The Gentleman's Starter Kit

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Hello, ladies and gentlemen! I hope everyone is having a marvelous day today. It's another cloudy and humid day here in South Carolina, but I am staying inside all day, so I am not worried about it.

I have had many people message me and ask, "John, I don't like many modern fragrances that smell like a teenager. What should I look into to start smelling more grown-up?". That is what has inspired me to write this article. The Gentleman's starter kit is going to be a collection of low priced fragrances that are more suited towards men who are over 30. Men who are working professionals and don't care about clubs and compliments. Men who want to smell like men.

I also plan on doing a more expensive list for this same topic at a later time. So, these are only my starter picks, hence the title "starter kit". These will all be under $100.

I hope you enjoy this one. Let's get into it!


Guerlain Vetiver

For: Gentleman who have classic taste, but still fit into a modern world.

Situation: Any

Weather: Vetiver favors warmer weather, but can be worn all year. It works especially well on rainy and cloudy days.

I am just going to go ahead and get this out of the way. Most of you know of my obsession with this fragrance. It's a masterpiece, plain and simple. Woody green vetiver with a melange of citruses and spice, that transitions into a dry tobacco.

Vetiver is for a man who enjoys the finer things in life, but it not pretentious about it. He's the man that wears suits that fit properly and cares very little about what is "trending". He probably drives a classic european car that has never let him down and is in pristine condition.


Ferrari Bright Neroli

For: The modern gentleman who loves life and embraces it, but never forgot where he came from

Situation: Casual days when you get to relax

Weather: Spring and summer days


Every gentleman needs a fragrance for those days you can unwind during the warmer parts of the year. This fragrance is a casual day on the coast of Italy in a bottle. A man with a non-pretentious Italian sports car who is sipping Italian wine on the Mediterranean coast.

Soapy clean neroli, citruses, and a bit of herbalness in the dry down.  This fragrances price is astounding for the quality you get from it. This is a staple in every man's wardrobe.


Valentino Uomo Intense

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For: The modern gentleman who thinks for himself.

Situations: Suit and tie, nighttime meetings, or date night.

Weather: The colder, the better.


I prefer this one over Dior Homme Intense.  This is for the modern gentleman who doesn't let preconceived notions stop him from doing anything.  Lipsticky iris, which mellows down to more powdery as the fragrance progresses, met with sweet vanilla and black leather. This one reaches outside the bounds of what masculinity is know for, and takes it to a new level.



Zaharoff Signature Pour Homme

For: The modern gentleman who loves seeing the world.

Situations: Any

Weather: Colder weather brings out the character of this fragrance better, but it can hold its own on warmer days.


Zaharoff Signature has been talked about and hyped for a while now. I was one of the first people to review this, even though some reviewed it months before me. It deserves the love. This is a fragrance with love in it.

Zaharoff Signature is balsamic, slightly dark, woody, and clean. The blend is absolutely superb. It works especially well when dressing up, but it doesn't have to be. I have spoken about this one on many occasions, so feel free to look at my older reviews if you'd like more information. 

Baldessarini Nautic Voyage

For: The seafaring gentleman

Situations: Beaches and sailing.

Weather: The warmer, the better.

I call Nautic Spirit the "gentleman's aquatic" for a reason. It has sweet notes such as passionfruit and mango, but it doesn't come off as overly sweet. It's a very clean and musky aquatic with a bit of tropical sweetness and spice. This is not an aquatic for young men. It's refined and has depth.

The performance isn't the best on this one, but it's only around $30, so that isn't a big deal. It's a great scent for what it's trying to do and a welcomed respite from the oversaturated Invictus and Dylan Blue genres.

The quote on the box says "separating the boys from the men" and this fragrance certainly does that. Good marketing, Baldessarini.



Bvlgari Man in Black

For: The exotic gentleman

Situations: Any

Weather: The colder, the better.

Bvlgari's Man in Black is a grown-up version of Spicebomb from Viktor & Rolf. Exotic spices, rum, leather, and tobacco combine for a kick of class. This one is probably best for being dressed up, but it can work casually as well. This is one to wear if you want to announce your presence.


DUA Invasion of the Barbers

For: The versatile gentleman

Situations: Any

Weather: Any

I was hesitant to put a clone on this list, but I wanted to include it because I haven't tried the original MDCI Invasion Barbare. So, I included it because it is a great barbershop fragrance and it fits the prices laid out for this article. Clean and powdery lavender, sweet vanilla, spices, herbs, and musk blend seamlessly to create a fougere experience that you will not forget. A simply breathtaking scent. If a clone is this good, then I need to try the original.


