By Designer

La Panthere Legere by Cartier

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I’m doing a whole new batch of reviews on the site, which will include dozens of perfumes and colognes, that I’ve been testing out. One such fragrance is the subject of today’s review, La Panthere Legere from Cartier. How does this one smell? Does it perform well? Is it worth a try?

What does La Panthere Legere Smell Like?

Notes include: musk, gardenia, tiare, oakmoss, fruits

Click here to try: Cartier La Panthere Legere Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, 3.3 Ounce 

My Full Wear Review

La Panthere Legere opens up with a fairly sweet floral and fruit blend. I can smell some citrus and perhaps some peach in there, as well. Mainly, what I pick up is gardenia.

The gardenia sits absolutely beautifully in the presence of the fruit notes, which have a drier, rather than juicy aroma. Joining this flower is both the tiare flower and musk. To my nose, the musk is light, and doesn’t get in the way of the rest of the ingredients.

What I do really enjoy is the tiare notes, which is delightful when it blends with the soft fruit mix, that’s sitting in the background of this scent. It gives this Cartier perfume, a very faint tropical kind of vibe.

Though, it doesn’t stray too far into that territory. I don’t think the fruit mix is actually too tropical, but it gives you some nice sweetness to contrast against the floral earthiness of this perfume.

As I get further along into the wear, this starts to take on a clean oak moss scent. Between that, the musk, and the florals it can have a somewhat soapy aroma, at times.

Ultimately, it straddles the line between that and powder. Nonetheless, you’re going to get something that is clean, and different points with either gardenia or tiare dominance.

Longevity, Sillage, and Versatility

The projection on this one is fairly strong. It’s capable of being over-sprayed, but it doesn’t come across as a heavy bomb. It’s light enough to not be annoying (with normal spraying), but still has enough sillage, to make itself known.

The longevity is really good. I got about 9 hours on my skin. It also, doesn’t just crap out and become a weak scent, but remains pretty consistent during the entirety.

I don’t know if it’s capable of going beyond nine hours or so. That should be enough for most purposes though.

Seasonally, it feels more like a springtime fragrance, but it would be fine in anything other than extreme heat. Find something else for summer. But, when it’s warm and even slightly breezy, this one really came alive during my testing of it.

This could be a good option for daily wear at the office, casually, or for more formal wear. It is attractive and somewhat pretty, but not really a ‘sexy’ sort of perfume.

Legere is a perfume that exudes a good deal of confidence and is well put together. So, that’s the style I’d lean towards wearing it with.

If wearing in an enclosed space, I’d go lighter on the sprays with this one. Again, it’s not a monster with the projection, but it can be deceptively strong. The moss and musk are great outside, though.

Overall Impression of La Panthere Legere

Do I like this perfume? Yes, I actually think that it’s better than La Panthere, from what I can remember of that perfume.

The opening act, is the best aspect of this scent. When the fruit notes are around at full strength, to go along with the gardenia and tiare, it’s a really great experience.

The dry down is good, much more geared towards oak moss and musk, but there is still the floral notes hanging around.

I tend to like the parts in the dry down that feel more powdery rather than being soapy clean. Nonetheless, it still never feels like it’s straying too far one way or the other, to my nose.

Performance is very good and you get a very wearable, pleasant fragrance. Legere is a scent that will probably appeal to those in their late 20s and up. It’s not stuffy or out of date, but is one that has a certain maturity level.

La Panthere Legere is a Cartier fragrance that is worthy of trying out, if this all sounds like something you might be into.

Baiser Vole EDP by Cartier

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Cartier has a whole host of good perfumes, which can get overlooked in comparison to the best sellers in the world of fragrance. Yet, they are always consistent with releases and multiple flankers will get released of these formulas thereafter.

One of the more popular lines is Baiser Vole. It’s a rather simple scent that I’ve appreciated for quite a while. How does the EDP smell? When should it be worn? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Baiser Vole Smell Like?

Notes include: lily, citrus, green notes

Click here to try: Cartier Baiser Vole Eau De Perfume Spray for Women, 3.3 Ounce

cartier vole edp review

My Full Review

Here’s how Cartier describes it: The fragrance of a majestic yet elusive flower: the lily is recreated for the first time, from the freshness of the leaf, the floral scent of the petal and the powdery fragrance of the stamen.

Baiser Vole EDP is one that is pretty simplistic in its presentation. For one, you have to know up front that this is almost all about the lily note.

It starts off green with watery undertones. Maybe a bit of the citrus. However, it isn’t a heavy juicy citrus. More like water flavored with some squeezed citrus juice.

