Description
DSquared2 Potion is the second men’s fragrance (not counting the limited editions) of the Canadian designer duo Dean and Dan Caten or DSquared2. In collaboration with the Italian company ITF, they launched their first men’s fragrance He Wood in 2007, followed by the female version She Wood in 2008.
The new fragrance is named Potion. It represents a tool of seduction, conquer and emotions and is inspired by the chemical workshops of the past. Potion is designed as a magical alchemy that evokes carnal desires and lust.
The composition is aromatic woody with a distinctive background of amber. It is developed by Annick Menard. “A new recipe of olfactory seduction” and “a potion of quality ingredients arousing amorous desires” is made of:
Top notes:
red mint leaves,
angelica and
thyme. Heart:
rose petals,
black peppercorns, tear drops of gentian
and cinnamon sticks. Base:
cashmere wood,
patchouli, amber and musk.
The packaging is inspired by the ancient pharmaceutical vials considering “tradition, timeless quality and men appeal”. The campaign was shot by photographer Mario Sorrenti, featuring models Diego Miguel and Malgosia Bela.
Potion is available as 30, 50 and 100 Eau de Parfum with the extension line (“the quintessence of the fragrance”) of aftershave lotion spray, hair and body wash, body lotion, natural spray and alcohol free deodorant and perfume oil.
Potion was launched in 2011. The nose behind this fragrance is Annick Menardo.
NattyPor – :
I like it. Modern classic.
Spicy and warm wintertime scent.
Scent 9/10
Longevity 8/10
Sillage 7/10
qdk243bedyWelty – :
Really liking this. Opens very medicinal as you would expect but after a few minutes that drops back and leaves a dry dusty spicy scent. Kind of brings to mind the dry down of ck obsession. Will enjoy wearing the 30ml edp i have through winter this year.
Stays close to the skin on me but lasts.
pfm052speagoessenda – :
A very underestimated scent.Many compare it to the now unavailable gucci pour homme, I think the analogies are minimal, no one will confuse it for gucci.Il perfume of the Italian house, is much more mature, knows more than incense and much smoky.
Potion is very valid and of good quality, with eyes on other dsquared perfumes. The bottle that resembles a product by many impressions of what could be the internal juice. It opens with a lot of liquor and medicinal notes, angelica thyme and red mint, and then sweeten, cashmere, patchouli, amber and cinnamon accompanied by high quality musks, sweet and spicy base, very scent of the 80’s, but sweetness makes it quite modern.It is now interrupted and I advise you to buy it before the stocks end, considering also the ridiculous price compared to the quality.
I tried the EDP but the longevity is not excellent, so I do not recommend the EDT version
Rating 8/10
UsenseCab – :
Blind bought this as I love Amber and annick menardo’s work. Very thick, sweet, musky and somehow aromatic. It has a hint of bubble gum, I like it alot, I just wish it had a little less cinnamon.
Rom4eG_007 – :
Just sprayed this on my neck and it exudes a really gorgeous silage. Spicy, smooth, warm, woody with character. Longevity and silage strength are OK to good. A world class spicy juice and one of Annick’s best.
chimanaeva – :
There is a strikingly resemblance between this POTION and another magic potion called Gucci Pour Homme 1 (sadly discontinued).
mzvuka – :
Nice frag , good work by Annick Menardo
motadoros – :
I like this because it’s a designer who is willing to take a chance. As many people have said, this is a spicy, dry cinnamon – with a tad of sweetness. I agree with the note breakdown – but if you’re expecting a warm, heavy amber – move on. This is a scratchy cinnamon scent, first and foremost. While the sweetness is likely due to the amber, it does not add much weight. If you’ve smelled Gucci guilty absolute, you’ll understand what I mean when I call this a “dry” fragrance. Don’t get me wrong, this smells nothing like Gucci guilty absolute, although I do believe the textures are similar. Overall I’m a fan of this scent. With that said, I don’t see myself wearing often, as it seems to only be applicable (for me) during a small window of occasions. I prefer the other potion (black bottle – rose fragrance) over this one, but this house is slowly showing it has some balls.
ewo228Negeltzex – :
My first thought (of the EdT) was that this is a cross between Gucci Pour Homme 1 and Ambre Sultan, though this one is smoother and perhaps sweeter. I don’t get any aroma chemical overload with this, which is a huge “plus” (I wish I could enjoy Dirty English, for example, but it seems the amount of iso e super makes it unbearable). This is the kind of scent I associate with the best of today’s designers. No lavender here, so that’s great for my preferences!
