Habdan by Parfums De Marly

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I still have a handful of Parfums de Marly colognes to post reviews of. I’m working my way through each of them and today, I’d like to present my thoughts on Habdan. How does this fragrance smell? Perform? When should it be worn? Is it even worth trying? Continue below for my full take after wearing this scent around.

What does Habdan Smell Like?

Notes include: saffron, amber, frankincense, caramel, apple, myrhh, rose

Click here to try: Parfums de Marly Habdan Men’s Edp Spray, 4.2 Ounce

The opening of Habdan hits with a bunch of saffron, some apple, and frankincense. It’s a lovely blend of sweet/spicy/smoky and honestly grabs my attention from the get go. Now, I’ve seen this cologne compared to Bvlgari Man in Black, and I do see the similarities.

Habdan, does have a leather-like aroma at times, but no leather note, and also a smoky spice. However, the two scents are ultimately different, as the Bvlgari has an infusion of rum and none of the saffron. Although, I also enjoy wearing Man in Black quite a lot.

Back to Habdan, I love the crisp apple note and how it sits among the warmth of the incense aroma. This cologne seems to have so many layers to it, yet, is constructed perfectly. It could’ve easily become a jumbled mess but Habdan sort of systematically unveils an intriguing fragrance to the wearer.

As it dries down, a caramel smoothness emerges over top of the apple note, but it smells less like a candied apple and more like a baked good. Of course, this is still closer to a background player than the main event of saffron, myrrh, and frankincense.

I have found that the latter two notes, always seem to be put into some loud and over the top kind of colognes, but I absolutely love them in Habdan.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Habdan’s sillage is pretty average. It isn’t weak but it’s not an overpowering beast of a scent, either. That’s okay, because it honestly, doesn’t need to be that way.

The longevity is also solid, I get about 7-8 hours of wear out of this Parfums de Marly cologne, not the best but very respectable.

Weather wise, Habdan is best in cold to moderate temperatures. This one will shine on nights in the fall/winter months. It also has good versatility. It’s mature and sexy enough to be worn on dates, but classy enough to be worn at work.

That’s one of the reasons, it somewhat subdued nature works to its advantage. You won’t choke out a room with a normal amount of sprays applied.

Overall Impressions of Habdan

Overall, do I like Habdan? I really do. This is such a well put together and interesting scent to me. I definitely think that it is one of the best Parfums de Marly colognes, and something that I enjoyed wearing throughout the day.

I don’t think it will have a total universal appeal for all guys, but it isn’t a super niche fragrance, either. Habdan is super rich, smooth, complex, with a smoky sweetness. It develops amazingly throughout and an aroma that isn’t completely comparable to anything else that I’ve come across.

Nisean by Parfums De Marly

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After this review of Nisean, I think that I have only two more write ups to do of my Parfums de Marly sample collection. This is a sample that I had to spend some more time with in order to really appreciate and see how the cologne developed before jotting down my thoughts about Nisean below. As usual, I am going to cover how it smells, performs, and whether or not it is worth a purchase.

What does Nisean by PdM Smell Like?

Notes include: patchouli, incense, cedar, rose, saffron, labdanum, lime, grapefruit, and more

Click here to try: PARFUMS DE MARLY NISEAN 125ML EDP SPRAY

My Full Review

Nisean is not one of the more well known or appreciated fragrances from Parfums de Marly. I don’t know why, maybe it’s because it’s name looks like a Japanese car manufacturer.

Anyhow, here is how the cologne sample card describes it: “A beautiful dark wood, hyper textured (majestic patchouli) illuminated by a distinguishable incense note, having the effect of a sacred nectar warming both the heart and the body.”

Sure, ok. I definitely pick up on the dark wood, which I’m guessing is the cedar. Nisean is dry and warm with the amber and the familiar smokiness of the incense note. The saffron is there but it isn’t as intense to my nose, as it was in Godolphin (which I prefer to Nisean).

However, I think that the saffron still plays very nicely off of the patchouli.

During the dry down, there is an element of sweetness (not candy-like) that emerges from within Nisean. Like a dried fruit sweetness, from the grapefruit/lime citrus combination, and a floral sweetness provided by rose.

It stays very warm and woody but there is that citric quality that just feels like it is soaking into the cedar wood. From there, I get a bit of a pepper spice and a warm/sticky amber note.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Nisean is toward the upper moderate end of the spectrum. Not a monster, but it is solid, and you’ll know that it is there. On the other hand, the longevity is awesome.

