Patchouli Leaves

Like Rumblytum below, I didn't realise this was meant for men ( not that it matters - I've always worn male fragrance and, hopefully, this distinction will soon be redundant and seem hopelessly out-dated ) I'd got in to the habit of a visit to the Beauty Dept everytime I did an M&S shop, for a quick spritz on each wrist of whatever two frags caught my eye. I usually honed in on Fragonard ( they often had sachets of scented wipes to give away, too ! ) or Monotheme. This week it was Patchouli Leaves and Leather. Intially, I was bemused - I know patchouli as the pungent oil worn by fans of heavy metal ( commonly known as "greebos" ) in my youth. I should add I liked and used it too, but wouldn't necessarily wear it these days, though I'd often searched for something with the same note but a tad more subtle and complex. I've heard, since being on here, of a trend for so-called "fruitchoulis" which , I guess, are scents with fruity "tops" and patchouli "bottoms" but am not sure if they appeal? Not that I'd know one it came up and punched me in the nose, as I'm still unsure which scents qualify ? So...maybe In was a tad disappointed at first, but that was fleeting, as I became enveloped by combination of spicy, citrus notes...and an over-whelming sense of deja-vu ?! As I walked round, I could help sniffing my wrist and did start to get patchouli and smoky insense, too, but it still remained quite fresh...and elusive ? I was definitely getting a strong emotional reaction but why, I had no idea ? It was only hours* later that a realised what it was : my father ! Being from a generation and class that would have aghast at male "perfume", the only scent he ever wore was in later life, in the 70's, was Old Spice ( and, I suspect, only cos it was bought for him - every Xmas, Birthday and Father's Day ) . So that's what I was getting...Old Spice; Bay Rum and Roll-Ups made from Golden Virginia Tobacco. Which may sound awful to many but to me was wonderful ( though I'm hardly objective ) I bought it ( and the Leather ) on my next visit ( on offer and with an extra discount coupon, I paid twenty quid for both ! ) I toyed with giving to to my partner but it felt too weird ( he got the Leather but I've since stolen it back ! ) but couldn't bring myself to wear it either ( my dad died in '79,40 years this Boxing Day,when I was just a girl of 13 but it can still hurt ) This week, as the temperature tumbles, I went searching for those scents that only feel right in winter ( and are some of my faves - I'm definitely an Autumn/Winter person ! ) and came across it. I stealed myself to spray it, if only to add it to my wardrobe on here and decided it was silly not to use something so lovely. So, as ( what would have been ) his 100 birthday approaches, I will wear it and hope he would have approved.... * After a few hours it was still there - faint but persistent. ***Addendum*** It appears M&S no longer stock it - they have a reduced range still available but no PL or Leather. It can be found on ( UK ) eBay and, in the US, at emporioitaliano.com

Once again this house produces a scent that costs a pittance, but smells like a million bucks! Patchouli Leaves opens with a lovely, delicate citrus accord, bolstered by ambroxin and an aerial patchouli note, that whilst leafy and light, hasn't entirely lost its earthy, chocolate base. A woody foundation holds the composition together and the sum of it all to me comes off as almost a little dandy. A little barbershop, without an overtly soapy presence. Overall it's a clean, almost translucent patchouli scent that is unobtrusive and easy to pull off in most situations. It projects quite delicately really, but I catch wafts of it throughout its life, so it's more than a mere skin scent. Unfortunately, It is not the most tenacious creation ever produced. I'd say I get 3-4 hours at best on my skin. But as I find the opening so lovely, I'm more than happy to spritz this on my clothes, which allows it to stay with me a lot longer. I really like Patchouli Leaves a lot more than I had expected to (it was a blind buy), and it quickly found its way into high rotation. It's versitile, subtle, classy, clean and a marvel at this price point. So if poor longevity sticks in your craw, never fear! Reapply with abandon as often as you like, knowing you're not breaking the bank. If you like patchouli, but find it a little difficult at times, this may well be the one for you. Very nice indeed and at this price, why not give it a try?

The Monotheme Branded Patchouli leaves Eau DE toilette fragrance is a really earthy herbal type of a smell that has a smoky incense background as well ....It has a very Trace amount Oud in it to my nose.... which kind of drives the Earthiness of the whole bouquet forward ..Once upon a time when there were more hippies out there smelling like Patchouli.. it kind of reminded me of this.. in a light kind of a way...The strength and Longevity is not enormous at all it's more like lite to moderate I give the scent a 7.9 and the strength and Longevity a 6.8 ...happy summer!! CIAO

chi non ama il bel patchouli terroso e bohemien troverà questo profumino poco costoso gradevole: si tratta di un accordo fresco di note acquatiche e agrumate che svelano pian piano un patchouli poco invadente e assai elegante. l'evoluzione conduce su una riuscita base legnosa e lievemente muschiata di ambroxan che, purtroppo, si assesta su uno skin-scent evanescente e quasi aereo. bello e audace come nella migliore tradizione della profumeria di nicchia, si può spruzzare con generosità stante il costo ridicolo.

Blotter: Linear & light patchouli, that's it. OK projection & longevity. Skin: less medicinal. A veil of tangerine on a thin layer of wood. Poor performance. In effect a skin scent. I can't get a full bottle of Villoresi Patchouli so I got this. Considering the price it deserves recommendation. Four stars for the scent and an extra for the price tag. But if you just want a heavy and bold patchouli, this will disappoint you.