Fragrances

Noir de Noir by Tom Ford

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For this edition of my fragrance reviews, I have another entry from the Tom Ford Private Blend lineup, Noir de Noir. The scent is one of the more popular perfumes offered by the brand, but does it actually smell any good? How does this black of black perform? Is it even worth a try? I’ve been testing it out for a while and here are my results.

What does Noir de Noir Smell Like?

Notes include: rose, oud, patchouli, black truffle, tree moss

Click here to try: Tom Ford Private Blend Noir De Noir Eau De Parfum Spray Edp 3.4 Fl / 100 Ml

My Full Wear Review

I’m not too much of a fan of rose, as a note in fragrances. Especially, rose dominated scents, they usually never really strike a chord with me; even if I don’t hate the way it smells. So, Noir de Noir shouldn’t be a perfume that I enjoy, but I actually do.

When I saw that oud and patchouli were added to rose, I had the preconception that it was going to smell exactly like, every other Middle Eastern inspired fragrance out there, with a huge rose and overpowering spice. What I got from this Tom Ford scent, was quite different.

Noir de Noir does indeed open up with a familiar aroma of rose, however, it seems sweeter, while at the same time dirtier than other rose scents. But this is what makes it such a good smell.

It is paired with patchouli at the start and this provides an earthy spice, that not super intense but allows the scent to be dark and not just another in your face rose.

The oud sits at the base, along with the slight mossy element in here. However, the key here in my opinion, is the black truffle and vanilla. I didn’t see vanilla listed as a note, but I get that sweet creaminess peaking through during the dry down.

This is when Noir de Noir is at its absolute best. I love the balance here, one minute it is rosy and floral, the next dirty and spicy, and then it is sweet. All wrapped up in a dark and enveloping warmth. The oud is the sturdy heart of the perfume, but it stays out of the way, and isn’t super overt.

Sillage, How Long it Lasts, and Versatility

Projection wise, I don’t find the sillage of Noir de Noir to be all that powerful. It isn’t weak, but it didn’t make me recoil when applying it. It’ll stay in a nice little 3-4 foot radius of you during the wear and you will catch nice whiffs of it throughout.

It also stayed on my skin for about 9 hours or so. Wasn’t insane, with the longevity, but it is certainly very good. On a colder day, the performance does stand out. The longevity is good, but what’s impressive is how it sticks around with a good amount of power.

This is a unisex scent, maybe leaning more towards a woman’s fragrance, but it doesn’t really seem as wholly feminine. Noir de Noir works fantastically on me, as a man, so I wouldn’t worry about seeming too girly with it.

Either way, I liked wearing it in the cold weather recently, and don’t think that it would be too successful for anyone in the summertime. It’s a bit too rich for any time with too much humidity or heat.

Noir de Noir is a sophisticated scent, as such, I probably wouldn’t wear it casually. This is more of something to wear on an evening out, whether that is in a suit or a dress. Anything with a bit of style to it. It is sexy in its own way, not super seductive, but inviting and intriguing.

Overall Impressions of Noir de Noir

Overall, do I like Noir de Noir by Tom Ford? Yes, if you couldn’t tell. I think that it is a highly enjoyable fragrance, that captures a lot of different moods, aromas, and skirts the line of masculine and feminine.

It successfully managed to take notes that aren’t usually my favorites and make me enjoy wearing it. This is a wonderful piece of the Private Blend collection.

The truffle is a fantastic addition, getting paired with the more commonplace vanilla note. They sweeten and calm, what would otherwise be quite an intensely earthy sort of perfume.

Nonetheless, it ultimately is an earthy experience. The rose note is surprisingly good, when paired with patchouli. It comes together as a very dark, warm, sweet, and powerful wear. Noir de Noir is a fragrance, I wouldn’t have expected to enjoy, but really did, in the end.

Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford

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I’ve got a whole lot of Tom Ford fragrance write-ups to do over the next little while, so you can expect 20+ reviews, over the next months (?) as I get all of them written and sorted out. Today’s review, we have a fragrance from the Private Blend Collection, Tuscan Leather. It was released in 2007. How does this popular scent smell? What’s inside? How does it perform? Is it even worth a try?

What does Tuscan Leather Smell Like?

Notes include: leather, suede, raspberry, jasmine, olibanum, saffron, amber

Click here to try: Tom Ford Tuscan Leather Eau De Parfume Spray for Men, 1.7 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Tuscan Leather is obviously full of the headlining leather note, but it is also joined by saffron, which brings to mind Godolphin by Parfums de Marly. However, what separates the Tom Ford creation, is the addition of a light raspberry note which sweetens up the background. It isn’t super juicy or girly, but that familiar aroma is there.

The leathery fragrance is obviously going to draw a lot of comparisons with one of the newer Tom Ford scents, Ombre Leather. I think Ombre is a drier fragrance than this is, but I will do a full comparison in the future.

The leather note in Tuscan Leather is utterly phenomenal. I’m a huge fan of this ingredient in fragrances and it is done to perfection here. Rich and super smooth, only made more so by the addition of the black suede note. It all comes together as very dark and deep.

