TheWolf's Stats
- Review Count30
- Helpfulness Votes88
- First Review31 January 2012
- Last Review26 April 2015
- Featured Reviews0
- Average Rating4.6
Drakkar Noir is a bold, aromatic fougère for a man of strength with a natural, seductive allure.
An explosive gust of olfactory accords binds in honour of the fearless and valiant ancient Vikings and their battleship, the drekar.
The Drakkar Noir man is heir to their fortitude, evoking their spirit with the powerful fragrance he chooses to conquer his day.
Drakkar Noir bursts open with fresh notes of lemon and mandarin orange, textured with spices, coriander and juniper.
The warm, herbaceous tones of basil and rosemary conjure the heart of the woods while cedar and vetiver compose the sensual finish. A signature fine masculine scent with an intense, lingering trail.
Top Notes: rosemary, artemisia, lavender, basil, lemon verbena, bergamot and lemon.
Heart Notes: coriander, carnation, cinnamon, juniper and jasmine.
Base Notes: leather, sandalwood, fir, amber, patchouli, oakmoss, fir, vetiver and cedar.
Overall Rating:
5
out of
5
Something Of The Sea
Date:25 May 2013
Fragrance appeal:
5
out of
5
Longevity:
5
out of
5
This old chap has been kicking around since 1982 and in my humble estimation still stands up to close scrutiny. Guy Laroche's Drakkar Noir may not have the chicest packaging or bottle but the contents have certainly stood the test of time and seem not (as least to my hairy nose) to have been messed about with too much. The qualities which have always endeared it to me are the warm sensuous Oakmoss heart note (not a little unlike Ralph Lauren's classic Polo) wrapped up in spicy citrus (linalool, limonene, citral) outer-garments; a tad exotic but not overwhelming. The drydown has something of the sea about it.; ozone, seaweed, rock pools and sun-warmed skin. It lasts for ages and at such a reasonable price outclasses a good many current ubiquitously bland "masculines" by a country mile and a half.
Splendid stuff!
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Azzaro Pour Homme Eau de Toilette Spray
A dash of humour, a hint of defiance, and a touch of elegance, that's the magical cocktail Loris Azzaro chose for this fragrance. Top: caraway, iris, lavender, clary sage, basil, lemon, anise and bergamot. Heart: sandalwood, juniper berries, pathcouli, vetiver, cedar and cardamom. Base: leather, tonka bean, amber, musk and oakmoss.
Overall Rating:
5
out of
5
Mirrorball Memories
Date:1 May 2013
This old warhorse has been kicking around since 1978. A big, bad, bold, masculine which cleaved the humid air of just about every disco and dive in the land in its heyday. (Chances were that you went home reeking of it even if you hadn't put it on before going out!). Despite apparent reformulation its singular character seems to be pretty much intact.. The humongous blast of spicy citrus settles down eventually (if it hasn't scared you off with its strident opening salvo) into a warm, leathery amber accord with something just a little bit "unwashed" (in a good way!) and naughty lurking in the shadows (cumin has a way of doing that however sparingly it's used). Azzaro Pour Homme will forever be a tad vulgar around the edges and is all the better for it. Apply very sparingly however!
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Monsieur Eau de Toilette Spray 100ml
Experience the timelessness of Balmain with the Monsieur Balmain Pour Homme Eau de Toilette.
Fresh and memorable, this classic fragrance for men is blended in a resolutely modern way. An eau de toilette for discerning men: those who exude laidback elegance and are naturally sophisticated.
Monsieur Balmain has a lively citrus opening of lemon, bergamot and petitgrain is tempered with a pinch of spearmint, signing the fragrance with a luminous energy. The magnetic heart reveals audacious aromatic, green and crunchy tones, while the dry down owes its unforgettable character to the woody vibrations of the cedar and the intensity of the musky ambery notes.
