Skip to main content

Charles Jourdan Un Homme

Anise, Bergamot, Lavender, Lemon, Marjoram, Tarragon.
Carnation, Cedar, Cinnamon, Geranium, Jasmine, Patchouli.
Amber, Leather, Moss, Musk, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean.

This 1980 creation fetches some pretty fair prices on the bay. Over the years, I have had numerous bottles of it in splash, spray and concentrate. I systematically sold them all, then picked up a 100ml spray about 6 months ago with a low-ball bid. I didn't think I'd win, but placed the bid anyway just in case folks were unawares that day. There were and I won a terrific masculine for peanuts.

Charles Jourdan Un Homme is a study in classic lavender-floral construction. It's essence is soapy lavender accented by carnation and geranium. These are the mainstays of Un Homme with the others accounted as a supporting cast.

This is a clean smelling masculine that may or may not be too mature for those under 30 years old. I'm not referring to it as dated, but the aroma will no doubt be associated with a different time and place. Let's just say it is a mature scent and that reference is said with good intentions.

Un Homme opens with a spicy citrus accord influenced by lavender, subtle green herb and a hint of licorice.
This is a very competent introduction and after enjoying it for about 5 minutes, the carnation and geranium begin rising from the heart. The anise and Tarragon subside completely on me, but the marjoram remains.

The lavender begins to assert itself during the middle transition and evolves into a soapy rendition. This clean aura permeates the entire composition. It remains a clear accord and never becomes caustic as some have a tendency to do. It's very nice and smells appropriate for almost any venue. It's too accommodating not to be.

Extended drydown affords very mild hints of moss, leather and wood tones. Un Homme never succumbs to them and stays true to the lavender-floral theme until the end. Sillage is average and longevity is about 5 hours on me. Thumbs up from Aromi for Charles Jourdan's classic Un Homme.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Oriental Lounge by The Different Company

Bergamot, Curry Leaf, Pepper, Red Rose, Tonka Bean, Labdanum, Satinwood. I suppose the first thing I noticed about Oriental Lounge is that as a man, this is a bit of a stretch to pull off. Since the core of Oriental Lounge is a powdery tonka and amber duo, it really does lean a bit too far feminine for me to wear. However, it would smell just as lovely on a woman and more appropriate as well. I bring this up simply because it's marketed as shared. I was wondering about the curry leaf. Actually, this "note" brought nothing to the table with the exception of possibly enhancing the pepper note just a bit. Even so, the pepper note itself was low key ( at least on me ) and both blended nicely with the citrus opening. From the onset of Oriental Lounge, it's unmistakable that this fragrance is.......well.....an oriental. From other opinions, I read some gripes about longevity, but it lasts on me quite awhile. This fragrance is uncomplicated and without much movemen...

Black Suede by Avon

Nutmeg, Clove, Amber, Musk, Moss, Wood Notes. Yes.........I am reviewing one of the Rodney Dangerfield's of fragrance. Black Suede has been gracing medicine cabinets, for better or worse, since 1980 my friends. If you're expecting me to inform you ( like others may have already ) that Black Suede is a nasty scrubber, you will be disappointed. On the other hand, if you're expecting a glowing review claiming it's a diamond in the rough, you won't hear that from me either. I will say though that Black Suede doesn't deserve the hate it's received and most of that is due to snobbery aimed at Avon products in general. I kid you not when I state that a close relative to this fragrance is Cacharel Pour L'Homme. The array of spice in both ensure comparison, but the "smoother" of the two is Black Suede due to its implementation of Amber. While wearing Black Suede, one can detect a hint of "drugstore". That quality doesn't manife...

Paco Rabanne Pour Homme

I am reviewing the original Paco Rabanne Pour Homme ( circa 1973 ) thanks to a generous basenoter who sent it to me recently in a swap. He also sent me the current formulation in order for me to do a side by side comparison. The side by side resulted in what I had already imagined would be the case. Not that the newer formula is terrible by any means. The original version simply is better by being deeper and a bit more masculine. No......you shouldn't go to ebay searching for the vintage formula and paying stupid prices. It's simply a notch or two better than the current and noticeable by comparing the two in real time. Rabanne Pour Homme opens with a slight shimmer in conjunction with lavender, spices and a subtle woodiness. It's an old school introduction, however a good one. The lavender takes about 5 minutes to raise its volume and evolve into a soapy rendition. I dislike when a boatload of soapy lavender takes over a composition, but here it doesn't go over t...