This is a recent perfume release from the design house of the same name. It also competes with another perfume that had a similar name. However since both come from the same house then there should not be a problem in acknowledging it.  The first came out in 1990 and those people of a certain age will remember it very well and the kind of vibes that it put onto the market. Some people are not particularly pleased that the perfumes have the potential to confuse the general public. However all in all we have a good product on our hands.

The Brand

The brand is not particularly hyped up but it has been going strong for some time now. On this occasion they used the genius of Pierre Bourdon to make their creation. It seems that they have firmly implanted themselves on the perfume market and will not let go so easily. This is a good thing because it brings in variety.

The Fragrance

The notes include bergamot,  black currant, leafy greens, cucumber, lemon, sea breeze accord, freesia, honeydew, magnolia, jasmine, muguet, rose, orange blossom, peony, amber, musk, nectarine, vanilla, orris, patchouli and sandalwood. This is quite some scent list and one has to say that it has not quite pulled off the simple style. It is a complex and deep perfume. Some people with sensitive noses might think that it might have been a good idea to take out some of the notes.

The Packaging

There is a very lovely lady on the top but the star of the show is the green bottle. This is really an excellent packaging mix. It immediately gives you the impression of being in a smart and cool face. It is not often that a perfume is able to elicit this response in an instant and they have to be congratulated on their work.

General Customer Feedback

Some customers were very complementary of its freshness but others wanted something more earthy or indulgent. All in all there was very little ill to say about the fragrance which is likely to be a commercial success.

Popularity: 19% [?]

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% [?]

As you are probably aware, I am not a fan of celebrity perfumes. It takes me a great effort to go out and look for one because I have always believed that the traditional methods of making fragrances are dying out to be replaced by the sheer weight of celebrity. I decided to check out Carlos Santana’s perfume because I wanted to give the genre a chance.

The Brand

A great musician, Carlos Santana, has decided to try his hand at perfumes. I would like to think that he has a creative hand in the manufacturing or design process. It would be a pity if we did not get to see his personality in the perfume because that is why people go for celebrity. They want to know the person. As it happens the perfume does justice to the celebrity who endorsed it. The quality of the perfume means that people will be queuing up for the sequel.

The Fragrance

The ever present bergamot opens the perfume fragrance list. We then branch off into the fruits with mandarin. The lavender hints remind me of bathing after a hard day’s work. The spicy masculine tones of cinnamon bark give the perfume depth. We then go back to fruits with apples before a decidedly harder sandalwood, cypress woo and cedar. The ubiquitous patchouli combines with musk and leather to create a very distinct flavor. We then close the perfume with an interesting combination of benzoin, vanilla, amber, and tonka bean. This is a perfume that has been well thought through on so many levels and the fragrance list is a testament to this fact.

The Packaging

The perfume has an absolutely lovely packaging. The blood red liquid is placed in an oval, almost oblong shaped glass with some clean decorations. I absolutely love the packing on this perfume and my only criticism might be that it is a touch too feminine but no matter. It is still a good thing to have on the side table.

General Customer Feedback

The perfume has received brilliant feedback from almost all the customers who got it. They found that it was masculine without being too aggressive. The mix of the ingredients created something that smelt and looked good. This is a perfume for special occasions because it is so precious. I really have nothing negative to report on the perfume because it ticks so many of my boxes.

Popularity: 9% [?]

This is a perfume that any Scotsman would be proud of. It was created in homage to the Scottish moors and the tradition of making whisky. It therefore purports to rely on smoky and woody flavor to create a sensual feel. It is not rough by any stretch of imagination. On the contrary this is a perfume that is elegant and reeks of great sophistication. Whist definitely male, the perfume retains a certain softness that is almost languid in its effects.

The Brand

The brand was effectively established by a French fashion designer in 1974. In the eighties it was the epitome of those fashion house that opted for power dressing. They have now moved onto perfumes and have been very successful there. The brand is not ashamed of modern commercialism but always adds something interesting to the mix.  I think that the power dressing ethos has been brought to the new fragrance and it has been a grand success.

The Fragrance

As would be expected there is an alcohol hint at the very beginning of the perfume which points you towards the inspiration that was received from whisky. The great perfume then releases its hues of  woods, sweet musk, vanilla and patchouli. Some reviewers have noted a feeling  that there is cereal in the perfume. I myself have not yet experienced this scent. However I must scent that the final product is a gorgeous perfume that I find particularly comforting.

