Tom Ford Private Blend Arabian Wood...

Tom Ford’s Private Blend Collection Arabian Wood was initially exclusive to the Kuwait market and was available to that  country alone for quite some time. It’s been said that Arabian Wood was custom blended for an Arabian Sheik. The fragrance captures the Mid East’s aromatic wonders where exotic spices, rich florals and opulent woods define the Arabian tradition.

“This timeless Chypre captures the mystique of the east with modern flourishes. A lavish blend of rich Florals, Spices, precious Woods and exotic Orris entice the senses while aromatic Lavender and Galbanum add a touch of elegance. ” (tomford.com)

The fragrance notes are Bulgarian rose, freesia, orange blossom, green galbanum, bergamot, rose de mai, ylang-ylang, gardenia, rose absolute, honey, oris, patchouli, cedarwood, oakmoss, sandalwood, Tonka bean and amber. It opens up smelling like combined herbs and fougere.  My initial impression was that the scent would progress into something more medicinal given the lavish spices, green and floral accords that hover in the beginning of the fragrance. But after an hour or so, there was a notable transformation from the lush greens-floral pair to a plush floral-wood aroma. The fragrance finishes off with a luxurious trail of decadent complexity. While I don’t perceive Arabian Wood as a full-fledged Middle Eastern wood-based fragrance, I pretty much surmise that this, on the overall, is a nice fragrance to wear. I wouldn’t mind smelling this on someone especially during the cold months of winter.

Tom Ford Private Blend Arabian Wood is available in eau de parfum at 1.7oz and 8.4oz.

Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods...

Twilight Woods is a new fragrance from the Bath and Body Works Collection inspired by the “romantic walk in the enchanted woods.” Crafted to lure the senses towards the midst of beauty with layers upon layers of fruits and woods accords, this fragrance is the perfect companion for those long walks under the moonlit sky with the cool mist of the evening breeze caressing your skin. Twilight Woods marries the olfactive geniuses of perfumers Harry Fremont, Jane Konyu and Honorine Blanc. Their collaboration centers on modern femininity and the youthful luxury stemming from the finest ingredients in the perfumery.

This fragrance is complex with so many notes in it. The top notes are juicy berry, sparkling mandarin, hint of coconut; middle notes feature creamy frangipani, soft mimosa, wet honeysuckle, wild freesia and apricot nectar; base notes include oud wood, skin musk captive, vanilla milk and warm woods. At first sniff, I picked up more of the fruity notes. There were nuances of musk albeit tamed. The fruits seemed to be the dominant note. The coconuts appeared toned down as well as I didn’t get much of the creaminess factor. The dry down is the highlight of this fragrance – the light musk aroma with lingering vanilla-woody notes. It conjures a warm and comforting feel. This is a perfect wear for fall-winter days.

Ultimately, Twilight Woods is worth checking out. While it falls in the category of the trendy sensual woods type, it doesn’t end up cloyingly sweet. The sweetness element, in fact, is expertly blended to maintain its well-rounded appeal from start to finish.

Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods come in 2.5ml eau de toilette and also includes a full range of body products and home fragrances.

Prada L’eau Ambree...

Prada presented another amber fragrance with Prada L’eau Ambree. This modern version of amber is light, soft and unexpectedly neutered. It doesn’t come any close to the previous amber-inspired fragrances which is rather a surprise. In truth, I was expecting a muskier and deeper notes to arise but what I got was a soothing, almost calming fragrance which was really not that bad.

It starts off with a refreshing citrus notes that quickly dissipates as the amber and vanilla rise up and flirt with the floral accords. The vanilla in the background complements the rose in the middle. L’eau Ambree is quietly sweet and doesn’t come off as oriental despite the vanilla, woods and patchouli accords. Another notable characteristic is its resemblance with Prada’s Infusion d’Iris. The concept wasn’t that bad, it’s just that Prada could’ve been more artistic to play around with the notes and explore the essence of amber, just like what it did for its amber-based predecessors.