Top Notes: Lemon, Petitgrain, Bergamot, Spearmint
Heart Notes: Rosemary, Black Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, Clary Sage
Base Notes: Cedar, Amber, Musk
Overall Rating:
3
out of
5
Sherbet Lemons
Date:21 April 2013
Fragrance appeal:
3
out of
5
Effectiveness:
3
out of
5
This fragrance seems to have lived through at least three incarnations and substantial reformulations since its first appearance in 1990. My
last experience was of a bargain basement edition I picked up from a store in Hounslow which was unwearable. This chap does somewhat better and seems to have rediscovered the spirit of the original with its
opening fizzy citrus blast recalling the sherbet lemon sweets which ulcerated the inside of my mouth throughout my childhood. Monsieur B seems to have grown up a bit and the drydown is somewhat more sweet and subtle than I remember (the neroli perhaps?) It's fresh and feisty in a just-stepped-out-of-the-shower kind-of way. I quite like it but it makes my cat wince!
last experience was of a bargain basement edition I picked up from a store in Hounslow which was unwearable. This chap does somewhat better and seems to have rediscovered the spirit of the original with its
opening fizzy citrus blast recalling the sherbet lemon sweets which ulcerated the inside of my mouth throughout my childhood. Monsieur B seems to have grown up a bit and the drydown is somewhat more sweet and subtle than I remember (the neroli perhaps?) It's fresh and feisty in a just-stepped-out-of-the-shower kind-of way. I quite like it but it makes my cat wince!
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Caron Pour Un Homme Eau de Toilette Spray
A heady Eau de Toilette to be sprayed liberally.
Created by Caron in 1934, Pour Un Homme is a luxurious, floral fragrance for men. Authenticity and refinement are abound in this fragrance with its inimitable harmonies that bespeak the finest natural lavender groves of the Haute Provence, combined with vanilla, lending it a naturally fresh sophistication.
Top Notes: Rosemary, Lavender, Bergamot, Lemon.
Heart Notes: Clary Sage, Cedar, Rose, Brazilian Rosewood.
Base Notes: Tonka Bean, Musk, Oakmoss, Vanilla.
Overall Rating:
5
out of
5
Lavendilla
Date:14 April 2013
Fragrance appeal:
5
out of
5
Longevity:
3
out of
5
Given that Pour Un Homme has been around since 1934 it deserves both our attention and respect . Ignore the picture of the Klingon on the product page and you will discover a light, refreshing masculine fragrance, without a trace of Alpha Male arrogance, wherein a distinctive lavender and subtle vanilla hold hands in comfortable accord with something just a little bit (dare I say) "dirty" (in a nice way) going on in the middle ground. It doesn't last long but responds well to the occasional reapplication. A bracing and classy invention.
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A classic shaving ritual product that soothes and restores the skin's natural comfort.
Its light, fluid formula protects the epidermis and is rapidly absorbed.
Available in 200 ml and 100 ml format, in a classic bottle or spray.
Overall Rating:
5
out of
5
It's A Breeze
Date:10 March 2013
Crikey! Can it really be possible that Eau Sauvage has been around in the World since 1966?! Edmond Roudnitska's creation has weathered well and (to my nose at least) seems relatively unchanged in form since its birth. It sports a bracing citrus opening gambit up-top and a solid but beautifully rounded vetiver base, Eau Sauvage is like a fresh breeze blowing in from the sea across sun bleached Mediterranean lemon groves and wild rosemary.
A sophisticated and timeless invention for a man both happy and confident in his own skin. Wonderful.
A sophisticated and timeless invention for a man both happy and confident in his own skin. Wonderful.
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Serge Lutens À La Nuit Eau de Parfum Spray 50ml
This jasmine has only one thought in its head: paint the town white!
On a ladder of silken rungs, the fragrance climbs high into the night until it reaches the very top and explodes in a constellation of fireworks. It feels positively electric on the skin.
Our Fragrance Expert says:
"This one is jasmine, jasmine and more jasmine. Jasmine pushed to the nth degree, if you will. A La Nuit captures the whole jasmine flower from the indolic, waxy quality of the white petals to the green odour of the stems and buds. This is a natural floral taken to the extreme."
Overall Rating:
5
out of
5
The Heart Of A Flower - The Scent Of A Woman
Date:28 June 2012
Fragrance appeal:
5
out of
5
Longevity:
5
out of
5
The essence of jasmine can be a tricky one to capture. Its sickly-sweet scent can be cloying and a tad overwhelming if managed with heavy hands but perfumer Christopher Sheldrake displays the lightest of touches in this captivating invention for Serge Lutens. A La Nuit is Jasmine-lite; a fragrance which captures its more citrusy notes and achieves a freshness which reveals the heart of the flower whilst avoiding its more feral (some might say feline - and not in a good way!) tendencies. There's a wonderful, almost marmalade-like, afterglow in the dry-down, which is both sensual and reassuring in equal measure. Sweet but not overbearingly so and destined to enrich the warm air of a balmy summer night. A scent for a woman with romance in mind. A triumph of restraint over gasping-for-breath vulgarity.