Bentley for Men Intense

For: The Gentleman with a commanding presence

Situations: Formal and business

Weather: Freezing cold, like Frosty the Snowman cold.


Bentley for Men Intense is an aggressive scent with class. Rum, incense, leather, heavy woods, and plenty of spice will grab the attention of anyone in the room with you and let them know you mean business. This is not for timid gentleman. This is for that rough businessman who gets the deal done, but isn't rude or crass.


Azzaro Pour Homme

For: The family gentleman

Situations: Any

Weather: Any, but it works better when it's cooler.

Azzaro Pour Homme is a legendary barbershop fragrance. It's humble, masculine, and a tad bit playful. This is the scent that will make your kids remember you as a great father. This is the family man's scent. The man who gives everything for his family and never asks for anything in return.

Anise, dry oakmoss, powdery lavender, and herbs compose this class fragrance that will bring back warm memories to most who get a whiff of it.


Guerlain L'Instant de Guerlain (EDT)

For: The romantic gentleman

Situations: Date night and casual

Weather: Cooler

L'Instant is a gentleman's fragrance with gourmand notes, but it far from a gourmand. Two of the main players here are licorice and cocoa. The cocoa is bitter, mixing with some lemon, dark patchouli, anise, tea, and sandalwood. It's only semi-sweet. It's a romantic fragrance for men who don't want a full-on gourmand.


Lalique Pour Homme (Lion EDP)

For: The middle-class gentleman

Situations: Any

Weather: It favors cooler weather, but can be worn all year


Lalique Pour Homme harkens back to the days of fougere greatness with powdery lavender, sandalwood, peppery cedar, clean iris, and oakmoss. Some say this is a clone of Creed's Bois du Portugal. I ask if these people have smelled Bois du Portugal before. Sure, it's in the same genre, but it is its own fragrance. Classy, clean, and spicy. This one is for the man who has a little bit of money, but never flaunts it.



Cerruti 1881

For: The simple gentleman who has a heart for the outdoors.

Situations: Any

Weather: Any

Cerruti 1881 is a foresty scent with class. Not many know too much about this one. It's a hidden gem to me. Woody juniper, pine, dry oakmoss, lavender, and vetiver. It's woods upon woods with a dash of citrus and spice. A green style fougere for the simple man who works his 9-5 and dreams of being in the middle of a forest.


Cremo Bourbon and Oak

For: The budget-friendly gentleman who loves a good drink

Situations: Any

Weather: Cool to cold

Bourbon and Oak is just what the fragrance name suggests. A rich and dominant oak note with whiskey and spices. It's simple and to the point. It's super cheap as well, so you can save a few bucks for a better quality drink. It's not trying to be anything that it's not.


Conclusion

I originally planned to only name around 5, but I kept thinking of more fragrances. There are more in my collection that I could put on here, but I am going to stop here. I hope you enjoyed it!

I hope everyone has a wonderful day today. Remember, a kind word is free and you can change someone's life with one. You never know what someone is going through.

Let's all pray for the world. Against the injustices towards our black brothers and sisters. Pray for them to be strong and appreciated and pray for the rest of us to stand up and change the world to make it a better place for all of us. We are all in this together. We will triumph or fail together. It's up to us to make the difference.


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For the Modern Man: Genre Parfums The Gentleman Review

No, it's not snowing here. I just liked this picture.

Greetings, everyone! I hope everyone is having a fantastic day today. I have another one from Genre for you today. It's been quite a while since I have reviewed anything from this house. I still really enjoy the house. I just keep missing the ordering windows or I don't have any money when they have it open. On e day I will be able to get some more from them...

This was not sent to me by Genre. A friend of mine who has no affiliation with them gave it to me. As always, my opinions are always my own.

The Gentleman is an inspiration for a 2012 batch of Dior's Eau Sauvage Parfum, which is quite a legendary line of fragrances. I have not smelled the original of this fragrance. Let's see how it holds up! Let's get into it!


The Scent

The Gentleman opens up with bergamot and green petitgrain. Right off, the balsamic and warm myrrh is noticeable, which paints the picture for the rest of this fragrance. It wraps those citrus notes in a warm blanket and gives contrast to the mild sweetness from the bergamot.

