Fragrance Acquisition. Mail call or new pick up for you....😍

[Str8Mug]

The Code eau de parfum just came in today. Comparison with the Code parfum has started. Might need a couple more wearrings to really pick out the differences. Smells good and there are quite a bit of similarities between the two. There are subtle differences especially the Iris in the Code parfum and no lavender which the eau de parfum has in the opening. We’ll see. I do actually enjoy them both so far.

 

[Str8Mug]

From my youngest daughter for this Christmas. She knows her Old Man very well and the big bottle to boot....

And these two came in the mail a few days back. A classic & another classic in the making.

 

[Str8Mug]

First fragrance mail call of 2023. Habit Rouge by Guerlain L’Instinct. Not easy to find here Stateside but, I got lucky. In the batter’s box for tomorrow’s work day.

 

[Str8Mug]

Mail call #2 for fragrances in 2023. The left is Issey Miyake with a limited summer release in 2022, L’Eau D’Issey Pour Homme Summer (Kevin Lucbert is just the artist for this bottle graphics design). This one actually has a close proximity to the Original L’Eau from the early 90’s just slightly more modern. Still herbaceous and woodsy but, with a slightly brighter opening with the Lemon & Bergamot. The right is Valentino Uomo (L’Oreal version, not the Puig creation) which was super cheap for $83 US for the 150ml. I’ve never sampled this nor the Uomo Intense version but, I do have the Noire Absolu which is fantastic. For the $$$ I just took a chance and see how it goes.

 

[Str8Mug]

Mail call from DUA Fragrances. First purchase from this fragrance house that produces quality dupes/clones/replicas of designer & niche type fragrances. Extreme Fellow is a copy of Tom Ford Extreme for Men and Covet is a copy of Gucci Envy Pour Homme. Personally, I’d say they are about 90% identical to the Original creations. They are both extrait versions so potency should be amped up as well as performance across the board (well, that’s hoping that they will). Can’t say anything except that as a quick spray on each hand, they do smell amazingly good. Wearing them in the coming weeks to see how they fair from start to finish. Samples were quite nice as well but, they lean more gourmand to my nose. Why did I get these specific two? Well, my bottle of TF Extreme for Men was dropped and it shattered. Nothing could be saved. And my Gucci Envy pour homme had lost its magic. The juice had turned a dark green (don't know if there was humidity in the storage facility or change in temperature) and had no potency whatsoever. And the prices for some of these fragrances are beyond ludicrous. 1/10 the price and get me close to the originals and I'm a happy camper.

 

[Str8Mug]

This one I managed to finagle from the ”E-b” auction site for a paltry $52 shipped. And yes, the 150ml at that. Here it’s from the Blu Mediterranean Line, Mirto di Panarea is a classy aromatic & marine fragrance of old school charm yet it exhibits modern facets of today’s perfumery from the house of Acqua Di Parma. But, then again just look at the creator of this juice, Francois Demachy. The former Executive Creator for the design house of Dior, the man is a who’s who of timeless creations such as the Dior Homme Line, the modernization of the Eau Sauvage lineage and the continuation of the legendary Fahrenheit Juggernaut and its flankers. He also has his signature on a few Acqua Di Parma creations as well such as Colonia Intensa (my favorite of the whole house), Colonia Oud and a few others. This one has his touch in full force especially with the basil, rose & juniper. Opens with a wonderful juicy citrus accord that is mouthwatering and natural to the nose. The myrtle though is the star of the show with this one playing nicely with some sea type accords. Almost like a eucalyptus type of vibe but, slightly sweeter and fresher with a camphoraceous tone from the opening into the mid. The base is a classic woods and amber drydown that compliments the very bright and aromatic opening to near perfection. There is a floral component that dances in and out during the wearing but, is not dominant or heavy. Really is one of the best creations from this house and the Blu Mediterranean line that gets very little mention across the fragrance forums. Marketed as a unisex fragrance, I can see both sexes wearing this quite nicely. For me though I get a slightly bit more of a masculine vibe especially on the drydown perhaps coming from the cedar & juniper note. Fresh, clean and a classic Italian style cologne as if one is seated right off the shoreline in Polignano A Mare with a serving of Prosecco and fresh lemonade or some Negroni. I can practically taste it.

Good stuff gents….

 

[Str8Mug]

Picked this up at a local TJMAXX today for $29.99US. I’ve never heard of Davidoff Cool Water Reborn until today. At first sniff, there is a semblance to the original but, this goes off on a different path of its own. More woods and a blue nuance to it. Looking forward to wearing it in the coming weeks and see how it fairs. Initial impressions are not bad at all….

 

[Str8Mug]

Juniper Berries, Moss, Citrus & Patchouli. A surprisingly good clean and fresh fragrance that is better than what I actually described. Take Mancera Cedrat Boisee add a helping of MFK Gentle Fluidity Silver with a touch of Aventus. Then throw a pinch of Aqua Velva (Williams version in the glass flacon) and that’s what you get here with Moss+ by Commodity in its strongest concentration of Bold. Clean & Crisp with it’s own character and flair. Worth sampling….

