Phaedon
Photo: PhaedonParis.com
LENTISQUE
Sadly not impressed with this. I wanted a strong lentisque perfume, but I smell so much synthetic Iso-e that I can't enjoy anything else about it. I do smell some lovely lentisque and vetyver, but it is buried by the Iso-e, so I can only smell it if I put my nose directly onto my skin and inhale deeply, which I have been looking silly doing all day at work. Upon application, I smelled heavy pepper of all things, yet there is no spice in the notes. Lasts long, but it is far too light of a perfume to really enjoy. (Jun 2014)
Sadly not impressed with this. I wanted a strong lentisque perfume, but I smell so much synthetic Iso-e that I can't enjoy anything else about it. I do smell some lovely lentisque and vetyver, but it is buried by the Iso-e, so I can only smell it if I put my nose directly onto my skin and inhale deeply, which I have been looking silly doing all day at work. Upon application, I smelled heavy pepper of all things, yet there is no spice in the notes. Lasts long, but it is far too light of a perfume to really enjoy. (Jun 2014)
PLUIE DE SOLEIL
First impression: Fruity chewing gum
Second impression: Fruity shampoo
Third impression: Annoying, screechy, piercing, bitter freesia
So...not my favorite from Mr Guillaume by any means. If you told me this was Summer Fantasy by Britney Spears, I would believe you. I really can't distinguish any particular fruit. Whether it's strawberry or pineapple, I really can't tell. If you do end up liking this perfume, the good thing is that sillage is quite good for such a fruity perfume.
Many hours later: Darn, how did I grow to love this perfume?! I will tell you how. That annoying freesia note became increasingly annoying, to the point of smelling like plastic. The perfume began to smell like something closely linked to my memory; some sort of scented doll that I had as a child. Or possibly a Barbie kids lotion or powder I had when I was little. Something along those lines. So while I wouldn't necessarily recommend this perfume, God help me, I love the stuff! (May 2016)
First impression: Fruity chewing gum
Second impression: Fruity shampoo
Third impression: Annoying, screechy, piercing, bitter freesia
So...not my favorite from Mr Guillaume by any means. If you told me this was Summer Fantasy by Britney Spears, I would believe you. I really can't distinguish any particular fruit. Whether it's strawberry or pineapple, I really can't tell. If you do end up liking this perfume, the good thing is that sillage is quite good for such a fruity perfume.
Many hours later: Darn, how did I grow to love this perfume?! I will tell you how. That annoying freesia note became increasingly annoying, to the point of smelling like plastic. The perfume began to smell like something closely linked to my memory; some sort of scented doll that I had as a child. Or possibly a Barbie kids lotion or powder I had when I was little. Something along those lines. So while I wouldn't necessarily recommend this perfume, God help me, I love the stuff! (May 2016)
ROUGE AVIGNON
Let's face it: the market is saturated with dark rose perfumes. There are jammy roses, cosmetics roses, patchy roses, oudy rose attars, and so many perfumes that smell like Noir de Noir, including other perfumes from Tom Ford that all share similar characteristics.
Rouge Avignon is a perfume in its own right. What I find interesting is that it seems like a blend of all of the above. I smell a jammy rose, a dark & creamy Middle Eastern inspiration, and a powdery cosmetics rose all in the same bottle.
Chocolate is noticeable, and it's more like an alkaline chocolate powder versus a chocolate candy bar. I don't smell raspberry specifically, but I have to assume it comes into play to create the confiture effect. And the biggest component of the perfume, unsurprisingly, is a velvety red rose.
I think it's a beautiful fragrance, but because I already own Histoires de Parfums' 1969, which also has rose, fruit and chocolate, I feel no immediate need to buy this one. But I still recommend sampling it. I have had more misses than hits with the Phaedon line. After Tabac Rouge, this would be my next choice. (May 2016)
Let's face it: the market is saturated with dark rose perfumes. There are jammy roses, cosmetics roses, patchy roses, oudy rose attars, and so many perfumes that smell like Noir de Noir, including other perfumes from Tom Ford that all share similar characteristics.
Rouge Avignon is a perfume in its own right. What I find interesting is that it seems like a blend of all of the above. I smell a jammy rose, a dark & creamy Middle Eastern inspiration, and a powdery cosmetics rose all in the same bottle.
Chocolate is noticeable, and it's more like an alkaline chocolate powder versus a chocolate candy bar. I don't smell raspberry specifically, but I have to assume it comes into play to create the confiture effect. And the biggest component of the perfume, unsurprisingly, is a velvety red rose.
I think it's a beautiful fragrance, but because I already own Histoires de Parfums' 1969, which also has rose, fruit and chocolate, I feel no immediate need to buy this one. But I still recommend sampling it. I have had more misses than hits with the Phaedon line. After Tabac Rouge, this would be my next choice. (May 2016)
TABAC ROUGE
I love this perfume. It must be one of the best tobacco perfumes available. It features a true tobacco note with holiday spices. A cozy, autumn or winter tobacco dream!
I can appreciate the comparison to Tobacco Vanille. They smell similar, but there are some (in my opinion) big differences as well that are worth mentioning. First, Tobacco Vanille smells just like vanilla flavored pipe tobacco, whereas this smells more like iced cinnamon buns and gingerbread mixed with tobacco. Tobacco Vanille has an ashy quality about it, seems denser, heavier, more suitable for evening or special occasion and definitely has outrageous sillage. Tabac Rouge has more of a gourmand quality, seems cleaner, more translucent, sweeter, almost candy-like, features distinct cinnamon/ginger spice; and sillage is more appropriate for those who do not wish to make their presence known before they even enter the room.
Due to the sweetness, I think this has more in common with Chergui than with Tobacco Vanille. But Chergui is sweet and powdery like marshmallows, and Tabac Rouge is not particularly powdery.
Tabac Rouge is truly a quality perfume, very well crafted, and absolute must-try for tobacco lovers. (Dec 2014)
I love this perfume. It must be one of the best tobacco perfumes available. It features a true tobacco note with holiday spices. A cozy, autumn or winter tobacco dream!
I can appreciate the comparison to Tobacco Vanille. They smell similar, but there are some (in my opinion) big differences as well that are worth mentioning. First, Tobacco Vanille smells just like vanilla flavored pipe tobacco, whereas this smells more like iced cinnamon buns and gingerbread mixed with tobacco. Tobacco Vanille has an ashy quality about it, seems denser, heavier, more suitable for evening or special occasion and definitely has outrageous sillage. Tabac Rouge has more of a gourmand quality, seems cleaner, more translucent, sweeter, almost candy-like, features distinct cinnamon/ginger spice; and sillage is more appropriate for those who do not wish to make their presence known before they even enter the room.
Due to the sweetness, I think this has more in common with Chergui than with Tobacco Vanille. But Chergui is sweet and powdery like marshmallows, and Tabac Rouge is not particularly powdery.
Tabac Rouge is truly a quality perfume, very well crafted, and absolute must-try for tobacco lovers. (Dec 2014)
