Olfactif for Men is a monthly fragrance discovery subscription box featuring more distinctly masculine scents than their unisex flagship subscription. You’ll get 3 samples in your box, each containing 15-20 “wears” of an independently designed cologne or eau de perfume. With every box, your account will be credited with an $18 voucher to use on fragrances from the store. Olfactif for Men prides itself in selecting niche offerings incorporating higher quality and hard-to-find ingredients.
The regular Olfactif box is unisex and meant to be worn by women and men who enjoy niche fragrances. Because it features fragrances intended to be wearable by both sexes, it only occasionally indulges in the heartier scents typically associated with Men’s fragrance. The Men’s box is centered around traditionally masculine fragrances, all from the niche world. You will still see the same creative spirit and defiance of convention, but the focus will be on the yang. The flap top box bears the intricate Olfactif logo in shiny relief. Olfactif Men’s comes in the same cool packaging as their flagship subscription.
The concept is simple: try your samples. If its just OK, add the tester to your collection with no obligation. If you love it, use your credit to buy full sizes of your favorites from the store.
Our box included a referral card that lets a friend try Olfactif for half off!
The instructions, theme, and individual fragrance information cards are tucked inside a decorative envelope.
The theme for this ensemble of men’s fragrances is “Shades of Green.” There is an overview card introducing the current fragrances and the reason for their inclusion in this themed collection — plus a card for each individual fragrance, identifying the maker, listing the primary scent notes, and providing a glimpse into the inspiration and essential qualities of the fragrance.
The three fragrances come tucked neatly within the very cool case.
The bottles are testers, but with up to 20 wears each, they are perfect for keeping around for a change of pace well into the future (but make sure to take advantage of the subscription credit towards purchase and pick up a full size of your favorites!). The box now comes with a trio of test strips so you can get a sense of the fragrances before choosing one to wear first. I go ahead and spray them on my skin – I think that’s the best way to see how it wears.
The strips have the Olfactif logo, a fancy touch.
The August 2017 Olfactif for Men scents are Gallagher Fragrances Bergamust, Etat Libre d’Orange You Or Someone, and DSH Perfumes Seven.
Gallagher Fragrances Bergamust: As the name implies, this fragrance has a fair dose of bergamot, but it is far from being a one-note scent. The orange blossom gives the bergamot a sweet, floral edge, and the dry down reveals more warm, dry tones. Despite the citrus and musk character of the fragrance, an aquatic note persists throughout. It is not a deep and stank oceanic note like ambergris, rather is is a slightly soapy and artificial note that comes off a bit Irish Spring-ish.
Etat Libre d’Orange You Or Someone Like You: This fragrance explodes with vibrant, candy-like mint right away. After a bit, the rose and jasmine-like hedione emerge, and it takes on a very floral character with strong citrus note. The mint loses its searing attack, but it remains a cool underpinning throughout. A little bit of spice pokes through, but the fragrance remains very green.
DSH Perfumes Seven: This one has a much deeper herbal tone than the other selections. Bergamot and grapefruit add a bright edge, but the fragrance maintains a rich, warm, and almost smoky quality due to the cloying quality of the geranium, spruce, and incense. Basil, laurel, and sage present a welcoming green edge reminiscent of a kitchen garden. Vetiver keeps it sweet and warm. Together, the fragrance manages to have the same presence as a musk, but without the animalistic quality. The candied yet smoky/musky duality reminds me a bit of frankincense.
I like this collection. I don’t think any one is my new signature scent, but each has an alluring, warm sillage that makes it intriguing without being overly powdery or smoky, and they have a pleasant herbaceous and floral quality without being overtly flowery.
Have you tried niche fragrances yet? What did you think of this month’s Olfactif Men’s collection?
Visit Olfactif to subscribe to the Men’s box or find out more!
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