Reviews of Fuel For Life pour Homme (2007)
by Diesel

Notes:
Top: Anise, Grapefruit
Middle: Lavender, Raspberry
Base: Heliotrope, Wood notes

Fuel for life homme (FLH), an aromatic-fougere by Firmenich wizards Annick Menardo and Jacques Cavallier, may boast a somewhat attractive whisky-flask bottle with a rough military skin but contains a surprisingly juicy and cheery juice which would make metrosexuals everywhere giddy with delight. This disconnect hints at something ...that FLH is only the latest vehicle to transport the latest Firmenich aromachemical to the masses, the aromachemical in this case being Frambinone(R) which has a fruity-raspberry-musky aroma profile (hence the 'raspberry' in the pyramid).

FLH opens with a pleasant and clear grapefruit and anise combo, the tangy sweetness of anise eradicating any possible acidic tones of the grapefruit. From there FLH reveals more depth in the form of a lavender note which immediately ushers your nose to Frambinone, errr, the musky raspberry note. Frambinone is not your garden variety uber sweet raspberry..rather it has an interesting balsamic base (so to speak) which results in a fruity-spiced woods effect. Nice, but not nice enough to be the showcase note with a 3rd rate supporting cast. And then the show ends with 'generic woods' as in many other fragrances flooding the market (is it Saffraliene(R)?), with little to no heliotrope sweetness to prevent FLH from descending into the mundane tier. But its too late: the attractive bottle has lured you in and the dichotomy of the army-cool and raspberry-happy juice stumped you long enough for you to fork over your hard earned cash to the cashier. And off go the Firmenich scientists to invent another aromachemical. The cycle repeats again...

Rating: 6.00/10.00

I tested this again recently, but my impression of it still remains unchanged. This is candied and fruity, and definitely not for me, I could hardly detect the lavender on skin. I can see how this can be popular, it is pleasant to the nose, but not something I want to smell of.

Too many people complaining about this frag. I get the most compliments from this than any of my niche fragrances which cost 5 times as much. Its masculine but has somewhat of a seductive smell to it as well. Someone said its smells of "Italian" I guess I see what they mean but this is a perfect frag for 20s age group and doesn't cost a whole lot either. Staying power is decent for an EdT

It opens with a somewhat fresh citrus and anise (mercifully light on the synthetic anise) accord. The opening presents something interesting at first… it’s a little different and quite pleasant… until it begins to get a rather strong synthetic feel to it. Then I think that it becomes another one of the dozens of tedious synthetic openings. As usual, the lavender in the citrus / sweet spicy accord interferes with my appreciation of it – It’s ok, but I just don’t care very much for the combination and would like it better sans lavender. The mid accord is mainly a sweet floral extension of the opening... Again, I feel neutral about it. The ambry base improves the movement of the fragrance somewhat, but doesn’t offer much longevity on my skin. The base is the element of the fragrance that I prefer the most… it has a little more substance to it via the wood, even though it is similar to the accords that preceded it.

Diesel Fuel for Life comes across to me as pretty much a repeat of several other sweet, fruity fragrances out there. It is not unique, but it has some good points to it and should be tested out by a person who likes fruity-sweet fragrances.

If you like Body Kouros, and Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin, whick are all Annic Menardo’s creations this is definetely the one that you will like, too. Diesel Fuel For Life is an exceptionally long lasting fragrance with pretty much sillage. It is more fruity and fresher than the other two.

Whilst i'm fond of Anise there's something very wrong here. After 20 minutes this becomes so overly sweet and cloying that I just wanted to wash it off. This fragrance lacks development and has something of an imature feel about it. Over 18's need not apply!

Fuel for Life is a sweet, fruity fougere that’s not too far removed from the Green Irish Tweed/Cool Water clan, made distinct by an unusually smooth and creamy texture. (The heliotrope?) Like many of this ilk, it has a chemical overtone, but it’s less distracting here than in some other examples of the breed. Despite its tough guy packaging, Fuel for Life is a very affable fragrance with moderate projection and reasonable lasting power. Its development is more-or-less linear, so if you enjoy it when it goes on, you’ll probably still enjoy it three hours later. All told I think Fuel for Life is a versatile, pleasant, if somewhat utilitarian, fragrance. If you like this sort of thing you could do much worse.

