Skip to content

212 Men by Carolina Herrera

Men 1999

Perfumer
Ann Gottlieb
Perfumer
Rosendo Mateu

Description

Carolina Herrera's 212 Men is a woody musky floral fragrance for men. Launched in 1999, this composition was created by Alberto Morillas, Rosendo Mateu, and Ann Gottlieb. The top notes reveal a vibrant freshness with green, grapefruit, spices, bergamot, lavender, and petit grain; the heart unfolds with ginger, violet, gardenia, and sage; while the base notes settle with musk, sandalwood,…

Show more

Quick summary

When to wear it (votes)

  • Winter 9.8%
  • Spring 36%
  • Summer 36%
  • Autumn 18%
  • Day 70%
  • Night 30%

Key notes

Community

8,665 votes

  • Positive 87%
  • Negative 8.8%
  • Neutral 4.5%
positive reviews 8.7 k community votes
LongevityLong-lasting SillageModerate Best momentDay CharacterMasculine

The olfactory pyramid

A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.

The community speaks

Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.

In the collection

Leading answer I own it

25,244 votes

Season

Choose several

Leading answer Spring

10,447 votes

Time of day

Choose several

Leading answer Day

6,005 votes

Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.

Fragrance profile

About 212 Men

Main accord citrus Year 1999 Gender Men Perfumer Alberto Morillas · Ann Gottlieb · Rosendo Mateu

Carolina Herrera’s 212 Men is a woody musky floral fragrance for men. Launched in 1999, this composition was created by Alberto Morillas, Rosendo Mateu, and Ann Gottlieb. The top notes reveal a vibrant freshness with green, grapefruit, spices, bergamot, lavender, and petit grain; the heart unfolds with ginger, violet, gardenia, and sage; while the base notes settle with musk, sandalwood, incense, vetiver, guaiac wood, and labdanum.

Green, herbal and fougère Spices Flowers White flowers Woods and mosses Resins and balsams

How it wears

Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.

Longevity

Leading answer Long-lasting

4,568 votes

Sillage

Leading answer Moderate

4,722 votes

Character

Leading answer Traditionally masculine

2,879 votes

Value perception

Leading answer Fair price

2,650 votes

Most talked about

Notes and topics that come up most in 40 reviews.

Have you worn 212 Men?

Tell us how it opens, how it settles on your skin, how long it lasts and when you wear it.

  1. Villefragance

    A masterpiece I discovered in 2025, incredibly versatile and addictive. Lasts about 5-6 hours with decent projection. I’ll be buying this for the rest of my life.

    • Longevity
    • Sillage

  2. Alejandro del oeste

    An essential classic, perfect for day or night, especially in warm climates. It’s the longest-lasting one on my skin and gets me the most compliments. Unfortunately, it’s become quite generic, but it remains exquisite and long-lasting.

    • Longevity
    • Night
    • Compliments

  3. Daniel Henderson 77

    A classic from the ‘good school.’ It doesn’t quite enchant me, but I like it. It’s a rich, fresh scent, ideal for summer. My wife loves it, so that’s the main reason I own it. I don’t smell it much right after applying it, probably olfactory fatigue, but when I shower at night, it kicks back on and is definitely delicious. It won’t go out of style and is perfectly wearable today.

    • Fresh
    • Night
    • Summer

  4. Gabourel

    My dad gifted me this bottle, something new for me. At first sniff, I thought it smelled like ‘Mr.’ figure, but after trying it more, I understood why: it’s for a serious, neat, and clean man—the complete definition. Some don’t like it, but I love it. It’s not for very open spaces; the trail is good, ideal for school, the office, or daily wear. I’m obsessed.

    • Office

  5. Jeronimoposadag

    Smells very rich, masculine, and perfect for going out at night or to a family event.

    • Night

  6. Just received a bottle as a gift. First impression, it’s a scent or DNA that feels familiar, a bit dated but fresh and clean. I think it’ll work well at the gym; it smells like men’s cleaning products, maybe some soap, shampoo, or talc. It reminds me of perfumes in old magazine catalogs.

