As many of us here in the Beginning stages of the fragrance community and our hobby, we followed lots of fragrance influencers. I want opinions on who you feel sold out? And who you feel stayed the course or is honest. Debate is welcome; all opinions matter. If you cant take it or get hurt feelings, please dont participate. I would also love to see Examples of why you believe either way. Let the Challenge begin!!! I’m not saying every big fragrance influencer is dishonest, but I’m cautious with the ones who constantly push top-10 hype lists, affiliate links, discount codes, sponsored bottles, and “beast mode compliment getter” content. Once every new fragrance sounds amazing and there’s always a code attached, it starts feeling more like sales than honest reviewing.

After yesterday's Layering from Frank Barnett layering post with a tuxedo/Noir extreme combo. Well it sounded rather good, but I don't own Tuxedo. But I do have a fresh bottle of suits, so here goes nothing. Noir Extreme is warm spicy/amber/woody. It opens with cardamom, saffron, mandarin/ creamy kulfi, rose, jasmine/amber, sandalwood, vanilla, tonka. It's rich, sweet, creamy, smooth, long-lasting. Suits is a Fresh/spicy/oriental, with bergamot, coriander, violet leaf, rose, black pepper, lily/patchouli, amber, bourbon vanilla. It's Crisp, sharp, earthy, leans fon the formal/structured side. After some experimenting I found the best way to layer was hit up both wrists with 2 sprays of suits, let this settle for about 30 sec. Then go in with a single light spray of Noir extreme to each wrist. What I learned was that too much Noir becomes overly sweet. Yet too much suits makes it overly sharp, so keep it light, this for me was the best combo. Normally by layer style involves separating the scents on different sides and letting them merge in the air around you as a scent bubble. But not this time. With that done, it was time too see how is progressed. The opening 30m, Suits brings bright citrus-green freshness with a sharp black pepper that cuts through Noir Extreme’s heavy spices. The result is a cleaner more polished start. It's less sweet overall and the Rose/cardamon blend like they were meant too be. Over the next two hours the Creamy Kulfi & florals from Noir extreme blend nicely with the Rose/pepper from Suits. You get luxurious creamy spice & refined floral elegance. Noir softens Suits’ edge; Suits adds brightness & definition. After the 3 hour mark this combo really shines. Noir Extreme’s amber, sandalwood, vanilla & Suits’ earthy patchouli, amber, bourbon vanilla combine for a deep, warm, rich, woody-amber base. Patchouli adds depth, darkness, with a tailored character; Noir adds creaminess and sweetness. Vanilla merges perfectly, sweet but not cloying, very smooth.