As you know by now, I’m a fan of the Neela Vermeire Creations line. I think the compositions are intellectual but suitable for daily wear. I also love that India is the inspiration. I see this type of collaboration being the future of perfume.

Bombay Bling is my favorite fruity fragrance on the planet. It opens with a tart but sweet fruit salad of lychee, mango and peach drizzled with blackcurrant syrup and topped with carrot shavings. Hey, what’s that? Oh, it’s just cumin making me smell like one sexy, spicy beast.  A melange of petals over a spiced fruit salad with a side of kebabs. The dry down is a sweet vanilla tobacco. So sweet and creamy…Bombay Bling is a vibrant fragrance that has earned its name. Oh, and it’s very Duchaufor-ish. You can tell he composed this.

Notes listed include lychee, mango, blackcurrant, cardamom, cumin, cistus, Turkish rose, jasmine sambac, ylang-ylang, tuberose, plumeria, gardenia, patchouli, tobacco, sandalwood, cedar and vanilla. Launched in 2012. PERFUMER – Bertrand Duchaufour

Give Bombay Bling a try if you are looking for a really intellgient fruity floral. Or if you like perfumes like Vagabond Prince Enchanted Forest, Etat Libre d’Orange Rien, L’Artisan Parfumeur Al Oudh, Serge Lutens Arabie, Vero Profumo Rubj and/or any of the other Neela Vermeire Creations. It’s fruity and sweet but the spice and tobacco make it completely unisex in my opinion.

On me, Bombay Bling has mega sillage and longevity.

The 1.9 oz bottle retails for $250 at Luckyscent.Smaller “discovery” sizes are available at Neela Vermeire Creations.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Spiced mango fruit salad with delicate petals and a creamy base. This my favorite fruity fragrance ever. It’s complex without being challenging. It just smells good and makes me happy.

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*Sample came from Neela Vermeire Creations. My opinions are my own. I am not financially compensated for this review or any others. Norman Parkinson fashion photo from 1956 from www.fanpix.net.

You know the saying, “Don’t dress for the job you have, dress for the job you want”? I say this applies to fragrance as well. M. Micallef Royal Vintage smells polished and successful, if that’s you or if that’s who you want to be, wear Royal Vintage.

Royal Vintage opens with non-descript fruity notes, pink pepper and gin. Give it time and you’ll get an astringent citrus and powdery lavender with vetiver. And then here comes the leather. It rugged with evergreens, slightly smoky. There’s a dry sagebrush. It dries down to dry woods, musk and new leather.

Royal Vintage smells like a traditionally masculine fragrance meaning that it isn’t really exceptional. However, it does smell really good and high-quality. Personally, I wouldn’t wear this fragrance because it is out of my comfort zone but I love to smell this on masculine types. My imaginary sugar daddy wears this fragrance.

Notes listed include pink berries, bergamot, cypress, leather, patchouli and musk. Launch date 2013.

Give Royal Vintage a try if you are looking for a good “suit” fragrance. Or if you like perfumes like CREED Aventus, Amouage Memoir Man, Gucci Pour Homme, Halston Z-14 and/or Clive Christian C. This one is marketed as a masculine.

I find projection average and longevity above average.

Bottle is like a vintage hubcap. I like that.

The 3.3 oz bottle retails for $185 at Parfumerie Nasreen. Samples are also available for purchase.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – “Classic” masculine that says “success”. I have a thing for any late 70′s and 80′s masculines. Royal Vintage has that powerhouse feel but it is updated for today’s world. When I smell this, I smell suit wearing sugar daddies with perfectly coiffed hair.

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*Disclaimer – Sample provided by PR. I am not finacially compensated for this review or any others. My opinions are my own. Product pic from Fragrantica. Errol Flynn pic from www.fanpix.net

Mainstream Monday: Sniffing a Popular Perfume

He mops up the floor. Back and forth. Back and forth. Lavender fumes. He thinks about her. She’s all he ever thinks about. Her eyes. Her hands. The smell of her hair as she rests on his chest.

Door slams. Garbage doesn’t take out itself. A rush of hot air follows into the building.

He’d ask her father if he could marry her. He can’t work up the nerve. There’s no way he’ll approve of her marrying a man that wears a hairnet all day. He works hard but her father thinks he should work harder. Maybe they could runaway together…

Freshly mopped floor gleams back at him. He walks to the back. Removes his apron and hairnet. Hector asks him where he will take her tonight. He tells him but it doesn’t matter where he takes her. He just wants her in his arms. An eye roll is all he gets for that statement which is better than usual. Leaving, he grabs a bag of leftover conchas. Opening the door, heat smacks his cool, air-conditioned face.

