Tom Ford

Soleil Brulant by Tom Ford

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Soleil Brulant was released by Tom Ford in 2021, as a part of the now extensive Private Collection from the brand. I’ve enjoyed the other Soleil fragrances in the line and was fairly interested in trying this one out. I grabbed a sample of it recently to test Brulant and give it my full review. How does it smell? When should it be worn? Is it worth a try?

What does Soleil Brulant Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, bergamot, peppercorn, leather, vetiver, amber, orange flower, honey

Click here to try: Soleil Brulant

My Full Review

Before we get into my review, let’s see how Tom Ford describes it: CAPTURES THE HIGH-SHINE BRILLIANCE OF THE GOLDEN SUN BEAMING ON A PRIVATE OASIS. THE SUNKISSED FRESHNESS OF MANDARIN AND BERGAMOT MINGLES WITH SPICY PINK PEPPERCORN, GIVING WAY TO AN ORNATE AND REGAL FLORAL HEART WHILE ORANGE FLOWER ABSOLUTE AND A NOTE OF RADIANT BLACK HONEY RELEASE A SEDUCTIVE VAPOR. THE BACKGROUND BRINGS THE BURNISHED WARMTH OF DECADENT AMBER EMBELLISHED WITH RESINS AND WOODS. AN AIR OF VETIVER AND LEATHER STOKES THE SMOKINESS OF EXTRAVAGANT INCENS

Soleil Brulant opens like a spiced honey blend with a hint of bright citrus to lighten things up a bit. The perfume feels quite resinous, but not super heavy. Immediately, you do get the burning sun-drenched quality of the fragrance. Some smoky incense, but it’s not overwhelming the composition.

It’s a unique sort of smell for sure, though, there’s something in here that reminds me of one of the Serge Lutens fragrances that I’ve reviewed…not sure which. It might be the orange flower note.

Brulant isn’t a very sweet fragrance, especially early on.. It feels dry with an amber/honey resin, on top of that familiar Tom Ford leather note. 

After that initial wave of peppercorn, the orange flower comes more into play. That’s when I start to take to Soleil Brulant. I like the burnt honey quality mixing with the floral accord and the woody/leathery base. 

The final dry down actually sweetens up, in comparison to the opening act. The amber and honey, have a smooth and actually somewhat creamy quality. Still white orange flower, but overall less of the burnt or spicy qualities that I encountered early on. 

It’s calmer and just more enjoyable without the stronger spiced kicks. The amber gets to come through, without having to fight for attention.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

In terms of the sillage, it really isn’t a loud projecting kind of fragrance. Actually, pretty moderate for most of the wear. I’d say that it’s above average overall and you will notice it. But, I didn’t get the feeling I was going to blow out the room while wearing Brulant.

The longevity is actually good. I usually got around 8 hours during testing. Sometimes, it’d creep up to 9 full hours on my skin. The good news is, that it stayed solid during that time frame, and wasn’t just another skin scent.

Performance is very good, on the whole.

Seasonally, it works pretty much whenever. I wouldn’t wear it during the hottest days, but again, it’s not a super thick or heavy fragrance. It can absolutely go beyond the winter time and venture into the summer, without much issue.

Though, I would prefer to wear Brulant when it is cooler even versus just more moderate days. That’s when these notes would really get to shine. That might be my own personal preference, though.

It’s almost perfectly unisex, maybe leaning slightly feminine. I don’t think anyone would have much of an issue wearing Soleil Brulant. Casual to semi formal wear. Could be a low key nightlife scent and one that has an attractive, if not sexy, aroma to it.

Overall Impressions of Soleil Brulant

Overall, do I like this perfume? I like Soleil Brulant. I don’t love it and I don’t really see myself wearing it that often, but it’s not something that offends me. Plus, it has some enjoyable moments. It’s just not a great one from Tom Ford.

