Cologne Reviews

Ombre Leather by Tom Ford

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I received in the mail a sample card from Tom Ford with a pull down tab of the new unisex scent, Ombre Leather, inside. I sniffed the card and really enjoyed the fragrance that I was smelling.

So, I headed to the mall to get me some actual sprays onto my skin for a review. Then, tried it once more a few days later. (note: I’ve updated this page since the initial post)

With that in mind, I have gathered my thoughts on this 2018 release, and type them up in this post. As usual, I will cover: what’s inside, what it smells like, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think it is worth a purchase.

What does Ombre Leather Smell Like?

Notes include: leather, moss, jasmine, amber, patchouli and cardamom

Click here to try: Ombré Leather Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7-oz.

Okay, so, before I dive into my own review of Ombre Leather let’s see how Tom Ford describes it:

Vast. Untethered. Driven. Freedom comes from within, the desert heart of the west wrapped in leather. It moves forward, Untethered, through the still air of wide-open space. Dust on wind, skin on skin, Ombre Leathers reveals itself like a landscape in layers, where stretches of rock transform into sunrise blonde low on the horizon. 

My Full Review

Upon first smell, Ombre Leather naturally brought to mind Tom Ford’s, Tuscan Leather (without raspberry, but there does seem to be a bit of sweetness there). However, I actually feel like this 2018 Ombre Leather, smells more like Godolphin by Parfums de Marly at the start.

It took me a while to remember which Parfums de Marly, was reminding me of the Tom Ford, and had to look up the notes when I got home. Yep, they share the amber, leather, moss, and jasmine notes.

While I like Godolphin, I think that the leather note in this one is utterly fantastic.

It is a very dark sort of fragrance but not some overwhelming monstrosity with heavy spices. Ombre Leather is definitely unisex, dry, and warm; like how they describe the desert in the paragraph above.

The leather aroma smells like a high end jacket fresh off the rack, intense, and you can almost feel its presence in the room. It’s all super supple and smooth.

It does have spice early on. Cardamom and saffron really come through. The cardamom is there after that initial spray, but is the quickest of the notes to begin to fade.

The amber here is honestly not that intense, it kind of lurks in the background, but never really jumped out at me during the wear. Not that it isn’t totally present throughout. It does provide nice support, however.

What I do get during the dry down, is that familiar jasmine aroma, which lightens and adds a floral sweetness to the composition and allows Ombre Leather to become more unisex.

Geeeeezz, the leather and jasmine combo is really great. It’s pretty much what makes this scent for me.

This one is very well blended and can be somewhat difficult to distinguish the notes beyond just the leather at some points. There is a very nice dried outdoorsy spice in this one. Quite earthy moss, vetiver, and patchouli, which isn’t very heavy but does add some depth of character to Ombre Leather.

It does seem to be more vetiver at times, but I’ve seen both it and moss listed as notes…so who knows, how much is there of each. It’s difficult to discern.

Overall, it’s a clean and warm sort of scent, but it does have that rough/dirty side to it. The Western theme of the marketing campaign, actually does seem to fit, unlike so many other ridiculous fragrance adverts over the years.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this one starts out strong. You won’t need more than a few sprays, because it veers into beast mode, at the beginning. It does dry down into something that is much more moderate, but by no means light. Just know, that it can be intense.

The longevity is actually very good, but there are two stages to it. The first is when it is noticeable, which is 6-8 hours of wear.

The second, as a skin scent, which will go on for about 3 more hours. Honestly, in most situations the longevity will be a-ok, for most anybody. It’s just not a 12+ hour ride of crazy loudness.

On clothes, Ombre Leather will go for days on end. Not massive projection that far into it, but you can pick up on it when you’re wearing the item of clothing.

Seasonally, autumn and winter. I don’t think it’d be truly awful in warmer weather, but it is simply great in the cold.

Does it have sex appeal? I think it does, but not everyone likes the smell of rich leather, so it’s not going to be universally beloved like a lot of the most popular fragrances.

