Saturday, August 23, 2008

Thoughts on new releases

Bulgari Jasmin Noir is an extremely good perfume, dark, opulent, sophisticated but not heavy. An interpretation of jasmine absolute without its typical animalic note. Instead a soft amber in the dry down plus milky woods that reminded me some facets of Black Orchid and Eau de merveilles. Could it be a modern interpretation of Cuir de Russie Chanel with its tones of jasmin? Anyway, this very good perfume is not like other Bulgari and more in the Chanel spirit (see 31 rue Cambon).
Boucheron B is again another interpretation of the chypre accord from Narcisso Rodriguez, more floral opulent (à la française) and less musky. Not impressively original.
Magnifique is like the modern flanker of Trésor, a good and strong perfume with a subtle trail and long life on the blotter but in a cheap bottle and packaging. It seems to share a raspberry with Haute couture and other many secondary accords with BabyDoll. It's a big rose wrapped in orris-violet with a soft ambery-sandalwood dry down and the whole composition is not so well done. The top is rather curious with a lime-coca cola effect. It's worth noting that one of the molecules used in big amount is Iralia. The official marketing comunication has nothing to do with the real smell (pure invention like in Lancôme creams).

Guerlain Elixirs Charnels
Gourmand coquin is a vanillic perfume with a very interesting top note. Then it's rather burnt than caramelic, is not very sweet and has an amusing Nutella effect
Chypre Fatal is a further work on Narcisso Rodriguez theme as seen in the latest Gucci chypre but here that note is more complex (not musky and sweet) with some facets of late 70's chypre, the sour green almost fruity note (but floral) that was seen in Kelly Calèche and Balkis (here in a very soft interpretation). The dry down is somehow lactonic like the great Gucci Rush.
Oriental brulant is a gorgeous fragrance 100% Guerlain on an ambre 83 theme as it was already seen in Cachet Jaune and GuetApens, more vanilla and less labdanum. The dry down is not so strong (that's a paradox for an oriental) as if it was diluted. I wish to see it in an extrait. Excellent.
Guerlain l'Homme is rather disappointing after all the buzz that was done. It's a formulaic perfume for young French market: citrusy cologne with a slight orange flower note, lavender and its metallic notes, everything softened by some spices. The dry down is woody-ambery (cedar and crystalline amber), very sensual, soft and good.

Givenchy Play comes already in 2 version, the regular (transparent) and Intense (black) and I prefer this one because it has more character. From the first sniff Play is a very good masculine that, despite the image of Justin Timberlake, is not a fresh young & clean Allure Homme Sport theme. Instead is a very good & dark lavender set on woody ambery incensy background. It seems to be an interpretation of Gris Clair theme but in a softer way.
Gaultier MaDame is a very "espiègle" fragrance (I do not the english word) that fits perfectly with the image. It's also very strange and unusual composition that requires from me further investigation (I don't want to say that's very bad).
Kenzo Power was described by a friend of mine as "hot baby vomit" and indeed is a very unusual and strange perfume, quite repulsive on the top, but then very soft, violet heliotrope. I find it original andit also requires further investigation from me.
Infusion d'iris homme - half bottle the feminine + half Prada pour homme without the amber. Add some orris effect on the top and voilà the strange Prada OVNI which brings us the italian soap powdered with textured orris root.

9 commentaires:

Anonymous said...

Bon jour Octavian,
Thanks for the recap. I am looking forward to the Gourmand Coquin. I don't think this fragrances are yet available in the US.
"Espiegle" (sorry can't do accents in my computer) means mischievous. Did you mean playful?
I am very curious about that one.
I was not going to give the Bulgari a chance, but after reading your notes, I think I will.
Again, thanks for the information on the new releases, I had read something about the Guerlains long time ago but had forgotten.
I am sorry the Guerlain l'Homme is disappointing, since the house of Guerlain has always been very good with masculine fragrances.
Best regards,
Arwen

Anonymous said...

Bon jour Octavian,
Thank you for your impressions on these new releases.
I am looking forward to Guerlain's Gourmand Coquin. I don't think they are available in the US yet.
About Ma dame "espiegle" (sorry I don't know how to do accents in my computer) means mischievous. Did you mean the fragrance is playful? Now I am very curious about this one.
I was not going to try the new Bulgari, but somehow it sounds appealing.
I am sorry the Guerlain L'Homme is not that good. Indeed I have read some very bad reviews. Too bad that Guerlain is doing this when they have some spectacular masculine fragrances.
Thank you again.
Arwen

Six' said...

You said the two magic words: "Cachet" and "Jaune".

I need to try that Oriental Brûlant, like, NOW.

The mention of Guet-Apens makes it even more irresistible. With the notes listed, these Elixirs looked like they could go either way, but you make them sound really interesting!

AROMATIZATION said...

Nice post! Thanks for the honest opinions. Have you had a chance to fully sample Guerlain Homme? Let me know what you think. (And yes, I would be curious to see what Guerlain couture might look like. Might even buy some of the accessories.)

PS. Could you add my blog to your list of links? I've added yours on mine already. Thanks.

Octavian Coifan said...

I have a sample of Guerlain homme but of course I will give it more chances. It's also very "chemise blanche" and it would go with a Hedi Slimane style... No doubt for that.

vero59 said...

ces elixirs charnels me semblent bien interessants, surtout "oriental brûlant", je reviens de Paris, en ayant eu un coup de foudre pour "attrappe coeur", j'ai pu sentir quelques anciens guerlain comme Cachet jaune,qui m'a beaucoup plu ainsi que le somptueux Candides effluves.
Pour les nouveautés, "jasmin noir" a été le seul qui sort du lot pour moi, un sillage extrement sensuel et feminin, racé

excusez moi, je m'etais trompé de post,il est dans la section"somme precious absolu"

vero59 said...

J'ai trouvé Guerlain homme, frais, sport, et tres "jeune cadre dynamique, bon chic bon genre", rien de revolutionnaire pour moi

Octavian Coifan said...

Vero - j'ai eu la même image pour Guerlain homme - la chemise blanche ouverte, jeune cadre travaillant à la Défense :)

Anonymous said...

Octavian,

I am sorry about the double post. I thought I had lost the first one I wrote.

Arwen