The Perfume Library

L'Homme

8.4

Prada · 2016

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Prada L'Homme is a fresh, floral and powdery men's fragrance with a sweet, creamy softness, and it leans towards daily and office wear. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick spring and summer, with autumn close behind and winter the least chosen season. Daily, business and leisure wear lead, while evening and night out sit further back. Most voters read it as masculine, with some calling it modern or classic. Neroli and pepper give it a fresh, lightly spiced edge. Iris and violet build the powdery, floral side, and geranium nudges it slightly towards green. Amber, cedar and patchouli add a sweet, creamy, woody base.

Herod

8.5

Parfums de Marly · 2012

Fruity · Sweet · Gourmand

Parfums de Marly Herod is a sweet, smoky and woody unisex scent that softens pepper and cinnamon with tobacco, vanilla and patchouli. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring well behind, and it leans towards evenings and nights out. Voters mostly find it masculine, though it is unisex. It opens with the spice of pepper and cinnamon. In the heart, cistus, incense, tobacco and osmanthus build a smoky, resinous base. In the base, vanilla and musk turn it creamy and gourmand, while patchouli and woody notes keep the sweetness dry. Maison Alhambra Hercules and Initio Side Effect have a close profile.

Terre d'Hermès (Eau de Toilette)

8.1

Hermès · 2006

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Toilette

Hermès Terre d'Hermès Eau de Toilette is a fresh, citrusy fragrance with a woody, earthy side, made for men and easy to wear through the day. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick spring and fall, and it wears comfortably in summer too; daily wear, business and leisure lead the occasions. Voters mostly call it masculine and classic. As a whole, grapefruit and orange bring bright freshness, set against the green bite of geranium leaf. Pepper and pink pepper add spice, while vetiver, cedar and patchouli build a woody base. Flintstone gives it a dry, mineral earthiness, and benzoin softens that harder edge slightly.

Percival

7.9

Parfums de Marly · 2018

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Parfums de Marly Percival is a fresh, woody men's fragrance that opens with mandarin orange, bergamot and pink pepper, with lavender and spice running through it. Citrus and aromatic notes start it off bright; in the heart lavender, coriander and cinnamon bring a spicy warmth, softened by violet and jasmine. The base settles into tonka bean, musk and balsam fir, sweet and woody. The overall impression is fresh, green and lightly sweet. Most voters rate its longevity and sillage as good. Spring and summer lead the votes, and it leans towards daily wear, leisure and the office. It reads masculine yet modern. Dua Brand Legendary Knight and Davidoff Cool Water (Eau de Toilette) have a close profile.

Détour Noir

8.1

Al Haramain

Fresh · Fruity · Sweet

Al Haramain Détour Noir is a unisex scent that carries a fresh, fruity opening into a sweet, spicy and woody body. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters recommend autumn and winter, then spring, and few pick summer. It is chosen most for evenings and nights out, though it is also worn for leisure and daytime. It reads mostly masculine, with a modern feel. The top holds violet, lavender, jasmine and apple, while the heart brings patchouli, bergamot, mandarin orange and vanilla. The base is gaiac wood, sandalwood, cardamom, geranium and pepper. Gourmand and creamy accents soften the vanilla, and the spice and wood keep the sweetness in check. MAD Parfumeur Trono and Parfums de Marly Layton have a close profile.

Allure Homme Sport (Eau de Toilette)

7.9

Chanel · 2004

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Eau de Toilette

Chanel Allure Homme Sport Eau de Toilette is a fresh, aquatic men's fragrance that pairs orange, mandarin orange and seawater with a woody base of cedar and vetiver. Most voters pick spring and summer for it, and few choose winter. It is placed mainly in leisure, daily, sport and business settings, with fewer votes for nights out and evenings. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Most voters read it as masculine, and a good share as modern. It opens bright and clean, with citrus and seawater lifted by aldehydes. In the heart, pepper and neroli add a light spice while cedar gives it a woody frame. The base of vanilla, tonka bean, musk and amber softens and sweetens it, and vetiver leaves a dry woodiness. La Rive Absolute Sport and Adidas Ice Dive have a close profile.

