Boss in Motion White Edition Review

Boss in Motion launched in 2002. Since then, there have been 5 flankers in the series, of which 2 have been better than most of Boss’ permanent output (Green and Blue editions). Boss in Motion White Edition is the latest addition to the range.

White Edition opens with a similar Orange note to the original Boss in Motion, without the bubbly smell. It quickly proceeds to a clear steamed rice smell, very similar to the newest DKNY offering.
In the heart there is a kind of Woody softness, reminiscent to me of the ‘nothing’ that I smell when I sniff the “smooth, woody, ambery” aromachemical Iso E Super. The Saffron note is very quiet, and very similar to that in CdG’s 8 88 – it is slightly metallic and strangely warm. It doesn’t last long at all, and a Lilac note with Violet Leaf greenness is the next thing that appears. The spice notes are present, but are so indistinguishable and tame that you have trouble making them out unless you really concentrate on them. I imagine that most Boss consumers would run a mile from anything truly spicy and edgy.
The drydown is the same powdery and plastic Vetiver and Cedar as the DKNY, with a sweet-ish Musk. Considering the notes listing looked incredibly promising, the result is unexciting. White Edition isn’t generic in the slightest, but it is quite plain.

Top: Ruby Orange, Basil
Middle: Cinnamon, Saffron, Black Pepper
Base: Woods, Vetiver, Musk

Hugo Element Review

Hugo Boss’s newest offering, Element, allegedly has ingredients that evoke the four elements. And is for an urban man that is in his element in the city. And has ripped it’s name from two old Boss fragrances, Elements and Elements Aqua. And explicitly names Calone as one of the notes, which is certainly interesting from a marketing point of view.

It opens with that oh-so-familiar aquatic citrus accord that you find in many designer scents. Melony or cucumbery, with a hint of bitter Orange in the background. It smells clear, and is similar to the previous release, Boss Pure, except without the sour milky musk note. Also obviously related to Hugo XY, except not as ‘icy’ or cold, Energise, with it’s spicier warmth, and the original Hugo, as they are both ‘fresh’ with aromatic components in the background. This is probably so it’s familiar to the mainstream consumer.
Element moves quickly into the heart, which is a quiet spicy woodsy creature, Ginger creates warmth, while the Coriander brings a hint of sweetness. With the wood note supporting it, it’s very similar to YSL’s L’homme.
The drydown is a powdery Vetiver and Cedar skinscent that doesn’t project much. It’s incredibly faint and inoffensive, but it seems to last for an age, even if it doesn’t create much sillage.

Top: Calone, Citrus
Middle: Ginger, Coriander
Base: Vetiver, Cedar, Musk

The Offenders of ‘08 – Mini Reviews (Mens)

I’ve listed and reviewed my favourite fragrances from 2008, and I realized that I don’t really pan anything at all. So here are the Male fragrances released this year that I didn’t like.

Calvin Klein Euphoria Intense – Supposedly has an Oud note, smells more like an aquatic mixed with “fruit salad” sweets.

Dolce & Gabanna The One for Men – Smells like a cheap drug store brand deodorant to me – I don’t find it interesting at all. The best part, the tobacco drydown, isn’t worth the wait to me.

Boss Pure – Oh joy, another “fresh” aquatic. Milky smelling in it’s topnotes, but isn’t particularly briny or salty, ideas that would hold my interest some more.

Emporio Armani Diamonds – Fizzy Cedar wood and Musk. I’m sorry, I just plain don’t like you.

Paco Rabanne 1 Million – Oranges coated in icing with a wimpy Suede note. Makes me wretch. Should be marketed to women. Cool bottle, though.

Givenchy Play – Synthetic feeling Citrus-Musk. And not synthetic in that cool Comme des Garcons “it does smell like a garage” way. The intense version is better – it has more Coffee Wood and Tonka. But saying that the intense is better is like saying a cold is better than the flu.