I like it! The Aniseed and Raspberry make a nice sweet combination and the woodsy drydown is really pleasant. It's by far the best Diesel fragrance I have tried thus far!

love at first sniff for me. this baby is actually quite original - anyone who says it smells like "any other fresh scent" is not paying close enough attention. the use of raspberry gives it a fruity touch that is quite unique (in the same way that pear in Dior's "Higher" was quite original), and the anise offers a very different cooling effect to the usual mint that one finds more commonly. the combination is clean, yet rich and quirky.

the light touch with the fruit notes makes this much more subtle than past Diesel male fragrances, which have either been cloyingly sweet (e.g. Green) or over-the-top gourmandy (zero plus, zero plus plus.)

so - i like it. give it a shot if you're willing to judge it on its own merits. if you're going to leap to judgements anyway because it's Diesel and therefore must be only for shallow skinny twenty-somethings, or if you thought that Dior's "higher" was a fresh scent like any other and didn't appreciate the pear - pass this one by.

Update 07/09: Hmm, my fondness for this frag has petered out after the first few months. It's still quite inventive, but I find it a bit overwhelmingly synthetic and harsh. And the sweetness -- while not excessive -- has the same dry high-pitched aggressiveness as other "young" sweet scents like Black XS or Zero Plus Plus. On balance, I'd say this is more of a cold-weather scent -- and you'd better like it, because it's so powerful that it'll be radiating its sweet fruity waves at you for hours.

This is one of those dangerous colognes that smell great on a card for a few minutes but when you wear it, it's another story. It has a "sickening sweetness" that is a bit off putting and has you wondering if you are offending anyone nearby. I normally love lavender but it is too potent here along with the anise. The rasberry just puts it way over the top. After trying it for one day back it went (exchanged for the much more mature Pour Monsieur). This is truly for someone in their early twenties who goes clubbing very weekend.

I give it 3 stars because the longevity is excellent (way over 8 to 10 hours). It would be tolerable if toned down some.

Smells like warm, powdery skin. And bubble gum. Its good. The bottle is a great addition, and it fits. Its not a very sport scent, but rather a warm, urban, a wear a leather jacket everyday type smell. I keep re-testing it, but maybe because it reminds me of a girls perfume. Its good, just not my type.

I didn't like this one from the get go.. way too sweet for my liking

This fragrance is nice, but for some reason I really wasn't feeling the opening. It was very sweet, and considering the bottle comes wrapped in leather, I would have assumed that it would be a little more masculine...or at least have a leather note in it. Very weak dry down with a weak base. Not bad but ain't great.

I absolutely love this perfume. I am a female. I would wear this perfume myself, but it turns me on too much because it reminds me of the first time my boyfriend kissed me! Its a very strange, sweet smell which I like. I noticed that there were many negative comments - especially ones saying that although they personally didn't like it, everyone else complimented the scent worn. I have the female version of this, the "fuel for life unlimited". It is very strange and different as well. This is definitely my favorite diesel perfume and I would call it unisex.

However, If my boyfriend didn't wear this perfume, I probably wouldn't be as attracted to it. I may be blinded and my opinions may be biased because this scent triggers a pleasant memory. If it were just a scent I had smelled while browsing at a perfume store - I probably wouldn't pay much attention to it because I like SAFE perfumes, but I must also say that as I'm growing older, my tastes are changing - and what I found "intolerable" before, I now find quite interesting... so I guess this perfume falls within my interesting list.

Great fragrance, in the same vein as Clinique Happy and ADG, lasting power is great.

Strats out a little loud and cloying, but after about half an hour it is pleasant. It borders on being too feminine smelling for me as well.

I cant tell you how much this fragrance threw me for a loop. With the advertisements, the bottle design, and the way it's been marketed, I was expecting it to be a leathery, dry scent. I spray it on and....Jolly Ranchers? Color me surprised. I smell definite hints of raspberry and watermelon. Once I got over the shock, I actually like it very much. It's definitely for a much younger man (I dont think a man past 30 could pull this off), but it's very fun and playful. I would recommend it most during summery, warm days. One minor thing is that I absolutely hate the bottle. It's ugly and doesn't fit the scent at all. The canteen-style bottle looks dirty and gross, and it feels nasty in your hands. All in all, it's a very cute, sexy scent for a young guy!

I bought this on an aeroplane flying over Europe, and was initially shocked by the sweet fruits and strong anise on initial display (as was the poor girl sat next to me, no doubt…). Drydown is subtler, but still with an overture of alluring, sexy sweetness.

This definitely has something for me that keeps it just on the classy side of sicklysweet. It's not an everyday scent; I tend to wear it in the evening, when I want to make a statement.