As it dries down further, there is a subtle smokiness to Tuscan Leather, and a warmth provided by amber.

Beyond that, a faint jasmine note peaks in to the composition at times, but never quite unseats the saffron. In the end the main players are: leather, saffron, raspberry, and suede.

Leather and saffron are really great together in fragrances. Tuscan is a premier example of this, and that juicy raspberry note, just ties it all together.

Sillage, How Long it Lasts, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage on this one is really strong, at first. Then, it settles down into something more moderate. To me, I love its loudness and confidence, when it kicks off. I am reviewing the current formulation and the longevity isn’t what I remember it to be in the past.

It is still good, but doesn’t have that same all day and into the night performance that it used to. I can still hit around a standard work day with Tuscan Leather. So, now it’s about 8 hours. Before, it would get 10+ pretty easily.

Is this decline just in the batch I have? Not sure, but I’ve read some other reports of this as well. Nonetheless, Tuscan certainly isn’t ‘weak’ by any means. Maybe just lost a step.

Seasonally, this is a wintertime gem. It hangs beautifully in the chilled air. You could also break it out during the autumn months to great effect. I’d definitely avoid it in the summer months or if you happen to live in a tropical climate. Not great in the heat.

This Tom Ford fragrance is classy enough to be worn for business or formal occasions, but also, sexy enough to go out at night.

It’s pretty much an anytime wear during the winter months. Maybe not for totally casual occasions or for really young folks, but it wouldn’t feel completely, out of place.

This is classified as a unisex fragrance and it does fit that bill. However, it does lean more toward the masculine end of things. That being said, anyone can really wear this one. The raspberry and jasmine notes, really help to give Tuscan a lighter touch.

Overall Impressions of Tuscan Leather by Tom Ford

Overall, do I like Tuscan Leather? Of course. It is a really great leather fragrance, that is sophisticated, well blended, and smells awesome. Smooth as hell and the saffron/raspberry really add a nice touch to the whole composition.

If you’re not a leather fan, obviously avoid this one. However, for anyone else with that kind of money to drop on a $200+ bottle of Tom Ford, this is an excellent choice.

This has a less dry and earthy feeling than does Ombre Leather, and I slightly prefer that scent from Tom Ford. However, this is still a really great perfume, maybe not exactly what it once was…but it holds up.

The One Sport by Dolce & Gabbana

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Marching on with my reviews of recent fragrance samples I’ve received, I’m going to tackle a scent by Dolce & Gabbana, that is a flanker fragrance to The One for Men. The One sport is a fresh and obviously sporty take on the original but how does it stand up to its predecessor? Also, what does it smell like, and is it even worth a purchase?

What does The One Sport Smell Like?

Notes include: sequoia, rosemary, cardamom, musk, patchouli

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana The One Sport Eau De Toilette Spray for Men, 3.3 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

I was a big fan of how the original The One by D&G smelled, in fact, it was one of my favorite scents ever…except for the fact that it lasted less than 20 minutes on my skin. So, I was curious as to what my experience with The One Sport would be in light of the weakness of the progenitor.

Upon first sniff, I immediately recognize a familiar aroma, and it’s that of Deep Energy by Adidas. That Adidas fragrance is another sporty scent for men and it shares a very large part of its character with this D&G cologne.

The notes between the two overlap with the cardamom, musk, patchouli, and a wood note (albeit different trees). Add to that, they are also quite watery/aquatic in nature.

The biggest difference between the two is that The One Sport has a rosemary note and Deep Energy uses citrus. The variation is actually pretty slight and these scents are very close to one another.

So, beyond smelling like a rosemary laced Deep Energy, The One Sport is a pretty linear affair. It’s a very basic scent that doesn’t really develop much personality or surprise you in anyway while wearing it. What you originally smell is essentially what you get throughout.

That’s not to say that I think that it doesn’t smell good. I mean, I like it, but I’m not blown away by the scent. It’s an upbeat and fresh scent with a bit of spice and wood. That’s about it. Straightforward and to the point.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this scent is pretty weak. It is fairly noticeable at first but then dies a quick death. Longevity is about an hour, maybe two, if you’re lucky.

It really does seem like The One Sport was designed to be worn at the gym and that’s it. Maybe casually on a summer’s day.

I honestly don’t know when else you would wear it. It doesn’t really smell sexy, and doesn’t last long enough, to be a workplace fragrance. So, it’s kind of pointless otherwise.

Overall Impressions of The One Sport

Overall, would I recommend The One Sport? I don’t see a reason to own this cologne. At this price point, it is very limited, if all you want to do is wear a fragrance at the gym why not just buy the Adidas scent for around $10? (Update: That’s not even possible anymore, at that price point)

You get basically the same scent and it actually performs better and lasts longer. The One Sport is just about completely pointless. It smells just fine, but offers nothing besides that. I’ll pass.

Somehow they decided to make a sport version of The One EDT, a scent with fairly notoriously bad performance. I know that this hasn’t been available for about a decade, but The One Sport is easily the worst of this D&G series.

