Categories
Grooming

Art of Shaving Ocean Kelp Shaving Kit Review


* Ocean kelp is said to have many benefits for the skin- including restoring moisture, nourishing and revitalizing, as well as detoxification.

* For this new scent, they have switched from a pre-shave oil to a pre-shave gel.  The gel is much easier to use because it stays in your hand when you apply it rather than seeping out.

* The Ocean Kelp scent is a very light aquatic.  It feels fresh and revitalizing but is definitely not overpowering.  It will not interfere with any cologne that you put on afterwards.

*  The shaving cream produces a nice usable foam with very little frothing needed.  The foam stays in place and is very lubricating.

* The after shave product has changed from a balm to a lotion.  Comparing the unscented balm to the Ocean Kelp lotion, the lotion is nearly transparent, much lighter, and absorbs more quickly in the skin.  There is a slight cooling sensation that is a bit energetic.

Summary:  If you are a fan of Art of Shaving, the Ocean Kelp kit is definitely worth checking out.  The scent is not too strong, but there is enough aroma for a sense.  I’ve been using the unscented kit for a while and made the switch with very good results.   If you are new to wet shaving, the kit is a great way to get started.  Art of Shaving stores offer a DVD to show you how to use a brush to prepare and basic wet shaving techniques.

Art of Shaving products are available from select department stores, The Art of Shaving boutiques and from The Art of Shaving Website.

Categories
Home Fragrances

Cire Trudon Nazareth Candle Review

* The Maison de Cire Trudon is the oldest wax-producing factory in the world, founded in 1642.

* On first smell, bright citrus mixed with cinnamon is what hits you.

* The candle burns incredibly cleanly – there is no smoke whatsoever.

* As the scent develops, a light jasmine and plum tone comes into play, but it’s the citrus and cinnamon that dominate.

* A candle’s throw is a measure of strength or how much area is scented by it.  The throw of Cire Trudon candles are amazing – it fills the entire room and spreads into adjacent areas.

* Over time, a touch of vanilla and a light, ambery musk flesh out the base notes.  However, it’s the cinnamon and citrus that stay the focus.

Summary:  I discovered Cire Trudon candles when I was in Paris and was blown away.  They are truly the highest quality candles I have ever experienced.  Maybe it’s the historical and royal pedigree, but the way the scent fills the room is permeating but not overpowering.  This candle could is most likely a Christmas themed candle (hence the red glass), but I found it quite wonderful to burn throughout the intervening months.  They aren’t cheap – but these luxurious candles burn more than 80 hours.

Cire Trudon candles are available at Barneys New York, Luckyscent, Aedes de Venustas, and Min NY.

Categories
Uncategorized

Histoires De Parfums 1969 Fragrance Review


* Histoires de Parfums creates scents inspired by history. 1969 represents sexual revolution.

* The top notes are dirty fruit. That may sound odd, but these aren’t feminine-leaning sweet fruits, but peach and apricot with a sensual feel.

* I discovered the HdP line at the Jovoy boutique in Paris. I smelled the top notes and was awestruck. I bought a bottle nearly blind. It’s been the best nearly blind purchase in my collection.

* In the middle, cloves come to the forefront with a dark floral and a dark patchouli in the background. The interplay between the two is quite sexy.

* The patchouli isn’t the dirty hippie patchouli you might expect form 1969.

* The dry down is amazing. A delicious blend of cocoa and coffee with the patchouli and clove sticking around.

* This fragrance is strong and lasts a long time – definitely not one for the office but great for nighttime. It smells even better the next day after sleeping with it on.

* I did a morning gym workout after wearing 1969 the night before. The sweat reintensified the notes making them quite strong. If you were to wear this while dancing at a club, you would definitely be noticed.

Summary: Histoires de Parfums 1969 evokes the time period but doesn’t feel like old hippie. The top and middle notes are great, don’t get me wrong, but the base is pure heaven and it lasts a long time. Can you tell that I love this fragrance?

Histoires de Parfums 1969 is available from LuckyScent and the Histoires de Parfums Website.

Categories
Uncategorized

Montale Black Musk Fragrance Review


* Initial sniff is spicy leather. Leather that is soft, supple, broken in, and sexy.

* Montale is known for their oud fragrances. Black Musk is considered by many to be a mashup of two of the house favorites: Black Aoud and Musk to Musk.

* The leather recedes and a dirty, sweaty musk comes up. It starts off strong and then lightens up and almost goes away.

* Definitely not office-friendly, this would be a great scent for clubbing.

* Just as you think the scent is gone, a third wave comes back strong with a dark musk. This base lasts a long time, even sexier than the top notes.

Summary: Montale Black Musk is a sexy night out on the town scent. It’s not overwhelming, but strong enough to enjoy with the one (or ones) closest to you.

Montale Black Musk is available from Luckyscent, MIN New York and select independent boutiques.

