By Designer

Vert des Bois by Tom Ford

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Getting back into the Tom Ford fragrance reviews, today, we have another one from the Private Blend collection: Vert des Bois. This is one of the offerings from the ‘Vert’ series, on fragrances which really focus on the green notes. How does this one stack up? What does Vert des Bois smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Vert des Bois Smell Like?

Notes include: plum, olive leaf, poplar, anise, jasmine, mastic, and patchouli

Click here to try: TOM FORD VERT DES BOIS EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 1.7 oz / 50 ML

My Full Review

The opening of Vert des Bois is very green, as you’d expect from the name. Poplar buds and olive leaf are joined by a distinct anise note and a healthy dose of patchouli. At the heart is a solid wood structure, but at the start, there is a sweet plum note, and a bit of the oily olive smell.

I know, it sounds weird and shouldn’t work, but it actually does. It’s listed as a part of an ouzo accord, which while I am familiar with the name, I’ve never actually had. So, I can’t really speak to its aroma.

The plum note isn’t around for too long and isn’t all that strong while it is. I thought it might play a stronger role, when I saw the ingredients list, but nope.

Vert des Bois is quite a natural smelling fragrance, and about 20 minutes into the wear, I get the emergence of a jasmine note, which takes away some of the initial spiciness of the anise. At this point, it is a smooth wood and floral combination, with that olive leaf and the patchouli.

There’s also a really great smoky note that is sitting gently in the background of this perfume, which adds another level to the rich Greek nature theme.

From there on, this Private Blend scent, stays roughly on the same path. The jasmine weakens and it becomes more wood dominant, with the poplar really taking hold. It is flanked by olive and patchouli, among some other woodsy aromas.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage on Vert des Bois, isn’t terribly strong. It strikes me as more of a moderate, but it is noticeable, and consistent throughout the wear.

That initial 30-45 minutes does create a nice enough scent trail. It’ll probably reach in the 5-8 foot range, at its peak, before retreating closer.

The longevity is really good. I got somewhere in the 8-10 hour range of wear, I kind of lost track, but it was going strong well into the evening. I wouldn’t doubt the ability to routinely get double digit hours. You do get your money’s worth in terms of the performance.

So, Vert des Bois, is very green but it doesn’t seem like it falls strictly into the spring or winter months for wear. I had it on during a warm spring day and it worked fine, without issue.

It is also definitely a unisex fragrance for most of the time, pretty much square in the middle of the spectrum, not overly manly or feminine. Then, it does dry down quite woody, and masculine. Another well blended Tom Ford scent.

Overall Impressions of Vert des Bois

Overall, do I like Vert des Bois? I do. Though, it is much more of a niche scent, than many others that I review here. It is a really unique fragrance, that captures a natural Mediterranean woods concept very well, but I’m not sure who it is for specifically.

Someone will have to be in the market specifically for what this offers, because while it does what its designed to very well, it’s not a mass appeal sort of scent. If you like green, woody, with notes you’d associate with Greece, Vert des Bois is a great choice.

The performance is great. I enjoy the mix of unique notes, which often don’t get used or at least not paired together. It’s for sure one of the more unique mainstream designer offerings.

The olive tree wood, the great anise, mastic, and even a little plum. It does become more of a traditional jasmine and woods aroma, as it dries down. But, it’s still uniquely attractive, fresh, and with a smoky background.

Not one for the masses, but a cool option to wear from Tom Ford.

Dolce Shine by Dolce & Gabbana

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Dolce Shine is one of the more recent releases from D&G’s Dolce collection of perfumes. This one came out in 2020, in a yellow bottle, with the standard black bow. I picked up a sample to test out recently for review. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it even worth a try?

What does Dolce Shine Smell Like?

Notes include: mango, grapefruit, quince, jasmine, solar orange blossom, salt accord, blond woods, white musk, and Australian sandalwood

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Dolce Shine Eau De Parfume Spray For Women, Blue, 2.5 Ounce

My Full Review

Before we get into my personal review, let’s see how D&G describes Shine: The accords of colorful juicy mango and bright jasmine combine with sundrenched blond woods to create the new solar and fruity floral Dolce Shine Eau de Parfum.

