Perfume Reviews

Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger by Hermes

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Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger is a sample that I picked up along with the Eau Poivree version. Eau Ginger was released in 2021 as a flanker to the very popular original release from Hermes. I’ve been putting this fragrance through its paces to see what it’s all about. What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger Smell Like?

Notes include: candied ginger, peony, cedar

Click here to try: Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger

My Full Review

Here’s how Hermes describes it: The joyful spirit of a luminous fragrance revealed by candied ginger, generous peony, and tender cedar

The opening is a blast of the sugary and spicy candied ginger note, along with the peony. To me, the candied ginger has a slight orange-like aroma to it. Fresh, sweet, and a similar floral aspect to the original Twilly.

Eau Ginger is a very clean fragrance, the peony is well balanced with the ginger note itself. I think it becomes more of a standard ginger smell versus the opening, where it has a sugary smell.

Closer to the ginger in Un Jardin Apres la Mousson, also by Hermes. Less of the overall spiciness, but some of that same aquatic-like freshness (not to the same extent either).

As it dries down, this one feels soapier. The cedar and peony really team up and the ginger, while it hangs around, is less of a factor overall.

That’s basically it for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Eau Ginger isn’t a massive projector nor a very heavy perfume. It is in the upper range of what could be considered average. It’ll leave a decent scent trail for a time and has a nice reaching scent bubble effect.

But, I never felt like it was going to be overwhelming, unless you really went nuts with the sprays. Even then, that might be only for a limited time.

On my skin, Eau Ginger lasts a little more than 7 hours on my skin. Call it, about 7.5 hours. It’s pretty good, but nothing elite in its performance.

Seasonally, this one can be a nice pickup for the spring and summer months. Or, any other time of the year that is mild to temperate. I feel like it’s better in the mid-range temperatures versus the hottest and most humid days of summer. Good, if indoors, however.

This is mostly going to serve as a daily wear. Something clean and fresh to wear around with a nice sweet and spice blend up top. It’s not really a nightlife fragrance or one that is particularly sexy. Can be quite likeable though.

Overall Impressions of Eau Ginger

Overall, do I like Twilly d’Hermes Eau Ginger? I do. I think that it’s one of the best entries so far in the series. Perhaps the best, depending on your tastes. I like it more so than Poivree.

I’m a fan of ginger as a note. I like the candied sugary version that is presented with this Hermes release. That, with the orange note is really great. The fragrance isn’t too complex, but it delivers a fairly beautiful experience.

If you liked the original, this one should also appeal to you. If you’re a fan of ginger and need a daily wear that utilizes that note, this can be a great option.

Now, I don’t think it’s going to be for everyone, but it certainly has a mass appeal. Eau Ginger is pleasant and never strays to far into niche fragrance territory. It’s worth a try, if it sounds like something that you’d be interested in.

Flowerbomb Dew by Viktor & Rolf

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Flowerbomb Dew was a flanker of the popular perfume line which was released in 2020. I got a sample of this as part of my progress of reviewing most (if not, all) of the Flowerbomb perfumes for this site. How does Dew Smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Flowerbomb Dew Smell Like?

Notes include: pear, dew drop, musk mallow, bergamot, rose, iris, heliotrope, musk, cashmeran

Click here to try: Flowerbomb Dew

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Dew, does indeed have a light watery freshness to it. Between the pear and the dew drop, it’s really to be expected.

While it is sweet, somewhat fruity early on, it’s never dominant in the mix. Musk mallow, musk, and the powdery floral notes are already a factor. Iris, seems to poke through more early, but in the dry down I get more heliotrope aroma.

Much of what you’re getting with Flowerbomb Dew, is already apparent in the opening act. The aquatic dew drop element will subside, as will any bergamot, and eventually the pear too.

It goes from being a sweeter musky floral (led by the iris) to a musky more generic powdery aroma, that’s a mix of the floral notes. I do get periods which the rose is somewhat of a factor, but it really doesn’t pop out, on my skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this is average at its peak, and pretty darn light outside of that. It doesn’t completely disappear for me, but Dew is in skin scent territory a couple of hours into the wear.

That’s its main weakness.

How long does it stick around? Somewhere in the six hour range, for me, on skin. Again, it’s not a massively powerful scent at that point, but I do still detect it. Musk and mostly the iris note remain.

Seasonally, this is pretty much a year round sort of fragrance. It’s powder isn’t a heavy one, so, it doesn’t get bogged down much in the heat. That fresh opening really helps. Maybe not a pure winter scent and that’s not when Dew will be at its best.

This is very versatile as a daily wear perfume. It can go casual to semi-formal and be fine for most occasions. Another fragrance would be in order if you need a formal wear, nightlife, or something that is sexy.

Dew is pleasant and attractive, not one that is inherently seductive.

Overall Impression of Flowerbomb Dew

Overall, do I like Dew? Yes, I think that it is a solid flanker, on the whole. Not the best of the Flowerbomb lineup, but I’d put it in the upper half.