Truly Magical..
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Serge Lutens Fleurs d'Oranger Eau de Parfum Spray 50ml
It's within us. A single whiff of this fragrance, drawn from the highly scented blossom of the bitter orange tree, augmented by a hint of civet, resonates within us. Our Fragrance Expert says: "Fleurs d'Oranger is one of the greatest orange blossom compositions in the world. Ever. It blends the sunny indole of orange blossom with other white blooms (namely jasmine and tuberose) to create a hot white floral scorched by the sun. A touch of cumin provides a sense of human warmth. In short: a symphonically sunny floral"
Overall Rating:
5
out of
5
Spicy Erotic Orange
Date:11 April 2012
Fragrance appeal:
5
out of
5
Longevity:
5
out of
5
Another little wonder from olfactory wizard Christopher Sheldrake for Serge Lutens. Created in 1995, Fleurs d'Oranger is a captivating fragrance. The combination of orange flowers, neroli and carefully placed jasmine is offset by a spicy note of cumin deep down in the mix, which lends an oriental and somewhat naughty (ie feral) note to the whole. A bursting bouquet of summer flowers with a rather naughty little secret hidden at its heart. Although essentially a woman's perfume F d'O would work equally well for a confident man who is not afraid to get in touch with his feminine side! An eloquent, erotic and wholly magical invention.
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"Royalty within the powdery fragrance world, GUERLAIN L'Heure Bleue Eau de Toilette is the ultimate floral-oriental scent." - Hannah, Escentual Beauty Team.
Why You'll Love GUERLAIN L'Heure Bleue:
Powdery, floral-oriental scent with a captivating presence.
Long-lasting Eau de Toilette with an endearing tone.
Part of the GUERLAIN Legendary fragrance collection.
Showcased in the iconic 'inverted heart' glass flacon.
What DoesL'Heure Bleue Smell Like?
The first spritz of L'Heure Bleue reveals an intoxicating blend of fresh bergamot and subtly spiced aniseed before the fragrance settles into a delicately sensual floral aroma. As the perfume develops, it dives into a heavily powdered harmony of violet and iris, which is counterbalanced by a warm, cosy oriental tone that elevates the powdered nature of these florals.Top notes are Bergamot, Aniseed. Heart notes are Carnation, Neroli Accord. Base notes are Iris, Violet, Vanilla, Benzoin, Tonka Bean.
Why It's Escentual:
In L'Heure Bleue, the remarkable innocence of a powdery perfume is nuanced by alluring spices and delicious gourmands to captivate your imagination and your senses. Exuding a sense of sophistication, the impressively long-lasting Eau de Toilette is laced with the delicate petals of powdery florals, which settle into your skin for the long haul.
L'Heure Bleue is an emotive fragrance that romantically depicts nature and the environment; inspired by the suspended hour between sunset and darkness, the fragrance is fondly termed the 'bluish hour'. Created by master perfumer, Jacques Guerlain, the L'Heure Bleue recalls that moment in time "when the night has not yet found its stars". It mimics the unique feeling of tranquility that you experience at this time, resulting in a scent that somehow feels like the calm before the storm.
The Best Way To Use It:
Spritz onto your pulse points, especially onto your neck and wrists. To increase scent longevity, apply after showering on towel dried skin.
The Sustainable Side:
The outer presentation box has been created using responsibly sourced materials.
Overall Rating:
5
out of
5
Happy Birthday L'Heure Bleue
Date:30 March 2012
Fragrance appeal:
5
out of
5
Longevity:
5
out of
5
L'Heure Bleue is one hundred years old this year! Created by Jacques Guerlain in 1912 this wonderful scent has lost none of its magic. Though doubtless tweaked to conform to modern industry standards its soft, flowery warmth is the very essence of femininity. The top and middle notes of neroli, carnation and (unobtrusive) iris hover over a subtle foundation of vanilla, which knits the whole together into an entirely coherent whole.
Tired of Shalimar (and it can be more than a little tiresome!)? Give this a go and melt into the timeless enchantment of a blissfully romantic summer evening.
Tired of Shalimar (and it can be more than a little tiresome!)? Give this a go and melt into the timeless enchantment of a blissfully romantic summer evening.
Simply gorgeous.
