While new fragrances come and go amid a blur of marketing hype, these classic men’s fragrances have earned their kudos.
YVES SAINT LAURENT LA NUIT DE L’HOMME EDT
If this fragrance smells very familiar to you even though it’s the first time you have tried it, that’s because it’s become the template for countless other seductive scents. The mix of cardamom, cedar and tonka bean notes is warm and sensual, but never overpowering. This classic men’s fragrance is too good to only wear at night.
YSL La Nuit de L’Homme EDT (R1 550 for 100ml) is available from Edgars, Red Square, Stuttafords, Woolworths, Truworths and Foschini stores.
Launched: 2009
Creators: Anne Flipo, Pierre Wargnye and Dominique Romion
YSL La Nuit de L’Homme EDT (R1 550 for 100ml) is available from Edgars, Red Square, Stuttafords, Woolworths, Truworths and Foschini stores.
CARTIER DECLARATION EDT
With its fresh, spicy citrus, woody and aromatic layers, this classic men’s fragrance defies easy classification – and that’s part of its complex beauty. It’s a supremely sophisticated scent that achieves that rare feat of smelling expensive without resorting to bling tricks. But then we wouldn’t expect anything less from Cartier.
Launched: 1998
Creator: Jean-Claude Ellena
Cartier Declaration EDT (R585 for 30ml, R820 for 50ml, R1 185 for 100ml, R1 495 for 150ml and R1 510 for 200ml) is available from selected Edgars and Stuttafords stores.
EAU DE ROCHAS HOMME EDT
The super-citrus opening (lime, lemon, mandarin, bergamot and lemon verbena notes) of this classic men’s fragrance is wonderfully invigorating, then it settles into something quite subtle (amber and musk notes). So it ain’t a power performer and you will need a few re-sprays during the day, but if fresh, clean and zesty is your thing, this has your name on it.
Launched: 1993
Creator: Nicolas Mamounas
Eau de Rochas Homme EDT (R1 195 for 100ml) is available from Dis-Chem stores.
THIERRY MUGLER A*MEN EDT
The ultimate love-it-or-hate-it fragrance, this classic men’s fragrance still gets a big reaction, thanks to the initial explosion of caramel, coffee and patchouli notes. Give it time to settle and you will discover there’s so much more to it than in-your-face sweetness. I can’t wait to get my nose around the latest addition to the range, Kryptomint.
Launched: 1996
Creator: Jacques Huclier
Thierry Mugler A*Men EDT (R790 for 50ml, R1 195 for 100ml and R895 for 100ml eco refill) is available from Clicks, Edgars, Foschini, Red Square, Truworths and Stuttafords stores.
LALIQUE ENCRE NOIRE EDT POUR HOMME
Yes, there’s cypress, musk and cashmere wood to savour in this one, but the reason we all keep on coming back to this scent is its magnificent take on vetiver. Dry, earthy, dirty – absolutely unique. If you are looking for an intro to the pleasures of vetiver, get your hands on this one pronto.
Launched: 2006
Creator: Nathalie Lorson
Lalique Encre Noire EDT (R925 for 50ml and R1 225 for 100ml) is available from Dis-Chem stores.
VIKTOR & ROLF SPICEBOMB EDT
Lashings of cinnamon, hints of pink pepper, followed by seductive leather and tobacco notes make for a thoroughly modern and oh-so-sexy fragrance from the Dutch designer duo. This EDT gets the balance between sweet and spicy so right. And, of course, the super-cool hand grenade design gets mega bonus points.
Launched: 2012
Creator: Olivier Polge
Viktor & Rolf Spicebomb EDT (R1 164 for 50ml and R1 494 for 90ml) is available from Edgars, Red Square, Stuttafords and Foschini stores.
That you for the information on these perfumes. Some very well known perfumers too. I refer to Jean Claude Elena and Oliver Polge.
Famous perfumers from Grasse.
Hello John, thanks for your comment. The perfumers behind these classics have all created so many memorable fragrances. R
The Lalique sounds too gorgeous for words – for a mere grass Vetiver packs the punch of an atomic bomb – and I will sneak a hit on the tester when I am next in Dischem.
Hello Aubrey, Lalique Encre Noire is a beautiful fragrance. The sculptural bottle is also a thing of beauty. I do the same whenever I am in my local Dis-Chem: catch up on the newbies and others I still want to try.