Luna Rossa Carbon (Eau de Toilette)

7.8

Prada · 2017

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Eau de Toilette

Prada Luna Rossa Carbon Eau de Toilette is a fresh, citrusy, lightly spicy men's scent built from Italian bergamot zest, lavender and pepper over ambroxan and patchouli. Most voters pick spring and summer, with autumn close behind and winter well behind. Daily wear, leisure and the office lead the occasions. Longevity and sillage are both rated good, and most see it as masculine and modern. As a whole it reads fresh and aquatic: the bergamot zest's citrus brightness is softened by lavender, while pepper adds a light spice. Ambroxan leaves a clean, synthetic trail, and patchouli gives a woody base with a touch of sweetness. Dior Sauvage Eau de Toilette and Afnan Modest Une pour Homme have a close profile.

Gypsy Water (Eau de Parfum)

7.7

Byredo · 2008

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Eau de Parfum

Byredo Gypsy Water Eau de Parfum is a fresh, green unisex scent that opens on citrus and juniper berry and softens into vanilla and sandalwood. The top pairs bergamot and lemon with the spicy coolness of pepper and juniper berry. In the heart, frankincense, iris and pine needle build a green, powdery feel. Vanilla, amber and sandalwood in the base sweeten it and lean it toward a creamy woodiness. Longevity and sillage are moderate, so it stays close and doesn't crowd a room. Most voters pick spring and summer, with autumn close behind. Daily wear, leisure and the office come up most often. Votes split almost evenly between feminine and masculine. Niche 4 All Juniper Vanilla and Vicioso Studios Brise Légère have a close profile.

Himalaya

7.7

Creed · 2002

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Creed Himalaya pairs lemon, bergamot and mandarin orange with juniper berry, lavender and pepper, giving a fresh, citrusy, woody men's scent that suits spring and summer days. It wears at a moderate strength, with moderate longevity and sillage. Most voters pick spring and summer, while few choose winter. Daily wear, business and leisure lead the occasions, and the character reads clearly masculine. It opens with a fresh citrus lift from lemon, bergamot and mandarin orange. In the heart, juniper berry, lavender, pepper, nutmeg and gun powder add a spicy, green edge, softened by jasmine. The base of sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver and tonka bean is woody with a light sweetness. Parfums de Marly Sedley and Floris Cefiro have a close profile.

Allure Homme (Eau de Toilette)

8.0

Chanel · 1999

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Eau de Toilette

Chanel Allure Homme Eau de Toilette opens with fresh lemon, lavender and bergamot and settles into the sweet warmth of vanilla and amber, in a clearly masculine style. Voters find its longevity good and its sillage moderate, so it makes itself felt without filling a room. Fall and spring lead, with summer and winter not far behind. Daytime, office and leisure wear are chosen more often than evening. Most voters call it masculine or classic. Fresh citrus and lavender come first, while ginger and mandarin orange add a light spicy, fruity edge. In the heart, patchouli, vetiver and cedar give a woody line, softened by jasmine and rose. In the base, amber, vanilla and tonka bean sweeten it, while leather and oakmoss keep it dry underneath.

Bois Doré

8.3

Van Cleef & Arpels · 2017

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Van Cleef & Arpels Bois Doré is a sweet, woody unisex scent that pairs vanilla and cedarwood with the creamy warmth of tonka bean absolute. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, spring comes well behind, and summer is chosen least. It leans towards evenings and nights out, yet is also worn easily for leisure and daily use. Votes for feminine and masculine are close, so it sits in the middle of the gender line. It opens with mineral notes and pepper, dry and lightly spicy. In the heart, vanilla and cedarwood come forward, sweetening the scent and giving it a woody body. The base of tonka bean absolute and white musk settles into a gourmand, powdery, creamy softness. Bois d'Amande and Aaron Terence Hughes Homme have a close profile.

Enigma pour Homme / Creation-E pour Homme (Parfum)

8.7

Roja Parfums · 2013

Floral · Sweet · Gourmand

Roja Parfums Enigma pour Homme / Creation-E pour Homme is a masculine oriental that sets a floral heart over a sweet, spicy, smoky base, leaning towards fall and winter evenings. Longevity and sillage are both rated strong. Most voters pick fall and winter, evenings and nights out lead the occasions, and summer is rarely chosen. Many see it as masculine and classic. Bergamot opens lightly, then jasmine, neroli, May rose and heliotrope form a floral heart. The base turns sweet and gourmand with patchouli, tobacco, cognac and vanilla, while pepper, ginger and cardamom add spice, and sandalwood and benzoin bring a woody, resinous depth. Roja Parfums Enigma Parfum Cologne and Monkoku Sultans Ritual have a close profile.