Very clean with a bit of spiciness to it. The petals of the lily are pretty prominent early on. The powdery stamen, as Cartier talks about, is there as well.

At times, this is a greenish dew covered stem and floral. At other times, you get more of the powder. Basically, the entire experience of the lily in a Cartier bottle.

A fresh and clean floral scent with spicy undertones from Cartier. Baiser Vole is a beautiful and elegant perfume that never overpowers. Baiser Vole is a lily heavy fragrance, so, enjoying this floral note is a requirement for this one.

It starts out with a green, somewhat watery lily, with citrus notes playing a support role. Then, it becomes much more of the petals of the flower itself, with a sweet creamy undertone. It’s a lightly projecting fragrance, with naturalistic notes, and solid longevity.

Baiser Vole keeps things extremely simple, but it still makes the cut as one of the best from this brand. Lots of lily petal and stem, with a watery quality and the citrus influences coming in.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one leaves a moderate scent trail behind the wearer with enough sprays. It’ll project off of the skin well, just not super far. Maybe 4-6 feet, during the first two hours or so.

After that, it is more of a personal scent bubble or one for those who get closer to you.

But, the performance in terms of longevity is actually pretty good. It seems to stick on my skin for up to 7.5 hours, at least during testing. I’m not sure that it is much more capable beyond that, but it isn’t bad even in its lighter strength.

Seasonally, you’re going to want to wear this one in the spring and summer months. That’s when it’s at its most beautiful. Moderate temperatures to warmer weather is when Baiser Vole shines.

Wearing it outside during the day, with a nice breeze going, was a very nice experience.

Baiser Vole is more of a daytime wear. But, within that it is safe for work, can go casual, or even more dressed up. Lots of opportunities to wear this fragrance.

Not a particularly sexy or nightlife beast, though. If that’s an important quality you’re looking for, go with something else.

Overall Impressions of Baiser Vole

Overall, do I like Baiser Vole EDP? I do. But, this is also one that won’t be on everyone’s radar. You’re going to have to like lily as a note and understand that it is the entire basis of the fragrance going into it.

I like the clean and green freshness that you get with Baiser Vole. The dewy aroma and light spice is enjoyable, if not being all that complex. It’s an easy to wear and rather elegant perfume, that can definitely serve as one’s signature scent.

The longevity is pretty good, even with the lighter to moderate sillage that you’re going to get with this Cartier. I don’t find it to be weak or anything, just not a spectacular performer on the whole.

Simple? Yes. Boring? I don’t think so. Maybe some others find Baiser to be bland, but I enjoy the focus on lily, even though it isn’t a favorite floral note of mine. Still, this Cartier perfume has plenty to offer and is well worth trying out.

Guilty Absolute Pour Femme EDP by Gucci

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Gucci Guilty is the staple of both the brand’s men and women’s fragrance lineup. There have been updates and new flankers over the past half-decade plus once Gucci got a new creative director. The Pour Femme line has a multitude of choices, that I’m working my way through reviewing. Absolute Pour Femme is today’s entry to the reviews. How does it smell? Is it worth a try?

What does Guilty Absolute Pour Femme Smell Like?

Notes include: bergamot, blackberry, pink pepper, Bulgarian rose, cypress, golden wood, vetiver, patchouli, amber

Click here to try: Absolute Pour Femme

absolute femme review

My Full Review

Here’s how Gucci describes it:  Gucci Guilty Absolute Pour Femme is created using a particular blend with a structure that remains unchanged from the first time it is applied to the skin. Goldenwood is complemented with a mysterious note of blackberry, creating a non-traditional chypre fruity fragrance for a contemporary woman. The fragrance’s composition is intensified with patchouli oils and Bulgarian rose.

The blackberry note is the main focus here and it’s great. I love the juiciness and pairing with a light bergamot citrus as well. The pink pepper gives it a tiny bit of spice, but really doesn’t have too much of an impact.

Like the men’s version of Absolute, Pour Femme is a very woody take on the Guilty name. The same cypress and golden wood notes are present here. However, that’s about all they share, as this one is way less intense and smoky.

Aside from woods and fruits, you get further support from a nice pinkish rose and the patchouli base. The patchouli actually doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb here, more so helps to add an edible quality to the blackberry.

Guilty Absolute does a fantastic job at avoiding becoming too much of a girly/sugary/fruity mess. No, this one is dark and has a well-rounded sexiness about it. Deep woods, naturalistic green smells, and that awesome berry note highlighting it all.

Rose has its time to shine, after about an hour of wear. That will subside and the blackberry will sit on top of woods with some of that smokiness that’s found in the men’s version. Once again, the men’s version is a lot bolder on that front.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one isn’t super powerful and is pretty moderate for the duration. I do get some power out of it early on. I’d say it’ll hit about 7 feet from the skin at its peak. Closer to 3-5 for the majority of the wear.

