In Memory of Kyle Stevens

 

Hello, ladies and gentlemen. I hope everyone is doing well today. I am doing okay. We have had two major losses in the fragrance community. Carlos Powell(Brooklyn Fragrance Lover) and Kyle Stevens. It was a difficult month last month for us, but we will endure with their memories. 

Some people asked me if I was going to do an article on Carlos and I decided not to. I was friends with him, but I wasn't super close to him and it just didn't feel right to me to do an article for a man that I didn't know very well. It just felt like clickbait. I despise clickbait. 

However, I will say a few words for him here, since I have not posted since his passing...

I will miss him. He posted some amazing-looking food on his Facebook page. He loved his cats dearly and I also love my cat dearly. He was very passionate about fragrances and he loved getting in front of the camera and sharing his hobby. He also had the best musical introduction of any YouTuber, bar none.

I remember when I first started speaking to him. He was getting bashed over one of his live streams he did when he probably had a bit too much to drink and I told him I was there for him and encouraged him. I asked him if I could do anything for him and he replied, "Watch my back in these fragcomm streets". The "fragcomm streets" stuck with me and gave me some perspective on some things that go on in the fragrance community. 

I also remember watching his duet with Steven(Redolessence) at ScentXplore(2020). Those two had such an awesome synergy and you could see the bond that they shared with each other. My heart breaks for Steven as well, since that was his best friend. 

Rest in peace, Carlos. You will be missed and thank you for the magic you brought to the fragrance community. 

I hope people don't think it's distasteful to speak about two people who have passed in the same article, but this article is mainly about Kyle Stevens. I was much closer to him and I haven't seen anyone post a tribute to him yet, so I am going to because he deserves it. I just wanted to touch and say a few words for Carlos because I felt like it was needed, even though it's been a month. 

Since Kyle's passing, I have wanted to do an article on him. I tried planning it out in my head and the words just escape me. This is very much an article I am doing on the fly and just typing whatever comes into my head, so it might be more sporadic than my usual ones...Well, let's give this a shot...

I am not even sure when I first met Kyle. It has been a few years. It was probably because of one of my mental health articles, but I can't say for certain. Kyle always enjoyed conversing with people and always made time for them. He wasn't super active in the groups, but he would respond to messages. He was a more personal guy, I think. 

I am not going to tell all of his business because it's not mine to tell, but his health wasn't in prime condition. He had to stay at a home and get care from nurses. He would often comment on what the nurses said about his fragrances. It makes me chuckle to think about some of the stories about the nurses and his oud fragrances lol...

Kyle was also very knowledgeable about ouds. He taught me quite a bit when I first got into them. I wouldn't know most of what I know about oud if it wasn't for my conversations with him. He also sent me some samples a while back and introduced me to PK Perfumes and that led to me knowing Paul Kiler.

In that same bag of samples that he sent me, there was Houbigant Fougere Royale. I still have a bit of that sample and I need to get a bottle of it. That sample led me down the road of loving fougeres and barbershop scents, so Kyle inadvertently started that. I never told him that. I regret that. Some people come to me as a fougere guy now for advice and Kyle is the reason that it started. I don't think he knew the impact he had. 

Kyle didn't have much money, much like myself. He could only sell things at certain times when his parents came to visit him. He would have to sell stuff to buy new things. Kyle would give away stuff to his friends and some of those people did take advantage of him(I am not naming anyone, but if you read this, then you know who you are). It was quite sad. 

Despite all of this, Kyle was still optimistic. Even when his health wasn't great and people upset him...He still managed to be just as friendly and positive as he could be. He had a certain strength that most of us can only hope to attain. 

He also was an audiophile. He loved getting high-quality headphones and it was another passion of his. I don't know very much about that sort of stuff, so I will leave it at that, but the picture for this article was made by Kenny Walker and included some headphones, so I thought that I ought to explain why. 

You will be missed, buddy. I hope heaven smells like some amazing oud and you are just as joyful as ever. We will continue to remember what you did and how your light shined so brightly. We will remember how you treated people and made an example for all of us. 

