HiM by Hanae Mori

It’s one of my favorites; I’ve already bought two 100ml bottles. To my nose, the opening smells like a sweet Mexican candy, similar to a Rellerindo with orange. That sweet scent fades after about 30 minutes, giving way to spices. It’s simple and doesn’t feel formal. It lasts a solid 4 hours, and the orange develops beautifully with that woody-spicy touch.

I stumbled upon this by chance during an afternoon test at Juliá in Valencia, looking for something to handle the heat. It competes with the big names like Montale or Mancera, smells niche, and has a very reasonable price. It doesn’t remind me of Spicebomb; I’ve never liked that line. It has a strong, unique personality. It’s a well-crafted spicy wood: opens with violet, bergamot, and tangerine, highlighting cardamom and black pepper. The heart features cinnamon and fig with a natural touch of tonka bean. The base is cedar and teak that add elegance, rounded out by amber, balsam fir, and musk. For me, it’s fantastic and rich in notes, even though it’s from 2012. It projects well, smells expensive and natural, works in the heat, during the day, and maybe at night. It’s not easy to find, but this was an exception. Lola is a professional who knows her stuff; I’m happy to wear it and it’s already generated tons of compliments in under 24 hours. It suits me perfectly and puts me in a good mood; I can’t ask for more. NOTE: It was cheap when I bought it, but now it’s pricey, with discounts around 80 euros, so watch out.

Very similar to Gucci Pour Homme II: lemon opening, fine woods, and fascinating violet leaves. It’s an exquisite essence for any hour or occasion, not intrusive, ideal for men who want to enjoy their balsamic and sweet scent feeling secure. Longevity and trail are medium-low at a very accessible price. Highly recommended if you like Gucci II.

I couldn’t detect the individual notes, so I’ll describe it as a whole: it smells acidic and slightly sweet, like that ‘Be Light’ Jamaica-flavored drink (which is terrible). It also smells just like an Old Spice deodorant I remember; wearing both makes me feel like I’m drinking that minty, artificial, sweet, and acidic beverage. At first, I sensed acidity, but after an hour it faded and I noticed something creamy. Unlike others, I didn’t sense it as woody, spicy, or figgy. Maybe I caught hints of cinnamon, tangerine, and a touch of tonka bean. It’s not generic, but I’ve smelled similar things. The downside is that resemblance to that cheap drink; it makes me feel like it’s a cheap, run-of-the-mill fragrance, nothing memorable, just another one of the crowd. It lasted about 10 hours: 5 hours of medium sillage and 5 of low, though in the last 5 hours it spiked in strength for moments. Best for intermediate climates and ages 25 and up. If I had to rate it, I’d give it a 5/10: it doesn’t deserve more.

“HIM” is definitely sweeter and woodier than the ‘HM Hanae Mori for men’. Much longer-lasting and less fresh. It’s an exuberant fragrance with personality; I don’t find it suitable for 20-year-olds.