Ungaro pour L'Homme II

Ungaro II was an accidental acquisition some years back - and to say I was delighted would be an understatement. I absolutely love this stuff. Best blind buy ever. The thought of ever running out fills me with despair. Jacques Polge created some of my favourite men’s fragrances including Antaeus and Egoïste, which were integral to some of the best years of my life and defined my metamorphosis from adolescence into young adulthood. Ungaro Pour L'Homme II is a sublime magic potion of mysterious, luxurious seductive elegance. It shares with Jacques Polge's more famous creations, Antaeus and Egoïste, a unique identity and a distinctive, sophisticated and self-assured beauty. Wish I had the lexicon to effectively translate my impressions into words but others, like Alphairone and FMilan, describe this infinitely better than I ever could. Animalic notes are fairly uncommon nowadays and in some cases can be confronting and weird. Not in this case. In Ungaro II the civet is remarkably beautiful - in no way loud, scary or obtuse. This will not make your friends’ cats suddenly sink their claws into your thighs or prompt serenades from dogs enthusiastically in flagrante delicto on your leg. Fragrances, like music, work best when their notes are in harmony, and here the civet plays a supporting rather than a starring role. It makes its presence known within the composition, then performs in perfect harmony with the other notes, like a violinist in an orchestra playing a brief solo before joining their colleagues to perform a symphony. It’s not all or even mostly civet by any means either, but a tantalising blend redolent of luxury, at once mystifying and intoxicating that feels somehow "lighter" than most other fragrances incorporating animalic notes. This is a fragrance whose myriad notes shine through, each complimenting the next, to create something magical and bewitching as it evolves around its wearer like a guardian spirit. To my inexpert nose the prevailing impression is of luxury - this smells good , complex, sophisticated and intricate - it elicits a sense of wonder as the lavish mosaic of resinous-aromatic-floral-animalic-woods performs a sensory dance of seven veils. A superlative example of the fine art of perfumery. Everything in Ungaro II combines to create a dynamic, vivid, and incredibly beautiful sensory mosaic. Every time I wear this I find myself sniffing my wrist, enraptured, ecstatically savouring the experience. Ungaro II really is a thing of beauty, that could perhaps be described in a single word: classy This is the fragrance of a sophisticated gentleman of the world, an experienced and well-travelled polyglot who appreciates the finer things in life, and understands that “ fashion is for those who lack taste - but style is eternal “ Like its siblings Antaeus and Egoïste Ungaro II is a thing of beauty unmarked by the vagaries of fashion (the one truth of fashion is that which is "fashionable" is destined to become "unfashionable") this is a creation of the eternal style that marches to the beat of its own drum. This is pure class, style and elegance. Update March 2022: Panicked at the thought that I might some day run out, been looking at acquiring more. Amazingly there is still old stock available on eBay and (as of 9 March 2022) with 75ml for US$120 this represents PHENOMENAL value for money so if you're a collector or an enthusiast in the market for a vintage gentleman's fragrance that epitomises the fine art of perfumery, and will make you smell like a god among men, do yourself a favour. Don't spend obscene amounts of money on boring, overpriced mediocrities when you can get this wondrous elixir. This is sexy and totally outclasses all the mass market saccharine disco syrup polluting our public spaces nowadays. At the very least get yourself a decant and experience this ambrosial fruit of the genius of Jacques Polge for yourself. Emmanuel Ungaro cut his teeth working with Cristobal Balenciaga, and was renowned for his avant-garde, innovative style and "confidently marching to the beat of his own drum". Ungaro sold his fragrance business in the 2000s and it is a tragedy that his legacy has been tarnished by the cheap, pedestrian awfulness that has been released under his name since. Please don't make the mistake of associating this beauty with those uninspiring recent releases. Ungaro Pour L'Homme II is one of the finest of the iconic men's fragrances released by Emmanuel Ungaro (then owned by Chanel), along with the rarissime Ungaro Pour L'Homme and the ever popular rose-vodka themed Ungaro III (still in production) Forgive my inarticulate verbiage. If you like Antaeus you will love this. Both are the creations of Jacque Polge, since Ungaro was owned by Chanel when this was released. Ungaro Pour L'Homme II is an absolute masterpiece and an ode to refined gentlemanly elegance. What I love most about Ungaro II is that, like Egoïste, it really is timeless - it smells amazing, seductive and luxurious - but not dated in any way. If longevity were greater this would be perfect. This stuff turns heads and elicits compliments from strangers like nothing else. Women will stalk you just to sniff your neck (not kidding). It really is a magic potion.

