Masculin Pluriel, from Maison Francis Kurkdjian was released in 2014. The perfumer behind this creation is Francis Kurkdjian. The notes are Cedarwood, Lavender, Leather, Patchouli, Vetiver, Woody Notes.
I deliberately didn't look into what this fragrance was about or I'd forgotten if I did. So when this lovely little number revealed itself I was pleasantly surprised. I think aromatic fougere is an apt title for this but with non of the usual over musky or powdery nature it's not sweet but pleasing. Masculine but refined. The opening for me contains a saffron note although it's not listed here it shares some woody/leathery similarity with MFK Oud and Versace Man. That does back off pretty quickly and reveals the heart of soothing, herbal, lavender, woods and vetiver but great quality and somehow better than many in this genre. It's certainly not ground breaking perhaps even a little mundane but is well executed and the drydown doesn't compare to the interest of the opening but still very nice. Classy stuff and although I like many from this line, Kurkdjian plays it quite safe on the whole and Pluriel is no exception. Balance is the key here and he got it right for me, whether it's worth the price tag is entirely in the eyes of the beholder I wouldn't blame someone for falling for this nor would I be surprised If some found it boring and lacking ooomf! The deep drydown is very woody and just a lovely thing and lasting power is good but not excellent. Update: I first sampled this a while back (then wrote the above review) however since then I tried it in store and really didn't like it, especially the top notes, which pretty much flies in the face of my review. I decided to wear it today and I'm sort of stuck inbetween. Pluriel is not all accessible, fun & games, there's something slightly bitter and challenging about it. Makes me like it less but repect the composition more, if that makes sense. I honestly don't think it's your average lavender topped, woody base masculine (well that IS what it is!) I think there's a challenging 'nose dive' as I like to call it. Just when you think you have it worked out there's a slight unpleasantness, not enough to make you dislike it but enough to keep you intrigued. I have to say the sillage on this one is better than I first thought I have been leaving a distinct trail around the place one even I'm aware of. This smells slightly different from opening to dry down, both close on the skin and a waft in the air are distictly different and that has to be a good quality...surely? At least for me a sign of good composition and more than first meets the eye...well nose.
I deliberately didn't look into what this fragrance was about or I'd forgotten if I did. So when this lovely little number revealed itself I was pleasantly surprised. I think aromatic fougere is an apt title for this but with non of the usual over musky or powdery nature it's not sweet but pleasing. Masculine but refined. The opening for me contains a saffron note although it's not listed here it shares some woody/leathery similarity with MFK Oud and Versace Man. That does back off pretty quickly and reveals the heart of soothing, herbal, lavender, woods and vetiver but great quality and somehow better than many in this genre. It's certainly not ground breaking perhaps even a little mundane but is well executed and the drydown doesn't compare to the interest of the opening but still very nice. Classy stuff and although I like many from this line, Kurkdjian plays it quite safe on the whole and Pluriel is no exception. Balance is the key here and he got it right for me, whether it's worth the price tag is entirely in the eyes of the beholder I wouldn't blame someone for falling for this nor would I be surprised If some found it boring and lacking ooomf! The deep drydown is very woody and just a lovely thing and lasting power is good but not excellent. Update: I first sampled this a while back (then wrote the above review) however since then I tried it in store and really didn't like it, especially the top notes, which pretty much flies in the face of my review. I decided to wear it today and I'm sort of stuck inbetween. Pluriel is not all accessible, fun & games, there's something slightly bitter and challenging about it. Makes me like it less but repect the composition more, if that makes sense. I honestly don't think it's your average lavender topped, woody base masculine (well that IS what it is!) I think there's a challenging 'nose dive' as I like to call it. Just when you think you have it worked out there's a slight unpleasantness, not enough to make you dislike it but enough to keep you intrigued. I have to say the sillage on this one is better than I first thought I have been leaving a distinct trail around the place one even I'm aware of. This smells slightly different from opening to dry down, both close on the skin and a waft in the air are distictly different and that has to be a good quality...surely? At least for me a sign of good composition and more than first meets the eye...well nose.