Oud Wood Intense by Tom Ford

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Keeping things moving, in my remaining Tom Ford fragrance reviews, we have the flanker scent to the original Oud Wood. Oud Wood Intense, kicks things into a higher gear than its originator, but does it actually smell good? Is the performance great? Is it worth a buy?

What does Oud Wood Intense Smell Like?

Notes include: oud, juniper, leather, cypress, angelica, ginger

Click here to try: Tom Ford Oud Wood Intense 1.7 oz./ 50 ml Spray New 

My Full Wear Review

Before we get into my review of Oud Wood Intense, let’s see how Tom Ford describes it: “Unrestrained. Lavish. Intense. Tom Ford Oud Wood Intense introduces new dimensions of oud at its richest, most luxurious saturation. Often imitated, never duplicated, the classic Tom Ford Oud Wood reveals its full force through bold intensification, ignited by the smoldering grip of angelica roots and cypress.”

Wow. Does this stuff ever hit hard. Upon immediate application to the skin, Oud Wood Intense, hits with a warm spice and leather. It’s not just a fresh ginger, but also an animalistic kind of aroma.

Is the original Oud Wood in there? Sort of. It’ll be closer to the original later on in the wear, but at first, its a completely different kind of scent.

After the original spice, fades a bit, I start to get more of the oud itself. However, it isn’t overpowering the composition. Instead, I get that burning quality from the angelica, and the distinct smell of cypress.

This cologne really does have a dark and as they described it, smoldering, aroma. It’s a smoky wood, but as if it is currently burning, and not already burnt.

From there, what I get is a blend of the oud and cypress, with a less prominent angelica, a leathery smell, and a faint hint of juniper.

It’s a bit smoother, at this point, and has flashes of the original Oud Wood. It’s still got that warm smoldering sort of feeling, but it has really developed into  the cypress/oud hybrid.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this fragrance is a bomb. Seriously, this can project like crazy, and easily be over sprayed. With that in mind, this is also a scent that you don’t want to overspray, because it ruins the experience. Plus, chokes out a room. Keep it to 1-2 sprays.

The longevity is also utterly fantastic. It can go all day, well into the double digit hours on my skin. Not that it’s going to be vital to do so, in most situations, but it is more than capable.

Climate wise, this is a cold weather fragrance. If you live in a tropical area, or if it’s summertime, I wouldn’t even bother. It’d be such a pungent mess, to not even be worth wearing, at this price point.

This is also much more of a niche fragrance, than was the original Oud Wood. It’s use and appeal is going to be limited, as it’s not the crowd pleasing type, and actually lives up to the intense name.

I’d probably say this is more of an evening wear or casual scent, that you’d wear because you enjoy it. Not many others, will agree, but it will have a small number of ardent fans.

Overall Impression of Oud Wood Intense

Do I like Oud Wood Intense? In a way, I actually do. Can I wear this, personally? Probably not.

I’m not a huge oud fan, but this strikes me as much more interesting, than the original. It’s got some real highlight moments, but ends up overwhelming my senses.

This is only going to really appeal to a select group of people. Not only is it prohibitively expensive, but the smell is going cut the number of potential buyers, even further. Oud Wood Intense is fairly niche with its style.

The performance is top notch, it’s unique, and comes together quite nicely. Not a blind buy candidate, but someone out there is going to find this to be an obsession.

Update: This seems to have been discontinued at some point. Not sure if Tom Ford is ever going to bring it back or do a limited run of it. So, you’ll have to track down a bottle online and pay whatever prices people are selling Intense for.

Again, this might not be something that everyone will enjoy. Don’t overpay for a bottle if you’re unsure.

Kalan by Parfums de Marly

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Kalan is a Parfums de Marly release, that I never got around to when it came out back in 2019. I’ve had the sample for a long while now, just sitting in a box, so I figure it’s high time that I gave it a full review. How does this one smell? Does Kalan last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Kalan Smell Like?

Notes include: blood orange, black pepper, spices, orange blossom, lavender, sandalwood, moss, woods, amber, tonka bean

Click here to try: Kalan by PdM

kalan marly review

My Full Review

Here’s how PdM describes it: Intense and subtle at once- Kalan surprises with a sparkling opening, blending black pepper and spices with fresh notes of blood orange. The fragrances is embodied through a heart of orange blossom and lavender, while it evolves as facets of white sandalwood unfold and drape into notes of moss and precious wood.

The opening is a blast of the blood orange note and the spices. The black pepper is going to be the most noticeable under the juicy and sparkling citrus. But, there are some other spices lurking about.