UPDATE: I tried the EdP and I think I like it better, though they seem quite close. This one is a bit smoother, which I tend to prefer with this kind of composition. The notes work well together and it doesn’t get cloying. There’s also good dynamism and balance. Overall, it’s like a great compromise between niche and designer.
зоя – :
Wonderful smooth cologne that is warming and has a sense of beeswax,light spices, a tiny pinch of dust at the end.
This scent is a little bit more complex and special than a basic ambery vanilla fragrance. It seems to have vanilla, but it must be blended well, because you cannot pick out the note.
I get about 6 hours longevity, with weak projection after 40 minutes.
I would recommend this fragrance to those who love Burberry London, The one by DG and Guess original.
I think this would be a fantastic date night for women or a unisex holiday scent, since it is not loud and is calming and lovable.
I think this could have added coffee and some black pepper or maybe patchouli and been a killer winter men’s fragrance or if there was added tulip, almond, and a pinch of coconut it would have been a niche women’s masterpiece.
FYI- I am 25 and do tend to love fragrances that are manly, Italian, and complex.
ovattacle – :
I dont know why but it reminds me less deeper version of Luna Rossa Extreme
Keecycymn – :
Cinnamon and wood is a combo that when executed correctly can be comforting and masculine at the same time. DSQUARED has achieved a hit with potion. This is another cheap gem of a scent that really is as amazing as it is underrated. Potion is a well blended scent that really gives us a great example of a solid woody aromatic.
Potion is a strong mix of cinnamon, cashmere wood and amber in the opening. This woody spicy salvo is so great and comes off almost a bit boozy. This rich opening is then given a bit of freshness from a dose of mint and angelica and this really plays up the cashmere wood, the evolution of these notes really gives this scent a much needed complexity, and save this scent from becoming something too linear. Some pepper and musk appear and give this scent a masculine punch, the patchouli and florals form a nice earthy, sweet transition to the clean, sweet base of this scent.
Potion is a great scent to have in the cold weather rotation, but be warned this is one that needs an enclosed environment to perform. I own the EDP and it has a hard time standing up to harsh cold, or sweater and scarf weather. When wearing potion think office, home or date night where you might spend time in a pub or cinema. Potion would be perfect for wear over the winter holidays, it is warm, cheery and comforting. Potion for me is for the 20 and up crowd, id even say just to the late thirties and then you’re pushing it (One can try!). There are a few projection drawbacks with this scent but nothing a few extra sprays couldn’t fix. Overall, Potion is a steal for its price and solid quality, and adds a touch of versatility to one’s scent wardrobe. Give potion a few sprays when it’s the holidays and you need some extra comfort for the many family gatherings that you will partake in.
sanek1987 – :
I blind bought this at such a cheap price I felt if I didn’t like it Id only be out a couple bucks. First sniff and Im blown away, it smells fantastic! Rich, peppery and spicy but very well blended and soft, this doesn’t have a harsh note in it. It also has a sweet root beer vibe that I love. 100% unabashedly male, this is what a man should smell like. Sexy in a retro, 70s Starsky and Hutch/Magnum P.I. kind of way. Smells niche and could be easily sold for 5x what I paid. I almost don’t want to post this review as it reveals my new secret. What the hell, blind buy this baby and you won’t be sorry. Im going to get a few bottles as back up anyway. Thumbs way way up.
kiryuxa87 – :
(EDT Version)
I’d probably love it without the liquorishness, something doesn’t add up in this one…I get this boozy liquerish note not blending well with another note..maybe mint or something like anise…I tried to like it, but i just can’t.
Still trying every now and then after showers, or for short go-outs, hoping my taste would accept Potion for men.