Powdery, clean, and elegant, the lavender rises in the heart of the fragrance. Giving it that clean and somewhat old school masculine feel, but this fragrance is rooted in a modern design. The bergamot tames itself and gives only a mild citric feel. The petitgrain almost vanishes altogether.

The vetiver shows a bt in the heart, but in the base is where it really comes out. It's very woody. Coupled with the balsamic attributes of the myrrh, it almost gives a piney and minty feel, but not quite. A bit of dry oakmoss also emerges in the base. It has a woody character to it as well.

Overall, what you get is a warm myrrh and woody vetiver fragrance with clean and powdery lavender, while being supported by bergamot and oakmoss.


My Opinion

Genre's The Gentleman is a great fragrance. It doesn't smell synthetic or scratchy. It's blended quite well and all of the notes mesh together to create the minty and piney feel. It's a pretty masculine and somewhat formal fragrance. I'd say this fragrance is for working professionals and not younger men.

I get around 9 hours on skin with it, 3 of those project pretty heavily. Even though it is somewhat formal, I do not suggest it for office wear because the projection is quite heavy at first. It's more well suited for a nighttime fragrance to me.

I think this fragrance can be worn indoors all year long, but not in the high heat. It's probably best as a winter and early spring scent. I wear it whenever I want though.


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my take on Genre's The Gentleman. This was an unexpected treat that i really enjoy wearing. For 25 bucks, this is a no brainer for me. I still suggest sampling it before you purchase it. It does have a slightly old school vibe.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Be a blessing to someone and be kind. A kind word is always free. You never know how much you could help someone today.

I don't like to get political on here, but given current events...I ask everyone to pray for our black brothers and sisters in their fight for equality. Pray that everyone else can see a way to help us end this once and for all, so we can all live in peace and in fairness.

I would also like to point out that Genre is a black-owned small business. Devin is a great and humble guy who is honest and straightforward. I only point that out because I saw someone looking to support black-owned businesses the other day, so I figured I would point that out, in case you'd like to.

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My Favorite Fragrance Notes: Revised

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Hey, folks! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day today. I wanted to revise my list of favorite fragrance notes because my tastes have changed a bit since my last one. I have smelled many new notes and different nuances of those notes.

I know I said I wasn't doing top 10s anymore, but I made the exception for this one article since it's not about rating fragrances themselves. I hope you enjoy it!

Let's get into it!


10. Cedar

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This peppery woody note is very familiar and widely used in perfumery. Sadly, many fragrances use a smoother form of cedar over it's truer forms. Cedar can be peppery, spicy, smooth, green, or smoky. It's warm and inviting like a cabin's interior in refuge from a snowstorm. It's just an excellent note and it's part of almost everyone's olfactive memory. It's also a very long-lasting note, especially the heavier forms of it.

Some of my favorite cedar fragrances:

January Scent Project Burvuvu is probably one of the truest and most authentic cedar fragrances on the market. It has 3 different types of cedar in it.

Creed Royal Oud has a greener cedar that is smooth and gentlemanly with a bit of that peppery edge to it.


9. Sandalwood

Source: www.pixabay.com

Expensive, opulent, and defining. These are a few words you could use to describe sandalwood. Hardly any fragrances use the natural note because of its excessive price. Sandalwood can be dry, creamy, it can smell like pencil shavings, or freshly dried wood. It's used mostly as a scent booster, but some fragrances use this note as a central part of its composition.

Some of my favorite sandalwood fragrances:

Platinum Egoiste is a gold standard for designer level sandalwood.

Creed Bois du Portugal has a nice smooth sandalwood that perfectly balances the florals in this old school fougere.


8. Cinnamon

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This warm and dry spice reminds of us Christmas. There is nothing like coming in out of the cold and having a hot apple cider with cinnamon on top. It warms you to your soul. It is widely used in both men's and women's fragrances and it used in almost every woody spicy composition. Just about everyone loves this stuff, including me.


My favorite cinnamon fragrances:

Burberry London has a good dose of cinnamon. Widely considered to be THE quintessential holiday fragrance for men. I love this stuff outside of those times as well.

Penhaligon's LP No 9 for Men is a hidden gem of clove and cinnamon, It's been my fragrance of choice for the past two years during the holiday season.


7. Leather

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I will admit... I wasn't always the biggest fan of leather, but it grew on me as my fragrance journey evolved. I always felt like I had to wear a leather jacket if I was wearing a leather fragrance. I don't own any leather jackets, so that was a problem. I got over that and really started to love it. Animalic, smooth, dirty, rough, worn... This is a note that makes women think you are a man.

