Reviews of Allure Homme (1999)
by Chanel

It's warm to the point of being sticky aka cloying. I finished a bottle about six years ago and I won't be revisiting it. I've been toying with the idea of getting myself the female Allure because it smells wonderful, but I'm not sure whether a man could pull it off.

A quick shot of citrus and pepper. Mostly pepper, though. Nice oriental and slightly sweet drydown that lasts for hours. This is all drydown to me. While average at the begining, for those of you who like longevity should wear this. Simple and elegant and modern.

I cannot believe Chanel released something this mediocre. I guess you can't go wrong with this one, in a meet-the-parents kind of way. Boring.

I like Chanel Allure Homme. It's crisp and clean, warm and sexy. It smells like "Vanilla Extract." A beautiful Oriental fragrance. I like the After Shave Moisturizer, too.

I don’t wear Allure very often and whenever I spray it on, I wonder why I don’t wear it more often — why am I not drawn to it when I know it is an excellent scent? It’s such a warm scent. It is about equally casual and elegance without being either casual or elegant; yet it can be either casual or elegant on demand. The opening is abundant with citrus, green, spice, and aldehydes. The first notes feel natural but are actually quite abstract, and this ambiguity forms an olfactory conundrum that is so typical of high quality fragrances. The resulting reaction to the first blast is pleasure – but not intrigue. Allure is not built to sell itself in the first two minutes after application as so many other fragrances are: Allure has invested in the total run of the fragrance. Much PR marketing has been presented about the “four facets of Chanel Allure,” and through years of wearing Allure, I have found those claims to be substantially true. I find that I do get the revolving spotlights of fresh-green, wood, and sweet, (only three, I know, I know…) and I quite enjoy the changing foci of the fragrance progressing and switching smoothly and seamlessly. Again, none of the facets are breath taking. But they are all worthy enough, and the changing facets provide a variety of enjoyable olfactory experiences that keep going for hours: When all is said and done, this is so much more satisfying than those two minutes of intrigue brought by the first spray of many other fragrances. Allure presents a solid sillage, but it can be quite subtle with minimized application. It has excellent longevity, its ingenious yet graspable revolving progression, and its inherent quality offer ample testimony that it was created by Jacques Polge. As to why I don’t use it more often, I suppose it’s because I’m just another a weak willed person looking for instant gratification and in subconscious denial about the advantages of quality long-range performance.

Wasn't sure about this one at first, but I've really taken to it. It starts off quite sharp with the mandarine, but settles into a soft fruity zesty woods and spice.

Very nice and very wearable.

SOLID !

Allure is a very nice fragrance, which starts cool and fresh but ends warm and woody.
It is very modern but also very classy and of high quality (like all Chanel fragrances, if you like them or not).
Compared to his older brothers (especially to Antaeus end Egoiste), Allure is very shy and relative easy to wear. It is one of those scents with which you can't go wrong, but also one that will not attract attention immediately.
It's just a good companion, that will please the crowd.

If you are looking for a really nice scent that you can wear for any occasion, this one is definitely for you!

Allure Homme is a good all purpose scent. What I like about this fragrance is how it progresses and changes over several hours. It starts out fresh and gradually warms up presenting many different facets over the course of several hours. It is hard to get bored with this one.

Yaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwnnnnnnnnnnn............ Will somebody please wake me if Chanel ever releases and EDP version of Allure, otherwise I am staying asleep, because the EDT is totally boring! Don't buy this stuff expecting to find something like Antaeus, because you'll be sadly disappointed. Allure is insipid and ordinary, and would be well-suited to the automatic fragrance dispensers one sees in restrooms.

This is nice. Sensual cinnamon-vanillaic to my nose...until it turns to that nasty synthetic pheromonic twang on my skin (think Curve). If you are lucky enough and this stays nice on your skin, it is worth the prchase. I find it to be nicest in the winter time. If however you are like me and you experience the aforementioned twang, then try Newport from Caswell Massey. Smells 95% same plus it stays fresh all day.

