Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Marc Jacobs Bang Fragrance Review (MAINSTREAM MONDAY)

marc-jacobs-bang-osmoz
* This is one of those fragrances that might make you sneeze.  The initial burst of pepper is explosive.  It is so sharp that it even borders on dill pickle.

* Initial projection is bombastic, people all around you might start sneezing.

* After about an hour, it dials back and gets a lot sweeter with resins and amber coming in.

* You may get used to it but it is still projecting without you realizing it.

* A bit of earthy patchouli joins the amber for a long-lasting base.

Summary: When this scent was first realized, it got a lot of buzz for its oversexualized ads.  It was promoted to men and forced down the throat of gay men.  For a few months, I felt like I was being attacked by a Marc Jacobs perfume sales associate the second I walked into a department store.  I don’t like being overly marketed to and don’t respond well to perfumes that make me sneeze.  I recently pulled out my sample and gave it a few full wearings and I realize that I actually do like the scent.  Once you get past the sneeze-inducing top, it becomes a nice, somewhat office-appropriate sweet scent.   I say somewhat because this scent is deceiving.  Each time I wear this, I think it has mellowed to a mild skin scent but people around me notice it and ask about it.   It is definitely worth testing and I can see why a lot of guys wear Bang.

Other opinions:

Now Smell This
Cocktails and Cologne
Bois De Jasmin
The Candy Perfume Boy
Perfume Shrine
Xinarox

Marc Jacobs Bang is available widely at department stores.

Disclaimer: Sample received from friend. Picture courtesy of OSMOZ.

Categories
Travel

New York Trip 2014: Day One (Madison Avenue Shopping)

Hit the ground running after DJing until 3am, catching a flight at 6am, and a few hours sleep on the plane. I met up with Omer and his lovely wife Busra, who I am sharing a room with. First stop, after Nespresso for macaroon and a double espresso was Barney’s. Ran into the delightful Eduardo (who used to be the Creed rep at Neiman Marcus Bal Harbor). The RxR Profuma line has new bottles! I’ve never tested the line but the names are interesting, and Morphine stood out. The new Barney Neuwirth collaboration is a big candied Tuberose à la Honore des Pres Vamp à NY.

Continue reading “New York Trip 2014: Day One (Madison Avenue Shopping)”
Categories
Grooming

Jack Black Epic Moisture MP10 Nourishing Oil Review

jack-black-mp10-sephora
* MP10 is a mixture of ten natural oils that seems to do everything except bring about world peace.

* Applying to the skin, there is a soft citrus scent that dissipates really quickly.

* The oil is quickly absorbed and there is no greasy feeling.

* Effects are immediate; skin feels “better” and softer during the drying winter.

* Used on hair, it softens it and makes it more manageable.

Summary: I can totally get how guys are scared to try new skin care products and everything marketed to them is based around shaving. Well, guys, snap out of it and try MP10 oil – its like a Swiss army knife that does everything. I started growing a mustache during Movember (no shave november) and the short hairs were thick, coarse, bristly, and uncontrollable. When I smooth on some MP-10, my mustache is soft and manageable. It even works to shape eyebrows if it’s been too long since you’ve waxed/tweezed/shaved them. On my face, MP-10 is a great moisturizer and nighttime treatment. There is no SPF value, so I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone daytime moisturizer. Since using it, my skin is much softer, breaking out less and easier to shave. It works decently as a pre-shave oil but much better as an aftershave oil. A sheer, multitasking oil that provides immediate benefits to skin and hair. The two ounce bottle is $32 and honestly, if they sold a 10 ounce pump – I would buy one for myself immediately and more to give away as holiday gifts. If you read other reviews online, you will see that I am not the only one who loves this stuff. In case you are wondering – the ten oils in the mix are argan, baobab seed, grapeseed, jojoba, marula seed, mooring seed, olive fruit, plum seed, rice bran, and watermelon seed.

Other opinions:
About.com
Men’s Journal


Jack Black products are available at department stores, Amazon and the Jack Black website. Image courtesy of Sephora.

Disclaimer: No disclaimer needed, I bought a bottle.

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Bond No 9 Perfumista Avenue Fragrance Review

bond-no-9-perfumista-avenue-eau-de-parfum-panella-parfum
* Kicks off strong with a burst of spicy herbal fruit with a touch of honey and hay.

* It feels like an Arabic fruit – which must be the saffron and the rose.

* After that opening, it mellows down to a floral melange – a sharp rose and some jasmine.

* A light patchouli appears with the flower and quietly becomes the focus.

* The patchouli is joined by some clean musk and a slight hint of amber in the base.

Summary:  I kind of have a love/hate relationship with Bond scents.  Either I love them immensely or absolutely detest them.  Perfumista Avenue is the rare Bond scent where I am neutral on it. It’s okay, if a bit generic. I don’t get the Perfumista Avenue theme – it’s saffron, flowers, and a pretty generic dry-down.  It does smell like a Bond Scent – sniffing it, that’s obvious, but there isn’t anything in it that makes it stand out from the rest of the collection.  Longevity is disappointing for an edp as it becomes a close skin scent after two hours, then after four hours, it’s barely noticeable.  There are much better scents in the collection, so I would advise you to try a different one in the collection.  Please note – other reviewers are getting much different results on this scent, so read the other reviews below and test for yourself if they sound interesting.

Other Opinions:

The Scentrist
Man Loves Cologne

Bond No 9 fragrances are available at Nordstrom, Saks 5th Avenue, independent boutiques and from Bond No 9 boutiques.

Disclaimer: Sample provided by department store. Image courtesy of Panella Parfums.