French Riviera

7.9

Mancera · 2022

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Mancera French Riviera is a fresh, aquatic unisex scent that sets bright tangerine, orange and lemon against white musk and sea salt. It opens with tangerine, orange and lemon, sharpened a little by ginger and pepper. The heart brings tiaré, mimosa and vetiver for a floral, green middle, while spindrift and iodine add a salty, sea-air freshness. White musk and amber give the base a sweet, creamy finish, and sea salt carries the aquatic mood to the end. Longevity and sillage are rated good. Most voters pick summer, then spring, and it leans towards leisure and daily wear, with business and sport also named. More voters call it masculine or modern than feminine, yet it suits anyone, whatever their gender.

Versace pour Homme Oud Noir

7.8

Versace · 2013

Sweet · Spicy · Woody

Versace pour Homme Oud Noir is a spicy, sweet and smoky masculine scent built around oud and patchouli, best suited to evenings in the cooler months. It opens with pepper, bitter orange and neroli, which give a light freshness. In the heart, saffron, cardamom and frankincense bring a spicy, resinous warmth. The base settles on oud, patchouli and leatherwood, an earthy, woody ground, with sweetness softening the scent throughout. Longevity is good and sillage moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, while summer is the least favoured. It leans towards evenings and nights out, and reads masculine and classic. Harry Lehmann Oud and Hugo Boss Boss Bottled Elixir have a close profile.

La Nuit de L'Homme Le Parfum

8.0

Yves Saint Laurent · 2010

Fresh · Fruity · Sweet

Yves Saint Laurent La Nuit de L'Homme Le Parfum is a masculine scent for autumn and winter evenings, its spicy, woody side softened by sweetness. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with evening and night-out wear leading while business and daily use trail behind. Its longevity and sillage are rated moderate. Most people read it as masculine and modern. Pepper, aniseed and bergamot open fresh and spicy. Lavender, fruits and labdanum form the heart, and in the base vetiver, patchouli and vanilla add a sweet warmth over a woody footing. Santini Cosmetic Luis XIV. and Orientica Royal Bleu have a close profile.

Light Blue pour Homme (Eau de Toilette)

7.0

Dolce & Gabbana · 2007

Fresh · Citrus · Aquatic

Eau de Toilette

Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue pour Homme Eau de Toilette is a fresh, citrus-led men's fragrance made for spring and summer days. It opens on grapefruit zest, bergamot and lemon, with fresh and aquatic accords keeping the citrus light. In the heart, Brazilian rosewood, pepper and rosemary add a spicy, woody edge. The base of musk, patchouli, frankincense and oakmoss settles underneath, while the fruity and synthetic touches stay on top of that woody footing. Most voters pick summer first, then spring. Daily and leisure wear lead, with sport and business following, and evening is rarely chosen. Longevity and sillage are rated moderate, so it leaves a light trail close to the wearer. Most voters call it masculine. Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue pour Homme Italian Zest and Lanvin L'Homme Sport have a close profile.

Oxford

8.0

Roberto Ugolini · 2018

Fresh · Citrus · Green

Roberto Ugolini Oxford is a unisex scent that sets a bright citrus freshness against a green, spicy thread on a woody base. Its longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters suggest autumn and spring, though winter and summer have their share. It leans towards office and daily wear and sits easily in leisure hours too. Half of those who voted call it masculine, and a good number find it classic. It opens with grapefruit and orange, and the heart holds geranium leaf with pepper and pink pepper. In the base, sandalwood, vetiver and patchouli form a woody, earthy floor, while styrax and vanilla soften it with a resinous sweetness and cedarwood adds dryness. Terre d'Hermès (Eau de Toilette) and New Brand Volcano have a close profile.

