Polo Red ,White and Blue

Many of the men I know love Polo in some iteration. They are happy to get it for gifts and so this holiday season we get a new one Polo Red,White and Blue.

This new one is crisp, sporty and has a mountain air feel. It's not overly aquatic but has a bit of those notes. More like cold, winter air with some herbs and woods. Not too wildly different but not the same as any Polos before either. It is said to be a cooler variation of Polo Blue. I rather liked it. It was fresh without being watery.

The scent was made with Winter Sports in mind ( after all an Olympic year is coming) and the logo is done with patriotic racing stripes.

Notes include:

Red apple,cucumber, clary sage, lavender tonic, creamy white woods and white musks.

4.2 oz EDT $ 69.50
2.5 oz EDT $ 52.50

Available at Macys, and http://www.ralphlauren.com/

Ralph Lauren Notorious and Purple Label for Men

Notorious is one of the newest releases from Ralph Lauren Fragrances. Meant to evoke an old world movie star glamour , the company even commissioned a video from acclaimed ( and rightfully so ) director Wong Kar -Wei. See it here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2nQYIbKwao

The scent is a bit of a gourmand , and categorized as a spicy oriental. I think a mix of the two works well. It is a bit oriental and a bit gourmand. One of the main notes is from the Chocolate Cosmos flower. It is used as a note for the first time in a fragrance here. I once had Chocolate Cosmos growing in my yard. They were so pretty with their deep brown/burgundy shade. Unfortunately I can't remember if they had a strong scent or note, but either way, I am intrigued by the use of this flower.

The chocolate of that flower is very light here. Notorious is more floral and spice . When I first sprayed it I got a lot of floral, a hint of the chocolate and a hint of the blackcurrant. The bergamot is there very much but by the mid point is gone. As it dries down the peonies and the Iris come out. To me this has a strong Iris scent until well after the drydown. By then it's very much the patchcouli, musk with some chocolate.

The sillage is medium and it has good lasting power.

Top Notes: Black Currant, Spicy Pink Peppercorn and Italian Bergamot
Mid Notes: Chocolate Cosmos, White Frost Peonies, Fiery Carnation
Base Notes: Patchouli Musk, Vanilla, Orris

1.7 oz $ 65.00

2.5 oz $ 85.00

6.7 oz Body Lotion $ 45.00

5.3 oz Body creme $ 70.00

http://www.ralphlauren.com/

For the men there is what I though was new, but isn't- Purple Label. I have many Ralph Lauren mad men I know and none of them, nor I ,have come across this one, which leads me to think it may only be online and in RL shops.

It is really nice, very elegant and not strong but not too light . A little fruit overlaying the woods. The bottle here is gorgeous, in deep purple, and it comes in a lovely presentation box that opens like a book to reveal the EDT. A great gift. I plan on recommending this to a dear friend whose husband is Mr. Ralph Lauren. He will be thrilled.

Notes:
Blackberry, tobacco flowers, woods and suedes, mahogany
2.5 oz $ 70.00
4.2 0z $ 90.00