A*Men opens with Fabuloso lavender floor cleaner, brownies and cotton candy. The cool lavender is sharp and prominent in the opening. Mint and chocolate. Chlorine and drip coffee. I’ve sniffed A*Men for years and I’m surprised that now, when I’m actually focusing on it, I find it slightly obnoxious. When I don’t think about it, I love it. OK, enter patchouli. When these obnoxious top notes and some of the mid notes burn off, I’m left with the gourmand that I remember. It gets really sweet reminding me of ALL the desserts at the pastelería with an addition of camphoric patchouli, caramel sauce and lavender buds stuck in a bucket of tar. A*Men is one of the world’s strangest but wearable mainstream fragrances.

I’ve always admired A*Men because I tend to like the odd ones, the misfits. This was a big risk and like Angel, it worked out for Mugler. It’s an iconic fragrance that is still be copied today. However, I admit that sometimes this one gets on my nerves. I think that has to do with my mood (sometimes I don’t like super strength fragrances). And I think this is one that is better from a distance, give it 2 feet. It’s one to enjoy, not one to “think” about.

Notes listed include bergamot, helonial, lavender, peppermint, coffee bean, tar, patchouli, tonka bean, vanilla, caramel, chocolate and musk. Launch date 1996. PERFUMER – Jacques Huclier

Give A*Men a try if you like sweet fragrances. Over the years, A*Men has had numerous of copies (just like Angel has). I could list “or if you like…” but I’m not. If you like anything that was launched after 1996 that has chocolate as a note listed, try A*Men. Due to its cavity creating sweetness, I would call A*Men unisex. I know many men and women that wear it.

Projection and longevity are epic. A little goes far.

A*Men retails for $58-$89 at Sephora. Damn, fragrances marketed to men sure are cheap.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Closing time at the pastelería: Fabulosos lavender, drip coffee and sweets galore. It’s an epic fragrance.

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*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from Sephora. Pasteleria from www.pasteleriasansebastian.com. Post contains an affiliate link. Thanks!

The Lipstick League – week of 5.13.13

We’d also like to take a moment to congratulate our very own Phyrra for five years of beauty blogging! To commemorate the event, she’s hosting a mega-givewaway here that you don’t want to miss.

Question of the Week – Tell us about a funny makeup/beauty mistake you have made…or care to admit to?

EauMG’s Answer – There have been too many times where I realize once I get home that I’ve been walking around with one false eyelash still attached. And some may call this a big mistake but I never will…lip liner. I flip’n love lip liner even the visible unnatural looking stuff. I know this makes me lose all makeup cred but I don’t care. And I’ll admit that back in the day (party like it’s 1999, ya’ll)  I’d wear lip liner darker than my brows and pair it with a nude lipstick and top with gloss. I was drag-tastic.

My Beauty Bunny – has a fabulous guest post from the Lipstick League’s Clumps of Mascara sharing the 5 Best Cruelty-Free Beauty Brands for Women of Color. Trust us, ladies of every complexion will love these colorful choices!

Nouveau Cheap – the best multi-tasker to come out this year is also limited edition. Here’s why you need the new Milani Shadow Eyez in Almond Cream (but hurry before it’s gone).

Prime Beauty – takes a look at the Lancôme Summer 2013 Color Design Eye Show Palette. The colors are so summery you’ll want to dive right in, PLUS she has a Lancôme giveaway to give your skin a luminous summer glow!

Phyrra – shows off the new Makeup Geek Pigments! Which shade will you fall for?

we heart this – presents a drugstore eyelid primer that’s WAY better than pulling a rabbit out of hat! It’s L’Oreal Magic De-Crease.

Beauty Junkies Unite – Take off for your summer vacation early with the review & swatches for the brand new Essie Resort Collection for 2013. These new nail hues are bright & fun!

Clumps of Mascara – adores the brand Simple and their awesome skincare products. Got sensitive skin? You HAVE to try this drugstore brand out.

EauMG – Here’s a video review of one of Victoria’s favorite classic perfumes for spring/summer, Chanel Cristalle.

Gouldylox Reviews – Did a temporary color stain your hair? If you aren’t up for the pastel trend, here’s how to remove the unwanted color.