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The original Fahrenheit is a revolutionary modern fragrance with top notes of Mandarin, a highly original Violet accord and a warm Cedar, Patchouli and Leather drydown. A virile, delicate and rounded fragrance.
All Mediterranean countries grow mandarin trees, but the best Mandarins are produced in Sicily. The different colors of Mandarin, yellow, green and red, correspond to the different stages of ripeness. Essence of mandarin is a citrus note, offering fragrances a fresh and fruity accent. Mandarin is the exotic top note of Fahrenheit.
The leaves of the Violet produce a unique and powerful fragrance with green, vegetable and ever so slightly flowery notes. The sensual Violet is a surprising heart note in Fahrenheit.
The Leather note was originally created to imitate the smell of the Russian Leather used to make hussars' boots. Their soft Leather was tanned using Birch Bark. Perfumers recreated these burnt, smoky, Birch, Styrax and Cade notes delivering an exotic, enchanting effect. It features as a base note in Fahrenheit.
Overall Rating:
4
out of
5
Body Heat
Date:19 March 2012
Fragrance appeal:
4
out of
5
Longevity:
4
out of
5
Fahrenheit is an old friend. Created for Dior by Jean-Louis Sieuzac and Maurice Roger in 1988 it reminded me more than a little of Geoffrey Beane's 1976 fragrance Grey Flannel, conceived by Andre Fromentin. It's a warm, wrap-around smell; inviting and reassuring in equal measure.
Both Fahrenheit and GF share sandalwood as a kindred spirit at their heart and also deliver a subtle suggestion of violets in the dry down. If you can find any remaining original stock of GF then beg, borrow or steal to acquire it (I own a more recent reinvention which is a shadow of its former self) but until then Dior's fine product is far more than a second-best option. Worn day or night it is still a little gem of a scent.
Both Fahrenheit and GF share sandalwood as a kindred spirit at their heart and also deliver a subtle suggestion of violets in the dry down. If you can find any remaining original stock of GF then beg, borrow or steal to acquire it (I own a more recent reinvention which is a shadow of its former self) but until then Dior's fine product is far more than a second-best option. Worn day or night it is still a little gem of a scent.
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A fresh, vibrant and elegant Eau de Toilette.
A timeless fragrance with a very masculine signature.
when the vibrating freshness of Yuzu meets Sandalwood.
Top Notes: Yuzu
Heart Notes: Cinnamon, Nutmeg
Base Notes: Sandalwood
TIMELESS
L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme subtly became a unique reference in the world of men's perfumery. Discover a timeless fragrance, Issey Miyake's first masculine signature.
NOTES
L'Eau d'Issey pour Homme offers the right balance between serenity and explosive notes. A lasting freshness, which surprises with an unexpected gush of mandarin orange and yuzu, a Japanese citron with a deep, vibrating aroma, like a memory.
The heart notes reveal an aquatic facet subtly warmed up by spicy notes.
As for the base notes, they convey a strong masculine identity, with an asserted character featuring tobacco amber, sandalwood and vetiver.
How To Use
Warmth intensifies fragrance. Apply it to your body's warmest points, such as the creases of your elbows and wrists for more strength and longevity.
Avoid rubbing or dabbing after application, as this can break down the fragrance.
For wrist application, apply the fragrance after hand washing which can rinse off the scent.
Overall Rating:
5
out of
5
A Big Blast Of Green
Date:19 March 2012
Fragrance appeal:
5
out of
5
Effectiveness:
5
out of
5
Ease of use:
5
out of
5
Jacques Cavallier's invention for Issey Miyake came as a shock to me when it first appeared in 1994. I can honestly say I'd never come across anything quite like it before. This truly was a new kind of masculine fragrance. It's a bold "statement" smell for a confidant man who's not afraid to be noticed (the scent really has a big reach!) L'Eau D'Issey Pour Homme doesn't exactly tap you on the shoulder with a subdued greeting;
it yells across the room at you with a big green "Hi There!" Its strident herbaceous core is held together with darker and more subtle resinous woody notes which steer it (almost) into "oriental" territory and manages to be both friendly and mysterious in the same breath.
In an ever-expanding world of "green" smells I still love love it to bits.
it yells across the room at you with a big green "Hi There!" Its strident herbaceous core is held together with darker and more subtle resinous woody notes which steer it (almost) into "oriental" territory and manages to be both friendly and mysterious in the same breath.
In an ever-expanding world of "green" smells I still love love it to bits.
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