Spicy and Masculine, good quality? You might want to try Allure by Chanel. It's like a young man's version of Obsession (Doesn't cling to you and the WORLD, not nearly as loud, soft even, masculine, manly, doesn't remind you of your father, and sexy) with a delicious note that I can't place that runs all throughout.

My girl loves this on me, even though I was 10sec from throwing the sample away because it reminded me of Obsession at first, but this is surprisingly good. What Obsession wants to be.

If you look on both the Obsession post and the Allure post on Basenotes, you'll see they pretty much share the same ingredients. Hell, they're even the same color liquid (with Allure being 2 shades lighter. Not to mention the same color containers.

All in all, if you are a 20 something, you should try this, at least order a sample. You WILL be pleasantly surprised.

~Journey

I've tried this and I like it ! it smells really good. I wear it on warm or cold days , I find it it works fine on me regardless of weather. Very sexy too, I recommend it to anyone 20-40

A 'young' fragrance, lacks the sophistication and maturity of Antaeus. It smells fruity and youthful, something you would smell at a nightclub. I was disappointed with Allure and tried so hard to like it.It warrants a thumbs down due to the fact one expects so much more from Chanel.

Allure is as alluring as a sharp smell of vodka bouncing around a cold prison cell. To put it in other words: it´s cheap and offensive. Of all the chanels for men Allure is the one with least charms. I would feel more comfortable standing next to a 15-year old who had overdosed on his grandads Aramis than anybody wearing Allure.

Good fragrance. Cheerful, alive, soft... Is it sexy? I am not sure!

Didn't get the 'chanel note' that other people refer to here.

Just found it common, bland, disappointing and utterly lacking in depth.

The woman who sold it to me said "You must use it as a skin scent because it is designed to evolve on the skin..."

Well, she was right, and it evolved into disappointing rubbish!

It just smells so generic and "last year" (even in the year that it was launched, the year I purchased it).

Not impressed at all!

A nice art from Jacques Polge.an original one.while the tonka bean give a smooth sweet,the Jamaican Pepper give a masculine, powerfull image.What a sensual experience...!!

One of the warmest and most sensual male fregrances known by me. And tough most Chanel fragraces, irrespective if female, male or unisex are timeless, this one is capable, while staying true to that famous atemporal " Chanel note" to also be truthful and not dissimilar to its launch year: 1999.
I mean, it has all this year stands for- the late nineties taste for a shift from hypermacho 80's and even eraly nineties to either more girly or simply more complex and avantgarde male scents ( this one is rather second cathegory), the cult for edible notes, gourmand scents and sweetness ( luckily in this one only with moderation), the interest for darker, night-time, slightly goth inspired scents. I discovered it all in Allure Homme- a faint, discreet sweet drydown and, call me mad, a slight memory of fellow 1999 Hugo Dark Blue, cause tough in Allure these ingredients go trough a more costly, haute couture, less casual, more formal interpretation, they both havge the same beeswax/honey on one hand, but also nightlife, slightly, but only remotely dark association, also with some ozonic touch. Interesting enough and quite trendy, but, just like other Basenotes users, i prefer- tough i'm definately not against this one- Antaeus instead.

Allure opens with a nice citrus blast, which quickly develops into a peppery, vanilla body supported by light woods. A very nice light oriental, Allure shares many similarities to the now discontinued Nemo by Cacharel. Longevity is average.

While Allure is nowhere near classic status, for those looking for something a little more classier and more mature to move up to from their mass-market aquatics, Allure would be hard to go wrong with.

I just got Allure, and I absolutely adore it. Very sweet, sensual and romantic. Maybe not something I'd wear casually or as an every day fragrance, but it'll definitely be my choice from here on out for those special evenings and occasions.

I love the fragance of Allure. Sweet but not too sweet, lasts a long time, and has great sillage.