Two other notes that I pick up early are: orange blossom and moss. The mossy aspect of this really comes through in the opening act, on my skin.

The next phase will be a mix of the moss, lavender, and the remaining blood orange influence. For me, most of the spice has dissipated by this point in the wear. It feels like a woodsy floral blend with some sweetness and amber peaking in.

As we move forward in the wear, earthy woods that is softened by lavender, with hints of amber is basically what I get. Lots of sandalwood, moss, and just sort of damp and generic smelling wood notes.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

With Kalan, I do get a pretty bold start. A strong projection and solid scent trail in your wake for an hour or so.

After that, it stays above average with its performance. I can detect it a good 4-6 feet from where I sprayed Kalan on a t-shirt, after a few hours. It of course will diminish into something more intimate, but it takes a while to get there.

On my skin, this will go up to about 9 hours. It may last a little longer or a tad less than that, but eight or nine is what Kalan seems to be capable of. Not too bad with its longevity.

Seasonally, this could be worn basically anytime outside of the height of summer. It’s fine when it’s temperate to warm out, but the hotter days wouldn’t be ideal for Kalan.

It’s spice, citrus, and woodiness to provide a good blend that can work in autumn and winter, while also being fine when things get somewhat warmer.

With that, Kalan can work in daytime and nighttime, but I don’t find it to be a particularly sexy fragrance. Again, it has the boldness to serve as a nightlife option, but there are better fragrances for that.

It’s not so heavy that it can’t work as an office scent. Though, I’d still go light with it, in that situation.

Overall Impressions of Kalan

Overall, do I like Kalan? Honestly, it’s not for me. It’s a pretty unique scent, isn’t going to have mass appeal, and this PdM isn’t one that I enjoyed wearing. It wasn’t terrible, but I never got into it.

Even as something with a unique style, there’s nothing about Kalan that I liked all that much. The lavender, amber, moss, and woods in the dry down is probably the best part to my nose and even that isn’t too exciting.

The opening feels messy and off-putting. Peppery moss with blood orange, isn’t all that appealing.

The performance does well enough for something at this price point. It’s not amazing, but if you do happen to enjoy the smell, it doesn’t just completely disappear in an hour or whatever.

This is a fragrance that I suggest testing before you buy, to see if you’re one of the people who will actually love wearing this. Most of you can skip it and not miss anything, though. At the high Parfums de Marly price, it’s not really one to blind buy for the majority of people.

Reveal Men by Calvin Klein Review

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Calvin Klein has a ton of fragrances that come and go from the market. Every year, there seems to be new ones which fly under the radar, or might stick around for a bit longer. Reveal Men was released in 2016 and seems to now be discontinued. No worries, bottles are available online. How does it smell? Perform? Is it worth a try?

What does Reveal Men Smell Like?

Notes include: agave, brandy, pear, tonka bean, ginger, melon, suede, vetiver, sage

Click here to try: Calvin Klein Reveal Eau de Toilette for Men, 1 Fl Oz

My Full Wear Review

Before we jump into my review of this fragrance, let’s see how Calvin Klein describes it: Magnetic and sensual, Reveal Men is a woody oriental. A vibrant freshness wrapped in an addictive woody signature. 

The opening moments of Reveal, I would describe as: sweet, boozy, and fresh. Honestly, it’s a very unique smelling scent. That doesn’t mean that it’s necessarily good, but it’s at least interesting.

Upon opening, I get a lot of tonka bean and brandy, with the melon and pear notes floating around. Pear and melon aren’t my favorite fruit notes, so, I’m kind of lost as to how I should feel about this opening.

I will say that, when sniffing the fragrance up close, it feels messy. However, some distance away, and it’s rather captivating. The pear note begins to fall away and then the agave comes in. Brandy and a tequila-like aroma, with a warm fresh sweetness. 

I’m really not sure why they call this one a ‘woody’ oriental. The vetiver note, or maybe the sage, is the only thing close to being woody. Neither of which, is all that powerful within the composition.

Further along, some of the sweetness fades. The melon is still very present, but underneath is an alcoholic drink, with amber, and a nice saltiness. The alcohol and any spices that are here get smoothed out by the tonka bean and very light suede. 

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, this isn’t a complete projecting beast, but it is very good. People around you will notice it and it’s not a weak skin scent. I’d say it’s a stronger moderate cologne with its sillage.

Reveal Men will last for around 8 hours, on my skin. Many Calvin Klein fragrances, don’t have very good longevity, but this one actually does. I could get a full work day from this, no problem.

