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GeorgeReid
A Versatile, (but Artificial and Boring) Summer Option.
I wrote a statement about five months ago after I purchased CK One Summer 2020 on a whim. It's not a terrible fragrance, but I found it underwhelming. After smelling it again at the time of this review, my opinion worsened.
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CK One Summer 2020 opens with a blend of orange and ginger. However, the combination comes across as an artificial citrus smell, reminiscent of a freshly cleaned home or apartment. (Lemon Pine-Sol comes to mind). The clean scent is not unpleasant or unwelcome, but it is quite unremarkable.
Once the citrus softens after 30 minutes, the dry down softly combines sweet amber and light herbs with saltiness. This aspect makes the fragrance worth trying.
Like most of the CK One line, the scent receives promotion as a unisex scent. However, unlike most of the CK One line that has a feminine feel, Summer 2020 genuinely doesn’t have a masculine or feminine lean.
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Performance-wise, there is not much to say about CK One Summer 2020, except to not to have high expectations.
In terms of longevity, it lasts about only four hours at most. Three hours is more likely, which may work for a quick errand or date, but is nowhere near enough for a day at the office without a respray or two.
In terms of sillage and projection, the scent stays close to the skin. However, a person sensitive to citrus scents may pick it up as you pass by them. This means that while it won’t gather attention from other people, it won’t offend people either.
To be fair, this is typical of most summer scents in the affordable price range.
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In terms of seasonal usage, CK One 2020 gets promotion as a summer fragrance, and it mostly fits that bill. The sweetness gives it some flexibility in milder spring and autumn temperatures.
Socially, the versatility of the fragrance is it's largest strength. It could work in an office or school setting—if you are okay with respraying. It can also work on a quick date or a meetup with friends. (With an emphasis on the word quick.)
That said, the sweetness from the citrus and amber makes it a decent casual scent for both relaxing at home or going out on a walk in the evening. However, the sweetness is not overbearing and makes it a reasonable option for a post-workout scent.
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Overall, CK One Summer 2020 is a decent budget-friendly option found in rack stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Burlington, etc., or at an online retailer.
That said, I wouldn't recommend blindly buying it if you're paying the retail price. (Then again, I wouldn’t recommend buying any Calvin Klein fragrance at full retail.) Also, if you’re looking for an artistic flair or something that draws attention, disappointment awaits.
I believe there are better summer options available in the market (especially at the affordable price range). CK One Summer 2020 is a disappointment that I recommend passing on, unless you really enjoy a cleaner-style citrus smell.
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CK One Summer 2020 opens with a blend of orange and ginger. However, the combination comes across as an artificial citrus smell, reminiscent of a freshly cleaned home or apartment. (Lemon Pine-Sol comes to mind). The clean scent is not unpleasant or unwelcome, but it is quite unremarkable.
Once the citrus softens after 30 minutes, the dry down softly combines sweet amber and light herbs with saltiness. This aspect makes the fragrance worth trying.
Like most of the CK One line, the scent receives promotion as a unisex scent. However, unlike most of the CK One line that has a feminine feel, Summer 2020 genuinely doesn’t have a masculine or feminine lean.
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Performance-wise, there is not much to say about CK One Summer 2020, except to not to have high expectations.
In terms of longevity, it lasts about only four hours at most. Three hours is more likely, which may work for a quick errand or date, but is nowhere near enough for a day at the office without a respray or two.
In terms of sillage and projection, the scent stays close to the skin. However, a person sensitive to citrus scents may pick it up as you pass by them. This means that while it won’t gather attention from other people, it won’t offend people either.
To be fair, this is typical of most summer scents in the affordable price range.
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In terms of seasonal usage, CK One 2020 gets promotion as a summer fragrance, and it mostly fits that bill. The sweetness gives it some flexibility in milder spring and autumn temperatures.
Socially, the versatility of the fragrance is it's largest strength. It could work in an office or school setting—if you are okay with respraying. It can also work on a quick date or a meetup with friends. (With an emphasis on the word quick.)
That said, the sweetness from the citrus and amber makes it a decent casual scent for both relaxing at home or going out on a walk in the evening. However, the sweetness is not overbearing and makes it a reasonable option for a post-workout scent.
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Overall, CK One Summer 2020 is a decent budget-friendly option found in rack stores like TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, Burlington, etc., or at an online retailer.
