Scent of the day - Prada Amber Pour Homme

I wore Prada's Amber Pour Homme today. I've tried it a few times before, but I have to admit that despite the enticing notes, Prada's perfumes haven't done very much for me. There is a note that all their perfumes seem to have, mainly in the dry down, that just doesn't appeal to me.

Anyway, Amber Pour Homme has notes of mandarin, bergamot, cardamom, patchouli, tonka, vanilla, saffron, suede, vetiver and orange blossom. In theory, this combination ought to have me in raptures, as these are all notes that I love. In practice, the fragrance dries down to an over-sweet amber that promises a lot, but just doesn't deliver.

In fairness, I don't think it is a poor fragrance, but I wish that it was a bit drier, with a touch of smoke and more resinous. When I wore it, I had a steaming cup of coffee next to me and I suddenly thought how nice this fragrance could be if Prada perhaps added a shot of a coffee note to the original. It certainly smelled very good with the coffee aroma close by!

In closing, I should perhaps state that I do prefer Amber Pour Homme to the Infusion d'Iris, which is even sweeter and more cloying on my skin.

Plague or perfume?

Guess what folks? I is a sick puppy. I started getting some severe stabbing pain in my ribs on Wednesday and shortness of breath. At first I thought I'd pulled a muscle between the ribs, but after seeing the doctor I have ben diagnosed with pleurisy! Yikes, this sounds like TB or the plague no? Well, in actual fact pleurisy is an infection and inflammation of the fluid and lining of the lungs. The pain, which feels like being stabbed in the ribs, is caused by the friction of the rubbing of the two membranes or linings. Believe me, not nice. So now I am on a course of strong antibiotics and have been ordered to take plenty of rest and painkillers too. The weirdest thing is that nothing preceded this and I am perfectly healthy (I think). If it hasn't cleared up by Monday I might need to have a chest x-ray and a blood test.

On a brighter note, I've finally ordered some samples from Sonoma Scent Studio in California and I eagerly await them. Dammit, why aren't they here already? I haven't been doing much ordering recently, due to budget constraints, but for some reason sales associates at my local department stores have been flinging samples my way, but a lot of them are duplications of what I already have. I should say no thank you, but I appear to have a compulsive need to collect samples! This week I was given all the Tom Ford masculines (not the private blends), Aqua Di Parma, VC&A Oriens, Dior Miss Cheri, some of the Pradas and I'm sure there's more.

I haven't done a lot of testing the last few days for obvious reasons, but I did try Uncle Serge's Douce Amere and Tom Ford Black Orchid. I like Douce Amere and there are rumours that this is to be discontinued, which is a shame, because it is a well-crafted scent, with absinthe, anise and a nice herby kick. I think it's perfect for a spring day as it is quite refreshing. Black Orchid is interesting. Although a feminine scent, I found it quite wearable for a man, with a very interesting opening. Its quite floral, and the opening packs a punch, but the dry down is smooth and lovely.

I had a look in my wife's closet the other day (as one does, ha ha) and found a couple of perfumes I forgot she had. One is Poeme by Lancome and the other is Volupte by Oscar De La Renta. I might just give them a go, although I suspect they will be too much for me to wear in public, but that won't be a problem considering my current condition. All I need to get now is a bell to wear around my neck, or is that a millstone!

Have a good weekend y'all.

Prada Infusion de Tubereuse and Infusion de Vetiver

There was quite a lot of excitement when news of these releases was received in the blog community. I know there are quite a few Prada fans out there, but I must be honest and say that I have never been blown away by Prada. Of the line, I think the feminine Infusion d'Iris was best done and the masculine version inferior. Having said that, there is something in the Infusion line overall that just doesn't agree with my nose. I can't quite pin it down, but I think it might be that house note of soapy amber and benzoin - its distinctive and somewhat cloying to me and it puts me off. When Prada released Infusion de Fleur D'oranger it didn't improve either, in my opinion.

Anyway, so we come to the two latest releases in the line. Due to my history with Prada, I wasn't expecting much. The reviews I had read mostly suggested that these were ok, but not particularly great. In particular, sillage and longevity appear to be a problem. I tried Tubereuse first and I was pleasantly surprised actually. Look, I admit that if you are familiar with Tuberose as a note and have experienced Fracas, Tubereuse Criminelle or Carnal Flower then you might wonder why this is even called Tubereuse. It is subtle and diffusive and in keeping with the Prada ethos. However, if you are new to tuberose, or find the divas too loud, shrieky and in-your-face, then this might appeal. Most reviewers have said that they can't smell tuberose, but I noticed it straight up. Its true that it is quite subtle, but it is there. I think if you are sensitive to the forcefulness of tuberose, then you might notice it more, and being a male and a bit nervous of white florals, i picked it up quickly and was relieved that it did not shout out. I think it is a well done fragrance and most pleasing is that the dry down does not tread the usual ambery/benzoin path for me, or at least, not obviosly so.

Vetiver opens up with a gin-like accord, all astringent, boozy green and herby, with a touch of lemon. I can see that opening really working on a hot, humid summer's day. However, soon after I get that dreaded soapy, amber accord seeping through and I lose interest. The vetiver does come through, more in the grassy, fresh style of say Lubin Vetiver or Mugler Cologne, rather than rooty/earthy. I must admit that it is an improvement on Fleur D'oranger and the originals and stays a bit fresher and less soapy-amber.

Overall, I quite like these two. They aren't particularly innovative or unique, and if you like your tuberose and vetiver more forceful and full of character, then you won't find that here. However you could do a lot worse than try these two and I would certainly recommend at least sampling them.