Chanel – Allure Homme cologne reviews

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Reviews of Allure Homme by Chanel

There are 226 reviews of Allure Homme by Chanel.

sniffer64
Show all reviews by sniffer64

I don’t get the hype on this. Opens with an ambiguous kind of lemon/bergamot, a mildly cloying floral note (though no floral is listed), a galoxide white musk, a healthy dose of Iso E Super and tonka. The floral note diminishes but does not disappear, and the citrus fades completely within a hour. What remains is a vanilla/synthetic musk with odd floral tones. I don’t get any of the woods or vetiver that are listed in the profile. I would take Givenchy Gentleman EdP over this any day. I am disappointed because I really wanted to like this. I may just have an issue with Chanel fragrances, because other than the vintage Anteus (which was the fragrance that got me into the hobby in the first place), I have been let down by Egoiste, modern Anteus, Bleu de Chanel and now Allure. So if you are a fan of Chanel, your mileage may vary considerably.

S

sbbbjm
Show all reviews by sbbbjm

Allure, much like other long-standing staples in the Chanel line, has been watered down. I got a sample after buying some skincare at the boutique. This is a fragrance I’ve returned to off and on for the last 20 years. I know it like the back of my hand. Allure usedto be an assault to the nose upon first spray. SO tart and sour; it shouted, then the tonka and labdanum mellowed it out 30 min later. Now there’s a little tart in the beginning, and then it just dissipates to basenotes. I used to only use one spray of this stuff and it lasted for half a day! I just sprayed the sample on the back of my hand and can barely smell it after an hour.

yuncherrypops
Show all reviews by yuncherrypops

To add a voice to the choir:

I absolutely fell in love with this scent at first sniff. It is a sublime, fruity, creamy, semi-spicy, woodsy, citrusy, tonka and vanilla fragrance with that trademark Chanel aldyhedic sheen and a marked dustiness that I loved. But the juice very simply does not last. I get at most 1-2 hours at most, with as little as 30 minutes of projection. I do have perfume eating skin, I’ll grant that, but at the price that I paid, a hefty $95, it’s simply ridiculous. There are Chanel fragrances that I love, like Egoiste, Coromandel, and Antaeus, that I am willing to pay for. If this juice had anything approaching respectable performance I’d be willing to pay that price. But it doesn’t, so I gifted my heavily used bottle to my girlfriend, on whose skin it seems to last at least an hour or two longer than on mine.

A beautiful scent neutered by abysmal performance.

6/10

J

Jungo467
Show all reviews by Jungo467

Beautiful,Classy,Manly an oldie that will never be out of style or my collection.

A

alnnewt
Show all reviews by alnnewt

I believe this to be a beautiful fragrance. I tried a sample from a Chanel variety pack I purchased on eBay and I love this fragrance. Even thought I had tried the sampler from the current formulation, I had heard even better reviews of the vintage formulation of Allure Homme so I searched around and found one. The vintage version is much stronger and has much better qualities of sillage and base notes. Truly a remarkable fragrance. I think it is even better than Chanel Bleu. One of the reasons why I love this fragrance is because it reminds me of an old favorite of mine which is out of production: Eddie Bauer’s Adventurer (not Adventurer 2). That was a beautiful aroma of sweet pine that left an astringent feeling when breathed in. I still have about half a bottle of a 1.7 oz bottle. eBay has a few sellers of it but they’re priced super high: $150+ USD.

For now, I will stick with Allure.

Bavard

Show all reviews by Bavard

This is a nice, sweet, spicy, recognizable woods fragrance. It has moments of smelling borderline too synthetic, but it develops on skin in a nice way that’s attractive and comfortable.

