I was really excited to be able to review this Etsy Indie brand, Cinis Labs.
Cinis Labs, operated and owned by Donnie Bovi specializes in Beard Oils, Unisex Fragrances, and Fragrance Supplies. They also sell pomades and other items as well. I was interested in reviewing his fragrances and when I contacted Donnie about what products he would recommend I purchase to review he recommended a lot of amazing things. He also gave me pretty much most of his line to review. Fragrances, beard oils, and his new hair pomade. Since I don’t have a beard I gave some of it to some bearded buddies to try out, as well as some of the pomade, and some fragrances. I am going to have a youtube video on the fragrances, but I wanted to give his amazing products the review they deserve!
About Donnie and Cinis Labs
Story Behind Cinis Labs
I was never a big fan of perfumes, to me it was always like: Oh you smell nice, what is it? -It’s that brand.And I hated when I would smell a fragrance that I knew or owned on someone and I would recognize it. To me it just made it a bit less personal, it was more who you are wearing rather than what you smell like.
I was at a party one day about 6 years ago, and someone there smelled so good, that I kept getting closer, I couldnt help myself, I just wanted to smell more and more. So I asked him what he was wearing and he said: Molecule01.
I did my research and I discovered the ingredient (iso-e-super) and how it amplifies someones natural scent, I go my hands on it and I kept getting compliments. Then I thought maybe I should mix it up with something like cedarwood and see what happends.
Long story short, I got my hands on a few oils and I started mixing them up to try new scents. The more people would compliment the way I smelled the more oils I would get and experiment. After that I started doing more research on how to make a perfume last longer, stronger etc. A few thoussand dollars later, I realised that maybe I should try to make some money out of it, so I can keep going. So whenever someone would compliment the way I smelled I would explain that I make it myself and see if they wanted to buy some. thats how it started I guess. Its really more of a hobby still, I have never done any marketing or advertising and never tried to promote my products in any way. Whenever I come up with something I think is good i just list it and people just find my products and buy them.
When did you start Cinis Lab?
I started it in April.
What was the inspiration for your store and products?
I was mainly interested in making perfumes. I had ideas that I thought were weird, unusual, and wanted top make fragrances that I would wear. I have never tried to think what would be popular, everything I’ve tried mixing is because it made sense to me.
When I am mixing my oils I usually take old school fragrances and give them a twist. I also mix scents based on memories, from places or times in my life.My fragrance unholy water for example, has notes that i remember from my childhood, flowers, trees church. I added the twist, and holy water (from the church memories) became unholy.
Now the beard oils and the rest of the products are products that I wanted to make for myself once again. Made them, tried them, I thought they worked, I gave some to friends, I got great feedback, so I thought I’d start selling some of that too.
Where would you like to see this shop/brand go… in the next year, 5 years, beyond?
I want to make more products, like lotions, hair products, with cool scents. I do not have a business plan, it’s just something I do in my free time, a hobby. Having said that, sales keep rising in these first four months and that makes me think maybe I should see it more seriously.
Any new products, fragrances you plan on coming out with?
I want to launch a hair/beard putty, I am already working on it. I want to make it in all the scents the beard oils come in. Hopefully I will build some stock and launch it this month.
This week I am launching a new fragrance that I am very proud of. It is very niche and I am addicted to it and wearing it every day, I get comments everywhere I go. It smells like gasoline, motor oil, steel and spices. yes, gasoline. Its sharp, icy, musky
I call it “Fueled up”
Beard Oil and Pomade Review
Firstly before I get into what my friends thought, I used the oils and pomade in my hair. I loved the way they made my hair smell, added a nice fragrance, and also I really loved how the pomade worked, how long it lasted, and how easy it was to use. Generally all of Cinis Labs products are unisex, so you can really use them however you want, I just wanted to add my initial thoughts on these items!
The beard oils I got were
The Pomade was Rosewood/Oud/Amber (which isn’t available just yet)
Overall everyone really liked the oils. The feedback I got was that the oils really helped condition their facial hair, and the fragrances were unique and also not overpowering in a way that would make them not be worn. Distinguished manliness was mentioned, as well as “Where can I buy this for when I run out!?” The pomade was also liked as well. helped mainain the beard, their hairstyles (and mine) and was also very pleasantly fragranced (I LOVE the smell of it, OMFG). Friends and skeptics turned into believes (and future sales I am sure) and came with glowing recommendations.
The other thing they seemed to really get behind was the price. Cinis Labs products are extremely reasonable for the quality! ($9.50 for a 30 ml and $16.50 for 60 ml) so if you wanted to try a few things it won;t break the bank or hurt your wallet.
Also something else I’d like to add is the Customer Service and communication Donnie provided. Fast, courteous, and knowledgable about his products and brand!
Fragrances
I also picked up a few fragrances, but I will be doing a youtube video on them so I can get more into longevity of the perfume, how it smells, and things like that!
Fragrances I got
Overall Impressions
Overall I really liked and enjoyed all the products I received. My friends loved them and really are psyched to use them more, and also become customers of Donnie’s. Cinis Labs is a no brainer. If you are looking for very unique fragrances that are deep, woody, and substantial, and want to support a small business and get an amazing product at an amazing price then Cinis Labs is definitely the place! Need a unique gift for a father, boyfriend and beard aficionado, definitely check them out!
Brand Grade and Product Grade- A+
Beauty Meow 