The opening act is fine. Not my favorite, the spiciness of the peppercorn doesn’t really do it for me. Though, I like it more once we’ve really gotten more orange flower and leather in the mix. I really dig the solar and burnt quality to this, as the sort of inverse to Soleil Neige (which I like better).

Burnt or crispy honey actually is very pleasant and nice change of pace from the overly sweet versions, I keep encountering.

Is it worth a buy? This is one of the super expensive releases from Tom Ford. For most people, it’s not going to be a must have. Soleil Brulant is a perfume that I’d try to test out before committing to a full bottle. 

For a percentage of people, this will be right up their alley. For the masses? Not really. Before dropping $300-400, find a way to give it a try over the span of a few days, to see if you take to it. An interesting scent for sure, just not one that’s going to be the favorite of many.

I don’t think it’s better than any of the other Soleil perfumes. It’s not much worse, but those others will probably appeal to more folks. 

Sahara Noir by Tom Ford

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In this post, I am going to tackle more of a niche type of fragrance by Tom Ford, 2013’s Sahara Noir. It is a scent that is highly influenced by the smells which are common to the Middle East. As usual, I am going to cover how it smells, its ingredients, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it is worth a buy or not.

What does Sahara Noir Smell Like?

Notes include: frankincense, amber, papyrus, cinnamon, balsam, benzoin, rose, jasmine, oud, bitter orange

Click here to try: Tom Ford Sahara Noir Eau de Parfum Spray, 1.7 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

Just by looking at the ingredients, one can tell that Sahara Noir isn’t going to be your typical woman’s perfume. Right off the bat, I am struck by what an exotic fragrance it is but also how it is going to be completely niche.

I doubt that most non-enthusiast people would want to wear or even enjoy this scent, but there has to be a crowd who would find this delightful.

It’s oriental qualities does remind me of Opium Pour Homme, especially in it’s spicy/medicinal aspects. However, Sahara Noir continues down the smoky and warm path whereas Opium, begins to take on much more of a vanilla aroma.

I would actually dare to say that this Tom Ford perfume is even darker and more masculine than that YSL cologne for men. Again, this stuff is probably not for the majority of women.

I really pick up on the frankincense, amber, and oud notes initially. I am not a big fan of oud, unlike a lot of niche fragrance lovers. It’s use is sort of hit or miss for me. Sahara Noir is very dry and warm and feels to me quite ancient.

Update: Coming back to this again, I get more cypress on my skin. Particularly after the opening 30 minutes or so. Then, that fades away into a mass of other dry woods.

I do appreciate what Tom Ford did with this scent, it really does transport you mentally to distant lands. It’s exactly a desert landscape kind of perfume. Lots of wood, resin, and incense.

Kind of waxy at times, not much floral influence from the rose note. Dry, smoky, and warm.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Performance wise, it’s a fairly strong perfume. It isn’t the strongest and most overpowering scent ever, but it is definitely well above average. The sillage is worthy of the price.

Longevity wise, Sahara Noir is an absolute beast. I’d say it easily surpasses 12+ hour of wear. Scents with these kinds of notes always seem to deliver, but Sahara goes above and beyond.

This Tom Ford is worth the price, based on the performance for sure. If you like the smell, Sahara Noir isn’t going to quit on you.

I guess this would be for casual wear? It seems like such a niche fragrance, that I cannot really even classify it. It’ll fit for someone with a certain personal style.

I’d say it’s best for the colder months of the year, for sure. Stick to late autumn and the depths of winter, as a change of pace.

It’s not sexy at all to me or even something that most people want to smell on someone else. This perfume has to be something that you absolutely enjoy. Casual or lightly sprayed semi-formal.

Overall Impressions of Sahara Noir

Overall is Sahara Noir, worth a buy? If you really love incense, want to smell like them, and can handle wearing a quite masculine fragrance; then this one might be right up your alley.

Update: Personally, I’d pick Encens Satin or Velvet Incenso before this one. I think those are better uses of incense and the various resinous amber notes. This Tom Ford perfume is now discontinued and has been for some time. So, I guess I wasn’t the only one not very impressed.