Varanis Ridari
Show all reviews by Varanis Ridari

Chanel Allure Pour Homme (1999) must have felt like a bit of disassociation/reality disconnect in a bottle when male fans of the house’s masculine output first smelled it. The late 90’s was a time of shrill ozonic masculines, flanked by “blue” aquatics and “fresh fougères” which relied on mainly lavender and calone accords grounded in white musk to make their point, with only a few gourmands and semi-orientals emerging to give a man any heft in his wardrobe. LVMH, Jacomo, Parfums Grès and Calvin Klein were all still fiddling with green scents long past their prime in mainstream designer fragrance, which kicked off a bit of resurgence for older styles right at the edge of the 2000’s, but outside of that, the choices for Chanel were laid before them, yet they chose none of the above. Either Jacques Polge was just uncomfortable with the idea of making a men’s “freshie” (at least until 2010’s Bleu de Chanel), or he just didn’t like where masculine perfume was at the time, yet couldn’t go off into niche territory with what was to be the next male pillar for the house of Chanel, so he created something wholly unique within commercial constraints. Allure Homme basically follows oriental lines, but is fresher and dialed way down like a lot of such things of this ilk in the 90’s, and works on the concept of 4 separate accords merging as one, even if it still has a traditional three-layer note pyramid. Green freshness, peppery warmth, woody elegance, and sensual florals were the 4 themes tossed around by Chanel in the ad materials of the day, and I can see that being attractive. Yves Saint Laurent would mostly steal soft citric peppery floral woods theme for their L’Homme (2006) some time on, but the scents aren’t identical and L’Homme is hardly conceptual. Like all Chanel masculines, Allure Homme smells classy, despite however else it makes you feel personally in a wear, and despite the actual cost of it’s materials, doesn’t come across “cheap” like a lot of 90’s fragrances do, it’s just a very beige feeling of class.

Bergamot, mandarin orange, citron, and sweet peach open up Allure, with a trifecta of clean citrus to anchor this in the end of the 90’s but with a fruity softeness that contrasts the usual radioactive grapefruit nightmare most male-oriented citrus scents followed at the time. This must have felt very unique for 1999, but it was certainly a far cry from the oakmoss chypres, animalic powerhouses, or creamy sandalwood orientals that came before it. Even Platinum Égoïste (1993) had more recognizable character in it’s opening spray than Allure, despite being a freshened and bleached-out version of the original Égoïste (1990). The olfactory equivalent to elevator muzak continued in Allure Homme’s middle segment of florals, represented by freesia, jasmine, geranium, rose, and a pink pepper that would later get recycled into Bleu de Chanel. The middle phase of Allure is almost dandy in it’s bounciness, if not for that pepper and an overarching synthetic feel that makes you question the authenticity of the florals, but it’s still more interesting than the majority of blue juices circulating at the time. Vetiver, patchouli, Polge’s sandalwood compound, cedar, benzoin, tonka, and labdanum all enter the base in carefully-meted microscopic amounts, so much that only really the labadanum, tonka, and the patchouli really show themselves in what is otherwise a dull sweet and fresh glow of a skin scent. Everything about the end of Allure Homme is just an aura of fragrance, a simulation of something that like amaretto or grenadine cherry, is distinguishable as artifice. I don’t sense the “4 aspects” composition of Allure 100%, since the “green freshness” claimed to be in Allure never really shows up in my opinion, but I get the pepper, woods, and florals just fine, so it’s more like the 3 fates than the 4 seasons to me.

Allure Homme is very pleasant, inviting, inoffensive, like Herb Albert’s “Rise” coming across a waiting room speaker system. There are some slight romantic touches here, but it’s generalist enough that it can also sit with hands in lap for office use or a casual day out any time of year save the hottest or coldest times. Allure Homme is likeable, but I don’t love it, and although many guys see it as the nadir of Chanel masculines, I think it is a clever solution to a unique problem of how to make a unique scent in an age of fashionable bland. Allure Homme would prove a better framework from which to build upon an army of distinctive flankers, than as a great standalone scent by itself, as Allure Homme Eau Fraîchissante pour l’Été (2002), Allure Homme Sport (2004), Allure Homme Edition Blanche (2008), Allure Homme Sport Cologne (2007), and Allure Homme Sport Eau Extrême (2012) all proved the original as being somewhat incomplete without adjustment. If you’re not the kind of guy that really enjoys flankers, then sticking with the original is fine, as it’s a moderately-performing and nearly-generalist “floriental/freshie” hybrid that won’t smelling like anything else in the 90’s, nor like much else outside the aforementioned YSL which borrows from it. I guess this uniqueness of extreme blending is both what is Allure Homme’s strongest suit, and weakest link paradoxically, since the scent just doesn’t really smell like anything, but smells less like “nothing” than Calvin Klein’s cK One (1994), so I guess that makes it “something” after all. If this is the worst masculine Jacques Polge has done for the house, it’s still a far sight better than the claimed “best” from many of Chanel’s peers of the day, so there’s that I suppose.