Like almost every other Parfums de Marly cologne, this one is hitting the double digit hour mark, without trouble. I tend to lose track of these workhorses, but I’d say somewhere in the 12-13 hour range, on my skin.

Wear wise, I’d put this in the fall and winter seasonal category. It’s a mature scent, not ‘old man’, but a guy in his late 20s and up who has his stuff together.

Nisean can be worn semi-casual to dressed up and is best in that space or as an office scent. It’s not something for the night club scene by any stretch.

Overall Impressions of Nisean

Overall, do I like Nisean? Yes, I like it. I feel like it’s probably the sixth or seventh best of this company’s line of colognes. That’s saying something about the depth of options here, as this is by no means an average fragrance.

It’s a very dry woody fragrance with patchouli, incense, and amber warmth as its base.

From there, you’ll get some bit players such as the citrus notes chipping in. It smells good but it isn’t amazing, in my opinion. Though, it is a great performer. It’s a very solid fragrance and could earn a spot in a man’s rotation, but it wouldn’t be my number one option.

I Love NY for Holidays by Bond No. 9

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The march of rating I Love NY fragrances from Bond No. 9 moves on. Today, we have a supposed unisex scent from the brand called, Holidays. This is an interesting gourmand scent suitable for the cooler months of the year. In this post, I am going to go over how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is worth a purchase.

What does I Love NY for Holidays Smell Like?

Notes include: apricot, pomegranate, mandarin, praline, leather, musk, patchouli, freesia

Click here to try: Bond No 9 I Love NY Cologne, Holidays, 3.4 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of I Love NY for Holidays hits immediately with a fruity blend of the apricot and mandarin orange notes. This is flanked by a noticeable combo of praline and patchouli. The instantly reminded me of Black XS, except that the fruit notes are much better than the Paco Rabanne lemon that ends up smelling like a candied strawberry.

It is interesting that Holidays also takes on a different kind of fruity aroma, almost a blueberry feel to it. The freesia gives it a nice little floral scent, as well.

Holidays further takes on the appearance of another popular fragrance, Angel by Thierry Mugler. It seems that Holidays is sort of skirting between Black XS and Angel, which isn’t terrible company to be in, but it will have a rather set appeal with people.

This fragrance is very sweet and gourmand with a distinctive impression of patchouli. Holidays was actually marketed as a unisex fragrance but this leans much more to the female side of things. I could wear it, but it honestly doesn’t seem to fit with me.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Holidays is pretty powerful stuff not super intense but you’ll know that it is there throughout the day, and so will others. I would put it on the upper end of the moderate range, in terms of sillage.

It also does have really good longevity, I’m getting 9+ hours. After testing it out multiple times, it can hit over 10 hours on the right day. But, it seems to fall in that 9-10 time frame. On the performance side of things, Holidays actually does deliver.

Again, I’d treat this more as a ladies’ scent than something that is unisex. It would work well in cold weather but would probably turn into an abomination in the heat. Casual and perhaps romantic wear would work but go lightly with it, if wearing at the office.

Overall Impressions of Holidays

Overall, is I Love NY for Holidays worth a buy? It might be the best smelling of the I Love NY line, in my opinion. It actually performs well and smells good. I’m not too thrilled with the patchouli and praline combo, Black XS is okay, but I never wear any from my bottle.

If you’re a fan of Angel and want something similar but slightly different than this one might be up your alley. This is a very solid offering from Bond No. 9

Loverdose Red Kiss by Diesel

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One of the samples that I’ve gotten a hold of in the women’s fragrance category, is one from Diesel: Loverdose Red Kiss. This is one of the flanker perfumes from the Loverdose series. The question is, is this scent any good? Well, after trying it out for a few days, I have compiled my thoughts below, on a full spectrum of details about this perfume and whether it is worth a shot or not.

What does Loverdose Red Kiss Smell Like?

Notes include: orange blossom, hazelnut, amber, patchouli, cacao, black currant

Click here to try: Diesel Loverdose Red Kiss Eau de Parfum, 1.7 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Loverdose Red Kiss is a blend of orange blossom, hazelnut, and black currant notes. It’s a sweet and citrus based fruity smell with the underlying smooth nuttiness of the hazlenut note.

I get a feeling of similarity between this perfume and some others on the market, but it does strike me as different enough to stand as a unique fragrance on its own.

It does become a sweeter fragrance as it dries down, but at the beginning of its lifespan, that sweetness is joined by a sharp tart/sour aroma from the fruits. The emergence of the cacao settles Loverdose Red Kiss down into a sweeter blend with less of that sharpness.

