Pineapple Musk: Valor Perfumes Highlands Review

Credit: Abdelfattah Hamed

Hello, ladies and gents! I hope everyone is doing wonderful today. I am doing pretty well myself. I had my cardamom tea and I am ready to go.


Today, I am bringing you a new brand. One that I don't think anyone else has reviewed yet. At least not in English. It's Valor Perfumes out of Egypt. I will let you know right off, this is a clone house, but they have the best prices I have ever seen for clones. We are talking Armaf level prices here. He did send me a few fragrances from his offerings for free. So, there is my disclaimer, but as always, you know I am honest about it and the owner encouraged me to be honest.

The one I am reviewing today is Highlands, which is inspired by Sospiro Accento. I haven't tried the Sospiro version, so this review will be based solely on my impression on the scent alone. Let's get into it!


The Scent

Highlands opens with a fresh and juicy pineapple that isn't selfish and willingly shares the stage with a semi-metallic and clean musk. Sweet spring flowers of hyacinth rise up and lends its voice in support of the musk and pineapple. Cordially spicy amber and sweet pink pepper completes the main actors and actresses on this stage.

As the heart comes out, the musk remembers who she is with a slight metallicness, but he has grown up a bit and taken on a more romantic floral aspect. She still has a bit of an ego and knows she's the main start though and makes it well known. The pineapple decides it's better to let her have the stage, but deep down everyone knows that she wouldn't shine so bright if it wasn't for him. The hyacinth does what he's always done. He continues to support them both.

In the dry down, much remains the same, besides the vetiver comes out to play. He lends his masculine strength to the group and helps the story reach its conclusion. At this point, the sweet pink pepper and calmly spicy amber have exited stage right, but their memory still lingers. This is still very much the muck and pineapple show, with random appearances from hyacinth and vetiver and it remains that way until it ends.


My Opinion

I can't compare Highlands to the Sospiro, but I do really like this one. Considering this one costs a mere 18 USD for 100ML, this is excellent. Even if you bumped it up to Alexandria prices. Yes, you heard me correctly and that was not a typo, 18 USD for 100ML. I double-checked it.

I am surprised how realistic and juicy the pineapple is and how smooth the musk is for this price range. Suprised might be an understatement. Shocked is probably better. This is one of the highest quality clones I have smelled and it's one of the cheapest in price. I am not entirely sure how he does it, but I am impressed.

Now, I cannot say this smells 100% natural or anything. It doesn't smell synthetic though. You would expect an Armaf level of synthetic mess in this price range, but that is not what you get. The performance is also quite good. I get around 10 hours on skin with it. Sadly, I have been unable to properly gauge sillage and projection due to being home, but it seems like it does well in those categories as well. However, this is not a super loud fragrance that will fill a room.

This fragrance will fit both men and women perfectly. It's certainly a warmer weather fragrance, but wear it when you'd like. I think it fights casual to business casual clothing the best. This is one you could rock with a white shirt at the beach.

The presentation is solid. The bottles are actually quite heavy. the cap is plastic, but it looks nice. I wish the labels had the size on them, but that is only a minor gripe. The atomizer is pretty decent have a decently wide arc to the spray pattern.

I do have one thing that I am not a fan of with this fragrance, the name. Highlands refers to Scotland in most cases. This doesn't make me think of Scotland at all. This makes me think of Greece. Again, this is only a minor gripe.

He also doesn't appear to sell samples yet, but I am sure that will be coming soon. Most companies don't start off with samples. His business is new, so he's still working on getting more offerings and options. A website will be soon, possibly.

This company is in Egypt, so shipping to the US isn't cheap. However, the price you save per bottle makes up for it and it still turns out to be more affordable than many other clone houses.

Overall, a really nice fragrance that I will continue to wear. Even if this was priced at 60 USD, I would still think it's decent for the price. I am more inclined to do so given the cost. I know I keep talking about the price, but it just shocks me, honestly.


Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed my first look at this house. I will drop a review on another one in a week or two. That one will be a bit more suited to my readers who enjoy the classics.

I hope everyone has a wonderful day. Be blessed and be kind to one another. A kind word is free and you can change someone's world with it.

Racism sucks. Let's all work towards equality for all and a better future for the next generation.


Buy Valor Perfumes here. He has a list of his offerings. The M+U is men's and unisex and the F is for females.