My favorite leather fragrances:

Memo Irish Leather is my favorite leather fragrances...that bit of sweetness from the juniper with a bit of rough leather and dusty mate tea...It's unique and an excellent blend.

Happyland Cuir Cafe is a bold dark coffee and leather fragrance. Black coffee and leather...what else do you need?


6. Rose

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Rose is a gentleman's best friend when done properly. Usually with dense woods or incense. Rose can add an elegance that you can't find in other floral notes. There is a reason it is usually portrayed as romantic. Fresh, powdery, wet...there are many iterations of rose in fragrances. It's also absurdly expensive in its natural form due to the high number of petals that you need to make a small amount of oil.

Some of my favorite rose fragrances:

Aamod Essence du Royale is supposed to be similar to Frederic Malle's Portrait of a Lady. I haven't tried that one, but this is one of the best roses I have smelled. It's done in a very elegant way with incense, patchouli, and sandalwood.

Burberry Brit is a nice powdery rose that is quite versatile and inoffensive.

5. Musk

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Musk is widely used in perfumery. 99% of it is synthetic now due to animal rights, which I agree with. It can be clean, fluffy, or skanky. Some people even report that it can smell like urine to them. I don't get that. It is used mostly as a base note to get more longevity out of a fragrance, but sometimes it's a focal note.

My favorite musk fragrances:

Narciso Rodriguez Bleu Noir EDP is a good example of a clean musk. Very good quality for the price you can find it at.

Most of the others have it more as a supporting note, so I will just name that one for now.


4. Incense

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Slightly sweet, smoky, rich, churchy, and exotic is what you will hear people say when they smell incense.  Used for millenniums in religious ceremonies and fragrances, this stuff has been popular for a really long time. It gives a classy touch to anything it touches and transports us back to someone we know who burned it.


My favorite incense fragrances:

Bentley for Men Intense is a boozy and leathery incense fragrance that packs a masculine punch that most modern designers wish they could obtain.

Amouage Jubilation XXV smells like an old Catholic church to me and I love it...and I am not even Catholic.


3. Tobacco

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This one topped my list last time, but times have changed. I still absolutely love it though. Earthy, sweet, smoky, or ashy. Tobacco is almost an exclusively masculine note. A drier version is used widely in some older fragrances, while the sweeter and earthy kind have taken hold in newer ones.

My favorite tobacco fragrances:

Xerjoff Naxos has a beautiful earthy tobacco underneath the sweet tonka and honey combo. Th etonk ais what gives that sweet tobacco vibe, not the actual tobacco.

Burberry London makes the list again. It's unique and an amazing masterpiece of fragrant history.


2. Lavender

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Ah, lavender...What would fragrances be without this note? Not very good, that is what. A classicly masculine and feminine note. Lavender has been used for at least 2 centuries in fragrances. Probably before that as well. Clean, fresh, soapy, and powdery. It is the quintessential ingredient in barbershop fragrances and fougeres.


My favorite lavender fragrances:

Houbigant Fougere Royale, if you don't know this one yet... Then I feel sorry for you. It started the fougere trend and was the first fragrance to use a synthetic ingredient: coumarin(tonka)

Creed Bois du Portugal is another repeat, but the lavender in this one is so smooth and rich. It's an amazing fragrance.


1. Vetiver

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Anyone who reads this blog saw this one coming. Vetiver is so diverse, masculine, and it improves every fragrance that it's in. Smoky, soapy, dark, earthy, bright, green, fresh, or citric...Vetiver can fill any role. I just love it.

My favorite vetiver fragrances:

Guerlain Vetiver is the best fragrance ever made to me. It's a fresh and soapy vetiver.

Terre d'Hermes is an earthy vetiver with orange. I used to hate this one, but now I love it. The modern gentleman's staple. I need to get a bottle of this. I am slacking. I just can't afford to right now lol


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my revised notes list. Let me know what your favorites are!

I hope everyone has a wonderful evening. Stay safe and remember to speak a positive word to someone. You never know how much it will help them. It's free!

Also, given current events... I don't like to get political on here, but I feel inclined to ask everyone to pray for our black brothers and sisters who are facing discrimination. Also, pray for everyone else so that we can see these injustices and put them to rest to make a better tomorrow for everyone. If any of you need an ear to listen, my inbox is open. My Facebook. Feel free to add me if you want someone to listen to. The change starts with all of us deciding that we will strive to do better and better every day.