Chanel Allure Homme is in my opinion, a perfect fragrance, right down to it's casual, yet sporty bottle design. It's clean and warm and contains much longevity. I've purchased many popular men's fragrances over the past 10 years only to discover that this is one of the only fragrances I need, alongside Chanel Allure Sport. I've owned Acqua Di Gio (too cool and not in a good way, not to metion highly overrated), I've owned Armani Code (too warm, but a great men's fragrance), I've owned all of the #1 fragrances, it always seems to be too much or just not enough. Allure Homme is perfect for me. I'm a 24 year old middle class young adult who grew up in the projects and someone who expects nothing more and nothing less out of a men's fragrance. I love mid-late 90's hip hop and R&B music, I'm sporty and soulful and love life. Whether I'm dining out at a steakhouse with my girlfriend or fresh out of the shower, relaxing on the leather sofa while watching the basketball game, the aroma of this fragrance is flawless. Nike makes perfect sneakers, Mont Blanc designs timeless accessories - Chanel creates perfect fragrances. If you can relate or somewhat relate to me at all, go to your local mall and check this cologne out, trust me it's perfect.

Sweet, warm, rich an inviting scent that I keep turning back to during the fall/winter/spring months. This one just lasts and lasts. Much better than Platinum Egoiste. Makes me want to try Allure Homme Sport.

By no means unpleasant smelling, and the projection is quite good, however I've always had trouble reconciling the dominant citrus (which lasts throughout) with the milky oriental aspect. In fact it can become cloying. But what worries me most about this, is that I get this feeling, that in a few years time it will inevitably be regarded as "just another one of those scents from that era" (as Drakkar Noir is to the early to mid 80s, Joop! to the 90s etc.) It doesn't distinguish itself sufficiently, for me, from the fresh and fruity trend of the mid to late nineties (that still hasn't gone away) even if it's not as bland as many in that group. It definitely has that "I've smelt this elsewhere" syndrome. In my opinion, Chanel (and Polge) has produced far superior, more stately offerings in Égoïste and Antaeus. And while the latter, a chypre/leather is certainly not an alternative option to Allure, for a far more distinguished, classical oriental, Égoïste is the ticket.

This is one I keep coming back to on a crisp, cool fall day. This fragrance is uplifting and romantic. From the opening notes, which are bracing and cool - to the slow, soft dry down, this is man at his best, and most refined. For a mass market fragrance - I would say this is one of the top three out there. I don't know a woman that doesn't swoon over this. Sweet, but not overly so. The Sandalwood and patchuli provide a sharpness that keeps this fragrance down to earth. The cedar wood reminds us that it is masculine to the core. Great fall/winter fragrance!

Not my favorite Chanel, no, but very, very well crafted. It just lacks a certain "oomph" that Pour Monsieur and Antaeus manage to have in spades. Guess I'm just a sucker for the classics.

This Allure is amazing. From the beginning is a wonderful smell, but turns even better when it dries. Masterpiece from master nose Jacques Polge. Highly recommended.

This and the rest of the male chanels should have the same beeswax drydown as Antaeus. It would make them worlds better and they would last longer.

This a good fragrance, however, verges on being too sweet and sickly, for sure in the summer but less so in the winter. Of course, its super smooth and a top notch concoction as Chanel know how, but I want to see it on sale Chanel! You are no longer super exclusive...!

Subtle, sensual, sweet and energising at the same time, no smoky or bitter notes used in a lot of oriental fragrances. It can be your company everywhere. Very long lasting and classy. An instant classic for men.

Allure Homme creates a most impressive balance between Citrus and Wood notes, one that really works. Then, the Jamaican Pepper adds a nice subtle bite. Great opening, nice drydown, one of my top 5 favorites. Works well with my skin. This one is a winner. Bravo Chanel!!

This is a beautiful, feminine scent. A grown up vanilla based floral with a spicy kick! It's very sexy and sweet and the lasting power is amazing! This dries down to a wonderful skin scent that can be detected on me even the next day! It's my favorite Chanel fragrance.

one of the best fragrance ever. Great class, sexy but not in your face.
great choice and everybody knows it is chanel.