That said, I wouldn't recommend blindly buying it if you're paying the retail price. (Then again, I wouldn’t recommend buying any Calvin Klein fragrance at full retail.) Also, if you’re looking for an artistic flair or something that draws attention, disappointment awaits.
I believe there are better summer options available in the market (especially at the affordable price range). CK One Summer 2020 is a disappointment that I recommend passing on, unless you really enjoy a cleaner-style citrus smell.
4 Comments
Why Should a Guy Buy Y?
I bought Y EDP in the summer of 2022, and made a statement on Parfumo recently, noting that the fragrance is divisive, and people will love it or hate it. I want to expand on that statement with a full review.
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The opening combines herbal notes (mainly ginger and sage) mixed with a scent reminiscent of a sour apple candy that leans youthful. On dry down, some herbals disappear in exchange for woody notes. As the fragrance fades, it loses sweetness and becomes woodier.
The herbal and woody qualities are excellent, which helps Y EDP stand out.
However, the sour apple candy smell is a divisive note.
On some days, Y EDP has the right balance of sweetness with the herbals and woods, smelling refreshing. On other days, I find the sweetness of Y EDP too annoying and artificial.
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The bottle for Y EDP stands out as somewhat attention-grabbing while remaining simplistic and not gauche. At first glance, the front of the bottle has the full Yves Saint Laurent logo. However, turning the bottle slightly clockwise reveals the one-letter name of the fragrance.
The glass of the bottle is a bluish-gray gradient, going from dark at the top to clear at the bottom. With the fragrance liquid being blue, it enhances the effect and gives a simple and modern feel.
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In terms of performance, Y EDP is above average.
The sillage and projection are average, and what one would expect from a designer brand. It won’t announce your entrance into a room or linger in a room for a long time after you leave. However, a person passing by, or stepping into your personal space, will notice the fragrance or the trail it leaves behind for a few minutes.
That said, Y EDP has solid longevity, as the fragrance has about 8-10 hours of life on the skin, with approximately two hours with the highest projection and sillage. This can easily get someone through an evening affair.
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Seasonally, Y EDP is a versatile jack of all trades. It can work well in any season, but it comes with caveats.
It can work in the summer, but minimize the sprays in the blazing heat, as the sweetness may get nauseating.
It will stand out in the fall and winter as the sweetness works in the cooler air (especially compared to most blue scents), but the herbal freshness may feel out of place for some people during that time.
With that said, Y EDP fits best in the spring. The temperature ranges from mild to warm, and gets the best of all aspects of the fragrance, while the freshness blends in with the spring bloom.
Socially, Y EDP also has versatility, but i wouldn't consider it the best at anything.
In a temperature-controlled office, one effectively gets the mild/warm weather effect, getting the best out of the fragrance. However, the stronger potency can backfire.
Y EDP can also work on an evening out, whether in the bar and nightclub scene or on a date with a significant other.
The only time Y EDP would feel out of place is at a somber event like a funeral. Outside of that, generally don't overspray and overthink.
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Overall, Y EDP is a solid and versatile fragrance that is potentially a good pick as a first fragrance, especially for a teenager or a young man.
As said in the statement, I highly recommend sampling or testing first, if possible. The artificial sour apple candy note is not for everyone, and is usually the point where people love or detest the fragrance.
That said, to answer the question "Why a Guy (or lady) buys Y?", I would say Y EDP is worth a look if someone (especially a high school or college student) is looking for a designer that has versatility, or just a fragrance for daily usage.
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The opening combines herbal notes (mainly ginger and sage) mixed with a scent reminiscent of a sour apple candy that leans youthful. On dry down, some herbals disappear in exchange for woody notes. As the fragrance fades, it loses sweetness and becomes woodier.
The herbal and woody qualities are excellent, which helps Y EDP stand out.
However, the sour apple candy smell is a divisive note.
On some days, Y EDP has the right balance of sweetness with the herbals and woods, smelling refreshing. On other days, I find the sweetness of Y EDP too annoying and artificial.
----
The bottle for Y EDP stands out as somewhat attention-grabbing while remaining simplistic and not gauche. At first glance, the front of the bottle has the full Yves Saint Laurent logo. However, turning the bottle slightly clockwise reveals the one-letter name of the fragrance.
The glass of the bottle is a bluish-gray gradient, going from dark at the top to clear at the bottom. With the fragrance liquid being blue, it enhances the effect and gives a simple and modern feel.