Ungaro Pour L'Homme II doesn't smell particularly unique to my nose, but it takes accords I've smelled in other fragrances and does them better, combines them to their best possible effect, and winds up smelling incredible from top to bottom. It resembles, in snatches mind you, a handful of different things: Kouros, Zino, Joint, (apparently Jicky, but I've no experience with Jicky), Pierre Cardin Pour Monsieur, Aubusson Pour Homme (original), and there are hints of Caron Pour un Homme in the early lavender-focused stage of the drydown. Together, these characteristics might conspire to make Ungaro II a topsy-turvy mix of cliches, but the resemblances are so gentle and fleeting that they blend into a coherent scent that stands on its own, and doesn't smell as "busy" as some of the others do. What makes Ungaro II a real winner in my book is its handling of three difficult notes. Somehow lavender, lemon, and civet are intertwined with a deftness and agility you rarely encounter in designer fragrances of today. With the exception of the lavender, the accord smells remarkably natural. For some reason I'm not overly impressed with how the lavender note moves here, though. It's definitely a good lavender, somewhat natural and crisp. But I think it's on par with the same note in Roccobarocco's Joint Pour Homme (ironically the lavender is that scent's best note). Joint is a very good fragrance, but it's significantly more synthetic, and far flatter than Ungaro II. The citrus and civet notes are incredibly natural here though, and I guess I got lucky and found a full bottle that was well taken care of, because I smell no perceptible deterioration in the citrus notes, despite this fragrance's age (this is vintage by Ungaro). However, true to form, something in a vintage suffers. Here it's longevity. Once the aromatics have died down and the woody vanilla gets its turn, the fragrance deflates and begins to smell a little pale. However, I wouldn't say this fragrance has "spoiled." It's definitely still very wearable and I can expect at least five or six hours for longevity, though it's quite weak in the last couple of hours. If you can find a 2.5 oz bottle for under $50, buy it. I paid $44 for this size, unused, from a brick and mortar store I'd never been to before (but will visit again). I want to point out that Ungaro II's bottle doesn't look exactly like the one pictured above. Yes, it has a yellow, slightly marbled cap, and yes, at first glance the glass looks blueish purple. But the edges are blueish, while the middle is more of a urine yellow. They were doing a little hint-hint there. The civet note in this fragrance is front and center, and though it eventually tapers off, it leaves the impression that Ungaro II is an animalic aromatic fougere. That's exactly how I'd classify it. They might've dialed back the dihydromyrcenol in the top notes a hair, but basically this is a flawless fragrance that is well worth owning. Now if only Ungaro would bring it back.

