Category: Fragrance Reviews

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Fragrance Reviews

Illuminum Indian Oud Fragrance Review

* Starts off like a soft floral, with a bit of citrus.  I get jasmine and germanium.

* The floral calms down but stays present throughout – a subtle light oud starts to come through.

* The oud gets a bit sweaty and salty, but never dirty or aggressive.

* The sweat fades away, and a light vanilla with sandalwood and musk is the base.

Summary:  Indian Oud isn’t necessarily feminine but is an oud that a woman could wear without it being overbearing.   It definitely smells great on a guy, I got a few compliments when I was wearing it.  Unlike many of the ouds on the market, this is not an “oud in your face” or an arabic-styled fragrance.   The base notes last a really long time – more than 12 hours and easily into the next day or next shower.  Though there is strong projection on first spray, it lightens and becomes office-friendly after the first hour.   If you are looking for an oud to wear that doesn’t “wear you” – Indian Oud is worth checking out.

Illuminum Haute Perfumes are available from http://www.illuminumperfumelounge.com/ .  They will be available at Henri Bendel in June 2012.

Disclaimer:  Sample provided by Illuminum.  My opinions are my own and I am not financially compensated for this review or any others. Image from www.illuminumperfumelounge.com

 

 

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Smellbent Bollywood or Bust Fragrance Review

Smellbent Bollywood or Bust* Bollywood or Bust kicks off with a dry rose surrounded by pepper and wood.

* I don’t get the Bollywood theme at all.  To me Bollywood is loud and vibrant colors.  BoB is more mature and refined.

* The rose lightens a bit as the spices come into play.

* Guys shouldn’t be afraid of this rose, it’s not girlie at all.

* The base is all spice and woods.

Summary:  I am impressed again by such a high quality fragrance from Smell Bent at such a reasonable price.  If you are a fan of Le Labo Rose 31 but don’t want to shell out $150, try Bollywood or Bust.   I will go a step further.  Layer Amouage Lyric Man of Creed Spice and Woods and you’ve got the luxury version of BoB.  If you are an a budget and want to smell “expensive,” this is a scent for you.  Longevity of the base is incredible at over 12 hours.

Other opinions:

EauMG
Perfume Smellin Things
Perfume Do Dia

Smell Bent Bollywood or Bust  is available from Indiescents and the Smell Bent website.

Disclaimer:  No disclaimer needed.  I own a full bottle.  Images from Indiescents.com and Smellbent.com

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Smell Bent Violet Tendencies Fragrance Review

Smellbent Violet Tendencies* Violet Tendencies must be a play on violent because this one goes on with a punch – leather sharpened with wood and some violet.

* The way that menthol is bracing and cold, that’s how sharp the initial blast is.

* Some more wood comes to the forefront with a tad bit of spice – but it’s the violet and the leather that hold the lead.

* This smells much more expensive and manly than the bottle looks.  If this was put out by a major house, they could easily charge three times the price.

* Although kind of linear, the base notes last for more than 8 hours. Smellbent-Violet-Tendencies

Summary:  Of all the Smell Bent scents I have played with, this is the most masculine and I don’t think most women would want to wear it.  I could see a college student wearing this at their first job out of college – it’s aggressive and decisive but not overbearing.   If you are looking for a gift for a college graduate who has personality but is looking to enter the corporate world, Violet Tendencies is a good choice.

Smell Bent Violet Tendencies is available from Indiescents and the Smellbent website.

Disclaimer:  No disclaimer needed.  I own a full bottle.  Images from Indiescents.com and Smellbent.com

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Smell Bent Mocktail Fragrance Review

Smellbent MocktailMocktail quenches your thirst with fizzy citrus and sour fruit.

The top notes project quite a bit but soften after about 30 minutes.

As the fruit starts to drift away, a soapy amber comes up.

Although not meant for consumption, a drink based on this scent would be quite amazing.

The soapy amber contrasts with the dry wood in the base, but they play well together.

Summary:  For any guy or gal looking for a playful fragrance that is office-friendly and has personality; mocktail could be for you.  No, your co-workers won’t think you’re an alcoholic as there are no liquor notes – this would be the mixer.  Be sure to apply at least an hour before you go to the office so as not to project too much.  The longevity is exceptional for the price point and the base notes would be great to layer over for evening.

Smell Bent Mocktail is available from Indiescents and the Smellbent website.

