L'Homme

Yves Saint Laurent's L'Homme, from 2006, is a spicy, woody citrus for men created by a team of four perfumers: Dominique Ropion, Anne Flipo, Juliette Karagueuzoglou and Pierre Wargnye. Spice is the first thing people name, followed by woods and citrus, with a lighter green, aromatic and faintly sweet side that a minority notice.

Lemon and bergamot open it with a clean brightness, sharpened by ginger. The heart is where the character sits: violet leaf gives a cool, green, slightly metallic freshness, while white pepper and basil add a peppery, herbal lift. The base is softer, with tonka bean bringing a smooth sweetness over cedar and Tahitian vetiver, which keep the drydown dry and woody.

It is not a heavy scent. Roughly half of wearers find the longevity moderate and a third call it weak, and the sillage is split between intimate and moderate, so it stays close to the skin. Spring and summer collect the most votes, mostly for daytime, which suits it to the office and everyday wear.

L'Homme — for men fragrance by Yves Saint Laurent (released 2006). Top notes: Ginger, Bergamot, Lemon. Heart notes: Spices, Violet Leaf, White Pepper, Basil. Base notes: Tonka Bean, Cedar, Tahitian Vetiver. — Parfica open fragrance database