Dolce & Gabbana The One EDT Review

Hellos ladies and Gentleman! I hope everyone is optimistic and setting positive New Year's goals for this upcoming year. Today I will be covering something that almost feels like a classic staple at this point, even though it's not that old, Dolce & Gabbana's The One EDT. Let's get into it!


Notes

Top
Basil, Coriander, Grapefruit

Mid
Ginger, Orange Blossom, Cardamon

Base
Tobacco, Amber, Cedar


Scent

Opening
You get some woody cedar and tangy grapefruit on the opening, mixed with some cardamon and coriander. Somewhat pungent and strong on the opening spray.

Dry Down
This is where the character of this fragrance takes place. The grapefruit takes a backseat and the dark amber and earthy tobacco take center stage here, also the ginger. You can still get a lot of the cedar and cardamon, but those three are the main players for the rest of the fragrance's lifespan.

Performance
This is where a lot of people disagree on this fragrance. The majority of people say it performs poorly, but I disagree. I think people go anosmic to this one because it is quite strong. I get 6-7 hours out of it. My skin loves tobacco fragrances though. 6-7 hours isn't bad for an EDT. The projection is modest at best. It does project a little for the first hour and a half before settling to a more close to the skin fragrance. I think this is intended. If this fragrance was a projection monster then I think it would lose some of its charm.

When to Wear it
Cool to cold weather. This is a very rich and deep fragrance. It would not smell good in the heat. This is perfect for a date night, but it could also be worn formally or semi-formally. Although it could be worn casually (with a button-up and chinos), I don't think it is best suited for this scenario. It is also worn best at night.

Overall Impression
This one is a legend in its own right. I think the poor performance that some people claim is just them going anosmic. It's a great fragrance, but not totally original. It's safe. This fragrance is dark, mysterious, alluring, and manly. This is gentleman's fragrance and it's for a man with confidence, not one with arrogance. It does lean on the mature side, so I would say 30+ on this one. A lot of people like the EDP more, it's a lot richer and darker, plus better performance, but the EDT doesn't do anything wrong in my book.

Thanks for the support, everyone! Be sure to hit the +1 on Google, hit the blue follow button, and to comment on your thoughts on this fragrance below! I hope everyone has a spectacular new year!

Buy it here:
https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/dolce-and-gabbana/the-one/edt?mv_pc=fragrantica&utm_campaign=242250&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=fragrantica#160215

Image source: www.pixabay.com

Moschino Uomo? Review

Greetings ladies and gentleman! I hope everyone had a fantastically blessed Christmas! My blog posts will still be less frequent than normal until after the new year, then I should be back to posting every other day. Today I am covering a somewhat classic fragrance(It was launched in 1998). Let's get into it!


Notes

Top
Kumquat, Brazilian Rosewood, Aldehydes, Coriander

Mid
Cinnamon, Cyclamen, Clary Sage

Base
Cedarwood, Wormwood, Ambergris, Musk

(Basenotes also lists a sunlight accord in the base, which I assume is what Fragrantica lists as aldehydes in the top)


Scent

Opening
Aromatic musky opening with kumquat and musk and cyclamen. The aldehydes are sharp and citrusy here. It has a pretty strong opening, but not offensive at all. Aldehydes are sharp and citrusy here.

Dry Down
This fragrance is pretty linear. It stays as a musky floral for most of the life of the fragrance. the aldehydes get smoother here, lending to the soapy smell. Just a small dash cinnamon and coriander warms this fragrance up just a bit. The fragrance does tame itself a bit and it is more pleasing to the nose at this point.

Performance
I get around 6 hours with this one, an hour or so more on a cooler day. About 2 hours of projection, then it becomes a skin scent for the rest of its lifespan. it leaves a decent scent trail that is lovely. 2-3 sprays will do the trick. It's easy to go anosmic to this one.

When to Wear it
You can wear this one any time of the year like you can with most soapy fragrances. It's a staple in the mild autumns we have here in South Carolina. It's good casually, formal, and even for a date night. A pretty versatile fragrance.

Overall Impression 
A really good fragrance at a bargain price. I think I paid around $22 for 125ml/ It smells more expensive than it is. It is slightly mature, but I don't think it's out of place on a 22-year-old. It has a certain timeless elegance to it. It's an easy dumb reach. I have yet to find anyone who says this smells bad, but I have only found one person who says this smells "Amazing". I have worn this one quite a bit.



I hope you folks enjoyed this one. Remember to hit the blue follow button. It's like subscribing on Youtube. Also, +1 the article on Google if you'd like. Thanks for the support and until next time, keep smelling great!

One more thing, let me know in the comments section if you like the new "scent" section format or if you prefer the style I used before. Just testing things out. 😃

Buy it here: 
https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/moschino/uomo-moschino/edt#120541

My Favorite Designer Fragrance: Burberry Touch

Hello ladies and gentleman! Sorry that I haven't been posting much. The holiday season is quite a busy time of year. I will be posting more often after 2019 hits. I hope everyone is having a blessed and joyous holiday season. Today I will be covering my favorite designer fragrance, Burberry Touch. Let's get into it!