Dew is a very simple fragrance. The pear and dew drop add a lightness and aquatic sort of feeling to it. You get musky florals with powdery heliotrope and iris. It’s easy to wear and all around pleasant.

It’s just not going to be a massive performer. So, if you need something with more power, you might want to go with something else besides this V&R release.

I do wish it had some further reach and ability to stick around longer, at a stronger level. But, on the smell alone, I like this Flowerbomb. I prefer the original, Midnight, and Ruby Orchid to this for sure though.

I would probably want to get a significant discount, if I were going to give Flowerbomb Dew a try. At full price, the performance isn’t really worth the admission.

Alien Eau Sublime by Mugler

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Alien Eau Sublime is one that I missed, when it came out back in 2017. So, when I saw a sample of it available, I purchased it in order to do a review for the site. I really didn’t have much knowledge about what this one was all about beforehand. How does Eau Sublime smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Alien Eau Sublime Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon, solar notes, heliotrope, galbanum, orange, jasmine, tiare flower, cherry blossom, amber, vanilla, cashmeran, vetiver, orange blossom

My Full Review

Here’s how Mugler describes it: A luminous and refreshing fragrance, an energizing cocktail which stimulates the senses.

While they’re not the same, this Alien perfume actually reminds me of Libre L’Absolu Platine, in its opening act.

Citrus, solar notes (instead of the YSL aldehydes…similar), orange blossom. Here, though, we get the usual Alien jasmine note versus the lavender of Libre. Not the same, but a reminiscent style. This Mugler, came first.

Once that part is out of the way, Eau Sublime feels like a less dense and more summer acceptable version of the original Alien.

Tiare flower, vanilla, jasmine, and that orange blossom really come through. This becomes a white floral mix, with some remaining light citrus sweetness, and a bit of amber coming through.

On my skin, I don’t get much of a powdery aroma. The heliotrope seems muted. But, spraying this one on a shirt, does make that aspect pop some more. For me, I get a creamier blend of tiare and vanilla, on skin.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The original Alien can be an absolute bomb and also has some really heavy qualities about it. Sometimes, it’s pretty cloying in the heat.

Alien Eau Sublime is lighter and doesn’t get bogged down. However, it still produces a nice scent trail and can project itself well. Definitely above average with its strength, just not massive.

The longevity is good, not amazing. On my skin, Eau Sublime can hit around the 8 hour mark without trouble. It doesn’t seem to go much beyond that, if at all.

Seasonally, this Mugler is built more for the spring and summer months. It’s got that light citrus and white floral blend, without all of the heaviness, that will work well once it gets somewhat warm outside.

It’s fine for any age, but I’m not sure that Eau Sublime will appeal too much to younger women. It may be better to go with something like Alien Goddess, for some people.

Eau Sublime is fine as a daytime wear. It can fit in fine in most places, it’s not too formal of a scent. But, it also won’t stand out as being anything offensive. This isn’t really a nightlife wear and I don’t find it to be ‘sexy’ at all.

Overall Impressions of Alien Eau Sublime

Overall, do I like Eau Sublime? It’s fine. I’m not too enthralled this one. It’s not nearly as enjoyable as the original Alien or some of the more unique flanker releases from over the years.

It’s pretty basic, as a white floral scent. That opening is kind of like Libre Platine, but I’m not a huge fan of that either. Everything here is ‘just fine’. Eau Sublime is somewhat likeable, has decent performance, etc.

I like the dry down better. The jasmine, tiare flower, and orange blossom work rather well together with the vanilla and surrounding notes.

This one came out back in 2017, so, it’s discontinued anyway. Unless you’re a major fan of Alien, there’s no real reason to chase this one down. Now, if it sounds like your style and you can get a good discount on a bottle, go for it. Otherwise, it’s not a must have.

Dylan Purple Pour Femme by Versace

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Dylan Purple is the latest release from the Pour Femme side of the series. It came out in 2022, without too much hype, but quickly became another successful entry from Versace. I’d been waiting to get a hold of this one for a review and finally bought a sample to test it out. How does Purple smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Dylan Purple Smell Like?

Notes include: bitter orange, pear juice, bergamot, purple freesia, pomarose, mahonial, cedar, ambrofix, belambre, sylkolide

Click here to try: Dylan Purple on Amazon

My Full Review

Purple opens up with a juicy blend of fruits. Mainly, it’s the pear and the bright bergamot. Bitter orange is present, but doesn’t ever seem to pop like the other two.

Underneath that, you’re going to get some of its floral notes from the start too. First thing that I notice, is the purple freesia. It adds a further aquatic kind of aroma to the top fruity notes.

Purple is another fresh and clean perfume. The muskiness here isn’t all that great, however, and it doesn’t veer completely into a straight body wash sort of wear. Though, it can straddle that line.

Purple is sweeter than I thought it’d be. Kind of balanced with a cedar freshness and the various types of ‘amber’ notes that emerge from the base. Never feel too heavy, but they are there.

