L'Homme

I've spent most of this year NOT wearing any (commercially available) scents, I've been wearing either prototypes or single-note aromachemicals, getting my head (and nose) around ionones and irones, so, my reviewing muscles and form is a little off and I feel quite rusty doing this! I thought "why not return to some of my ancient mainstream scents to get back into the swing of things?", and dragged out this bottle from about 15+ years ago. It immediately takes me back to that late 2006 - early 2007 timeframe, when I first started teaching and actually making decent money. I originally subsisted off 2 or 3 samples I managed to get off DJs in the city, and I used the bejesus out of those. I think I actually bought a bottle of this when it was first available in my far-flung waystation of a country, waaay at the end of the supply chain. I completely drained a bottle of this, and I remember either getting a second bottle myself, or my wife / girlfriend / fiancé getting it for me, pre-HK, and I don't think I used it all that much, possibly a handful of times since 2010. Anyway, I put it on for the first time today and yesterday and it was a trip back in time. I was teaching my (mostly Punjabi) students in class, and it also reminded me of my first few months in Japan. Aside from the instant scent memories, I was also a little shocked at how 'vague' this scent is. Disregarding the scent pyramid, this really doesn't smell like anything recognisable, with a slightly-vague resin, possibly benzoin, in the mix, but it's mostly synth replacements that don't smell like anything that appears in that scent pyramid. Slight resins, a bit of citrus and maybe some vague woods, but, notwithstanding my 'criticism', it works, it just works. Office-safe, pleasantly inoffensive and a good, all-purpose scent that would work in most circumstances. I, though, really prefer to stand out and not smell safe, predictable and like everyone else, so, aside from not minding this, I'm not at all sure where I would actually wear this. I might just keep this, mostly as a souvenir, but also because it reminds me so much of a time when I was a lot more green in the sniffing world, and also because it takes me back to some fun times. Nice, but basic and safe.

If I only had a man...I would hope he'd smell just like this. This isn't your bad boy, or park ranger, your prepster,or your policeman, or your firefighter, your family man or your dentist, your gangsta, or your beach boy, etc...this is your everyday good man, who leaves them all in the dust. He is comfortable in his own skin, he does not mind putting an effort for you, tries to look clean and put together. Fresh from the shower. Some after shave. That fresh, comfortable scent merging with his skin and seeping through his clothes. He'd don a crisp, black shirt, some black pants...sneaks, boots, whatever. He might have a watch on. He has nothing to hide, nothing to prove, doesn't have to act confident and playful to show he is...he is offering himself to the world just as he is. He of the firm handshake or the brotherly pat. He who greets his lover with a hug and becomes the most polarizing thing in the room. And this is why this is my favorite Men's perfume. This is so fresh and elegant and versatile. Cool, sleek and warm.The guy who wears this is up for anything and ready for anything. Hanging out with his friends. Ready to go skydiving with me and ready to tumble for a few hours. The man exudes unstudied class; There's an air of gratitude and respect of his surroundings about him. And I'd never get tired of him... Some men would be put off by the sweetness. I happen to like this sweet essence of it, it shows you are HUMAN. The world cannot fall on your shoulders. It may feel like that often and for what I've seen from the many men in my life (friends, family, strangers, a lover or two), you need to relax. You need to be taken care of. Sometimes, y'all need a hug. But this also shows you need to be lusted after. The ginger, spices and lemon give it a kick, reminding whoever is smelling you that while you may have your ward down a bit, your senses are always on. Aren't they always? In result, you come up as unexpected. Unexpected because you're not as abrasive as the many others that scream "LOOK AT ME, LOOK HOW MUCH NOISE I CAN MAKE!!" and come up as obnoxious. You look at her nonchalantly, you know she'll look (you sly dog...). That is refreshing and sexy to me.

