Reviews of Lalique pour Homme (1997)
by Lalique

From the outset the vanilla is barely noticeable, becoming more apparent later on in its subtle but farely long life. The iris and jasmine more so, so is the floral nature of this fragrance. I, being a bloke, rather like flowers in my smells, such as the iris in Dior Homme and in Cacharel Pour Homme without anyone making any comments as to whether I am on the soft side. In the early days of perfumery, perfumes were JUST for men and were predominantly floral in nature. So there. This fragrance is indeed smooth, smells of sophistication, class and is decidedly sweet, non citrussy or fresh and is suited to either daytime or evening wearing. At the moment, the vanilla base hasn't held me hostage nor whacked me for six; it is subtle and the classic basenotes creep up on you in a very well paced and well blended manner. For me its a great scent with subtle to moderate sillage but try before you buy as goes the old adage here on Basenotes.

Top note : Bergamot, Mandarin, Lavender, Coriander
Middle note : Pepper, Anise, Geranium
Base note : Cedar, Sandal, Amber, Vanilla

I admit that Chanel Allure homme has been one of my guilty pleasures. Its not the most remarkable fragrance, but it wears remarkably well on me, has ample depth, is suitable for all occasions, and that milky oriental woody spicy accord is tenacious yet never overbearing. Its a workman-like fragrance like a studious student who does follows instructions to a tee, is clinincal in his execution and understanding of concepts, yet lacks a creative spark. A student who takes his mentors work and keeps building on it throughout his career, never diverging from the well set path . Enter Lalique pour homme, the mentor of Allure homme.

Lalique pour homme smells similar to Allure homme. Considering that it was launched in 1997 and Allure homme in 1999, it seems that Polge was "inspired" by Roucel's juice in the fancy crystal bottle. Add a dash of a porous lavender note to the fresh burst of allure's citrus opening and you have Lalique's opener. Mildly spicy heart notes power both the fragrances, although the cedar is more prominent in Lalique. The distinctive sweet woody spicy milky oriental accord is present in both, but its heavier, richer and better blended in Allure. The reticent vetiver in Allure adds a touch of earthy woodiness to the tonka + santal + vanilla drydown, while the cedar in Lalique keeps things lighter, airier, fresher. Lalique is your late night sensual madame being graceful and ladylike. Allure is the lady of the night (no not those kind!).

So there you have it. The most "creative" mens fragrance from Chanel within the past decade or so was actually by Maurice Roucel not Jacques Polge. However, I prefer Allure homme to Lalique because of its richer composition and depth, but many might prefer Lalique's lighter, cleaner rendition of this oriental woody smell. Maurice Roucel is the Super Mario of the perfume world in more ways than one. Still, Super Mario was the original platformer and deserves a thumbs up for all the other platformers it has inspired !

I am a newbie to basenotes and fragrances. The noses that most people have on here are just unbelievable to me. All I can say about this Lalique is that it is absolutely wonderful to me. It is spicy and sweet and I can't stop smelling my wrist. My problem is that it lasts about 2 hours on me and has very little projection and I have the parfum. I will give a thumbs up though just because it smells so good.

Lalique Homme .. A very classy, well made, smooth tinker, which has a sailor and spy chucked in there for good measure. I have just purchased a brand new heavily discounted bottle and on the first test I was neutral until it began to descend into the darkness of itself. Absolutely expensive in its presentation, though remaining controlled through its various transformations I am hooked. In the office I got a come on from the girls and the what is it ? response. Its no surprise i will keep them guessing. Pure genius, nothing less.

