Your Latest Fragrance Purchase

[HMan]

Sample set from Oriza L. Legrand

Apparently a revived house from the very early days of French Perfumery, founded in 1720! How true the lineage is, I can't say, but they seem to be known for an old school vibe, which always piques my interest.

You can choose 6 samples, but somehow one went a bit wrong, not sure I I goofed up, or they were just out of stock, and substituted some random choice. No big deal as I got all the one's I really wanted to try this round.

The bottles themselves are generously sized, I'm guessing I can get 5+ wearings out of one, which is great, I've gotten some chintzy ones that maybe give you 2-3 and that's not enough for me to really feel 100% confidence in many cases.

It's always fun to see what kind of presentation a house will have, and I think this one is top notch and really gives that early 20th century vibe. Looking forward to trying all the offerings, and trying to be a bit better about investing in samples vs blind buys.

I just found that Costume National offers samples, so that's next on my list. The new one from them sounds so good to me Free d'Homme, but that's for another day.

 

[August West]

Sample set from Oriza L. Legrand

Apparently a revived house from the very early days of French Perfumery, founded in 1720! How true the lineage is, I can't say, but they seem to be known for an old school vibe, which always piques my interest.

You can choose 6 samples, but somehow one went a bit wrong, not sure I I goofed up, or they were just out of stock, and substituted some random choice. No big deal as I got all the one's I really wanted to try this round.

The bottles themselves are generously sized, I'm guessing I can get 5+ wearings out of one, which is great, I've gotten some chintzy ones that maybe give you 2-3 and that's not enough for me to really feel 100% confidence in many cases.

It's always fun to see what kind of presentation a house will have, and I think this one is top notch and really gives that early 20th century vibe. Looking forward to trying all the offerings, and trying to be a bit better about investing in samples vs line buys.

I just found that Costume National offers samples, so that's next on my list. The new one from them sounds so good to me Free d'Homme, but that's for another day.


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I hope they smell as good as the packaging looks.

 

[HMan]

I hope they smell as good as the packaging looks.

So far they do!

 

[HMan]

Oriza L Legrand - Vetiver Royal Bourbon
I stumbled upon an amazing niche grey market retailer in the Netherlands, what always have great frags a about 30% off, then the sent me an extra 15% off deal for being a good customer, so, this was an amazing deal, for an amazing fragrance.
I just love this stuff, all the good things, vetiver, mint, sandalwood, labdanum. Which of course means nothing, the scent is has a real old school gentleman's fragrance aura to it. A bit spicy, a bit amber sweet, though it's called a vetiver, the vetiver doesn't stand out, rather it's just a wonderful accord that gently shifts from minty to that sweet amber over time.
It's not listed, but I really get the feeling of clove in this, which is key to that stand out gentlemen's feeling for me.
Super stuff!

 

[HMan]

Costume National - Sample Set
Holy Moses! I've never gotten a sample set like this, topping even the Oriza L Lagrange that I just received.
Very nice presentation, with tracked to the door shipping (that cost almost as much as the set)
The contents are spectacular, 13 fragrance samples, everything and more I want to try from the house, AND a couple of shower gel samples.

I've heard good things about the house, and @GlazedBoker really started to pique my interest with Homme Parfum. That's here plus the EDT that was the first I went for, the new release Free d'Homme is there too, Lemon and incense, can't wait to try it!

 

[GlazedBoker]

Costume National - Sample Set
Holy Moses! I've never gotten a sample set like this, topping even the Oriza L Lagrange that I just received.
Very nice presentation, with tracked to the door shipping (that cost almost as much as the set)
The contents are spectacular, 13 fragrance samples, everything and more I want to try from the house, AND a couple of shower gel samples.

I've heard good things about the house, and @GlazedBoker really started to pique my interest with Homme Parfum. That's here plus the EDT that was the first I went for, the new release Free d'Homme is there too, Lemon and incense, can't wait to try it!

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Bravo, sir. Bravo…..