Shine does indeed open up with a juicy mango note, which is also paired with a grapefruit note, giving it a bright tropical feeling. Parts of this perfume really has a beachy sort of vibe. There are solar infused notes, a creamy suntan lotion undertone, and a dash of salt.

Not to say that this is an aquatic or anything, it definitely isn’t. However, the vibe of a sunny day spent along the beach is totally there. The ‘solar’ notes have been used by a lot of fragrances over the past handful of years and the trend doesn’t seem to be slowing.

The creaminess of the floral notes and sandalwood is a really great addition to the composition. I know the jasmine is supposed to be the main attraction out of the floral notes, but I honestly get a fairly equal amount of the orange blossom. Particularly, early on in the wear.

Then, there is also a tuberose which seems to overtake the jasmine note, as well. By that point, the orange blossom for me is almost non-existent. Which isn’t great, since that is one of my favorite floral ingredients.

That’s about what I get for the rest of the way.  A somewhat tropical floral scent with a creamy/buttery finish and fruity undertones. Not a super complicated one, but I like the smell quite a lot.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Dolce Shine isn’t a heavy fragrance, nor does it really project itself all that far. It’s soft and sunny, but does manage to hang around, so that you catch whiffs of it during the wear.

But, on the whole, I’d say that it’s a touch above average, especially early on. You do get a 45-60 minute period of time, in which it does have decent amount of projection. Maybe 4-6 feet from the skin, at its peak. After that, much closer 1-3 foot radius for the rest of the way.

On my skin, it lasts 6-6.5 hours. Not great, but fairly standard. Shine isn’t a powerhouse or a workhorse, so don’t expect something that’s going to be an all day wear.

Seasonally, spring and summer. I’d go more with the summertime versus spring, as you’ll probably have a greater number of casual daytime opportunities to wear it. It doesn’t come across as something to wear in the colder months. Many other options for that.

It is a versatile wear. Shine isn’t going to offend nor blow out the room, so, you could wear it to work or school. It’s great as a casual daytime wear or for many other occasions. It’s pretty and attractive, just not a sexy nightlife monster kind of perfume.

Mostly going to serve as something to wear around town or whatever daytime function that you have to attend to.

Overall Impressions of Dolce Shine

Do I like this fragrance? I do enjoy the scent, particularly the opening act with the mango. I don’t have many complaints about the aroma itself, but the performance isn’t all that great.

I would’ve liked it to be a bit stronger and hang around for at least a few more hours. If that were the case, this would be an excellent value play for warmer weather. As it stands, it is interesting and has its merits, but not something that is a must have.

The good news, is that this will probably be on sale at some point fairly soon, and could be added to someone’s rotation. Good, but not something that I’d necessarily want to come back to again and again.

Shine is one of the better smelling D&G releases from this line. The performance is mid, but the aroma itself is worthwhile. Just don’t overpay and it should work out fine.

6 Perfumes Similar to Chanel Chance

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Chance by Chanel is one of the best selling ladies’ fragrances of the past decade or so. It’s just one that has its legion of followers, who will swear by it. The one main issue is, you’re going to be paying Chanel prices in order to enjoy it. Which then begs the question, are there any cheaper fragrances that smell comparable to Chance? In this post, I present 6 options that can competently do the job (If you’re looking for scents like Eau Tendre, that’s my post).

What Fragrances Smell Similar to Chanel Chance?

Poker Cheapie 

Milton-Lloyd Cosmetics | Poker | Parfum De Toilette | Spray for Women | 0 | 1.7 oz– If you want something pretty close to how Chance smells, but costs under $15 per bottle…Poker is it.

Milton Lloyd actually does a great job with most of its inspired by fragrances and Poker is an example of such. Poker is closer to smelling like the aroma of Chance EDT, though, it’s not an exact match. This one doesn’t have the same depth and has more of a fruity aroma versus the Chanel.

However, for the price, you’re not going to do better. It opens up with a nice and soft citrusy aroma, that takes on the powdery and musky qualities of the base notes. The performance is actually pretty darn good for such a cheapie, but you may have to spray a bit more than usual for the same effect.

Inspired Dossier

Woody Hyacinth by Dossier– The next three perfumes on the list, I haven’t tried. However, they are all ‘inspired’ by Chanel Chance, and I have used other designer inspired fragrances from each of these brands in the past.