Ombre Leather seems to perfectly straddle the line with the elements of masculinity but can still be oh so good on a woman. Wear this one with a leather jacket, or semi-formally, or with formal wear at night.

Overall Impressions of Ombre Leather

Overall, do I like Ombre Leather? Yep. Tom Ford did good with this one. I wasn’t too enthused with Noir Anthracite last year, but man, am I starting to love Ombre.

The leather is some of the best I have ever smelled in a fragrance and I enjoy the overlap it has with a scent like Goldolphin.

If you don’t like leather, then this is obviously not for you. Though, I think that this fragrance should be give a try, if you dig the leather note at all…because the one here, rocks. It takes a different tact than many other leather scents, but still remains familiar and has a nice amount of depth.

Update: Coming back to this in 2022, this might be my favorite leather scent. It’s really great and long lasting. I’ve also compared it to Ombre Leather Parfum, but I still prefer this.

The initial warmth and spice, the jasmine note, that earthy rugged desert vibe lurking underneath. The amber note…Ombre Leather is great. One of Tom Ford’s best.

Eternity for Men by Calvin Klein

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Calvin Klein has a long history in the fragrance market, dating back to the 1980s. The most amazing part of this fact, is that, many of the scents are still best sellers every year, despite the fact they have been around for so long.

One of the colognes, is Eternity for Men, which debuted way back in 1990 and is still going strong. It has been a while since I’d smelled this fragrance, so, I ordered a sample vial to refresh my memory and decided to write a review.

Also see: The Best Calvin Klein Colognes for Men

What does Eternity for Men Smell Like?

eternity

Notes include: lavender, mandarin, basil, jasmine, sage, sandalwood, amber, rosewood, vetiver, geranium

Click here to try: Eternity for Men

My Full Wear Review

What I’ve always appreciated about Eternity is how simple of a scent it is. Not necessarily, in its complexity of notes but more of its consistency and how you know exactly what you’re getting out of it.

There are many colognes out there with severe performance issues or will take on completely different vibes in different environments but this Calvin Klein fragrance always seems consistent.

It’s opening is very clean and crisp. The lavender note is what I detect throughout and helps to give it an almost soapy quality to it, similar to the lavender in a body wash like, Axe Night.

However, those two scent wholly diverge after that, Eternity has a citrus quality to it from the mandarin and lemon notes, which is complemented by an accord of greens.

The notes that are the strongest or most detectable in Eternity for Men are the lavender, sandalwood, and vetiver. It’s a very smooth and calming type of scent which I would describe as masculine without become too dark and heavy.

Again, the citric and floral notes help to lighten this cologne up a bit and make it more appealing.

There is also the herbal spice contingent, lead by sage, which is most noticeable to my nose after the initial wave of the opening few minutes. It of course, gets subsumed somewhat by the soapy aroma, but it is there in varying strengths throughout.

The drydown period is where I think that Eternity really starts to come into its own, as a fragrance. The woody notes, herbal spice, and other earth ingredients play around in the background quite well.

The rosewood and sandalwood combination is great, with the latter being dominant in the composition. It all comes together as green, clean, with the citrus top notes still powering through, this late in the game.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Its projection is good to very good on my skin. I can certainly detect it and so can those around me but not in an overwhelming or offensive way. Is it long-lasting? It’s moderate in that regard.

Not one that I will smell like 10 hours later or anything like that but neither is it a fragrance which will disappear in 2-3 hours. I have gotten 5-7 hours usually out of it depending on the day, environment, what I’m doing, etc.

I’m sure the performance has probably changed over the years, since that is pretty standard with reformulations, and the like. Even if that’s the case, Eternity for Men still holds up well, where so many others have faltered.

Seasonally, it has always struck me as a springtime sort of scent, or during the early days of autumn, before it really gets chilly. Of course, it can go year round if need be, but that’s the impression it gives off in my mind.