M

mdi
Show all reviews by mdi

A blast of citrus in the opening, after that it becomes a very dull and boring scent. Definitely not worth the high price. There are much better fragrances for even half the price.

freewheelingvagabond
Show all reviews by freewheelingvagabond

I don’t know how this was in the 90s and early 2000s, but I have tried it several times over the last 7 years, and my opinion hasn’t changed. This is a remarkably unremarkable bland scent that is anything but alluring. I get citrus over a sweet base of woods and tonka, well-proportioned and abstract but thoroughly boring and without any identity. Additionally it’s just too discreet on skin, with fleeting longevity.

If you want to wear a perfume that no one would ever remember, go for this. For a warm woody oriental with a touch of freshness, one can get Egoiste instead which is light years ahead in terms of aroma, depth and richness.

2.5/5

speedracer
Show all reviews by speedracer

A warm, comforting scent that starts off with a fresh, citrus opening. Later, the drydown is spicy and creamy, with plenty of sweet-woody notes.

Perry Ellis M is similar, but I prefer the clean, freshness of the citrus in Allure that lightens this up and, IMO, makes it more versatile.

Great for fall or winter and perfect for anytime you need to get close to someone. Performance is good, both in projection and longevity.

T

ThaDoc
Show all reviews by ThaDoc

Very french and sensual, it has one of the best drydowns i ever smelt .
its a also very sexy , and would be what a women wants you to smell like.
i always have to have a bottle.
It can be worn on any occasion , but best worn on a date and better to be worn at night .

Scent Detective
Show all reviews by Scent Detective

Allure Homme smells like another men’s designer fragrance I’ve tried. I can’t remember what it is, but it’s not my favorite. It’s a strong, synthetic smell that stays potent for about 3 hours. When it becomes more of a skin scent, I like it better. it’s actually kind of enjoyable at that point. This is not something I would purchase, but would try to wear for a while if received as a gift.

Kaizen1972
Show all reviews by Kaizen1972

A remarkable, bracing, dreamy fragrance from Chanel.

The formulation is clear, even, simple, and predictable from spray-on and forward. Chanel’s Allure Homme is a potent oriental scent, and its invigorating sweet-spicy profile is love it or hate it. The foundation blends seamlessly with the slight citrus and sweet and spicy top layers: Vetiver, patchouli, cedar and sandal woods punctuate the smoothness evident throughout.

Chanel Allure Homme is one I HIGHLY recommend checking out if you like scents like Baldessarini Concentree, Dolce & Gabbana’s By Man and The One, and (most strikingly) like its near clone, Perry Ellis “m” (another huge favorite of mine, which happened to come out five years after this one).

Allure Homme Sport is definitely a watered down and “freshened” version of this one, but it’s still a pleasant flanker that’s also worth trying.

E

elmatador75
Show all reviews by elmatador75

I must apologize to you, Allure. Years ago, I wrote you off as conventional. But, I bought you because my then GF liked you. Every GF after that also liked you. Recently, I found you again in my closet. And there you were: an understated classic. You are no rockstar. You were not designed to be one. Your creator is a master of a house with noble lineage in perfumery. You were designed to be worn by men who like to smell really good–in the boardroom, park, cafe, car, bedroom, anywhere, and by men of all ages. You were perfectly designed. Never change. And may you live forever.

F

fraglawyer
Show all reviews by fraglawyer

Smells great. The only drawback is its high price tag.

Perry Ellis M is similar, but the difference is very real.

