212 Sexy Man (2006)
by Carolina Herrera

I used to love this when I was younger (16-18) because it was sweet and it smells fun. But it stops there, after wearing others since, I thought about purchasing it again, but it smells okay still, accept for one minor little thing which spoils it completely for me, the smell of wet cardboard, which I've heard is present in the womens version. You can smell it right away in the top notes, and though it may settle down to be nice and pleasant, the initial smell of wet cardboard puts me off. For a smell akin to this I would go for D&G The One, its not too far from it and it works better than this one.

Though this is a great teen fragrance, and I'd not even hesitate to buy it if I was a couple of years younger, or for someone younger than myself. But if you want something sexy and sophisticated, look away.

24th January, 2012.

This comes off being sweet in an unusual way . Smells synthetic and can get very cloying. Ladies seem to like this fragrance in a way I find difficult understanding. The maximum this lasted on me was an 2hrs.

26th January, 2011.

A fresh oriental, a risky kind of fragrances, difficult to break up, hard to be familiar with. I find 212 generic, cloying, too powdery and too kind of polite young teenager. I neither find it particularly sexy and cotroversial nor naughty- dangerous or dirty. It's like to savour a tasty candy. A green, citrusy opening let place to a floral, spicy heart in order to enter the smell in a ambery, oriental, woody base. The guaiac wood is prominent, many talk about odour of human sweat, i agree with them but i consider it a positive trait on a fragrance (Scent Intense comes to my mind for instance). The concern is that i find this scent having too many reminiscences (even if 212 doesn't develop as the following scents the bath foam effect) about Le Male, The Dreamer, 1 Million, Lempika au Masculine, Body Kouros (which one i appreciate), Bulgari Black and others. The concept is similar: spicy, aromatic, balsamic, camphoraceous or coniferous elements (mint, eucalipthol, lavender, cedar, pine, cypress, sometimes incense) on a woodsy, resinous, oriental (vanilla, benzoin, resins, woods, amber) base. Yes, they are captivating at the beginning but some of them as after shower, as antidote for the depression or if you decide to stay at home delighted on your couch. These are too dusty, too creamy and almost edible, too kind of Talco smell. Not my cup of tea for a night out for sure. 

15th January, 2011. (Last Edited: 22nd November, 2011.)

this is a complete headache provoker to me. its smell smells cheap chocolet body sprays and its a complete no no for me. i sprayed it on my once and it last a long time though which became a huge pain for me for the whole day ... i rather like carolin herera 212 original one very much.

30th December, 2010.

Smells like lipstick rubbed on arm pits. Boo

30th November, 2010.

Positive: If you like sweet fragrances, then this may appeal to you. Apparently some women like it.

Possible Drawback: Be aware that there will be people who hate this smell. The spicy note makes it smell like bad body odor to me.

Overall: Some people like this, so I would give it a try. An individual's body chemistry will make the scent smell slightly different on each person.

12nd July, 2010.