Notes

Top- Violet, Mandarin

Mid- Pepper, Virginia Cedarwood, Oakmoss

Base- Vetiver, White Musk, Tonka


Scent

Burberry Touch opens up with a strong powdery violet with some spicy pepper and a bit of cedar. Musk is also very noticeable. This fragrance is pretty linear. It doesn't change much from the opening to the dry down, but it smells great the entire time. Clean, powdery, musky, and fresh. This fragrance is just clean. That is the best way to describe it. It does have a very powdery violet that can come off as baby powder-like, so if you are not into powdery fragrances then this one is not for you.

I think this fragrance could be worn by a confident woman. It's unisex to my nose. Smelling clean is never a bad thing for either gender and that is why I love this one. However, I do think the cedar and spice make it lean more masculine.

This fragrance is super versatile. People say Aventus, Bleu de Chanel, and Sauvage are versatile, but I think this one beats it. Smelling clean is good year round. This can be dressed up or down. Cold weather or hot weather. This one is a workhorse. You could use it on a date, but I don't think it is best suited for that.

Longevity is really good. 8-9 hours on skin. 2-3 hours of solid projection. A nice scent trail to boot. This fragrance is not shy. It's not offensive either, but I don't suggest going over 4 sprays, this one lasts and projects well for a clean fragrance. Too much of anything is bad, even soap.

This fragrance is fairly cheap too. 50ml for around $30 at Fragrancenet. That is a really good value to me, especially considering how versatile this one is.

That's it for today guys and gals. I hope you enjoyed. Be sure to +1 my posts that you like so I can see what my viewers tend to like more. Also, hitting that blue follow button really helps support me. Thanks! Have a great day!



Buy it here:
https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/burberry/burberry-touch/edt#116640

Burberry House Review:https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/11/burberry-house-review.html

My Fragrant Christmas Wishlist

Source: www.pixabay.com

Hello everyone! I hope this day finds you well and cheerful during this beautiful holiday season! Today I am going to go over my Christmas wish list. I did not ask for any fragrances for Christmas, but if I did, then this would be it. Let's get into it!


Number 5: Creed Viking (or one of its clones)

Source: www.fragrantica.com

This fragrance really grew on me while I was testing my sample. I like it, but I would never pay for retail for it. One of the clones of it would work fine for me. I am a big fan of spicy fragrances and this takes an Old Spice type DNA and makes it classier.

Full review here:
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/11/creed-viking-review.html


Number 4: Some Variation of Hugo Boss Boss Bottled

Source: www.fragrantica.com

I am a big fan of apple notes. This one smells like an apple pie. So warm and delicious. I have not smelled the EDP, but the EDT is great. Not the greatest longevity, but the scent itself is magical. An amazing fragrance that garners many compliments.


Number 3: Ferragamo Uomo

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Tiramisu anyone? I love coffee fragrances. I have never smelled this one, but it's cheap and I have heard really great things about it. Raving reviews from reviewers like Ashton Kirkland at Gent Scents mean I would be willing to blind buy this one. I trust his nose.


Number 2: Genre Parfums Noble Soul

Credit goes to Justin White for this amazing holiday themed picture!

My boy Devin Breaux is doing work over at Genre Parfums. This inspiration of By Kilian's Black Phantom has been one of his best sellers. Many people are going crazy over it. A coffee fragrance that has amazing longevity and projection for $25 for 30ML? Yes, please! I have yet to try it, but at his prices, you can't really go wrong. Also, I will note that Devin has a very high standard of quality and pre-macerates all of his juice. It's ready to wear when you receive it. This house is the rising star in the fragrance game. Don't sleep on this one. I will be doing a house review on Genre Parfums soon, so stay tuned for that! Big shout out to Justin White for letting me use his photo. Thanks, Justin!

Genre Parfums Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/406118473237999/
(If you wish to order contact Devin Breaux directly and he will take care of you.)


Number 1: Parfums De Marly Carlisle

Source: www.fragrantica.com

Any of you who have followed my blog for some time know my love affair with this fragrance. I wish Devin would clone it. I have heard Hafez 1984 is similar, but I have not been able to get my nose on that one yet. This fragrance is simply beautiful. I am sad that my sample is gone, but this one really left an impact on me. I just don't want to pay full retail for it and I have yet to find it at discounters.


Full Review:
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/10/parfums-de-marly-carlisle-review.html

These would be perfect for Christmas. Even though I am not getting any. This would be my list. It's just my opinion though. These are the fragrances that I want the most, not the ones best for Christmas. I will do that list in a few days. What fragrances are on your wishlist? Let me know in the comments!


If you enjoy my content be sure to +1 it so I know what kind of content my readers enjoy the most. Also hitting that blue follow button is like subscribing on Youtube. It helps a ton. Thanks for the support! Have a great day!

A Legendary Classic: Old Spice Classic

Hello everyone! I hope today finds you blessed and joyous in the middle of the holiday season! Today I will be covering another classic, Old Spice. This is on the current formulation. The next few reviews will be on some classics as well. Enjoy!


Presentation
The bottle comes with the classic Old Spice ship on the front. It's plastic. As you can see some of the writing on the front is rubbing off. The cap is a thin plastic as well. Overall, a pretty cheap and uninspired presentation that is nothing like the old glass bottles, but it works. The atomizer is pretty decent.