One more musing before I finish this...You never know when someone is going to leave this earth. Make sure to tell them what you want to tell them. I wish I would have told both Kyle and Carlos more things. I procrastinated and never had a chance to. Just like I did with Mr. Sillage. Make sure to tell people you love them and care about them. You may never get another chance to. Even if you are angry, seek to find that love in your heart and tell them. 

Say something positive to someone today. You never know who it might help. A simple kind word can bring someone back from what feels like the abyss to them. You never know what someone is going through. Be a voice of kindness. Being kind is free and it makes you feel better about life. 

As I said before, Kenny Walker made this banner for this article and my Facebook group. He is also a fragrance reviewer who is highly underrated and does some of the most unique reviews out there. Show him some love, please. Here is his channel. Thank you for making so many things for me, Kenny...and never asking for anything in return. 

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A Tribute to Sean Connery: Guerlain Habit Rouge EDP Review

Source

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I hope everyone is doing well. I am in a somber mood today. As you probably already know, Sean Connery passed away. He was one of my favorite actors and a legendary James Bond, which if you have read my blog then you will know I am a huge fan of the series. 


Sir Sean Connery was known to wear Guerlain Jicky and Guerlain Habit Rouge. Some people that he also wore Creed Green Irish Tweed and Floris No 89, but those are only speculations. So, I decided to review Habit Rouge in a tribute to him, since I haven't reviewed it yet. 

A friend of mine did gift me a bottle of this because I didn't have it. He has no association with any fragrance houses. He's just a collector and it didn't work for him. 

This layout will be a bit different than my normal reviews. Let's get into it!


The Story 

I remember the first time I saw Sir Connery play James Bond in Dr. No. He was born to play that role. Although he has many other great titles to his name, I think James Bond is by far his most iconic. Ian Fleming changes part of Bond's story and character to make him fit Sean's look. He also made Bond Scottish because of him. 

He had the suave and gentlemanly character that perfectly embodied a character like Bond. Everything from his style, to his quips, to his charm. He literally made the franchise what it is today. 

I was going to try and name my favorite scene with him in it, but there are far too many to choose from and I am indecisive. If you watch the Bond movies with him in them, then you will certainly see what I mean. Just don't expect modern CGI with them and you will enjoy them. 

I will admit, the first Bond I watched was Pierce Brosnan, but I went back and watched Connery's ones as well and he is probably my favorite one. He was just an amazing actor overall. 

Rest in peace, Sir Sean Connery. May your body be laid to rest in Scotland. 

The Scent 

Habit Rouge opens with powdery rose which fights with a very tart lemon note. The lemon is honestly a bit offputting. Most people can't get past that part to enjoy the beautiful dry down. Patience pays off, my friends. 

As the tart lemon decides to calm down and stops shouting at us, a sweet and warm carnation shows itself. The signature Guerlain powdery and floral vanilla makes its presence felt, as it does in the majority of older Guerlains. A smooth leathery note forms a solid masculine base, which is rounded out by sandalwood and patchouli.

The dry down is very gentlemanly, powdery rose with a hint of sweet and warm florals, with the signature vanilla, which is grounded by leather and masculine woods. It's very calm and refined. 

My Opinion 

I am not going to beat around the bush. This is one of Jean-Paul Guerlain's masterpieces. I think this might have been the second masculine release from Guerlain. I think Vetiver was the first. Just as Vetiver has, this one has stood the test of time and is still cherished today. 

Some people call this a unisex release, which I agree with. Even though I do think it leans more masculine, it can still be worn by women comfortably. I still think it's very gentlemanly, at least on my skin. 

Going off of the gentlemanly statement, this fragrance isn't a big projector. It's made to be worn closer to the skin, but people will still smell it. I get a good 8-9 hours on my skin with it. 

Some people prefer the EDT, which isn't as deep and rich as the EDP. I actually prefer the EDP. 

As with most classics, this probably isn't suited for younger men or women. It's best for cooler weather, but it can be worn all year. 


Conclusion

A fitting scent for a fitting gentleman. You will be missed Sir Connery. Thank you for all of the memories and being the true Scotsman that you were. 

I hope you enjoyed my tribute. Remember to say a kind word to someone today. You never know who it might help. Be good and do good. Have a great Saturday. Be safe, everyone. 



Buy Habit Rouge EDP here

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