9/10

TaraYvonne
Show all reviews by TaraYvonne

Let me just say first and foremost that I am a woman so I’m reviewing this from a secondhand point of view. I’m not wearing it myself, but having just come from sampling this at the store on my husband.

This fragrance is not ground-breaking and does not project out and scream “look at me!” to everyone in the room. It doesn’t have to. It quietly insinuates itself into the female psyche and then heads silently right into our drawers. This is a man’s skin, but better one thousand percent. A skin scent that makes you edible, quiet frankly. Like you guys, my husband was not impressed with it at the store and went for the typical Chanel Bleu instead. Little does he know I’m getting online and ordering this anyway. It’s soft and safe and yet still totally sexy to women just the same regardless of how boring you guys find it. As a woman I’m so bored with smelling the same old clean chilly aquatics and cold breezy aromatics on every man in the crowd. Give me something warm, sensual, and yummy for goodness sake! Too many “must project power” scents in the crowd, and not enough “Come hither, woman” fragrances.

J

Joeyjoey70
Show all reviews by Joeyjoey70

This is a great scent from Chanel. Great citrus opening with nice vetiver and tonka bean. I find the Tonka to be the dominant trait in the dry down. I find this to be versatile scent… Office, casual, date night or party. Doesn’t project for me past 3 hours but last close to 8 hours with 3 sprays. This is always a compliment getter for me. If you can get a bottle for a decent price go for it. Enjoy!

O

olsmade
Show all reviews by olsmade

This opened up very synthetic on me and stayed that way for the next 2 hours. It almost made me sick. The chemical mess reminds me of CK eternity. My wife seemed to like it in me. Longevity and projection are decent. I do not understand how this one gets so much love.

NickZee
Show all reviews by NickZee

A Pour Monsieur for a new generation. Modern, sophisticated, refreshing spicy citrus over wood set off by a light touch of Tonka. Good performance as well.

S

SexPanther
Show all reviews by SexPanther

Blind bought this and it’s not bad. I know people will get upset but it’s like a fancy version of Abercrombie fierce. Fierce was around in my day but I was more of a woods guy. Anyways it’s like an adult less in your face version of fierce. I like this one very easy to pull off without giving someone a headache

J

JackTwist
Show all reviews by JackTwist

This is a very light melange of citrus notes laid over a non-descript woody base. It has a slight tendency during the approach to dry down to smell like freshly applied latex paint drying on a wall, but that soon passes.

It is far too simple a formula to come from a house like Chanel. Turin gave it one star, dubbed it a “woody amber,” and summed it up as “competent, utterly dull, and unworthy of Chanel.” We agree on the statement, but I would not be so harsh as to give it one star. Two or three perhaps, as it is not downright bad, just not very interesting and a bit one dimensional.

Not really worth seeking out, even if you are a Chanel fan.

Himalayan odyssey
Show all reviews by Himalayan odyssey

Hi All,
After so much reading of rave reviews about the allure line of chanel I ordered some decant samples and this was one of them ..and I must say I am glad that I didn’t blind buy it..as to my nose it didn’t really exhibit the famed impressions it invoked in other reviewers …agreed that it opened to a somewhat sweet ( chemically induced citrus type ) note …I could feel nothing fresh ..nothing natural about this fragrance ..to me it was synthetic chemical all the way …and its quite sweet / bland / safe /creamy -office type of scent ..which is not going to feel very distinct as it smells like the perfume section of a dept. store wherein you enter u can smell fragrance but you cant decipher the notes as there are too many of them being sprayed around ..its a one in a crowd and not “THE ONE” in the crowd.
If you are looking to get your senses jolted / awed in a good way through a scent then this is not for you …it smelled more feminine to my nose and didn’t capture my sense of smell …too bland and dare I add safe …. All in all a big thumbs down …and I cant imagine that the house of chanel will have something as chemically induced synthetic concoction bandied about like a perfume …a let down indeed !

In conclusion : safe / unrecognizable notes which just give me a feel of creamy chemical ..little citrus..a very bland cheapie synthetic notes ..and I will not recommend this.