----
In terms of performance, Y EDP is above average.
The sillage and projection are average, and what one would expect from a designer brand. It won’t announce your entrance into a room or linger in a room for a long time after you leave. However, a person passing by, or stepping into your personal space, will notice the fragrance or the trail it leaves behind for a few minutes.
That said, Y EDP has solid longevity, as the fragrance has about 8-10 hours of life on the skin, with approximately two hours with the highest projection and sillage. This can easily get someone through an evening affair.
----
Seasonally, Y EDP is a versatile jack of all trades. It can work well in any season, but it comes with caveats.
It can work in the summer, but minimize the sprays in the blazing heat, as the sweetness may get nauseating.
It will stand out in the fall and winter as the sweetness works in the cooler air (especially compared to most blue scents), but the herbal freshness may feel out of place for some people during that time.
With that said, Y EDP fits best in the spring. The temperature ranges from mild to warm, and gets the best of all aspects of the fragrance, while the freshness blends in with the spring bloom.
Socially, Y EDP also has versatility, but i wouldn't consider it the best at anything.
In a temperature-controlled office, one effectively gets the mild/warm weather effect, getting the best out of the fragrance. However, the stronger potency can backfire.
Y EDP can also work on an evening out, whether in the bar and nightclub scene or on a date with a significant other.
The only time Y EDP would feel out of place is at a somber event like a funeral. Outside of that, generally don't overspray and overthink.
----
Overall, Y EDP is a solid and versatile fragrance that is potentially a good pick as a first fragrance, especially for a teenager or a young man.
As said in the statement, I highly recommend sampling or testing first, if possible. The artificial sour apple candy note is not for everyone, and is usually the point where people love or detest the fragrance.
That said, to answer the question "Why a Guy (or lady) buys Y?", I would say Y EDP is worth a look if someone (especially a high school or college student) is looking for a designer that has versatility, or just a fragrance for daily usage.
The Fright, then The Light
Out of pure curiosity, I heard about Frédéric Malle’s The Night and how great it was. I realized the price tag was over $1000 for a 50 ml bottle. Sampling before buying a bottle was the best option here.
After this review, this may have been one of the best decisions on this fragrance journey.
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First, The Night opens with a delightful rose scent and a touch of saffron.
However, five minutes into the opening, natural oud comes in strong. In the air and on my skin, the opening of The Night is reminiscent of fecal matter. As the oud becomes more prominent, the more animalistic the opening becomes. As a person who dislikes animalistic accords, this was thoroughly unpleasant. I hated this so much that I started calling the fragrance “The Fright.”
Two hours later, the oud dies down, allowing for the rose and saffron to share the stage again. Woods and incense blend in and become more prominent as the fragrance fades. This point of the smell is outstanding. Oud, rose, and saffron is a proven trio that works, and adding woods and incense enhances this aspect. I loved this aspect so much, I started calling this phase “The Light!”
From an artistic standpoint, The Night is a high-quality masculine smell that stands out, especially at the time of release in 2014. The quality of the oud is top-notch.
From a practical consumer standpoint, if oud is amazing on your skin (or you like the smell of oud), you may have a different result that is fantastic. For people who dislike animalic scents, or oud does not work on your skin, you have my sympathies, as I experienced your pain.
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In terms of performance, The Night is easily the best performing fragrance I have witnessed to this date.
With sillage and projection, two sprays can fill a room, and linger around for up to thirty minutes after leaving an area.
The opening alone can last longer than body sprays with two to three hours of longevity. The overall fragrance lasts longer than 24 hours. One must bathe to remove the scent before that point.
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Normally, I would talk about the social and seasonal aspects of The Night, like in most reviews, but I will keep it brief.
A room-clearing smell is highly situational; it is not a good idea to use it on a hot summer day, or in an office. It is also a crime against humanity (and a complete waste) to use it in the gym.
Also, is it not a surprise that a fragrance named The Night shines the best in evening situations or colder weather.
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That said, part of the truth about The Night is that having a bottle is a monetary flex; few people will buy it on a whim because it costs over $1000 for a 50 ml bottle, and $1800 for a 100 ml.
From an artisan standpoint, the smell is as high quality as it gets, to where the exorbitant price seems somewhat justified. With those factors, by default, it will be one of the unique smells out there.
