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Arts&Scents 1999

7.8 / 10 68 Ratings

A popular perfume by Arts&Scents for men, released in 1999. The scent is spicy-woody. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Spicy

Woody

Resinous

Sweet

Floral

Fragrance Pyramid

Top Notes

Elemi resin

Black pepper

Grapefruit

Bergamot

Orange

Kripzundol

Heart Notes

Papyrus

Green notes Jasmine

Jasmine

Lily of the valley

Patchouli

Base Notes

Amber

Benzoin

Gaiac wood Cedar

Cedar

Musk

Vetiver

Oakmoss

Perfumer

Cécile Zarokian

Ratings

Scent

7.868 Ratings

Longevity

7.458 Ratings

Sillage

6.757 Ratings

Bottle

7.263 Ratings

Submitted by Michael · last update on 09/10/2025.

Source-backed & verified

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to

Background Eau de Toilette

L'Homme Intense

Relax Eau de Toilette

Sartorial

Reviews

5 in-depth fragrance descriptions

04/14/2025

9Scent 9Longevity 8Sillage

Tanelv
69 Reviews

Tanelv

Layered, light & hypnotic

Powdery but masculine.
Deeply rich but flowery light.

It’s heavenly, perfect blend of men’s classics with the fresh androgynous twist. Starts with slightly spicy amber and citric vetiver - but it’s all covered with fluffy layer of musk which softens the composition. And the lily + jasmine add powdery lightness. Delicious and delicate scent for a rich poetic soul. I will add it to my Santa’s wishlist ;)

Stays really well but gets a bit sour towards end.

05/02/2020

8Scent 9Longevity 7Sillage

Smellavision
205 Reviews

Smellavision

A very classy japanese amber...

Only for Him opens with a slightly synthetic cardamom vibe based on the bergamot and elemi mixing with the black pepper. Not sure how to categorize this one - sweet amber, spicy oriental? It's a superb balsamic oriental amber for sure, with hints of patchouli every now and then.

Through the drydown the cedar and guaiac wood mix incredibly well with the vanilla vibe from the benzoin. Longevity is through the roof on my sample, I get 10-12 hours easily which definitely must be some sign of quality materials used ?

This one makes me even more interested to see what kind of magic Cecile Zarokian has been working on the newer Jacques Fath line.

11/26/2016

7.5Scent 7Longevity 5Sillage

FabianO
1010 Reviews

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FabianO

Top Review 12

Mild, resinous-benzoin spring scent with understatement

Beautiful evenings in Paris. This is how Hayari promotes his men's fragrance, and I can actually imagine strolling through the bustling streets of the city on a cozy spring evening as dusk falls by the banks of the Seine.

"Only for him" comes across quite smoothly, with fresh and mild resinous notes opening with the elem resin and very delicate orange aspects, accompanied by subtle waxy benzoin impressions in the first phase. Elegantly crafted, with a slightly floral touch after a few minutes, Hayari reminds me a bit of 80s/90s fragrances like "Background" or Caron's "Le 3e homme," albeit more reserved and refined.

This might deter some who prefer more power, and indeed "Only for men" primarily focuses on - in the best sense, reminiscent of classic gentleman fragrances like Chanel's "Pour Monsieur" - allowing the lady to have the opulence and the spotlight in the attention of those around.

Papyrus lends the fragrance a somewhat dry style, somewhat like "Timbuktu," while the guaiac wood adds a lightly sweet-earthy touch.
I find it a bit unfortunate that after half an hour, there is hardly any development, and "Only for him" drifts along somewhat flatly. This need not disturb one due to the good interweaving of the aromas, but it can.

Updated on 01/07/2017

01/25/2020

8.5Scent 8Longevity 6Sillage

Parma
279 Reviews

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Parma

Top Review 3

Back to Background

The scent reminds me of Jil Sanders Background. For all those who miss this wonderful fragrance, Only for him offers a possible substitute. It is more concentrated and denser in its sweet balminess compared to the original and somewhat less complex. However, the wearing experience is similar.

At the forefront throughout is an intense balsamic sweetness that primarily comes across as fruity, with benzoin notes being easily discernible. It is likely also significantly shaped by a fruity-sweet jasmine. Compared to the Sander fragrance, the sweetness is a bit stronger and, for me, on the edge of being too sweet, sometimes even crossing that line. However, I am quite sensitive when it comes to my own wearing. The surroundings, on the other hand, never found it too sweet.

This may be due to the slightly woody undertone, which can counterbalance the sweetness with a restrained elegant, classic masculine-fresh-spicy note. I wouldn't be surprised if lavender and star anise are included here (as in the Sander), as it also appears slightly fresh-clean-anise-like on my skin. However, it is probably more the merit of the fresh-spicy and slightly green-etheric character of the elemi resin. This gives it a somewhat rougher or resinous and more sharply contoured quality than Background, although it remains a very rounded and sweet-balsamic scent.

What is beautiful about it is that these contrasts create a tension and a clear, predictable character. It is well-groomed, elegant, and trustworthy while also being relaxed and sensual. A fragrance that one can feel comfortable with immediately. That the surroundings feel the same way was shown to me by the positive reactions (there were no negatives), which can be summed up with one word that always came up first: "Pleasant".

In addition to the sweet-balsamic-resinous, as well as woody and fresh-spicy notes, as already hinted at above, slightly floral nuances subtly complete the picture, which runs very linear after a short settling period. To some, it might seem a bit monotonous, although it is a scent that "moves" easily.

It is extremely rounded and well-balanced and, in my view, very wearable for all genders, both casually and for formal occasions. It lasts just under a day, with projection and sillage being moderate and close to the skin after about three hours.

A memorable fragrance with high recognizability and, for all Background lovers, a good substitute in my opinion.

I thank the dear Parfumo Mefunx very much for introducing me to this scent and the associated sentimental dive into my Background memories.

Updated on 05/10/2020

11/29/2018

8.5Scent 8Longevity 7Sillage

Minigolf
2568 Reviews

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Minigolf

Fluffy Blankets in the Wooden Shed

Really cozy, this scent. Here I sit in a warm wooden shed wrapped in a fluffy wool blanket, surrounded by patterned solid wood chairs, a matching table, and some good books around me that I leaf through in a contented mood, reading one passage or another.
They are about scent art, types of wood, aromatic grasses, ancient, long-known balsams, and incense.
The tranquility inside here is soothing; the cold and damp can do whatever they want outside.
Even if the gusty wind would like to intrude and start a howling rage, it cannot come in here. Fine scents initiate a soft, melodic whisper that penetrates deep within me.
They confirm what I see and read in the books, that scents can touch the soul and woods feel wonderful, with their warm colors and interesting grains stimulating the imagination and smelling delightful. Yet there still lingers a hint of last spring in the air, a small whiff of lily of the valley, jasmine, and roses. When the doors stood wide open to let in the spicy air.
Now and then, I briefly open the window for ventilation, just long enough so that the room doesn't cool down.
The nearby forest and field send their fragrant autumn greetings to me. Woody, slightly damp, and mossy.
But the uncomfortable temperatures can do nothing to me. I have wrapped the fluffy wool blanket around myself.