Guilty Love Edition Pour Femme by Gucci

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Guilty is the long running franchise for Gucci, in both their men’s and women’s line. In 2020, they came out with the first of their Love Editions. I’ve been doing my reviews on the Guilty Pour Femme line and so I picked up a sample of Love to try. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Gucci Guilty Love Edition Pour Femme Smell Like?

Notes include: narcissus, musk, violet, raspberry, grapefruit, bergamot, mineral amber, water notes, patchouli

Click here to try: Love Edition

guilty love review

My Full Review

Here’s how Gucci describes it:  The new scent is a tribute to the vintage character of the narcissus flower. Opening with a transparent and green crystalline freshness composed of bergamot, grapefruit and a watery accord, a narcissus accord is elevated by the tangy notes of raspberry. 

The opening does have raspberry, grapefruit, and bergamot in the mix. Really though, Guilty Love is never all that fruity. Actually, from the jump, the powdery aroma really takes over.

Powdery early on, with a nice dose of that narcissus floral note. The musk and the violet sit underneath that, but as it dries down these notes will flip, and the violet and musk will be stronger than the powder and narcissus.

Beyond the powder, it does smell like the narcissus is floating in water. There is a watery accord in Love Edition that lightens this one up.

This one really isn’t too complex. Violet infused soap is basically what this turns into. More musk, less powder, and the patchouli note also comes in to add some light earthiness.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage here is on the lighter end of what would be considered moderate. It’s not too weak, in my experience. I’d say the first two hours or so are just fine, in terms of how it projects off of my skin.

That doesn’t last, though. The rest of the wear is pretty light and stays close to the skin.

The entire wear lasts somewhere in the 5-6 hour range before fading out completely. The performance is really pretty baseline average and not going to wow you.

It’s main strength lies in its versatility. Outside of the depths of winter, this one should be just fine. it works well enough in the heat and is probably at its best in the moderate to warm weather.

So, spring through the early part of autumn is Guilty Love’s reach.

It’s a clean and easy to wear scent. The powdery notes and soapiness aren’t really at all sexy. But, just as something to wear around or to work or wherever, it’d be quite suitable.

This isn’t a Gucci built for the nightlife, however.

Overall Impressions of Guilty Love Edition

Overall, do I like Guilty Love Edition? Not particularly. The whole Love Edition line hasn’t really seemed to gain traction. Personally, I like the men’s version and have a bottle for myself. The women’s…meh.

It’s powdery, watery, and ultimately like a bar of soap. There’s nothing here that is too exciting or noteworthy. That’s fine, but even while being boring, it doesn’t really smell all that good. Not horrible, but very forgettable.

It’s my least favorite of the Guilty line. I compare it to Absolute, for example, and that one just blows it away.

I do like some of the powdery aspects early on, especially when you do get some of the opening fruit notes. After that passes, I’m not too keen on Guilty Love.

Add to that, even if you like the smell, it’s still maybe going to get you six hours of wear tops. Which is pretty average, but costs much more than average with Gucci’s pricing.

I can’t really recommend this one as a blind buy or that it’s even worth a try. If you do like the soapy clean perfumes, violet, or narcissus…maybe this will appeal to you. But, at least see if you can find a bottle at a discounter.

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.

Noir Extreme Parfum by Tom Ford

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Noir Extreme is one of my personal favorite fragrances to wear. So, when I saw that the Parfum version was being released in 2022, I had to order a bottle for myself upon release. I was excited for a bolder and spicier remix of the original. Does it deliver? How long does it last? Is it actually worth a buy?

What does Noir Extreme Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: Shimoga ginger, cardamom, amber, tonka bean, guaiac wood, leather

Click here to try: Noir Extreme Parfum at Sephora

noir extreme parfum review

My Full Review

Here’s how Tom Ford describes it: A bold intensification of the original scent, Noir Extreme Parfum merges amber, spices, and woods, evoking the private, daring aspects of the Noir man.