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Feel the Adrenaline: Perfumology Clutch Review

Photo Credit: Nir Guy/Perfumology

Hey, folks! I hope everyone is having a wonderful day and staying safe!

It's a cloudy day here, which always makes me feel like taking a nap. This fragrance, Clutch, is perfect to give me a boost and wake me up. It's from Nir Guy's in-house brand, Perfumology. Perfumology is a store that specializes in selling indie fragrances, but they have a few niche brands as well. I don't think the store has reopened yet, but he is still shipping. I will link the store below if you are interested in checking out his selection.

Clutch is another fragrance that is based on Nir's olfactive memory.  He's very much into cars, so you know he had to share one of his favorite pastimes with the world. Clutch is meant to invoke that feeling of driving an automobile that you really enjoy.

Nir did send me a sample of this for free. He did not influence me in any way, shape, or form for a positive review. I was not paid for this either. If any of you know Nir, then you know he is all for honesty.

I won't be covering the presentation because it's a sample. I will also try a less structured approach to this review because I feel like it will tell its story a bit better.

Let's see if I can see his vision in it. Let's get into it!


The Scent

You buckle up, put on your favorite pair of shades, and slide the key into the ignition. This is how Clutch opens. The soft and sweet vanilla acts like comfort, like your favorite pair of sunglasses. The smoke wafts to your nose, invoking a sense of excitement as you turn the key and the engine roars.

As the heart comes out,  you get this accord that smells like oil or grease. It is not strong, but you can tell it's there. I am not totally sure what is causing that. It might be the olibanum. This only gives me the imagery of an old muscle car. You spent the day working on fixing her up to make her purr just right. A little oily residue is left on your hands as you prepare to experience the fruits of your labor.

As you take in one last whiff of the cool autumn air with spicy ginger hanging about, you start to drive. She is humming like along like a bee on a hot summer's day. The rubber your beastly machine touches the road, accentuating the smoke and showing her power. The vanilla still lingers, acting to soften up the notes and produce the euphoric feel of this particular drive.

As the ride comes to a close, even though you don't want it to, you embrace the familiar smell of oak from your garage. You had been working on some new furniture made of oak. Even as you pull in, that adrenaline-inducing vanilla, along with the residue from the tires smoking the road and the resides on your hands still lingers to keep a smile on your face after it ends.

To put this is into words that are more digestible, Clutch is a smoky, spicy, oily, softly sweet, and smoky fragrance that is best suited for the cooler weather. It has very good performance and lasts for around 11 hours on skin, about 4 of those being a solid projection. This one isn't one to overspray.

Clutch is simply an amazing fragrance. Now, just because I say this doesn't mean you should go blind buy it. they carry samples and I think this one is truly worth sampling if you are into cars and indie fragrances. This is a very unique fragrance that will not be for everyone, it borders the line the between artistic and wearable and that is why I love it

I didn't understand Clutch at first, but after a couple of wearings, she won my heart. This one will be one I add to my collection as soon as I am able to. It takes me back to my days of working on cars and the excitement of knowing you conquered something after a long day of work and playing in grease and oil.

I do think this leans masculine, but it has a softer side that makes it approachable to women as well. I know plenty of women who love cars as well, and they would totally rock this.

This fragrance only costs $95 for 50ml. You won't smell anything else like this anywhere. That is a bargain for the quality in this scent. The perfumer, Justin Frederico, knocked this one out of the park again. It's a shame that he hasn't released more fragrances.

I hope you enjoyed my take on Clutch. As always, be safe and remember to say positive words when you can. Mental health is a very big issue during these times of lockdown. You never know how much is struggling and a kind word is always free!


Buy Clutch here

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Timelessly Unisex: Shalimar Eau de Parfum Review

Hello, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome back! I hope everyone is staying safe during these turbulent times. It finally stopped raining here, so I was able to do a bit of gardening and soaked up a little sun.

Shalimar, what a legendary fragrance this is. It came out in 1925 and still has a cult following and the respect of millions of people worldwide. An inspired take on a love story with a tragic twist that ended up sparking the creation of the Taj Mahal. You should read the whole story if you get the chance. It is quite intriguing to know the inspiration behind your fragrances.

I am looking forward to this one and I hope you are as well. Let's get into it!

