For me, Valentino Uomo feels like a fragrance I should wear when I want to wear L'instant de Guerlain, but I'm not being a grown-up, doing grown-up things. That's only really in the first few minutes though and the comparison fades quickly. Right on the opening, it has a citrus up front that zips over a soft chocolate note. In Uomo it's more bergamot and vague, a bit Citrol, household cleaner-ish, whereas LIDG is 100%, well defined, fresh lemons. The comparison to LIDG goes off kilter after the citrus opening, however, when a soft, very velvety Suede leather appears, which gives Uomo a sexier, cuter feel and this note pushes Uomo into a more comfy, playful area rather than the formal area that LIDG sits in. The suede leather springs up in Uomo and almost makes it smell like a sweet pastry, but it doesn't cloy and doesn't feel heavy, although it is definitely very buttery and sweet. The leather in Uomo is not animalic in the slightest. It's got a pretty big Iris vibe to it as well. It's just a touch powdery, but that takes a back seat in the scent which has a very soft and smooth profile overall. My overall thoughts on this one are that it is a very easy to like, casual scent. Definitely a bit of a crowd pleaser. The mix of sweet chocolate, iris and soft leather is unchallenging. It's like a pop song, just hitting the right notes at the right time, it's got a catchy chorus and makes people happy, but that's really it. Do I like it? not sure, it's alright. I'll wear it for sure, but it's lacking any real edge for me. It is good, I get that. I can see how this will fly in the right situation, but I feel like it's just a touch safe and not in a good way, instead, it leans into mediocrity all too easily and lacks just that one thing that might kick it into the next level. I suppose if you want the TLDR, I'd probably sum it up that way: A well-done scent, but a bit too safe overall, that ends up lending itself to unfortunate mediocrity.
Yes!!! This fragrance is great. At long last something new and brave in the designer realm. In a week where Burberry Brit Rhythm has been being pushed to death by sales assistants this new release is a welcome relief. When I received a sample of Valentino Uomo the other day I wasn't holding out much hope of it being any good and was pleasantly suprised. More than just a gourmand this fragrance has depth, opening with an amazing fresh bergamot that lasts quite a while which is then joined by a creamy dark vanilla/patchouli type vibe. Then one of the clearest coffee notes I've ever smelled although it doesn't last long until becoming like an sweet creamy almond in the drydown but still surrounded by other dark notes like even a slight liqourice. It reminds me of a few fragrances Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin, AdP Mandorlo di sicilia, and Dior Eau noire. Oh just to speak to the Dior Homme vibe...it's definitely there! I distinctly smelled 'Lipstick' at one point which in and of itself was not like DH but the 'make up' smell is an obvious association. What an achievement this is after all that sensational gourmand type stuff and fresh italian Adp style citrus comes a sumptuous leather drydown which is creamy and a bit buttery/nutty...amazing! Longevity is excellent, projection is moderate but I think that's a good thing as it could get too much for some after a while. The bottle is pretty ridiculous in my opinion but I'll say this ...it's flamboyant and unique especially for a mans wardrobe. Valentino Uomo is full of surprises and restores my faith in trying to sniff everything new that comes out in the hopes it will be a gem.