Note: As of now, these are my initial thoughts of Extreme Parfum. Since it’s brand new, I’m going to be updating the page over the next week(s), as I get more time spent wearing it.

The opening of Noir Extreme Parfum has a lot going on. You get the same light citrus and neroli notes, as the original. What I do notice, is that the floral accord in this one does not have the same strength.

Those white floral notes do not play a major role in Parfum. Not that they’re massive in the original, but they are always present in that one. However, the citrus notes do have more of a role, adding a sparkling quality to the spice, and are playing off that initial ginger.

One of the main changes here, comes with the spices. The ginger note replaces the nutmeg of the original Extreme and is paired with that same cardamom note. The opening sprays are spicier, warmer, less sweet, and smoky.

The guaiac wood is also a new addition, hello smokiness. This a very rough, dry, and somewhat animalic version of the note, not a sweeter one. It’s funny that this base note, is so noticeable in the opening, but really tones down as it dries down.

So, the kulfi note is still present with the vanilla note. The vanilla is weaker in Parfum, splitting its strength with a tonka bean. This actually gives that kulfi accord a bit of a boost within the composition. A very similar effect overall, just slightly different.

The kulfi is sweet, creamy, with a pistachio finish.

Once the spices and guaiac wood has settled down, the leather note really comes out fully. That’s the biggest change with Parfum. Smooth, yes, but the smokiness and warmth doesn’t allow it to pop in the same way it does in something like Ombre Leather.

The final dry down is a leathery and spicier/warmer version of the original. It’s really a split between the remaining kulfi/tonka/vanilla notes and the leather. The amber note is noticeably weaker in the Parfum version’s dry down.

As a single note, the leather has the greatest weighting at this point.

noir extreme parfum

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The performance on the whole, is roughly the same as Extreme EDP. However, I don’t think that Parfum has the same sillage and projection as that one.

Not a huge difference, but it is a slight step back. You get that initial power from the ginger and cardamom, then, it settles into that same kind of moderate projection. Not a huge deal, but I thought that this would be a beast mode with the higher concentration.

Coming back to it again and again. It really doesn’t seem to be stronger than the original for me. I’ve tested on shirts to see how far away I can detect it and there’s almost no difference, other than EDP feels a bit more powerful.

With the EDP, I get 6-8 hours of wear from it usually. Though, with the way that I spray (heavy), it hits that 8 hour mark more often.

Parfum seems to be able to go up to 9 hours, during this initial testing. It’s a slight step back in terms of its strength, but its staying power is also slightly better on me. Again, about the same overall, but this is what I’ve gathered about it thus far.

Seasonally, Parfum is still a colder weather fragrance. It’s summer now, so, I’ve had to test it out in the air conditioning. Not ideal, but it’s fine in the temperate climate. In the heat, it gets messy like the original.

I can’t wait to give it a go in autumn and winter. That leather addition should be great.

Noir Extreme often felt like more of a unisex wear than being strictly something men would want to wear, since it’s based off the original Noir. This one, falls more so in the masculine camp, still wearable by anyone just heading toward one side of the spectrum.

Overall Impressions of Noir Extreme Parfum

Overall, do I like Noir Extreme Parfum? Yes, I do. Is it better than Noir Extreme? First impressions…not really.

These Tom Ford fragrances are really similar to each other, just with the differences that I mentioned above. I am a massive fan of the original, it’s one of my favorites ever, and it’s going to be tough to top.

I like the changes here, but there’s nothing about it that truly surpasses Extreme EDP.

Now, that’s my first impression. In a week or two, it might have flipped completely. As of this moment, Extreme Parfum is a few points below its predecessor.

Update: Parfum has grown on me more. It’s almost a tie at this point between these two fragrances for me. I will often spray both of them on at the same time. Like, two sprays of EDP for every spray of Parfum. Still, I think I still enjoy EDP more, personally.

That being said, you may prefer the added spice, smoke, and dirtiness that Parfum brings to the table. Though, if you also already have a bottle of Extreme EDP, the differences may not be enough to justify a bottle of this.