**Update: Okay, I am starting to get used to and accept the smell because it’s unique. HOWEVER it is so weak. Projection is almost non-existent, longevity is couple of hours as skin scent. Seeing all the better reviews on EDP, I’ll definetely test at first chance. I also see some praising on EDT version longevity, I’m thinking how ?!? I’m not sure if bottle has the batch year, it has a transparent sticker at the bottom with a code 20C17CD1 (perhaps this is 2017 batch?) and usual info on caution, made in etc. I’m skeptical now it could be a knockoff.
p.s. Bought from Notino
**Update 2: Today I tested the EDP, and I could not notice any difference from the EDT version! I must admit it was a bit of a relief, because when I got Potion I didn’t know it had an EDP, felt a bit missed out 🙂 Now I’m happy, but with the performance of the scent I’m still very disappointed and I confirmed my EDT is original. Overall, it’s not a generic scent so deserves a plus, but the scent itself and performance is mediocre.
extesskew – :
this is warm sweet herbal boozy to my nose it is like mix of rum liqueur and mint though nothing listed it is amazing masculine high quality and unique fragrance with good performance best for fall 9 of 10
danil13081 – :
I can finally smell this! At first, even though everyone around me told me this was really potent and easy to smell from a distance, I could not smell it apart from a soft peppery haze. I am blaming the musk and cashmeran. It is extremely peppery. Hot, dry pepper, a huge cloud of it, mixed with cinnamon of course. To me, this is a dry, spiced amber/incense scent. Very strong and actually quite a sweet sillage. It is unusual. Not sure I need a full bottle, as I have incense and ambers I prefer, but it is interesting. Reminds me of some Comme des Garcons creations.
DEAPSEELELUTH – :
First all the fresh spicy cinnamon rushes through the nose. For a moment I smelled like a Christmas bakery.
But give it some time and it changes on the skin, and somehow after a few hours it’s smells very similar to Bvlgari Black, despite being very different compositions.
It’s a casual, easy to wear fragrance with some attitude and changes.
It has sexappeal, somehow. Some girls like it, but mainly after it drydown on skin and becomes more sensual and warm without the freshness and cinnamon dominance.
It’s really good on skin and the price is a bargain for a fragrance so sophisticated.
vbt421JeomiWogkig – :
really smells like a potion, very herbal
lisokobilkin – :
This is raw Cinnamon bark, or Cinnamon Stick thats dry & not sweet. Its Herbal, its woody & dark. Its masculine & Mysterious.
It does not compare with Big Red chewing gum, nor Cola gummies as people stated below.
This is a dusty, woody dry spice cupboard smelling fragrance.
….& a great one
Владарт – :
Nice Herbal/Cinnamon parfum reminds me the herbal part of Bentley Absolute. Definitely for cold nights
7/10
PS: There must be definitely cedar in it
UPDATE: Ok drydown is more like Gucci pour homme+spicebomb mixture
Last really long and projects well. I am considering buying the bottle
8/10
ved – :
DSquared2..I finally aquired Potion, from this Canadian line of fragrance’s. At first spray there’s a huge cinnamon/amber blast emulating off my skin. I also enjoy a boozy vib giving it more depth perfect during fall and winter months. I also pick up the aroma of cashmere wood, patchouli giving it a hint of sweet/herbal blend.
Longevity and Silage is good lasting between 6-8hrs..you can smell it about 1 1/2ft away.
Finally, I really enjoy this fragrance line. This is a Canadian GEM giving us almost niche fragrance at a fraction of price. If you haven’t heard of this line..your missing out all considering! 8/10 definitely worth trying..
vishnya1984 – :
(EDT version)
This is growing on me very quickly – I’ve only owned it for 2 weeks but it’s fast becoming my go-to scent for the office. I heavily rotate too, so for me to keep coming back daily is a rarity!. I’m also not too keen on sweet scents, and this is really sweet, but in an extremely alluring and uplifting manner. Projection is great too – 5 hours after application there was a noticeable smell upon myself as I walked around., and it’s quite present for the first 3 hours or so
I put this on in the morning at 8:30. Later in the day (at 2:30) I sprayed Aramis over it, and yet 6 hours later as I write this, there is still a noticeable cinnamon smell upon myself, so it’s been far from drowned out by the strong Aramis (which is strong!). I had the same experience wearing Kouros in the afternoon after applying Potion in the morning.
I can see this as a versatile and a very safe scent. But definitely not safe in the boring way 🙂 I’ve yet to wear it in warmer weathers but I think a light application would work, but I’ll be wearing other scents over this around that time of year.
I’m really glad that I picked this up – it’s great performer, has a lovely scent and very appealing. Highly recommended.