Guest Post of the Week, as chosen by My Beauty Bunny – Did your spring cleaning include a thorough washing of your makeup tools? If not, Kristie of Blushing Basics has the details on tackling this important task: How To Clean & Sanitize your Makeup & Makeup Brushes.

*May Brian pic from www.fanpix.net

Smell like all of the spring flowers with Neil Morris Rainflower.

Rainflower opens with a blast of spring florals. I pick up on the hyacinth mingling with lilac. Heady, green and peppery with a hint of wet dirt.  Tons of flowers. I get a heady gardenia. The dry down is a light, abstract floral musk. You’ll get your spring floral fix with this one.

Notes listed include freesia, night blooming jasmine, hyacinth, gardenia, lilac, tulip and musk.

If you want to get along with Rainflower, you better love florals! Give it a try if you like perfumes like Pacifica French Lilac, Estee Lauder Beautiful EDP, YOSH White Flowers, FRESH Pink Jasmine and/or Annick Goutal Grand Amour. Rainflower is very floral, so many people will perceive this as feminine.

Projection and longevity are average.

The 2 oz bottle retails for $95 at Neil Morris Fragrances. Samples are also available for purchase.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Spring flowers galore. I have to be in a special mood to wear something like this, but it’s good.

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*Sample purchased by me. Product pic from Fragrantica.  Lizbeth Scott pic from www.fanpix.net.

I’m going to go out and say it, Wanda Jackson is badass. The Queen of Rockabilly is in her 70′s and still rocks out (she’s on tour this year). She has influenced so many creative types throughout the years. I am happy that she finally got the recognition that she deserves (she was FINALLY inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2009). Wanda is still a glamorous stone-cold fox that still wears rhinestones and sports big hair. To me she was always like the Elizabeth Taylor of rockabilly, very glamorous and glitz’d out. So today, I’m recreating a vintage inspired (or at least trying to, I’m rusty) Wanda Jackson look which isn’t too removed from her current modern day glamour.

FACE: I applied Guerlain Lingerie de Peau Foundation in my shade 02 Beige Clair with my fingers. I need concealer so I used Neutrogena Healthy Skin Stick in Fair 01 under the eyes and blended with a concealer brush. I applied a dusting of Coty Airspun Powder in Neutral. High up on the cheeks, I applied NARS Blush in Orgasm, a peachy pink shimmer. 

EYES: I filled in my brows with Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in 001 Dark Brown. I applied Urban Decay Primer Potion in Original to the lids. With a large shadow brush, I applied Lancôme Color Design Eyeshadow in Positive, a matte light beige, from lash line to brow. On the lid I applied the top lightest shade (pale green shimmer) from the Dior 5-Colour Designer Artistry Palette in Khaki Design (I’ve also noticed I don’t own many green shadows…). I blended NARS Eyeshadow in Blondie, a matte light brown shade, in the crease. Now to the liner. I use the black in Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Gel Liner Trio in Brown Eyes. This is like any other cat eye, winging out, BUT you don’t start at the inside corner of the eye. Start about 1/4 in and line. I curled lashes and applied a few coats of Hourglass Film Noir Mascara to top lashes and one coat to bottom. I applied Ardell Lash Accents.

LIPS: Directly from the tube, I applied Maybelline ColorSensational Lip Color in Coral Crush, a medium pinky coral with a satin finish. I then applied a layer of clear gloss, Milani Crystal Gloss.

If I had to complete this look with a fragrance, I’d choose Acqua di Parma Profumo, a sophisticated chypre.

Overall, I like this look and it’s not too removed from my daily makeup routine. BUT  I need a new camera. That’s one of the reasons why I haven’t been doing vintage makeup tutorials. It’s too hard (especially with the poor lighting at the new place) to get an accurate makeup look. A camera is on my to-buy list, so no more perfume for me for the next few months…

How has your week been? I’ve been busy and that’s how I like it. I want to redesign EauMG and may start on that little project this weekend (and I’m going to research cameras!)

This week I’ve been:

Reading – “Indigo: In Search of the Color that Seduced the World” by Catherine M. McKinley. Indigo has an odor, can someone please tell me what it smells like?

Eating/Drinking - Bonne Maman Provence Figues Violette jam on pain de campagne from Three Girls Bakery. This is treat will end soon as I’m not “eating clean” and trying to get skinny for a trip back to Nashville in 2 weeks. You know because it only takes 2 weeks to get skinny…whatever.

Watching – Nothing. Busy week. And until RuPaul’s Drag Race comes back on, I have nothing else to watch.

