B*Men

Run. Keep running. Each step thuds with resounding determination. Whatever happens I must keep running. Faster. Farther. Anywhere but here. The beast chasing you will easily claim your life if you slow, even for a moment. You get a glance of the monstrosity on your heels as you leap over a massive pot hole brimming with water - the heaving beast is of caramel color with stained leather skin, fiery red eyes and vicious, gnarled teeth. You can smell the scent of death on its breath, a scorched patchouli and fleshy licorice - it has claimed many prey before you. You run as fast as your body can manage, darting through thickets of sweltering cedar, and crush tender violets underfoot as you dash toward the mountains. Just as you break the clearing, you stumble over a hidden root before feasting on a faceful of dirt. You look up right as the beast lunges, the last thing you see are the fangs of the beast ripping into your heart - a searing pain washes over you....and then, nothing. Gasping, you examine your body - no bruises, no cuts, no gaping wound pouring blood....just a small mark over your heart...the mark of the beast. Covered in musky sweat and shaking from your encounter, you stumble home. You and the beast share a common path...you are cursed to relive this moment until the end of time. Day 91 - To be loved Listening to: Muse - Sing For Absolution Notes: Well, I am certainly gravitating to a lot of my firsts - this was my first purchase from Thierry Mugler some 8 years ago. I have the metal bottle in the plastic case which I procured for some ridiculously low price in an auction (around $40). I fell in love the second this touched my skin - it spurred my love for dense and dank patchouli and my burning passion for licorice...it is simply incredible! It really does remind me of the hide of some mythical beast that preys on the fear of others. Scent wise, this opens with a thick caramel and anise/licorice note that is readily paired with the aged patchouli and tanned leather. It's quite feral in its presentation and suited toward someone looking to make a bold statement. These notes come and go in waves, and I've noticed that the scent goes down a few different paths from here. In colder temps, it displays more of the anise and caramel notes with a hint of chilly violet. In warmer temps (beware of its potency), it displays a far more herbal and dry patchouli for quite some time. Regardless of temp, when this fume dries down some 8 to 10 hours later, it starts to pick up a very mineral and slightly animalic musk which can last a few more hours. I think this is Mugler's greatest creation for the designer market - I love it more than any of his other offerings! Stay calm and enjoy the ride!

During my last three trips to TJ Maxx (3 different cities), on each occasion I've found, tucked away behind the usual assortment of US Polo Association generics, a Mugler scent. I felt sort of like Charlie getting his golden ticket in the last Wonka Bar on the planet... heavily discounted A*Men, Pure Havane, and most recently, a bottle of B*Men. I have no idea which retailer shipped this to TJ- it has been discontinued for a while. You can't even buy it on the Mugler website. It was a blind buy for me as I've never seen it for sale anywhere. The following is my review after two days of wearing B*Men: First, let's get an idea of what it is NOT: this is not a sweet gourmand. Not to my nose. I can see how some may be puzzled initially by this if they are expecting something akin to the other A*Men flankers. I It goes in a different direction completely. I don't even get strong patchouli on the dry down like A*Men. Once you begin to evaluate it on its own, it becomes something special. Rhubarb- absolutely in the opening, very tart. The mid is full of licorice/anise as the rhubarb dissipates. The base, for me, is something of an "old school" scent, probably the amber/cedar/vetiver coming through. This is not a sillage beast like A*Men nor does it last as long before becoming something subtle. B*Men is not-in my opinion-a scent for clubbing, in-your-face attention getting, or, as a fellow reviewer suggested, the A*Hole in your life. Rather, I find it more complex, distinguished, and comforting, especially in the dry down. There are no synthetic, loud, cloying tones in this- it all comes across as natural, herbal, spicy, and woody. I find it much easier to wear on a daily basis than other Muglers. That being said, it is different- MUCH different- from the typical metrosexual, sweet, floral contemporary colognes that are churned out one after the other these days. It probably will not appeal to those who think monolithically regarding perfumery. As for me, B*Men is an intriguing alternative to mass market, watered down, quasi-feminine EDTs out there....that is, IF you can find it! Good luck! Update: after a month, this has grown on me - it's become one of my absolute favorites. Such an amazing fragrance- absolutely love it