Not crazy, but you get a nice bubble.

The longevity also goes for like 7.5 hours on me, maximum. On clothes, it goes for days. I sprayed it on an old t-shirt and it hung around for a long time. But, if you don’t want to ruin your fabric, the performance is just above average.

Seasonally, it’ll work in any, so long as it’s not too hot. So, most of the summer will be a no go, in most regions. Outside of that, it’s go time. Personally, I think if it’s a little chilly, Absolute Pour Femme would be awesome.

This is also a great perfume for those who want some versatility. It’s not obnoxious, so, it’s safe in most daytime scenarios. But, it’s also stylish and attractive enough for the nightlife.

Overall Impressions of Guilty Absolute Pour Femme

Overall, do I like this fragrance? Yes, I think that this is the best of the Guilty Pour Femme lineup. It’s a very good perfume.

The blackberry and deep woods combination helps to give this one a different feeling from others in the line and it stands out from the bunch, in my mind.

I love the fruit note, the darkness here, and the mix of the traditional cypress and their own smoky golden wood ingredient.

The performance is good enough. It isn’t amazing, on me at least. I do wish it had a bit more consistent strength. Though, I wasn’t all that disappointed.

Guilty Absolute also feels pretty unique. There’s nothing that I can think of which smells exactly like it, but it seems familiar at the same time.

You get a versatile, sexy, and easy to wear scent that doesn’t do anything poorly. It is definitely worth a try and a pretty safe blind buy, as well. Is it the greatest thing ever? Nope, but it delivers most of what you want in a perfume.

Ombre Leather Parfum by Tom Ford

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Ombre Leather Eau de Parfum is one of my favorite entries from the Tom Ford line. When the brand released a 2021 Parfum version, I was really intrigued at giving it a try. Well, I’ve been testing it out and am now ready to post my review to the site. How does it smell? Is it as good?

What does Ombre Leather Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: leather, violet leaf, jasmine, orris, cedar, tobacco

Click here to try: Ombre Leather Parfum

My Full Review

Here’s how Tom Ford describes it: OMBRÉ LEATHER PARFUM INTENSIFIES THE ORIGINAL SCENT, FUSING HEATED LEATHER FLORALS WITH WOODS–CAPTURING THE UNBRIDLED SENSUALITY OF THE AMERICAN WEST.

Well, I don’t think there’s anything any more intense about Parfum versus the EDP. Actually, that one starts and finishes with a heavier boldness.

Parfum isn’t as warm and doesn’t have that cardamom spice up top. Instead, we get a lighter and cooler aroma at first versus EDP.

The violet leaf note really sets the tone. Watery to an extent, with its greenish floral aroma, giving the leather a cleaner feeling than the somewhat earthy example of the EDP.

Cedar, jasmine, and the orris note also come into the picture. The jasmine note won’t be as prominent as in the original, but it still does a lot next to the more dominant violet leaf.

Yes, the orris note is present. It gives Parfum whiffs of a light powdery smell, but really not too heavy.

This is fresher and never has that same dryness. Cedar bolsters the base and a general woodiness just sits underneath the leather and violet leaf.

Tobacco is a newer addition to this. Again, another light note that adds some sweetness and an overall smoother experience.

In the end, it does become dominated by the leather. If EDP was an older, beat up type of leather, this is a brand new jacket.

Leather, the violet leaf/jasmine combo, and woods. That’s the dry down, on me.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

With the longevity here, I still get the same 9-11 hours total on skin, like the EDP. But, whereas that gives me 6-8 hours of strong wear before become a skin scent. Parfum will go 5-6 and then be much softer.

The performance is by no means bad, but on my skin it is actually a slight step back from the original.

Seasonally, Ombre Leather Parfum is still mostly in the autumn and winter camp. Though, it has much more of an ability to be a late springtime wear versus the original. It’s lighter style is beneficial in that environment, holding up better in the heat.

Also, while both are unisex fragrances. Parfum is much more universal in its wear-ability. The original can be earthier and more animalic. With the violet leaf here, plus the lack of intensity from the cardamom and patchouli notes of the original.

This is an attractive scent. Good for nightlife. But, just know that not everyone appreciates the smell of leather, so it isn’t going to be universally beloved.

Overall Impressions of Ombre Leather Parfum

Overall, do I like Ombre Leather Parfum? I do. It shares plenty of overlap with the original, but takes things in a bit of a different direction.

I was worried about the leather and violet leaf before trying this. It could’ve veered more into the Fahrenheit by Dior direction, which isn’t a bad scent, but not one of my favorites.