I will say, that this Dossier has some mixed reviews, as to its accuracy in matching our target. Can’t say that it’s true, but there are also plenty who seem to think that it hits the mark. The ones that I have tried, were all pretty solid or very good.

But, maybe you give it a try?

Another Chance Taken

Leave it To Chance by Dua– So, Dua is a brand that I have faith in their quality. I’ve owned 7 full bottles from them, as well as, smaller travel sprayers. They do a great job at getting as close as possible to the aroma of the designer scents.

Leave it To Chance is their inspired version of the 2003 original formula of Chance EDT. It’s about $4 ($33 as of posting) more than the Dossier. Which if you wanted to try all three of these types on the list, it’d still be cheaper than one bottle of the real thing in most cases.

Impressions

Cherasco by Fragrenza– This is the third potential alternative, which attempts to come close to our Chanel target. The good news about Fragraenza, is that you don’t have to commit to a full bottle, and can buy a smaller sample to test out.

Again, I haven’t tried this one. But, I did try their inspired versions of BR 540, some Kilian’s, Lost Cherry, Bitter Peach, etc. The quality was there and the brand does come pretty close, if not completely exact to what they’re trying to match.

Performance was good with all of the scents that I tried, so, I doubt that this one is any different.

Similar Smell, but Distinct

Vince Camuto Femme Eau de Parfum Spray, 3.4 Fl Oz–  Camuto Femme isn’t one to one of Chance’s structure, but it hits a lot of the same beats, at a more affordable price. Not nearly as inexpensive as Poker, but it’s not going to break the bank.

To me, the main difference seems to be having less of the patchouli note or musk, depending on whether you’re comparing it to Chance EDP or EDT.

Camuto feels like a cleaner citrus, with a nice dry down period where the vetiver really shines. Not a super powerful scent, but the performance is certainly passable.

Love Spice

Perry Ellis Love Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Ounce– Love by Perry Ellis actually mimics both Chance and Coco Mademoiselle to some extent. A bit closer to the Chance side of things, but it provides you with another affordable close option.

This is a bit heavier on the spices, while still retaining a great citrus aroma. Other than the rose, the floral notes here aren’t going to be the same, and that’s probably the biggest difference between them. Even that note is a light one.

Love has a somewhat light projection once it settles. However, the performance overall is good and it’ll last for most (if not all) of a workday.

Light Blue Forever by D&G

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Light Blue Forever was the flanker release in the Light Blue series for 2021. Since I’ve been reviewing all of the men’s scents from this D&G lineup, I figured that I should do some more of the women’s as well. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Light Blue for Women Forever Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, apple, blood orange, musk, orange blossom, white flowers, cedar, cashmeran

Click here to try: Light Blue Forever

My Full Review

So, the men’s version of Forever changed things up with a hyper-realistic grapefruit note. I was expecting something like that with the women’s. However, it seems to be an updated remix of the original Light Blue.

The apple note and the cedar are toned down in Forever versus the original. But, up top you get that same lemon note, joined by blood orange, and a pretty prominent orange blossom. Very juicy citrus opening, that I actually like quite a bit.

The balance among the fruit notes is better here, than the original. Since the cedar note isn’t blasting your nose, it’s not as woody fresh, but that lovely citrus and apple blend is keeping the clean sunny vibes going.

The lemon will quiet down some and the blood orange with orange blossom emerge as the leaders of the pack. It feels sweeter, more floral, and less tart than Light Blue.

Further along, it will be more of a white floral scent, with fruity tones, musk, and some light woody notes. Cashmeran comes out some in the final act.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one starts to really approach the original and Intense, unlike some of the earlier flankers. Others in the Light Blue series could be pretty light with how they project. This one, is well above average and actually performs very well on my skin.

As far as longevity, it lasts 8-8.5 hours for me. Again, it’s not a scent that’s just going to fade away. Those other flankers could be in the 4-6 hour range, so you get some value with Forever.

Seasonally, obviously we’re going to be late spring and early summer. It’s built for the warmer weather and sits beautifully in the air.

It’s good for casual or just general daytime wear. If you go lightly with Forever, it can be pretty versatile with its applications. More of a pretty fragrance than something that’s super sexy. Yet, it certainly has its appeal.

