Reviews of Reflection Man by Amouage
Comparison of Reflection Man and Reflection 45 Man
This can be pretty straightforward. Both Reflection Mans are masculine, luminous white florals but 45 dims the lights to low.
They both open nearly the same way with a smooth, only slightly sweet berry type note and some herbs and pepper. However, out of nowhere, 45 throws this dark brown and oily woody note into the air, albeit briefly, that smells a bit saffron-like but the brand says benzoin. Ok, fine - not sure about that but I’ll buy it. The lights get immediately dimmed in 45. They both go to a stunningly beautiful and rich heart of indolic jasmine, metallic neroli, and dense orris. These flowers and orris are heavy, soaked in oils and pollen nectars and butter in the case of the orris. Keeping to the theme, 45 throws a green and earthy tonka bean note in to keep the lights low, like the flowers are below a layer of fresh compost in the dark. In RM the flowers are allowed to have some light cast on them; their pretty white colors allowed to reflect in the sun a bit while they droop with their nectar and oils. They both go to a woody and patchouli base that is rich, earthy, a bit peppery and also creamy, but, curiously, 45 seems to bring the lights up just a smidge by allowing some lightly-woody vetiver and incense into the mix, giving a bit of lift as if its concerned the surroundings are a bit too dark. Perhaps it should. RM will last at least 12 hours and you’ll still smell 45 (faintly) the next day, so maybe we can’t stay in the dark too long.
Both are unerringly gorgeous. Rich, supple, beautifully crafted, with every stage revealing something new but logically and aesthetically fitting, and keeping you wanting to go-in for one more big sniff. Choose the regular RM if you’re wanting something lighter (or filled with more light) and a bit simpler - or as far as both of those can get with Amouage. Choose 45 when dark, rich, stateliness is more your mood. Or choose both. I did. You can’t go wrong with either.
This can be pretty straightforward. Both Reflection Mans are masculine, luminous white florals but 45 dims the lights to low.
They both open nearly the same way with a smooth, only slightly sweet berry type note and some herbs and pepper. However, out of nowhere, 45 throws this dark brown and oily woody note into the air, albeit briefly, that smells a bit saffron-like but the brand says benzoin. Ok, fine - not sure about that but I’ll buy it. The lights get immediately dimmed in 45. They both go to a stunningly beautiful and rich heart of indolic jasmine, metallic neroli, and dense orris. These flowers and orris are heavy, soaked in oils and pollen nectars and butter in the case of the orris. Keeping to the theme, 45 throws a green and earthy tonka bean note in to keep the lights low, like the flowers are below a layer of fresh compost in the dark. In RM the flowers are allowed to have some light cast on them; their pretty white colors allowed to reflect in the sun a bit while they droop with their nectar and oils. They both go to a woody and patchouli base that is rich, earthy, a bit peppery and also creamy, but, curiously, 45 seems to bring the lights up just a smidge by allowing some lightly-woody vetiver and incense into the mix, giving a bit of lift as if its concerned the surroundings are a bit too dark. Perhaps it should. RM will last at least 12 hours and you’ll still smell 45 (faintly) the next day, so maybe we can’t stay in the dark too long.
Both are unerringly gorgeous. Rich, supple, beautifully crafted, with every stage revealing something new but logically and aesthetically fitting, and keeping you wanting to go-in for one more big sniff. Choose the regular RM if you’re wanting something lighter (or filled with more light) and a bit simpler - or as far as both of those can get with Amouage. Choose 45 when dark, rich, stateliness is more your mood. Or choose both. I did. You can’t go wrong with either.
Oddly linear by Amouage’s usual standards. The metallic quality is a let-down but it is otherwise okay.
ADVERTISEMENT
Sharp, metallic white floral. Its basically an upgrade on JPG Le Male, but this one showcases the more elegant part of that DNA. Too clean for me, in a weird metallic way. Best for work, but i cannot wear this, and i tried, no matter how much people think its easy to wear. Something in it does not work for me at all here, and i did give it a shot, maybe two or three for that matter.
Amouage Reflection Man..
This is a great scent! Someone needs to change their marketing plan though.
While the scent profile says man and some are saying it smells a little like Le Male from JPG...women need to give this a try (not saying this is misclassified in any way)
Scent blasts open in a non descript non offensive way. Smells like one of those old spice modern takes. It's loud. It's male. It's aggressive and then....
Then it dries down to a woody, sweet, powder with hints berries.
What are women looking for in 2023? Looking not to smell like their 10 year old selves. Tired of smelling like cloying sweet candy confections. Hate smelling like their old, albeit hip grandma. Eliminate the fruit, the sweet, the floral and the only thing you're left with are the unisex frags that you hope you lean femme or for the bold straight up male concoctions that pull out what you hate and leave only the good.