Wearing – I’ve been really into heavy Sharon Tate-ish black eyeliner (using the Physician’s Formula liner mentioned above) with Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Creamsicle. I’ve been wearing Mugler Angel Aqua Chic and I can’t explain why. In other news, I hate all of my clothes.

Have a great weekend! I’ll smell ya later!

*Wanda Jackson pic from www.fanpix.net. Other pics are mine. Makeup/fragrance links are affiliate links. Thanks!

After years of wearing spicy oriental and the occasional gourmand perfume, I decided that I needed a change. I had dismissed floral perfumes for no good reason (well, looking back I blame Bath & Body Works). I went on a floral journey that left me justifying my dismissal of floral perfumes. I thought I needed spice, vanilla, moss or whatever to feel like a “Victoria” perfume. Years later, it hit me that there is power in wearing a perfume that isn’t “you”. I needed what I called a “blonde wig” for my perfume collection. I want an out of character perfume, a perfume that was like a subtle disguise. I ended up with a full-bottle of Serge Lutens Un Lys.

Un Lys opens with lemons, green leaves and black licorice. Here come the florals – a mix of powdery hyacinth, sharp lily of the valley and an indolic lilac verging on jasmine. It reads as one big ‘ole lily with a hint of green. And there’s lots of vanilla there to sweeten it up in the heart. The deal is that sometimes to my nose it smells like vanilla and lilies. Other times I get vanilla, lily and plastic. But, that’s why I like Un Lys. It reminds me of a Barbie doll. The dry-down is a lily with tons of sweetened white musk. Yep, this is my blonde wig of perfumes. And not just blonde, it’s platinum blonde.

Notes listed include lily, musk and vanilla. Launch date 2007. PERFUMER — Christopher Sheldrake

You’ve got to want a straightforward floral to want to wear Un Lys. Give it a try if you like Tom Ford Private Blend Lys Fume, Annick Goutal Grand Amour, YOSH Stargazer, Donna Karan Gold EDT and/or Parfums de Nicolai Kiss Me Tender. Being a big ‘ole floral many people are going to associate this with the feminine. And associate it with the beautiful.

Projection is above average (it’s also possible I spray too much) and longevity is average.

The 1.7 oz bottle of Un Lys retails for $140 at Beautyhabit.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Vanilla lily. I know it’s supposed to be a vanilla lily but I often think of it as a lilac vanilla disguised as a lily vanilla.  But, this is coming from someone that uses Un Lys as her perfume disguise.

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*Purchased by me. Product pic from thisnext.com. Marion Martin pic from www.fanpix.net. Post contains an affiliate link. Thanks!

Here’s my overview of the Seattle Artisan Fragrance Salon. It was an 80º day with full-sun, absolutely gorgeous, and an anomaly for this time of year. I admit that I went into this very distracted (also, my birthday was the day before and I was out late and a friend was visiting from out of town too). So, what I’m saying is that I did a horrible job with pictures. I was lazy. Plus, it was gorgeous. See above.

I’m fortuante enough to live in a creative, artisanal region. Many of the perfumes I am familiar with. But, I’m going to pretend that I’m not for this re-cap so that you can gain exposure to these brands. I’m also going to mention the one or two in each brand that stood out to me the most during the show (of course, favorites can always change once you have more time with them).

Artemisia Natural Perfume – This Oakland-based line creates all natural perfumes. Perfumer Lisa Fong got her start in perfumery by attending one of Mandy Aftel’s classes. I feel a little bad as this was the 2nd to last booth that I visited, my nose was fatigued. I remember liking Saveur de L’Abricot, a juicy osmanthus apricot perfume. Perfumes come in solids or EDPs. You can explore the entire line at Artemisia. 

Blooming Dream Natural Perfume – This all-natural line is new and based in Portland, OR. Perfumer Suzinn Weis has years of experience as a professional gardener. The line is inspired by nature and many of the plants that Suzinn is familiar with growing and taking care of. I will be posting reviews of these sometime in the future. The one that stood out to me initially is Ottoo, a chocolate basil fragrance (which is as interesting as it sounds). Find out more about the line at Blooming Dream.

Coeur d’Esprit Natural Perfumes – I thought that this was a new-to-me brand, but then I remembered that I was familiar with the brand through the Primordial Scents Project. Lyn Ayre is based in British Colombia and has been teaching natural perfume classes for years. The perfumes she debuted at the Fragrance Salon are not on sale yet but will be. There’s a juicy black licorice one. Being the great reporter that I am, I forgot the name. Visit Coeur d’Esprit for more info.

