Not really a review, this is more of a collection of gifts with this as the sequel. Part 3 lands next week (hopefully). Yeah, my birthday was 18 days ago—but let’s be real, you don’t need a reason to celebrate fragrance. That said, conversations were had, orders were placed, and the packages have now started arriving. Alongside the scents, a few non-fragrance pickups came in: two Boris Karloff cigars from Tatajue Cigars, five Oliva World Champion Competition sticks (not available in the U.S.), and ten Davidoff Winston Churchill – The Late Hour Churchills (48 ring gauge). (Side note: SKOOL does have a cigar group—if you’re interested, DM me.) But let’s get into what we’re really here for—the fragrances. First up: Seance Perfumes They offer a wide range of roll-on and sprays inspired by characters across different genres. Naturally, I lean toward the horror side. A few years back, I picked up Nosferatu and The Creature. - Nosferatu leaned into wine and fruit. - The Creature was damp, swampy—like stepping into a graveyard, lifted slightly by florals. Not my favorite. Recently, though, they released The Phantom. Notes of labdanum, sandalwood, bourbon, and rose. It’s quiet… but the sillage creeps in subtly, just like its inspiration. This one is growing on me. Next: Pistilwhip by Heretic Heretic always fuels my darker aromatic side, but Pistilwhip hits different. I keep coming back to it—especially in that warm-but-breezy Spring weather. While I stick to my all-black “uniform,” for which my bartender gives me grief, saying the only color I “wear” is Pistilwhip. To him, it smells like gardenia and tuberose wrapped in attitude. My partners love it. My new girl loves it. So it stays in rotation. Finally: LORE LORE feels less like a fragrance house and more like a philosophy—everything connected, every moment threaded into story and identity.

Yesterday, I donned a full wear of Imagination by Louis Vuitton (2ml sample). Today, I donned a full wear of the Imagination dupe Marwa. I was comparing and contrasting, to see if Marwa was enough Imagination for me, or if Imagination kicked Marwa to the kerb. Here are my thoughts. Imagination - Lovely blended creamy soapy lemon opener, with a strong tea scent permeating everything. Dries down into more of the same, with the soapiness taking on a little more of an aquatic tang. It performs well, but stops projecting relatively early. While the profile is moderately complex, it's a quite linear scent that doesn't really go anywhere. It doesn't really NEED to go anywhere, it's in a rather nice position where it is. The tea is the most interesting facet, and happily it lasts for the six-or-so hours this remains in play on my skin. Overall, a nice scent that has some intrigue, operating for a decent stint but not overpowering. Recommended! Marwa - Slightly more acidic lemon opener with a soapy core, and a certain spiciness but no real tea note to mention. Even when this dries down, there isn't much tea to be found. That's the only disappointment early, as the creamy soapiness does deliver and the performance early is pretty good. But the longevity isn't apparent, and by the four hour mark it's a skin scent at best. I like it, and I'll be trying it a few more times with a comparative eye, but as things stand... it's close, but it's not Imagination. So the question is this: do I need Imagination? I like the scent. It's interesting. And at £260 for 100ml, it's a perfectly serviceable top-end price. But Like is not Love, and £260 is a chunk of change. There are more pressing scents out there that I like much more than Imagination. They come first. I'll likely pick up some LV in the fullness of time, but it might not be Imagination, and it won't be today. Marwa is not Imagination. But, for now, all things considered, it's enough.

Ralph’s Club is one of those rare fragrances that instantly makes me feel like I’ve got my life together the moment I spray it on. It opens with a crisp, fresh burst of lavender and clary sage that feels clean and confident, then smoothly transitions into a warm, woody heart of vetiver and cedar that’s both masculine and approachable. The dry-down settles into a soft, creamy base of suede and musk that lingers gently for hours without ever becoming heavy. It’s my go-to signature scent for everything from date nights to important meetings because it strikes that perfect balance between sophisticated and effortlessly likable.

100ml for $99 (Retail is $141): https://fragflex.com/products/givenchygentlemansocietysport-man?variant=45624836653113&sca_ref=4783145.QR44WGbNVI&sca_source=community

This was shipped to me by error on December 2024. I ordered Cartier Declaration Parfum, and they sent me the original refillable Cartier L’ENVOL with its outer thin glass holder broken. They refunded me the money and I didn’t have to return the fragrance. It’s fresh, aromatic, sweet, a bit spicy and herbal, powdery, resinous and woody. This is a niche like fragrance, might be polarizing, and could be more appealing to the more matured and trained noses. However the dry down it’s smooth and pleasant. Projection is moderate and it’s long lasting.