Scent: 8/10
Projection: 8/10
Longevity: 8.5/10
By the way, I checked my batch code and my bottle is from 2011.
stop – :
Syrupy, mediciny, smell, along with some rose, amber and something else new to my nose.
If you want something unique, you got it here!
and this thing lasts and lasts and lasts…
Deseabbabow – :
Anyone have experience with the perfume oil version?
rammstein666 – :
Sentence Summary:
Like a Morgan’s Spiced Rum and flat Coke, with a Cinnamon Stick in it.
Overall rating 8/10
aivis774 – :
A chic, mysterious, sweet, smooth and niche-quality scent of the Dsquared² house. By the way, this canadian house does not shoot in the dark, I have not been disappointed so far.
The flacon is gorgeous, it does look like those old syrup bottles. Actually, the smell also recalls it in a first moment. To my nose (EDP version), cinnamon is dominant on the top, middle and base. Regarding performance, good longevity with below-average sillage, which would be a flawn if it was not such an intriguing fragrance that will keep curious noses close to the user for a while.
In a nutshell, an interesting fragrance that is worthy to have in the collection.
Update: I’ve been being increasingly attached to this one over the last weeks. What a pleasant scent. I’ve been wearing it mainly at home, I spray it right before my reading time. I realize myself in a delighful atmosphere, it turns out I don’t know what is pleasing me most, the books or the scent.
kqr244bedyWelty – :
Received this brew a few days ago so I figured its time for my “unprofessional nose” review. This is a spicy woodsy scent, very pleasing to the nose. It’s hard to describe but it seems to be a low, close lingering scent that clings to your every being, like a lover. This to me is not a bad thing, it brings sensual joy to everyone that receives just one whiff.
-hedward- describes this fragrance beautifully, down a few reviews. All said and done, I like it very much and the spell worked on me.
PS: Potion Royal Black is even better.
kar22211 – :
Really worthy of a Lutens this little potion that rested undisturbed on the shelf of forgotten perfumes , discarded , included in the discount.Interesting combination of incense , cedar , cinnamon , sweet amber with an opening that eventually warms , stratifying asseblate well known to each other. A real treat !Another treasure of olfactory combinations as the Legend of Jordan , undercut but better than many stupid and deceptive creations niche.
dik1978 – :
A warm, amber-cinnamon with below average/average performance.
(Review is for EDP – I was not aware an EDT was available until reading reviews here.)
Potion opens with a rather sweet blast of amber, cinnamon and what I believe are some floral notes. The latter fade quickly to leave an amber-cinnamon concoction which remains throughout. The amber is warm, cozy and, in combination with the cinnamon note, leaves you feeling relaxed and ever so slightly happier with life. The downside, on my skin anyhow, with Potion is its performance. It quickly becomes a skin scent and then only a couple of hours later… gone. (Perhaps still there with nose firmly pressed to skin followed by a big, big sniff…)
Final thoughts…
A short-lived but warm, amber-y hug. Very pleasant while it lasts. And a thousand times better than the DSquared clothing range.
AlexCarter – :
Beautiful spicy and woody scent. A sort of a cross between: Visit, Dirty English, Derrick and Obsession. There must be cedar in this though it’s not listed here – definite cinnamon though. I have the EDP and it’s warm and lovely. Potion is a brilliant winter scent that lasts with a very nice silage. One of the nicest spicy fragrances in the world.
fakaniger – :
This fragrance i tried some years ago and found it very ugly. Now… after my nose developed a lot more then i expected i can finaly give this fragrace it’s right.
Review for EDP
After spraying, the first 3 minutes has blown my nose (and my mind) with all sorts of notes that made me smile. Is crazy how in just 3 minutes has reminded me of Lolita L. Au Masculin (cause of the booze, notes that spreads like crazy in your head) Strellson Loaded (cause of the smoky dry woods) and Insense. Yes, i don’t know why people don’t talk about it to much, but i feel insense in it, is blending in so well with the woods it’s almost annoying i can’t feel it more powerfull! Probably cause of this mixture there is also a main medicine feal to it. After the first minutes of crazy experience it settles down to woods, woods, and more woods with sweet amber that eventualy will overtaken the woods that will go in the background but just a bit cause sweet and medicine you will be getting till the end of it’s life. Still, there are short dosages of insese that come and go to remind you that in this medicine note there might be also insense. I would love for this fragrance to give me more insense, some smoky ones, but it dosen’t. It’s not strong and is not weak, it does not project to loud which i think is good, cause this fragrance is not for everybody and is not a star among the mass. it is more like a star among the ones that KNOW. I find this fragrance really well done, maybe an art? Feels like it changes but is linear in the same time, is sweet but is smoky. Or maybe is just me.
