The Best Niche & Luxury Fragrances for Men
Reviews by Thom Watson, qualified beauty therapist, testing men’s grooming since 2011. About Thom
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Ormonde Jayne Zizan Eau de Parfum
Ormonde Jayne Zizan is a solid men’s fragrance. I’ve been wearing it this week in contrast to some of the sweeter, more caramel fragrances I’ve been wearing recently (Spice Bomb Extreme, Serge Lutens, Replica Jazz Club and Frapin 1697). Zizan takes the elements of traditional men’s fragrance such as vetiver, cedar, musk, sage and amber…
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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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Papillon Perfumery Artisan Perfumes
I’m a bit embarrassed really, but I’ve had these fragrances for a long, long time; concealed in bubble-wrap, sat in my review chest and kept falling to the bottom. I’ve definitely been missing out. Papillon fragrances are from the mind and heart of perfumer, Liz Moores. There are four unisex perfumes in the collection: Anubis, Tobacco…
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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.…
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My Fragrance Collection
Since before I began MANFACE, I have been amassing fragrances during my career in the beauty industry. I love them. I find fragrance says more about you than any bag, scarf or belt – they’re the ultimate accessory. My mum has always been a fragrance lover, probably more so now but I always remember her…
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Ormonde Jayne Nocturne Candle
I love an Ormonde Jayne Christmas candle and this for 2015 is spectacular. The Nocturne fragrance is inspired by fireplaces, open log fires, pine cones, cedar wood and embers with notes of cedar wood, cardamom, sandalwood, amber, tonka, mandarin and pink pepper; whilst still having that signature Ormonde Jayne creamy soft undertone. It’s to die…
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Top 4 Autumn from Summer Fragrances
It’s that time of year again where although we’ve officially entered Autumn, we’re still having some glaringly hot sunny days sharpened off with that autumnal/winter chill. So, I’ve put together a collection of 4 fragrances that I think capture this gorgeous time of year in a thick glass bottle. I think you’ll be surprised! 1. Les Liquides…
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Atelier Des Ors Lune Féline
Launching… today! In fact I was gagged from last week until 10am this morning to which I certainly won’t be making a cheap joke about. Where has Atelier Des Ors been in my life? I’m in love. Atelier Des Ors Lune Féline is an evening fragrance of oriental vanillas, musks and dark animalistic notes. It’s serving gourmet…
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Ormonde Jayne Black Gold
For a good while, I’ve made no bones about the fact that I’m not the wildest Ormonde Jayne fragrance fan, despite desperately trying to be and almost feeling guilty because of it. I somehow feel it’s possible due to a lack of my own sophistication rather than a brand flaw. The founder and creative director of…
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Valentine’s Day with Maison Francis Kurkdjian A La Rose
With Valentine’s Day and then Spring fast approaching, Maison Francis Kurkdjian has graced us with his interpretation of the tired February cliche. Rose isn’t meant to be sweet, nor sickly, nor friendly nor warm. Rose is solitary, strong and independent. Rose is powerful. However when it gets to mushy, mushy lover day, the air is pungent with…