Perfume Review: M7 by Yves Saint Laurent
“The legendary French fashion house’s seventh fragrance for men, M7 is the expression of a new vision of masculine sensuality. This fresh, woody and sensual scent is the first men’s fragrance by Tom Ford for Yves Saint-Laurent. Instantly recognizable, M7’s sensual and provocative ad campaign, showing a naked man in black and white, embodies a new vision of the YSL man’s sensuality as seen by Tom Ford.” (Osmoz.com) I’ve decided to start my review of M7 by Yves Saint Laurent with this paragraph mainly for two reasons. The first one being, it clarifies the meaning of M7 (oh the brainstorming one could do on this one!), and, secondly, I got intrigued by “a naked man in black and white” that embodies “a new vision of man’s sensuality” (the visual depiction of which has been slightly modified to observe the laws of decency). What exactly does this new vision of man’s sensuality smell like? No, it’s not what you’re thinking. I’m talking about the cologne here.
M7 was created by Alberto Morillas and is said to have the notes of Italian bergamot, Sicilian mandarin, rosemary, agarwood, Haitian vetiver, amber, musk. To be honest, I don’t even know how to describe it. Clearly, the notes are pretty common, and no doubt you can create an olfactory image of the scent. However, I guarantee it’s not going to be what you imagine. The top notes of bergamot and mandarin aren’t tart and citrusy. The rosemary is not your typical rosemary. The agarwood (aka oud) doesn’t convey that characteristic medicinal note. The vetiver isn’t earthy and green. Basically, it’s a soft, powdery-woody scent, with a slight carrot seed accord, a hint of hay, and the sweetness of tobacco (that’s what my nose comes up with). I’ve seen it compared to the smell of an apothecary but then again, there’s nothing medicinal about it - an apothecary that sells herbal remedies would be more fitting. It’s bewitching and alluring (conjuring up the image of a witch’s brew), and, in spite of its claim to express masculine sensuality, it’s not that masculine in character but the sensuality is definitely present.
M7 can be purchased at Imagination Perfumery, Scented Monkey as well as other online discount perfume sites.
Image source: www.parfumdepub.net
15 comments July 5th, 2006