Pear, bergamot, and ambroxan with the impression of floral notes. The middle notes never seem to become all that distinct in the mix. Yes, that freesia, but even that falls back into a floral blend.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The reach of this one isn’t a ‘smell you in the next room type’ of perfume. Though, this does have a decent amount of projection, safe to call it a bit above average.

It’s not a heavy fragrance. Lighter to moderate without ever bogging you down with its scent.

On my skin, I get just above 6 hours. Like around 6.5, it just doesn’t go beyond that for me during the times that I tested this Versace out.

Dylan Purple does have a more youthful vibe. The clean, fruity, and simplistic scent tends to do that. As such, this could be a great option for the younger set. Probably a bit more towards that side of the spectrum than say Dylan Turquoise.

But, it’s not so immature that someone older couldn’t wear it. If you want this kind of clean-ish and borderline shampoo type of perfume, this is a good mainstream bet that isn’t super expensive.

Purple is a daily wear fragrance or one that you can put on casually. It’s not a super sexy nightlife wear or a serious formal affair.

dylan purple review

Overall Impressions of Dylan Purple

Overall, do I like Dylan Purple? Yes, I do. I’m not too high on any of the Dylan Pour Femme scents. However, I do like them all to some extent. This, might be my favorite (this or Blue).

None really stand out as being great to me, though.

Yes, it’s not all that complicated and the fruitiness comes doesn’t come across as naturalistic. But, I really do enjoy the way that it smells, way more than my first impressions. I kept right on wanting to smell Purple throughout the day.

I think the sweetness is what keeps me into it. That and the overall balance of the notes. It doesn’t feel hyper-fresh on me or ever like it’s too much to stand any longer.

The performance is pretty mid. Not going to be anything to write home about. It’s good enough for most purposes, so, if you like the smell of Purple it shouldn’t be too much of a disappointment.

If you liked the rest of this series, you’ll probably enjoy Purple. If you didn’t, I don’t think this will change your mind, since it doesn’t do anything radically different.

Flowerbomb Midnight by Viktor & Rolf

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Midnight is another Flowerbomb flanker. This entry into the long-running series, was released in 2019. I grabbed a sample of this and Flowerbomb Dew, with my last order of fragrances that I bought online. How does Midnight smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth a try?

What does Flowerbomb Midnight Smell Like?

Notes include: blackcurrant, pomegranate, Night blooming jasmine, peony, white musk, vanilla

Click here to buy: Flowerbomb Midnight

My Full Review

I guess they gave this one the title of ‘Midnight’ due to the jasmine note, being night blooming. But, the reality is that this isn’t a dark kind of fragrance.

Actually, it’s actually quite upbeat and has a playful sort of vibe to it. Yet, it develops into something much more mature.

The opening is fruity and juicy. A sweet and somewhat tart blend of pomegranate and blackcurrant. Initially, it’s a juicier pomegranate, before this takes on a jammy kind of fruitiness that some others in the Flowerbomb series have.

Not overly heavy. In fact, Flowerbomb Midnight has a definitely light freshness to it.  Not quite aquatic, but a somewhat similar effect.

The fruitiness is pretty short-lived, in its dominance. Midnight will then shift into a musky floral fragrance.

The rest of the way is basically a balanced blend of the peony and jasmine. With touches of vanilla, some of the remaining fruity sweetness, and a solid amount of musk.

At times, the jasmine really stands out on my skin. Others, I get more peony, but still very balanced between them.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This does have a lighter sillage. The freshness hangs gently in the air, but I actually find the projection to be pretty good. At least for the first, 1-2 hours of wear.

Thereafter, Flowerbomb Midnight will be a more intimate fragrance sitting within 3 feet of the skin, until it fades away completely.

The longevity here is okay. Don’t expect it to be great or anything approaching it. On my skin, Midnight will go for 6-6.5 hours in totality. Again, not bad, just nothing impressive.

Seasonally, this is going to be at its best autumn through spring. I’d say slightly chilly to moderate, is when Midnight peaks.

This is a versatile and pretty sort of scent. Again, it doesn’t seem to be dark or anything like that despite the name. Not really a sexy nightlife scent. However, the rest of the time, Midnight can fit in very well.

It’s a musky floral blend for much of the wear, so, it’s never going to stand out in a negative way.

Overall Impressions of Flowerbomb Midnight

Overall, do I like Flowerbomb Midnight? Yes, I do. I think that this is one of my favorite flankers of the series thus far.

It’s in my top four. The original is my favorite. Midnight ranks somewhere with Nectar and Ruby Orchid. I’m not sure any of them has an upper hand versus the other two.

I do really enjoy the pomegranate opening act. I wish that got more time to hang around. However, what you do get, is quite nice and a fun scent.

The dry down is more basic. Still, it does everything well. Good balance between the peony and jasmine, not overly musky, and with enough sweetness to keep me interested.

The performance could be better. I don’t mind the softer feel to this, but I’d like it to last longer than that six hour range. Nonetheless, Flowerbomb Midnight is worth checking out, if you get a chance. Not a ‘must have’, just a solid entry from Viktor & Rolf.