Notable Scents – Page 61 – A DJ Ron Blog
Categories
Grooming

Art of Shaving Ocean Kelp Shaving Kit Review


* Ocean kelp is said to have many benefits for the skin- including restoring moisture, nourishing and revitalizing, as well as detoxification.

* For this new scent, they have switched from a pre-shave oil to a pre-shave gel.  The gel is much easier to use because it stays in your hand when you apply it rather than seeping out.

* The Ocean Kelp scent is a very light aquatic.  It feels fresh and revitalizing but is definitely not overpowering.  It will not interfere with any cologne that you put on afterwards.

*  The shaving cream produces a nice usable foam with very little frothing needed.  The foam stays in place and is very lubricating.

* The after shave product has changed from a balm to a lotion.  Comparing the unscented balm to the Ocean Kelp lotion, the lotion is nearly transparent, much lighter, and absorbs more quickly in the skin.  There is a slight cooling sensation that is a bit energetic.

Summary:  If you are a fan of Art of Shaving, the Ocean Kelp kit is definitely worth checking out.  The scent is not too strong, but there is enough aroma for a sense.  I’ve been using the unscented kit for a while and made the switch with very good results.   If you are new to wet shaving, the kit is a great way to get started.  Art of Shaving stores offer a DVD to show you how to use a brush to prepare and basic wet shaving techniques.

Art of Shaving products are available from select department stores, The Art of Shaving boutiques and from The Art of Shaving Website.

Categories
Home Fragrances

Cire Trudon Nazareth Candle Review

* The Maison de Cire Trudon is the oldest wax-producing factory in the world, founded in 1642.

* On first smell, bright citrus mixed with cinnamon is what hits you.

* The candle burns incredibly cleanly – there is no smoke whatsoever.

* As the scent develops, a light jasmine and plum tone comes into play, but it’s the citrus and cinnamon that dominate.

* A candle’s throw is a measure of strength or how much area is scented by it.  The throw of Cire Trudon candles are amazing – it fills the entire room and spreads into adjacent areas.

* Over time, a touch of vanilla and a light, ambery musk flesh out the base notes.  However, it’s the cinnamon and citrus that stay the focus.

Summary:  I discovered Cire Trudon candles when I was in Paris and was blown away.  They are truly the highest quality candles I have ever experienced.  Maybe it’s the historical and royal pedigree, but the way the scent fills the room is permeating but not overpowering.  This candle could is most likely a Christmas themed candle (hence the red glass), but I found it quite wonderful to burn throughout the intervening months.  They aren’t cheap – but these luxurious candles burn more than 80 hours.

Cire Trudon candles are available at Barneys New York, Luckyscent, Aedes de Venustas, and Min NY.

Categories
Uncategorized

Histoires De Parfums 1969 Fragrance Review


* Histoires de Parfums creates scents inspired by history. 1969 represents sexual revolution.

* The top notes are dirty fruit. That may sound odd, but these aren’t feminine-leaning sweet fruits, but peach and apricot with a sensual feel.

* I discovered the HdP line at the Jovoy boutique in Paris. I smelled the top notes and was awestruck. I bought a bottle nearly blind. It’s been the best nearly blind purchase in my collection.

* In the middle, cloves come to the forefront with a dark floral and a dark patchouli in the background. The interplay between the two is quite sexy.

* The patchouli isn’t the dirty hippie patchouli you might expect form 1969.

* The dry down is amazing. A delicious blend of cocoa and coffee with the patchouli and clove sticking around.

* This fragrance is strong and lasts a long time – definitely not one for the office but great for nighttime. It smells even better the next day after sleeping with it on.

* I did a morning gym workout after wearing 1969 the night before. The sweat reintensified the notes making them quite strong. If you were to wear this while dancing at a club, you would definitely be noticed.

Summary: Histoires de Parfums 1969 evokes the time period but doesn’t feel like old hippie. The top and middle notes are great, don’t get me wrong, but the base is pure heaven and it lasts a long time. Can you tell that I love this fragrance?

Histoires de Parfums 1969 is available from LuckyScent and the Histoires de Parfums Website.

Categories
Uncategorized

Montale Black Musk Fragrance Review


* Initial sniff is spicy leather. Leather that is soft, supple, broken in, and sexy.

* Montale is known for their oud fragrances. Black Musk is considered by many to be a mashup of two of the house favorites: Black Aoud and Musk to Musk.

* The leather recedes and a dirty, sweaty musk comes up. It starts off strong and then lightens up and almost goes away.

* Definitely not office-friendly, this would be a great scent for clubbing.

* Just as you think the scent is gone, a third wave comes back strong with a dark musk. This base lasts a long time, even sexier than the top notes.

Summary: Montale Black Musk is a sexy night out on the town scent. It’s not overwhelming, but strong enough to enjoy with the one (or ones) closest to you.

Montale Black Musk is available from Luckyscent, MIN New York and select independent boutiques.