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My Top 10 Most Complimented Fragrances

I am not sure why I used this picture, but I thought it was cute. Source

Hello, ladies and gentlemen! Welcome back. I hope today is treating you well and you are blessed beyond your comprehension.

I haven't done a top 10 list in almost a year. They always seemed like too much hype for me. I did a vote in my blog's Facebook group and they unanimously voted for me to start doing them again, so here I am.

The reason I wanted to do this particular one is because I wear a lot of different fragrances and I think m,y list will be much different than your typical "compliment monsters". Yes, I have BdC EDP and Parfum, Sauvage, Aventus, and many other hyped fragrances. However, none of them are on my list. In order to get people's attention, the fragrance needs to fit you.

Don't take this as a hype list. Don't go out and buy these because I said people comment on them. They work for me and my personality. They might not work for you. Always sample first. I do think there are some good fragrances in this list that get overshadowed by other more popular ones.

This list is going off my impression from my memory. I don't really count compliments. I rarely speak about them, as most of my readers know. I am just doing this to change people's perceptions on compliments and the variety of fragrances you can safely wear with confidence.

I have rambled on too much now, let's get into it!


10. Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy Private Edition

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I am convinced that Legacy Private Edition is only this far down the list because I got it shortly before the pandemic started. So, if this were normal, then I think this would be higher on the list. This is a pretty good quality celebrity fragrance containing a nice woody sandalwood note with maple, amber, and tonka. It's only slightly sweet. The woody sandalwood pops out the most to my nose and makes it very masculine off my skin, with only a slight sweetness to it. This one is quite underrated and people around me enjoy when I wear it.


9. Mugler A*Men Pure Malt

Mugler Pure Malt is still one of my favorites. I haven't spoken of it in a while, but I still wear it and people still love it. This boozy semi-gourmand is seen as unique where I live. Not many people know about it here and it's one of my comfort scents in the cooler weather.


8. Givenchy Gentleman EDP

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Gentleman Givenchy is a balsamic and sweet floral fragrance with a predominant iris note. Akin to Dior Homme and Valentino Uomo instance, but standing on its own with its black vanilla, spice, and iris, and lavender combo. This gets better reactions from people around me than the Valentino and Dior. It's also the most readily available one of the three.

7. Genre Parfums R.A.M.C.

Credit: Genre Parfums

This might be one of the "hyped" ones on this list. People who know about Genre know about this one. This is a sweet citrusy fragrance with a potent dose of sweet bergamot and tart lemon with a dry down of heavier woods and white musk. It's a real crowd-pleaser for sure. I am sure this one would be higher on the list if I had a chance to wear it more, but I am always testing stuff for review. I have four fragrances from Genre and his one is my favorite. 

6. Lalique Pour Homme

Lalique Pour Homme is a lighter take on a classic fougere. Vaguely reminiscent of Creed Bois du Portugal, this is a classy fragrance. This one can be dressed up or down, but I find I get better reactions to it when I am slightly dressed up. You need to really love lavender, sandalwood, and cedar to appreciate this one.


5. Alexandria Mr. Sillage

This was the first Alexandria I owned. They caught my attention when they offered this one to help support Chris' family after he passed. This is probably one of my most special fragrances because of that. This is from the first batch that was made and went to his family. It's a take on Jo Malone Myrrh and Tonka. It's balsamic, sweet, and somewhat mentholated. It's a very nice fragrance that is very strong and gets attention.

I only have around half of the bottle left, so I don't wear it as often as I used to. However, I have worn it more than any other Alexandria fragrance, so that alone makes it my most complimented from the house.

RIP, Chris. Until Valhalla. Go frag yourself.


4. Zaharoff Signature

This is another one you could say is hyped. I had this one way before the hype train started. I have worn it quite a bit. It's a balsamic, sweet, woody, and clean floral fragrance that harkens back to the classics while staying perfectly modern. There is a reason that most people love this in the fragrance community. It's the same reason people outside the fragrance community do. It's just that good.


3. Burberry Touch(Tie)

Burberry Touch is proof that being clean is never underappreciated. This powdery violet, citrus, and woody fragrance is versatile and will keep you smelling fresh all day. This one is seriously popular with men and women alike. Being clean never goes out of style.


3. Acqua di Gio Absolu (Tie)

This bottle is quite difficult to take a picture of...