Notes
Top- Orange, Lemon, Anise, Aldehydes, Nutmeg

Mid- Heliotrope, Carnation, Geranium, Cinnamon, Jasmine, Pimento

Base- Tonka, Musk, Ambergris, Benzoin, Cedar, Vanilla


Scent
Old Spice opens up, as one would think...Spicy. Add some florals and a little sweetness from the anise, orange, and vanilla. Cinnamon, carnation, and nutmeg are the big players here. They come out strongly. The benzoin, musk, and vanilla are very noticeable too. On the dry down the dry spices come out much stronger. This fragrance is classicly masculine and unforgettable. This is what a barbershop fragrance should be, at least to me. 

This formulation is a shadow of the former Old Spice pre-80s, but it still a good fragrance. You can get 120ML for around 8 bucks at Wal-Mart. I still wear it and like it, but it's not what it used to be.

This fragrance is very diverse for what you can use it for. Best suited for the colder wear, but can be used in the warmer months if you go very light on the trigger.

Longevity is about 6 hours on me with about an hour and half of solid projection. It leaves a decent scent bubble. At the price you pay, it's fine. You can afford to reapply. The plastic bottle does make it more portable than a glass one.


Thanks for the support everyone! Hit the blue follower button to subscribe to my content and be sure to +1 the content you like so I will know what you guys would like to see! Have  agreat day!


Buy it here:https://www.walmart.com/ip/Old-Spice-Classic-Cologne-Spray-4-25-oz/23861054?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&wl13=396&adid=22222222227017782048&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40843260752&wl4=pla-78656788352&wl5=9010614&wl6=&wl7=&wl8=&wl9=pla&wl10=8175035&wl11=local&wl12=23861054&wl13=396&veh=sem&gclid=Cj0KCQiAgMPgBRDDARIsAOh3uyKUOdh5Xs56Tz7mXFVKiF9C8wr_7Q0aDMDl50wwABv-ha6AL0MP1gAaAqQUEALw_wcB

A Trip Down Memory Lane: Stetson Cologne Review

Hello ladies and gentleman! I hope this day finds you well and in good health. I am sitting here in an ice storm in South Carolina with a nice cup of mint hot chocolate. Life is good! Today I am going to take us back to my childhood with a fragrance that is quite popular around here...Stetson. Let's get into it!


Presentation
The bottle I have is a special edition splash bottle. So it's a bit different with a western engraving on it. I quite like it. It's a splash, so no atomizer. The screw off cap is difficult to unscrew at times though. Nice classic bottle for the collection, even if you don't like the fragrance.


Notes

Top- Lemon, Lime, Bergamot, Lavender, Clary Sage

Mid- Geranium, Orris Root, Patchouli, Carnation, Jasmine, Vetiver, Cedar

Base- Honey, Tonka, Musk, Amber, Vanilla


Scent

This is a classic fragrance that was first introduced in 1981. Given its age, I am surprised to not find some dry oakmoss in here. Stetson is special to me. I worked on a farm growing up and the guy I worked for wore this. He was a cowboy through and through. Tough, respectful, honest, and honorable. That is what this fragrance reminds me of. He passed away earlier this year. I bought this fragrance and fell in love with it again. I might be biased due to the memories I associate with it though. That is why I prefaced this description with this first. Now, let's get on to the actual scent!

This fragrance leans like a classic barbershop fragrance, but not like Azzaro Pour Homme. It's more like an Avon Wild Country one. It's floral, sweet, and musky. The honey, carnation, jasmine, and musk stand out the most to me. I can also detect lavender, tonka, and cedar. The cedar gives it a slight spiciness that keeps it interesting. I can also detect amber in the background tying the whole thing together.

I get about 10 hours out of this one. I have put it on my chest and went to sleep and it is still projecting when I wake up 7-8 hours later. It has arm's length projection and leaves a good scent bubble.

I honestly really like this one and still wear it. I don't care if it reminds people of their grandpa. I like it a lot. That is what matters the most when wearing fragrances. I think it has been successful for so long because it is different. A floral and sweet composition for men. That wasn't common back in the 80s. I plan on getting a cologne spray of it soon. By the way, yes it is a cologne concentration that lasts that long!

Thanks for the support everyone and be sure to hit that blue follow button and +1 my content if you want to see more classic fragrance reviews. Have a great day!

Buy Stetson here:
https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/coty/stetson/cologne#126171

A Chat with Mahsam Raza

Hello ladies and gentleman! I hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season. Today, I am doing a quick follow-up on my last post. I sat down and had a chat with Mahsam Raza(The owner of DUA Fragrances) and I have to admit I was wrong.

He contacted me through Facebook in a gentlemanly manner to discuss what issue I had. My issue stemmed from a post he made in his Facebook group around 6 months ago. It was about someone damaging his property and leaving a nasty note about DUA in the process. Mr. Raza explained to me why he did it because he wanted to let everyone know that it is not okay to damage someone's property or put their family at risk over his business. It is never okay to do so, so I echo that point. It's just scented water folks. Yes, we all have different tastes and a passion for it, but that kind of behavior is unacceptable. I should have manned up and messaged Mr. Raza about it earlier, but I failed in doing so and I take full responsibility for it. It was a failure on my side. So, we had a polite conversation and cleared the air around it.

As for purchasing a DUA fragrance...I have not done so yet, but I might be open to it in the future if he comes out with a release that I want to try. At this point, I think it would only be fair to purchase something and give it a fair review. So, when I get some money to do so, I will be doing that.