Definetly a must for collectors and for people who have more then 5 fragrances in their closed. Even if only for the bottle, which is gourgeous! Not a blind buy for beginners. Not a blind buy for people who like scens like One Milion or Invictus. A blind buy only for the picky colletor who wants somethig more uniq and less known. The rest of the world:) should first smell it before purchasing it.
igorolik123 – :
I bought the EDT, blind and on a whim after reading the reviews here
Given the price, I am pleasantly surprised. The scent reminds me of L’occitane’s Eau de Baux, with more of an herbal edge. Everyone says cola, but I think it’s more akin to root beer. Not A&W or Barq’s mind you, but the fancy stuff you can find at some breweries these days. I like it, but I’m not sure how often I will have the urge to wear it out. Projection seems good, longevity is acceptable but certainly not exceptional.
Scent: 7/10
Sillage: 7/10
Longevity: 6/10
Price: 9/10
Overall: 7/10
Update: Now that I have owned this and Eau de Baux for a while I will say that I no longer smell any resemblance. Myrrh is not listed as an ingredient, but this does in some ways remind me of some of the more Myrrh forward offerings I’ve sampled such as AG Myhrre Ardente.
encabbake – :
Review for the EDP version.
Warm, inviting, cozy given by just the right amount of each, cinnamon, amber and musk.
Winter, it’s very cold outside and you are inside with the loved ones right by the fireplace sipping on some hot wine just a tip of cinnamon. Chill, calm, peaceful, fulfilled. This is what Potion makes me feel like.
Longevity (4 sprays): I get 8h+ from it and I end feeling it after 6 hours.
Scentwise: very unique; a quite resinous amber (not too sweet as that one from the vanilla side is), just a touch of musk (not animalic at all) and quite enough cinnamon (not that kind which almost makes your nostrils hurt, but quite a sweet one) making it a great oriental fragrance.
Versatility: I think you could wear it no matter the situation. Not to sweet (I wear it at the office), it’s intriguing enough for a date and it’s not overpowering so it can be your choice for a dinner or a drink.
I don’t think it is very popular so I guess it can be called a hidden gem. Make sure you get your nose on it.
Great one!
Collector’s rating: 9/10
Joe’s rating: 6.5 – 7/10 (found out lately that some people don’t enjoy it too much)
25 Oct 2015
rolexreplica31090 – :
I blind bought this. Why? Because you guys have yet to steer me wrong when making these type of decisions. The fragrance community is great.
The nose behind this has done some amazing frags and has branded their name basically.
The references between Christmas and the holidays are spot on
Longevity I get 4-6h
Projection 1 foot
Silage you will know I was there
Quality absolutely
I highly recommend this as did you guys and at this price point, you won’t find a better deal
This is defiantly a “mature” scent, so please keep that in mind.
pavel91567 – :
An olfactory treat of piquant, aromatic cinnamon over smoky cashmere wood and a plush, pillowy base of amber and warm musk. For those unfamiliar with cashmere wood, think of it as a rounder, hazier type of cedar wood, with something of a lower frequency. An element of mint cools the cinnamon–it’s subtle–lending more to the effect of texture and temperature than outright smell. The floral notes are blended extremely well with the darker, stronger aspects, accenting the woody browns,incense grays and spicy reds with softer pastel hues, just light traces of florals hardly noticeable at first but vital to the overall composition. I love how they’re treated here. Their absence would surely be noted and change the fragrance entirely, yet while they’re present they never distract from the overall effect. For me, this is an example of the perfect use of rose in a masculine composition, as it adds a pretty, perfumed dimension to the woods without sacrificing masculinity. Underneath it all, there is the whisper of cola or sassafras, a sweet, familiar spiciness supplied by an angelica note. It lies within the bed of amber and musk, and serves as a bridge to the cinnamon that started things off.