Synthetic starting but after a few minutes becomes good smell. if you tolerate it's for the first minutes you have one of the best colognes.

Ok, no doubt, that this is one of the best male fragrance. I like it very much. First i had Allure Sport (since 2004) and 3 days ago i got as a gift this Allure Homme. I didn't like this Aquatic note in Allure Sport and maybe thatswhy i like this scent more. There are more citrus notes and I like them so much, but there is one thing... this scent stays too close to the skin and i can't find it in the air around me. It's long lasting but too close to the skin, I have to put my nose on my hand to feel it. But with Allure Sport it isn't so, everytime i make a rush move i feel the scent like a cloud around me. I'll always use the both fragrances, becaouse it's CHANEL.

A well made Chanel fragrance with citrusy top notes, spicy middle notes and a slightly sweet base. Average longevity, but the composition is good. Not the most groundbreaking scent. Suitable for all occasions.

Allure for men is a Masterpiece. Sofisticated, sensual and exquisite. It does not scream or yell at your companion. Instead, it speaks gently and softly to the nose. The drydown is one of the best "politically correct" drydowns in the market, according to my PH and my type of skin. One of my top 5 fragrances, that I can use when dressing up or down, day or night, winter or summer. A true winner from Channel.

Smells good, but the Allure Sport is better with the aquatic touch that was put on it.

I purchased this for my dear hubbie. Very sexy scent. On him the cedarwood and bergamot are the strongest notes. Classy and cute at the same time.

too powdery smell .. reminded me of rexona non-alcoholic deodorants .. but I like that smell

This is a state-of-art fragrance, typically Chanel.

I used to think that it's too strong and cloying when firstly applied, then got used to it and after several wearing, now it's one of my favorite... Also one of the best drydowns.
Starts VERY fresh with an almost shampoo-like fragrance and dries down to a VERY woody and vanillic yet subtle scent plus a hint of pepper.
It's young yet elegant. Good for winter and summer. :) Although this is an EDT, it has a EDP's strength and very good sillage so don't spray it crazily like you do with many light EDT.

When you are wearing this people know that you are not wearing some Armani Boss CK... ... but Chanel.

If your a fan of the Tonka note be sure to at least try this, one of my favs, and like someone reviewed before me saying its a grown up version of Black Code, i own both and it's so true, both are different enough to own both, excellently crafted, close to skin, real classy, smooth as silk, once you get past the opening notes your golden, a true Chanel

Oy, if only my cat didn't pee on me right after I tried this on. The top was sweet and pleasant, and I could foresee could things to come, but then, ouch, nothing but honey mixed with cat piss. Hopefully it works better for you if you try it, and you might want to stay away from your kitty while wearing. Lets just say that Allure is lucky I'm not giving it a thumbs down... damn you objectivity

As an ugly brother of my beautiful sister I developed once quite a keen interest in feminine fragrances. I wouldn't serve as an expert. Many, many... many years later it occurred that apparently I was not so ugly after all, and another beautiful woman messed up my mind up. That very moment my interest shifted towards masculine scents. Just to become more attractive. Unfortunately, masculine fragrances seemed all alike. Probably in the very same manner, as faces of Asian people to European eyes. All but Allure. That one I liked on instant. Allure is the very first fragrance I put on myself. I am gentle giant kind of a guy. Allure is neither aggressive, nor arrogant. It does not convey self-confidence. It is just soft and gentle. Perfect smell for tough guys, that dare wearing soft fragrance on them.

The top notes, like others have commented on, are less than desirable. However, once those notes dissapear, the sweetness of the Tonka and the Pepper entwine to create pure magical bliss. Amazing scent but it stays fairly close to the skin for me. Althought longevity isn't amazing, the scent is.

I was surprised by the initial (and lingering) sweetness. Although the notes themselves would seem to indicate a positive result, I found that this was too sweet on my skin. That's just me, though...
Go out and try it for yourself

Allure is anice scent though not so unique. It doesn't last long on me two or threes hours tops and no difussion.

