Tribute (1991)
by Mary Kay

A forgotten power scent from the early 90s, but which is clearly in the style of the early 80s. Fans of Sung Homme, Giorgio For Men, or any other strong 80s frags that are heavy on the oakmoss, patchouli and sandalwood should dig this. Tribute is EXTREMELY old school.

I am really surprised that oakmoss and leather are not listed as notes, because Tribute has a very green mossy smell from beginning to end, and there is a strong smell reminiscent of old worn leather during the first hour or so. Patchouli gives this the macho 80s bite, and the sandalwood rears its head in the excellent mossy drydown about three hours into this scent.

I must mention one thing: DO NOT sample this on paper. Only sample it on your skin. On a smelling strip, it smells cheap, synthetic, harsh and disgusting. I would not have bought this if I'd sampled it on paper. On skin, it's like a whole different fragrance: warm, well balanced, herbal and green.

Powerhouse nuts will probably love this, as I do, because it has all-day longevity and throws off some nice Power. I have to think that if this had a YSL or Givenchy label, rather than Mary Kay, this would have been a hit in the 80s. Luckily MK still makes this, so Power fans should stock up.

MY RATING: 8.5/10

22nd June, 2010.

One site mentions Tribute's form Men notes including bergamot, lime, mandarin, sandalwood, patchouli and vetiver; another one adds to the previous ones oranges.

I would not describe the opening as nice, there is a plastic-like note that does not do any kind of favor to mid and base notes for it gives the impression that the blend will be a failure to my olfactive senses. But as soon as this fades away (a matter of minutes) T shows a more harmonious composition, even though at first impression the mandarin and the vetiver might be regarded as non complementary notes. As the composition moves to the mid notes, T morphs into a dryer / darker direction, to some extent in a similar way to classical fragrances. There is a talcum powder feeling reminiscent of scents launched in the 1930's like Canoe or Zizanie, maybe due to the patchouli and the sandalwood with the addition of bergamot, this contributing to a more updated feeling.

Of course, we are talking about Mary Kay here, and this might have an impact on the perception of the blend. Believe me, I am trying to be as objective as possible: I think this is worth a try since I can't recall similar scents. So, to the extent of my knowledge, I must praise its originality - as long as I am not missing trying scents akin to it.

18th November, 2009.

This was green and harsh, as I recall, and the juice was dark green (i.e. the color of a Paco Rabanne bottle). It fell into a dark piney green scent category that I would normally like if it weren't so crudely done. It's a strong one indeed, but very chemically.

14th February, 2009.

I accidentally got to sample this on my hand, while trying to spray a tester card. Tribute is not a fragrance for wallflowers or for people whose occupations require stealth, as whoever wears this will be smelled 500 feet away, with no wind. After it dries down from the bergamot, it smells a lot like an earthy pile of fresh mown lawn clippings. It lasts forEVER.

28th November, 2008.