However, with fragrances, I also look at the practical aspects.
The drydown is easily one of the best fragrances anyone can experience—I would need to break the scale beyond a ten to rate that aspect properly.
However, this contrasts with the opening, which is one of the most disgusting scents I experienced on this fragrance journey. If the opening lasted only 30 minutes, perhaps it is worth dealing with it while completing the rest of my morning routine to smell amazing for the rest of the day. However, most consumers do not have two hours of time where they can smell bad (possibly while in public) for a bigger payoff later.
This, combined with the fact that several fragrance houses have successfully put their own spin on the oud/rose/saffron combo at less than half of the price, makes The Night a pass, especially if you are like me, and know that oud is terrible on your skin.
However, I will set my fragrance biases aside (as that is what a reviewer should be able to do).
A fragrance enthusiast should smell the various phases of The Night at least once.
If you have the funds, and are into legitimate oud fragrances, collect fragrances for artistic or individualistic purposes, or simply have more patience to reach the dry down, a bottle of The Night is a fragrance worthy of your consideration.
After this review, this may have been one of the best decisions on this fragrance journey.
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First, The Night opens with a delightful rose scent and a touch of saffron.
However, five minutes into the opening, natural oud comes in strong. In the air and on my skin, the opening of The Night is reminiscent of fecal matter. As the oud becomes more prominent, the more animalistic the opening becomes. As a person who dislikes animalistic accords, this was thoroughly unpleasant. I hated this so much that I started calling the fragrance “The Fright.”
Two hours later, the oud dies down, allowing for the rose and saffron to share the stage again. Woods and incense blend in and become more prominent as the fragrance fades. This point of the smell is outstanding. Oud, rose, and saffron is a proven trio that works, and adding woods and incense enhances this aspect. I loved this aspect so much, I started calling this phase “The Light!”
From an artistic standpoint, The Night is a high-quality masculine smell that stands out, especially at the time of release in 2014. The quality of the oud is top-notch.
From a practical consumer standpoint, if oud is amazing on your skin (or you like the smell of oud), you may have a different result that is fantastic. For people who dislike animalic scents, or oud does not work on your skin, you have my sympathies, as I experienced your pain.
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In terms of performance, The Night is easily the best performing fragrance I have witnessed to this date.
With sillage and projection, two sprays can fill a room, and linger around for up to thirty minutes after leaving an area.
The opening alone can last longer than body sprays with two to three hours of longevity. The overall fragrance lasts longer than 24 hours. One must bathe to remove the scent before that point.
----
Normally, I would talk about the social and seasonal aspects of The Night, like in most reviews, but I will keep it brief.
A room-clearing smell is highly situational; it is not a good idea to use it on a hot summer day, or in an office. It is also a crime against humanity (and a complete waste) to use it in the gym.
Also, is it not a surprise that a fragrance named The Night shines the best in evening situations or colder weather.
----
That said, part of the truth about The Night is that having a bottle is a monetary flex; few people will buy it on a whim because it costs over $1000 for a 50 ml bottle, and $1800 for a 100 ml.
From an artisan standpoint, the smell is as high quality as it gets, to where the exorbitant price seems somewhat justified. With those factors, by default, it will be one of the unique smells out there.
However, with fragrances, I also look at the practical aspects.
The drydown is easily one of the best fragrances anyone can experience—I would need to break the scale beyond a ten to rate that aspect properly.
However, this contrasts with the opening, which is one of the most disgusting scents I experienced on this fragrance journey. If the opening lasted only 30 minutes, perhaps it is worth dealing with it while completing the rest of my morning routine to smell amazing for the rest of the day. However, most consumers do not have two hours of time where they can smell bad (possibly while in public) for a bigger payoff later.
This, combined with the fact that several fragrance houses have successfully put their own spin on the oud/rose/saffron combo at less than half of the price, makes The Night a pass, especially if you are like me, and know that oud is terrible on your skin.
However, I will set my fragrance biases aside (as that is what a reviewer should be able to do).
A fragrance enthusiast should smell the various phases of The Night at least once.
If you have the funds, and are into legitimate oud fragrances, collect fragrances for artistic or individualistic purposes, or simply have more patience to reach the dry down, a bottle of The Night is a fragrance worthy of your consideration.
The Most Wanted (By Night)
Fall is coming, and the time to break out the fall and winter frags is near. To prepare for this, I bought three autumn fragrances over the summer, and The Most Wanted Parfum was among them.
