The perfume is the work of the two perfumers François Coty and Vincent Roubert. This is one of the revival perfumes that is meant to bring tears to those that remember the heydays of the perfume. In this perspective we can consider the perfume as a reflection of the changing times and a look to the future of the perfume industry. The latest incarnation is somewhat softer than the older versions. Perhaps they have done this in homage to the metro sexual craze.

The Brand

The perfume belongs to the clothing firm Knize. They have been in operation from around  1858. However the perfume Knize Ten was brought onto the market around 1924. There have been various alternations to the perfume to ensure that it fits in with modern tastes and many of these attempts have been successful. The overriding principle is that the perfume has stayed the course of history.

The Fragrance

There is a complicated list of ingredients that make up the original perfume including lemon, bergamot, orange and petitgrain. We then move on to rosemary,  geranium, rose, cedar, orris, carnation and  cinnamon. A contrast is provided by orange blossom, sandalwood, leather and musk. The perfume then comes to moss, patchouli, ambergris, castoreum and vanilla. Thus one has the classic combination of soft yet sweet. This is the perfect combination for the masculine market.

The Packaging

The packaging is typically French and it gives the impression of wood for some reason. The bottles are simple but the focus is taken to the little pattern right at the top of the bottle in  the front which looks like something against the Trident Nuclear plant. However it is all done tastefully.

General Customer Feedback

Many of the readers were delighted that such an old fragrance is still making the waves. The nostalgia is there but the perfume itself has the merits to warrant such attentions. It has stayed the course through various tribulations and has retained an element of its own identity despite all the attempts to make it appeal to the modern general. It is really an example of how to create a long lasting perfume for the general public.

Popularity: 24% [?]

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: 14% [?]

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: 24% [?]

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: 28% [?]

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: 17% [?]

That doyen of Chav fashion has come up with something interesting once again. Although the Burberry brand has been beset by a terrible image of manner-less hooligans, the reality is that this is one of our oldest and greatest brands. The perfume that they have created for men is a testimony to their tenacity and ability to feel the pulse of the public. This perfume is meant to tap into the edgy nature of bands such as Razorlight. At least they have not gone for the z list type of marketing.

The Brand

If you know anything about designer labels, you will know about Burberry. They are a famous brand that deals with clothes and accessories. Of recent they have experienced a revival in terms of sheer regard because they are shading the image of Chavs that has been lumped with the brand quite unfairly. Their products tend to be innovative and functional. What they are lacking is the full glamour of a Givenchy or Chanel 5.

The Fragrance

The perfume starts off with violet leaf and vetiver. We then progress to leatherwood. The vanilla is very faint and I think it only adds to the fragrance a hue that is never meant to be dominant. The problem for the perfume is that the final fragrance is not very distinctive. I appreciate the simplicity but it is also possible to become too simplistic. I think they are flirting with over simplification in the fragrance list.

The Packaging

I rather like the clean packaging with its shiny black tops and the Scottish kilt theme going on with the label. However I fear that some people may continue to associate the perfume with a lesser class of celebrity. It is all very well having a strong brand image but once it is tainted perhaps there is room to consider some modification.

General Customer Feedback

Customers thought that the perfume was rather inoffensive and ordinary. I would beg to differ slightly. It takes some creativity to make a perfume that smells nice but does not reek the whole day simply because you have used it once in the morning.

Popularity: 16% [?]

This perfume was launched in 1911 and has suffered some hard times in terms of popularity. It is now making resurgence on the circuit and it still has the power to amaze in the right circumstances. I think it is a great idea to revive some of those classic perfumes of our childhood because they just show us how much the new generation has to do in order to catch up.

The Brand

The Crown Perfumery came into existence around 1872. They had a runaway success but in due course the orders reduced and the company was tittering on the edge of financial ruin. A good Samaritan in the form of Clive Christian came along in order to revive its fortunes. Unfortunately for the brand, the savior turned out to be short lived and eventually closed the brand. However many people are looking back to the perfume with some nostalgia.

The Fragrance

Quite unusually the perfume opens up with heliotrope which then develops into amber and musk. There then follows a competition between citrus, bergamot and vanilla. The vanilla actually ends up with the goods because the final impression that you get is very similar to the one that you get in a cake shop. By this I am referring to a good quality cake shop for good measure.

The Packaging

The bottle is almost like crushed marble that has hints of a silvery pearl. The effect is definitely of its time and I am not sure that this kind of packaging will appeal to all modern tastes.  However I must say that the overall look is generally classic and elegant so I cannot really knock the perfume. In any case, the fragrance more than makes up for any doubts about the packaging.

General Customer Feedback

Many customers were rather confused as to whether it was a male perfume or a lady’s perfume. The marketing indicated that it was a gentleman’s perfume but on closer inspection the fragrances have feminine hints. I would therefore put it in the unisex category if it was up to me. What is not in question is that this is a great perfume that deserves a second look.

Popularity: 17% [?]

