Thursday, October 16, 2008

Ralph Lauren Notorious and Purple Label for Men


Notorious is one of the newest releases from Ralph Lauren Fragrances. Meant to evoke an old world movie star glamour , the company even commissioned a video from acclaimed ( and rightfully so ) director Wong Kar -Wei. See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2nQYIbKwao

The scent is a bit of a gourmand , and categorized as a spicy oriental. I think a mix of the two works well. It is a bit oriental and a bit gourmand. One of the main notes is from the Chocolate Cosmos flower. It is used as a note for the first time in a fragrance here. I once had Chocolate Cosmos growing in my yard. They were so pretty with their deep brown/burgundy shade. Unfortunately I can't remember if they had a strong scent or note, but either way, I am intrigued by the use of this flower.

The chocolate of that flower is very light here. Notorious is more floral and spice . When I first sprayed it I got a lot of floral, a hint of the chocolate and a hint of the blackcurrant. The bergamot is there very much but by the mid point is gone. As it dries down the peonies and the Iris come out. To me this has a strong Iris scent until well after the drydown. By then it's very much the patchcouli, musk with some chocolate.

The sillage is medium and it has good lasting power.

Top Notes: Black Currant, Spicy Pink Peppercorn and Italian Bergamot
Mid Notes: Chocolate Cosmos, White Frost Peonies, Fiery Carnation
Base Notes: Patchouli Musk, Vanilla, Orris
1.7 oz $ 65.00
2.5 oz $ 85.00
6.7 oz Body Lotion $ 45.00
5.3 oz Body creme $ 70.00

For the men there is what I though was new, but isn't- Purple Label. I have many Ralph Lauren mad men I know and none of them, nor I ,have come across this one, which leads me to think it may only be online and in RL shops.

It is really nice, very elegant and not strong but not too light . A little fruit overlaying the woods. The bottle here is gorgeous, in deep purple, and it comes in a lovely presentation box that opens like a book to reveal the EDT. A great gift. I plan on recommending this to a dear friend whose husband is Mr. Ralph Lauren. He will be thrilled.

Notes:
Blackberry, tobacco flowers, woods and suedes, mahogany
2.5 oz $ 70.00
4.2 0z $ 90.00

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