An olfactory overture to the color black – Noir is a spicy, woody oriental fragrance for men, launched in 2012 by the perfumed hand of Tom Ford. Looking dapper in its flacon of smoked black glass, Noir cuts a striking silhouette, communicating luxury, class and elegance. A scent that reveals itself in layers, this fragrance takes us on a journey from beginning to end.

A warm and seductive masculine, Noir transforms from something simple to something rather complex... it flits between light and dark, soft and unyielding. Opening with citrus and soft violet, these notes are swiftly diminished by facets of pepper, nutmeg and resins (opoponax and benzoin). Noir feels delicate with accords of rose, iris and geranium, but these softer notes are imbued with warm amber, patchouli, civet and leather. Those familiar with Comme des Garcons '2' for women might recognize more than a passing resemblance to Noir... both strike a masterful balance between masculine and feminine, sheer and opaque. True to Tom Ford's universe, Noir manages to feel both assertive yet tender.

Noir can be worn casually with jeans and shirt, or formally with black tie... it feels refined and well-edited, much like any one of Tom Ford's exceptionally-tailored garments.

Founded in 1968, Etro is a family-run Italian accessories manufacturer, perhaps best known for their enchanting and decorative paisley-printed shawls. Their line of leather goods, fabrics and scarves have been paired with an array of fine fragrances that reach back to the 1980s. Musk is a scent that sounds simple, but is actually a whole lot more than it says on the box!

 A citrus woody musk fragrance for both men and women, Etro's Musk delicately dances between the genders with its universal amalgamation of citrus, verbena and precious woods. A shimmering, zesty opening gives rise to a warmer nucleus of sandalwood, guaiac wood and cedar... it feels cozy and informal. A soft whisper of rose and lily-of-the-valley lends a blush of softness to the mix, and the sum of these accords is steeped in a starring facet of musk. It feels both clean and sensual in equal measures. It dries down to a soft and comforting powdery vibe, and a feeling as though you've been dusted with a paper-thin mantle of perfumed powder.

Musk sits close to the skin, but is uplifting and non-complicated. A great go-to scent during the day; this perfume feels even more unruly and playful at night!

If something has been around for over 80 years, it has to be for good reason, right?

Pour Un Homme is a Caron masculine that first made its debut back in 1934, and is still in production today! It is revered in the here and now as one of the classic perfume pillars of the early 20th century. Why? you might well ask... well, because you can never truly go wrong with classic ingredients that exude masculine charm and refinement.

Pour Un Homme is an aromatic fragrance whose primary list of components is short and sweet: lavender, vanilla, musk. And before you go dismissing it completely as sounding a tad lack-lustre, its important to remember that these three notes form the basis for COUNTLESS THOUSANDS of fragrances (both mens and women's) since the beginning of time! Here, there is a beautiful balance between sharp lavender and creamy vanilla... it creates an almost powdery texture in the nose, which evokes feelings of comfort and warmth. The slightly animalic seam of musk helps anchor it to skin, thus it's longevity and persistence is surprising. Pour Un Homme has a distinct barbershop vibe... it feels worldly, learned and civilized. If anything, it should write “Dandy” on the bottle!

So surely 3 generations of men can't be wrong. Pour Un Homme is an exceptional gift for a man who is simply happy in his own skin. Conservative. Educated. Dependable.