 

[Str8Mug]

Mail call from last night and earlier today. The Boucheron is new to me and smells absolutely fantastic. Clean and soapy moss like vibe with a tinge of sweetness. Classic yet modern and all year round worthy. Manly scent, period. Givenchy Pour Homme tester is a back up from a bottle that I have that is nearly gone and the TDH was a must have from a bottle I sampled sometime last year at a local mall. Saw the deal for a tester in each and pulled the trigger. Great masculine scents. Not for kiddies….

 

[Str8Mug]

A trio that came in today. The Tom Ford Extreme for Men is an after shave lotion and the other two are John Varvatos fragrances, the OG John Varvatos & XX Artisan as a ‘20 release. The Tom Ford is a rare item (100ml. is extremely rare) that I happened to get lucky on one of the auction sites and put in for a best offer that was accepted. The JV Original is a scent that was captivitating for me when it was first released in the early 2000’s with a really good leather, amber, green & fresh spicey vibe to it that I had to have again. And for under $30US, it was a no brainer. Surprisingly, the XX Artisan was a big surprise for me. This fragrance is a true hidden gem. It’s an aromatic freshie that has some real depth to it with a semi earthy & musky vibe to it. Almost as if you would take Acqua Di Parma’s Ginepro Di Sardegna and cross it with Tom Ford Grey Vetiver. Super classy yet has a modern touch. The kicker is the price as it can be found from online discounters for under $40US. That’s a steal for the quality one is getting. Highly recommend.

 

[Str8Mug]

Mail call from an online discount retailer, Jomashop. Purchased these two for a very good price. Boss Bottled Parfum & Lalique Leather Copper from their Les Compositions Perfumees line. Awesome bangers for the upcoming Fall/Winter weather….

 

[Str8Mug]

Another decent discount fragrance online retailer. I had to get a back up of the 200ml. Issey Miyake as they had a Valentine’s Day special a few days back, dirt cheap. The Bottega Veneta Illusione is new to me but, overall I enjoy the offerings from this house. The Kenzo is my 2nd foray with creator Quintin Bisch as the eau de parfum version was a hit for me. We shall see with the edt Intense version. All super affordable to be honest.

 

[N0ggie]

Mail call from DUA Fragrances. First purchase from this fragrance house that produces quality dupes/clones/replicas of designer & niche type fragrances. Extreme Fellow is a copy of Tom Ford Extreme for Men and Covet is a copy of Gucci Envy Pour Homme. Personally, I’d say they are about 90% identical to the Original creations. They are both extrait versions so potency should be amped up as well as performance across the board (well, that’s hoping that they will). Can’t say anything except that as a quick spray on each hand, they do smell amazingly good. Wearing them in the coming weeks to see how they fair from start to finish. Samples were quite nice as well but, they lean more gourmand to my nose. Why did I get these specific two? Well, my bottle of TF Extreme for Men was dropped and it shattered. Nothing could be saved. And my Gucci Envy pour homme had lost its magic. The juice had turned a dark green (don't know if there was humidity in the storage facility or change in temperature) and had no potency whatsoever. And the prices for some of these fragrances are beyond ludicrous. 1/10 the price and get me close to the originals and I'm a happy camper.

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Hi Gus, I have Dua Covet.

I had Gucci Envy back in the day when it first came out & remembered really liking it. I couldn't really give any accuracy to the original when I got Dua Covet as it was a distant memory but it's a great scent for sure.

I picked up a Dua just this week. Error 404 Attar.

The 'Error' series of Dua fragrances are a range where they apparently can not relate the name to the original due to some legal issue I was told. Anyway, Error 404 is a clone of JPG Le Male but the vintage original, when it used to be a beast mode fragrance & not the reformulation it is today.

On reading the descriptions of the range of Error fragrances on Dua there is really no way of knowing what you are buying & the phrase 'If you know, you know' is bound on there.
So you have to go do your own research to find out which 'Error' fragrance you are buying.

I did not read or really decipher the cryptic description of 'Error 404 Attar'. I just ordered it thinking it was going to be some stronger concentration of the original Error 404 (The JPG Le Male Vintage clone) but it isn't. It is actually a clone of JPG Le Male Parfum so I bought the wrong item.
I don't have Le Male Parfum so I wasn't that bothered but it is very similar to the genuine JPG Le Male Elixir that I do have & that is worth noting. Both are far gone flankers of the original which I did want. So at some point I will re-order the regular Error 404 . . . (Later edit, I just ordered the original Error 404 & Poseidon's Cologne from Dua as I got a 33% discount which takes the sting out of the shipping from the US)

I do rate Dua as a clone brand as well as Alexandria. If I am to do a clone then I go to these two 'houses' if I can call them that, first.

 

[Cheekee]

Musk silk by AJmal.

Someone was wearing this at work and the scent stopped me in my tracks. I had to ask what it was. Its delicious.

 

[N0ggie]

4th bottle now, topping up with a new one over my dwindling bottle of Prada Luna Rossa Carbon. This stuff is up in my top 5.
Haven't tried any of the other Luna Rossa fragrances.

Next one to land is another Aaron Terence Hughes called Guapo. Big fan of ATH