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Fragrance Reviews Mainstream Monday

A*Men Ultra Zest Fragrance Review (MAINSTREAM MONDAY)

amen-ultra-zest

* The zest is what you get on top with a bold burst of juicy citrus – orange and tangerine.

* It starts off like a sports fragrance on steroids.

* After about ten minutes, the juice is literally cooled off by ginger and mint, as if you are chewing some kind of all natural gum.

* Then it turns left and goes into the standard Amen.  Patchouli, coffee, cinnamon, and chocolate.

* The base is just as strong as you would imagine and tenacious just like all of the other A*Men flankers.

Summary:  In any special interest or hobby, there quickly develops an inherent snobbery which criticizes the mainstream and popular.  As we all develop eccentric tastes, it is important to realize that just because something is popular doesn’t mean it is necessarily bad.  A*Men is a a classic perfume that has stood the test of time.  Every flanker (or remix) adds a new top note and then it resolves to what is known, expected and loved.  If you love A*men and want a fresh remix for 2015, give Ultra Zest a shot.  Do not expect a light summer fragrance – this is the same brilliantly heavy and tenacious A*men, butwith a brief intro of juicy citrus.

Other opinions:
Candy Perfume Boy
Colognoisseur
Mimi Frou Frou
Man Loves Cologne
Persolaise

A*Men Ultra Zest is available from Macy’s and Nordstrom.

Disclaimer: Sample provided by Nordstrom. Image courtesy of Nordstrom website.

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Fragrance Reviews Uncategorized

Masque Milano Montecristo Fragrance Review

masque-milano-montecristo

* Tobacco and rum dominate the top – and the room – as it projects strongly.

* When I say it projects strongly, you will be leaving a strong scent trail.

* The tobacco and rum stay present and gradually get more dirty and animalic as the smell of dirty leather and musk comes in.

* It starts to get a little smoky at this point, as if the match for the tobacco has been extinguished in the dirty leather.

* As the smoke rises, the heart of sweet resins and earthy patchouli come in with a hint of the rum from the top still in the mix.

Summary:  The buzz on this scent from my fragrance friends has been deafening.  Last time I was in NYC, my friend Brian was wearing it, and walking a few steps behind him, I felt like I had to control my urges to throw him down and ravage him.  Montecristo is very powerful, primal, and sexual.   Obviously not a scent for the office, but for a night of clubbing (or hunting for a partner) this would be a great go-to scent.  I supposed a woman could wear this but it feels so virile and masculine, I am not sure how it would work.  Longevity is great at more than 12 hours on my skin.  It also wears a little differently each time – sometimes it feels dirtier, while other times the rum on the top remains the dominant note.  For a good bit of the time in the heart phase, it smells like a used leather satchel used to carry around illicit goods that has absorbed the best of all the elements – well worn, but still very desirable.

Other opinions:

Ca Fleure Bon
Kafkaesque
The Non-Blonde
Colognoisseur
Chemist in the Bottle

Masque Milano Montecristo is available from Twisted Lily and LuckyScent.

Disclaimer: sample received from fellow perfume lover.. Image courtesy of LuckyScent website.

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Pinrose Moonlight Gypsy Fragrance Review

moonlight-gypsy
* First whiff is a sweet cherry wine with a hint of spices.

* More than wine, it actually smells like an Indian candy that I had once – I just can’t remember the name.

Categories
Fragrance Reviews

Ex Idolo Thirty Three Fragrance Review

ex-idolo-thirty-three-twisted-lily
* Starts off with a nose-itching peppery citrus. 

* It feels very old school masculine – like a ’70s powerhouse for active guys with money.

* Up next is manly florals – subdued violets and rose.  They are definitely present but not screaming, with a hint of earthy patchouli grounding them.

* It is this point that a hint of oud comes in – not skank or animalic, but woody and aged.

* The base is woods and fruity patchouli.

Summary:  Ex Idolo Thirty Three is a fragrance you have to skin test for yourself.  Every review I read is a bit different and it wears on me a bit differently each time.   My writeup is like the average experience – sometimes it’s very fruity rose, and at other times it’s bone dry.  It really lives on your skin and amps up your natural chemistry.  One common touch is that it is never “oud in your face.” There is oud in the base, but it is a supporting ingredient rather than the main focus.  Some might classify this as a classic rose oud blend but I strongly disagree.  It is overtly masculine and powerful, yet also classic and refined.  Longevity is good – lasting more than 8 hours – and the base will need to be washed off for it to go away.  It is also a scent that is affordably priced for what you are getting.  If this was sold by Tom Ford or Kurkdjian, it would cost three times more.  If you are looking for a non-aggressive oud, this is definitely worth testing.

Other opinions:

Persolaise
Kafkaesque
Olfactoria’s Travels
Ca Fleure Bon
Goodsmellas
The Perfume Chronicles
1000 Fragrances
The Spa Man

Ex Idolo is available from Twisted Lily and Lucky Scent.

No disclaimer needed – purchased a full bottle. Image courtesy of Twisted Lily.