Reviews of Bijan for Men (1981)
by Bijan

Just this week I decided to revisit Bijan Men in earnest, and bought a small bottle at Marshalls for $12. Just a few months ago, I wrote a review here completely trashing this fragrance. It was a sincere review at the time, but since then I've had some opportunities to retry it using lighter sprays.

No other fragrance I've ever tried is as temperamental as Bijan Men - one spritz too many can be the difference between it smelling like a smoky but elegant woody chypre and smelling like a can of Raid. No other fragrance I've tried requires careful application more than Bijan Men. It is probably the loudest, most potent fragrance I have ever worn, surpassing even Kouros and Oscar de la Renta Pour Lui in its sheer power. It has 24-hour longevity, and the word "sillage" does not adequately describe its radiance - we're talking nuclear fallout here. This stuff is scary strong.

That being said, if this is worn sparingly, Bijan Men is a unique and very virile woody chypre. It's dense and complex (very 80s), and devoid of sweetness. It has a dark and extremely bitter oakmoss and patchouli base, which is quite prominent and is what I like most about this scent. Its dark green, bitter base creates a drydown that is reminiscent of the drydowns in scents like Van Cleef & Arpels Pour Homme, Balenciaga Pour Homme, and Lapidus Pour Homme, though it doesn't really smell like those fragrances.

Overall, I've had a big change of heart with Bijan Men. I now realize that if you spray this on lightly, it's an excellent fragrance. On the other hand, I still believe that it's perhaps the most vile stench I've ever smelled if overapplied. Few other scents teeter on a mere spritz like Bijan Men does.

Thumbs up now.

No, this isn't for the guys who want to smell like flower gardens, watermelons or the ocean. To my nose, it screams INCENSE, the kind that fills the church during a Christmas service. Accordingly, Bijan for Men delivers a sense of dignity and refinement depicted by men in suits, but with a sense of emotional warmth rather than aloof detachment. Moved to a more casual setting, the fragrance provides an aura of calm and quiet strength. Not everyone will have the wherewithal to pull it off. To be sure, Bijan must be used sparingly. Too much enthusiasm with the plunger could lead to mass murder by toxic gas, or at least death of the wearer at the hands of bystanders in the name of self-preservation. But because it is superb when used correctly, it holds a place of honor in Powerhouse Row, right next to my Grey Flannel and Quorum. If the young bucks believe Bijan is only for the elders, so be it. Perhaps this is a scent that has to be earned.

On a practical note, Bijan for Men might be what tobacco smokers are looking for on the Basenotes boards. Though extremely potent, Bijan doesn't overwhelm or cut through tobacco smoke as much as absorb it, coating it with a dry, faintly sweet finish that renders it almost inoffensive (though still not safe). Try it and see.

Thumbs way up for those who can believe in being both daring and restrained at the same time!

The nutmeg in the opening will bowl you over. (If you have nostrils, that is.)

Still, this one's worth waiting on, as it possesses a pretty darned good Eighties take on sandalwood, oakmoss (LOTS OF IT) and amber. I pick up only a little lemon and even less musk here.

Make no mistake, though -- no matter what you may think of our boy Bijan, it is undeniable that over-applying may result in the loss of limbs, as your colleagues and friends will tear you apart for having bathed in Bijan. In short, apply with the greatest of caution.

I'm going to give this one a neutral, though, as few out there will apply it lightly. Most will spray on too much, thus rendering their homes, cars and offices uninhabitable for hours on end.

an arabian pirate from those johnny depp movies would love this. strong and masculine sweet. a bit dated and i can't see anybody under 35 wearing this.3 of the middle notes are commonly used as base notes. that ain't right!!!!!

"OPEN SESAME!" commanded the leader of the forty thieves and Ali Baba complied, giving up his treasures over and over again. The next morning, in the dim light of the cave, Ali Baba slept like a babe in the redolent musk of his forty masters, now turned slaves of a kind. His nostrils filled with the Arabian Night before and the funky morning after.

This scent, to me, is a vile abomination; very shameless, very unrefined, very dumb. Now, with due respect to those posters who give this a good mark, I can see the aesthetic and artisan merit of Bijan. In another time and another place, I bet this was king. However, all pleasantries associated with this scent are trampled and sodomized by its aggressive nature.

1) Yes, my taste has most likely been (inadvertently) bent by the decade's long wave of modern fresh scents.

2) But, No, this consideration does not make me any more forgiving of this crime against humanity that is Bijan for men.

I love this frag. It has just the right amount of nutmeg,sandalwood and vetiver for me. Too much nutmeg in any frag ruins it for me, but not in Bijan.

The musk and vanilla that appear an hour later is definitely good to go as well. This is definitely not for the subtle,aquatic folks. I like it that it's a boisterous scent and perhaps a little busy.

Everything isn't for everybody, that's for sure.

Wow! This one most certainly is loud and obnoxious. I do not see the relevance today, back in the day I can see where it fit in, but now, nope.

IMO, this is just plain yucky, not for me at all.

LOL, more power to those that love this 80's power scent, but I'll pass. :-)

Lavender, oakmoss and sandalwood are the primary players here yet I can detect a number of other notes that dance around throughout. When I first tried this a while ago I first thought this was just another oakmoss fragrance like Paco Rabanne pour Homme or a lighter Drakkar Noir... no way, the sandalwood is the predominant player here and it's like the sandalwood in Lacoste (original). The lemon is replaced with sharp herbals and becomes an overall wonderful experience to enjoy.

