If I am to believe all the b-r-e-a-t-h-y advertising, there’s a whole lot of seduction going on down at fragrance counters. Keeping up with this steady procession of new seduction scents is a job in itself. Here’s my round-up of the new arrivals that range from the come-closer-compelling to the oh-dear-trying-too-hard!
Gentleman Givenchy EDT
The complex and highly regarded Givenchy Gentleman (from the 1970s) is reworked for a modern market. Sweet and floral-y, Gentleman Givenchy features a wilted take on iris (an increasingly popular note in men’s fragrances).
I really wanted to like this new EDT, but some classics are best left well alone.
Gentleman Givenchy EDT, R1 010 for 50ml and R1 400 for 100ml.
Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme Eau Electrique EDT
The latest addition to the L’Homme range is not the best in the line, but still has enough sensual oomph to warrant a spray or three. Make sure, though, to sniff out the classic seduction scents: Yves Saint Laurent L’Homme and Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L’Homme.
YSL La Nuit de L’Homme Eau Electrique EDT, R1 177 for 100ml.
Bulgari Goldea The Roman Night EDP
Alberto Morillas delivers a well-executed dose of glamour and mystery with Bulgari Goldea The Roman Night. Featuring notes of black mulberry, black peony, night-blooming jasmine, tuberose, black musk, patchouli and vetiver, it’s one of the year’s better seduction scents.
Bulgari Goldea The Roman Night EDP, R925 for 30ml, R1 380 for 50ml and R1 655 for 75ml.
Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Black EDP
The shot of top notes (absinthe, anise, fennel) is intriguing (a vital element of seduction). But then makes way all too quickly for notes of lavender, musk and black vanilla husk. Not bad (another round of absinthe please!) and the solid glass bottle is pure eye-candy.
Carolina Herrera 212 VIP Men Black EDP, R955 for 50ml and R1 200 for 100ml.
Jacques Bogart Club 75 EDT
Sure, this cocktail of fruits, lavender and woods is not the most original of seduction scents. But Jacques Bogart Club 75 more than compensates with a potency and quality that puts many big-name designer fragrances to shame. And the value for money can’t be beat!
Jacques Bogart Club 75 EDT, R695 for 100ml.
Montblanc Emblem Absolu EDT
Are men’s designer fragrances getting sweeter? Montblanc Emblem Absolu, a fruity woody oriental, is another sweetie. Not particularly distinctive on my skin, but I did hear two women at a fragrance counter proclaim they would give their husbands “a second child if he wore this”. Va-va-voom!
Montblanc Emblem Absolu EDT, R1 295 for 100ml.
Boss The Scent Intense For Her EDP
Boss The Scent For Her gets the intense treatment, with peach, honey, osmanthus, cacao and vanilla notes in the mix. The initial peach opening is quite overpowering. So best give it time to settle before deciding if this is going to be added to your repertoire of seduction scents.
Boss The Scent Intense For Her EDP, R1 010 for 30ml and R1 360 for 50ml.
