Fragrance

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Zara Home Black Vanilla

Feb 16, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

Just because we’re men doesn’t mean that our homes should smell like a dog bed. Zara Home have quite a stunning range of home products with Candles, Incense sticks, Room Sprays, Reed Diffusers as well as hand wash and lotion. I’ve used their products for years and thought it was something I’d love to share with you readers.

My particular favourite as the title gives away is Black Vanilla. Zara describe the fragrance as follows:

This fragrance comprises an original mix of notes led by vanilla and praline. A delicate floral scent and vibrant citrus touches pour life into this fragrance, making it more addictive and intoxicating.
Main aromatic notes: PRALINE, MILK, MUSK, FRUIT, CITRUS FRUITS, VANILLA.

The smell just surrounds the room and really calms and relaxes you after a stressful day. Run yourself a manly hot bath and burn the candle, or spray the room scent just before you sit in your comfiest chair to read a good book and I promise you’ll thank me for the recommendation.

Zara Home Black Vanilla from £4.99 at Zara Home Online

Tom Ford Lavender Palm

Feb 09, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

The new stunning addition to the Tom Ford Private Blend, Lavendar Palm. With the first spray you are welcomed by two different Lavender variations, the first a lighter and sweeter floral lavender and the second, more of an essential Lavender, deeper and sultry. Mixed in with this is a twist of lime citrus that ads a bit more depth and gives middle ground to the base and top notes of lavender. Yes you may shrug at lavender but would Tom Ford, the man himself, ever leave you smelling like an old womans knicker drawer? I think not.

The fragrance has staying power, and after a while the lime starts to show up a little more and the deeper Lavender fragrance takes a bit of a back seat. Definitely one for the men as recommended by the delightful woman in Selfridges, who believed that it actually smelt much better on men than women.

Selfridges themselves describe the fragrance as follows -

It is a sensuous yet stylish remix of earthly lavender, bright citrus, moist palm leaf accord, clary sage, sensual woods and smooth tonka bean

Worth investigating and this is definitely my new evening out fragrance, would go well with a nice suit.

Tom Ford Private Blend Lavender Palm £125/50ml available at Selfridges Online

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum

Jan 29, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

For the Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Shower Gel review, Click Here.

This is the Tom Ford Private Blend Collection fragrance that became the base of the fantastic unisex body range from the man himself. This spring/summer fragrance has a beautiful powdery, old-soap fragrance about it, but with a wave of wild neroli and a light hint of Jasmine. While this might sound florally, in my honest opinion it is definitely a man’s fragrance. Throughout the day, the lighter notes and fruits fade off to leave a sultry yet fresh musk.

Although it may sound obvious, I found that using this fragrance over the shower gel makes the scent last longer, but without causing it to become overly powerful. It even tested well at the gym: I find that some eau de perfums can become almost unbearably overpowering when heated up by the body. However, I found that though the scent definitely stayed present, it remained subtle.

Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Eau de Parfum £125/50ml at Selfridges Online

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille

Jan 24, 2012 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

My favourite Tom Ford fragrance, in fact one of my favourite fragrances full stop.

Launched in 2007, this fabulous and worthy edition to the Tom Ford Private Collection wraps you in the warm musk of tobacco being supported by honied vanilla. Someone online wrote that it’s like stepping into an old fashioned tobacconists and I really agree; a mix of spices and warmth that fills your lungs, intoxicating your senses.

The tobacco is the first to calm down, the whole fragrance mellows as the day goes on and the smooth vanilla becomes more prominent, leaving a subtle aura, rather than a ‘punch-in-the-face-after-waft. This fragrance force people to hug you. Best worn with a leather jacket as this plus leather is a definite winner.

Tobacco Vanille is available in different sizes (50ml/100ml/250ml), with the 100ml and 250ml forming part of the Tom Ford Chess Set, completed once you own every private collection fragrance in these sizes (I’m pretty certain its these sizes, but I’m not 100%, information is difficult to come by on this, if you know more, leave me a comment). The chess boards are produced annually in incredibly limited supply.

Tom Ford Tobacco Vanille £180/100ml at Selfridges Online

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir

Nov 24, 2011 | Post by: Thom Watson No Comments

I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to review Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir, one of my favourite product lines. I’ve had this for years and was introduced to The World of Jo Malone by my mother, who is a big fan of the Leeds store in the Victoria Quarter, which I have to say, is a wonderful experience. For this special post, I’ve created an extra special Feature Image that took me a little longer than usual to celebrate.

Pomegranate Noir is one of the most popular fragrances from English perfumer – Jo Malone. She retails only in the most prestigious of department stores, and her own boutiques. Still don’t know who she is? Well, remember those lemon scented hand wipes you used to get at McDonalds? Well, she created the fragrance for those. Needless to say, Jo Malone is one of the most iconic fragrance companies of our time and hopefully, for many years to come.

Before talking about the amazing products, I’ll share the composition of the fragrance with you, but you have to experience this for yourself to really understand why it’s so special:

Top Notes: Fruity

Pomegranate, Rasberry, Plum, Rhubarb, Watermelon

Middle / Heart Notes: Floral, Spicy, Woody

Muguet, Jasmine, Pink Pepper, Clove, Frankincense, Opopanax, Copiaba, Balsam, Guaiacwood

Base Notes: Woody, Aromatic

Patchouli, Cedarwood, Musk, Amber

The fragrance therefore is unisex like most Jo Malone concoctions, but I have to say, it’s probably more suited to men than women, you’ll have to make your own judgement, but this will definitely smell good on a man. As far as a Christmas present, this is something a bit different than your Boots 3 for 2, from the fragrance itself, to the bottles and jars, even down to the box they wrap it in, filled with black scented tissue and wrapped in luxurious black ribbon tied in the signature bow.

The 150ml fragrance and the 200g candle (both pictured) retail at £72 and £38 respectively. Aim to get around 40 hours out of your candle and Jo Malone consultants always advise: “Burn the candle until it melts to the edge of the glass, then blow it out”, this way you maximise the fragrance and prolong the life. The perfume needs one press of the pump, if you use this like a standard eau de toilette, prepare to gas yourself and everyone around you, it will be completely overbearing; if it’s for a gift for him, make sure he doesn’t wear it like a bloody deodorant!

The complete Pomegranate Noir collection includes: Shower Gel, Body Lotion, Perfume, Body Butter, Candle, and Bath Oil. All are fairly reasonably priced for what you actually get, the shower gel for example requires the amount of a 5 pence piece to do a very generous, full body wash. Visit a counter or one of the stores and just let them immerse you. Their sales staff never seem to be pushy or forcing you to spend money you just don’t have, especially in this climate, but just indulge yourself. The products pictured cost £110 and this includes gift wrap.

Enjoy.

Jo Malone Pomegranate Noir £72/150ml £38/per candle at Jo Malone Online