The drydown is inhabited mostly by the cacao, hazelnut, amber, and patchouli notes. The patchouli in this Diesel perfume isn’t terribly strong but it is a noticeable component throughout the wear.

It becomes a warmer sweetness and less of the tart citrus, with a comforting blend of nuts and cacao, plus the amber note which ties the whole thing together.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Red Kiss starts of pretty darn strong but its sillage is ultimately pretty moderate. You get about an hour or so as a powerhouse, which then is an upper moderate, and quite noticeable fragrance. Don’t go overboard with the sprays, but you don’t need to be stingy either.

The longevity of this one is also pretty great. It generally lasts 8+ hours, so a full day for most people’s purposes.

Loverdose Red Kiss by the name alone should be useful as a romantic wear perfume, is this actually the case? Yes. It is inviting and sexy and smells quite delicious. Its creamy sweetness and overall blend of notes is very appealing to my male brain.

I would definitely enjoy smelling this on a woman that I was dating and liked the scent a lot as I was wearing it. That being said, it will probably best serve a younger lady. Think college age through mid-20s. Nonetheless, it isn’t too juvenile.

One thing that I should mention, is that this isn’t a warm weather scent. So, during summer days or other high humidity situations, it’s not going to be great. It’d be best in the cold weather but it performs nicely on a mild night.

Overall Impressions of Red Kiss

Overall, do I recommend Diesel Loverdose Red Kiss? Yes, I do. I think it is an attractive perfume that is well put together and also gives a great performance. It is sexy, sweet, and has an interesting opening of tart citrus but also develops a full personality.

If the notes included in here, seem like something that you’d enjoy, I’d definitely give this a try. It has a lot of the same sort of style as something like Black Opium and Prada Candy. Yet, it sticks out as being somewhat distinct from them.

Update: I think that this one has now been discontinued. So grab a bottle now, if you can still find it for cheap, and wanted to try.

Guess Suede by Guess

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Today’s review is of 2007’s release Guess Suede by as luck would have it, Guess. I wanted to see how the suede note worked in this fragrance, as I think it is a nice change of pace from the usual leather note that is so prevalent in men’s colognes.

As usual, I’m going to cover what’s in this cologne, how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if it’s even worth considering a purchase of a full bottle.

What does Guess Suede Smell Like?

Notes include: suede, bergamot, pineapple, vetiver, mahogany, sandalwood, nutmeg, lavender 

Click here to try: Guess Suede By Guess For Men Edt Spray 2.5 Oz

My Full Review

My initial impression of Guess Suede was a positive one. The opening of course, gives you that smooth and familiar suede note that is paired with a slightly spicy nutmeg and a sweet citrus which plays the background quite well.

After a few minutes, the wood notes really begin to take form, and the aroma becomes much fuller in my nose.

The thing of it is, Guess Suede strikes me mostly as a one note fragrance. Obviously, with a name like Suede, that note is going to dominate the composition but the supporting cast of wood and citrus stays pretty much the same after the initial few minutes.

I wish that I could write more about how it develops, but it doesn’t seem to do so at all. Suede stays warm and smooth with a slightly sweet spice to it.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, Guess Suede starts out with a pretty solid kick before it starts to tone down, into something that is essentially moderate but closer to the weak end of the spectrum. Longevity, is not very good at all.

Within 2-3 hours, it’s completely gone from my skin. This was my problem with Guess Seductive Homme Blue, it also smells good but doesn’t last. This brand seems to come out with some pretty good smelling fragrance but the longevity on most of them stinks.

I suppose I’d classify this as a casual cologne that could be worn mostly during the Fall to Spring months…however, since it doesn’t last very long, it’s hard to say exactly.

You could wear it around town, maybe out for an evening, if it happens to last more than a couple of hours on your skin.

Overall Impressions of Guess Suede

Overall, is Guess Suede a buy? Nope. I actually really liked how it smelled, though, less so the second time I wore it. The problem of course is, what’s really the point of getting a full bottle, if it doesn’t last?

Guess Seductive Homme is a legit option from this house, that actually has passable longevity, and is at a good price point. Unless you really love suede and can reapply every few hours, I’d turn this one down.

It was a cheap fragrance, but even that fact couldn’t save this cologne for me.

Update: I’m updating this review from 4-5 years ago, here in 2023. Suede is no longer produced and pretty much came and went without much fanfare.