It makes me think of a hot, sticky, European night, when sleep is the last thing on your mind…

I must say, it is a pleasant surprise to find something in a mall that is even vaguely wearable. A bouncy,eager to please, fructose fusion that would ideally be suited for casual use. In an ocean of Cream Puff fragrances, this is one to enjoy and not take too seriously. The bottle is another matter, if I was rating that, it would not be so much a thumbs down as a Heimlich Manoeuvre . Staggeringly awful. However, for the contents, a thumbs up and a cheery wink.

This one's taken a lot of flak, and I've no doubt that much of the flak in question comes as much from derision for the aggressive marketing campaign and youthful demographic as anything.

Really it's just an updated cousin to Clinique's Happy, with anise notes (a tad off-putting at first, granted) thrown in for good measure.

All in all, a very likable citrus frag with decent longevity and modest sillage.

Thumbs up, yes, but I don't think I'll be clamoring for a bottle any time soon. It's just good stuff for what it is.

I got a sample of this at the Deisel store when it first came out. It's very Italian - extremely sweet and strong, not really my thing. Honestly, to me, it smells like Twizzlers or Red Vines, but stronger and sweeter. There's pretty much no subtlety to it. It makes the most sense as a nightclub fragrance, because it's strong enough that people will be able to smell it over all the other smells.

Awesome fragrance! Very spicy and attractive. Many compliments from the ladies. Sweet, but masculine at the same time. It smells like something you can eat! Great for the night clubs. Thumbs up!

If it seems to you that this review contains too many sentences which start with “I can’t believe”, it would be just a matter of your imagination.
I can’t believe that two top perfumers, Mr. Cavallier and Mrs. Menardo, could create such an unbelievably frivolous scent.
I can’t believe I got so many compliments on this senselessly fruity scent during the only day I was wearing it. I can’t believe how funny taste the people around me have.
I can’t believe I bought this “when you see my attractive commercial you won’t mind how unattractive I smell” type of scent. I can’t believe that I could respect myself after I did it… ever again.

For the first 10-15 minutes, it was a pleasant, interesting take on fougere. Unfortunately, during the drydown a strange, off-putting almond-like element developed--the heliotropin, perhaps?--that was cloyingly sweet, almost nauseating.

FIRST IMPRESSION WAS "STRANGE", A DIFFERENT SCENT, SOME MINUTES AFTER IT BEGAN TO ATTRACT ME MORE AND MORE, THE DRYDOWN REMEMBERS ME OF MORABITO POUR MONSIEUR , A WONDERFUL FRAGRANCE, Ì'M CONSIDERING TO BUY IT

A fruity fougere this scent is literally mouthwatering. Yes, I get an utter "juicy fruit" effect from this, which lasts and lasts - usually I would hate that, but the citrus-anise-raspberry combination manages to avoid the juvenile stickiness of many similar designer concoctions. The base well done, but not overly exciting, the usual synthetic fare. I would never wear this with a suit or if I was aiming at coming across as "serious", to me it's a leisure fragrance for fun wearing, but I dare say it's a masterpiece in that category.

I've passed by this one several times because of the goofy looking bottle that screams "gimmick to instantly attract teenagers!" I finally decided to give it a test and wouldn't you know....I really like it! It smells sweet and fruity but masculine at the same time. I've been looking for something like this for awhile now, and I think I just found it. I'm picking up a bottle soon.

Highly recommended if you like this type of fragrance! I've tried many "fruity" fragrances and this is the best I've come across so far.

Not bad, but offensively synthetic and a little cheap smelling. It is loud and bold, and sweet. I enjoy sweet scents when they are humorous or simply delicious. This is not like that though. Not for a very sophisticated and suave gentleman, I would like to believe.

It also feels a little college fraternity boy-esque. It just doesn't scream taste or refinement, and it is also not particularly energetic. ('fuel for life'... not so much)

I don't say I hate it, but it is really hard to make this look elegant.

This could be a unisex fragrance.
Very feminine to me.
Could be a good attention getter with the girls.
I won't buy it.
Although my first impression (first 15 minutes), I was convinced I would buy this someday. But no thanks.

I enjoyed the anise greenness at start and the lavender drydown is modest. Not so sure to like it or to be neutral.

This is definitely a scent to wear for the ladies, not your own enjoyment. Girls are in LOVE with the scent. Take these reviews with a grain of salt - by no means does this scent deserve a thumbs down. Why? It's such a neutral of a scent - that I find it hard to believe anyone actually finds it "bad". It just doesn't make much scents(har har har)!