The EDP is a rich but gentle cloud that sits softly on the skin, projecting about half a foot for several hours before receding even closer. Potion possesses the rare quality of feeling both mellow and complete, its relaxed touch created by both its carefully chosen notes and the volume level to which they’ve been adjusted. This is a full-bodied fragrance, but it never raises its voice. It has the calm, commanding presence of one who possesses wisdom rather than aggression, and a steady, immovable inner confidence.
A versatile fragrance best suited for fall and winter, Potion is a superb choice for an intimate dinner out or a small gathering around the fire place enjoying good food and good company. Thumbs up.
Think Gucci Pour Homme, Noble Cedar, Carbone de Balmain, and to a certain extent, Bentley Intense for Men.
cotcozlou1 – :
This is very well blended. It has a peppery Insense vib that Potion Royal black has with the rose less pronounced and some other nice herbal floral accord intermingling with the smoky spiciness.
I was worried it was going to have to much cinnamon, but it is so well blended I don’t get a cinnamon note that just jumps out by itself, like say Jaipur Homme.
This is a classy evening fragrance, not my style actually. It is in the class of Gucci, Guerlan Pour Homme, Midnight in Paris or Narciso Rodriguez, non of those were keepers for me, but Potion is better than those I mentioned except for Gucci.
It has a nice piquant note maybe the Angelica or something else that nicely unique. It’s not to sweet at all, and the cinnamon which I normally don’t like is very nice here as it morfs into an accord with other florals and herbs, yes it is somewhat green with the patchouli and Angelica.
Hope this helps you. Worth a try.
Rating: 8.25/10
God bless you. ( John 3:16 )
aleline – :
Recently received this lovely fragrance in the post.
Unfortunately it is Spring/summer here in Australia, and its definitely the wrong season to be wearing this, so i thought why not stock up for winter next year (which isnt very cold anyway).
Beautiful scent this one, i love the cinnamon and the musk as well as the patchouli, and right in the background, where you have to dig just that little extra, that slight sweet/medium floral, is the rose (it literally whispers through this scent).
So as i said before, definitely not for the humid or hot weather, so this one is definitely a late fall/winter fragrance 🙂 if you wear it in the heat, like i did (i promise i was only trying it on) the longevity and projection of this beauty is gone in about 30mins, so no point even wasting this juice, to just try it haha
Bottle is great, definitely not cheap feeling, has a very strong, heavy lid, and the bottle is very nice.
A must have for anyones winter collection!
Scent = 8/10
Longevity = 2/10 (hot/humid weather only)
Projection = 3/10 (hot/humid weather only)
Bottle design = 7/10
(Will review come winter next year and update :))
mr.emelya – :
Absolutely Amazing and Brilliant Fragrance!
I was looking for a fragrance with cinnamon and blind bought this one due to reviews, ingredients and Annick Menardo. It is a very special combination and smell.
This is for chilly evenings in December during the winter and Christmas time. It has great silage and longevity. People will smell it. So beware, don’t spray too much.
It is very rich and does not smell synthetic. Annick Menardo created another masterpiece. It is kind of sweet but the spiciness balances it very nicely!
If youre not a fan of Dior Homme due to the sweetness you might like this one.
erinasheltonux – :
Not for me. Pungent up front, and didn’t linger at all – in fact, by the time I returned home an hour after testing the scent had disappeared from the tester paper altogether. That said, once the scent calms down, I did get a very pleasant variation of some of the older Karl Lagerfeld colognes…..
tnq685InsuffBooni – :
Blind bought it. But I’m very glad i did so. Getting many compliments. Love it.
Best for office and colder settings. But doesn’t get cloying in the heat. Very refreshing, earthy and some what herbal but very modern.
Scent: 8.5/10
Longevity: 4 hours strong and a faint smell after 6 hours. (sill people around me can smell it)
Overall score: 7/10.
v1967v – :
blind bought from TK maxx…very glad i grabbed it. It is rich with ambition and wise beyond its years, like a fine malt whisky forged by strong minded hoodlums. it has a lot to offer, and for the price point, is quite a must have, it has similar top notes to many a manly scent, however this potion will surprise and amuse again and again on dry down where others leave disappointment. I am now interested to try the dsquared blue edition and he wood, I have loads of scents, if you have, or wish to swap some of these…gives a shout!
bars034 – :
Another aquisition based on its semblance to my Holy Grail fragrance, Gucci Pour Homme I.
Absolutely gorgeous scent! It’s in the same ballpark as Gucci’s masterpiece, but Potion is a drier and spicier alternative.