Well it's about time I chimed in here about this legendary composition of Polge's. Overall, it's a masterpiece, performs great, and has a very unique character all its own, while still leaning heavily on the giants of perfume's past. But first I want to give my take on some of the comments below. Many reviews describe Ungaro II as "powdery", and I can't say I share this viewpoint. While the DNA of many powdery ambers is present, it's kept in check by the sharper, more aromatic accords. Comparisons to Bal a Versailles and Habit Rouge are out of line – this is a far more subdued affair. I disagree strongly that there is any dihydromyrcenol present here – Ungaro III is a DHM bomb, but II, thank goodness, eschews that reviled molecule. I am hypersensitive to DHM and loathe it in all forms. Also, while the sweetness does resemble some urinal cake compositions, I detect no menthol here. I do find the civet to be a knockout in this one. Ungaro II falls squarely in the tradition of Jicky and Zino in that regard and many others (just compare their pyramids), although it distinguishes itself with a highly unique transparency that might feel more at home post-2010 than its creation time of the early 90s. The animalic character growls nicely; I find the "leather" accord to be absent smokiness, likely just castoreum along with the civet and musk rather than tars. It's not in the same zone as Kouros at all, although the civet and orange kind of relate it. Caron PuH is far more lavendery, while Cardin PM and New York are more opaque and smoky. Ungaro II is far more subtle than 70s-80s amber fougere powerhouses from which it descends. In fact, I'd even go so far to say it's a little hollow, as the carnation heart is very tame compared to the richer animal amber base and sparkling lemon top. Ungaro II's vanilla is present but kept well in check by the judiciously masculine doses of cedar and patchouli, lending it a terrific, longlasting drydown riding close to the skin. Indeed, UII is a subtle fragrance that speaks of class – yet hidden edges should one delve deeper. UII possesses many layers that peel off gently for hours. I find it mild and sophisticated rather than macho – but complex and multifaceted. I agree strongly with the evaluation of Ungaro II as a "hyper-masculine barber shop version of Jicky" (though less sweet than many barber scents) and of course with alfarom's assessment: "The juxtaposition of animalic notes and citruses freshness is quite unique and gives to this composition a special character that is pretty hard to find in today's perfumes." Indeed, Ungaro II is one of a kind. Any Jicky or Zino fan would do well to seek it out for a wonderful experience.

I'm usually not able to pick up the difference nuance within a minute of spraying this delicious gem on my skin. Being able to smell sweet scent from civet then a very citrusy lemon scent and finally the cool gentle lavender. All three notes elevates this fragrance giving it a real attractive luxurious aroma. Both neriol and vanilla with a hint of carnation gives that warm sweet vib. Finally tonka bean and sandalwood supported with a smig of musk bring it all together beautifully making it absolutely adorable. Longevity and Silage on my skin lasting well past 8hrs spraying it 2x without it being overwheling. Finally thoughts, When this juice first came out, I wore it but I wasn't feeling like it was worth much so I gave it away because I was much younger and not as wise. Just recently I came across this fragrance and without any hesitation I bought a 75ml bottle. After trying it on my skin...I have only one word to describe this juice....WOW. This fragrance is perfect during the late summer months into the early winter. A real old school frag which is excellent...9/10. Hard to find but worth it!!!! Update...becarefull of the bottle...the original bottle was in a dark purple as shown on this website. The newest version are I, II and IIII are all black. It easy to overlook which one your buying.

absolutely amazing stuff! this is one of my favourite spring-summer scents of all time. ungaro pour l'homme 2 is a well crafted blend of white florals,orange, neroli, jasmine, musk with a soft vanilla in the base. personally i dont detect a strong civet and im happy with that. it's very classy and charming, fits good for a sunny day during holydays, maybe at portofino or marseille. u can feel the quality because at that time ungaro was part of chanel company and the nose behind this creation is the great jacque polge. for me this is the french version of ricci club; r.c. is more casual and brighter with more citrus, u.p.h.2 is deeper and more serious, both have a gourgeous vanilla base. the performance is slightly above average for a summer scent, longevity 5-6 and the projection is very good during the first 2 hours. it has its own personality so it's not for everyone, but at the same time it's one of those old fragrances not hard to use nowadays. it's discontinued, grab it if u can. un profumo vintage bellissimo, dal sapore un pò retro ma indossabile anche nel 2019. scent-8,5 long-7,5 sillage-7,5 versatility-8 uniqueness-8,5 bottle-7 compliment factor-7 rebuy? yes my vote-8,5 in one word- gem