    • Fresh

  7. Well, ‘abhorrent’ is an understatement for this perfume. Let’s start with the assumption that the average user is a Neanderthal or someone with a pretty poor IQ. The first time I smelled it was in a cave—actually a colleague’s office, but the room seemed like a fortress piled with unpleasant smells, topped off by this Axe-with-chocolate type perfume. I must say, if that bad memory influences me, it doesn’t change the fact that once tested in a decent place, its citrus note is at least unpleasant, giving off rather rough vibes. Besides, it’s a scent that reminds me, with its citrus notes and sweet touches, of tea bags. I believe this perfume is like mixing the wonderful Creed Aventus with tea and a PISCOLA, resulting in something so poor. I don’t think this scent leads any respectable man anywhere serious; I highly recommend avoiding this ‘perfume’.

    • Citrus
    • Office
    • Sweet

  8. Jorge leiva

    I love this lotion; it will always be with me in my collection. I can’t stop smelling it; it’s so fascinating.

  9. Herozu82

    A charming perfume. The dry-down is excellent. It’s a very pleasant scent that leaves a trail of a simple, positive man.

  10. Good fragrance, nice smell, but for my personality, I feel it doesn’t suit me. It’s a very clean scent, leaning unisex; it smells like a man over 30 who goes to church, pays his taxes, and greets everyone at the office.

    • Office

  11. At first, I was hooked by that fresh, clean green opening that gives a real energy boost, but over time it’s become my ‘I don’t know what to wear’ scent. It doesn’t smell bad; it’s correct and easy, but it feels flat, a bit herbal, with a base that fades too quickly without leaving a mark. It does its job, but it doesn’t move me: fresh and functional, but soulless. Once I finish the bottle, it’s not coming back to my collection.

    • Fresh
    • Green
    • Herbal

  12. antichulus

    This has been my favorite for 20 years, and I wear it almost every day. The problem is that with the reformulations, it has lost quite a bit in longevity and projection. Still, it remains an exquisite scent that I haven’t found equal to in any other perfume.

    • Longevity
    • Sillage
    • Reformulation

  13. martinvcp

    It’s a timeless classic that smells good but doesn’t stand out. I see it as the ideal daytime signature: versatile, balanced with green notes, lavender, and musk that provide cleanliness, plus woods and incense for a more elegant base. Very good aromatic balance, though the performance is moderate.

    • Green
    • Musk
    • Lavender
    • Green notes

  14. Luis Manuel M.C

    I tried 212 Men and it felt fresh, urban, and super easy to wear. At the start, citrus with green and spicy notes give a clean, energetic vibe perfect for kicking off the day. Then light florals appear, followed by a woody base with musk—elegant but without losing that youthful touch. It conveys modernity, ideal for the city. On my skin, it lasts about 5-6 hours with a soft projection, making it versatile and non-invasive. In short: fresh, modern, and reliable, perfect for almost any occasion.

    • Longevity
    • Fresh
    • Citrus
    • Sillage

  15. Choxizz

    It’s not really my style, but I recognize it’s not a bad perfume. If you already have it, go ahead and use it without worry, but if you’re thinking of buying it or gifting it, for the same price I recommend looking for other options; there are many better ones out there.

    • Price

  16. GabrielR

    Hey! As we all have different tastes, that’s why there are olfactory families. With 212, more than 20 years ago, a client at work blew me away with his scent: rich, sophisticated… Since I asked him what he was wearing, I’ve never gone a day without a bottle. For me, it’s still the best perfume that exists, great Maestro Morillas! Last week, with very little left in the bottle, I bought two new ones (31-07-25). I’m a daily wearer, the first one I grab in line, but when it’s my turn, it’s like trying it for the first time. Best regards!

    • Longevity
    • Office

  17. Fedehart

    Fresh, clean, and musky, it opens with a creamy, rounded citrus that’s not sharp at all, featuring floral notes that add warmth and sweetness, and a soft green base that closes with a cozy feeling. Ideal for men: seductive, fresh yet charming, perfect for the office or romantic dates with a polished look.

    • Fresh
    • Citrus
    • Green
    • Office

  18. Nadiex10

    Gifted to me by my mother in 2006, smelling it again in 2025 was a nostalgic journey; it marked my childhood and today it still smells modern and sophisticated. I don’t care what people say about the batches or the longevity; nowadays many people just criticize and focus on niche perfumes thinking they are the best. If you want to buy it, go for it without worrying about that atomizer.