Seasonally, I could wear this almost any time. Maybe not on the hottest days, but summer evenings? I’m thinking that this would work just fine.  

I just wouldn’t like it on a day with a high level of heat and humidity. Honestly, it’d be at its best during a more moderate day.

I do like this as a casual or nightlife scent. Not really something for formal or serious business wear (it is boozy), but anything else would be fine.

 

 

Overall Impression of Reveal Men

Do I like this fragrance? Yes. It’s got some oddly placed notes, but it is something different and intriguing. Smelling it right against the skin, I’m not sold on it. However, just wearing it around, I really enjoy the scent bubble that it creates.

The performance is good and now bottles are available for super cheap. This is a very nice pickup for guys looking for a value play. Is it the best thing ever? No, but it does plenty, at a pretty high level. For $30 or less, I’d definitely take the chance on it. 

This strikes me as being better than Eternity Flame by Calvin Klein, which I just reviewed. Very fresh, nice sweetness, great agave note, and solid performance. 

Update: Coming back to this fragrance in late 2023, Reveal Men is now discontinued. As such, it’s not going to be a cheapie in most places, if you can still find it. It’s not worth paying a high price for it, but again, under thirty or so this can work well.

Sauvage Elixir vs. Bleu de Chanel

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Sauvage Elixir has quickly become a very popular flanker from the top selling Sauvage line by Dior. Bleu de Chanel has been a long time favorite from Dior’s French competitor and these two can often be the final choices of men looking to buy, even if the formulas are quite differenct.

In this post, I want to compare the two colognes. I’m going to use the Eau de Parfum version of Bleu, as I think that’s probably the best of them overall. How does it compare to Sauvage Elixir? Which lasts longer? Which is the better buy?

Tale of the Tape: Bleu de Chanel vs. Sauvage Elixir

Sauvage Elixir

Notes include: grapefruit, wood, lavender, nutmeg, cardamom, cinnamon, patchouli, vetiver

Click here to try: Sauvage Elixir at Macy’s

Read my review: Sauvage Elixir

Bleu de Chanel EDP

Notes include: grapefruit, sandalwood, amber, vanilla, tonka bean, ginger, mint, and more

Click here to try: Bleu De Chaneⅼ Eau De Parfum Pour Homme Spray 1.7 Fl. OZ. / 50ML.

Read my Review: Bleu de Chanel EDP

Opening

Bleu de Chanel EDP kicks things off with citrus, including lemon, but the grapefruit note is actually the stronger of the two.

Bleu will also start to show off its mint note. However, the ginger and pink pepper, have a stronger spiced influence. A little later, you get a smoky incense, and warm amber.

With Sauvage Elixir, you get a ton of spice. In the Dior fragrance it’s: cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. At the top, there is a lighter grapefruit versus the EDT version’s heavier use of citrus.

And especially less citrus than Bleu de Chanel.

The next phase will have more of the lavender and some sweetness from licorice and amber. Sauvage Elixir is spicy, woody, with enough sweetness to change it up. Lots going on in the mix.

Which is better? The opening of Elixir is rather unique and super bold. However, I do prefer the more balanced use of citrus and spice with the Chanel cologne.

Edge: Bleu

Projection

Bleu EDP, is strong, but doesn’t have a crazy powerful projecting ability. In fact, as it wears on, it’s pretty moderate. You’ll get a nice scent bubble, a few hours of creating a scent trail. Bleu de Chanel just isn’t going to overpower a room.

Elixir just might, however. Elixir starts off very powerfully, with a large projection radius, and it maintains a high level for hours on end. Yes, it does settle after that first punch, but it’ll stay stronger than the Chanel for the duration.

Edge: Elixir

Longevity

This category is a clear win for Elixir. It’s one of the best performing mainstream designer fragrances out there. When I’ve worn it, I’ve easily gotten to 12 hours of wear.

It goes further than that, but I take a shower before I find out exactly where it tails off. Elixir is well into the double digit hour mark without issue.

Bleu de Chanel EDP definitely isn’t a bad performer, it just gets overwhelmed by the heavier monster from Dior. With Bleu EDP, I get about 8 hours, each time I’ve worn it.

Honestly, good enough for almost any purpose, just not to the same level.

Edge: Elixir

Versatility

Bleu EDP can go year round, with when you can use it, but is just okay when it’s really hot. Nonetheless, Bleu is better in a variety of climates than is, Sauvage Elixir.

Elixir is built for the autumn and winter months. It’s not like the original Sauvage with its ability to to pair well with warmer weather.