This is a cleaner representation of the leather, actually can be a bit suede like. There is some tobacco and orris which gives it a smoother finish. Not all that powdery, but there is just a hint at times.

The jasmine that I loved in the EDP is also still here. Now, it splits weight with the violet leaf, which is just isn’t as good as the original.

Ombre Leather Parfum is a lighter version of this fragrance and probably will have a greater appeal in that regard.

Personally, I don’t like the smell of this one as much as the EDP. It’s still up there, just a notch below the eau de parfum.

Performance is also very good. So, which Ombre Leather you should go with is going to boil down to your personal taste, and not anything glaringly wrong with either. Softer, semi-aquatic suede? Or heavier earthier leather?

Paris-Riviera by Chanel

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Les Eaux de Chanel is a newer series of fragrances from the famous French design house. I’ve tested out the first five from the line and have been posting my reviews of each. Today, it is going to be my thoughts on Paris-Riviera. How does it smell? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Paris-Riviera Smell Like?

Notes include: orange, neroli, petitgrain, sandalwood, jasmine, musk, benzoin

Click here to try: Paris-Riviera by Chanel

My Full Review

Here’s how Chanel describes it: A fresh, solar fragrance that evokes the carefree charm of the French Riviera, where Gabrielle Chanel built her villa, La Pausa.

Paris-Riviera starts off with a burst of zesty citrus and neroli. The citrus is mostly made up of orange, but I do detect a bit of the bergamot note, the designer seems to use in other perfumes.

The zest of that citrus is joined by the dominant neroli note and petitgrain. Both of which have their own citrus aromas and the green freshness of the petitgrain also plays a big role at this early stage.

This one isn’t sweet. The fragrance does have more of a bitter orange aroma, especially during the latter part that the citrus sticks around.

Paris-Riviera does remind me a lot of the array of Tom Ford summertime fragrances, that utilize neroli. So, could serve as an alternative to those who are fans of those scents.

It’s not too heavy or sharp, but has a fresh and clean energetic kind of aroma to it. The jasmine note does come in for me, taking over the neroli as the heavier weighting, but early it’s about the neroli. Though, it’s never too lopsided either way.

The jasmine will be joined by a general muskiness and benzoin note, which gives this some resinous highlights during the dry down. Paris-Riviera becomes less about zesty citrus and more of a soapy and indeed drier perfume.

Jasmine, sandalwood, neroli, and that benzoin/muskiness. Sandalwood really seems to make a late push with this and Riviera ends up being a woody floral…not wholly the citrus floral, that started things out.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this one is pretty moderate. Probably on the lighter side of the moderate spectrum. Though, I think that it has a fairly strong peak in the beginning. With normal sprays, you should get a little scent trail from it.

On the whole, I found it to be just fine during testing. Noticeable, while note being particularly in your face about it.

Paris-Riviera seems to hit the 4-6 foot mark, in terms of how far it will project off of my skin. Not bad, but this isn’t a powerhouse.

The longevity is in the 6-7 hour range. Again, not spectacular, but solid and pretty useful for this style of perfume. Really about what the other Les Eaux fragrances give you in terms of hours of wear.

Seasonally, this is spring and summer all the way. Clean, fresh, and upbeat with bright aroma in the early stages.

It does have pretty good versatility within that seasonal context. It’s much much more of a daytime sort of fragrance. Casual, semi-formal, or work is fine.

It’s a pleasant aroma, but not something that is going to be wildly attractive or sexy. Not really a Chanel that is built for the nightlife.

Overall Impressions of Paris-Riviera

Overall, do I like Paris-Riviera? I do like it. It’s not a love for me, but I find it to be an enjoyable enough perfume. As of now, I’d rank it as my fourth favorite from the Les Eaux de Chanel line of scents.

I thought that I might like this one more than I actually do, going into the testing. It’s a fine fragrance, probably a bit too expensive based on what you get with Chanel prices. Likeable and certainly nothing offensive even amid the periods of greater intensity.

The opening might be a mixed back for some people. It can have a cleaner-like aroma, but I don’t find it to be too off-putting. The citrus is the usual Chanel fare, with the petitgrain and neroli too, it might overwhelm some folks.

However, the dry down is particularly nice. Soft and low key. But, the sandalwood and benzoin mixing with a more balanced floral presentation works well for this perfume.

Good performance for a summer scent, just don’t expect anything amazing. That being said, this is a good Chanel perfume, just not a top tier option. So, you may not want to pay their prices just to own it.

Paris-Riviera isn’t a must have, but certainly worth a try, if this sounds like it could fit your personal style.