I’ve seen some people say already that these smell exactly the same. They don’t. There are distinct differences, but this also isn’t a complete re-imagining of the formula. Just expect less of that amber and white floral notes, also.

Is it worth a buy? Yes, it’s a great fragrance. If you already own one, you don’t ‘need’ the other. If you’re undecided, I might wait to be able to test this one and see if you dig the new changes versus the EDP version.

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.

Encens Satin by Giorgio Armani

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Armani Prive is the upscale line of the Giorgio Armani brand. I’ve tried some of them out before, but not the entire range. I really wasn’t checking for Encens Satin, but when I had the change to buy a sample as a part of a lot, I went ahead and added it on. How does this one smell? Does it last long? Is it actually worth the high price?

What does Encens Satin Smell Like?

Notes include: incense, amber, woods, spices

encens satin review

My Full Review

Here’s how Armani describes it: Celebrating a new vision of legendary, sensual, incense. Blue satin, as fluid as the Mediterranean. A midnight blue, refined and modern, one of Giorgio Armani’s most emblematic colors. Satin that caresses as it envelopes the body, always in motion. It is this opulence and radiance that inspired Giorgio Armani to create Encens Satin, a fragrance where each note is wrapped in a deep, luminous embrace.

This is an absolutely smooth, warm, and rich incense fragrance. many other perfumes which use that note, have a harsher and smokier incense. This one is hot and almost like it hasn’t been burned in a while, and yes, somehow feels like it’s wrapped in satin. Weird.

With that, there are some generic spice notes up top. Not very distinct in how they come across, almost like they are sprinkled within the amber itself. It feels like they used labdanum here too, along with the amber note. It’s sweeter, spicier, and deeper than I’d expect otherwise.

The wood here is quite light. I get brief hits of it throughout, but this really turns into the incense and amber show. Sure, some hints of spice remain, just not to the same extent as the beginning.

Again, since the smokiness isn’t heavy, Encens Satin actually comes across as clean and very dry. I get the same deep darkness impression that I get with another Armani scent, AdG Profumo, just on the opposite end of the spectrum.

Water based incense versus this dry aroma. Oh, the frankincense is way higher quality here, though.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Encens Satin isn’t a super heavy fragrance. It has depth, but it very wearable. I don’t find it to be blow out a room powerful. It projects itself well above average, in the first few hours, and will leave a nice scent trail.

But, never made me feel as if it were dominating absolutely everything.

The longevity is great. I got well above 10 hours on my skin. Probably in the 12-ish hour range, at least as a faint amber note. There is no disappointments with how this scent performs.

Seasonally, this is going to be autumn and winter. Maybe the early part of spring, at night. But, I really wouldn’t go too warm with when I ventured to wear Encens. It works in the cold and crisp weather, but can fall apart completely in the heat.

This Armani is indeed a true unisex. Doesn’t lean too far in either direction. Perhaps, a slight bit more traditionally male. Not enough to make a fuss over.

This isn’t a daily wear for most people. Sure, cold weather and out a night, it’s great. Maybe not a daytime fragrance to go with in many office environments. Some folks, might have jobs where it’d be fine.

Again, not too intrusive and not obnoxious. Just kind of depends on your own circumstances.

Overall Impressions of Encens Satin

Overall, do I like this fragrance? I do. I’m not a major fan of the incense based fragrances of this sort, but this Armani is fantastic for what it is.

The amber and the incense lead the way, with only hints of spices and wood throughout. However, it simply works. Not too complex, but you get a full array of sweetness, spiciness, smokiness and just a great perfume all around.

It projects strongly, but isn’t so overpowering as to make it off-putting. But, it also lasts a long time, helping to make the cost of entry with Encens Satin more palatable.

I am pretty sure that Encens Satin has been discontinued, as it’s out of stock everywhere that I’m looking, at the moment. As such, you’ll probably have to track down a bottle in order to experience it…or grab a sample first on eBay, if available.

That being said, if your an incense fan or just think that this one sounds interesting, Encens is definitely worth a try.