In Part 2 (Part 1 can be found here) of CaFleureBon’s Favorite Winter Fragrances we let the men of CaFleureBon have their chance to help you make it through the night with ten of their choices.
One of our newest contributors starts us off.
John Reasinger, Weekly Contributor
Caron’s “Parfum Sacre” is my “go to” incense scent. Regal and elegant, but not too smoky nor to stuffy, this is like a woolen cloak for the soul. Intensely sensual and balmy, spiced flowers lying on a bed of vanilla sweetened myrrh and musk.
Thierry Mugler’s “A*MEN” is less feminine than the original Angel, but just as delicious. An unusual blending of gourmand notes and masculine accords paired with sexy panache, this makes a statement and truly comes to life in colder temperatures.
Lord’s Jester’s “ARES EDP” has to be the best amber scent I have smelled to date, and is all natural. Amazing sillage and unbelievable longevity make this blend of resin, woods and spices a winter staple.
Etat Libre d’Orange’s “Tom of Finland” is my newest love and possibly my next signature scent. A blend of cypress, leather, styrax and all things masculine creates something refined and smooth, as opposed to brutish or vulgar, and uber-sexy.
Yves Rocher’s “Fantaisies d’Hiver (Folies de Siasons)” combines violets, watery notes and woody vanilla into something icy, rich and astonishingly beautiful. This is like a walk in the snow or frozen flowers dusted with powdered sugar.
Mark Behnke, Managing Editor
You would think after all of the Christmas trees and pine boughs that surrounded me during December the last thing I would want is more of the same but for some inexplicable reason like Oliver Twist I want a little more fir in my life.
L’Artisan Parfumeur “Fou D’Absinthe” I think some people expected a wild alcoholic ride from this one based on its name. I think some people expected something light and subdued because Olivia Giacobetti was the nose. Instead it is more like a walk through a winter pine forest…..with a bottle of absinthe in my mittened hand.
Serge Lutens “Fille en Aiguilles” Babelfish translates the name to “girl out of needles”; I’m told it is supposed to refer to a woman in stiletto heels. I think the machine translation is the better match as the needles here are pine needles, again from a winter wood, but this time they are matched with very pungent frankincense. This time I’m holding a censer on my chilly coniferous walk.
Pino Silvestre When I want my pine straight up this is my choice. The fact that this is one of the best fragrance bargains out there, less than $20, plus the amazing pine accord is created from a group of herbal notes without a drop of resin to be found in the note list. The pine cone shaped bottle might look cheap but the juice is better than many others at a much higher price.
Heeley Cardinal When I want my incense straight up this is my choice. Cardinal is Midnight Mass in fragrant form. I expect to see a curl of smoke rising out of the atomizer every time I prepare to spray it on.
Molinard Habanita A man cannot live by resin alone and so when I need a break this is my alternative Winter Warmer. Habanita was introduced in 1921 to be “the perfume for cigarettes”. In these smoke-free days Habanita has all the tobacco you need in the opening before unfurling a floral fusillade leading to an Oriental finish. This is so addicting I’m not sure there shouldn’t be a Surgeon General’s warning on the box.
Four of our choices are up for draw
50mL bottle of Etat Libre D’Orange Tom of Finland Courtesy of Fragrance and Art
50mL bottle of Caron Parfum Sacre courtesy of Phytouniverse in New York City
30mL bottle of Lord’s Jester Ares Courtesy of Lord’s Jester
50mL bottle of L’Artisan Parfumeur Fou D’Absinthe Courtesy of L’Artisan USA.
To be eligible to win one of these bottles please leave a comment telling us how you make it through the winter night or welcome our newest writer John Reasinger. We will draw four winners using random.org on January 15, 2012.
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume
-Art Direction, Michelyn Camen, EIC