It can be worn casually or a daily office wear. It’s clean enough to be at least semi-formal, but doesn’t have that high end quality, really. It is attractive, has a bit of sexiness, but isn’t a scent that will knock anyone’s socks off. Eternity is appreciated well, overall.

It kind of does skew younger in its use case, but doesn’t have a teenager vibe. Older men can wear this, if they are inclined.

Overall Impressions of Eternity for Men

Overall, this is a very attractive scent. Women seem to like it and it is versatile enough to wear on pretty much any occasion. It is not a cologne which is wholly unique and will make you stand out but it is really nice for what it is.

Eternity is a relatively safe and inexpensive choice as a daily wear, with solid performance and attractiveness. I wouldn’t be opposed to having a small bottle around again for myself on those days where I just want something simple.

Eternity for Men holds up well, even after the passing of decades. It’s a modern classic and one that should continue to have fans for the long haul.

It’s not a world changing scent, but one for guys in their late teens to late twenties (and perhaps beyond) to wear when they need a basic and safe cologne. I have begun to really like Eternity Aqua over this one and spray it on during the summer. So, that’s another option.

Lost Cherry by Tom Ford

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Lost Cherry by Tom Ford has pretty quickly become a best seller for the designer. It came out in 2018 and has been one that people seem to enjoy. Maybe it’s the unique use of cherry or the great looking bottle, that it comes in. I recently bought a decant of this perfume to test out. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Lost Cherry by Tom Ford Smell Like?

Notes include: cherry, almond, tonka bean, Turkish rose, jasmine, cinnamon, cedar, and more

Click here to try: Tom Ford LOST CHERRY 3.4OZ / 100ML

My Full Review

Before we get into my review of Lost Cherry, let’s see what Tom Ford has to say about it: “LIKE THE PLUMP FRUIT WAITING TO BE EATEN, LOST CHERRY IS POWERFUL AND INSATIABLE. NOTES OF CHERRY LIQUEUR AND A TOUCH OF BITTER ALMOND DRIP INTO ITS HEART, GLOSSING IT WITH CANDY-LIKE GLEAM.”

The opening of Lost Cherry immediately reveals a warm and sweet blend, naturally led by the cherry note. This opening is very much like a cherry liqueur, but, when combined with the other notes it reminds me of Cherry Dr. Pepper in the syrup form.

Like if you took that soda syrup and then ramped up the cherry aroma, you’d have the start of this perfume. Better yet, like that amaretto mixed drink that mimics the taste and character of Dr. Pepper. But loaded with cherry.

Personally, I dig it. Very sweet and has that gourmand appeal. That will fade away and more of the almond nuttiness will come through, eventually.

The cherry seems to come across in two waves. First, the cherry liqueur. Then, a more naturalistic smelling cherry note. Less overtly sugary sweet and fresher.

This is somewhat different from Lost Cherry, but the La Petite Robe Noire fragrances have a similar aroma to this one, as well. I can’t remember which perfume is the closest to Lost Cherry, but one of them is pretty darn close.

As it dries down, you will be able to better detect the other ingredients beyond cherry. Tonka bean, almond, and some spiciness (cinnamon, mostly) are there and create a delicious aroma. It feels powdery, warm, and with a sweet booziness present throughout.

It stays in that soft and gentle mode from the remainder. Yes, there are some light floral touches from jasmine, and a detectable smokiness…it just doesn’t develop into numerous phases beyond that, on my skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty light to moderate. It seems like it’s going to have a strong projecting ability at first, then it quickly falls in line as a lighter scent.

Don’t expect a bomb, like so many other Tom Ford scents can be, Lost Cherry is pretty subtle.

For me, it does still seem to hang around in the air. Not reaching across the room, but Lost Cherry has a bit more projection than it gets credit for.

The longevity actually isn’t bad on my skin. I’ve read some reviews, where people said it doesn’t last. For me, it lasts pretty well, just not at a strong level. I can get 7-7.5 hours of use out of this one. Great? No, but not a complete joke, by any means.