I am sorry for the misunderstanding folks. I am still very grateful for your support and comments. Have a great evening!

5 Fragrances that I Will Never Purchase

Image source: www.pixabay.com

Hello ladies and gentleman! I hope this day finds you well and in good health. Today I will be covering 5 fragrances that I will not purchase. These might be due to the smell, price, or something personal. These are not in any particular order.

Note: This is just my opinion, if you love these, then buy them. To each his own. These are just my personal feelings.

Let's get into it!


Number 5: Anything from DUA Fragrances

Image Source: www.Fragrantica.com

Now, I know I might get some backlash over this. I am sure DUA makes great impressions of the fragrances they draw inspiration from. However, the owner has done a few things that I don't personally agree with and I have made my decisions off of that. I will not go into detail because I do not wish to trash someone's character. If you love DUA, then that is okay. This is just a personal conviction for me. If I ever received a DUA product in a giveaway or something, then I would review the fragrance itself and not show any bias. He does have a good collection of hard to find fragrances, which is cool though. The pricing isn't as good as Genre Parfums and Alexandria Fragrances, so I will stick with those.


Number 4: Creed Aventus

Image source: www.fragrantica.com

I just don't see the point n paying for Aventus when there are so many great inspirations of it. Batch variation varies so greatly anyways and most of the clones do not have that problem. Part of that is due to natural ingredients, but it's still a downside. I was never a huge fan of Aventus, to begin with. I prefer Mancera Cedrat Boise.



Number 3: JPG Ultra Male

Image source: www.Fragrantica.com

I covered this one in one of my first posts, the fragrances that I think are overhyped. It's just too sweet and feminine leaning for me. To each his own, as I said. Women love this one. I just don't feel right when I wear it. Maybe it's my skin chemistry? I am not sure, but it's not for me.



Number 2: Any Fragrance Over $400

Clive Christian No 1. Retails for $850 for 50ml. No Thanks! Image source: www.fragrantica.com

Sorry, but I am not a wealthy person. I don't even like paying over $100 for one bottle, but I usually won't buy anything over $200. There are very few I would pay over that for. PdM Carlisle is one of them. That is like a month's mortgage or rent. That is just too expensive for me to buy. I will stick to mostly cheapies.



Number 1: Etat Libre d'Orange Secretions Magnifiques

Image source: www.fragrantica.com

I get the artful side behind this, ELDO certainly has that. This fragrance is made to smell like sperm, sweat, and saliva. Seriously? This might be great for some people and it might work for it's intended use. No way am I putting this on my skin! I actually smelled this one in Atlanta and it was stomach churning. Although, I was aware of what it was supposed to smell like before trying it, which I am sure didn't help. I usually don't knock on fragrances because I respect the perfumer and his time making his masterpiece, but this one is just bad in every aspect for me. Try and buy at your own risk.


Thanks for the support everyone! I hope I wasn't too harsh in this post. Remember to hit that blue follow button and +1 my content if you like it! Also, you can sign up to be notified when I post by email if you enter your email at the top where it says "Email address...". Feel free to comment on which fragrances that you will never purchase below! Have a great night!


Link to my 5 Popular Fragrances that aren't Worth the Hype post:
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/10/5-popular-fragrances-that-arent-worth.html

CK One Shock Review

Hello guys and gals! Sorry that I have not been posting as much lately. The holiday season is quite busy for me. Today I have a review of one most of you already know, CK One Shock. Probably my favorite cheapie of all time. Let's get into it!


Presentation
It's a big black bottle that doesn't come with a cap. The "SHOCK" on the front is rather shocking, and not in a good way. It looks pretty youthful. The sprayer is a beast though. The silver cap is vintage, the black(that I have) is the current one.


Notes

Top- Clementine, Lavender, Cucumber

Mid- Osmanthus, Black Pepper, Cardamon, Basil

Base- Amber, Patchouli, Cashmeran, White Musk, Tobacco


Scent

This fragrance opens up with a bit of cucumber, some sweet tobacco, and a cherry vibe with a dashing of pepper. When it dries down you get sweet tobacco and spice laying on a bed of warm and rich amber. Judging by the bottle this is a youthful fragrance, but this fragrance can be for any age. It's absolutely wonderful. It's sweet, spicy, and warming. I would drink this stuff if it wouldn't kill me. Just goes to show you how misleading a branding can be for a product. This is a sweet concoction of heavenly manna. Just try it already.

Longevity on me is 7-8 hours and projection is massive for the first two hours, then settle down to a 6 foot or so bubble and leaving a potent sillage trail. The vintage performs much better, but 25 bucks will buy you 200ml of this stuff. No, that is not a typo, 6.7oz. You can't beat that anywhere. Also, 2 or 3 sprays max gents, this thing projects for the first few hours heavily.

Regardless of the naysayers that say the new formulation is bad, I will still keep this in my collection. It's one of the few fragrances that I keep a backup bottle of. That is how much I love this one. This is my favorite casual dumb reach for the colder days.

That being said, this is a winter/late fall only fragrance. This thing will get sickly sweet in the heat. Best worn casually, but it could fit business casual perhaps, but not formal.

Hope you enjoyed the review folks. Hit that blue follow button or +1 my content that you like so I know what types of posts my readers like. Thanks!