The perfume of 2004 repeats the fantastical idea of inspiration initiated by A * Men. While A * Men fragrance representing a metallic superhero, here is a super dark, mixed with African and alien fire. The bottle is the same as A * Men, changing the outside of glass an opaque cover in dark green military-like, and replaced by a central blue star red. Rechargeable editions, the outer sheath replaced by a rubber-like rubber material. The beginning of the fragrance has similar colors to A * Men in the aromatic candied sweet sensation, but with a more spicy from cinnamon cloves trend, without becoming dense and relatively cool and cold. Middle notes kept in the same style of game but spicy aroma adds toast and incense resins for longer smelling, aroma becomes dominant if it is still smelling longer. Beside the incense has notes and leather-like moist snuff, with a density similar to the fragrance of the eighties. While further developing the middle notes appears cedar wood type is assembled incense. The mixture does not feel heavy or monotonous, even a simple fruit could be interleaved, patchouli, fresh or traditional snuff. The final takes snuff with wood tones and species type cedar wood line with more traditional end of a fragrance and feelings known, along the lines of The One by Dolce & Gabbana but without the green notes. Unlike rupture in style at the time of A * Men, B * Men fragrance feels like a marked and striking, but with some inspiration from the very masculine fragrance with notes and intense eighties. Although it gives the idea of an intense fragrance winter is cold and spicy cooler at the end that make it not shocking for the summer. It feels good and much better day in office, distinctive and striking, elegant aromatic with hints but without falling into an old style perfumery. At night also features a lot, where the dark tones of spices and incense stick out and give a personality with an air of mystery. In the romantic works well because the scent revolves around the idea of masculinity, with several interspersed sensual overtones, especially snuff and resins. Broad age range, 20 to 55 years, with informal night under 35 years and elegant office on day 30.

B*Men is a bold fragrance from the house of Mugler, launched in 2004 as a flanker of the iconic A*Men. While A*Men stood out for its bold, gourmand and dense approach, B*Men brings a more spicy and warm approach, with a slightly herbal and woody touch, maintaining the brand's bold signature, but with a distinct personality. It pays homage to the "superhero", with a robust black rubber bottle and a red star, symbolizing strength and energy. Dominant accords: Soft and warm spice, followed by woody nuances, anise and patchouli. B*Men opens with a striking impact of spices and anise, which may seem strange to less accustomed noses, but quickly envelop with its mysterious and almost medicinal side. The heart brings a moderate sweetness with vanilla bean, softening the initial heat of the spices. The base is full-bodied, with leather and dry woods that give depth and masculinity to the fragrance, making it ideal for colder climates. Performance Longevity: 8 hours (or more, depending on skin and climate) Projection: Strong in the first hours, then moderate Fixation: Excellent, maintaining presence throughout the day Trail: Strong at first, leaving a notable trail without being suffocating B*Men is ideal for: Winter and Autumn: Its warm and spicy body shines on cold days. Night: Perfect for nighttime dates, parties or social events. Outdoor environments: Open climates highlight its power and trail. It is not the most suitable perfume for hot days or formal work environments, as its boldness can become invasive. Overall Impression B*Men is a fragrance for those who like perfumes with a strong identity that escape the commonplace. The presence of anise and licorice may divide opinions, but it is precisely these touches that give it originality. For those who already know and like the A*Men line, B*Men is an intriguing and spicier variation, with less gourmand sweetness and more aromatic-earthy appeal. Final Score: 9.1/10 For its boldness, excellent performance and unique signature, B*Men deserves to be highlighted as one of the most unusual fragrances from the Mugler house. A perfume for collectors, lovers of intense compositions and those looking to escape the predictable.

Although B Men is in my top 3 most complemented scents of all time (better composition than the current A Men reformulation by far. Probably not better than the original A Men formulation), a quick note. I seem to get an unusually high amount of complements from black women in particular while wearing this one. I'm not sure why, but that's been my experience. That said, I've rambled so much about this fragrance in the past, but the truth is there's so much more to be said. I really feel that B Men picked up where YSL Kouros left off in terms of alpha male attributes transitioning throughout the years into a more modern man, while keeping his flannel shirt, beard and testicles in tact. But unlike the Kouros alienation factor of many, B Men will displease few, especially on the right wearer. It's clean, tough and serious with a dark aurora of burnt woods and shitty attitude that automatically attracts respect by default. When I smell this underappreciated gem, I picture John Wayne crashing through the doors of a Sierra Club banquet sponsored by PETA. He plops himself down in a chair right beside Janeane Garofalo while pulling out a 20 ounce raw, bloody steak from a Ziploc bag. He rips into the first bite with his teeth, followed by inhaling the remnants just before belching right in her face. He wipes his mouth with a napkin, stands up, flips Janeane a quarter from his pocket and silently walks through the exit door never to be seen again. Rude, but done in a stylish manner that most can appreciate. That's what B Men is to me. Buy this fragrance for the asshole in your life. That dark comedian who's always carrying on about "the short bus", or just generally always has something cute to say. When you get your first whiff you'll know what I'm talking about. B Men is the scent for the modern asshole, and being an asshole never smelled so good.