Yves Saint Laurent
Yves Saint Laurent
128 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Lemon and bergamot explode with almost razor-sharp clarity, immediately moderated by lavender's powdery embrace and the green herbal bite of lemon verbena. Within moments, petitgrain adds a subtle leafiness, creating a composition that feels simultaneously fresh and slightly austere—like citrus juice squeezed over cool stone.
The herbaceous heart emerges gradually, transforming the fragrance's character entirely. Thyme and rosemary rise from beneath the citrus, their dry, slightly peppery quality creating a gentle spice accord, whilst carnation and geranium introduce delicate floral undertones without softness. Brazilian rosewood weaves through elegantly, adding subtle sweetness that prevents the herbs from becoming too green or medicinal.
As the herbs fade, sandalwood and vetiver assume quiet dominance, creating an almost skeletal woody dryness. The musk becomes barely perceptible—a skin-scent whisper rather than projection—whilst amber and tonka prevent the base from becoming austere. What remains is a pale, dry, refined woody fragrance that clings close to skin, requiring proximity to appreciate fully.
Pour Homme is a portrait of restrained elegance—a fragrance that whispers rather than shouts. Raymond Chaillan's 1971 composition feels like stepping into a sunlit study lined with leather-bound books and cedarwood furniture; there's an intellectual quality to its construction that rewards close attention.
The citrus accord arrives with deliberate purpose: lemon and bergamot form a crisp, almost austere opening, immediately tempered by lavender's herbal coolness and the green snap of lemon verbena. This isn't the hedonistic brightness of modern fruity fragrances. Instead, it establishes a fresh baseline—think of the bergamot as architectural scaffolding rather than ornamentation.
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3.8/5 (89)