Buy it here(only 23 bucks for 200ml at this time of this post)
https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/calvin-klein/ck-one-shock/edt#219836

Armaf Tres Nuit Review

Hello ladies and gentleman! I hope you had a great Thanksgiving with your loved ones! Today I will be covering Armaf Green Irish Tweed. Their inspiration of my favorite fragrance of all time, Creed Green Irish Tweed. Let's get into it!


Presentation

The bottle is navy blue and triangular with the fragrance name on the front. It has a faux brown leather strap that goes around the outside with a silver buckle that has the fragrance name on it. The cap has "Armaf" stamped on the top with a circular design. It's not a flimsy cap, but certainly not high quality. The atomizer has the same design at the top of the cap, which is the standard Armaf atomizer. The atomizer performs well.


Notes

Top- Lemon, Lemon Verbena, Iris

Mid- Lavender, Iris, Spicy Notes

Base- Ambergris, Sandalwood


Scent

Armaf is very close to GIT(Green Irish Tweed) to me. It just not as rounded and polished. Of course, it is more synthetic as well. You aren't going to get a fragrance with real iris and ambergris in it for $20. However, it is very close. I will go into more detail about that in a bit.

This fragrance opens up with potency. The lemon and lemon verbena hit you right away with the fresh greenness. Some people find this very offputting, but I like it. Then the florals of iris, lavender, violet come out. Giving it a somewhat ozonic feel and making it slightly powdery. The sandalwood is very much just a supporting actor in this one in order to round it out and make it more masculine.

What this fragrance smells like to me is the countryside in Ireland or Scotland in the spring when everything is in bloom, right after a light sprinkling of rain. I love it. Anyone who knows me knows that I am Gaelic Celtic blood, which in short, means I am Scottish blood. I was born in the US though. Even though Manx and Irish are Gaelic Celts as well. So, this smells like home to me. It gives me peace of mind and reminds me of a place that I have never been. It's fresh, green, and gentlemanly.

Back to the comparison to GIT. Tres Nuit opens up much more harshly than GIT and the smell is not exactly the same. However, for $20 bucks this is a great everyday fragrance for the warmer months. I only use my GIT when I want to impress, this fragrance allows me to do that.

I get around 7-8 hours of longevity with a good sillage and an arm's length projection with it. Pretty good and pleasant for its price point.

Overall, I think it's worth a blind buy, but I might be biased due to my love for GIT. I will say this much though, this is NOT GIT. It does not smell better than GIT to my nose. It is a great alternative though. Also, if you love GIT look into Aspen(A pine forest version, which is dirt cheap) and Cool Water (an aquatic version that is a staple for many men).

That's it for today and I hope you enjoyed this review. Be sure to +1 any of my content that you enjoy, so I know which types of reviews people enjoy the most! Also, hitting that blue follow button really helps too! Thanks for all of the support!

This image is what comes to my mind when smelling this. Greenness right after a rainfall. I hope it helps you imagine it better!

Image sourced from pixabay.com.

Surprising Sleepers 4: Playboy London

Image sourced from Fragrantica.com

Hello ladies and gentleman! I hope today finds you in good health and joyful. Today I am covering a fragrance that I think is pretty decent for its price point, Playboy London. Yes, Playboy. I don't agree with the magazine either, but this is just a fragrance. So, let's get into it!



Presentation

Playboy London comes in a basic glass bottle with a navy blue sticker going around the bottle. One side features the Playboy bunny with the Union Jack (the UK flag) on it. The opposite side has a sketch in gold of Big Ben and the London Bridge and featuring the fragrance name and company in gold on it.

The cap is a cheap plastic and has an engraved Playboy bunny on the top. The atomizer is pretty bad, but it gets the job done.

Overall, I like the presentation. The sketches on the back are pretty cool.



Notes

Top- Pink Grapefruit, Mandarin, Galbanum

Mid- Rose, Cinnamon, Brandy, Toscanol(a molecule that is a substitute for herbals) 

Base- Tonka Bean, Virginian Cedar

Scent
London opens up with orange and something creamy, so I am guessing that is the tonka bean. Being closely followed by some brandy and cinnamon. I get a little greenness underneath it with some soft cedar.

The fragrance only lasts about 5 hours on me. It projects for about an hour. The scent bubble is maybe about 3 feet off the skin for the first 2 hours, after that, it is a skin scent.

Overall it smells pretty good. Considering this was only $5 for 50ML. You can get this over a can of Axe or Old Spice and it smells much better. This doesn't smell expensive, but it doesn't smell like something you would pay 5 bucks for. Smells maybe like something in the 40-50 dollar range. Which is much better than a can of Axe. So, if you forgot your decants while you are visiting the family during the holidays, this is a decent one in a pinch. I have actually received 2 compliments wearing this one.

This is a cooler weather fragrance. It is somewhat light for a winter fragrance, but it's good in the fall. It would be too sweet and sticky in the heat. The warmness from the cinnamon is great for fall anyway.


Thank you for the support and helping to keep me motivated doing this. Be sure to +1 my content if you like it and hit that blue follow button. it means a lot!

I probably won't post again until after Thanksgiving. I hope all of you have a blessed holiday with your loved ones.

