Star For Men by Mauboussin

Watch out this cheap treasure isn’t Pure Havane or an Arabic clone. It smells like Layton without the apple—spicier denser even with nods to Exclusive but without copying it. At this price and quality it’s a niche masquerading as accessible designer. It’s the most complex Layton out there ideal for adult men on winter nights: incisive dry opening warm dry-down with amber pepper cardamom incense and soft iris. It’s not an Arabic scent; it’s Western. Honestly this spicy piercing fragrance makes you think before spending on an expensive Layton or its mainstream flanker; here’s something with more character. Ridiculous price offers more than double the value. Sillage is improvable; I don’t recommend spraying more than a few times applying to clothes helps projection though I’d say it doesn’t even need it. It’s an EDP where intensity wins over diffusion. Discover it.

I bought two bottles of this wonderful French jewelry and perfumery gem as soon as I discovered the heavenly cardamomo in this EDP; it’s an absolute jewel. Pity the trail doesn’t exceed expectations but damn for €25 or less what more could you ask for? It’s 6 hours of warm smoky perfume with attractive incense spiced ambered with a touch of vanilla that makes it a delight. It has its own DNA. Is it heading toward Layton? It could be… just like with many perfumes. Performance is its Achilles’ heel.

Fantastic fragrance similar to Layton with a dry-down that sometimes notes almond. It’s elegant mature and sophisticated with good longevity but without being a projection bomb as a classy perfume should be. Plus the price is unbeatable and the bottle is fascinating and of quality well above average. Try before you buy.

Excellent alternative to Pure Havane with the same vibe; I even think this Mauboussin version is more accurate than the hyped Star Nebula from Fragrance World. Although it has different notes it stays very close to Pure Havane; it feels a bit dirtier and less balanced than Mugler’s but we’re talking about Zara. The first impression is very positive though more testing is needed. I see it as more feasible for Autumn-Winter as a night fragrance.

I bought Star For Men almost a month ago put it away after being disappointed and wrote a negative review hoping my opinion would change and well that’s exactly what happened and I’m very happy because I truly enjoy this Star now. I already got let down by Private Club my own fault as it’s not my type of fragrance which made me feel a bit grumpy. The opening of Star For Men is a bit alcoholic but that sensation passes in 10 seconds leaving an explosion of cardamomo soft saffron black pepper and above all incense sweetened by vanilla with a hint of very soft patchouli; at first I didn’t quite understand the fragrance because everything is wrapped in a noticeable talcum powder that camouflages the notes in a clean more contained trail. As it dries it becomes more balsamic and creamy due to the amber highlighting the patchouli some iris and woods always with the incense present. In its final phase which is a wonder it’s incense vanilla and sweet patchouli very pleasant. If I didn’t like it it would seem addictive. It’s a dark and mysterious scent I don’t see an age range for it and it seems very versatile though nocturnal. Good longevity between 5/6 hours with moderate projection though very noticeable in the first hour. This is what a perfume in that 20/25 euro price range should be and on top of that the bottle is a true gem.