FSW Fragrances: For Strange Men
A few months ago, I decided to try some samples of For Strange Women's cologne oil (so, fragrance for strange men rather than strange women, I suppose...) While these are marketed as cologne, I'd say they lean very unisex, and - well, I apply the same thing to it as anything else. If it sounds good to you, wear whatever you want!
That said, the scents I tried were: Coyote, Horse, Sand Dollar, and Tobacco & Leather. Overall impression: the scents are great, but they don't wear as long as I usually prefer. They lasted about 5 hours, on average, before I felt need to reapply; I prefer scents that last longer than that.
More detailed discussion under the cut - and please keep in mind my usual disclaimer: my sense of smell is not actually very good, and of course these will react differently to different body chemistry, so results will vary.
Coyote
Official description: Coyote is a full-bodied unisex fragrance made from 100% natural botanical extracts. These plant essences have a pronounced layered effect in this blend; the scent evolves from a smooth opening of bergamot and neroli to a spicy heart of bay leaf and patchouli. A deep wood smoke slowly emerges, creating the essence of the thick fur coat of a coyote in a wooded mountain landscape. The smoke lingers for hours as it melds with a complex musk accord of woods and warm spices.
My impressions: At first touch, I mostly get woods and a hint of patchouli. There's something spiced underneath; doesn't quite smell like bay leaf to me, but similar. Suggestion of woodsmoke; nothing overbearing. Overall, very woodland feel. Nice, but not excessive, and I fortunately didn't find the patchouli overwhelming (I find it tends to take over, sometimes).
Horse
Official description: Horse is a blend of natural essences inspired by scent memories of mid-summer horseback riding in the open country. This unisex fragrance opens with warm notes of hay baking in the sun, woven with hints of fresh clover. A dusty coat of dry musk emerges, lending a familiar and comforting scent that equestrians will truly appreciate. The finish is a thick and tenacious accord of leather. Enjoy this literal interpretation of dry animalic musk laced with soft, sweet hints of cedarwood and oats.
My impressions: Well-oiled leather and clean, dry hay. There's also a hint of sweetness, which is probably the clover. Overall, the "feeling" I get from this scent is: dark, comfortable, and well-kept. A bit of musk, but definitely not overwhelming. Of the four that I ordered, this one is my absolute favourite, and I will be buying a full bottle after I'm finished using up these samples.
Sand Dollar
Official description: Sand Dollar is an artisan perspective of these mysterious ocean floor dwellers. This blend opens with notes of salty citrus and rosemary, creating a refreshing shoreline atmosphere. Over time the scent goes deeper under the current to the ocean floor, where seaweed mixes with a soft, tranquilizing musk. Although sweet, this scent becomes masculine when worn by men, making it a truly unisex fragrance. The deep aquatic notes wear down over time to a dry-down of sand; freshly washed to shore and baked in the sunlight.
My impressions: Salt and citrus. There is the slight impression of sand and crushed, dry, clean shells. It's a very fresh and clean scent. While this is not one that I would personally reach for, I can see it appealing to a lot of people. It isn't as dark and musky as a lot of men's scents tend to be, so it is great for someone looking for something light. In general it leans more unisex than the other two of the FSW perfumes labelled as colognes.
Tobacco and Leather
Official description: A classic masculine combination, the sweet and earthy tobacco leaf is darkened with a smooth, rich leather accord.
My impressions: This is not as complex as some of FSW's other scents, but that is to its advantage. It's a very pleasant combination! I love this kind of scent, and FSW's take on it is excellent. The tobacco note is dominant for me. Absolutely wonderful.
If I had to order them by preference, it would be: Horse, Tobacco & Leather, Coyote, Sand Dollar. But this is entirely based on what kind of scents I like, rather than differences in quality - they all performed about the same.
This entry was originally posted at http://yuuago.dreamwidth.org/3425618.html. You can comment here or at the original entry.
That said, the scents I tried were: Coyote, Horse, Sand Dollar, and Tobacco & Leather. Overall impression: the scents are great, but they don't wear as long as I usually prefer. They lasted about 5 hours, on average, before I felt need to reapply; I prefer scents that last longer than that.
More detailed discussion under the cut - and please keep in mind my usual disclaimer: my sense of smell is not actually very good, and of course these will react differently to different body chemistry, so results will vary.
Coyote
Official description: Coyote is a full-bodied unisex fragrance made from 100% natural botanical extracts. These plant essences have a pronounced layered effect in this blend; the scent evolves from a smooth opening of bergamot and neroli to a spicy heart of bay leaf and patchouli. A deep wood smoke slowly emerges, creating the essence of the thick fur coat of a coyote in a wooded mountain landscape. The smoke lingers for hours as it melds with a complex musk accord of woods and warm spices.
My impressions: At first touch, I mostly get woods and a hint of patchouli. There's something spiced underneath; doesn't quite smell like bay leaf to me, but similar. Suggestion of woodsmoke; nothing overbearing. Overall, very woodland feel. Nice, but not excessive, and I fortunately didn't find the patchouli overwhelming (I find it tends to take over, sometimes).
Horse
Official description: Horse is a blend of natural essences inspired by scent memories of mid-summer horseback riding in the open country. This unisex fragrance opens with warm notes of hay baking in the sun, woven with hints of fresh clover. A dusty coat of dry musk emerges, lending a familiar and comforting scent that equestrians will truly appreciate. The finish is a thick and tenacious accord of leather. Enjoy this literal interpretation of dry animalic musk laced with soft, sweet hints of cedarwood and oats.
My impressions: Well-oiled leather and clean, dry hay. There's also a hint of sweetness, which is probably the clover. Overall, the "feeling" I get from this scent is: dark, comfortable, and well-kept. A bit of musk, but definitely not overwhelming. Of the four that I ordered, this one is my absolute favourite, and I will be buying a full bottle after I'm finished using up these samples.
Sand Dollar
Official description: Sand Dollar is an artisan perspective of these mysterious ocean floor dwellers. This blend opens with notes of salty citrus and rosemary, creating a refreshing shoreline atmosphere. Over time the scent goes deeper under the current to the ocean floor, where seaweed mixes with a soft, tranquilizing musk. Although sweet, this scent becomes masculine when worn by men, making it a truly unisex fragrance. The deep aquatic notes wear down over time to a dry-down of sand; freshly washed to shore and baked in the sunlight.
My impressions: Salt and citrus. There is the slight impression of sand and crushed, dry, clean shells. It's a very fresh and clean scent. While this is not one that I would personally reach for, I can see it appealing to a lot of people. It isn't as dark and musky as a lot of men's scents tend to be, so it is great for someone looking for something light. In general it leans more unisex than the other two of the FSW perfumes labelled as colognes.
Tobacco and Leather
Official description: A classic masculine combination, the sweet and earthy tobacco leaf is darkened with a smooth, rich leather accord.
My impressions: This is not as complex as some of FSW's other scents, but that is to its advantage. It's a very pleasant combination! I love this kind of scent, and FSW's take on it is excellent. The tobacco note is dominant for me. Absolutely wonderful.
If I had to order them by preference, it would be: Horse, Tobacco & Leather, Coyote, Sand Dollar. But this is entirely based on what kind of scents I like, rather than differences in quality - they all performed about the same.
This entry was originally posted at http://yuuago.dreamwidth.org/3425618.html. You can comment here or at the original entry.