Reviews of Uomo? Moschino (1997)
by Moschino

Ken_Russel said: "Rather a concept fragrance, an unusual experiment than the classic formal-wear cologne... A revolutionary scent that will render your everyday life(if you decide to wear it regularly) into anything else but daily grind, into a sweet-spicy adventure or joyride." On the other hand, in the perfume guide book, Tania Sanchez calls it a generic masculine fragrance. How can this be? I think there are two possibilities. Either this one is really dependent upon "skin type" or else the way this fragrance is perceived varies widely, from person to person, depending upon slight differences in how we interpret smell. For me, there is a dessert-like quality to U?M, perhaps like lemon meringue, but there is also a woody quality, herbs, etc. It's not especially sweet, but for those who are used to non-sweet fragrances, it might seem sweet. For me, it's not sweet, because I like sweet fragrances and this one does not come across to me as particularly sweet. I do like a fragrance that is a bit "challenging," but in a "swirling" way, meaning that I can't pin it down and it's enjoyable. U?M is more up front in how it challenges you, almost as if it's saying, "I'm going to throw all these different notes at you and you've got to figure out what to do with them." Since it's strong, I suggest one spray on your first sampling, not on your chest though, and don't blind buy a big bottle. My verdict is neutral, because this is interesting and not horrible (if you don't use too much), but it generates an experience that I don't find optimal, and since I have so many fragrances now that do, I don't think I'd use this more than once every couple of months (or more).

Soap on a rope. This is very plain, simple and safe. Wear it for the office when you need to cover up odors you forgot to wash off that morning. Won't turn heads but is a decent fragrance. I have no idea what is up with the question mark in the name. Notes of soapy florals with citrus that dries down into an ugly woody musk.

It's hard to add upon what foetidus and toadkings have said, but I only add and say that this one just doesn't work on me. As a fragrance, I would put it in the same realm as Rykiel Homme, Gaultier le male, or Philosophy Amen, but this one has an odd note (something particularly synthetic) that makes the sweetness have a slight bitterness over time that isn't very pleasant. I think I see what Moschino was trying to do with this one, but also think that it is done better elsewhere (I like any of those mentioned above much better).

I have developed a love-hate relationship with this smell. It has an interesting contrast between sweet and spicy that makes it pretty unique. I tend to dislike overbearing sweet frags and Uomo? Moschino is just sweet enough to fit the bill. Whenever I put on this frag I can’t help but feel like an Italian gigolo. It’s best described as an Italian man candy scent. Putting this cologne on the top notes hit me and for the first 10 minutes, a weird smell of lemon Lysol is all I can get from this cologne. This is probably due to the notes of kumquat and Coriander. This part of the cologne does not really strike me a pleasant and I am turned off by it every time I put it on. Thankfully, the middle and heart notes come in to save the day. Without them, this scent would be an average scent that brings nothing to the table. The notes of cinnamon and cyclamen give off a sweet spicy and floral smell that is pre-dominantly sweet. The note of lemon is always lurking in the background during the time the scent is on my skin. This is where the progression of the scent stops for me. It might get more spicier with a note of cedar wood but it sweetness sticks to my skin and never lets go. This is not a bad scent but it is nothing special for me either. I would suggest this cologne for someone who does like sweet smelling fragrances or scents that smell very lemony. If you like scents with more spice and woody smells, then Uomo? Moschino will not cut it.

Uomo? Moschino has quite interesting and engaging spicy / floral-with-a-touch-of-citrus openers. The use of cinnamon with clary sage and ‘transparent coriander’ creates a rather edgy accord that straddles the line between intriguing and revolting; the problem is that when I apply it in the morning, I don’t know which of the two directions it’s going to choose that day. It is a moody fragrance, or maybe I’m projecting my own lack of grasp on it (whether it’s citrus, floral, spice, or herbal dominant—not that it matters when it takes the ‘intriguing’ route.) But on those rare occasions when it decides to turn on me, it’s scary. It can get really rude. Well, it does add intrigue and suspense to those days I’m daring enough to apply it. Whenever I use this scent, I feel like I’m being the unwitting dupe of some kind of inside joke.

I used to like it, but find this one temperamental on my skin. Quite loud and pungent, and dires down a bit harsh on me. Interesting cinnamon and wood blend over musk and herbs, but what the heck is a "sunshine accord"?