Acqua di Gio Absolu is a little bit similar to Invictus Aqua. It has less of that bubblegum sweetness. It also added tonka and heavier woods to it, while maintaining that classic ADG bergamot note. So, it comes off as a more masculine take on it and makes it more wearable for guys who are a bit older (such as me). This one is certainly a crowd pleaser and garners me more attention than Hawas does. It's just a better scent profile for me as well.


2. Happyland Signature

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Happyland Signature is a spicy oriental with gourmand facets. it's like if you took Parfums de Marly Oajan and Arabian Oud's Kalemat and mashed them together. Dry tobacco, cinnamon, creamy spiced amber, creamy vanilla, and woody oud. It's a masculine sweet and sexy fragrance. This one seems to garner attention quite often. I love wearing this one too. It makes me confident. I rally love this one.


1. Scentstory 24 Gold

24 Gold is another Kalemat style fragrance. I guess these really work on me. Creamy spiced amber, oud, golden vanilla, and dry sandalwood create a magical aroma that entices everyone around you. It seems like every other time I wear this someone comments on it. This one holds my most compliments in a single day for me as well. It's just an amazingly seductive vanilla and woody scent with some spice. I called this one of my best pickups of the winter over a year ago and that still holds true.


Conclusion

I hope you all enjoyed this one. It's slightly different than what I normally post. Sometimes a change of pace is what is needed.

Remember, don't blind buy these because they work for me. I just wanted to show that you don't have to buy all hyped stuff if you want to smell good to those around you. Figure out what suits your style and go with it. Don't fall victim to what people tell you to do. be your own man/woman.

Also, the best way to get compliments is to be a good person. People are much more inclined to compliment people who are approachable.

Be blessed. Remember that a kind word is free and you can change someone's life with one. Don't hesitate to be kind. There are enough jerks in the world.

Let's pray for our black brothers and sisters who face injustices. Let's pray that we can all understand and help them. Let's pray that we can work together to make this world a better place for everyone.

Want to see what is going on in my group and vote on my upcoming articles? We also discuss fragrances and fragrant topics in a drama-free environment. You won't see any troll Aventus and CDNIM posts in my group! Join my Facebook group!

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The Everyday Guy's Starter Kit

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Hello, guys and gals! I hope everyone is having a wonderfully blessed and prosperous day! The sun finally decided to return to the Carolinas, so it's getting pretty hot here. I am already wanting the winter to return. Oh well, it will be here soon enough.

I decided to do another starter kit article. This one is about those everyday guys who don't want to spend a ton on fragrances, but doesn't want to go with the "Jeremy Starter Kit" with Ultra Male, Sauvage, Bleu de Chanel, and ADG Profumo. This will all be cheap and mass appealing fragrances, but they will be ones that not everyone speaks about.

This list will be quite a bit smaller than my others because I believe the everyday guy only needs a few fragrances for each situation. This list isn't for collectors. It's for people who want to get into collecting or guys that just want to smell good for every situation.

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

Pro tip: If you click the discounter link under each fragrance, it will take you to its page on the site. I am not affiliated or sponsored by any discounter in any way. I get nothing from you clicking them. I only added them to help you find them more quickly.


Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Unlimited

Main Notes: Mint, pineapple, violet, and cinnamon

Situation: Casual days in the warmer months

Price: $27.29/50ml at Fragrancenet

Boss Bottled Unlimited is pretty much a shower gel version of a white fragrance. Minty freshness with juicy pineapple, crisp violet, and spicy cinnamon fuse to make a light and playful fragrance that is a hard worker in the heat. This fragrance is pretty synthetic, but it works well for what it is. I enjoy it and I think it's a bit under the radar.


Kenneth Cole Mankind

Main Notes: Cedar, vetiver, sandalwood, pineapple, and ginger

Situation: Those 9-5s during the warmer months

Price: $26.64/100ml at Fragrancenet


Kenneth Cole isn't known to make great quality goods. I wouldn't say this is good quality either. It's probably the safest fragrance in existence. It smells nice and masculine. it's not loud and overbearing and it will last you an entire workday. For around 30 cents per ML, this is a great work scent so you won't get fragrances banned in your workplace, but you will still smell good.