Ordered this online because it sounded really good and I had heard all the great reviews from it. Honestly I dont think its that great. It fine for everyday wear and It smells good but the raspberry or the grapefruit doesnt go well with my skin chemistry so when I wear it it smells like Hawaiian Punch. I would recommend it BUT try it and make sure it smells good on you first.

Most fragrences have gotten me a compliment or two, but this seems to crack 'em outta the park. And you know what, I enjoy the smell myself, so it's a win-win situation, hurray for me. With that out of the way, I would NEVER recommend this as a blind buy. Even though I love it, Fuel for Life smells like fuel for a five year old. We're talking sweet tarts, orange creamsicles, and rasberry sherbert. I don't believe the "note pyramid" for a second, but maybe it's just my skin that absorbs the more mature smells and leaves Willy Wonkas house behind for all to enjoy. Oh well, I love it, so thumbs up.

Fuel for Life is a perfect fragrance for everyday...the lasting power is amazing...and you will get a lot of compliments.

Now this is good stuff! While at Macy's last year I asked the clerk to give me something with a sweet scent as I prefer those over those woodsy, tobacco scents. & she bought me Diesel Fuel for Life! Yes it suits a guy in his early 20's or even a teenager.. But who cares? It smells great & the bottle is nice thanx to the pouch that covers up the boring bottle! lol! All this and because it last a nice long length on my skin ill give it 4 out of 5!

Wow...yummy!!! This is the kind of fragrance you love or hate. For me it's a mixture of Dune pour homme by Christian Dior and Very Irressistible Fresh Attitude by Givenchy; or even Montblanc's Individuelle femme, I guess . No doubt raspberry is the unmistakable note; however it's not a fruity fragrance. Sillage and longevity are great. Thumbs up for this ultramodern manly cologne.

Anise is hit or miss with me unfortunately it misses here. I like Lolita Lempicka pour Homme but this... is revolting. Smooths out later but it does not settle very well. Feels like real fuel, like turpentine almost. Different, but not the kind I prefer.

reminds me of a musky male version of Colors de Benetton.

Fuel For Life is a little better than average but I think its a love or hate fragrance no in between, I will give it a thumbs up because the longevity is good and gets me a lot of compliments.

fantastic scent.
fuel for life is perfect, different than anything out there.
it is a bit sweet but i love sweet colognes.
a lovely combination of sweet citrus and fuit with some sweet musk

Very brief top note of citrus gives way to raspberry, which dominates. Lavender fights for it's life to save it, but perhaps sweetens it further thus cheapening it into a noxious fruity candy. The slow to evolve woodsy base is a little too little and a little too late. Perhaps a junior high scent?

i bought this one today, it's very summer, very me.
i like it 5 stars from me

While testing this, I found out that I really do not like anise as a note. This scent smells like a candy store. As a child I loved candy stores, but as an adult I do not want to smell like that. This is cloyingly sweet and lacks development and personality. Longevity is good though, but in this case that was not a good thing for me. Avoid this scent!

I will agree that this one is quite sweet If you're not very into sweet-smelling fragrances, stay away. At times, it reminds me of Fruity Pebbles cereal.

Nevertheless, it still manages to be a masculine scent--just barely. It's very fresh, but unlike any other fresh fragrance I've tried.

It's well on its way to being my signature scent.

I really like this one. Theres a bit of fuityness at the beginning then as it dries down it reminds me of YSL Rive Gauche for men. A nice scent that lasts about 6 hours on my skin but I can smell on my shirt still the next day. Thumbs up, but its getting very heavy TV advertising in the UK though so might become a bit commonplace.

Greg

Tried this in a department store yesterday. Wasn't sure what to think about it at first -- there was a familiarity to it I just couldn't put my finger on. When I got home, my partner asked if I'd spilled gasoline on myself while filling up the car.
Perhaps a good choice for NASCAR fans, but I'll pass...

Garbage. Top notes smell of sour candy, then it gets worse from there. STAY AWAY!

An amorphous mess, sweet, can't distinguish any notes and if you're over 30 don' wear it or you'll smell like a teenager on a first date. Mass market tosh. EVERYTHING and his cousin out there smells like this.

Wow, what a mess! It starts out with a subtle 'fuel' scent, that is just enough for you to think: 'How corny'. Then it slowly dries into a feminine comfort scent (think cereal/soy milk).
Complete dissapointment, don't waste your time.