Crystal Noir (Eau de Parfum)

8.0

Versace · 2004

Fresh · Floral · Sweet

Eau de Parfum

Versace Crystal Noir Eau de Parfum is a sweet, woody scent for women that sets the spice of ginger, pepper and cardamom against a floral heart of orange blossom and gardenia. It opens with ginger, pepper and cardamom, spicy and fresh. In the heart, orange blossom, gardenia and peony add a soft floral note. At the base, sandalwood, amber and musk settle it onto a creamy, sweet, oriental ground. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, and it leans towards evenings and nights out, though spring wear is common too. Most voters read it as feminine. Sapil Veryl for Women and Lazell Dominate have a close profile.

Galloway

7.5

Parfums de Marly · 2013

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Parfums de Marly Galloway is a fresh, citrusy men's fragrance, green and powdery with a light spicy edge, suited to daytime wear and the warmer months. Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick spring and summer, while winter gets the fewest votes. Daily wear, leisure and the office lead the occasions, with evening and night out further back. Voters mostly read its character as masculine and modern. It opens with citrus notes and pepper, the pepper adding a dry spice to the citrus freshness. In the heart, iris and orange blossom bring a powdery, floral turn. The base of amber, musk and sandalwood leaves a soft, woody finish.

Whispers in the Library

7.8

Maison Margiela · 2019

Sweet · Gourmand · Spicy

Maison Margiela Whispers in the Library is a sweet, woody and spicy unisex scent that leans towards fall and winter days; it has been discontinued. It opens with orange blossom absolute, pepper and patchouli, and the heart of cypriol, Siam benzoin and tonka bean absolute pulls it towards a resinous, creamy sweetness. Cedarwood, vanilla absolute and vetiver dominate the base, settling into a powdery, gourmand woodiness. Longevity and sillage are moderate. Most voters pick fall and winter, while summer plays little part. It is chosen for leisure, daily wear and the office, and voters split between feminine and masculine. Van Cleef & Arpels Bois Doré and Floraïku Sound of a Ricochet have a close profile.

Opium pour Homme (Eau de Toilette)

8.2

Yves Saint Laurent · 1995

Fruity · Sweet · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Yves Saint Laurent Opium pour Homme Eau de Toilette is a sweet, spicy men's fragrance that suits autumn and winter evenings. It opens with blackcurrant and star anise, a fruity sweetness that meets spice right away. Pepper and galangal bring a sharp warmth to the heart, while Atlas cedar, Bourbon vanilla and Tolu balm settle it into a woody, powdery, resinous oriental base. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick autumn and winter, with evenings and nights out leading, and summer is rarely chosen. It reads masculine and classic. Rochas Absolu and Escada Magnetism for Men have a close profile.

Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme (2012) (Eau de Toilette)

7.8

Dolce & Gabbana · 2012

Fresh · Citrus · Floral

Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme is a fresh, citrusy fougère for men, suited to spring and summer days and to casual or office wear. Most voters pick spring and summer, with autumn close behind; few choose winter. Leisure, daytime and business use lead, while evening and night out sit further back. Longevity is rated good and sillage moderate. Voters mostly call it masculine and classic. It opens with mandarin orange, bergamot and neroli, which give a bright, fresh citrus start. In the heart, lavender, sage and pepper add a green, spicy fougère feel. In the base, tobacco, tonka bean and cedarwood sweeten it slightly and settle it onto a woody ground. Dolce & Gabbana Dolce & Gabbana pour Homme (1994) and Guerlain Frenchy Lavande / Le Frenchy have a close profile.

Polo (Eau de Toilette)

7.8

Ralph Lauren · 1978

Fresh · Green · Spicy

Eau de Toilette

Ralph Lauren Polo Eau de Toilette is a woody, chypre-leaning men's fragrance that opens green with coriander, basil and bergamot and settles into oakmoss, cedar and leather. Longevity is rated strong and sillage good. Most voters pick fall and winter, with spring next; it is worn mostly for leisure, daily use and evenings, and business is also a common choice. Voters see it as masculine and classic. The top is fresh, green and spicy, with coriander, basil, bergamot and tarragon. Carnation, leather, pine and pepper stand out in the heart. The base of cedar, oakmoss, vetiver and tobacco makes it earthy, smoky and dry. Ralph Lauren Polo Crest and Aramis Havana have a close profile.

La Fille de Berlin (Eau de Parfum)

7.6

Serge Lutens · 2012

Fresh · Floral · Fruity

Eau de Parfum