The Best Amber Fragrances for Men
Reviews by Thom Watson, qualified beauty therapist, testing men’s grooming since 2011. About Thom
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AkroAmberAtkinsonsByredoChypreFloralFrederic MalleLushMen's FragranceNiche & Luxury FragrancePerfumer HSide StoryVan Cleef & ArpelsWarm & SpicyWoodyThe 8 Best Rose Fragrances for Men
Rose is not a women’s only note, and it never was. It only became one because the industry decided so somewhere around the 1980s, and men’s fragrance has spent the years since sneaking it back in disguise — under oud, under leather, under a name with “noir” in it. So I wanted to create a…
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Molton Brown Milk Musk Perfume
I asked the questions you’re probably asking right now “what on earth is ‘milk musk’!? Can you even get musk from milk? I’ve never had a cup of tea and thought ‘ooh, this tea tastes musky’! “. Rest assured, I too have never bought a pint of milk so Musky it might buy Twitter. But…
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Exclusive: Editions Parfums Frederic Malle Grooming Collection
I’ve been looking forward to sharing this for a month or so now and launching Thursday 1st June are two grooming additions to Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle. Both in the Vetiver Extraordinaire fragrance, the new Frederic Malle grooming collection consists of the Shave Cream and After Shave Balm priced at £60 and £80 respectively. Vetiver…
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Ormonde Jane Ambre Royal Eau De Parfum
This is very, very unusual for Ormonde Jayne. For me it definitely cements the change in style of Ormonde Jayne from the days of lighter, etherial dancing fragrances such as Zizan and Isfarkand to the bold and striking statements of Black Gold and Rose Gold. Ambre Royal undoubtedly sits in the latter; holding the crown.…
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Cartier L’Envol de Cartier for Men
There haven’t been many mainstream fragrance launches this year worth writing about. The biggest heroes have been in the world of niche fragrance. However, L’Envol de Cartier by Mathilde Laurent has single-handedly redeemed the industry’s shortcomings with something familiar, yet totally new. The notes of L’Envol are simple, and it opens with a relatively standard violet leaf…
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NEW Heeley Paris Eau Sacree Extract de Parfum
As we fly into Autumn and Winter, it’s time to switch your fragrance up. Going from light fruits and aquatics, to warm darks. NEW Heeley Paris Eau Sacree Extract de Parfum ticks all my autumnal boxes with its seasonally warm composition. Top notes of Labdanum; a heart of Olibanum, patchouli and rose with a base of…
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NEW TOM FORD Private Blend 2016 Vert D’Encens & Vert Des Bois
Over the last few years the TOM FORD Private Blend collection has expanded rapidly – some I love, some I don’t love as much. However, I will nail my colours to the mast and say this launch, particularly the Vert D’Encens, is my favourite fragrance launch in a very, very long time – to me…
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Frederic Malle Monsieur by Bruno Jovanovic
I have never worn a fragrance that so many people have commented on. Without a fail, every single time I have worn this, someone has come near me and asked what that incredible smell is – or someone has come in the room and said “something smells gorgeous” to which I incredibly conceitedly respond “oh, that’s…
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AMEN Pure Tonka Limited Edition 2016 by Thierry Mugler
Surprise! Yes, it’s this year’s Thierry Mugler AMEN Limited Edition and this one’s a doozy to make you drool! The original AMEN fragrance launched in 1996 (20 years ago!) and already comes pre-loaded with tonnes of tonka to go with caramel-vanilla, coffee, patchouli, honey and milk. Pure Tonka gives glorious emphasis to the chocolatey tonka…
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AmberGivenchyMaison Martin MargielaMen's FragranceNiche & Luxury FragranceSerge LutensThierry MuglerTom FordWarm & SpicyWoodyThe 5 Best Vanilla Fragrances for Men
The best vanilla fragrance for men is TOM FORD Tobacco Vanille, and it isn’t close. If you want the one I’ve actually worn since my teens, it’s Mugler A*Men. And if you want vanilla without spending three figures, Givenchy Pi is still quietly one of the best-value bottles in men’s fragrance. I’ve been hunting down…