As for the sillage, it’s very transparent. It doesn’t seem to stay long with my skin’s chemistry, unfortunately. Despite the lack of long lasting power, I’d still give Prade L’eau Ambree a go. I love the refined and feminine take on amber. Plus, it’s a nice feminine fragrance without going overboard on the sweetness factor.

The nose behind this fragrance is Daniela Andrier. The notes are Sicilian citrus, amber, rose de mai, patchouli, opoponax and vanilla. Prada L’eau Ambree is available in 30ml, 50ml and 80ml eau de parfum and also comes with matching body care products.

DKNY Delicious Candy Apple...

DKNY brings us another round of candied apple sweetness with its latest collection, DKNY Delicious Candy Apples. This limited edition DKNY Be Delicious spin-offs are consist of three new fragrances: Sweet Caramel, Ripe Raspberry and Juicy Berry.

DKNY Delicious Candy Apple Sweet Caramel features apples, pears, violet leaves, lily of the valley, marshmallow, vanilla and caramel.

DKNY Delicious Candy Apple Ripe Raspberry is composed of apples, lime, magnolia, peony and cola notes.

DKNY Delicious Candy Apple Juicy Berry include fresh currant, blackberry, lychee, pear, rose, apple leaves and sandalwood.

The DKNY Delicious Candy Apple collection will be launched in February 2010 and will be available in 50 ml eau de parfum.

Jo Malone Pine & Eucalyptus Living Cologne...

Don’t you just love the fresh pine-y scent of Christmas trees? I love how it fills the air with its clean and herbal aroma. It soothes and makes the room feel homey. It evokes a feeling of warmth and closeness that somehow makes people a lot more cheerful and kinder during the holidays.

To celebrate the season, Jo Malone has put together a special fragrance to commemorate the Christmas-y atmosphere. Pine & Eucalyptus is the “embodiment of the Holiday cheer, bursting with cypress, cinnamon and lavender combined with spicy amber and frankincense.” This limited edition scent permeates the crisp aroma of pine needles blended with the velvety ambiance of eucalyptus.

Jo Malone Pine & Eucalyptus Living Cologne is available in 200ml bottle. The pamper kit also comes with bath oil, soap and luxury candle.

Victoria’s Secret Love Rocks...

Victoria’s Secret’s latest fragrance Love Rocks Eau de Parfum is punk princess screaming fruity floral. The juice inside is plummy and sprinkled with sensual vanilla. Love Rocks comes in a bright red bottle with a black atomizer where a rose petal is perched near the bulb.

The official notes are: bergamot, peony, raspberry sorbet, sandalwood flower, jasmine, peach nectar, plum, stephanotis, golden amber, violet, cashmere musk and vanilla. Love Rocks is available in 1.7oz eau de parfum. It also comes with a full line of body products such a s lotion, scented mist and shower and bath gel.

Donna Karan Cashmere Mist, Cashmere Mist Luxe, Bla...

In 1994, Donna Karan introduced Cashmere Mist, touted as the modern classic fragrance inspired by the designer’s great love for cashmere. This fragrance is  described as “an invisible layer of comfort… of sheer floral combining the essences of Moroccan jasmine, lily of the valley and the freshness of bergamot against a warm background of sandalwood, amber and musk.” Cashmere Mist has airy qualities, both gentle and serene. Progressively, it transforms into something darker where sandalwood and amber caress the background with its affable mystique.  The impression it conveys is of the enigmatic kind. It’s quietly attractive and the fragrance resonates with little effort. Cashmere Mist’s creamy aroma is lusciously seductive . It hugs the skin leaving a delicious trail of softness and warmth.