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If you are familiar with Wanted by Night, and The Most Wanted EDP, then the Most Wanted Parfum smells like a blend of the two fragrances. One gets the vanilla sweetness that is present in the Most Wanted EDP upfront, while also getting some of the spice (specifically, ginger) that is present in Wanted by Night on the dry down.
Also, because there are elements of The Most Wanted EDP Intense, one can make a fair comparison to Armani's Stronger With You.
Individually, the fragrances worked well (with Wanted by Night getting more love), but when combined in the Most Wanted Parfum, it blends the best of both fragrances that can work for most men, and maybe some women who like wearing sweet scents.
That said, if you found The Most Wanted EDP too sweet, or Wanted by Night too smoky, this is an excellent fragrance worth checking out, as it provides a middle ground.
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The gun chamber bottle is nothing new in the Wanted line—by now you either love it because it looks cool, or loathe it because it looks tacky.
That said, I care about functionality and durability. The bottle is fine in that regard, as you can control the amount sprayed. However, that is nothing special.
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The performance of The Most Wanted Parfum is outstanding.
In terms of sillage and projection, I could smell this fragrance in a mixture of other scents in a retail store. By itself, the fragrance has strong projection—people will know you have passed by. Of course, the opposite opinion is that it's not great for people who want to fly under the radar.
The longevity is also amazing. That strong projection lasts for about three hours, then the fragrance comes back down to normal, lasting about twelve hours overall. It will easily last an entire night.
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However, with the amazing performance of The Most Wanted Parfum, comes a significant loss in versatility that makes the fragrance highly situational.
First point: Save it for mild or cold weather. After I tested the fragrance, I was stuck wearing it in the summer heat outdoors. The sweetness was nauseating until I entered a place with air conditioning.
Second point: The Most Wanted Parfum is not an office or gym fragrance. Anti-fragrance office policies exist because of fragrances like this that can overtake a small office. The gym is worse, as body heat will make the fragrance radiate more. This creates a massive distraction for other members working out, especially if mixed with body odor.
A person can still wear The Most Wanted Parfum on a date, or at their leisure, provided they keep the sprays in check. However, the best usage for it is at a party, a nightclub, or an outdoor event in mild weather. While the fragrance is sweet, the spice offers an alternative to popular night club fragrances.
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Overall, I think The Most Wanted Parfum is a fantastic fragrance that blends the best elements of the two previous Wanted fragrances.
That said, if you already own Wanted by Night or The Most Wanted EDP, I recommend to save your money and do not fall for the fear of missing out. Also, keep in mind that Azzaro fragrances get cheaper after the initial retail run. If you wait a few months, you can probably purchase this fragrance at a discount.
(Editing Note on December 4, 2023: The price has NOT dropped on the fragrance. The popularity of the Wanted line has caught on with discounters.)
With those points aside, if you are looking for a versatile fragrance, a fragrance with mild projection, or a fragrance with an artistic flair, look elsewhere—this is not for you.
However, if you want a fragrance that projects and adds a slightly mature flair to the typical sweet scents, The Most Wanted Parfum may be the fragrance for you.
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If you are familiar with Wanted by Night, and The Most Wanted EDP, then the Most Wanted Parfum smells like a blend of the two fragrances. One gets the vanilla sweetness that is present in the Most Wanted EDP upfront, while also getting some of the spice (specifically, ginger) that is present in Wanted by Night on the dry down.
Also, because there are elements of The Most Wanted EDP Intense, one can make a fair comparison to Armani's Stronger With You.
Individually, the fragrances worked well (with Wanted by Night getting more love), but when combined in the Most Wanted Parfum, it blends the best of both fragrances that can work for most men, and maybe some women who like wearing sweet scents.
That said, if you found The Most Wanted EDP too sweet, or Wanted by Night too smoky, this is an excellent fragrance worth checking out, as it provides a middle ground.
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The gun chamber bottle is nothing new in the Wanted line—by now you either love it because it looks cool, or loathe it because it looks tacky.
That said, I care about functionality and durability. The bottle is fine in that regard, as you can control the amount sprayed. However, that is nothing special.
----
The performance of The Most Wanted Parfum is outstanding.