Coming back to this many years later, it’s a lot less ‘challenging’ to me, but I still don’t find it to be great. The performance is amazing, but the rest…meh. Those other incense based perfumes are better and still available.

Anyone else, I can’t really see the mass public wearing this one, and since it’s been discontinued that’s probably a spot on assessment.

I don’t particularly dig it. Though, I don’t think it’s horrendous. I just don’t particularly enjoy this type of scent, most of the time. This isn’t one of the exceptions.

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.

Vanille Fatale by Tom Ford

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Vanille Fatale was released in 2017 by Tom Ford. It is listed as a unisex fragrance, whether that’s actually the case or not is debatable. In this post, I want to share my thoughts and experience while wearing this perfume. What are the notes? How does it smell? How does it perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Vanille Fatale Smell Like?

Notes include: vanilla, mahogany, barley, olibanum, myrrh, coffee, saffron, coriander, narcissus, plum, and more

Click here to try: Vanille Fatale Eau de Parfum, 1.7 oz

My Full Wear Review of Vanille Fatale

The opening minutes of Vanille Fatale makes it known that this isn’t going to be your usual vanilla perfume. It hits hard with a mix of very sweet, warm, and tart notes. Mainly, what I get at the start is vanilla and plum.

At first the sweet/tart blend is way too much for my nose, but it does settle itself down, the further you get into the wear. But man, that opening, is really in your face about it.

I always think that I’m going to like plum notes in perfumes, much more than I seem to do, as I really enjoy the actual fruits themselves.

Once you move past the initial stage, I think that Vanille Fatale really comes into its own, and becomes much more interesting.

There is a smoky Oriental vibe to it with saffron and myrrh notes. It is also quite creamy, the roasted coffee and barley give this one a unique presentation and depth that you don’t get with run of the mill vanilla perfumes.

When it all comes together Vanille Fatale is warm with a touch of smoke, while being sweet and tart. From there you add slightly spicy elements (coriander and saffron) and a rich mahogany aroma.

What’s cool is that underneath there is a boozy rum note, which later helps to reign in the sweet tartness, and make this one into a darker sort of perfume.

There’s just so many different aspects to the fragrance, that you catch just hints of this or that throughout, and it takes on a new mood.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it starts off fairly strong, and then moves into something that has a much more moderate sillage. To me, the opening can be overwhelming, but it does settle and isn’t too big of a deal.

Much of that opening strength has to do with how the tart notes can come across. Once those settle, it feels a lot more towards the middle of the road.

The longevity is great and Vanille lasted at least 9 hours on my skin. No performance issues here. I couldn’t imagine throwing these sorts of notes together and not getting something that lasts long.

Seasonally, this would be great in cold weather up to moderate temperatures. Once the humidity kicks in, I think that Vanille Fatale would fall apart. It is listed as a unisex, but it feels like a ladies’ scent to me.

They try to bring it back towards the masculine side with that warm spicy/boozy aroma, but it doesn’t fully succeed. When I compare it to men’s fragrances with those kinds of notes, it is much more feminine.

Funny enough, I’ve seen some women say that this is too masculine. So, I guess it depends on your own tastes.

This could fit in for almost any occasion during the season. It has a certain refinement and class, so it could be worn dressed up. Meanwhile, it is attractive enough to be worn for a night out. A nice darkly sweet daily wear.

I’d go easy with it, in the office. That initial bit of time can be too strong for that environment.

Overall Impressions of Vanille Fatale

Overall, do I like Vanille Fatale by Tom Ford? I think that it’s good, but it doesn’t really blow me away. There are times, when I find it enjoyable, and other times where I really don’t at all.

The dry down is the highlight. I enjoy the booze, coriander, and saffron notes. Vanille Fatale has plenty of depth and character, which is at the very least interesting.

The smokiness, the plum, coffee, mahogany…there’s a ton going on here. Different facets, not all of them feel that great.