Disclaimer:  No disclaimer needed.  I own a full bottle.  Images from Indiescents.com and Smellbent.com

Fragrance Reviews – Page 36 – Notable Scents

Category: Fragrance Reviews

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Illuminum Indian Oud Fragrance Review

* Starts off like a soft floral, with a bit of citrus.  I get jasmine and germanium.

* The floral calms down but stays present throughout – a subtle light oud starts to come through.

* The oud gets a bit sweaty and salty, but never dirty or aggressive.

* The sweat fades away, and a light vanilla with sandalwood and musk is the base.

Summary:  Indian Oud isn’t necessarily feminine but is an oud that a woman could wear without it being overbearing.   It definitely smells great on a guy, I got a few compliments when I was wearing it.  Unlike many of the ouds on the market, this is not an “oud in your face” or an arabic-styled fragrance.   The base notes last a really long time – more than 12 hours and easily into the next day or next shower.  Though there is strong projection on first spray, it lightens and becomes office-friendly after the first hour.   If you are looking for an oud to wear that doesn’t “wear you” – Indian Oud is worth checking out.

Illuminum Haute Perfumes are available from http://www.illuminumperfumelounge.com/ .  They will be available at Henri Bendel in June 2012.

Disclaimer:  Sample provided by Illuminum.  My opinions are my own and I am not financially compensated for this review or any others. Image from www.illuminumperfumelounge.com

 

 

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Smellbent Bollywood or Bust Fragrance Review

Smellbent Bollywood or Bust* Bollywood or Bust kicks off with a dry rose surrounded by pepper and wood.

* I don’t get the Bollywood theme at all.  To me Bollywood is loud and vibrant colors.  BoB is more mature and refined.

* The rose lightens a bit as the spices come into play.

* Guys shouldn’t be afraid of this rose, it’s not girlie at all.

* The base is all spice and woods.

Summary:  I am impressed again by such a high quality fragrance from Smell Bent at such a reasonable price.  If you are a fan of Le Labo Rose 31 but don’t want to shell out $150, try Bollywood or Bust.   I will go a step further.  Layer Amouage Lyric Man of Creed Spice and Woods and you’ve got the luxury version of BoB.  If you are an a budget and want to smell “expensive,” this is a scent for you.  Longevity of the base is incredible at over 12 hours.

Other opinions:

EauMG
Perfume Smellin Things
Perfume Do Dia

Smell Bent Bollywood or Bust  is available from Indiescents and the Smell Bent website.

Disclaimer:  No disclaimer needed.  I own a full bottle.  Images from Indiescents.com and Smellbent.com

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Smell Bent Violet Tendencies Fragrance Review

Smellbent Violet Tendencies* Violet Tendencies must be a play on violent because this one goes on with a punch – leather sharpened with wood and some violet.

* The way that menthol is bracing and cold, that’s how sharp the initial blast is.

* Some more wood comes to the forefront with a tad bit of spice – but it’s the violet and the leather that hold the lead.

* This smells much more expensive and manly than the bottle looks.  If this was put out by a major house, they could easily charge three times the price.

* Although kind of linear, the base notes last for more than 8 hours. Smellbent-Violet-Tendencies

Summary:  Of all the Smell Bent scents I have played with, this is the most masculine and I don’t think most women would want to wear it.  I could see a college student wearing this at their first job out of college – it’s aggressive and decisive but not overbearing.   If you are looking for a gift for a college graduate who has personality but is looking to enter the corporate world, Violet Tendencies is a good choice.

Smell Bent Violet Tendencies is available from Indiescents and the Smellbent website.

Disclaimer:  No disclaimer needed.  I own a full bottle.  Images from Indiescents.com and Smellbent.com

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Smell Bent Mocktail Fragrance Review

Smellbent MocktailMocktail quenches your thirst with fizzy citrus and sour fruit.

The top notes project quite a bit but soften after about 30 minutes.

As the fruit starts to drift away, a soapy amber comes up.

Although not meant for consumption, a drink based on this scent would be quite amazing.

The soapy amber contrasts with the dry wood in the base, but they play well together.

Summary:  For any guy or gal looking for a playful fragrance that is office-friendly and has personality; mocktail could be for you.  No, your co-workers won’t think you’re an alcoholic as there are no liquor notes – this would be the mixer.  Be sure to apply at least an hour before you go to the office so as not to project too much.  The longevity is exceptional for the price point and the base notes would be great to layer over for evening.

Smell Bent Mocktail is available from Indiescents and the Smellbent website.

Disclaimer:  No disclaimer needed.  I own a full bottle.  Images from Indiescents.com and Smellbent.com