House of Matriarch – This line is based in the Seattle area. If you read EauMG, I have covered a few of the fragrances (Destiny and Carmine). My personal favorite is Blackbird, it smells amazing on my husband. More info at House of Matriarch.

Imaginary Authors – If you keep up with niche, you probably know this Portland based line as it was in the intro Olfactif box, a niche perfume subscription program. My favorite of the line is Memoirs of a Trespasser. It’s a smoky, woodsy vanilla. It’s like the anti-vanilla-vanilla. If you like aldehydes, I recommend this line. More info at Imaginary Authors. And “Google” the brand, you’ll find more reviews.

Jolie Laide Perfume – This is an all-natural (and new-to-me) perfume line located in San Francisco. The perfumer got her start studying with Mandy Aftel. The line has three perfumes. The licorice-lavender, À Bout de Souffle stood out to me. Jolie Laide has a website in the works, in the meantime, visit the Etsy store.

La Comédie de Parfums – This is a new-ish to me line with a store in Westlake Center in Seattle. About a year ago, a friend gave me samples like a year ago (during the Lady Gaga Fame launch week). I have had samples and haven’t sniffed yet :S The line is inspired by theater. You can find more info at La Comédie de Parfums and expect reviews from me one of these days!

Meshaz Natural Perfume – This all-natural line is based in the rugged Olympic Peninsula  I’m naturally drawn to the line as Mesha has been operating a lavender farm for over 30 years. She is a lavender guru that is now making perfume. And the world will be happy that she is. First things first, the lavender that she grows and distills is probably the finest on the planet. No exaggeration  she has the awards to prove it. And secondly, her non-lavender perfumes are just as wonderful. I’m a fan of Osmanthuz, a juicy osmanthus. Find more info at Meshaz.

MIKMOI – This San Francisco based line is new-to-me. And it really impressed me. Perhaps it was the novelty of “Hey, I don’t know this line” but I honestly feel it was because these are really, really good. This sounds wild but I could totally see this line being bought out by Estee Lauder in like 7 years. Seriously. I have samples and I hope to have a review up soon. During the show, I was smitten by Aldwych, an absinthe carnation. I later found out was inspired by Oscar Wilde, that’s why I was attracted to it! You can find more info at MIKMOI.

Olympic Orchids – If you read perfume blogs, you’ve probably heard of this Seattle-based brand. Olympic Orchids truly offers something for everyone and in my case, I seem to like them all. I find the combos and the inspirations in the line to be unusual; however, they are all completely wearable. I finally go to sniff some that I have been wanting to try. I think I may be obsessed with Café V, the world’s best coffee fragrance. More info at Olympic Orchids.I don’t have any Olympic Orchid reviews yet, but “Google” the brand, other blogs have covered the line.

Pirouette – Reading my blog, you’ve probably noticed me mentioning this Seattle-based brand. I really like Jasmine Musk and Rose Musk. I think these all-natural perfumes are a great value. I’m a huge fan of the soaps and you’re most likely to find these in my shower at any given time. I’ve been buying these soaps since I moved to the area 5 years ago. More info at Pirouette. 

Rebel + Mercury – I’ve mentioned this line on my blog too (Cerise en Cocoa). This Seattle-based brand is all-natural. During the show, Nikki launched new Body Oils. And I got distracted, meant to go back and buy the Jasmine Mimosa one but got side-tracked. Regrets, regrets. These body oils smell amazing. If you like naturals, check this line out. I’m telling you, they may not reel you in at first but once on the skin, they will. And I’m loving the Distinguished candles. Nikki is like the all-natural candle expert (she has consulted with many brands that I’m sure you’re familiar with). You can buy Rebel + Mercury here.

Roxana Illuminated Perfume – It was awesome to finally meet Roxana! I’ve sampled a few of these perfumes too (Hedera Helix and Green Witch) and have read about them on one of my favorite blogs, Scent Hive, for years. I admit that I was fatigued at this point (last booth that I visited AND a cab to catch in 15 minutes). Anyway, the line has launched these stunning perfume solid necklace lockets. I want one. In fact, it was the day after my birthday, I should have bought one. See, regrets, regrets. You can buy it here.

