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% [?]

The perfume is one of the new products that emphasize the all natural theme. They tend to look for organic materials to use with the perfume rather than going for the synthetic materials. In this they are hacking back to the natural movement that has held sway on the public imagination for a significant period of time. They are one in a kind but very effective in terms of bringing this niche to the forefront.

The Brand

The brand is all about tapping into the organic movement. They have been rather prolific in producing some high quality perfumes in order to establish their reputation within the industry. After a recent debut they started getting the perfumes out and they have been something of an unexpected success.

The Fragrance

The perfume includes galbanum, clary sage and bergamot as the top notes. We then move towards Indian carnation absolute and cistus. This is then developed into basmati flower, heliotrope and vanilla. The perfume then closes with patchouli and plant musk.  This is an interesting contrast between heady oriental theme and a rather masculine bottom. The final combination of both is quite interesting and makes for a great perfume.

The Packaging

The packaging consists of a rather angular box with an elaborate black top. The liquid color is rather interesting because it has the same hue as one would expect from a herbal mixture. Thus they packaging is entirely in line with the general qualities of the perfume. They have worked to bring the packaging into the same kind of line that we see in the fragrance notes. That is quite an achievements by any standards.

General Customer Feedback

The customer feedback is very positive and many of the users were particularly interested in the oriental theme. It was felt that this was not a perfume that would necessarily be suitable for everyday use. Rather it could work well for special occasions and visits to important places. As a concept the perfume has been very successful and those that are in the organic movement will definitely look to it as a perfume of choice.

Oeillet, Scent Systems, men’s perfume, herbal perfumes, oriental

Popularity: 18% [?]

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: 26% [?]

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 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% [?]

If there was a name that was suggestive then the top prize has to go to illicit.  Unfortunately this was the only fragrance from the company to date. This is such a shame because they showed such promise when they brought out illicit that we thought the dream would go on forever. I would definitely like to see more of Billy Jealousy in the perfume business.

The Brand

Billy Jealousy is a manufacturer of men’s grooming products in the great state of Texas. They debuted illicit and then gave it a miss. The company targets the modern man with products that are practical and stylish at the same time. Their grooming products emphasize the all American wholesome values but with a hint of naughtiness as seen by the titling.

The Fragrance

Illicit starts off with bergamot followed by ginger . The masculinity is emphasized by the presence of sandalwood and musk . This creates a perfume that is just too standard to create any lasting professions. It could be any number of sports fragrances that lie on the market. You could then wonder why I thought they had promise. My idea to give them a thumbs up for showing promise is that they are able to create a quite competent perfume from very simple ingredients. I am afraid that this is an art that has been lost in the modern age of experimentation therefore anyone who tries has to be commended.

The Packaging

Strangely enough the packaging looks like a spirit bottle. In particular it reminds me of Vodka with the black dragon like labeling. I suppose they wanted to maintain a link with their clothing industry in general and the jeans section in particular. It is a sporty king of packaging but it does not raise the temperature.

General Customer Feedback

People who tended to like this perfume were those that always preferred the simple things in life. One customer suggested that it would be a perfect perfume for the busy teenager. I couldn’t agree  more with this sentiment. I wish that the makers would go bold and create a stunning creation that would launch them firmly in the perfume world.

Popularity: 14% [?]

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: 9% [?]

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: 10% [?]