The Packaging

This is my ideal packaging because it combines black and gold in an elegant swoop that is just out of this world. From the box to the perfume itself, you just get sexy written all over it. You can gather that I am absolutely in love with the packaging on this perfume.

General Customer Feedback

Most of the customers said that the perfume reminded them of breakfast. The whisky theme was not so prevalent but they all agreed that this was a great perfume that deserved a place on the highest echelons of the industry. Most importantly they said that the perfume became better as it stayed on the body which means that there will be plenty of repeat customers.

Popularity: 27% [?]

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% [?]

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: 7% [?]

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: 8% [?]

If you like spice then you have come to the right perfume. Epicee is all about spice and if you like soft perfumes then you will be disappointed. Given the bold statement, I would not have automatically assumed that it was a ladies fragrance. However it definitely it is for the ladies and as you look through the tops notes, you will notice that it has been carefully constructed to appeal to that market. I would not go as far as calling it an outright triumph but I think it does a very good job.

The Brand

Frapin is not your typical perfume maker. It started off as a Cognac house but then  Béatrice Cointreau started the perfume line. They are really about French classical tastes and this is reflected in their rather chic perfumes. Caravelle Epicee pays homage to this tradition but with the extra dimension of a really spicy overtone. If there is anything to know about high end fashion, the French are your first resource. This perfume is a prime example of that adage.

The Fragrance

I might as well say spice and leave it at that because this is the overwhelming theme of the perfume. So much so that it has put off some customers. It opens with  coriander of all things  then it goes to thyme and nutmeg. The spicy theme is then carried forward to cumin and cardamom. The unconventional tobacco is joined by the more conventional patchouli, sandalwood, Gaiac wood and amber. This is a very interesting perfume but I am sure that I am not the only one who feels that they might have overdone it on the spicy theme.

The Packaging

Brilliant…just brilliant! I absolutely adore the packaging on this perfume. You have a carefully sculptured glass bottle with a lime green perfume topped by very black caps and markings. The overall effect is very French and very elegant. The makers of this perfume know what they are doing and could teach people a few things about packaging your product. I think what did it for me was the combination of lime perfume and the black markings. It somehow seems to work for me.

General Customer Feedback

Customers seemed genuinely interested in the perfume although some of them were rather alarmed at the powerful spicy theme. They felt that it could have been tempered a bit with sweeter undertones. Nevertheless they felt that this was a good effort and a good representation of the brand.

Popularity: 10% [?]

Behind the weird management speak is a great perfume from Barbara Bui. I read some boring mumbo jumbo about how she wants the perfume to be “multisensorial”  and to be “results oriented”. What a  load of old twaddle! However I must say that the perfume is excellent and it fits the ladies market like a glove. It is not very innovative or striking but it does get the job done and I would not be ashamed to buy it for someone special as a present.

The Brand

Barbara Bui goes for the modern woman and she satisfies her needs very well. Her perfumes stand on the background of good quality products and scents that are both interesting and beautiful. I think that she does a great job with defining the modern woman within fashion industry. Some of the old perfume brands can look a bit dated when you are considering the younger buyers who look for something that is fresh and more up to date. I think the Barbara Bui brand satisfies this niche. I only wish they wouldn’t mix it all up with the new age nonsense.

The Fragrance

A sweet, almost sickly quality opens the fragrance notes. It then moves towards incense and jasmine. The tones then go into vanilla which is quite surprising given the beginning. The scents are rounded off by amber, sandalwood, heliotrope and cedar. Thus you have a heady mix of the sweet vanilla with the woody undertone and you get a fabulous perfume at the end. Unlike some of the other perfumes that I have reviewed, this is one is always pleasant. You don’t have to wait for it to take route before you can see its quality.

The Packaging

I think the packaging on this one is just great. A clear bottle holds an almost orange liquid. The writings have an elegant translucent quality. This is a rather charming packaging that suits the perfume very well. I don’t think that a bold design would be able to fit the overall ambience of the fragrance.

General Customer Feedback

The customer feedback is glowing and I did not find too many negatives. I think that Barbara Bui has created a very successful brand and this latest perfume just ensures that the ladies will be coming back for more. Most of my criticism are to do with the way the perfume is marketed but neutrally looking at what is before me, I think that this effort is a great success.

Popularity: 11% [?]