Sweet Anthem Handmade Perfume - Expect reviews of these soon. This Seattle-based brand has been around for awhile. And I have a few favorites that I have talked about yet :S (yeah, I’m a bum). I love the effervescent Caroline and Joan, smells like madrone trees in bloom. These are available in solids, oil-based and EDPs at Sweet Anthem. 

Have you tried any of these brands? Want to try any of these brands? If so, which ones stand out to you?

The show was also shared with a Chocolate Salon in a separate room. I could tell that the Salon was about chocolate and fragrance was a bit of an afterthought. They had music playing in the Chocolate room with big speakers Out of a partial dare, I tried that chocolate red wine and it was super shitty as expected. It was like 2 Buck Chuck in my Yoo-hoo. Never again. All the other chocolates were good. There was a jasmine one and being the reporter with ADD, I forgot who made it.

*Pictures are © EauMG.

Ramon Monegal Lovely Day is sweet with an edge. And that’s how I want my lovely days to be.

Lovely Day opens with a juicy, fruity cassis with a sugar cube iris. The fragrance becomes candied, but in a floral way. It reminds me of rose pastilles and blackcurrant jam. It then turns into a soft floral, like jasmine tea, with a hint of licorice rolled in powdered sugar. It wears as this for most of the wear. There is an addition of a sweet, dry cedar at the dry-down.

Lovely Day is a pretty perfume, really pretty but it has an edge. I couldn’t really put my finger on it the first few wears. There’s something sort of latex-y in Lovely Day. That’s sort of awesome. It blends in with the powdery, sugary notes adding a needed weirdness. So it comes across as “pastel goth”/Japanese street style to me.

Best 1930′s fashion. Ever.

Notes listed include sambac jasmine, rose, licorice, iris, cedar and cassis. Launch date 2011. PERFUMER – Ramon Monegal

Give Lovely Day a try if you like candied floral perfumes. Or if you like perfumes like Bvlgari Jasmin Noir, Etat Libre d’Orange Charogne, Montale Jasmin Full, S-Perfume 100% Love and/or CREED Love in Black. It’s a fruity-floral so many are going to associate it with the feminine.

Fun fact #1 – David hates Lovely Day.

Fun fact #2 – I don’t give a hoot.

Fun fact #3 – Despite his hatred of this fragrance, he summed it up nicely for a person that claims to be a non-perfume person. He said, “This smells like if Chanel tried to make a rendition of Guerlain Insolence“. I can see this.

Lovely Day has average projection and above average longevity. I get 10+ hours wear.

The 1.7 oz bottle retails for $185 at Luckyscent. Samples are also available for purchase.

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – A slightly “fetish-y” candied floral. Sweet but wearing black latex opera gloves. I like it. It’s not one for everyone as it does have a chemical “offness”. But, that’s why I like it.

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*Disclaimer – Sample provided by the brand. I am not financially compensated for this review. My opinions are my own. Product pic from Luckyscent. Irene Dunne pic from www.fanpix.net.

Dear Caron,

We love you. Recently, I’ve noticed some differences in you and I’m wondering how you’re doing. We aren’t going to abandon you and we will find you help. 

Sincerely,

Victoria

Yuzu Man is a piercing citrus with fig and astringent cedar. There’s a Thai basil-licorice thing going on but it’s really faint and easy to miss. And this is the interesting part. The rest of the fragrance wears as clean and soapy with aquatic fruits. It smells like a dryer sheet wrapped around plastic. As a fragrance for a cleaning product, I like it. As a personal fragrance, I don’t.

File this under one of the biggest perfume disappointments of my life.

OK, I’m being a drama queen. What’s new?

Notes listed include yuzu, verbena, basil, fig, lentiscus, cedar and sandalwood. Launch date 2011. PERFUMER – Richard Fraysse

“Man” is in the name but this one is unisex. It’s for anyone that likes soapy herbal smells. Try it if you like fragrances like BLOOD Concept A, By Kilian Bamboo Harmony, L’Artisan Parfumeur L’eau de L’artisan, and/or Fresh Sugar Lemon. It’s probably best suited for warm weather.

Projection and longevity is below average.

It retails for $95 at Luckyscent and at Harrods (UK).

Victoria’s Final EauPINION – Clean, soapy aquatic thing aimed at men but smells unisex. I’m sorry, I rarely say this, but it’s crap.

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*I know I sound snarky and I’m referring to a brand but suicide and depression aren’t a joke. I realize that this could be regarded as bad taste (and it probably is). I apologize.

*Sample obtained by me. Product pic from vogue.it. Harrods is an affiliate link. Thanks!