Tag Archives: Eau D’Italie

Eau d’Italie Acqua Decima

AcquaDecima

When you feel a brand has done right by you, anticipation builds when you learn a new release is coming. If you’ve been following Fragrant Moments, you know I’m a fan of Eau d’Italie. Several of their fragrances are a part of my collection and I suspect Acqua Decima will be too.

With notes of lemon, mandarine, mint leaves, neroli, petitgrain white wood and vetiver to name a few, this sounds like it’s beautifully built for the dog days of summer. This is the tenth fragrance in Eau d’Italie’s collection (Acqua Decima means Tenth Water in Italian) and its inspiration comes from a stretch of land that links the Amalfi coast with the Bay of Sorrento called The Path of the Gods.

Acqua Decima launches in the U.S. in July 2013 and will retail for $140.

 

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Good Read…Men’s Health Grooming Awards

For men’s magazines, March and September are big issues. It’s usually when you’ll see the most fashion coverage and they distill seasonal trends. Its a must read if you like to be in the know about that sort of stuff. I, however, look forward to the June issue of Men’s Health as it’s when they conduct their annual Grooming Awards.

Each year, Men’s Health consults a panel of grooming and fragrance aficionados to seek out the best products in myriad categories. What you’re left with is an excellent list products worthy of your consideration.

For the past few years, Brian Boye has asked me to contribute to the fragrance category and I look forward to it. Where else are you going to get all of these products in one issue? This year, he sought out my opinion on how much fragrance one should apply, in addition to other topics, and I’m quoted in the issue.

The June issue is on newsstands now. Pick it up. It’s a good one.

The Five Fragrances of 2011 You Should Remember

Here we are, waiting for 2011 to end and anticipating all that 2012 will bring. As I reflect on what has occurred, I’m reminded of how blessed I am. Another year of good health and family is enough but 2011 also gave me a chance to spread my fragrant wings and for that, I’m grateful. Thank you Complex, Men’s Health and Antenna magazines for allowing me to share my views with your readers. (The Winter issue of Antenna recently came out and will be posted in the coming days.) Continue reading

Meet Marina and Sebastian of Eau D’Itale

A few years ago I meet the owners of Eau D’Itale, Marina Sersale and Sebastian Alvarez Murena, at an event at Lafco sponsored by Men’s Health magazine. Continue reading

Belated Father’s Day Gift Recommendation


If there is one thing about dad, he’s understanding. If you couldn’t find the time to get him something, here’s a quick two piece I put together for the gents over at Be Better Guys. But in the vain of repurposing, dad might have a birthday coming up and this could certainly fit there as well. Enjoy.

Samples Are Vital

I have long been an advocate of fragrance sampling and that was a key point I drove home for an interview I recently did for MR magazine. The article’s author, Harry Sheff (who also writes for Fragrant Moments on occasion) wanted my take on men’s specialty stores offering fragrances. I think many of them are missing the boat but the larger point I wanted to drive home was about sampling. I’m glad to see the owner of Eau d’Itale, Sebastian Alvarez Murena agrees with me.

Pick up a few samples gents and make educated fragrance decisions.

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iPerfumer by Givaudan

When I was speaking with Chad Murawczyk of Min New York, one of the things I told him I admired about his store was its openness and how it was refreshing given the fragrance industries close door policy and the snootiness of retailers. I truly feel social media has begun tearing these walls down and consumers are becoming more educated about their preferences. It is for this reason I’m excited about the launch of Givaudan’s iPerfumer.

So how does it work? Users, down load the app and are run through a series of questions ranging from gender, age, geographic location, etc and then rate their favorite fragrance families, Oriental, Chypre, Citrus, Woody, Floral, and Fougere.

I’m curious who will download this app more, men or women. Women have no problems sampling but guys still seem to have issue with walking into stores and openly spraying themselves or engaging anyone from the sale staff without being nudged. Perhaps this will change that.

For a first hand review of iPerfumer, check out Harry Sheff over at Cocktails & Cologne.

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It’s Never Too Late

Here’s a fragrance gift guide I put together for our friends at Be Better Guys. It only went up two days ago and I’m just getting around to reposting here. If you feel that the gift you bought just didn’t get the reaction you were looking for, consider these suggestions. You can also blame it on the store and say they were out and I really wanted to get you this! Anyhow, Happy Holidays from Fragrant Moments!

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Maintain the Freshness

The last few days in New York City have been brutal. We wake up and its damn near 80 degrees. We jump in the shower to start the day off fresh and before we head out, we need to take another. That is the way it goes in the summer, unless you miraculously spend your every waking moment under an AC, in which case you’re a luck son of … However, for most of us, we do everything in our power to beat the heat. We drop the dark wintery colors for lighter tones, textures become more breathable, and we keep our bodies hydrated are just a few that come to mind. I know for me, as a young boy growing up, my father once told me, “never let them see you sweat” and he went on to instruct me to wear an undershirt, even in the summer. It may seem counterintuitive when the birthday suit is seeming like its the best option but it keeps your look fresh. Have you ever seen a man who has it all together but then you notice that unattractive sweat mark on his back in the shape of Texas, or the huge underarm ring? It just ruins it. Yeah we all sweat but do we have to see it?

If you plan on maintaining your “freshness” this summer, I have two more tips for you:


1 – Eau D’Italie’s, Paestum Rose
2- Reverie au Jardin by Andy Tauer

I discovered these two gems one Sunday at Aedes de Venustas. After smelling them, I couldn’t make my mind up so I bought both. They encompass just what you want in a summer fragrance, something fresh but not in the usual suspect way. After wearing both for sometime now, I’ve developed a wearing method which highlights their differences.

For those moderate summer days, early 80’s-ish, I’ve found that I wear Reverie au Jardin. On the Tauer Perfumes website, it’s described as, “A Classical Fragrance, twinkling like a star, caresses your journey, through green lands.” I finds it’s very well-balanced and both fresh notes and spicy/woody notes come through, and that’s what attracted me to it. As your body’s temperature rises, woody notes come out just a tad bit more but those fresh/green notes, most notably Lavender, are right there to keep it in check. Overall, it comes across as a clean, sweat, woody composition – just what you need to fight the funk.

For those scorchers, when the feeling of anything touching your skin is too much, try a kiss of Paestum Rose. It starts off peppery and it should considering some of the notes include black and pink pepper. But it’s the dry down that really sells it. I liken it’s appeal to a cold shower after a long sweaty day. There’s an initial shock but then comes the ahhh factor. It hugs the skin nicely and as your temperature rises, you receive an airy rosey reminder. It doesn’t have the sweaty factor that I like about Le Labo’s Rose 31 but its just as potent. There’s some woody notes in there for those that need them but they’re masked well and the presentation isn’t overly manly…its right in the middle, hence the unisex billing.

If you can’t escape the heat, don’t lose your swagger. Maintain your freshness with these two scents.