My Top 5 Fragrances for Thanksgiving

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Hello everyone! I hope this day finds you well and in good health! Today I am going to be covering my top 5 fragrances for Thanksgiving. I am doing this early so that you have time to go pick them up if you want to. Thanksgiving is a time of warm spices, pumpkin pie, wet leaves, and cozy sweaters. I love this time of year and Thanksgiving just says "fall is here" unlike any other holiday. It's my second favorite holiday next to Christmas! Let's get into it!

Number 5: Creed Viking

Image Sourced from Fragrantica.com

Warm, spicy, and woody, while being a bit fresh and cooling with lemon and peppermint. The warmness from the spices makes this one an excellent fragrance for the holidays. Pretty expensive, but good nonetheless.

Viking Full Review
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/11/creed-viking-review.html


Number 4: Bvlgari Man in Black

Spicy, woody, and boozy. This warm and classy fragrance showcases pure mature masculinity. It's warm and inviting nature, with a bit of dark mystery is a sure crowd pleaser for Thanksgiving. This one projects so much that you will warm the whole house up before the turkey starts cooking.

Man in Black Full Review
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/10/bvlgari-man-in-black-review.html

Man in Black vs Bentley for Men Intense
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/11/bvlgari-man-in-black-vs-bentley-for-men.html


Number 3: Lacoste Pour Homme

Image Sourced from Fragrantica.com

Sweet, boozy, vanilla and cinnamon. This scent is a bit lighter and a different take than the spicy ones I mentioned before. Plum is the front-runner here and makes it an excellent Thanksgiving fragrance, paired with some sweet vanilla accented by creamy sandalwood and cinnamon. It also has a noticeable rum note in there. One of my favorite designer fragrances.


Number 2: Burberry London

What Thanksgiving would be complete without this gem? This is the quintessential holiday fragrance. It invokes so many memories. It really is an excellent fragrance. I won't say too much on this one because I have spoken of it before.

Top 5 Cheapie List for Fall
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/10/my-top-5-cheapie-list-for-fall.html

Burberry House Review
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/11/burberry-house-review.html


Number 1: Penhaligon's LP No 9

Image Sourced from Fragrantica.com

Spicy, a little sweet, and a clove bomb. This one smells like the holidays to me and it will be the one I swear for Thanksgiving this year. London was my go-to until I found this beauty.  Clove, amber, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Do you need anything else to consider it a perfect holiday fragrance?

Full Review
https://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/10/penhaligons-lp-no-9-review.html

Thanks, everyone for the support. Remember to +1 this and hit the blue follow button to support my work. I hope everyone has a safe and blessed Thanksgiving with their loved one. Please drink responsibly! Let me know what you will be rocking for Thanksgiving in the comments!

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Creed Viking Review

Image sourced from fragrantica.com.

Hello ladies and gentlemen. I hope today is finding you in very good health and happiness! Today I will be reviewing the newest men's release from the house of Creed, Viking. Shoutout to Nathan Geck for sending me a sample of it! Let's get into it.

Notes

Top- Calabrian bergamot, Sicilian Lemon, Pink Pepper

Mid- Pepper, Bulgarian Rose, Peppermint

Base- Indian Sandalwood, Haitian Vetiver, Indian Patchouli, Lavandin

Scent
Creed describes their newest fragrance with this caption taken from Creedboutique.com:
"Viking, a fiery men’s fragrance that bottles the fearless spirit of boundless exploration for the modern man who goes against the grain. Inspired by the incredibly crafted longships, a centerpiece of the Viking Age and one of the greatest design feats of the ninth century. A symbol of a voyage and undeniable perseverance, longships were carefully designed for the skilled seaman who embodied unbridled determination to conquer. Viking marks the brand’s first major men’s scent since the introduction of the cult best-selling Aventus in 2010."

This fragrance opens with a sharp burst of lemon, peppercorn, and peppermint. I don't mind it, but it could be off-putting to some. After a few minutes, it starts settling into a warmer spicy fragrance, while still being fresh with the lemon and peppermint. The sandalwood then comes out to give it a spicy woody feel with the lavender and rose to keep it clean, but not overly powdery.

Many people have likened this fragrance to Old Spice. While it does share some similarities with Old Spice, it is a completely different fragrance. It's a spicy aromatic fragrance, just like Old Spice. Viking is fresher and more modern. It's gentlemanly and classy, as you would come to expect from a house like Creed.

People also say this one is "mature". I couldn't see a teenager wearing this, but any working professional could pull this off. I am 32 and I do love Old Spice and I love this one as well.

Performance is great on me. I get about 3 hours of projection and 8-9 of total longevity with a great sillage trail.

Personally, I really love this. I wasn't a huge fan at first, but it grew on me after a few wearings. However, I will not buy a full bottle of this one. It's just not worth $500 for 100ML. I think it is fully worth $250(at a discounter) though. So, with that being said I will stick to a decant of it once my sample runs out.

This one does get some disdain in the fragrance community and I think it is unjustified. Aventus was a huge success and this one doesn't follow in the same footsteps. However, this is a showing of what the Creed house really is, more classic fragrances. I am glad that Creed has shown they are still willing to make fragrances like this. Not just mass pleasing ones like Aventus.

I hope you enjoyed the review! Have a great day and remember to +1 this post and hit the blue follow button! Thank you for all of the support!


