Ysbrand

I normally dont care much about celebrity perfumes, its a snob thing of me. Like i believe only classics or niche fragances are worthy. But i suspect this is a mistake in someone who is seriously interested in perfumery. Celebrity fragances are the result of a very thoroughful marketing research, and the perfumers must attune to the pulse of the street so the product hits the target and, mostly,sells easily. Celebrity fragances are valuable tools to understand the modern history of perfumery, i believe.
How many times have we smelled Beckham Signature alike fragances? hundreds, probably. It is a perfume that would please a huge range of young guys, though, and i believe it is well done without having anything groundbraking on it.

It is VERY aquatic and ozonic. I would probably wear it only to the gym or maybe the beach, but i would enjoy it. Beckham Signature is quite linear. It starts with a very clear watermelon and sea note, and remains watery and sweet until the end. This notes are obviously sytnthetic, but please do not read synthetic like it is a bad thing. I was quite intrigued by the Lantana, since is a plant i relate to my childhood memories and have a very particular dry, pungent smell. I can detect it, although is not strong... it adds some dusty depth to the ozone and the fruit. Same does cypress and the moss, but they dont manage to completely tame the sweetness, they are a glimpse of a sophisticated umber, but the fragance keeps sporty and young and unapologetic about it.

The drydown is pleasant, still ozonic and a bit woody. The fruit is almost gone.

I am a sucker for honey. So after the (just ok) gentle Eau de Miel was discontinued, and the sore-throat candy flop of Miel et Citron, i was intrigued and hoping for the best with this Miel & Vanille.

It will please the gourmand lovers. It certainly smells foody, but despite i love the scent of honey, i dont like smelling like dessert. A good choice for the vanilla & caramel fans, the honey is completely overpowered by vanilla and caramelized sugar (which i could appreciate separately but find dreadful together) It may please also very young consumers.

L´Occitane hasn´t made yet a truly stunning honey perfume. Which is surprising, since some of the body products of the 3 honey lines smelled wonderfully. I specially remember the acacia honey handsoap, the lemon and honey cream and an absolutely enticing incense sticks, all of this now discontinued.

The bottle is very pretty though, i regret i gave it away.

The card of the Empress, in tarot, represents the lushy fertility, the feminine principle and everything that is beautiful. Despite of the name, this is a unisex scent. This fruity fruity is maybe the only interesting piece of the extremely dissapointing collection of modern clichés that is this D&G series. Is a great,simple summer fragance you would also wear to gym or office. As Miskk states in her great review, i appreciate the abscence of citrus notes. Kiwi makes a great alternative to keep the fragance´s spark, but in a softer, more watery way. The cyclamen keeps the fragance grounded, with an earthy peppery note, not very noticeable, that gives body to the fruits.

Gentian grows in high altitude and so, there is a mountain stroll feeling in this composition... the chilly air, the excitement of reaching the top, the joyful solitude... Aqua Allegoria Gentiana starts bitter and sparkling (makes you think of a gin tonic; both gin and tonic water are infused with gentian, and i have never smelled true gentian, so i guess there it is) and also with a cool citrus note. A calming pear and vanilla counterbalance this transparent composition, adding some juicy sweetness, making of Gentiana a very fresh, gentle and aromatic fragance, easy to wear in the warmest seasons.