This year, a modern interpretation of Cashmere Mist was introduced - Cashmere Mist Luxe. As the name suggests, this luxe version is more intense than the original. It has the same composition but deeper and more opulent this time around. It’s nicer in the sense that it’s more dramatic and more titillating. The luxe version somehow completed the sensual notes of the first fragrance. The innocence factor is gone and what you get is straightforward and 100% womanly essence.

Winter has cometh. Donna Karan’s Black Cashmere is the winter cashmere because its scent will blanket you with only the finest cashmere – the texture of luxe. The dreary months of winter calls for more warmth. Warmth that comforts and soothes. Black Cashmere lets you feel that warmth with the assortment of spices and wood notes. It’s richer and definitely darker than its predecessors thus it pairs perfectly with the dreary months of winter.

The Cashmere fragrance collection is the antithesis of the DKNY Be Delicious series, in my opinion. If the situation calls for more woman attitude, I’d certainly go for the Cashmere in a heartbeat. The Be Delicious line is meant for summer – all fun and excitement.

DKNY Love From New York...

There are many fragrances created to pay homeage to the City of New York . Donna Karan, a native New Yorker herself, presents another fragrance called DKNY Love From New York, a his and her fragrance dedicated for the love of the Big Apple.

DKNY Love From New York For Women is a medley of refreshing flowers and fruits.  This eau de parfum is described as “a boldly sensual fragrance infused with water lily, freesia, a twist of mandarin and a splash of black currant. ” This is a sweet smelling fragrance, pleasant and a bit girly. The sillage is somewhat tame on my skin and needless to say, same goes with longevity. The opening is fruity-floral, the combination of apricot and black currant lingers followed by the white-bouquet freshness of freesia and and lily. The citrusy notes add a tinge of tartiness which I like. Love From New York doesn’t have any warm-spicy accords in its composition which is perhaps, the reason for its short-lived aroma. Then again, on the overall, this is a pretty scent. Perfect for summer.

DKNY Love From New York For Men’s description in the DKNY fragrance website is a hybrid of sort, a meeting of the old and the new, marrying tradition with modernity, “This cool, illuminating fragrance is similar to the Manhattan skyline – once simple and complex, classic and contemporary.” As for the notes, this masculine version is composed of clementine, coriander leaf, sandalwood, patchouli, violet leaf, suede, water lily, bergamot, white iris, geranium and cardamom. The citrus complex creates a potent yet fresh and clear scent. It’s bright at first sniff, very endearing and warm although not spectacular enough to sweep me off my feet. Just like the women’s fragrance, longevity is not its best quality.

DKNY Love from New York is available in 1.7ml, eau de parfum for women and eau de toilette for men.

Bond No 9 High Line...

Bond No 9 is set to release High Line in spring 2010. Inspired by New York City’s elevated track in West Side Manhattan, this new fragrance takes on the “green” culture of the park. Touted as marine floral aldehyde, High Line, according to its creator Laurent Le Guernec, “… is a very fun floral, in a very modern way, industrial way.” The notes are: purple love grass, bergamot, aldehydes, ozonic notes, rhubarb, rose, tulip, hyacinth, orange blossom and bur oak.

Bond no 9 High Line will be available in 50ml and 100ml eau de parfum.

Juliette Has A Gun Calamity J...

How does a masculine fragrance dedicated to women smells like? Juliette Has A Gun’s new fragrance, Calamity J knows.

Perfume creator Romano Ricci offers a “masculine yet carnal” Juliette, veering away from the typical feminine perfume that explores the floral-fruity-sweet category. Calamity J is devoid of the traditional feminine notes. Adding to the uniqueness is the absence of hesperidic notes, a dominant ingredient in most masculine fragrances. Ricci described Calamity J as, “It’s a dandy fragrance… with no traditional top note. The heart is a combination of patchouli, iris and amber, while the base blends musk and vanilla.”

Calamity J will be released this month in the French market and will be rolled-out in the international markets by 2010. It will be available in 50ml and 100ml eau de parfum.

Source and image credit: moodiereport.com