“10/6” from Aaron Terence Hughes drops Friday: https://m.youtube.com/shorts/e2q4xudrLi0

Today I am wearing a fragrance called Maestro by Delacroix Fragrances. If you take the bright citruses from Louis Vuitton’s Symphony and add the Akigalawood/pear from Ex Nihilo’s Blue Talisman, you get Maestro. Perfectly unisex. Exceptionally high quality. This is my first wear, and so far I am really enjoying it. I heard about it last week when the review below popped up in my feed. I like this reviewer because he is no hype, and not in the game to shill or get rich. He just loves the hobby and sells decants for the right reasons. He gave Maestro a rare 10 out of 10: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DcKD_R5iCBp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsi=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== After watching the review, I did a search for Delacroix Fragrances and was only able to find a Facebook page and Etsy posts by the perfumer Delayne Crow. Delacroix Fragrances is an independent, artisan, small-batch fragrance house based out of Wichita Falls, Texas. Everything is hand-made by Crow himself. Long story, short – I DM’d Delayne asking how to get ahold of Maestro. We exchanged messages for a couple of hours and the guy couldn’t be nicer. He asked what type of fragrances I liked so he could include samples. He also included samples for my daughter based on her tastes. For $75, I got a 50ml of Maestro and eight different samples from this perfumer who is obviously incredibly talented. I’m not affiliated with him in any way, just wanted to share a great experience. I added some pics from his Facebook page to give you an idea of what he offers. Highly recommended if you want to check it out!

Full presentation 50ml: https://www.olfactoryfactoryllc.com/products/xerjoff-torino-21-edp?variant=41604868571195

SOTD — Creed Iris Debonair I was able to score a tester of the new Creed Iris Debonair pre-release last week at a really good price, so of course I had to give it a proper wearing. This is definitely a different direction for Creed. Right away you get that smooth, powdery iris with a little pepper and lavender around it, but it doesn’t come across overly lipstick-like to me. Once it settles down, the iris gets creamier and the sandalwood and musk start showing up, giving it a much smoother, slightly woody feel. There are going to be Dior Homme comparisons, especially early on, and I understand why. But after it develops, I think Iris Debonair starts separating itself. It feels a little airier, cleaner and more polished rather than being that dense makeup-bag iris style. What I like most is the balance. It has some sweetness, but it isn’t really a sweet fragrance. It is floral without feeling feminine, powdery without becoming dusty, and has enough woods underneath it to keep everything grounded. Projection and sillage have been very good so far without it being obnoxious. This smells more like something I would wear dressed up, dinner, evening out or when I just want something a little more refined. Is Creed reinventing iris here? No. But they did a very good Creed interpretation of it, and I think this is one of their more interesting recent releases. I need a few more full wearings before I decide where it ranks in the Creed lineup, but my first impression is definitely positive. Iris Debonair is one I think people are going to be talking about once it officially hits the shelves.

According to their website: OUD FOR GRACE is a Woody Ambery Spicy Eau de Parfum from the BLACK GOLD PROJECT collection. It offers a controlled, contemporary interpretation of Oud, combining depth, clarity and warmth. Power no longer announces itself. It resides in presence, in composure, in the ability to command without display. Experience a new olfactory signature, where intensity is mastered, and power finds its most refined expression. A trail that speaks without excess. A presence that lingers, unmistakable. Bergamot opens with luminous clarity. Precious woods and Oud create a deep, resonant structure. Vanilla and Praline add a subtle, addictive warmth, while Black Pepper brings tension and precision. The result is deep yet lifted, powerful yet perfectly balanced. OUD FOR GRACE is a fragrance for those who embody authority effortlessly, with confidence that never needs to prove itself.