Homme by Mauboussin is an oriental fougere fragrance for men created by Alberto Morillas and was launched in 2003.
As an avid fragrance enthusiast, I have sampled many scents over the years, but few like this one have captured my imagination so that I haven’t gotten bored after several wearings.
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Without wasting your time, let me assure you that for under $20.00, you can blind buy this Mauboussin without any regret.
This affordable price point makes it a steal, but my full thoughts are well worth reading.
Just as was the case with my review for Mauboussin Une Histoire d’Homme Irresistible, Mauboussin Homme is the first fully written review online. Enjoy!
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PERFUME ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
A NOTE FROM THE BRAND: “The first masculine fragrance from Mauboussin Parfums, this classic, masculine fragrance opens with fresh, invigorating lavender. Combined with a warm and reassuring vanilla heart, the base brings power and refinement thanks to the sensual note of patchouli. The elegant and audacious man.”
PERFUME INFO
- PERFUMER: Alberto Morillas
- OIL CONCENTRATION: Eau de Parfum
- FRAGRANCE TYPE: Oriental Fougere
- RELEASE DATE: 2003
- TARGET AUDIENCE: Men
- MASCULINE/FEMININE: 70% – 30%
- DOMINANT NOTES: Lavender, Patchouli, and Vanilla
- AGE GROUP: 25+
- SEASONS: Spring, Fall, and Winter
- OCCASIONS: Business and Leisure
- PERFORMANCE: 6 – 8 hours with moderate projection
- COMPLIMENTS: Moderate
- LIKEABILITY: High
- UNIQUENESS: 2/5
- PRESENTATION: 2/5
- VALUE FOR MONEY: 9/10
- PRICE: $ ($60.00)
- ACCORDS: Aromatic, Spicy, Woody
- REVIEWED BATCH CODE: 413611
- REFORMULATED: Yes
- HOLY GRAIL RATING: B
- SAMPLE/BUY/PASS: Buy
- TESTING PERIOD: 4 weeks
- PRODUCTION: Yes
- POSSIBILITY OF DISCONTINUATION: Low
PERFUME PRESENTATION
This has to be one of the strangest presentations I have seen in a while. While it may look appealing at first glance, the pure horror of not being able to photograph this fragrance properly has been a nightmare.
It has nothing to do with its price and is certainly not a personal vendetta against the brand since the previous fragrance I reviewed from them had an all-star presentation, which I adore.
Unfortunately, this reformulation shouldn’t have removed the previously integrated cap/sprayer since it is almost impossible to remove unless you twist it to the sides.
On the positive side, the sprayer sprays nice and wide, and I love the colour of the perfume, which is turquoise blue/green, which resembles an aquatic fragrance, even though it is not.
Due to its unconventional design and the issues with the cap, it gets almost the lowest score from me in terms of presentation.
However, in the end, you are not buying this for how it looks, so I give it a pass.
NOTE BREAKDOWN
In this section of my Scent Grail review, I’ll dive into the note breakdown that plays a crucial role in shaping the identity of a fragrance.
Understanding how the top, heart, and base notes interact can provide valuable insight into the overall character of the scent.
Whether you’re considering adding a fragrance to your collection or are simply curious about how the notes unfold, this breakdown will help you appreciate the craftsmanship and positive and negative sides of a particular fragrance.
PERFUME NOTES
- TOP NOTES: Lavender, Rosemary, Bergamot
- HEART NOTES: Cinnamon, Patchouli, Sage
- BASE NOTES: Bourbon Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk
TOP NOTES
Upon the first spray, I’m immediately greeted by a refreshing burst of lavender.
It’s not an overly sweet or powdery lavender but rather a clean and aromatic one, reminiscent of a classic men’s cologne but with a semi-modern twist.
Along with this fantastic lavender, you will get a burst of bergamot, which I wish lasted a little longer.
The rosemary adds a lovely herbal freshness, preventing the lavender from becoming too dominant. All of this lasts just a couple of minutes before the leading player of the composition joins the game.
HEART NOTES
Once the top notes start to fade, the heart begins to reveal itself. This is the stage where the fragrance develops a warm essence and a hint of spice.
The presence of patchouli becomes apparent, contributing an earthy and somewhat woody richness that anchors the scent.
It’s not an overpowering or unclean patchouli but a polished and seamlessly blended version.
Cinnamon is also here; it’s not sweet and just enough not to disbalance the whole mix of notes. Sage is here as well, but I don’t detect it.
BASE NOTES
The base is where, even though I cannot blame the fragrance since it’s so affordable, things kind of stop, and everything is done right at the top, and the middle stage gets muffled into, by today’s standards, a generic vanilla-woody base.