Notable Scents – Page 10 – A DJ Ron Blog
Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Marc Jacobs Bang Fragrance Review (MAINSTREAM MONDAY)

marc-jacobs-bang-osmoz
* This is one of those fragrances that might make you sneeze.  The initial burst of pepper is explosive.  It is so sharp that it even borders on dill pickle.

* Initial projection is bombastic, people all around you might start sneezing.

* After about an hour, it dials back and gets a lot sweeter with resins and amber coming in.

* You may get used to it but it is still projecting without you realizing it.

* A bit of earthy patchouli joins the amber for a long-lasting base.

Summary: When this scent was first realized, it got a lot of buzz for its oversexualized ads.  It was promoted to men and forced down the throat of gay men.  For a few months, I felt like I was being attacked by a Marc Jacobs perfume sales associate the second I walked into a department store.  I don’t like being overly marketed to and don’t respond well to perfumes that make me sneeze.  I recently pulled out my sample and gave it a few full wearings and I realize that I actually do like the scent.  Once you get past the sneeze-inducing top, it becomes a nice, somewhat office-appropriate sweet scent.   I say somewhat because this scent is deceiving.  Each time I wear this, I think it has mellowed to a mild skin scent but people around me notice it and ask about it.   It is definitely worth testing and I can see why a lot of guys wear Bang.

Other opinions:

Now Smell This
Cocktails and Cologne
Bois De Jasmin
The Candy Perfume Boy
Perfume Shrine
Xinarox

Marc Jacobs Bang is available widely at department stores.

Disclaimer: Sample received from friend. Picture courtesy of OSMOZ.

Categories
Travel

New York Trip 2014: Day One (Madison Avenue Shopping)

Hit the ground running after DJing until 3am, catching a flight at 6am, and a few hours sleep on the plane. I met up with Omer and his lovely wife Busra, who I am sharing a room with. First stop, after Nespresso for macaroon and a double espresso was Barney’s. Ran into the delightful Eduardo (who used to be the Creed rep at Neiman Marcus Bal Harbor). The RxR Profuma line has new bottles! I’ve never tested the line but the names are interesting, and Morphine stood out. The new Barney Neuwirth collaboration is a big candied Tuberose à la Honore des Pres Vamp à NY.

Continue reading “New York Trip 2014: Day One (Madison Avenue Shopping)”
Categories
Grooming

Jack Black Epic Moisture MP10 Nourishing Oil Review

jack-black-mp10-sephora
* MP10 is a mixture of ten natural oils that seems to do everything except bring about world peace.

* Applying to the skin, there is a soft citrus scent that dissipates really quickly.

* The oil is quickly absorbed and there is no greasy feeling.

* Effects are immediate; skin feels “better” and softer during the drying winter.

* Used on hair, it softens it and makes it more manageable.

Summary: I can totally get how guys are scared to try new skin care products and everything marketed to them is based around shaving. Well, guys, snap out of it and try MP10 oil – its like a Swiss army knife that does everything. I started growing a mustache during Movember (no shave november) and the short hairs were thick, coarse, bristly, and uncontrollable. When I smooth on some MP-10, my mustache is soft and manageable. It even works to shape eyebrows if it’s been too long since you’ve waxed/tweezed/shaved them. On my face, MP-10 is a great moisturizer and nighttime treatment. There is no SPF value, so I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone daytime moisturizer. Since using it, my skin is much softer, breaking out less and easier to shave. It works decently as a pre-shave oil but much better as an aftershave oil. A sheer, multitasking oil that provides immediate benefits to skin and hair. The two ounce bottle is $32 and honestly, if they sold a 10 ounce pump – I would buy one for myself immediately and more to give away as holiday gifts. If you read other reviews online, you will see that I am not the only one who loves this stuff. In case you are wondering – the ten oils in the mix are argan, baobab seed, grapeseed, jojoba, marula seed, mooring seed, olive fruit, plum seed, rice bran, and watermelon seed.

Other opinions:
About.com
Men’s Journal


Jack Black products are available at department stores, Amazon and the Jack Black website. Image courtesy of Sephora.

Disclaimer: No disclaimer needed, I bought a bottle.

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Bond No 9 Perfumista Avenue Fragrance Review

bond-no-9-perfumista-avenue-eau-de-parfum-panella-parfum
* Kicks off strong with a burst of spicy herbal fruit with a touch of honey and hay.

* It feels like an Arabic fruit – which must be the saffron and the rose.

* After that opening, it mellows down to a floral melange – a sharp rose and some jasmine.

* A light patchouli appears with the flower and quietly becomes the focus.

* The patchouli is joined by some clean musk and a slight hint of amber in the base.

Summary:  I kind of have a love/hate relationship with Bond scents.  Either I love them immensely or absolutely detest them.  Perfumista Avenue is the rare Bond scent where I am neutral on it. It’s okay, if a bit generic. I don’t get the Perfumista Avenue theme – it’s saffron, flowers, and a pretty generic dry-down.  It does smell like a Bond Scent – sniffing it, that’s obvious, but there isn’t anything in it that makes it stand out from the rest of the collection.  Longevity is disappointing for an edp as it becomes a close skin scent after two hours, then after four hours, it’s barely noticeable.  There are much better scents in the collection, so I would advise you to try a different one in the collection.  Please note – other reviewers are getting much different results on this scent, so read the other reviews below and test for yourself if they sound interesting.

Other Opinions:

The Scentrist
Man Loves Cologne

Bond No 9 fragrances are available at Nordstrom, Saks 5th Avenue, independent boutiques and from Bond No 9 boutiques.

Disclaimer: Sample provided by department store. Image courtesy of Panella Parfums.