Parfums Retro is a perfume house created in 2013. And as you can guess from the name, this is a line of perfumes not inspired by current fads or trends, but timeless elegance.
Grand Cuir reminds me of champagne, orange blossom castile soap and worn leather club chairs. If it were a man, this is the sort of man that you wish would ask you to come up for drinks. The opening is effervescent and fizzy. It becomes a butch birch tar floral that manages to be both clean and rugged which in my opinion is always the best “combo” for a masculine fragrance. The best way to describe Grand Cuir is as a “soapy leather”. It’s cold cream florals (think German Nivea) with barbershop aromatics and leather. The dry-down is similar to the heart but much “warmer” with woods.
Grand Cuir reminds me of many things but if I had to compare it to perfume, it would be a modern Chanel Cuir de Russie and Givenchy Insensé (one of my favorite masculines) braided together. Now that’s compared to perfume. Really Grand Cuir reminds me of a impeccably dressed and well-groomed gentleman. It’s a mix of his clean skin, shave soap, aftershave, beeswax pomade, shoe polish and his leather driving gloves. To the guys that like Penhaligon’s Sartorial, you’ve got to try this one.
Notes listed include cistus, labdanum, birch tar, clary sage, orange flower, lavender, carnation, rose, violet leaf, geranium, cinnamon leaf oil, tarragon, pine moss, sandalwood, rosewood, patchouli, musk, and rosewood. Launched 2013. PERFUMER – Hugh Spencer
Give Grand Cuir a try if you are looking for an interesting and unexpected “clean” fragrance. Or if you like perfumes like Chanel Cuir de Russie, Givenchy Insensé, Penhaligon’s Sartorial, Caron Narcisse Noir, CREED Royal English Leather and/or Arquiste Infanta en Flor. Grand Cuir is unisex but it does come across as masculine to me; vintage masculine. Oh, and if you are looking for a “warm weather” leather, this is a good one for that.
Projection and longevity are average.
The 3.4 oz bottle retails for $155 at Luckyscent.
Victoria’s Final EauPINION – A dapper leather. I think this is really good because I’m drawn to these sort of “contrast” scents. It’s a smart fragrance. This fragrance will jazz up any look. Seriously. You’ll smell like a million bucks which will then improve your Zara and H&M wardrobe.
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Great review Victoria and thanks for the link to my review! I really fell head over heals in full evening dress and top hat for this one. To borrow from Cole Porter,
It’s the top! It’s the Coliseum.
It’s the top! It’s the Louver Museum.
It’s a melody from a symphony by Strauss
It’s a Bendel bonnet,
A Shakespeare’s sonnet,
It’s Mickey Mouse!
LANIER SMITH recently posted..MONSIEUR PETRIZ WINTER HOLIDAY ~ Green by Byredo
Can always count on you to put a smile on my face!
***Big Grin from San Francisco****
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You are HILARIOUS!! Smarten up your H&M clothes. HA HA HA HA!!
Seriously though I got to try it a while ago a loved it. Great fun and manly leather. MMMMM
Portia xx
No offensive to H&M, it’s in my closet too. But, I really think you can jazz up an outfit with a nice fragrance and this one does just that.
“Soapy leather” is exactly what I thought! I’m reviewing this soon for Bois de Jasmin.
It’s the soapiest leather that I’ve ever tried.