Boss in Motion by Hugo Boss

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Another one of my recent sample hauls, yielded me a vial of Boss in Motion by Hugo Boss. I have already reviewed plenty of scents from this brand recently, including Element and Bottled Night. However, I still needed to address this cologne which was released by Hugo Boss back in 2002.

Though it isn’t a new scent, I figured I might as well give my thoughts on how it smells, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it’s worth a purchase.

What does Boss in Motion Smell Like?

hugo boss in motion review

Notes include: pink pepper, basil flowers, musk, orange, bergamot, cinnamon

Click here to try: Boss In Motion By Hugo Boss For Men. Eau De Toilette Spray 3 Ounces

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Boss in Motion is kind of a mess, in my opinion. I get some weird blend of basil, pink pepper, musk, and a hint of orange that has a smoky and plastic scent to it. Needless to say, I was initially disappointed when I first sprayed this juice on.

However, while I was at the gym, I kept getting a pleasant whiff of Boss in Motion and its dry down phase, that is actually really good. I’d say the first 10-15 minutes, this cologne needs to work out its issues and then after that, you get a very nice sporty casual fragrance.

After that first phase, Boss in Motion becomes smooth and creamy with a main citrus note of orange with bergamot playing the background. There is still that spicy/smokey flavor to it but now plays a support role.

Honestly, Boss in Motion became a pleasant surprise for me, its fresh and masculine but doesn’t get drawn to far into the spicy or citrus direction…it has a solid balance.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this Hugo Boss scent is moderate. It won’t choke out the room but you’ll notice it there. Perfect for casual situations.

It has pretty good longevity, as it should last you throughout an entire work day without having to reapply. With my sample, usually in the 6.5-8 hour range of wear. Not the best, but still quite good.

It is versatile enough to wear out on a date or night on the town but I like it as an everyday type of wear, especially outdoors. Boss in Motion probably isn’t at its best in the heat, so keep this strictly from fall to early spring.

Overall Impressions of Boss in Motion

Overall, is Boss in Motion a buy? I say, yes. Beyond its opening problems, its a solid performer, smells nice, and has a good bit of versatility of wear.

I wouldn’t put it at the top of my favorite Hugo Boss colognes, but it is a strong outing from this brand, and worth a look if it fits your style. It’s still among my favorites they’ve released in the past decades.

This one was pretty underrated and isn’t too available anymore. Though, there are still bottles floating around out there. The orange, spice, and smokiness comes together quite nicely.

Azzaro Pour Homme Night Time

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This is my full wear review of Azzaro Pour Homme Night Time, released in 2011 by Loris Azzaro. As I usually do, I’m going to cover what’s in it, how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not I think that this cologne is worth a purchase.

What does Azzaro Night Time Smell Like?

Notes include: bitter orange, vetiver, lavender, cedar, rhubarb

Click here to try: Loris Azzaro Azzaro Pour Homme Night Time Eau de Toilette Spray for Men, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Wear Review

I’m not that much of a fan of bitter orange in my fragrances. and am not that enthusiastic about regular orange, most of the time either. However, the bitter orange note that is prominent in Night Time, isn’t bad and I actually kind of like it.

The original Azzaro Pour Homme, is a nice and inexpensive scent, it just never fit my style. I feel the same way about this one, also. Night Time shares some of the DNA with the original but it has much less of that dry wood scent and goes more into the combo of bitter orange and rhubarb.

Night Time has a different sort of spice, than its originator, and it’s quite fresh and warm. Though, you can still tell that this is a relative of Azzaro Pour Homme, which isn’t always the case with these flankers (see: La Nuit De L’Homme L’Intense).

The biter orange adds some zest to the composition and combined with rhubarb, it makes for an interesting aroma. Yet, it never strays into the realm of a pure citrus fragrance, and retains that sharp/dry woody greenery that made the original popular.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Night Time, is pretty good. It’s not a beast nor overwhelming but it definitely gets the job done…especially at this price point. I’d say that it’s above average, just not crazy loud.

The longevity is also quite good, but it’s not an extreme 12+ hour scent by any means. Though, it should last for most of the day. Around 7-9 hours.

I’d call this a good casual/work scent, and yes, it can be a nighttime fragrance for going to Happy Hour afterwards. It’s not particularly built for the summer (when I’m trying this sample), but it should be a great fit for the autumn/winter months.

Probably a better wear for guys in their mid-20s and up. Doesn’t have a very youthful or teenager type of aroma.

Overall Impressions of Azzaro Night Time

Overall, is Azzaro Pour Homme Night Time worth a look? I’d say, yes. Again, it’s not really my style but I do think it’s a fine cologne. If you liked the original, you’d probably like this. Also, since it’s so inexpensive, it’s a solid wear that you can try out without having to go broke.

It was released about a decade ago at this point and was never that popular. As such, it can be difficult to find a bottle nowadays. So, it may no longer be an inexpensive find. If that’s the case, don’t overpay for a bottle. Under $30? It’s worthwhile, if you like this kind of cologne.