Buy a full bottle here:
https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/creed/creed-viking/eau-de-parfum?mv_pc=fragrantica&utm_campaign=306335&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=fragrantica#306335

Buy a decant from my friend Mark at Myfrangrancesamples:
https://www.myfragrancesamples.com/product/viking/

Pino Silvestre Review

Hello ladies and gentleman! I hope everyone is having a fantastic day! Today, I am reviewing something that was requested by a few people, Pino Silvestre. This is a classic fragrance that was first released in 1955. This fragrance has been around for quite a while and has a number of followers and haters. Let's get into it.


Presentation

Pino Silvestre is a pine based fragrance. The bottle is shaped like a pine cone (see image below). It's green resembling pine needles. The atomizer sprays a lot of juice, but it leaks as well, which isn't  a huge problem considering its price point.

A pine cone. Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Notes

Top- Juniper, Lavender, Bergamot, Lemon, Basil

Mid- Carnation, Clary Sage, Cumin, Geranium, Pine Needles

Base- Tonka, Amber, Musk, Oakmoss, Cedar


The Scent

Pino Silvestre opens up with a lemony pine smell. Very light and refreshing. Synthetic lemon, but natural smelling pine. It's more of a pine sap accord than the smell of pine needles. I really like the opening.

When it starts to dry down the oakmoss and herbal qualities come out. Normally, this is where a fragrance made in 1955 would show its age, but Pino manages to stay avoid that with the citrus top and pine sap.

When it is fully dried down the lemon fades out and the pine does tend to get this pine tar accord at times. I am not sure if it's the herbals mixing with the pine or what is causing that, but I notice it is much less prominent in the cooler weather. It gets a bit more of a dry aspect in the full dry down.

It pretty much smells like the name suggests, a pine forest. I actually like this one. I am not a fan of the pine tar note at times, but overall I like the fragrance. I love the outdoors and this one takes me there.

I still think this fragrance is better suited for 35+. Keep in mind, that I am 32 and wear this sometimes. So, wear what you think expresses your personality best.

This is a cooler weather fragrance, but can be worn on warmer days, just not warm ones. I would say anything over 60 Fahrenheit would be too much for this one. It's pretty casual and not for formal events at all.

The longevity is pretty good. I get around 7-8 hours with a solid 2 hours of projection. It also carries a pretty decent sillage trail.

Thank you, everyone, and have a great day! Be sure to hit that blue follow button or +1 this on Google. It would be very much appreciated. I leave you with a picture of a forest to give you more of an idea of what this fragrance manages to encapsulate.

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Buy Pino here:
https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/pino-silvestre/pino-silvestre/edt#288878

My Top 10 Favorite Fragrance Notes

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Hey everyone! I hope you are having a fantastic morning. The sun is about to rise over here and I have a nice cup of hot Earl Grey and it's raining once again. There is no better time to write a blog post! Today I will be covering my favorite fragrance notes and why I love them. Enjoy!

Be sure to hit that blue follow button if you want to support my work! Let's get into it!

Honorable Mention: Vanilla

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Vanilla is an amazing sweet fragrance note that can add luxury or playfulness. It's a very diverse note that is used religiously in fall and winter fragrances. It can be creamy, sweet, or dry. Its role as a supporting note in fragrances is well loved by many. I just had to include it on this list.


Number 10: Ginger

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Ginger...One of the healthiest things on the planet. It has tremendous healing properties. It just so happens that it tastes good (I love it in tea as well!) and it smells amazing. Dry and spicy, ginger has the ability to warm up a fragrance. That spiciness you get from Dolce & Gabbana The One is mostly attributed to ginger. While cinnamon and cardamon are also amazing spicy notes, I am giving the nod to ginger.


Number 9: Sandalwood

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Sandalwood is actually a very precious and expensive fragrance note. Most companies are going to use synthetic versions of it, but it still smells really good. It can smell like dry wood, a lumberyard, pencil shavings, or it can lend itself to vanilla and smell quite creamy. A very diverse and amazing note that is used in both warmer weather and colder weather fragrances. If you want to try out  a good sandalwood fragrance check out Guerlain Santal Royal, Davidoff's Amber Blend, or Parfum De Marly Carlisle.

Number 8: Incense

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Incense is a very polarizing note for some. It tends to be quite strong and a main player in most fragrances it is in. Smoky and somewhat spicy, it is reminiscent of Catholic churches and ancient rituals which burned incense as an honor to something. It has been used for thousands of years.


Number 7: Whiskey

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

My favorite boozy note. Malty, elegant, and gentlemanly. Whiskey has been a favorite fragrance note for many men. It exudes class and refinement and pairs very well with other heavy notes. A good example of a whiskey fragrance is Mugler's Pure Malt.


Number 6: Apple

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Apple is a note loved by most people. From the smell of mom's apple pie to a cool and crisp apple orchard. It's sweet, fruity, and relaxing. It can be used as a fruity accord in summer fragrances or in the cooler monther lending itself to cinnamon and vanilla to create an apple pie accord. I haven't found many who do not like this note, both male and female alike.


Number 5: Chocolate

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Chocolate, we all know it. From Hershey's bars as a kid to dark German chocolate to creamy Swiss. It tastes good and also smells amazing. Ranging from dark to creamy...It's just a great note that is in most gourmands. One of my favorite chocolate fragrances is Valentino Uomo.


