Skip to main content

L'Homme Libre by Yves St. Laurent

Bergamot, Pink Pepper, Nutmeg.
Violet, Spice, Anise.
Patchouli, Vetiver, Leather.

A very large atomizer was given to me recently by one of my softball players. He's very partial to scent, but as a young man in his twenties, his tastes are indicative of his peer group. I completely understand why he likes what he likes and also why he doesn't care for what he deems "too mature". As he gave me the atomizer, he informed me that he thought I would like it much more than he did. It simply wasn't "fresh enough or in keeping with his other acquisitions".

Naturally, I was more than happy to try it and then review it. I wouldn't have otherwise came upon it since I tend to shy away from recent designer releases. Too many are bland and uninspired, but I chalk some of that up to being exposed ( over the years ) to so many creations. I suppose the current offerings have common denominators like those from eras gone by. What puts me off most modern fragrances is, more than likely, the same things that prevents youth from liking what I grew up with. In some fashion, we are prisoners of our generations.

After wearing L'Homme Libre, I can see how this scent isn't along the same lines as others my player gravitates to. However, it isn't a bad creation by any means. Perhaps a bit generic, safe and possibly lacking imagination, it still smells pleasant enough that I would be in error to denigrate it.

What stands out to me in L'Homme Libre is the violet and Pink Pepper combination. There's nothing sharp about this rendition and if anything, it possesses a subtle sweetness. The citric opening doesn't last long before being usurped by the spicy violet. This accord remains until the base introduces a vetiver to join it. I believe it's the violet and vetiver that "lost" my softball player. These culprits can be found in a variety of classic masculines.

Sillage is acceptable and longevity is approximately 5 hours on me. A neutral rating from Aromi with positive attributes. A sample wear is definitely recommended.

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...