Bold? Well it does have extraordinary sillage. I believe this is the only review in which I thoroughly agree with everything everyone has said, both good and bad. If you wish to leave a trail of strong yet sweetened fumes as you walk through a corridor, this is it. On the other hand perhaps you should avoid corridors or any closed in spaces altogether.

You know, sometimes I like this—it certainly makes a statement! Bold and aggressive, Bijan pushes the envelope, but one doesn’t know exactly where or why it’s pushing. This probably doesn’t matter because, apparently, pushing is enough. There is something about Bijan for Men that speaks volumes. The aromas are very catching, quite intriguing—no doubt about it. But they are not specifically beautiful, they are not exactly smooth, they are not really artistic. They aren’t traditional, and they are not trend setting. And they say nothing about the wearer except what he is messaging: “I am invading your space…because it’s there."

By FAR the BEST of all the Bijan fragrances. All I can say is that it reminds me of Golden Sunspice! A very "California" fragrance. A fragrance to be worn by the Jet Set and people of great wealth. Yes, it is THAT original. I have not smelled anything like it, not even Bel Ami by Hermes (which has a lot more of a leather note). This Bijan is spicy not leathery. It is a rich, sharply-dressed Californian man bottled. A true WINNER!

Wow. Perhaps the most "masculine" scent I have tried to date. Definitely the most "80s." If you're old enough - and American enough - to remember the show "Magnum P.I.," this is the scent that Magnum's friend Rick would have worn to the nightclub. It would also have been the scent of Larry from the show "Three's Company." I spray it on, and immediately I think of hairy men with big gold chains, the top three buttons on their shirts unbuttoned (and for some reason that also reminds me of Croatia). I also think of cigarettes and smoking, and wonder if that may be part of the reason these 70s and 80s frags are so loud and huge - they had to compete with the ubiquitous smoking of the day.

I was surprised at the way the vetiver in this leapt out at me. I was expecting something a little sweeter, and smoother. As Foetidus says, this isn't really smooth, and it's not really artistic or creative. It's just BIG. I know the notes list nutmeg, and other reviewers have commented on the nutmeg, but to me it smells a little more like coriander. Whatever it is, it is LOUD for the first 30 minutes or so. Maybe that has something to do with the vetiver and patchouli that are also obvious in the mix. So too is the sandalwood. Pretty much everything traditionally masculine seems to be tossed together into one BIG scent. It's loud, and yes, it does seem to wear the wearer, it does invade others' space just because it's there, it would not be good for the office, but it would be good, as Christof says, for a full day alone, at home. Or maybe when you want others to notice your fragrance BIG time or just want to invade their space because you can.

An interesting blend of superfresh soap and natural man musk. It's like a dirty joke whose punch line relies on a play of words.

Bought a bottle at Ebay to try it out after watching a TV-program on Mr Bijan's exclusive Rodeo Dr. store... I was excited to say the least and opened the quite interestingly folded box, watched the bottle and thought...hmmm...a doughnut and a golfball...hmmm...why not!? When trying the fragrance it stood clear just after one wiff, definately an 80's type of smell, very pungent and somewhat old fashioned... The actual blend of notes makes me think of middle eastern gentlemen, with lots of pomade and a blend of spices picked up at the last visit to the local bazaar. Nothing for me at this point in life...but maybe later when the smell receptors starts to wear out...

Resting his poor, misshapen body by the great bells, how often Quasimodo smelled this scent drifting up to his cot in the cathedral's dome! It spoke to him of that world he saw every day but scarcely understood: rich, royal, powerful and superb.
The Cardinal in consultation with the King. The red and purple robes. The gold brocade and ermine. The lines of nobles and wealthy merchants taking their places in the pews. The rising haze of incense. The hierarchy of rank and privilege. Princes, Ministers, Councillors.
This scent, musty and weighty, rich with incense and spice - it even penetrated his dreams. With a sigh, the hunchbacked bellringer returned to his pauper's supper of grey bread and mouldy cheese.

Yeah, yeah, its 80s and strong and whatever, whatever...BUT
Hmmm with the right approach this one is a genius scent> I imagine it as a morning scent which develops through the day.
Not for work. no. sunday morning. breakfast / coffee smell lingering in the house, kids are out already in the backyard playing. The night before you have just discovered how wonderful it still is to be with your wife/partner and it makes you feel balanced and comfortable. Its gonna be an active day enjoying it in and outside of the house. Probably even some guest/friends will come by in the afternoon. Some good music plays, sunlight hits your eyes gently and you get up being enthusiatic about today. Optimism and appreciation fills you coming out from the bathroom ready to take your place at the breakfast table. You get a kiss from you loved one while suddenly your little girl comes in, accross the room, suddenly stops and huggs you "hmm daddy smell" with a big smile.

Thats how I imagine Bijan. What a fantastic fragrance it is!

A good scent. Heavy sandalwood note very reminiscent of Hermes Belami, but a little sexier and not quite so refined. Holds up well, smells retro, and has a nice, softer drydown.

Difficult to get hold of in the UK. I can't wear this very often as it kind of wears YOU, but it's bold, brash and gets you noticed.The first hour or so can be a bit harsh, but the drydown is lovely. Don't wear it on public transport.

Classic, manly scent. Not for the faint of heart, as it is quite bold. Lasts a long time, and great for special evening occasions.

If there was a hustler in men's frangrances this is it. It's loud, it's brash, it's offensive and it's rude. Great looking bottle, but no brains. Way too spicy, way too sweet, way too strong.