I can’t be subjective and say yes, this is the best base ever since we have all seen this scent progression thousands of times. I love lavender, patchouli, and vanilla mix, which works for me.
Unfortunately, I highly doubt you can sample this one anywhere besides Mauboussin shops, so this could be a deal-breaker for you, even at this price point.
PERFORMANCE & APPEAL
The longevity and projection are okay for an Eau de Parfum. 6 to 8 hours in slightly colder weather with respectable projection is all I need from a perfume.
Sorry, ladies, but in my experience, Homme Eau de Parfum is more suited to men. Lavender and patchouli are traditionally seen as masculine notes, especially for older gentlemen, and you can find a much better feminine-leaning vanilla-based scent out there.
About the compliments, let’s be realistic. If the situation is correct, you might get them here and there, but I wouldn’t expect anything more.
OCCASIONS & VALUE
Its moderate performance makes it suitable for office environments where you don’t want to overwhelm those around you.
The warm and slightly powdery character makes it an excellent choice for evening outings, dates, or social gatherings.
Unique? It is not. This only applies if we look at decades of perfumery that have bitten the dust. While it does smell slightly dated in today’s market, it smells more unique than 90% of today’s designers.
One of Mauboussin Homme’s standout attributes is its exceptional value. This is how much it costs to buy three coffees in Western countries. What’s there else to say?
PROS AND CONS
Each composition brings charm, complexity, and shortcomings to the diverse perfume landscape.
Exploring the pros and cons provides a comprehensive view, aiding fragrance enthusiasts in their quest for the perfect olfactory experience.
Understanding these nuances allows you to make a more well-informed choice, ensuring a tailored match for individual tastes.
Pros
- Traditional oriental fougere composition ideal for mature and more experienced perfume lovers
- Versatile for various occasions and multiple seasons
- Very good performance
Cons
- Overpriced retail
- Terrible presentation
- Dated for those who are just starting this fragrance hobby
COLLECTION & SIMILAR PERFUMES
Although Mauboussin doesn’t release their perfumes in separate collections, Homme Eau de Parfum belongs to the “Perfumes For Men” collection, and besides M Generation, everything else is still in production.
Unfortunately, from what I have seen online, M Generation was the best, which is ironic in the perfume world and has been seen too often.
COLLECTION
SIMILAR PERFUMES AND ALTERNATIVES
EDITOR’S CHOICE
FINAL WORDS
My experience with this perfume has been quite positive. It’s a well-blended fragrance that presents a refined and adaptable scent profile with very good longevity, especially given its reasonable price.
The base is where things go to the much familiar territory, and even if it’s a more than 20-year-old release, it could have been more interesting.
At one point, many YouTube reviewers said this was a hidden gem masterpiece, with which I agree only with the hidden gem point. Masterpiece? Not even close.
I guess you just have to be careful who you trust nowadays. Anyway, the price is great, and this wouldn’t be a redundant purchase in case you don’t already own something like this.
What do you think about this article covering Mauboussin Homme? Let’s start a conversation, and let me know in the comment section below.
If you are unsure whether to buy a fragrance, looking at Scent Grail’s S.P.A. Signature Factor Guide is always a good decision.
It is easy to use and the most relevant perfume-buying guide on the web. This way, you can determine whether a particular fragrance is worth checking out and potentially find your signature perfume.
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Until next time, stay humble, and keep smelling great!
Best, Marin!
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– Marin Kristić
Hi, Marin. Thanks for reviewing one of the first fragrances that started my perfume journey back in the early 2000s. I used to own the first formulation with the integrated sprayed, and the juice was purple back then. Unfortunately, I have to agree with you that the fragrance ain’t what it used to be. The OG formulation was much deeper. Still, even in this formulation, I would recommend it to someone who just wants a niche patch fragrance. Thank you for bringing up the memories for me. Carlos
Uh, this one is still good. Especially since it costs almost nothing. To me, it smells much more expensive than it costs, and yes, it has some downfalls, but they are nothing serious to deter you from buying it. Also, this one is just a proof that Alberto can do much more than typical aquatic fragrances. Love it!!!
I gifted Mauboussin Homme to my partner, and it has become his signature scent. The unique combination of notes complements his style perfectly, making it a cherished addition to his collection. Do you think Mauboussin Homme suits a wide range of personal styles, or is it better suited for specific fashion preferences? Sarah
Hi Marin. Lovely blog. I have been your fan since 2022, and I’m glad that you are still writing reviews. My brother introduced me to Mauboussin Homme, and I’ve been hooked ever since. The fragrance’s unique(to me) blend resonates with me, making it a staple in my collection. How does Mauboussin Homme’s scent profile evolve throughout the day, and does it maintain its uniqueness over time in your case? I get a nice progression each time I wore it. Keep it up 😀