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Fragrance Reviews

Ex Idolo Ryder Fragrance Review

ex-idolo-ryder

* Ryder kicks off with a strong, boozy amber.

* It is powerful and projects massively.

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Fragrance Reviews

Tom Ford Private Blend Tobacco Oud Fragrance Review

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* Tobacco oud starts off spicy – cinnamon/cloves and a bit of sharp wood

* It reminds me of the top of Bois Marocain and it projects massively.

* Then the tobacco starts to show up and overpowers everything about it.  Buoyed by a subtle oud, the tobacco really is the star for a lot of the fragrance’s life.

* While it begins to calm down at this point (around three hours), it’s still present and projecting nicely.

* The dry down to sweet amber and vanilla takes a long time and lasts even longer.

Summary:  I thought I was having flashbacks when I wore this scent because like AKafkaesque I realize that each stage of the development was another Tom Ford Scent.   Whereas AK sees it as a mix of Amber Absolute, Sahara Noir, Cafe Rose, and Tobacco Vanille – being the DJ that I am, Tobacco Oud feels like a wonderful mashup of Bois Marocain, Amber Absolute, and Tobacco Vanille with a touch of oud.  When I first heard of Tobacco Oud, I was hoping that it would be Tobacco Vanille, plus oud.  I am happier with the results as this is very oud 2.0 (oud as subtle supporting flavor, rather than an ‘oud in your face’ bomb). It feels more like a greatest hits medley (kind of like Julet Has A Gun Mad Madame, but much more well-conceived) and is far better in my opinion than anything in the last two private blend collections (Atelier D’Orient and Jardin Noir). Since I already own the three scents it reminds me of, I probably would not buy this for myself, but for anyone who is strong enough to handle a powerful long term scent (more than 12 hours of wear), this could easily be a signature.  Because of the projection, it’s not office friendly, but the strength can be downplayed by wearing only one or two sprays.  This is also definitely a scent that needs to be skin tested, as reading through the various reviews online, I kept scratching my head wondering if we were all spraying the same juice.

Other opinions:

Ca Fleure Bon
Now Smell This
Perfume Possee
Kafkaesque
Scentrist
The Candy Perfume Boy
Perfume of Life
Man Loves Cologne
Persolaise
Manface

Tom Ford Private Blend fragrances are available at Saks 5th Avenue and Neiman Marcus.
Disclaimer: Sample provided by sales associate for review. Image courtesy of Neiman Marcus.

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Tom Ford Private Blend Shanghai Lily Fragrance Review

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* Sharp pepper and clove is the initial burst.

* Quite quickly, less than five minute on, a creamy lily flower starts to bloom into focus.  The spice is still there but acts as a contrast to make the lily seem sweeter.

* The interplay of sweet and spicy continues as cloves and wood contrast with tuberose and rose. 

* Though it starts with quite a punch, it quiets down as the interplay continues.

* The base of vanilla, sweet incense, and amber is grounded by a dry wood.

Summary: I described Fleur de Chine as pretty much a Southern belle who want to college to get her MRS degree.  Shanghai Lily is a bawdy broad who speaks her mind and makes her presence known.  She is sweet and loving, yet sassy and aggressive at the same time.   Although floral and sweet, it’s not too much for a guy to pull off. It’s loud, but not so overbearing that it wouldn’t work in an office setting.  It is quite sexy, though, and guys who wear it might discover it getting stolen by a girlfriend.  Longevity is above average at over 12 hours. Of course, I wish it was more direct and in your face – like the earlier Private Blends, but of the Atelier d’Orient Collection it is the only one that I see myself enjoying. 

Other opinions:

Persolaise

Best Things in Beauty

Bois de Jasmin

Kafkaesque

Perfume Posse

London Beauty Review

Ca Fleure Bon

Tom Ford Private Blend fragrances are available at Saks 5th Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

Disclaimer: Sample provided by sales associate for review. Image courtesy of Neiman Marcus.

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Tom Ford Private Blend Fleur de Chine Fragrance Review

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* Surprisingly, Fleur De Chine starts with a bouquet of flowers mixed together.  Try as I might, I can’t ID the individual flowers aside from a light rose.

* This is a compliment that’s going to sound like a dis.  It smells like really expensive, ultraluxurious shampoo.

* The flowers stay present as fruit and tea notes come forward.  

* The middle section conjures images of a polite tea date, with fresh flowers and juicy fruit.

* Base notes of amber and cedar come in as the scent becomes quite sheer.

Summary: If Fleur de Chine was a person, she would be the very proper lady who is always dressed impeccably with perfect manners – very classy and appropriate.  I went to Vanderbilt for college and this reminds me of the girls who wore Laura Ashley to football dates.  When they grew up to be proper Southern women in the Junior League, Fleur de Chine could be their scent.  Fleur de Chine isn’t bad, its just not amazing or mind-blowing or worth the $210 price tag for 50ml.  However, if you are looking to splurge for your mom, this would be a safe scent that they would enjoy.  

Other opinions:

Best Things in Beauty

Kafkaesque

Persolaise

Ca Fleure Bon

The Candy Perfume Boy

Tom Ford Private Blend fragrances are available at Saks 5th Avenue and Neiman Marcus.

Disclaimer: Sample provided by sales associate for review. Image courtesy of Neiman Marcus.