HRNBY97
Reviews
HRNBY97
Hasn't Always Been a Love - it is Now
I don't have a whole lot of history with this fragrance, so this review isn't going to be long-winded as what I would typically write. It will be quite long though--just a warning. I do want to start off by saying that for most of my life, I have known from his fragrance; who can forget Joey Tribianni working part-time as a spritzer boy in a department store, asking with much enthusiasm: "Bijan for men?!" I know I can't. Additionally, I always remember seeing the frosted glass donut sitting as a tester on fragrance counter. Surely, if Joey was promoting it, it should be good--right? Well, I certainly love it now. That wasn't always the case.
Let me say this: the opening of Bijan for men does not at all give you an accurate clue of how good this fragrance is going to be; it is a loud, sneezy, bitter, green and citrus-tinged mess. This opening suggests it to be a cheap, drugstore aftershave, and not a release from what appears to be the Rolls Royce of menswear. I'm so glad that I decided to give this fragrance another chance after the aforementioned opening made me write this fragrance off.
Once you get past that opening, what you get is a very nicely-done, incense-based scent that I don't find as controversial as others have declared it to be. Bijan really is the middle east in a bottle. There was a time when I thought only Tom Ford could do a decent, incense-focused fragrance; Bijan does it well. I would describe the overall scent (after opening) to be non-burned incense sticks and a candle-like sweetness, giving some serious head shop vibes. It also has a hint of what I've smelled Omni and Embassy Suites hotels pumping throughout their lobbies. I don't get any floral out of this one at all.
It is debatable whether or not Bijan is too dated in today's world, but I will say this: if you didn't have high-dollar niche houses, or the more-exotic Tom Ford releases along this olfactory style, I would say maybe. Those types of fragrances tend to exemplify fine taste, and are purchases that are aspirational. In my opinion, the only clues of Bijan's age come mainly from the funky opening. In short, I credit those higher-priced, niche-grade fragrances for keeping fragrances that smell like this relevant in today's world.
As far as the type of person that can wear Bijan, I would say it is off-limits to those younger than 20; I just cannot see a middle or high-school boy rocking anything other than some sporty, Wal-Mart special. It's probably more wearable to guys 30 and up, but strong-willed guys in their 20s could absolutely wear this--I know I do. The oldest I feel could pull this off is about 45. Any older, and it might come off as too sexually-provocative.
Situation-wise, I think Bijan is a great daily fragrance during Winter in extremely cold climates, or strictly on Winter nights in mild climates. During Spring, this one could work on dressy nights out, but completely off-limits in Summer. I would describe Bijan as the perfect scent to wear while sporting a sweater or jacket.
Although I do believe that Bijan for men performs above average, both for the era we are living in, as well as the price point, I would not say that this fragrance is the nuclear beast people say this is. This isn't a fragrance that I would go heavy on, but I wouldn't be afraid to spray a medium spray on each pulse-point, and maybe a single full spray to the chest; you will leave a nice cloud of sexy incense all day.
As I finish this review, I glance over and see the circular flacon, sitting stylishly next to my bottles of Le Male, Polo, and Gucci Guilty. It looks so at home there, and it inspires me to spray a bit on. It is that glorious dry down that makes me excited by the thought many years with the almighty Bijan. Give this fragrance another (or first) chance, if you haven't already; you'll be glad you did.
Let me say this: the opening of Bijan for men does not at all give you an accurate clue of how good this fragrance is going to be; it is a loud, sneezy, bitter, green and citrus-tinged mess. This opening suggests it to be a cheap, drugstore aftershave, and not a release from what appears to be the Rolls Royce of menswear. I'm so glad that I decided to give this fragrance another chance after the aforementioned opening made me write this fragrance off.
Once you get past that opening, what you get is a very nicely-done, incense-based scent that I don't find as controversial as others have declared it to be. Bijan really is the middle east in a bottle. There was a time when I thought only Tom Ford could do a decent, incense-focused fragrance; Bijan does it well. I would describe the overall scent (after opening) to be non-burned incense sticks and a candle-like sweetness, giving some serious head shop vibes. It also has a hint of what I've smelled Omni and Embassy Suites hotels pumping throughout their lobbies. I don't get any floral out of this one at all.
