Perfume Reviews by DanHD

Cuir de Russie Eau de Parfum by Chanel

I sure am glad I tested this before purchasing. I love the EDT, although it took me a couple wears to fully appreciate it. But the EDP is way to feminine "perfumy" in the 6+ hours drydown range. I'm glad I have a large decant of the EDT, because the EDP is unwearable for me in the late stages.

Monsieur. by Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle

I really enjoy this one. It feels like a modern patchouli and I wear it to the office, whereas other patches have to wait until the weekend. I like Bruno Jovanovic's sensibility on this one and also Almost Transparent Blue.

Equipage Géranium by Hermès

I respect this one but definitely don't like it. It has a cold feeling to me. I can see what Elena was trying to do, but it's just too green and particular, with not enough warmth. It falls in the same realm as French Lover / Bois d'Orage for me.

I have a large decant of the original Equipage, and I don't like that one either. After a few wearings it felt too heavy and "mature" for my tastes. I was hoping the Geranium version would be more wearable.

Eau des Baux by L'Occitane

This perfume is interesting during some stages but in the end is just too strong for me. The basenotes are overwhelming and turn into a cloying furnace of vanilla and incense.

Sel Marin by Heeley

I found this fragrance pretty interesting. It's more like an environment than a noticeable scent. Of course you can smell the aquatic salty note and there's the licorice somewhere in the middle, but it's all very subdued and atmospheric. I increased the number of sprays from my sample, but just got a little more sea breeze, but then after about 8 hours I was overwhelmed with a nauseating salty-sea-syrup smell and had to scrub it off.

I think this is worth trying, and for folks living away from the ocean it'd probably be a nice transport. But since I live near the ocean, it's a little redundant and too simple for me.

Number 3 / Le 3ème Homme / The Third Man by Caron

I gave 3rd Man a good college try, but it just doesn't work for me. I have a major problem with the carnation/clove note that never really subsides until about the 10 hour mark. Hey, but it's great after that! No, I can't do it. It's a shame, because I do like the floral aspects. The next-day drydown is lovely too. I own both Yatagan and Pour Un Homme and would recommend those over #3.

Chinatown by Bond No. 9

I love wearing this on the weekend. Some say it's too feminine, but for me it's interesting and exhilerating. It has great strength all the way through and the florals have enough counterbalance to avoid being too cloying. Beautiful bottle too

Pour Un Homme by Caron

This one has taken me a while to get my arms around. I thought it was too mellow, and tried two sprays which was too much. Finally, I got back down to one spray and have found that it is a subtle, warm, and inviting scent. I don't think it's meant to scream for notice, but to gently invite the wearer and maybe even those close by.

I suggest that you take your time to get to know my friend Pour Un Homme. A wonderful gentleman.

Grey Vetiver by Tom Ford

This smells like a sport or aquatic scent, having a common “fresh” synthetic vibe that takes about 8 hours to calm down. Finally, I get a somewhat endurable vetiver scent, but it's not worth the wait. I have Vetiver Extraordinaire and Sycomore, both of which blow this away. If I want an aquatic / “modern” scent I've got others in my collection with these qualities (e.g. YSL L'Homme and Mark Birley).

Chanel Pour Monsieur by Chanel

This is a very subtle, elegant men's scent. It has a little bit of an old-school feel, with the spices/slight powder in the middle, but I think PM is still viable in the modern world. After trying a few of the aquatic and sports scents out there, I think this is a good alternative, with a mellow countenance and mature charm. It is the perfect go-to scent for days at the office when you have meetings or will be in close contact.

A couple tips: (1) One spray is actually enough for me. It is so subtle that it is tempting to overspray. Two sprays is too much (for me) and makes it hard to appreciate the nuances; (2) PM (not Concentree) isn't available in the US. I bought a new bottle on EBay from a Canadian vendor for a pretty reasonable price and it's great.

Halston Z-14 by Halston

Z-14 is such a pleasant surprise. I blind bought it for $20 with very low expectations. It turns out that this is a fabulous scent, rivaling fragrances I own that cost 10x as much. It has a deep citrus that continues throughout that isn't screechy but pleasant and inviting. The other notes support and add interest. I totally agree with other reviewers who call this the granddaddy of powerhouses. There is a definite powerhouse feel, but it is also mellow enough for the office. This is a timeless masterpiece in my book – one that meshes with my sensibility perfectly an one that I yearn for the day before.

Side note: My Aunt wore the woman's version of Halston in the 1980's. Wearing Z-14, I'm reminded of the times we were in San Francisco when we visited growing up. She is a regal, powerful woman, and I think this scent is a perfect male counterpoint to that memory. Beautiful, intriguing, subtle, and fabulous.

Green Irish Tweed by Creed

The bestGIT is what started it all for me. It showed me how much a perfume can affect your life. It merges with experience of food, the outdoors, everyday things - not overwhelming just altering. It can be a little too much bright green for me at the start, and I use another atomizer to control the spray, but those are just trivialities compared to the majesty of this perfume. It's definitely worth the expense.Pros: Bright, complex, has depth tooCons: Opening can overwelm sometimes"

Derby by Guerlain

Complicated in a Good Way I didn't like Derby at first. It felt sort of old fashioned and on the powdery side. But luckily I gave it more tries, and I found that I'd developed an addiction. This isn't an easy scent for me. It has a carnation note and a touch of bitterness that doesn't work on certain days. But it's usually worth the challenge and it's fun the way you get different notes throughout the day. There's a vetiver greenness that pops out along the way that is pure joy, and the musk/woods towards the late middle/end are delicious. I think I'll own it one of these birthdays/Christmases [Update: I now own it and it's worth it]. I have a hard time justifying the price of a bottle but I'll always have a decant or split on hand.Pros: Sophisticated, diverse, challengingCons: Takes a while to comprehend, Doesn't always work"

Kouros by Yves Saint Laurent

Beautiful Kouros is a wonderful fragrance. I read the positive and negative reviews here, and to me it's fantastic, starting pretty low key and building with floral and spices and continuing to amber and woods. It's deep, without any big blasts of citrus, with a hint of vetiver in the mid to base notes. Complex and always intriguing. The beginning reminds me of Obsession in a way. After trying a pretty long list of classics and newer favorites, Kouros nailed it immediately for me, and I know it's going to be a lasting love. Antaeus was too much, but with Kouros I ride the wave, never feeling notes too harsh or overbearing. Pierre Bourdon you are the man. I own Green Irish Tweed and soon Kouros – I wish you had more recognition in the mainstream culture.Pros: Deep, fulfilling, complex, and invitingCons: Might be tough in very hot weather"

Original Vetiver by Creed

Nice clean summer scent Original Vetiver is a nice light green scent. It has little vetiver; it's more of a pleasant citrus / green opening and the classic Creed amber drydown. When I first tried OV, I was thinking, "simple, on the boring side, what's the fuss?" But this one grew on me. I think it's going to be my go-to summer office fragrance, besides L'Homme. I'm not very fond of the aquatic fragrances, so this is a great alternative. OV shines when you're outside in the heat and moving – it really starts to resonate. I don't think this is a classic vetiver scent though. If you want a true vetiver experience, I recommend trying FM Vetiver Extraordinaire, Chanel Sycomore, or Guerlain Vetiver.Pros: Simple, pleasant, classic Creed drydownCons: Not a classic "true" vetiver"