 

[GlazedBoker]

Mail call from Fragrancenet today. ADP Colonia Mirra. I sampled this at a Nordstrom’s some time ago perhaps before the pandemic breakout and just sat in wait for a deal to show up. It did for just barely over a century @$105.99 for the 180ml which is a steal, as at retail this goes for near $300+ on a good day. Very, very little is ever mentioned about some of this houses fabulous offerings. This one here is no exception. A light floral & citrus opening that goes right into the heart of what this fragrance is. Woods, Amber a little sweetness from the Nutmeg and a gorgeous Patchouli accord at the base in the drydown that is simply superb. You smell every facet of this fragrances evolution from start to finish. Gives one almost a church incense vibe sort of like Issey Miyake Pour Homme Or Encens with a tinge sweeter vibe and actually some similarity to Prada Amber Pour Homme Intense only not as soapy, powdery or cacao like. But, utterly gorgeous with an all Masculine vibe that is rich yet clean & sophisticated. A must try for anyone into Myrrh and Incense type accords.

 

[Jaro1069]

Got this from my antique shop guy on the way back from the dentist today....

 

[HMan]

Costume National - Free d’Homme
Lovely powdery lemon, lime, and frankincense.

 

[GlazedBoker]

Mail call today from Armani Beauty. Took advantage of their Cyber Monday Sale & acquired the Armani Code Parfum. I’d already sampled it at either a Macy’s or Nordstrom some time back earlier this year. Honestly, Ive never really been the biggest fan of the Armani Code line sans for the original when first released many moons ago. Today’s version is so watered down it’s heartbreaking that Armani ruined the Original beyond recognition as performance is miserable at best, at least that’s my experience with the original Code of today. I do though own Code Ultimate (my favorite of the flankers) and owned a bottle of Code eau de parfum that I unfortunately damaged while retrieving it from storage. I have another on the way as I found it the closest to the original Code. Anyhow, I was intrigued by this version of Code Parfum because of the added Iris note that actually gives a slight floral nuance that gives it a slightly cleaner/fresher take yet still has the Code dna through & through but, slightly modernized and crisp with a very smooth Cedar & Tonka Bean drydown. Still as masculine as the original with a sophisticated touch. I like it, not sure if I will love it though. Wearing it is the only way to find out. Nice bottle to be honest.

Great scents to all….

 

[HMan]

Mail call today from Armani Beauty. Took advantage of their Cyber Monday Sale & acquired the Armani Code Parfum. I’d already sampled it at either a Macy’s or Nordstrom some time back earlier this year. Honestly, Ive never really been the biggest fan of the Armani Code line sans for the original when first released many moons ago. Today’s version is so watered down it’s heartbreaking that Armani ruined the Original beyond recognition as performance is miserable at best, at least that’s my experience with the original Code of today. I do though own Code Ultimate (my favorite of the flankers) and owned a bottle of Code eau de parfum that I unfortunately damaged while retrieving it from storage. I have another on the way as I found it the closest to the original Code. Anyhow, I was intrigued by this version of Code Parfum because of the added Iris note that actually gives a slight floral nuance that gives it a slightly cleaner/fresher take yet still has the Code dna through & through but, slightly modernized and crisp with a very smooth Cedar & Tonka Bean drydown. Still as masculine as the original with a sophisticated touch. I like it, not sure if I will love it though. Wearing it is the only way to find out. Nice bottle to be honest.

Great scents to all….

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You're so right wearing it is the only way to know.

 

[Scuttlesoap]

@HMan since you got me hooked on Caron Un Homme Caron Sport - there are actually two artisan soap releases of the original version I found - both are from the artisan Have a Great Shave (HAGS). I think I may just get one of them - probably the US based release - since they are the same soap just with different labels - because the German company collab comes with sticker shock shipping while the US based one would be free.

 

[HMan]

@HMan since you got me hooked on Caron Un Homme Caron Sport - there are actually two artisan soap releases of the original version I found - both are from the artisan Have a Great Shave (HAGS). I think I may just get one of them - probably the US based release - since they are the same soap just with different labels - because the German company collab comes with sticker shock shipping while the US based one would be free.