Presentation

Shalimar comes in an urn-shaped bottle that is probably inspired by something historical, but I am unsure of what that might be. The cap is plastic and sort of cheap, with a ribbon attached to it with a Guerlain seal stamped on a plastic gold piece.

The juice is a dark amber color with Shalimar written in gold on the front. You have to look at the bottom of the bottle to see the concentration. This one is the EDP version.

The atomizer is gold and has the standard Guerlain stamp on the top and it works well.


Notes

Top

Lemon and Bergamot

Heart

Jasmine and Rose

Base

Iris, Incense, Tonka Bean, Vanilla, and Civet


The Scent

Shalimar opens up with some fresh bergamot and a slightly sour lemon. Right off the top you can pick up Guerlain's signature- that powdery and slightly floral vanilla.  The opening isn't what counts here. The dry down is where the magic begins.

As it dries down, some of those citruses stay in the background, but the leathery iris starts to take hold. The dry incense attaches to the leather and creates a magical aroma, accented by that powdery vanilla. This is the allure of older Guerlain fragrances. This is also what makes this fragrance lean unisex. A slight touch of something sweet and animalistic lingers, which I think is civet. I can also detect something dry and woody, which would certainly be sandalwood. The tonka bean is warm and gives more warmth to the incense note.

Overall, what you get is a warm, cozy, and inviting oriental fragrance with powdery and leathery vibes.

Performance

If you want a beast mode fragrance, then Shalimar is one. I get around 10 hours of longevity on my skin with a solid 4 of arm's length projection. Even after that, it will wrap you in a warm bubble until the last few hours. This is not one you want to spray more than 4 of. It's really strong. These older fragrances aren't like modern days ones. Shalimar will not forgive you for forcing her to do something she is not meant to do.

When to Wear it

I stopped caring about seasonal wearing for fragrances, but I will say this is better for the cooler months. As I said before, it is warm and inviting. It's a cuddle up by the fire cozy, which is perfect for that weather.

Many men discount this fragrance because it is marketed towards females, but I wear it myself. If you follow my blog, then you know I love a lot of "ultra-masculine" fragrances. So, if I can wear this, so can you. As long as you have the personality to respect her boundaries, Shalimar will treat you well.


Overall Impression

Well, this should be of no surprise to many of you, but I regard Shalimar as a masterpiece of perfumery. The way the notes dance with each other and wrap you up into a blanket of classy bliss. The way the leather iris lingers on the tip of your nose while the powdery vanilla invites you to stay.

This is the reason Guerlain is so respected, not because they create fragrances that everyone loves. It's because they define class in a new way and they have been for over a century now. Although some of the newer creations have lacked that, their older ones were trendsetters.

Shalimar is a timeless piece of art that just invites you to love her and she will love you in return.


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my take on Shalimar. Have a great day. Stay safe, everyone! Just because we are social distancing doesn't mean we have to stop saying kinds words to one another! Depression and mental health are a major issue during these times. It doesn't cost you anything to be kind.

Much love to all of you that have stuck by and continued to read my stuff throughout the years. I appreciate all of you and your support.

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Vintage(2000s) Guerlain Vetiver Review

Hey, folks! I know it's been quite a while since I have done a review. It's even more ironic that my last article was on review burnout. I just didn't feel like writing for a bit and I didn't want to put out an article that I didn't put my everything into. So, I am back again, this time with a review of a vintage Guerlain Vetiver. As far as I can tell from research, this is somewhere in the early 2000s. I can't get the batch code to pop up anywhere. If anyone else can find it, then the code is 9S01.

This was sent to me by a fan of my blog. His name is Daniel Zimmerman. He didn't send this to me in hopes of a review, but I am going to do one anyway. As many of you know, Guerlain Vetiver is my favorite fragrance, so having some vintage juice is amazing. Daniel sells a bunch of hard to find and vintage fragrances over at Perfume Pawn. So, take a look at his selection if you'd like to. He carries a lot of vintage Chanel and Guerlain stuff, along with many other brands.

As I stated before, this was sent to me for free, but it wasn't sent to me for a review. Regardless, my opinions are still my own and always will be. I am not sponsored by this company and I get nothing out of reviewing this.

It's been a while, but let's get into it!

Presentation

This one is a tester, so it didn't come with a cap. The bottle has contrasting stripes on it, some are smooth and some are frosted.  It's a decent design, but I do enjoy the newer version more.