Number 4: Amber

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Amber is a synthetic note. It cannot be produced naturally. It has a warm vanilla type accord. From smooth and warm to dark and earthy, amber has found its way into the hearts of many fragheads. One of my favorite ambers is the one in CK One Shock, hiding under the sweetness and spice. Also, Davidoff Amber blend is amazing.

Number 3: Violet

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Fresh, clean, powdery, or ozonic. This flower does it all. Lending itself to soapy compositions. It just smells clean and refined. It can also smell like rain in some fragrances. It's just an amazing note that I thoroughly enjoy. Burberry Touch is my favorite violet fragrance (Even though it is technically violet leaf).


Number 2: Coffee

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Anyone who knows me knows I love coffee. The smell waking up to another day. It mostly lends itself to gourmand fragrances that are dark and sensual. but it can also be in more casual fragrances. I haven't found that one amazing coffee fragrance yet, but Rochas Man is serving me well right now.


Number 1: Tobacco

Image sourced from www.pixabay.com

Again, for those who know me, this will come as no surprise. Dark and wet or sweet and cherry-ish. I love the smell of tobacco. I look forward to fall and winter every year to wear my tobacco fragrances. It can be used in more formal fragrances or young and playful ones. It's an amazing note that can take center stage or play a lending hand to other notes.  It's very gentlemanly and luxurious in most compositions. A winner for sure, at least for me.

Thanks for the support and I hope you all have a wonderful day. Let me know what your top 3 favorite fragrance notes are in the comments!

My Most Worn Summer Fragrances 2018(Designer)

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Hello ladies and gentleman! I am not sure why I am posting this. It's a chilly rainy day here and I just felt like doing this topic, so here it goes! My most worn summer fragrances.

Honorable Mention: Kenneth Cole Mankind

This is a nice fragrance for its price and I wore it a decent bit. However, it is rather generic and safe. It would make a great summertime work fragrance. It smells very good, it's just nothing special.

Honorable Mention: Hugo Boss Iced

An iced black tea with a sprig of mint and an orange peel in it. That is what you get with this one. It's very light, green, and fresh. It's a sporty type fragrance, but it's nice. It's uplifting and really freshens you up on a hot day and makes you feel cooler.

Honorable Mention: Nautica Life

Another green and sporty fragrance. The bottle is really cool. A fresh and green marine fragrance that is not overly impressive, but great for the gym or casual outings. Longevity is only 4-5 hours. The projection is weak. It's a good person fragrance though to make you feel fresh.

Number 5: Moschino Uomo

This was my casually clean fragrance for milder summer days. Anice citrusy and musky fragrance that smells more expensive than the price indicates. An easy dumb reach with okay performance and projection. Nothing spectacular, but it gets the job done.


Number 4: Armaf Derby Club House Blanche

This is a clone of Creed Silver Mountain Water and it's a pretty good one. Obviously more synthetic than the Creed version. I mean it costs around 20-25 bucks, so you can't expect the ingredients to be high quality. It's still a classy summer fragrance. Smells expensive and is great for more formal summer events, but it can be worn casually as well. Has a metallic smell to it, but that just adds to its charm.

Number 3: Nautica Voyage N-83

The lesser-known flanker of the ever popular Nautica Voyage. Musky, fresh, salty, and slightly soapy. Performance is mediocre, but I like the smell. It's a good workhorse fragrance, meaning it can fit most situations. Not nearly as good as the original Voyage, but still worth its measly $15 price tag and it's different. Almost everyone has Voyage, so this one isn't as well known.

Number 2: Hollister Wave

Beachy, salty, woody, and citrusy. This is a very underrated fragrance. It's quite nice. I won't say too much on this one because I have a full review on it which I will link at the end of this article.

Number 1(Tie): Dior Sauvage

Yes, the ever popular Sauvage. Aggressive, peppery, and fresh. This fragrance is popular for a reason. It just works. It lasts forever as well. Super versatile and the most hated fragrance from fragrance purists, but regardless of that I still like it. I wear it when I am in the mood to get compliments.

Number 1(Tie): Azzaro Chrome Legend 

This one is a monster of a fragrance. Synthetic, metallic, and fresh. It lasts on me for about 10 hours and projects for almost 3-4 hours. This is a compliment getter. Think of this one as the more casual version of Silver Mountain Water. They smell nothing alike, but they are in the same category. I will never be without this one in my collection. It's very uplifting and energizing to me.

I hope you enjoyed it! Be sure to hit that blue follow button if you want to support my work! Until next time, have a great day!

Hollister Wave Reviewhttps://musingsofafraghead.blogspot.com/2018/10/surprising-sleepers-1-hollister-wave.html

Kenneth Cole Mankindhttps://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/kenneth-cole/kenneth-cole-mankind/edt#259477

Hugo Icedhttps://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/hugo-boss/hugo-iced/edt#296117

Nautica Lifehttps://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/nautica/nautica-life/edt#255800

Moschino Uomohttps://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/moschino/uomo-moschino/edt#120541

Nautica Voyage N-83https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/nautica/nautica-voyage-n-83/edt#247769

Hollister Wave https://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/hollister/hollister-wave/edt#285003

Dior Sauvage (Yes, Sauvage is cheaper to purchase at retail than at discounters)
https://www.sephora.com/product/sauvage-P400057

Azzaro Chrome Legendhttps://www.fragrancenet.com/cologne/azzaro/chrome-legend/edt#154655