I’m glad you like it, I’ll just tell you now then, get the Le Eau when summer rolls around, it’s really amazing when it’s blazing out.

Now tell me more about Hags (no not the old lady living next door.) If it’s in Germany, I might give it a go.

 

[Scuttlesoap]

I’m glad you like it, I’ll just tell you now then, get the Le Eau when summer rolls around, it’s really amazing when it’s blazing out.

Now tell me more about Hags (no not the old lady living next door.) If it’s in Germany, I might give it a go.

the version from Germany is called Soulbrothers (all one word) and it is sold exclusively at soulobject; they look to ship worldwide - neat label (not as cool as the version sold here called HAGS Tarocchi - but it is simplistic in design - very German or IKEA like

 

[HMan]

the version from Germany is called Soulbrothers (all one word) and it is sold exclusively at soulobject; they look to ship worldwide - neat label (not as cool as the version sold here called HAGS Tarocchi - but it is simplistic in design - very German or IKEA like

I see anything wrong with that label at all, if Ikea was like that I’d go there more often but sadly, I think Hags is more befitting. I might give it a punt when I need some more soap.

 

[GlazedBoker]

The Code eau de parfum just came in today. Comparison with the Code parfum has started. Might need a couple more earrings to really pick out the differences. Smells good and there are quite a bit of similarities between the two. There are subtle differences especially the Iris in the Code parfum and no lavender which the eau de parfum has in the opening. We’ll see.



This one here is from KKW Beauty. Most know know her as Kim Kardashian West. I don’t care for anything from her product line but, I was at a local TJMAXX today and saw this sitting on one of their holiday fragrance tables. I’m a sucker for fragrances with Fig in the notes so, I scooped it up for $25. Not bad to be honest. Opens up with a ripe and juicy fig note that has some green accords with a sprinkle of Lemon & Orange/Mandarin. The fig runs from beginning to end with a nice Cedar and Vetiver mix in the deep drydown that is quite good. Almost creates a sweetened Chai Latte with milk accord that I find easy and comforting. The woods and slight earthiness from the Vetiver temper it really well to give the composition a more masculine effect and finish. I like it.

 

[BarberDave]

picking up a prescription, sauntered over to the men's Aisle at "Target" and found this not bad for sub $25.00 Cologne tested and been wearing most of the afternoon. Good note Profile, and very nice for a cheapy. Has a Nice Holiday Vibe to it

 

[Scuttlesoap]

Well, the EdT is on my Top Five list of all time…..queue John Cusack



I know this isn’t a stretch for me in the strictest sense - but @HMan - still a blind buy baby! I went back and forth on this and the EdP version - but based on what I’ve read - and watched on YT - I am putting it all out there - after all - this has lemon zest and bergamot in it instead of the tried and true grapefruit in the line.

The mid notes for the EdP almost made me pull the trigger on it - with the jasmine, ginger, and melon - three awesome notes, but the Parfum has lavender and gets rid of the incense - so ka Ching!

Will be interesting to compare it against my beloved EdT.

 

[Scuttlesoap]

OK, compared this Parfum version to the original EdT (which forced me to notice that I have used 1/4 of the bottle - so I better go out and restock)….

I like the opening on the EdT better (it is close - but this is because the EdT is a very big hit of citrus at the top and I while I love all citrus - I usually prefer grapefruit over lemon). The Parfum has a nice opening as well - where the EdT is sharp, the Parfum is warm and well rounded.

For the dry down - for me the Parfum wins….awesome sandalwood. I have to say - I think you can wear the Parfum for all 4 seasons. Very pleased with this purchase.

 

[HMan]

I know this isn’t a stretch for me in the strictest sense - but @HMan - still a blind buy baby! I went back and forth on this and the EdP version - but based on what I’ve read - and watched on YT - I am putting it all out there - after all - this has lemon zest and bergamot in it instead of the tried and true grapefruit in the line.

I'm not even sure that counts as a blind buy, safe as milk Brian!