    • Longevity

  19. Augusto68

    It feels urban, clean, and direct. The opening is citrusy with a green touch, and soon that floral-musk heart appears, making it unique. It’s fresh, but not marine or fruity; rather, a metropolitan freshness, elegant without being formal. The longevity isn’t brutal (about 5-6 hours on skin), but it works for the office or casual use. The projection is medium, not invasive, ideal for warm indoor climates. In my collection, it’s a discreet all-rounder, perfect for the office, meetings, or outings without overthinking. It doesn’t have the impact of an Asad or the power of a Club de Nuit, but it doesn’t pretend to: its role is to be clean, pleasant, and always appropriate. It doesn’t seek massive compliments or last 12 hours, but it provides security and elegant freshness. Despite its age, it still feels current, which is a merit.

    • Longevity
    • Fresh
    • Sillage
    • Green

  20. Tomorrowsdust

    What does a man smell like? Responsibility, neatness, confidence, and character. That’s 212 Men NYC. It doesn’t smell like any man, but like a successful, determined one, with a well-ironed shirt that leaves a trail of respect. It doesn’t try to be youthful or viral; it’s charming and conquering, but not the type that attracts teenage glances. It’s for accomplished women with character who know what they want. When they smell it, they melt. It smells green, fresh, citrusy, with a clean touch like freshly cut grass: natural but sophisticated. It’s the fragrance for a gentleman. Launched in 1999, it has survived passing trends and fads. It doesn’t have the hype of an Acqua di Giò or the buzz of an Aventus, but its staying power says much more than any ranking: it’s the reflection of a total man. When you wear it, your essence is clear and firm.

    • Fresh
    • Green

  21. DavidLópez

    Carolina Herrera’s 212 Men is a classic and versatile fragrance that balances freshness and warmth. It’s a solid choice for everyday wear with a touch of sophistication. Just keep in mind that its performance can vary due to reformulations and its huge popularity.

    • Fresh
    • Reformulation

  22. Hombreperfumado

    I bought this gem in tester format on Thursday, and I must say it’s impressive: scent, projection, longevity, and trail. It feels fresh, green at the start, floral, and a bit marine. Now I understand why it’s still going strong since 1999: it’s an all-rounder that never goes out of style and everyone loves it. Very refreshing to wear. It will be my signature for a long time as long as it remains available. Perfumed greetings.

    • Longevity
    • Fresh
    • Sillage
    • Green

  23. ManucoSeven

    Chale, on me the musk dominates with the flowers, reminding me too much of CK One. It’s likely different on other skin types, but on me, it just doesn’t work.

    • Musk

  24. Luisfher 82

    A timeless classic. This gem takes me back to my days at Universitario in 2010 and 2011, when it was my signature; the girls couldn’t stop complimenting it. It’s in my top 3 of daily citrus scents, right after Aqua di Giò and Versace Pour Homme. It has aged beautifully; its scent is unmistakable and still appeals to men of all ages, despite the overly sweet Arab fragrances around today. I fell in love with the bottle: robust, heavy, and with a magnetic cap. I bought four bottles. Nowadays, even though I have some left from my last one, I don’t use it as much; I think it marks a beautiful chapter in my life, and when I want to remember those years, I spray it on my hand and I’m instantly transported ❤️

    • Longevity
    • Citrus
    • Sweet

  25. javierzgaray

    One of my all-time favorites. I’ve always wanted to own it and waited for a special moment until my wife gifted it to me on my last birthday. It’s a delight and remains a great fragrance despite its age. It keeps that magic that makes it delicious, versatile, and charming. Impossible for someone not to like it. The downside: it’s very overused and ubiquitous, but for good reason, it’s one of the best in history, at least for me.

    • Longevity

  26. Mielos2283

    A fragrance that doesn’t disappoint; it’s an all-rounder that makes a statement. Undervalued for how excellent it is. Use it anytime, anywhere, and in any season. A classic that can’t be missing from your collection.

  27. santi3188

    It’s a workhorse, an all-rounder. I detect citrus, herbal, and floral notes… An underrated and exquisite gem… A must-have in any collection, and no man doesn’t recognize it… New generations undervalue it… Spectacular performance… Safe to buy blind… Wish they never discontinue it… I give it a 10 out of 10.

    • Citrus
    • Herbal

  28. deps981

    It has a dusty, feminine touch; I’d like it to be a bit more marine. It has good performance and a prolonged citrus scent, but I don’t like the dry-down; it smells very floral.

    • Citrus

  29. eduavilag

    Honestly, I expected more. I didn’t love it, but it didn’t disgust me either, so I won’t be buying it again… Longevity on skin is good, but it doesn’t project and the trail is low. I didn’t connect with the scent and it didn’t match me.

    • Longevity