It is debatable whether or not Bijan is too dated in today's world, but I will say this: if you didn't have high-dollar niche houses, or the more-exotic Tom Ford releases along this olfactory style, I would say maybe. Those types of fragrances tend to exemplify fine taste, and are purchases that are aspirational. In my opinion, the only clues of Bijan's age come mainly from the funky opening. In short, I credit those higher-priced, niche-grade fragrances for keeping fragrances that smell like this relevant in today's world.
As far as the type of person that can wear Bijan, I would say it is off-limits to those younger than 20; I just cannot see a middle or high-school boy rocking anything other than some sporty, Wal-Mart special. It's probably more wearable to guys 30 and up, but strong-willed guys in their 20s could absolutely wear this--I know I do. The oldest I feel could pull this off is about 45. Any older, and it might come off as too sexually-provocative.
Situation-wise, I think Bijan is a great daily fragrance during Winter in extremely cold climates, or strictly on Winter nights in mild climates. During Spring, this one could work on dressy nights out, but completely off-limits in Summer. I would describe Bijan as the perfect scent to wear while sporting a sweater or jacket.
Although I do believe that Bijan for men performs above average, both for the era we are living in, as well as the price point, I would not say that this fragrance is the nuclear beast people say this is. This isn't a fragrance that I would go heavy on, but I wouldn't be afraid to spray a medium spray on each pulse-point, and maybe a single full spray to the chest; you will leave a nice cloud of sexy incense all day.
As I finish this review, I glance over and see the circular flacon, sitting stylishly next to my bottles of Le Male, Polo, and Gucci Guilty. It looks so at home there, and it inspires me to spray a bit on. It is that glorious dry down that makes me excited by the thought many years with the almighty Bijan. Give this fragrance another (or first) chance, if you haven't already; you'll be glad you did.
1 Comment
The Scent of Me
Oh, Le Male... One of the most recognizable bottles and unique scents ever created. I've been wearing this fragrance for upwards of a decade and don't see myself quitting any time soon.
My journey to Le Male is quite complicated. Before I wore this, I went through a short stint during middle school of Calvin Klein Eternity and Obsession. I liked both, but I preferred Obsession's balsamic cinnamon edge. I loved Obsession, and most everyone else loved it, except for one girl who said it smelled like old man. That did it for me; once my bottle of Obsession was used up, I started searching for a fragrance that I liked near as much that wouldn't give off any 'old man' vibe. As luck would have it, Le Male would be the first fragrance I picked up. I've always known about Le Male--mainly by its polarizing bottle and provocative ad campaigns, but had no idea what it smelled like. I was very impressed by the scent. For once, it wasn't some banal aquatic. It was fresh, yet spicy and youthful. I finally found a workable Obsession replacement.
I would describe this scent as a vanilla candle seasoned with mint, lavender, white florals, and Indian spices. Some powdery woody notes round the fragrance out. Out of all the fragrances I've smelled, this is the only fragrances that I can smell specific things specified in the scent pyramid. Although, the thing I would say Le Male smells like the most, would be Moroccan oil; my mom would use that oil, and while I always thought it it had a soft scent, I didn't think it was particularly feminine-smelling. Interestingly enough, a men's fragrance that exists that smells just like the aforementioned oil--Le Male.
There has been lots of talk on the forums about reformulations, and changes in projection. While I haven't smelled versions prior to 2010, I have tried two of the most recent ones--BPI and Puig. I had two BPI bottles and a Puig. The first two BPI bottles were about the same--smelled great, very spicy and decent longevity. I wouldn't say my BPI bottles were nuclear bombs of scent, and sillage was soft. My newer Puig bottle *may* be slightly less spicy and more on the fresh side, but still uniquely Le Male. Longevity is fantastic and I can still smell it wafting around me even 12 hours after application. It lasts eternity on fabric. I put a medium spray below each ear, and a small spray on each wrist, crook of the arm, and a nice big blast on the chest.