In terms of sillage and projection, I could smell this fragrance in a mixture of other scents in a retail store. By itself, the fragrance has strong projection—people will know you have passed by. Of course, the opposite opinion is that it's not great for people who want to fly under the radar.
The longevity is also amazing. That strong projection lasts for about three hours, then the fragrance comes back down to normal, lasting about twelve hours overall. It will easily last an entire night.
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However, with the amazing performance of The Most Wanted Parfum, comes a significant loss in versatility that makes the fragrance highly situational.
First point: Save it for mild or cold weather. After I tested the fragrance, I was stuck wearing it in the summer heat outdoors. The sweetness was nauseating until I entered a place with air conditioning.
Second point: The Most Wanted Parfum is not an office or gym fragrance. Anti-fragrance office policies exist because of fragrances like this that can overtake a small office. The gym is worse, as body heat will make the fragrance radiate more. This creates a massive distraction for other members working out, especially if mixed with body odor.
A person can still wear The Most Wanted Parfum on a date, or at their leisure, provided they keep the sprays in check. However, the best usage for it is at a party, a nightclub, or an outdoor event in mild weather. While the fragrance is sweet, the spice offers an alternative to popular night club fragrances.
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Overall, I think The Most Wanted Parfum is a fantastic fragrance that blends the best elements of the two previous Wanted fragrances.
That said, if you already own Wanted by Night or The Most Wanted EDP, I recommend to save your money and do not fall for the fear of missing out. Also, keep in mind that Azzaro fragrances get cheaper after the initial retail run. If you wait a few months, you can probably purchase this fragrance at a discount.
(Editing Note on December 4, 2023: The price has NOT dropped on the fragrance. The popularity of the Wanted line has caught on with discounters.)
With those points aside, if you are looking for a versatile fragrance, a fragrance with mild projection, or a fragrance with an artistic flair, look elsewhere—this is not for you.
However, if you want a fragrance that projects and adds a slightly mature flair to the typical sweet scents, The Most Wanted Parfum may be the fragrance for you.
Three E's: Easy, Effeminate and Elegant.
After hearing about Dior Homme Intense, and consistently seeing it in the top 10 fragrances in Parfumo over the past few months, I bought a sample and wanted to know if it was worth the hype.
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First, let us talk about the smell.
Dior Homme Intense is not a complex fragrance. It opens with a powdery floral that is almost certainly iris, which mixes with a light musky sweetness. Once the iris wears off, the cedar becomes more prominent and mixes with the musky sweetness that continues to linger.
Dior Homme Intense is an example of how simplicity can work in a fragrance.
One of the largest critiques about the smell is that Dior Homme Intense smells feminine, especially to men who grew up around women and know what lipstick sets smell like. Perhaps if the era was the mid-2000s or earlier, Dior Homme Intense would have a different name, and advertising would market toward women.
I strongly believe that women can easily wear this fragrance with zero problems. While cedar is considered more masculine, the iris and light musk is more prominent.
That said, the likely goal of Dior Homme Intense is to create the allure of an elegant gentleman that consistently has women around him so frequently, that they leave their scent on him. It succeeds, as the fragrance presents a captivating and alluring aura.
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A 100 ml bottle of Dior Homme Intense has the traditional classy feel of a men’s fragrance.
A clear rectangular bottle with a translucent black cap is not exactly grand bottle artistry. However, the classic look is elegant, and will always look great on a dresser or on a display shelf, nor is the bottle embarrassing enough that one must hide it in a drawer, a closet, or inside the box.
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In terms of performance, Dior Homme Intense is outstanding.
With projection, Dior Homme Intense hits a rare balance that is difficult to achieve. The overall projection is strong and noticeable, but the fragrance does not overwhelm everyone when in proximity, allowing for more people to move closer. Again, elegance without being overbearing or trying too hard.
In terms of longevity, two sprays of Dior Homme Intense last for about twelve hours, with the opening lasting for about three.
This is a fragrance that will follow a person throughout the day without a respray, but a person wearing it will not feel like they are drowning in it.
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Thanks to the unique performance of Dior Homme Intense, it gains some flexibility that is difficult to achieve with fragrances that have strong projection, making it easier to wear.
As a result, it is usable throughout the year, with the only questionable time to use it is on a blazing summer day outside. (As musky smells can radiate in the heat.) Also, while Dior Homme Intense is fantastic in the fall and winter, I will go against the grain, and state that the fragrance easily shines the brightest in the spring.
