M7 (2002)
by Yves Saint Laurent

Yes! Yes! Yes! M7, the rich oriental seducer! When I first started indulging my interest in fragrances, I stumbled upon a tester of M7. My nose did not know what to make of it, except that I found it intensely attractive. The citrus-rosemary opening spills into the agarwood and vetiver mid notes as M7 takes on a heavy, cherry accord before the woody notes ever so deftly move into the forefront. Some may find this medicinal and off-putting. However, in the case of M7, it's best to take your medicine and feel the well-being as it oozes through your pores and into your mind. M7 is a scent that isn't easily forgotten, for better or for worse. This is an unabashedly sexy, masculine fragrance that has so much to offer, if only you'll take your medicine.

13rd December, 2011.

(Original Formulation) I am lucky to have stumbled upon a very nearly completely full original formulation 3.3oz tester for 10, yes, 10 US dollars.

The first time I wore this, it was summer in Florida. One half-spray to one wrist. After about 20 minutes, I had to scrub it off, but it was to no avail. Somehow, that tiny little spray was completely overwhelming, and was actually nauseating. And it stayed. forever. I put this one in my winter area and decided I would revisit it when it was a bit colder.

Fast-forward to fall, and it's 59 degrees for one night only. I decide to wear this. It was a bit more wearable, but still way too strong. There was just no way for me to judge if I liked it or not; it was just too humid outside and still too strong. It wasn't like anything I've smelled before, that's for sure. I again was forced to put it on the shelf.

Now, 2 months later, it's finally getting below 50 degrees at night here and it's not quite 100% humidity. I apply one spray to my chest. It's still strong, but this time, I finally can smell it all without it being way too cloying. And what do I discover but beautiful, intoxicating, woody bliss. Yes, I love it. Even though it's obviously not made for my climate, it will be very popular in my winter rotation this year.

Notes listed on the side of my tester:

"Fresh, Woody, Sensual
Bergamot,
Agarwood,
Vetyver, Amber"

The opening is fresh and green moldy cellar cabinets in an abandoned building. I can't really describe how beautiful this smells, but that's how good it is. As the bergamot fades, there is a bit of the awkward, medicinal, almost burnt-sugar-but-not-sweet phase that is beguiling and beautiful. Then all of a sudden, BAM! Magical, intoxicating, woody bliss. Like a fire burning in an alaskan forest, only completely sexy. Fresh, Woody, Sensual, indeed.

The best part? It lasts forever. You can't get it to stop if you want to. It lingers after two showers. If you sprayed this on your shirt and left it with a significant other after a romantic evening, I can nearly guarantee they would be wearing it later. And it is so strong! This stuff is going to be impossible to use up.

1st December, 2011.

So this is a sillage and longevity bomb. This stuff stays on you forever. I sprayed it on the back of my hand to give it a try and 10 hours later i sit here writing this still smelling it. I also tried to wash it off twice by scrubbing the back of my hand. Still smell it. One word to describe this......Agarwood. All of the other notes kind of bounce around but the wood is what you have to like. If you have never smelt it before you must try. some people love it, others hate it. basically its what hapens to very certain and specific types of wood after it gets an infection in the tree. Its been used throughout history as a fragrance, incense, etc. I have tried to like it, but this is the last time i will try it. This is for an older gentlemen, 40 and up. If you are 20 and wearing this you are bold, or you are trying to attract a grandma. It is rugged, masculine, cigar bar, and very unique. very unique. someone mentioned a gasoline note....i can see that. it is wood, wood, wood....end of story. if you like it...you'll love it, if you hate it, it will make you puke. Try before you buy. it is very high quality. for me....no. i give this a thumbs up for what it is.....it is great quality....i just dont like it. so its neutral.

20th November, 2011.

Thank you, Tom Ford. Will this fragrance please everyone? No. Will it please those who prefer that which is bland, safe and accepted? No. This fragrance is for rakish men. James Bond would wear this with a tuxedo. This is for type-A, daring types: a fellow reviewer keenly opined that M7 is the fragrance the devil would wear. Correct. Smoky, syrupy, medicinal, rich, warm and sensuous. Imagine a bowl of cherries, doused with wine, marinating in a cathedral stone room in which incense burns.... After a couple of hours of use, I detect an array of scents--uncommon scents--which, to me, is a reflection
of luxury and high quality. Bravo. "The great will always soar above the mediocre. They create while others destroy."

11th October, 2011.

M7 is a part of a perfume history for sure.
This scent is still odd while it passes about ten years from the day it'd been launched. Odd, monster and erotic; a lady trap. But of course disturbing as well. Actually the border between being lovely or hateful is narrower than string.
This is extremely oriental, extremely woody and dusty which reminds desert evening when it's going to get cool but is still hot. This scent is both modern and classic.

25th September, 2011.

In my top 5. This reminds me of a Funky House Bar. Its usually where I wear it. When im looking to pull the moves, seductive and sensual lol =) Love the smell of agarwood, really gives it a peppery wood smell kind of like mixing basil/black pepper and patchouli together... with the added oils of the other sweet ingredients and freshness of rosemary... the mixture always gets noticed..

A real classy, sensual man's fragrance!

27th August, 2011.