For years I longed for a bottle I finally received one as a swap. Remembering very faintly of how it smelled, on the first spray of the Eau de Parfum I was taken aback from the most sharpest topnotes I had ever smelled in my life! Rosemary and lavender exponentially burst into the air with the help of the mandarin and grapefruit. It could cut glass. After about 20 minutes emerges one of the most beautiful compositions my nose has ever experienced, I don't quite know how to describe it, but based on the notes offered in the pyramid, I suppose you can call it an oriental chypre-fougere. Powdery, sweet and woodsy, warm jasmine and iris play off of the outdoorsy coolness of red cedar, like on a misty cold morning, like the first glimpse of the sun through a forest. Literally hours and hours later, comes the most sensual basenotes, hushed and intimate after a parade of grand sillage beforehand, amber vanilla patchouli and sandalwood are combined with oakmoss with the greatest skill. On the whole, the notes do not fall over or smear into each other, they remain distinct in fact, I think it's what give it its textured quality, a beautifully calculated bouquet. It reminds me of the outdoorsy quality in Rocabar with the longevity and presence of Polo Crest and Giorgio for Men, and the refinement of Habit Rouge and Chanel's Egoiste. A true powerhouse! NO, you don't have to be 50 to wear this, but I think a natural sophistication about yourself will do. I think the most remarkable thing about this fragrance is its artistry in how warm, cool, and effervescent tones play off each other giving it such a rich texture. You cherish the moments when you find a fragrance like this that fits your own skin and personality. Thumbs held up way high over my head!

A well balanced of variety notes... Lalique pour Homme was quite a surprise. Starts with rosemary, lavender and citrusy undertone, and dries very softly with vanilla, musk... and a bit creamy tone. Lalique pH smells old fashion... it is like some high-class old smells, but in a classy, worthy way. To me it is nearly niche fragrances, besides my four favourite: Creed, Lutens, L'Artisan and Diptyque, yet it's surpasses all other Lalique main line... Why? because it's my favorite to wear in office and especial wear, also in evenings. I think that many good fragrances have a lack of longevity, but at least on my skin longevity of this fragrance is amazingly good. Overall this one is a perfect scent, without having problems. It's truly unique and pleasant in especial situations. Lalique (Lion) perhaps is one of the best 90's and now I think it must be worn on a favorite overcoat or T-shirt! Great for all time.

This is a truely beautiful scent. Its unique, clean and just smells like you are gonna buy something outrageously expensive at Southeby's! Very nice to impresse someone without the run of the mill fragrance houses. Sublime WOW factor 8

When I first tested the three Laliques, the one I was the least impressed with was Pour Homme (Lion). Now it’s my favorite of the set. Lalique Pour Homme (EDP) is a remarkably smooth fragrance. I can’t call it ‘subtle,’ that isn’t the word because this is not a shrinking violet scent—it has plenty of presence and strength and it lasts almost forever. It’s not subtle, it’s smooth—it’s fluent, polished, and assured—it presents a rippleless persona. The notes in the accords are remarkably muted into elegant and lustrous understatements—understatements that unflinchingly broadcast themselves with directness and confidence. It’s a power scent that says of the wearer, “I don’t need others to know that I have the power.”

I will never ever be without a bottle. This smoother-than-silk potion is intoxicating. Ethereal.

This is a fabulous scent featuring an artful, complex but bittersweet unity of traditional masculine notes. A virile melange of musk, amber, and patchouli are softened by subtle mandarin; the vanilla is also an effective softening device but is barely detectable. The rosemary note is quite strong on me and contributes to the "leathery" description which many have cited. Lalique is powerful and harnesses the essence of early 20th century aristocracy with a modern edge reminiscent of freshly printed greenbacks. Spray a tiny dot of this this fragrance onto your skin the next time you shop; the conventional method of sniffing the tester or a test card does no justice for the complexity of this powerful, commanding scent. If you like the concept of this fragrance but feel it is too strong, I suggest trying Lalique Le Faune; the same base is there, but the top notes are sweeter and softer.

One of the best scent I have smelled in a while, great quality, very classy definetly up there with the Cartiers, and even some Creeds

a very nice sweet fragrance, but not too heavy. Think of Guerlains Shalimar, but a lighter male version. Hold on to the bottle as Lalique crystal is very collectible!

The best of the Lalique line, IMHO! Very masculine and classy. It has a great, subtle floral component and an ambery patchouli base, very long-lasting and warm-feeling.