"very excellent, once the commonplace topnotes dissipate" - very true. I found the fragrance very not-so-special at the first go but when it develops on the skin it is just amazing. I finished off the entire 100 ml edt and the cooling gel in spring/summer. What's more everyone was asking me what I was wearing. it made me feel really special. For those who want to try it only applying it on your skin will do.

Aside from Allure Homme Sport, this is the easiest Chanel to wear for the younger generation IMO. I know fragrances aren't limited to certain age groups, but this was the only Chanel I wore when I was a teenager. At the time it struck me as being the only Chanel frag that a young person could pull off. Keep in mind that I wasn't open to many different scents yet. It's a nice oriental that reminds me of caramel with a hint of coconut milk. I know it doesn't contain those notes but I'm always reminded of them. Yes, I know I'm weird.

very excellent, once the commonplace topnotes dissipate. On me it isdominated by pepper and tonka, like a grown-up, elegant rendition of the tonka-bomb that is Black Code. While it is undeniably classy, something would prevent me from wearing it to a black tie type thing. To me, it is the sexiest possible office scent. Not for the interview, but once you've got the job and have found an office crush, that's when Allure pays off big time. I'd call it a very safe blind buy.

Smells just like Boss Number 6, but less sweet. Very good scent.. even if unoriginal.

It's delicious. My wife loves it!

This is just a great scent. Just the right amount of sweet and fresh, with woods and soft pepper combined with a hint of fruits in a very classy composition. Thank You Chanel for not making a run-of the mill gragrance for men again!I am a big fan of the chanel's scents for men and this one does not dissapoint at all.

This is my everyday fragrance. I used to find it extremely boring but kept wearing it anyways because of the compliments I recieved. Then one day I started to notice how nice the blend of sweets and spices that it contains. Females just have a soft spot for this one guys.

To wear this, I should be sure that I`m in touch with my feminine side! Just because it`s Casanova-style fragrance - it fills you with seductive energy and make you feel like a understanding-all-she-says man!

Very good and masculine, falls in the classic/office category. Spicy and woody base, with hints of... olive leaves???

It's stock has gone way up in my books. I bought a bottle when it first came out but ended up selling it after barely using it as it was just too sweet to my nose. I enjoy it occasionally now, especially on cooler days. I think it's the pepper note that saved it form me...

i have bought this for several boyfriends to recapture the magic...doesnt always work well on all skins..but such a gorgeous scent. Wear it with courage. its heavenly and tres sexy

too sweet on my skin. not recommended for younger consumers

i dont' know how anyone could say this was masculine... for me it was way too sweet and girly. Its a high quality affair, some interesting notes, but in the end its a bit too sickly and just not for me.

Allure Homme is a wonderful fragrance. It is fresh and lively yet warm and sensual and almost sweet as the base notes develop and emerge after the fruity top notes. This fragrances can be casual or dressed up depending on the occasion. I find that it's composition also allows for it to be worn year round, day and night. Like all Chanel fragrances and even their makeup, this product lasts! Every man should own at least one Chanel fragrance.

So amazing how this scent captured the many different facets and personalities of men. It opens fresh and clean and dries down to a beautiful classic amber and tonka base to create it's seductive "Allure".

This is a wonderful fragrance. I think everyone, at one point, should own a bottle of Allure. Allure starts off with fresh and sparkling citrus notes. As the fragrance evolves, Allures Oriental nature starts to come out. It’s got a sweet tonka base with woody and earthy notes. The beauty of Allure is that the notes are defined enough that it smells like a very high quality fragrance. It’s not just a solid block of a fragrance like many designer fragrances; instead, it’s like a symphony of notes and accords that can be smelled by themselves, but when they all play together, it produces a wonderful fragrance. Allure is a great and very high quality fragrance.

