Balmain Homme Balmain 2015

One might think that there is currently only one topic on Parfumo - the new men's fragrance from Dior!? This dominant theme is being so widely discussed and exploited that one could assume that "men's perfume" is on the brink of its existential end! "Smells like AXE or cheap shower gel" are among the most striking synonyms! Meanwhile, I wonder, which new fragrance can score 100%? Or which latest creation doesn't smell like a previous competing product? I myself notice that every second new men's fragrance somehow carries that flashy One Million DNA within it! Sauvage is mocked and ridiculed, yet it hasn't even been able to establish itself in the market! After 2 weeks of wearing Sauvage continuously and having developed a fondness for it, I will today (briefly) turn my attention to another "masculine" release, which, in my eyes/nose, does not appear masculine at all! Which man would really want to smell like "foam waffles"? Is that better than a mass-appeal "shower gel" (don't worry, there will be no Balmain Homme vs. Dior Sauvage comparison)? But more on that later...

Balmain: a term well-known to fashion gurus and fragrance junkies, but possibly uncharted territory for laypeople. I don't want to go into detail "Wikipedia-like." Just enough to say that the 70-year-old company has had a turbulent and changeable history: Balmain as a springboard for Karl Lagerfeld, defamation through license "dilution," impending insolvency, several owners, and numerous chief designers who have come and gone. Currently at the creative helm is 29-year-old Oliver Rousteing (the youngest chief designer after Yves Saint Laurent), who took over the reins from Cristophe Decarnin five years ago. He continues the legacy of leather jackets, tight cuts, and military jackets. Speaking of which, the bottle of the new men's fragrance is modeled after such styles. In dark blue... that's how you attract men. Blue is associated with coolness, blue is associated with freshness. But Balmain Homme offers neither! It is an oriental in the style of Joop! Homme Wild, Versace Eros, Valentino Uomo, or Dior Homme Eau For Men...

Balmain Homme starts with a slightly synthetic, in my opinion, ozonic top note. It comes across as bitter and somewhat metallic, shiny. Up to that point, one almost gets the impression that Balmain Homme is heading in a straightforward direction. Office scent, anyone? Shortly thereafter, the violet leaf comes to the forefront and reveals a green, camphor-like aspect (Zegna Uomo or Mercedes Benz for Men come to mind). Violet leaves are also known for their peppery nuances, and they make the fragrance shine! I always have YSL's L'Homme Parfum in my nose, which seems a bit warmer to me. Therefore, the blue is almost justified! Up to this point, no one can complain, even though I always have this "already been there" or "indifferent" image in my mind.

The further development of the fragrance is moderate. The aforementioned "foam waffle" comparison is not so far-fetched in my opinion. I also associate the heart note with dark chocolate and "pink" icing - this pink could also come from a certain lipstick note that tickles my nose. More so, I smell a fruity sugar component, which I last encountered with Dior Homme Eau For Men. I can still tolerate that with Dior, but here these accords have a certain penetrance. It smells "biting," yes, almost "sharp-toned"! Headache character! Cedarwood signals the start of the dry base. The sillage on my skin is "okay"... presumably Balmain Homme clouds my perception, and the projection is significantly stronger... at least on paper, the reach is a good meter! So in a club, for which the fragrance is definitely designed in my eyes, it will definitely stand out! And it withstands heat and sweat! I regretted yesterday's test in the last "humid" temperatures. For me, Balmain is only wearable in autumn/winter and on cool spring days!

The base is reached after about 4-5 hours and offers woody, powdery accords (tonka bean).
This has staying power and is still noticeable on the skin even after showering! Thus, the perfume lasts a very, very good 10+ hours!

In summary, Balmain Homme is another representative in the league of lavishly designed sugary fragrances. You definitely stand out with it, but it doesn't remain memorable, as, as already mentioned, every second new fragrance smells like this. Ultimately, I wonder why everyone is so hard on Sauvage when Balmain Homme also smells like 9 other perfumes and is therefore not innovative, extraordinary, or... oh yes, I promised not to write a Balmain vs. Dior comparison... *g*

PS: Many thanks, by the way, to the generous donation from my benefactor!