Lush cinnamon floats on a solid woody, amber base. It’s quite linear, it doesn’t develop a great deal on me, but I’m okay with that because I love this kind of vibe.
Despite having the EDP formulation, it settles down into a moderate projection skin scent within an hour or so. But it does seem to last for about 4, maybe 5 hours on my skin.
If only Potion was potent. If it had more horse power my beloved Gucci could possibly have a serious rival.
I see they make a matching body lotion. I may invest in some and blend my own potion by adding a dose of the EDP into the mix for longer lasting results.
Perhaps then I’ll have a magic Potion?
lawyer-mbm – :
Quite similar to Roja Dove’s Enigma Pour Homme but a little less sweet, less projection, and less complexity. If you can’t afford Roja’s product, this may be a best available second at a much lower price point. I have both and hands down would choose Roja’s produce for the quality, longevity, and sillage.
FARGUS67 – :
Yesss yesss Yesss Spicy sugar hot and sexy…. love it
sergoins – :
– Romantic cinnamon – ★★★☆☆
Cinnamon is a very interesting note in perfumery. It’s widely used and especially popular in the oriental category. It is, however, one of the most misleading notes aswell. Essential cinnamon oil has a very lush, deep and heavily oily smell mostly derived from cinnamalaldehyde. Perfumers usually embrace only the high pitch and spicy side of the oil leaving out the creaminess and substituting it with the likes of vanilla and leather. In this particular perfume however Mrs. Menardo has taken a whole different direction:
Potion is a ridiculously thick and dense low key fragrance that celebrates the darker side of cinnamon. This Eau de Parfum digs so deep into the olfactory underworld that it almost seems to completely lack top notes. To me this smells like gooey amber, supernatural cinnmon and straight up dark rum. It’s no wonder that Potion wasnt a sales succes because this is so otherwordly niche quality that an average customer couldn’t simply appreciate the hidden delicacy of this dark brown concotion.
Now about the longevity and sillage. On my skin this lasts easily 10h+ but it isn’t a sillage monster. Why? Because Potion isn’t supposed to be – and it possibly couldn’t be one. All fragrances that are notable for their projection have a strong opening and even stronger heartnotes: Joop! Homme has it’s screechy nose-burning cinnamon, Angel got it’s spicy patchouly and Fahrenheit goes up into heavens with massive gasoline! Potion on the other bottle goes straight to drydown and it doesn’t radiate with great energy
…but when one smells it up close…
.. do you hear the faint saxophone echoing through the streets? The dim orange lights of an old jazz club shine through the small, street level windows. I mean this stuff is just arcane.
Soundtrack: Ray Charles – Diane
almaks – :
burned sugar with rum and cola
ra9mgg – :
Love this……..it kind of reminds me of spiced rum and coke. Delicious. Just wished it lasted longer.
black_kirin – :
I’ve bought 100 ml-s of the Eau De Parfume, and I must say that currently this is my favourite fragrance, and if I ever ran out it, I will definetily buy another bottle. I just can’t stop smelling it over and over and over again, it is addicting, gorgeous and unique. Girls told me that it’s nice and okay, they were not too enthusiastic about it, so it seems that it is just me.
Marsio – :
I liked this when it came out but never bought a bottle. Smoky incense, definitely a cold weather fragrance. Doesn’t project like a beast but I don’t think I want it to. I like that it sits close to the body
V happy as it was only GBP15 for 50ml in TK Maxx. Bargain!
sanyi4 – :
Yes, it’s similar to Dirty English but…D.E. is much better in all aspects: opening, drydown and price.
glamcosmeticc – :
Update: I had the privilege to test both the Edt and the Edp head to head. The Edp on one wrist and the Edt on the other. One spray each. The first minutes of sharp openings are nothing to be exited about, but when they settle down, the quality shines. The Edp is more powerful and full-bodied for about one hour and a half, as You might expect. Then they are more equal for about five hours.
In both cases they are perfectly balanced, dominated by cinnamon, pepper, amber, wood, and then some mint. And, yes maybe a touch of rose. On my skin the patcholi gets more noticeble at the dry down. Spicy-woody on the fresh side, and has character at the same time. Almost alluring.
The projection is subtle to moderate, just a bit stronger for the Edp, but the scents are definiately noticeble and as mentioned before heat activ