In many ways a great end to the 90's. A decade that unforunately, and this is my private and subjective opinion, signaled the begining of a large-scale demise of the perfumery world. Of course created by master nose Polge, Allure stands as evidence that new ideas and concepts can be explored without losing the quality and feeling of consistency within a house. I'd say Allure was very original upon it's launch. Although not a gourmand per se, it is very strong and the tonka beans give it a sweet, powerful aura. There is also a persistent pepper accord that enhances an incredibly masculine feeling midst all the sweetness. I dismissed it's little brother, the sport version, when that came out. But I've reconsidered since the, even buying a bottle. The Sport edition tones down some of the original strength, but also adds a lovely milky note (similar to the one found in Diesel's ++) that sets it apart enough to own both.

Opens with a very clear cedar note and quickly mellows to a sharp spice. Useful for many occasions from dressy to casual. Very modern yet very Chanel.

This is the best men's cologne ever made. It is very masculine, but still embodies an herbal floral scent that is hard to beat. It makes my husband more kissable when he wears it!

The freshness is rounded with a synthetic sweetness with hints of peppery spiciness. After the drydown the synthetic sweetness is replaced with a more natural, warm sweetness which rounds out the woods. Highly versatile and definately alluring.

I love this cologne. It has a nice vanilla-like smell to it and it's not overpowering in my opinion. I'm buying this one first chance I get.

Allure Homme is one of the best perfums you can choose today. Spicy like champagne, sweet like a rose garden, and sexy & delicious like a vanilla cream!! The longlasting its amazing and the drydown very warm and sensual Nothing but quality here

WOW! Now this is a perfume! It is indescribably, like a spicy Grand cru Burgundy from Richebourg or Romanee-Conti. Multi-layered and very complex, this perfume oozes class. This is one of my top 5 perfumes, and it has beautiful length and evolves over 8 hours (fresh, florals, spicy, ripe fruits, all sorts of things). Just make sure you don't overspray it as it is quite powerful. The girls go gaga over this one when I wear it! Probably more suited to a big night than daytime but Chanel has really delivered the goods here. Very under-rated. Similar in style to the equally wonderful Versace's The Dreamer and Givenchy's Xeryus Rouge but fresher and less spicy and oriental. An exceptional mix.

Boring, common. A deception. for some people it can be considered it as elegant.

If you like Havana cigars then you'll like this because that's what I think of when I sniff it. There's a whiff of cedar too and a big whiff of quality. This is top stuff for making an impression. One of my stalwarts and highly recommended.

The top notes of citron zest and manadrin are very noticably fresh in this fine fragrance. It warms and rounds out a bit as the quiet pepper notes kick in. To drydown, the there is a fresh, softer side which appears. It is tempered by an underlying slight spicy greenness.
Overall, this is a very nice fragrance; however, it has nothing in common with Obsession whatsoever, in my view.
Top Notes
Bergamot, Mandarin, Citron Zest
Middle Notes
Jamaican Pepper
Base Notes
Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Tonka Bean, Labdanum

A Classy scent and long-lasting. Has a definite identity that differentiates itself from other fragrances.

I had a sample of this one. I do not happen to like it at all. It reminds me of one over-the-counter scent that I used to have and it something did not appeal to me. I will never buy this thing for myself - it is too not me (though I love Orientals)

Very sexy. This is Chanels best fragrance for men it smells all warm and yummy!! Thats from a girls point of view.

This opens up with a bright burst of citron-zest giving a fresh snappy tart note. It then dries down to a smooth caramel like aroma with lingering patchoili undertones.

Polges created this scent along with an advanced team from Chanel. Much research went into this fragrance it was developed at a private Island some where off of Greece. The scent is not designed like a pyramid with top, middle and bottom notes.
Instead it is designed like a multifaceted diamond when not one note goes away instead they keep bouncing off one another, the womans is designed the same way.
I also read in the article they had machines testing the scent on men while the walked tread mills to see if the scent would break down during physical excertion.
Chanel put a lot into this scent it was geared to the Western world. Very 2001 tech for Chanel huh...