Seasonally, I’d stick to autumn and winter. It will be great in colder weather, probably up to something more temperate. Anything hotter, I’d pass.

It is a unisex fragrance, but has more of a feminine quality. I mean, one of its strongest comparable scents is a Guerlain perfume for women. But, I’ll still wear it without issue, and it is fine for almost anybody.

Lost Cherry actually has a sexy quality to it. It does grab attention when initially sprayed and is very appealing up close, when it settles. Great for nightlife and casual situations, but not too out of place for something like the workplace. 

 

Overall Impressions of Lost Cherry

Do I like this scent? I do enjoy the smell a lot. Sure, it leans more feminine than most of the fragrances that I usually wear, but it still sits in that unisex category.

I love the smell of cherry and that sort of Dr. Pepper and amaretto aroma, that comes out of the base here. The performance could be better, than what it is. Again, it’s not atrocious, just not a marathon runner.

The question really comes down to price. At $300+ per bottle, is it worthwhile? That’s going to depend on your personal preference. I’d want a bit more strength, if I were going to splurge on a bottle of this.

Update: Instead of Lost Cherry, I went with the ‘inspired by’ Popped Cherry from the Dua Brand, which is a lot less expensive. A very good take, on this fragrance, I reviewed it here: Popped Cherry Review

Plus, this isn’t one I’d wear on the daily. So, I’d have an expensive perfume, with middle of the road performance, and limited use for me personally.

Your case may vary, but I couldn’t justify it. I do enjoy this Tom Ford fragrance, it’s just a bit too much money for one bottle.

Cologne Intense by Houbigant

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Drawing nearly to a close with my men’s fragrance reviews from the last order of samples, I come upon my second Houbigant cologne to take a closer look at. Today, it is the simply named, Cologne Intense.

This scent was released in 2015 under the Houbigant name and has a citrus and herbal character. In this review, I want to take a closer look at how it smells, how it performs, when it can be worn, and whether or not I think that it is worth a purchase.

What does Houbigant Cologne Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: petitgrain, bergamot, neroli, lemon, lavender, pink pepper, tarragon, mate tea

Click here to try: Houbigant Cologne Intense Eau de Parfum Spray, 100 ml

My Full Review

The opening of Cologne Intense is like a citrus based soap with a mix of green and herbal aromas. The mate tea not gives it that herbal feeling and kind of levels out the citrus notes and doesn’t allow them to become too acidic.

The petitgrain is pretty strong at first and definitely give this Houbigant cologne, it’s green sort of element.

After a few minutes, the tarragon note starts to emerge as one of the most dominant notes in this fragrance. It adds a bit of spiciness to the scent to go along with the citrus/soapy/herbal feel that has already been established.

The spiciness never feels all that ‘intense’ to me (nor does the cologne in general) and I think it gets tempered a bit by the lavender.

It does have a dryness to its scent, especially in the latter stages. Dry, greenish, spice, with like a post-shower soapy clean scent on skin, versus a rich lather.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, I think this is pretty moderate, and not really intense. However, while it’s not a heavy scent, it is noticeable for most of the wear. It’s just going to be limited to that 2-4 foot range, from wherever that you sprayed Cologne Intense.

It does have fairly good longevity in the 6-8 hour range. So, it isn’t a crappy performer and will get the job done.

But, for the high-end price, it is rather disappointing to only get close to a full workday, while still possibly falling short of even that.

It seems more like a casual scent and geared more towards guys 30+ years in age. So, casual up to semi-formal wear in the warmer weather. It’s clean, fresh, with a soapy quality to it.

Cologne Intense isn’t going to be a club beast or even one that you’d probably reach for before going on a date.

Spring and summertime would be best with this Houbigant. Though, it would be pretty good in most of the year, outside of the extremes of the thermometer.