As for social scenarios, Dior Homme Intense works in an office or school environment without annoying everyone and is usable daily.
On the negative side, the musky aspect may be too much for the gym, even if it is on the lighter side.
That said, ultimately, the best usage for Dior Homme Intense is as a nighttime fragrance (especially on a date night). While lightly sweet, it will stand out as unique because it is not the typical super-sweet fragrances that most people smell on men in 2022.
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Overall, Dior Homme Intense is an outstanding fragrance and is mostly worth the hype it receives, and I bought a bottle after trying the sample. However, I highly recommend sampling first, as the critiques are valid, and the fragrance is not for everyone.
For example, someone looking for an artistic or complex fragrance to make a statement should look elsewhere. Likewise, someone who is looking for a more traditional masculine fragrance, or someone that hates powdery scents will be massively disappointed.
That said, Dior Homme Intense is best for people trying to be considerate of other people while having their own identity. They want a fragrance that projects, but do not choke out a room. They want a fragrance that stands out for going against the common trends, but also works in attracting positive attention. If this is you, you may like the results.
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First, let us talk about the smell.
Dior Homme Intense is not a complex fragrance. It opens with a powdery floral that is almost certainly iris, which mixes with a light musky sweetness. Once the iris wears off, the cedar becomes more prominent and mixes with the musky sweetness that continues to linger.
Dior Homme Intense is an example of how simplicity can work in a fragrance.
One of the largest critiques about the smell is that Dior Homme Intense smells feminine, especially to men who grew up around women and know what lipstick sets smell like. Perhaps if the era was the mid-2000s or earlier, Dior Homme Intense would have a different name, and advertising would market toward women.
I strongly believe that women can easily wear this fragrance with zero problems. While cedar is considered more masculine, the iris and light musk is more prominent.
That said, the likely goal of Dior Homme Intense is to create the allure of an elegant gentleman that consistently has women around him so frequently, that they leave their scent on him. It succeeds, as the fragrance presents a captivating and alluring aura.
----
A 100 ml bottle of Dior Homme Intense has the traditional classy feel of a men’s fragrance.
A clear rectangular bottle with a translucent black cap is not exactly grand bottle artistry. However, the classic look is elegant, and will always look great on a dresser or on a display shelf, nor is the bottle embarrassing enough that one must hide it in a drawer, a closet, or inside the box.
----
In terms of performance, Dior Homme Intense is outstanding.
With projection, Dior Homme Intense hits a rare balance that is difficult to achieve. The overall projection is strong and noticeable, but the fragrance does not overwhelm everyone when in proximity, allowing for more people to move closer. Again, elegance without being overbearing or trying too hard.
In terms of longevity, two sprays of Dior Homme Intense last for about twelve hours, with the opening lasting for about three.
This is a fragrance that will follow a person throughout the day without a respray, but a person wearing it will not feel like they are drowning in it.
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Thanks to the unique performance of Dior Homme Intense, it gains some flexibility that is difficult to achieve with fragrances that have strong projection, making it easier to wear.
As a result, it is usable throughout the year, with the only questionable time to use it is on a blazing summer day outside. (As musky smells can radiate in the heat.) Also, while Dior Homme Intense is fantastic in the fall and winter, I will go against the grain, and state that the fragrance easily shines the brightest in the spring.
As for social scenarios, Dior Homme Intense works in an office or school environment without annoying everyone and is usable daily.
On the negative side, the musky aspect may be too much for the gym, even if it is on the lighter side.
That said, ultimately, the best usage for Dior Homme Intense is as a nighttime fragrance (especially on a date night). While lightly sweet, it will stand out as unique because it is not the typical super-sweet fragrances that most people smell on men in 2022.
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Overall, Dior Homme Intense is an outstanding fragrance and is mostly worth the hype it receives, and I bought a bottle after trying the sample. However, I highly recommend sampling first, as the critiques are valid, and the fragrance is not for everyone.
For example, someone looking for an artistic or complex fragrance to make a statement should look elsewhere. Likewise, someone who is looking for a more traditional masculine fragrance, or someone that hates powdery scents will be massively disappointed.
That said, Dior Homme Intense is best for people trying to be considerate of other people while having their own identity. They want a fragrance that projects, but do not choke out a room. They want a fragrance that stands out for going against the common trends, but also works in attracting positive attention. If this is you, you may like the results.