Lacoste Pour Homme

Main Notes: Plum, vanilla, sandalwood, apple, rum, and cinnamon

Situation: Any date night throughout the year

Price: $24.69/100ml at Fragrancenet


Lacoste Pour Homme will always have a special place in my heart. It was one of the two fragrances that I picked up at a military PX around 10 years ago. The other one was Lacoste Style in Play. Later on, when I really started exploring fragrances, they allowed me to see that there was much more diversity than Cool Water and Avon out there and well... The rest is history.

This is a versatile date night fragrance suitable for dates all year long. I also think it's quite unique. It's a sexy fragrance without being sickly sweet. It has a certain class to it. This one will do the job without you being too overpowering. A very safe date night scent.


Scentstory 24 Gold

Main Notes: Amber, vanilla, sandalwood, and guaiac wood

Situation: Your versatile cold-weather fragrance

Price: $23.39/50ml at Fragrancebuy.ca


24 Gold is a great fragrance. It's a kalemat style fragrance with sweet spiced amber, heavy woods, and creamy vanilla. For those of you who are interested in compliments, this is my most complimented fragrance in my near 300 bottle collection. It's becoming more difficult to find, but you can still get it at Fragrancebuy.ca. This fragrance works very well as a date night fragrance, but it can also work for casual daytime wear.


Nautica Life

Main Notes: Violet, sea moss, sea salt, ginger, sage, and lavender

Situation: Gym time

Price: $12.34/100ml at Fragrancenet


Nautica Life is a pleasant smelling sporty fragrance. It's green, fresh, and a bit spicy with a few oceanic accords. The longevity is only about 4-5 hours, but that makes it good for the gym. You can do your workout, shower it off, and put something else on after. For 12 bucks, it's an easy choice.


Cremo Blue Cedar and Cypress

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Main Notes: Lemon leaf, Cedar, and Cypress

Situation: Cold weather 9-5s

Price: $22.99/100ml at Cremo


Cremo had a bit of hype going for a bit, but it died off. I still think they are a great company for guys who want to smell good and not break the bank. The quality in their fragrances is pretty high. Blue Cedar & Cypress is a barbershop style fragrance with citrusy lemon leaf and a gorgeous cedar note. It also has a powdery aspect to it. Regardless, this is a great scent for work in the colder weather.


Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy Private Edition

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Main Notes: Maple, tonka, sandalwood, vanilla, amber, and cedar

Situation: Cold-weather dates or nighttime meetings

Price: $31.19/100ml at Fragrancenet


Ronaldo Legacy Private Edition is one celebrity fragrance with amazing quality. It's a sweet semi-gourmand with maple, vanilla, tonka, and a dry and woody sandalwood with cedar. It's basically a very masculine semi-gourmand with heavy woods. It doesn't smell like food. It just has that gourmand sweetness and that is why I label it as a semi-gourmand. It's mostly a  sandalwood and tonka fragrance to me. The sandalwood pops off on my skin. This is a sexy and masculine fragrance that I think most guys and gals will appreciate. It would be a great date night fragrance, but it could be used for any situation.


Conclusion

I tried to cover quite a few bases and I hope this helps you get started and not smell like everyone else. These are a great starting point to get into fragrances, or just as a fragrance to cover every situation. There are many collectors who don't even know about these fragrances and it's a shame.

I hope everyone has a fantastic day. Remember to say something positive to someone today. It doesn't cost you anything and you never know how much you can help someone.

Pray for equality and wisdom for our nation so that we all may live in peace and prosper.


Want to see what is going on in my group and vote on my upcoming articles? We also discuss fragrances and fragrant topics in a drama-free environment. You won't see any troll Aventus and CDNIM posts in my group! Join my Facebook group!

Want to learn how to support my work? Click here

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My Letter to the Fragrance Community(My Blog Story)

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Hello, ladies and gentlemen! I hope everyone is having a blessed day. It cooled down a bit here today, so that is always a good thing. The heat can be pretty brutal here at times.

This is a different type of article. This one isn't about drama and what we need to fix. This one is a thank you note and how the fragrance community has helped me through the years. It's not really a letter, but I couldn't think of a catchy title, so I just went with it.

I am not naming any specific people in this article because I want this to be about the community as a whole... I might be slightly afraid to forget to mention someone too. Anyways, I will stop running my mouth(fingers?) and get to what I wanted to say. Let's get into it.


