Perfume Review: M7 by Yves Saint Laurent
July 5th, 2006
“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
Entry Filed under: Perfume Reviews
15 Comments Add your own
1. Elle | July 5th, 2006 at 6:12 am
LOL at your editing. I believe Marlen was not so discreet which is where I saw the ad in its full glory for the first time. But woods, carrot seed, hay (!) and tobacco (!!!)?? Why haven’t I tried this yet? Tripping over fingers to get to SM and order. Oh, and I’m still not sure about the meaning of M7. I keep thinking UK highway.
2. Judith | July 5th, 2006 at 6:44 am
Well, let’s see. . . you list 7 notes and it was created by M-orillas? That’s the best I can do. Sounds great, though. I find I am discovering–and wearing-more and more men’s scents nowadays: a whole new area in which to spend my money (at least, they are usually cheaper:)
3. Judith | July 5th, 2006 at 6:45 am
Oh, duh! You say it right at the beginning–”the 7th fragrance for men.” Never mind (said in best Emily Litella voice).
4. Ina | July 5th, 2006 at 7:03 am
Elle, a sample will be coming your way with the first available pigeon. As for the hay and tobacco, that’s what my nose gets. So I’m not sure yours will, too. As for the name, I believe it’s because it’s the 7th masculine (M) scent by YSL?
5. Ina | July 5th, 2006 at 7:05 am
Judith, I love your idea! LOL! But, like you, I’ve been drawn to men’s scents lately. I’m pretty sure you’ll love M7.
6. Elle | July 5th, 2006 at 7:08 am
I was clearly too distracted by the ad to note that bit about the seventh fragrance for men. LOL!! Sigh. Must go retrieve my mind from the gutter.
7. March | July 5th, 2006 at 8:33 am
I have seen that ad, uh, uncut. And as far as I’m concerned, that man could be wearing Axe and I’d be all over him. Can’t remember his name, believe he is a famous soccer player.
M7 sounds interesting but less edgy than I’d predicted. On the other hand, I’ve been appreciating some YSL fragrances recently, so I guess I should get busy and smell it!
8. Ina | July 5th, 2006 at 8:59 am
March, you crack me up, as usual! Yes, you should smell it, and I think you’ll quite like it.
9. Marina | July 5th, 2006 at 10:42 am
Hey! I came here hoping to see The Goods…and what do I get? A Hello There? Hrmph
10. Ina | July 5th, 2006 at 10:48 am
Marina, shame on you! But if you’re really curious, check the image source site.
11. Patty | July 5th, 2006 at 1:05 pm
What a stud. I know my husband *almost* bought some M7, or he might have gone through one bottle or part of one. I need to go rummage through his drawz (since y’all permamently are gutter-brains and made fun of gramma’s drawz too, I’ll just leave that like that). BTW, the Drawz is from an Episode of that Janice Dickinson modeling agency show, which is such a train wreck, I can’t look away.
It sounds great, and I do remember sniffing it and liking it very much, but back then I was thinking I couldn’t wear guy scents either.
12. Ina | July 5th, 2006 at 1:08 pm
Patty, I swear it’s not that masculine. I mean, male sensuality and all, but, really, it’s not. I think you’ll love it. LOL at the Drawz!
13. Victoria | July 5th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
I was also distracted by the ad to notice the bit about the 7th fragrance, so naturally I began to wonder about that… I have not tried M7 in ages. Must rectify this asap.
14. Ina | July 5th, 2006 at 2:05 pm
V., I think you’ll really like it.
15. Aromascope » Black &hellip | November 28th, 2006 at 11:42 pm
[…] Tom Ford Black Orchid was one of my major anticipations this year: its promise to bring retro glamour back to perfume as well as the rendition of a one-of-a-kind flower of black orchid captivated me to the point of infatuation. It was evident from the start the scent would be somewhat controversial (consider other perfumes created under Tom Ford’s direction - M7, Gucci, Youth Dew Amber Nude). I can take controversial any time (unless it’s pretentious) - there’re way too many smell-and-forgets (SAFs) out there. When it comes to perfume, I like to be challenged, provoked, haunted. Black Orchid did jus that, and it is after numerous skin tests that I’m writing this review. […]
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