Overall Impressions of Cologne Intense

Overall, is Cologne Intense worth a buy? To me, no. I don’t think that it really smells that great. It seems so much like a hand soap or some sort of cleaner.

I don’t find it enjoyable and don’t think it is as good as Fougere Royale by Houbigant (which was good, but not my style).

Cologne Intense lacks intensity, which I think is a good thing, since I don’t enjoy the fragrance. It’s fresh and clean but has way too much of an herbal spice for me to want to wear it. It doesn’t smell atrocious, just not great either. Meh.

Also, coming back to this fragrance years after the initial review, the price is crazy high. Over $200 a bottle for Houbigant Cologne Intense, which moves this one into a complete ‘no’ for me.

Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens

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I’ve been meaning to get around to writing this review for months, but just never buckled down and did it, for some reason. Well, here we are, and I am going to be taking a closer look at Ambre Sultan by Serge Lutens.

This is a fragrance that came out back in the 1990s and has had fans ever since. As usual, I will cover: what the notes are, how it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it is even worth a purchase.

What does Ambre Sultan Smell Like?

Notes include: amber, resin, benzoin, sandalwood, bay leaf, coriander, patchouli, vanilla, oregano

Click here to try: Serge Lutens Ambre Sultan Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 50 Ml

My Full Review

Ambre Sultan opens up with the amber note, that is joined by quite a resinous aroma, and a healthy dose of spice. Coriander, bay leaf, and some herbal spices are fairly heavy at the start of this fragrance.

I was expecting it to be a warmer and sweeter fragrance than it is, but I instead get, a lot of sandalwood and the aforementioned spice notes. It does get somewhat sweeter, as it wears on, but it’s nothing super dramatic.

Ambre Sultan actually has a oriental smokiness to it (incense) and the distinct smell of myrrh. I pick this up, at about 10 minutes after spraying, and it reminds me a lot of other scents that I know I’ve review on this site but cannot recall the name of.

Anyway, as it dries down, it actually does become drier and a hint of vanilla peaks through to make things feel creamier with that sandalwood.

After this first hour or two of wear, you pretty much know what you’re going to get from this Serge Lutens fragrance, as it is pretty linear from here on. It is a dry and smokey resinous smell from the base notes, with some sweet vanilla, a sandalwood, and spice led by a dominant bay leaf note.

Seriously, the bay leaf is much stronger than I figured it’d be in this composition, so be aware of that before you buy.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage isn’t huge but it’s solid. Ambre Sultan is strong enough to get noticed, by people close by, but not across the room.

The longevity is also quite good, clocking in at around 7-8 hours, on my skin. No performance issues with this scent.

Seasonally, this is cold weather all the way. Not necessarily dead of winter, but at least a brisk fall day.

Wearing Ambre Sultan outdoors in such conditions, was a great experience. It has enough power to hang in the air around you, not getting completely blown out by the surrounding smells of the environment.

It has a refined and classy aroma, one that is appropriate for business, semi-formal, or formal occasions. This is a unisex scent and has a certain appeal to it, but I wouldn’t really call it sexy.

It is cozy enough to throw on, if you’re just lounging around the house and are in the mood. Especially, when you get to the dry down phase of the wear.

Overall Impressions of Ambre Sultan

Overall, do I like Ambre Sultan. I do. It’s a really good amber based fragrance and one that is quite different from the norm, in this category. I think it is much more substantial than something like Grand Soir by MFK.

Is it for everyone? No, it’s not a mass market crowd pleaser, but isn’t so niche that everyone around you will hate it.

The bay leaf was a surprise with how much it popped, on my skin. Not anything crazy, but I enjoyed that along with the resinous and smokier aspects of this Serge Lutens perfume.

That opening spice, herbal quality and resin are an interesting start that will transition into a smoother and calmer finish. Plenty of depth and different facets to enjoy here.

It’s just a very well put together scent, for those who want an amber scent with some spice and ‘dirtiness’, but not to the extreme.