My Eternal Gratitude

Again, I find it difficult to articulate the words I really want to say, so I named this section what I felt was appropriate. There have been many people who have helped me along the way...

To the people who believed in me before I started my blog and encouraged me to start it...

To the companies and people who sent me stuff early on when no one knew who I was(they still probably don't)...

To the people who gave me a kick in the rear when I wanted to quit...

To the reviewers who inspired me...

To my viewers who come by and support me...

To the people who have helped me with non-fragrance related things...

To the people who listened to my venting...

To the people who gave me something when I had nothing, both mentally and physically...

To anyone else who I forgot...

Thank you. You have done more for me than you know.

You see... I was scared about putting myself out there. I was scared of what people would think. I was scared of failing. I would have failed if I never tried.

I decided to put myself out there with encouragement from some friends. That was probably one of the best decisions I have ever made. It has opened up so many things for me...from personal friendships with people to even being able to do some writing for a few brands... That is just the tip of the iceberg. There are so many more things I want to accomplish.

As many of you may or may not know, I take care of my mother who is ill. She has a wide plethora of health issues including heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, stomach diseases, and she is blind in one eye. She had to have her legs amputated a few years ago and she doesn't walk, so she needs someone to help her often.

All of that pretty much means that I don't have an income. That is why you see me say where I get every fragrance I review. I want to be fully transparent. I also want to give credit where it's due. No one that I have done a review for influenced me to say anything positive. The ones who wanted a positive review were declined, even if they offered money. I don't play that game.

Now, as selfish as this sounds, it kind of put me in a rut. I felt like I was wasting away. I felt depressed. Fragrances helped get me out of that a bit, but it wasn't enough. I ultimately decided to start blogging as a way to feel like I was working again. That helped a lot. I could pour my time and energy into writing and it helped me express myself, without manifesting those negative emotions.

I had to work hard to get relationships with some companies. I can't take credit for all of it. Many companies reached out to me as well. It took work on both sides. That is when I realized I could make this work.

Random people also reached out and sent me stuff as well. They did it just because they wanted to. There were no strings attached. They just did it out of kindness.

I figured I could make a few dollars to maybe buy a fragrance every now and then with ad revenue. Well, it turns out that ad revenue is terrible. I have been blogging for almost 2 years and still haven't made enough to get one check from it. I am not worried about that anymore. I have truly been blessed.

I got obsessed with followers, views, and all of the glitz and glam that people think of. Only to find myself falling into darkness again. I took a break and thought about things...

After thinking and weighing what I was doing, I came to a defining realization in my life. It's not about me. I was selfish. It's about passion, love, and helping people. However, it's not just about me helping people. All of those who helped me got something out of it too. They got that fuzzy feeling inside that they get from helping someone. This is about a group of people who believed in me. It's not just about me. It's "our" blog. Even though it's my opinion. They helped build it just as much as I did and I cannot fail them.

This is why I push on. I may get discouraged sometimes, but I know there are folks who have my back. They have had it since day one.

There is literally no way I could have kept reviewing stuff on my own. The fragrance community built this blog and they deserve the credit for doing so. I am eternally grateful to all of you that have helped me. I cannot put it into words that could articulate what I mean. Just know that I haven't forgotten you. I remember every package and every word of motivation you have given me.

We live in uncertain times. People want to think that the world lacks kindness. They want to think the fragrance community is full of trolls and jerks. It's simply not true. Yeah, a few bad apples get through the cracks. This blog is proof in black and white that the fragrance community is full of amazing and selfless people.

This article is number 193. 200 is coming up soon and I hope to be able to do something special for that. If anyone has any ideas, let me know.

There are so many more things I could say. However, I didn't plan on this article having my blog story in it, but it just happened. I was just writing. and what came out is what I feel.

As I always say, a kind word is free. We need more of those. You never know what someone is going through. One word can mean the difference between darkness and light. Choose the light, my friends. The sun will always shine again. Not quitting through the rough times defines us. If no one else has your back, then message me. I got your six.

Everyone have a blessed day. Enjoy your family, friend, and loved ones. They will go through the storm with you and not think twice about it. Do the same for them.


Want to see what is going on in my group and vote on my upcoming articles? We also discuss fragrances and fragrant topics in a drama-free environment. You won't see any troll Aventus and CDNIM posts in my group! Join my Facebook group!

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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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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!

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