Forget Perfume I'll Take What He Has

gift blog


Yes! Things are starting to return to the good old (bad?) days... we're talking BC here when women only wore spicy scents and men, the florals. People pleased themselves with their scents instead of trying to use it as a seductive lure. Something perfume makers wish we'd all do today... use perfume to lure. As I've been discovering more and more women are switching over, at least in the evening, to scents for homme and the shame is starting to vanish. Carine Roitfeld, the editor of French Vogue magazine, even openly noted her favorite scent is YSL Opium Homme and Lou Doillon, daughter of Jane Birkin, said in an 2001 interview:
"....I wear guys' perfumes, I find that they are less strong. I like Cacharel for Men, Chanel for Monsieur, Kenzo for Men."

I remember having a number of talks with those in perfume sales and all had to admit they enjoy wearing scents marketed for men. So why not jump on the new old trend by giving a bottle that has pour homme on it instead of perfume? The recipient might look cross or confused at first but later on and in secret they may really thank you. I know I'd be quite thankful indeed!


"An estimated one-third of men’s fragrances sold are bought by women to wear themselves."
-Roja Dove (via the Daily Mail)

Some scents made for men that are being coveted by women include:

- Good old Curve for Him by Liz Claiborne. This is so out there and has so much buzz already we don't need to go on and on about the vanilla base. If you're too tight laced for mens scents you can get Curve Crush for Her which to me smells just like Curve but with more powder and a hint of fruit.

- Sadly this one is extremely hard to find in the US now that Bath & Body Works no longer sells it but it is on Amazon now in pillow mist form. It's Formula No 214 Lavender & Acacia by Le Couvent Des Minimes. This hasn't any mention on the box who it is for but it is very manly, fresh and deep with base heavy notes of acacia, vanilla and musk. It's also got a great story of being made in a very old convent and using containers of seaweed from the Venice lagoon to package their products (curse you B&BW!).

- Hanae Mori por homme by the designer of the same name has so much jasmine in it (after a few minutes that's all I can smell) that it's almost too floral for me but the scent is clear and real once the musk and chocolate drifts off.

- AMEN / Angel Men by Thierry Mugler has so much by way of foodie notes that it's hard not to think of it in terms of cusine. Notes includes chocolate, coffee, peppermint and, to my nose, lots of thick, rich caramel. For something equally as yummy see my review of Perpetual Pearl by Jeanne Arthes here.

- Lolita Lempicka au masculin by the designer of the same name is very much like the above but with tons of anise which I love. If you're recipient (or you) can't pull Lolita Lempicka au masculin off you can try Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly which to my nose smells a great deal like it except a tad more green.

- Tom Ford for Men , yes I have to admit that I missed the whole raunchy, low brow ad campaign that he pulled with this one, instead remembering only the (highly) sensitized glossy magazine ads but after hearing this mentioned by a few women, ended up finding some in my coffers. Goodness, the end dry down is surprisingly nice. Especially the Tobacco, Cypriol & Oakmoss. Most men seemed unimpressed probably because this is the sort of thing they experience all the time and it lacks that almost BO like musk (Civet) many colognes try to sneak in... try a little bit and see. You might get hooked.

- Gray Flannel by Geoffrey Beene is one I probably would have never spritzed on had it not been for all the glowing reviews by both men and women. Especially the women. One of the loveliest violet fragrances I have ever worn it seems strangely magnetic in a discreet, truly unique sort of way. Read my full review here.

Feel free to add your comments and reviews below for homme scents you adore. I really want to know and give them all a whiff.


‘There is nothing inherently masculine or feminine about a fragrance – it’s all marketing.’
-Roja Dove (via the Daily Mail)

Also Read:
- Coming Up Roses : Gift Soaps, Creams & Balms
- (The Daily Mail) 15 Things You Didn't Know About Men's Fragrances

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