Overall Impressions of Light Blue Forever

Overall, do I like Light Blue Forever? Yes, it’s nothing that’s super unique but it’s about what you’d expect from a Light Blue scent. Very clean and fresh summertime wear, lots of citrus, and neroli.

If you’re not into the citrus ingredients, you can pretty safely pass on this one. If you like the original Light Blue, you might actually prefer this, if the cedar bothered you in that one.

The performance is really good and the scent has some enjoyable moments. I like the dry down more so probably, since the fruit overload could get on my nerves at times.

Forever is probably a pretty safe blind buy, if you’re familiar with the Light Blue fragrances already. If intense citrus bothers you, this might. Yet, it’s pretty easy to wear overall. It’s already been discontinued, so supplies are going to be much more limited moving forward.

Light Blue Sunset in Salina by D&G

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Sunset in Salina is one of the flankers from the women’s Light Blue line. It was released back in 2015. Since I am currently finishing up my review of all of the men’s Light Blue colognes, I took the opportunity to pick up a few more for the ladies, including Salina. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Sunset in Salina smell like?

Notes include: orange blossom, vine, violet leaf, amber, freesia, jasmine, musk, cedar

Click here to try: Sunset in Salina

My Full Review

This is going to be a different take on the Light Blue name and doesn’t have too much in common with the original, other than a few notes.

It starts off with the orange blossom already out in full effect. Now, this is not just the flower itself, but there does seem to be a little zest of the fruit too.

It’s a slightly citrusy white floral start, with an ozonic breeziness and a touch aquatic. The aquatic aspect is actually just the freesia and violet leaf doing their thing. Luckily for me, the violet leaf isn’t too heavy in the mix.

Another part that I want to touch on, is the greenish aroma that Sunset in Salina has. Vine and that violet leaf, give this one a fresh leafy boost, that I think works really well. It’s like sitting in a flower garden on the Italian coast during summer.

For a time, this does feel a bit more violet leaf heavy. When mixed with the other notes, it has a hair spray sort of vibe for a time. For me, it does go away.

A bit further along, the greenish parts will start to fade. This becomes much more of a white floral dominant scent. Orange blossom still reigns supreme followed by, jasmine and freesia.

Very clean and not nearly as woody fresh as the original. The cedar is still here, but it’s a faint impression in the dry down.

The final act is a more run together mix of the floral notes, a surprisingly strong amber giving Salina a warm resinous quality, and musk.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is pretty middle of the road. It comes across as being lighter than others in the series, without much of a trail left behind. The projection, outside of the opening, is like 2 or maybe 3 feet. Not a beast at all.

The longevity too isn’t great. It’s okay at around 5-5.5 hours, on my skin. I don’t have too much of a problem with it for what the use case of this perfume is. Unless you really over-payed, it shouldn’t be too much of an issue.

Seasonally, late spring and summer, depending on where you live. Sunset in Salina is built for the hottest days and its light cleanliness hangs very nicely in the air.

This is more of a casual or daily wear for the summer months. Not a nightlife beast or one that is particularly sexy. It lives up to its name, as I could totally see this as something a woman would wear walking through an island market or sitting outdoors for a drink in the Mediterranean.

Overall Impressions of Sunset in Salina

Overall, do I like Sunset in Salina? Yes, I was surprised that I enjoyed this Light Blue as much as I did. Based on the notes, I wasn’t sure that I was going to be into it. It’s not amazing or a must have, just very nice for a specific season.

The orange blossom is nice and so is the dry down, with the amber and musk. Much smoother and less green at that point, even if I personally enjoyed the vine note early on.

It’s got the same spirit as the rest of the series, but doesn’t just try to clone Light Blue.

Performance isn’t great. If you need an 8+ hour wear, you probably won’t get it with this one. My skin doesn’t tend to ‘eat up’ perfumes and I still only managed the 5 or so hours with Salina.

Light Blue Sunset in Salina does seem to be one that has split opinions on it. As such, I wouldn’t grab an expensive bottle, if you’re blind buying.

Though, since it came out years ago at this point, the cheapies may be harder to come by. $50-70 seems like an okay range, under $40 it’s a pretty safe buy.

To me, it’s worth a shot, especially if it sounds interesting to you.