The sprayer has the Guerlain symbol at the top, like most of them do. It works just fine, but it's nothing special.

Notes

I can't find any official notes listed on this, so I am just going to guess.

Lemon, Vetiver, Tobacco, Black Pepper, Oakmoss, Rosemary, Coriander, and Bergamot


The Scent

Guerlain Vetiver opens with a bit of citrus. There is most certainly lemon in there. It's not the fresh and juicy kind. It favors more on the old soapy sort. I think I can detect a slight bit of a bright bergamot note in there as well, but being that this is a vintage, the top notes might not be as strong as they were originally.

As we transition to the heart, the vetiver comes out. It's not as green and vibrant as the newer formula. This vetiver is earthy and woody. I have no doubt that there is oakmoss in here supporting that nuance as well. That signature pepper that gives vetiver it's manly kick is there as well. The coriander adds its dry spiciness in there as well.

As it dries down completely, the tobacco comes out. You aren't going to get any cherry-esque sweetness here. This is a dry and rugged tobacco. Think of cowboy tobacco and not a well-dressed man in a jazz club cigar tobacco.

There is an overlay of an aromatic herb, which I believe is rosemary. The oakmoss could be lending to that as well. That is why oakmoss was used so heavily back in earlier days. It lends itself beautifully to different notes and accentuates them. It serves as a note that helps transition as well.

Overall, this fragrance is quite dry, as expected from a more classic fragrance. It does have a soapy nuance to it, but it's not as strong as the newer formula. This is more classicly masculine than the newer one. It's basically a rich warm woody fragrance with herbal elements and a slightly soapy background.

Performance

Unlike a lot of today's fragrances, this one performs. I get around 10 hours of longevity with 3 of projection on skin. It will last several days on clothes and creates a beautiful sillage that is not too imposing or loud.

When to Wear it

You can use this fragrance year-round, but it's probably best for fall and spring.  This is not a fragrance for younger guys. I would say 40+ on this one, unless you just love old school fragrances. It's very masculine and I couldn't see a woman wearing this. It can be worn casually or with a suit.

Overall Impression

This is a great fragrance and an amazing piece of history of a legendary fragrance. However, I do favor the newer formulation of it. Only by a little bit, but the newer one has more of a pop to it. This one is more linear. It's more woody than soapy like the new one.

It certainly has a charm to it though and it will be used very sparingly. This one resonates with Guerlain calling it "the fragrance of the earth" more than the new one. That vivid oakmoss and more herbal tone certainly portrays that idea very well.

I'd say it's worth getting a sample of it if you can find one cheap, if nothing else, it's a piece of history.

Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed this one. This is my first vintage review. I will have a few more coming up as well.

Have a great day and stay safe. Remember to say something positive to someone today...You never know how much it could help. These are trying times and isolation takes a toll on people mentally. Give them a boost. It doesn't cost you anything!

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Passion Lost, Passion Found: Reviewer Burnout and Rekindling the Fire

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Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I hope everyone is doing fantastic today. I am doing quite well. I have just been quite busy lately. Life is good though. I can't complain. Being busy means you are making progress.

Today I wanted to cover a topic that a lot of reviewers feel. The cycle of passion and burnout. Why doe sit happen and how can we overcome it? This article is aimed mostly at reviewers, but I guess some of my points can extend to all fragrance collectors as well.

I hope you enjoy it! Let's get into it!


Passion Lost, Passion Found

It's no secret that collecting fragrances requires passion and drive...and maybe a bit of insanity to collect something that will never be used in its entirety. We start out wanting to explore everything. Everything smells good and everything is great! Then, after a period of time, we start to get bored with the same stuff. Companies that release the same thing over and over, with only a slight twist to another fragrances DNA become mundane and no longer inspire us.

Maybe you are a reviewer and watched a bunch of YouTube videos and said, "Hey, I can do that". Then you tried your hand at it and didn't have the overnight success that you dreamed of. Your name isn't in the spotlight and your videos are only getting 100 views. What a bummer!

The secret to success in this world isn't reliant on consistency, like many would believe. Shelling out videos that seemed rush may favor the YouTube algorithms, but they don't favor viewers. They might bring in their views, but if that is what you seek, then go for it. There is a lot of buzz in the fragrance community about quality content. Some seek to be entertained, while others want in-depth reviews. Both sides of the schism work, but you have to decide which side to cater to.

