07/21/2021

MrHonest
104 Reviews

MrHonest
4
Her Sweeeet, Sw, Sw, Sweeeet can...
Having been a fan of the original Au Masculin, this was an easy transition for me. Couldn't be happier with how Lempicka modernized this one. Absolutely still has the original DNA, but they've somehow managed to simultaneously tame and concentrate it. If you're familiar with audio compression in sound engineering, the concept is similar. Take the resolution of the original formula, reduce the dynamic range of the notes by squeezing them at both ends and normalize. In this case, the result is an extraordinarily well-balanced composition that doesn't stray much from a single and persistent accord - and it's sweeeeeet.
To sum up the fragrance in one sentence, it's basically a straight line of incredibly tantilizing sweetness that hovers somewhere between fennel-flavoured woody sugar water and boozy syrup. On paper, the opening is an absolute BLAST of sugary apple, syrup and vanilla, followed by an expertly blended licorice and some kind of weak cinnamon-esque spice. In fact, the woody apple somehow reminds me of fragrances in the style of Boss No. 6 or Lacoste Pour Homme - both of which would easily fall into the same category of casual sweeties. Don't be fooled though, Lempicka Homme is FAR sweeter than both, with an obvious emphasis on the saccharine-laden base notes mingled with a wonderful TOUCH of anise.
Sure enough, on skin it's a bit of a different story. Almost immediately you get the anise and booze, but within minutes everything settles into a Le Male-esque woody sweetness that I swear, permeates quantum dimensions of reality, it's really quite astonishing. Like a smooth and tantilizing finger of liquid syrup, it reaches out to tickle the pleasure receptors of noses that come anywhere near it. In essence, it's a very simple scent - almost generic - but boy is it lovely. In fact, when I purchased the bottle, it came in a gift set with an aftershave balm and when I picked up the box, I could smell the damn thing right through the packaging. Super pleasing, easy to like and subtley addictive. Immediate approval, despite the reform.
And if you think about it, it's not really that much of a surprise. Modern formulations are almost always tamer, weaker and sweeter, and this one is no exception. BUT - and it's a big but(t) - Lempicka Homme still manages to balance the notes really well and maintain decent longevity - something that really surprised me the first couple times I wore it. I even tested it in incredibly hot weather and during workouts with no problems whatsoever. Morever, despite the incessant sweetness, it's thin enough to be worn all year long without becoming cloying - a rare attribute among sweet or gourmand leaning fragrances.
But if there's one area in which this stuff excels, it's layering. Combine it with any fruity, woody, smoky, boozy or gourmand scent and it can add that extra ingredient (SUGAR!) that draws people in like flies to a piece of sh.......ugary icing. And maybe it's just me, but I think it's a bit sensual. As in...the sexy kind. A thin, understated woody sweetness with just a dash of spice...that makes existence extra nice, wink wink. Maybe Belle was onto something. Thumbs up from me. Great atomizer too. A very solid release from Lempicka for someone looking to please the masses. Or themselves. Not judging. Now it's time for some sweeeeeeet....
To sum up the fragrance in one sentence, it's basically a straight line of incredibly tantilizing sweetness that hovers somewhere between fennel-flavoured woody sugar water and boozy syrup. On paper, the opening is an absolute BLAST of sugary apple, syrup and vanilla, followed by an expertly blended licorice and some kind of weak cinnamon-esque spice. In fact, the woody apple somehow reminds me of fragrances in the style of Boss No. 6 or Lacoste Pour Homme - both of which would easily fall into the same category of casual sweeties. Don't be fooled though, Lempicka Homme is FAR sweeter than both, with an obvious emphasis on the saccharine-laden base notes mingled with a wonderful TOUCH of anise.
Sure enough, on skin it's a bit of a different story. Almost immediately you get the anise and booze, but within minutes everything settles into a Le Male-esque woody sweetness that I swear, permeates quantum dimensions of reality, it's really quite astonishing. Like a smooth and tantilizing finger of liquid syrup, it reaches out to tickle the pleasure receptors of noses that come anywhere near it. In essence, it's a very simple scent - almost generic - but boy is it lovely. In fact, when I purchased the bottle, it came in a gift set with an aftershave balm and when I picked up the box, I could smell the damn thing right through the packaging. Super pleasing, easy to like and subtley addictive. Immediate approval, despite the reform.
And if you think about it, it's not really that much of a surprise. Modern formulations are almost always tamer, weaker and sweeter, and this one is no exception. BUT - and it's a big but(t) - Lempicka Homme still manages to balance the notes really well and maintain decent longevity - something that really surprised me the first couple times I wore it. I even tested it in incredibly hot weather and during workouts with no problems whatsoever. Morever, despite the incessant sweetness, it's thin enough to be worn all year long without becoming cloying - a rare attribute among sweet or gourmand leaning fragrances.
But if there's one area in which this stuff excels, it's layering. Combine it with any fruity, woody, smoky, boozy or gourmand scent and it can add that extra ingredient (SUGAR!) that draws people in like flies to a piece of sh.......ugary icing. And maybe it's just me, but I think it's a bit sensual. As in...the sexy kind. A thin, understated woody sweetness with just a dash of spice...that makes existence extra nice, wink wink. Maybe Belle was onto something. Thumbs up from me. Great atomizer too. A very solid release from Lempicka for someone looking to please the masses. Or themselves. Not judging. Now it's time for some sweeeeeeet....
3 Replies