All the feedback that I have received on this fragrance has been overwhelmingly positive. I've had guys casually asking me what I'm wearing, girls saying I smell like devilishly sexy talc, and the like.
Le Male is my signiature scent during the more mild days of the cooler seasons and at night during the warmer seasons. Because it ventures cool and fresh, and woody and spicy, I believe it fits the following times in which I choose to apply this fragrance.
Due to Le Male's seductive, fresh, and carefree nature, I think anyone under 40 could pull this off; any older than 40, you'd have to be clean-cut and fine-featured like Tom Cruise, Mario Lopez, Jensen Ackles, or Brad Pitt when clean-shaven to pull this one off. This is not a scent that your bald father with a beer belly, that wears Tommy Bahama button-up shirts, cargo shrots and crocs, could pull off.
Le Male is one fragrance I highly suggest trying out if you're into really polarizing and iconic scents. It might not being everyone's cup of tea in the fragrance community, but it sure is a pleasant one to throw on before going out.
My journey to Le Male is quite complicated. Before I wore this, I went through a short stint during middle school of Calvin Klein Eternity and Obsession. I liked both, but I preferred Obsession's balsamic cinnamon edge. I loved Obsession, and most everyone else loved it, except for one girl who said it smelled like old man. That did it for me; once my bottle of Obsession was used up, I started searching for a fragrance that I liked near as much that wouldn't give off any 'old man' vibe. As luck would have it, Le Male would be the first fragrance I picked up. I've always known about Le Male--mainly by its polarizing bottle and provocative ad campaigns, but had no idea what it smelled like. I was very impressed by the scent. For once, it wasn't some banal aquatic. It was fresh, yet spicy and youthful. I finally found a workable Obsession replacement.
I would describe this scent as a vanilla candle seasoned with mint, lavender, white florals, and Indian spices. Some powdery woody notes round the fragrance out. Out of all the fragrances I've smelled, this is the only fragrances that I can smell specific things specified in the scent pyramid. Although, the thing I would say Le Male smells like the most, would be Moroccan oil; my mom would use that oil, and while I always thought it it had a soft scent, I didn't think it was particularly feminine-smelling. Interestingly enough, a men's fragrance that exists that smells just like the aforementioned oil--Le Male.
There has been lots of talk on the forums about reformulations, and changes in projection. While I haven't smelled versions prior to 2010, I have tried two of the most recent ones--BPI and Puig. I had two BPI bottles and a Puig. The first two BPI bottles were about the same--smelled great, very spicy and decent longevity. I wouldn't say my BPI bottles were nuclear bombs of scent, and sillage was soft. My newer Puig bottle *may* be slightly less spicy and more on the fresh side, but still uniquely Le Male. Longevity is fantastic and I can still smell it wafting around me even 12 hours after application. It lasts eternity on fabric. I put a medium spray below each ear, and a small spray on each wrist, crook of the arm, and a nice big blast on the chest.
All the feedback that I have received on this fragrance has been overwhelmingly positive. I've had guys casually asking me what I'm wearing, girls saying I smell like devilishly sexy talc, and the like.
Le Male is my signiature scent during the more mild days of the cooler seasons and at night during the warmer seasons. Because it ventures cool and fresh, and woody and spicy, I believe it fits the following times in which I choose to apply this fragrance.
Due to Le Male's seductive, fresh, and carefree nature, I think anyone under 40 could pull this off; any older than 40, you'd have to be clean-cut and fine-featured like Tom Cruise, Mario Lopez, Jensen Ackles, or Brad Pitt when clean-shaven to pull this one off. This is not a scent that your bald father with a beer belly, that wears Tommy Bahama button-up shirts, cargo shrots and crocs, could pull off.
Le Male is one fragrance I highly suggest trying out if you're into really polarizing and iconic scents. It might not being everyone's cup of tea in the fragrance community, but it sure is a pleasant one to throw on before going out.