It ultimately comes down to numbers. Do you care about views or do you care more about quality content? There is no perfect science to it. I am not saying reviewers who produce videos every day are producing low-quality content. However, if you spent a bit more time on that video or article, then could it be better? If the answer is yes, then maybe you should.

Posting reviews every day is a surefire way to lead yourself into burnout. I know. I did it myself when I first started. After that, I realized that it's better to plan an article out and make it the way you want it instead of rushing it.

At the end of the day, it's ultimately about you and what you find your passion in. The numbers will come if you do your thing. Don't try and copy your favorite YouTuber. Be your own man/woman. Blaze your own trail. The best way to lose passion is to lose yourself in the hustle and bustle of the popularity contest.

If you are not happy with your work, then how do you expect your viewers or readers to be? That is the heart of the issue. Your own gratification leads you into gratification for your viewers. People can tell when you don't really care about what you are talking about. People can discern passion for "I had to do this".

Your name may not be in the spotlight. You may never be mentioned among people's favorite reviewers in a random Facebook group. However, if you do your thing and do it with purpose, there will be people who appreciate you. Even if they never comment on your videos or articles. There is always someone watching you, even if you don't think they are. It's so much better to have 10 people who believe in you than 10k who are there because you do giveaways or hype stuff.

So, my point in all of this is to do what you enjoy. Don't do stuff because everyone else is. Do stuff because you care about it. Do things with a purpose.

Most of the popular reviewers have been at this for years. Their success didn't happen overnight. It took them many years to get where they are. They have produced hundreds of videos and spent thousands on fragrances. Most new reviewers quit within 6 months because they don't see success. If you are looking for fast success and that is all that matters to you, then you probably shouldn't invest your time in this. It takes companies and reviewers years of trust and business to build up a following.

It is no secret that the market for reviewers is flooded right now. I see 3-4 new ones each month. I have never seen some of these folks ever comment on a post on Facebook. They often start off with hyped stuff that people have already seen a hundred times. That is a good way to make yourself be labeled as just another hype beast at the start. No one wants to hear about Sauvage, Ultra Male, Eros, and Aventus. We all have smelled them and we don't care anymore. We want different and innovative reviews.

I am not saying you have to begin with some unique and obscure niche, but something that not everyone is talking about is a good start. yes, people talk about those fragrances a lot, but people don't want to see any more reviews on them. Knowing what your target audience wants goes a long way.

You have to have thick skin to do this. It's not easy. As I stated before, it takes years to get traction and most quit within 6 months. Criticism will come, in constructive and destructive forms, however, it's how you handle that stuff that helps you stay on the right track. At the end of the day, people love drama. It's the sad reality of the modern internet age. If you want to be taken seriously, then I advise you to stay away from that. I have bought into some of it myself, but I am trying my best to only worry about myself now. I know this article isn't about myself, but it's some stuff I have learned in around a year and a half of reviewing.

I may not have a ton of followers or views, but I think I have successfully painted myself as a reviewer who isn't afraid to tackle tough topics and include the human side of fragrances. My style isn't for everyone, but I am honored that people look to me for advice. I don't care about numbers and subs. I have less than 100 followers, but I don't care. I would rather have that many who actually support what I do than a ton of ones who do not. I want passionate followers. People who care about more than projection and compliments. I want people who care about perfumery, even if it's generic. I want followers who want to be inspired and see through the facade of hype and want to picture perfumery as a form of imagery that gets them excited. I want followers who think like me.

That is how I keep myself from burning out. Knowing those types of people exist. I am excited about those types of people finding my content and sharing their thoughts with me. That part keeps me going. It keeps me striving to be a more complete reviewer every day. My content is far from amazing, but I am happy with it. Even when I make a grammatical error. I am only human and I am not trying to be perfect.

I hope everyone enjoyed this article. Remember, passion fuels success. the metric of success varies per person. Embrace kindness, honesty, and try to uplift as many people as you can. You never know who might need it. Someone is always watching you. Use your platform wisely. Much love to all of you who support me. Much love to the ones who challenge me and criticize me. You have helped me build a thicker skin. Be blessed, everyone!

My Youtube channel(If you want to get a head start for when I start posting videos)(Hopefully that will be soon)

Want to learn how to support my work? Click here

Want insider news as to what I am working on? What I am testing? Any giveaways I might hold? Want to decide what topics for me to cover on my blog? Then join the Musings of the Fragheads Facebook group here! I also post every article I write in here, so that might be an easier way for you to see every post I do!

Follow me on Instagram