The Best Woody Fragrances for Men
Reviews by Thom Watson, qualified beauty therapist, testing men’s grooming since 2011. About Thom
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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 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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Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb Barbershop
Only when writing this I realise I’ve never reviewed Spicebomb before! Which is weird as I’ve been wearing Spicebomb Extreme religiously since Christmas. But better late than never. Spicebomb, an incredibly well performing male fragrance – that relies on being genuinely gorgeous rather than pure marketing – and just in time for Father’s Day 2016…
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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…
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7 Loewe Anónimo
Well this is something a bit special. Spanish fragrance brand Loewe is relaunching its 2010, 7, WITH a new flanker 7 Loewe Anónimo. The campaign is all about giving thanks to someone, who although not anonymous to you, isn’t some global superhero appearing in the pages of Hello and Harper’s. Before I get onto the fragrance…
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LUSH Ltd Dear John & Dad’s Garden
It’s always a treat to play with LUSH Ltd fragrances and embarrassingly I’ve been sat on these for quite a while! The three fragrances are part of Volume 3 of Gorilla Fragrances which if you’ve yet to experience, firstly you really have to and secondly I reviewed some of the earlier editions here when they launched…
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Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille
Created by the nose behind Chanel’s Coco Noir, Serge Lutens Un Bois Vanille is an intoxicating vanilla gourmand scent. It’s beyond delicious. With black licorice, coconut milk, sandalwood beeswax, bitter almond, musk, vanilla, benzoin, guaiac wood and tonka bean; it’s a very three dimensional fragrance that gives depth below and above the vanilla. If you’ve ever experienced…
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DKNY Be Delicious MEN
I LOVE Be Delicious and with a limited edition for women launched almost every year, I’m heartbroken that it seems almost impossible to find the men’s version any more. Launched in 2005 by Aramis (who do all Donna Karen’s fragrances) when I was 14, massively into my JPOP era and all about fun, bright fragrances…
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The Perfumer’s Story by Azzi Glasser: Old Books
I feel like a bit of a fraud writing this, but it’s not actually my fragrance. When Chris and me went to Harvey Nichols last week and I was treated to a gorgeous bottle of Jazz Club (read the review here), he treated himself to a bottle of Old Books, part of The Perfumer’s Story by Azzi Glasser.…