It’s a mixed bag for me. Plus, it feels too feminine for me to wear, and can be cloying. However, it does have its moments and can perform extremely well, so I can’t hate it.

Some people will absolutely love this one, but it’s probably a fragrance you’d want to test out before committing to purchasing a full bottle.

Jasmin Rouge by Tom Ford

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Jumping back into some fragrance reviews here, I still have some Tom Ford perfumes that I need to do write ups on. I’ve fallen behind somewhat, so, let’s begin to remedy that with a closer look at Jasmin Rouge.

Obviously, this is going to be a jasmine dominant perfume, and geared much more towards women. I want to share my experience with this one and how it smells, how long it lasts, and whether or not I ultimately think it is worth a buy.

What does Jasmin Rouge Smell Like?

Notes include: jasmine, ginger, sage, cinnamon, bergamot, neroli, ylang-ylang, amber, pepper, cedar, vanilla, and more

Click here to try: Tom Ford Jasmin Rouge eau de parfum for women 1.7 oz

My Full Review

Jasmin Rouge opens up with a bright citrus and spice blend. The jasmine and ylang-ylang are noticeable at the top, along with the bergamot, and a ginger/pepper/cinnamon spice blend.

The spices here aren’t too heavy, just playing a supporting role, to the citrus juiciness and floral highlights.

After about 30-60 minutes, the citrus notes have subsided mostly, and the jasmine really steps up into its own. The ylang-ylang is still present, but is no longer an equal partner, and neroli feels more present than either the bergamot or mandarin orange.

From the spices found in the opening, cinnamon is the strongest to my nose. However, it is still quite light within the composition, and subservient to the main jasmine note. At this point, the perfume is a jasmine dominant scent flanked by, neroli and ylang-ylang, with a bit of spice.

A few hours into the wear, Jasmin Rouge fully develops into what it’ll be for the rest of its life cycle.

The main difference here, is that the perfume sweetens up. In place of much of the spice, you get vanilla, amber, and a bit of cedar. The floral notes, maintain their strength, but the spice is mostly overtaken by these new arrivals.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage here isn’t too powerful, but it isn’t weak either. I’d say for much of its time on the skin, it is on the higher end of moderate with its sillage. Then, it calms down quite a bit.

The opening act will give you a nice scent trail. For a few hours, it is plenty noticeable and has a nice lift off of skin. After those first two hours, it becomes more intimate.

The longevity is really good, but not great, as it goes for about 8 hours. It doesn’t want to hang around beyond that amount of time, during the times that I’ve tested it.

For an expensive fragrance? That’s just okay. I do wish it hit double digit hours like many other Tom Ford’s. Though, it certainly isn’t terrible.

Seasonally, it’s sort of a year round perfume. I don’t particularly like it in the high heat of summer, as it kind of  ‘melts’, but otherwise you’re good to go. Honestly, autumn or spring would work best with the more moderate temperatures.

Cold, too. But, a middle of the road temperature seems to be when Jasmin Rouge shines.

This can go casual, but feels more like a formal or at least semi-formal kind of scent. It’s attractive, but not particularly sexy. Just a really good floral.

Overall Impressions of Jasmin Rouge

Overall, do I think Jasmin Rouge, is worth a buy? Yes, provided you’re a jasmine fan. This Tom Ford is really well put together, has solid performance, and a really pleasant aroma. I like it, but I don’t think that it’s all that amazing, but I’m also not totally in love with jasmine.

I like the initial citrus and ginger note, especially. The cinnamon does give this perfume a liveliness and the opening is the highlight of the experience for me. The jasmine is also quite good, for what it is.

It’s a pretty scent that becomes pretty typical with how it smells. The quality is there and you get some decent performance also.

At the price point which Tom Ford’s sell at, this is actually one of the perfumes that is worth a purchase, if you’re into this sort of scent. To me, it’s well above average with how it smells, just not an elite level ‘must have’.