Bleu is also much better as an office scent or a formal-type of fragrance. It isn’t just limited to that, though, as it also fits while wearing a t-shirt and jeans.

Sauvage Elixir works in casual or nightlife scenarios, versus the office. Bleu is more of a daytime fragrance, but wouldn’t be out of place at night, since it is an attractive scent.

Between the two, Bleu has the greater versatility.

Edge: Bleu

Overall Scent

Overall, which is better? I actually like each of these a lot. However, I do think that Bleu de Chanel EDP will be a better buy for most people versus Sauvage Elixir.

Mainly, Bleu just has a wider appeal. Elixir is the more unique of the two, but that spice and licorice won’t appeal to everyone, especially at that high concentration.

Bleu while not able to match the power and longevity of the Dior, is no slouch itself. Which combined with its more expansive use case makes it a pretty easy pick.

Finally, I do kind of prefer the actual scent of Bleu de Chanel to Sauvage Elixir. I enjoy the massive spice of Elixir and can even get into the sweeter licorice accord. You don’t get to much of a similar perfume to Dior Sauvage, in smell, but the notes are mostly rearraigned.

But, the clean citrus and amber of Bleu EDP is a tad more appealing. Even if it too, has seen a host of Bleu de Chanel ‘clones’ come to market.

Winner: Bleu de Chanel EDP

Naturally Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch

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Naturally Fierce is a sample that I kind of just got randomly with another order. I hadn’t ever heard of this Abercrombie & Fitch scent and initially thought it was a flanker to the men’s version. Nope. This women’s perfume was released by the company back in 2021. How does it smell? Does it last long? Is Naturally Fierce worth a try?

What does Naturally Fierce by A&F Smell Like?

Notes include: cactus, agave, sunflower, coconut, plumeria, vetiver, sandalwood, orange blossom, moss

Click here to try: Naturally Fierce

My Full Review

The opening of Naturally Fierce will bring the coconut out, front and center. However, it does have somewhat of an odd presentation. It’s sweet and greenish, with a milky and syrupy sort of aroma.

Obviously, you’re going to get the milky scent from the coconut, but the agave and cactus add to it early on. I really wasn’t sure what to make of it. It’s not something that I enjoyed very much, I didn’t hate it. Though, I just don’t think it works to well in the beginning.

As you move forward, things will become more familiar. The frangipani tropical flower (plumeria) joins its usual tropical partner in coconut. Along with, a fairly light orange blossom.

The greenish aspect and thicker syrupy sweetness will abate. Naturally Fierce will take on a bit of a powdery smell, with some woodsy/earthiness from the vetiver and moss notes in the base. The moss, doesn’t have too strong of a presence, however.

Mainly, though, this is about coconut and sandalwood. That’s what’ll dry down to and that’s what the other notes have to surround for the rest of the way.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one doesn’t feel heavy, pretty average with the scent trail and how it will just project off of the skin. That first hour, is honestly pretty good. I can spray it on a shirt and detect it from maybe 5-7 feet away.

The power of Naturally Fierce will begin to subside quickly, though.

The longevity is basically 5 to 5.5 hours on my skin. The back half of that, is basically a skin scent. That middle of the road projection dies out and this one is going to be pretty intimate, without a heavier application.

Naturally Fierce will be at its best in the warmer temperatures of spring and summertime. It felt a bit off, when I wore it on one colder evening.

And yeah, it’s also a daytime sort of wear. It can actually fit in rather well for most occasion and even to work, since there’s nothing too off-putting here.

Unlike some A&F fragrances, this one doesn’t come across as just something that teenagers would wear. It’s coconut and sandalwood blend never feels too juvenile.

Overall Impressions of Naturally Fierce

Overall, do I like Naturally Fierce? It’s okay. I think the opening act is sort of weird and not all that appealing, but it settles into something much more pleasant.

That being said, it’s not much more than an average performer. So, even that fairly nice middle and dry down periods are short lived.

If it’s on sale for really cheap, it might be worth a pick up. It does have sort of a ‘poor woman’s’ version of Crystal Noir going for it (they aren’t the same, though). The Versace is better, but this could be a similar enough substitute (in the dry down), especially with a massive price break.

This perfume does have some unique aspects, especially early on. Agave, sunflower, and the like aren’t typical notes. I don’t think those non-typical notes work extremely well, but at least it offers up a change of pace for a while.

Naturally Fierce is a good enough release from Abercrombie. Nothing spectacular on the whole, but it has its moments where I think it’s a good little fragrance.