This was one of the first fragrances that I purchased as a young man. I’m also sure we could all speak to the nostalgia and memories this fragrance conjures about. Nevertheless, It really is a true masterpiece. I would say this scent was quite ground breaking for how mass appealing and safe it was and is. I’m sure, most can agree this juice is the definition of likable. Here’s the issue... The performance is just nonexistent. Its almost as if this was made to enjoy for yourself. This is EDT concentration that performs like a cheap cologne. Again, the performance here is just unfortunate for how beautiful the scent profile is. However, i’m not knocking this classic. In spite of those things its basically a pillar in Fragcomm, and the reason why a lot of us are here to begin with. Though, I think, even before the reformulations this fragrance was still never a beast performer at least not on my skin or for others i’ve read. However, I believe It should be kept and cherished. We should appreciate this fragrance for what it is—which i’m cool with. Heres an idea for you though, and i’m not sure why no one is talking about this but there is a clone of this fragrance that is truly a 1:1 but its an extrait de parfum concentration that cost $35 dollars. Actually I wouldn’t even call it a clone it’s YSL L’Homme with more punch and gravitas. Its basically a more complete, better blended YSL L’Homme, and astonishingly, The Dua Brand is still able to stay true to L’Homme’s DNA in spite of turning it up several notches. This is inviting, mass appealing and just likable. Just imagine YSL L’Homme but upgraded to modern perfumery’s higher standards. If L’Homme is considered a 8.7/10 than Rendezvous is an 11— check it out its RENDEZVOUS by the DUA BRAND. I’m wearing it right now... and its everything you hoped L’Homme could be but never quite was. Rendezvous fixes the performance issue completely. Sorted. Not sure why this hasn’t been discussed more. You’re welcome. Also if it matters to you I purchased my fragrance directly from their website. Blessings!

Man, I miss what this used to be So I'm probably not the only one who feels this way but... this isn't the same fragrance anymore. Found this back in 2007 at duty free on my way to some vacation (can't even remember where now), and it was instant love. That ginger hit, the spicy-clean thing it had going on, just this effortless freshness that clicked perfectly with my nose. It felt smooth and modern but masculine without trying too hard, you know? Like the kind of scent that could be your signature - casual enough for everyday but still classy. I burned through that first bottle way too fast and then moved on to other stuff... but years later I came back to it. Big mistake. This thing's been reformulated to hell and back, and you can tell immediately. That spark it used to have? Gone. The smell is still decent - don't get me wrong - but it's like a watered-down version of its former self. The performance especially is just disappointing now, which is typical of how modern reformulations often have weaker concentrations. You'll get maybe a few hours if you're lucky, then it's basically gone. For a scent that used to feel premium and effortless, having to carry a decant around is just... sad. I get why they do reformulations - regulations, cost cutting, whatever - but as someone who loved the original, it's genuinely frustrating. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just being nostalgic but nah, this is definitely weaker. Bottom line: Used to be fresh, spicy, clean perfection. Now it's weak and reformulated to death. Still a nice scent but terrible staying power. 5.5/10 because the DNA is still there, but barely. RobTheScent Honest takes. Big nose energy.

The opening is bright, grapefruit, maybe lemon...maybe bergamot (or all of the above) slightly spiced affair. It's bracing. It wakes you up. It smells like Florida air...I haven't been to Florida since 2005. It melds onto the skin as time wears on. There's a compelling astringent quality to this. It makes me feel more focused, fresher, and more awake. It's *crisp*, which I find to be the case with other D.Ropion fragrances, they have the capability of jutting through the air. Anne Flipo though, she also has made some incredible freshies, and has a beautiful way of employing tonka (many of those LVEB flankers are stunning). The balance of sweet, soft, plushy tonka and the spicy ginger, along with something green is simply gorgeous. Gorgeous. It also reminds me of Mugler's discontinued "Fly Away", but with more backbone and heft. Yes, this is fresh, but it also has resilience and isn't being silenced by the cold January air. This is one thing, as a woman that I very, very rarely come across...a freshie with a heavy dose of citrus that can hang in winter weather. It's almost non-existent. And I by no means intend to emasculate this fragrance whatsoever. It's classically 70% or so masculine (who cares, wear what you like regardless of gender), but I am comfortable in it because it has a soft undertone. On a man? This would be quite attractive. I cannot speak to reformulations. This bottle looks old, and it's been quite loved (30% is remaining). I feel fortunate to have found this. It smells like it's thoughtfully constructed, blended, and intelligently formulated. With the perfumers behind this, it's not surprising.