This is a relatively new entrant to the market and they will be looking to establish themselves alongside some of the movers in the perfumery industry. They have released perfumes for both men and women. The success of those perfumes has led to the foray into the new men’s fragrance. I bye and large, this is a successful venture that will hopefully lead to even more perfumes on the market from this house.

The Brand

The brand is based in France and is inspired by the Agarwood and Aloeswood trees. The house has based its fame on the ability to tap into specific cultures and create perfumes that pay homage to them yet at the same time dealing with the modern tastes in aromas. Thus rather than being commonplace, their fragrances tend to be innovative and they are a very important element in diversifying the clientele who take an interest in perfumes. There a whole sections of the community for whom perfume is nothing but a luxury to be ignored.

The Fragrance

I like the fragrance list because it makes no pretentious claims.  We start off with a hint of lemon that quickly transforms into the ubiquitous bergamot. The perfume then becomes culinary with some tarragon. The floral tributes come in with rose and jasmine. We then go back to the kitchen with cinnamon and clove. A male tone is brought in by musk and sandalwood. We then close with the standard oud, vetiver, gaiac, amber and saffron.

The Packaging

The packaging is just perfect. It is almost like a golden egg but with slight oblong adaptations. It gives the impression that you are picking up a treasure. This is what happens when packaging is used effectively to sell a perfume. In this perfume we see a lesson in how to properly present your perfume to the market. I would buy it on the basis of the packaging alone.

General Customer Feedback

The general feedback is that this is a distinct perfume that you can wear on almost any occasion. It did not shock or offend any of the reviewers. This is quite an achievement for a perfume that has a distinctive smell.  I would conclude that its commercial viability is almost guaranteed.

Popularity: 14% [?]

This is one of those department store perfumes but it has enough distinction to create a stir and I personally believe that it has been a success. The brand wanted to create something that is clean cut and fresh with a masculine twist. This is generally the objective of most perfume houses and therefore I am not surprised at the ambition. However I believe that they have been successful in achieving this objective.  

The Brand

The brand prides itself on the ability to create products that fit that all American images of gentlemen who know what they want and knows the means to getting it. This brand is about creating a simple but effective formula for being stylish rather than the excessive designer brand cultures that we have seen. It is refreshing to see a perfume that is able to compete on its own terms without the intervention of the brand.

The Fragrance

The fragrance list is not always accurately represented in how the perfume smells but essentially it starts of with bergamot, mandarin, pink grapefruit and juniper. It then moves to rosemary, papaya, curcuma, mahogany, white tea rose and accord. The traditional scents of suede, sandalwood, cistus, tonka and cashmere wood can are then experienced as the perfume fades away. What you have to do is think about the product as a better finished product than just the ingredients. If you try to look for all the ingredients you might end up severely disappointed.

The Packaging

This is an absolute belter of a packaging that looks somewhat scientific fiction type but then is brought back to life by an elegant glass finish with the pale blue liquid within. I have nothing bad to say about the packaging and feel that it fully does justice to the excellent perfume itself.

General Customer Feedback

Some people found the perfume somewhat antiseptic in tone but I personally feel that this is refreshing. The perfume is intended to make you feel relaxed and pristine. That is not about being clinical but about being fresh. The views of the public can be indifferent on this one but I would recommend it to anyone who wants an everyday perfume.

Popularity: 16% [?]

The great Versace house has wanted to create a perfume that is meant to meet the needs of a confident and attractive man. Now that is some bold statement to make. Where does it leave the diffident ugly ducks?  Somehow I think that this is just pretentious nonsense that detracts from a great perfume from a great perfume house. Ordinary people should not be put off by the exclusivity. This is a perfume that anyone can dare to wear and there should be no shame or diffidence in that.

The Brand

Versace is all about looking good and giving a great impression. If you decide to wear the brand then you will be saying something about your tastes and general affluence. The brand has been effective in developing its place within the very top of the designer perfumes on the market at the moment and it must be commended for that. Lesser brands would have faded in the face of stiff competition.

The Fragrance

The perfume opens up with the customary bergamot that then moves into bitter orange leaves. The unique qualities are emphasized by the presence of neroli, and diamante. This gives a definite Italina feel to the whole thing. We then move on to citron, geranium and clary sage. A rather strange combination comes up when blue hyacinth meets cedar wood. The perfume is then developed by oud, mineral amber, musk and tonka bean. If you are not careful you might think that this is a dull perfume but you have to be patient because it will soon reveal its rather impressive fragrance pedigree.

The Packaging

I would not expect anything less than an exquisite packaging from Versace and I am not disappointed on this occasion. I particularly love the blue themed liquid within the clean white bottle. It somehow reminds me of the sea and cool things. This is a great job on the packaging.

General Customer Feedback

Customers were very complimentary about the perfume although a few felt that it first gave them the impression of being bland and predictable. I think this is a good thing because a good perfume should always surprise. What started off as ordinary can then become extra ordinary.

Popularity: 29% [?]