to think that it fits in very well with the overall tone of the perfume. Lacroix is all about elegance and this perfume fits the brief like a glove on a hand.

General Customer Feedback

The fragrance has excellent reviews particularly from the ladies because it combines sweetness with a masculine huskiness which is sometimes rare in the industry. Some people claimed that the perfume might be a little too sweet but in general it had excellent feedback.

Popularity: 19% [?]

This is the third in the line of Chloe perfumes that are trying to achieve distinction yet maintaining the running theme of their brand. Perhaps all the challenges that are faced by the Chloe brand are illustrated in this trio that attempts to deal with the requirements of a difficult market by creating three perfumes that have a running theme. The distinction of each perfume is the ultimate challenge and the jury is out as to whether Chloe has achieved this aim in full on this occasion.

The Brand

The Chloe Brand is all about fashionable young women who do not like complicated things in their lives. The perfume tries to borrow the trends that are prevailing at that time of the year but at the same time it does not seriously challenge the senses of the people who use it. If one was being particularly unkind, they might say that the Chloe brand was ordinary. There is nothing stringent about their operations but likewise one cannot accuse them of being unpleasant.

The Fragrance

The notes in this perfume reflect that ethos of the company which is based on simplicity. The bergamot opens the account and then moves on to lemon. We then get the signature neroli, galbanum and sage. A rather fruity note is added by the juniper berry, rose and then we go aromatic with the jasmine. The standard floral theme is provided by the lily of the valley. A slightly masculine element comes in with the ambroxan, and musk. On paper this appears to be the most balanced of all the three perfumes because it tends to mix the feminine with the masculine to create an interesting fragrance.

The Packaging

The external packaging is very good but I find the lime liquid slightly shocking. It is not a particularly unpleasant color but it somehow does not fit in with the notes that the perfume lists and exhibits. In any case I do not believe that this packaging is significantly problematic to affect the perfume in a big way.

General Customer Feedback

Many of the reviewers found the perfume pleasant but there was concern that the user had to spread it liberally in order to get the best benefit. There was also a suspicion that it might not last on the body for a long period of time once used.

Popularity: 16% [?]