On a man...this juice is fresh woody spice with a hint of berries and spice. It's the scent t that make your girl fall asleep on your chest and have good dreams. It's the scent that does not have a big sillage but still lasts. It's the understated office heartthrob that every person imagines must smells magical and guess what guy? You do.
Amouage man gets 4/5 for longevity
It gets 2/5 for sillage as it dries quick to a lasting skin frag.
Beautifully blended sleeper frag.
Doesn't matter who did it, who concocted this scent first. Amouage smells great.
You have to decide if the $$ is worth it
Other posts indicate similar scents on the market. But here's the thing of you're spraying 2-3 times more for sillage and longevity just get the Amouage is budget can stretch that way.
Scent pairings:
Take Tom Fords Reformulated Noir Extreme to make this scent more unisex and interesting the sillage is off the roof with the pairing.
Anyone else out there pairing scents let know what you've done!
Scent score: 4/5
This is a great scent! Someone needs to change their marketing plan though.
While the scent profile says man and some are saying it smells a little like Le Male from JPG...women need to give this a try (not saying this is misclassified in any way)
Scent blasts open in a non descript non offensive way. Smells like one of those old spice modern takes. It's loud. It's male. It's aggressive and then....
Then it dries down to a woody, sweet, powder with hints berries.
What are women looking for in 2023? Looking not to smell like their 10 year old selves. Tired of smelling like cloying sweet candy confections. Hate smelling like their old, albeit hip grandma. Eliminate the fruit, the sweet, the floral and the only thing you're left with are the unisex frags that you hope you lean femme or for the bold straight up male concoctions that pull out what you hate and leave only the good.
On a man...this juice is fresh woody spice with a hint of berries and spice. It's the scent t that make your girl fall asleep on your chest and have good dreams. It's the scent that does not have a big sillage but still lasts. It's the understated office heartthrob that every person imagines must smells magical and guess what guy? You do.
Amouage man gets 4/5 for longevity
It gets 2/5 for sillage as it dries quick to a lasting skin frag.
Beautifully blended sleeper frag.
Doesn't matter who did it, who concocted this scent first. Amouage smells great.
You have to decide if the $$ is worth it
Other posts indicate similar scents on the market. But here's the thing of you're spraying 2-3 times more for sillage and longevity just get the Amouage is budget can stretch that way.
Scent pairings:
Take Tom Fords Reformulated Noir Extreme to make this scent more unisex and interesting the sillage is off the roof with the pairing.
Anyone else out there pairing scents let know what you've done!
Scent score: 4/5
A very, very brief hint of pine & juniper quickly morphs into a sweet, light syrup of modern mall counter dribble.
I had high hopes for something much more interesting from this house, but I just get a slightly fruity, sweet blob of "pinkish" hue.
3/10
I had high hopes for something much more interesting from this house, but I just get a slightly fruity, sweet blob of "pinkish" hue.
3/10
Bright and tinny and a bit bitter up front, softens into another complex Amouage powerhouse that lasts on my skin most of the day. If I put Le Male on one wrist and Reflection Man on the other, the differences are too profound for me to say they're similar. The overlap is in their 'fresh' nature, but Reflection Man goes very green and very floral, while Le Male goes sweet. I think of Le Male as a casual fragrance, one that can be worn at gatherings, evenings out, work (if one sprays lightly.) Reflection Man, like so many in the Amouage line, strikes me as 'special occasion' fragrances - black tie affairs - weddings - far more opulent than the Gautier fragrance which is more crowd-pleasing overall.
Amouage fragrances are overpriced. There, I said it. However, most people who have tried them find their favorite in the bunch, and once they find a favorite, it's hard for them not to obsess over the scent. Many, including myself, eventually break down and buy a full bottle (in my case, Jubilation XXV.) For the offerings we think are good but not masterpieces, we can't wrap our heads around why someone would spend so much on a bottle. I guess for me Reflection Man fits into this category. But if one thinks of these scents as 'special occasion' wears, it makes some sense. The bright, flowery (yet decidedly unisex) blend of Reflection Man would suit someone on a very special day in warmer weather. And as that special day turns to a special night, and Reflection Man's tinny florals soften into warmer woods (sandal, cedar, vetiver) and patchouli, you know your fragrance is taking care of you the whole way.
Solid, but for me not a stunner.
Amouage fragrances are overpriced. There, I said it. However, most people who have tried them find their favorite in the bunch, and once they find a favorite, it's hard for them not to obsess over the scent. Many, including myself, eventually break down and buy a full bottle (in my case, Jubilation XXV.) For the offerings we think are good but not masterpieces, we can't wrap our heads around why someone would spend so much on a bottle. I guess for me Reflection Man fits into this category. But if one thinks of these scents as 'special occasion' wears, it makes some sense. The bright, flowery (yet decidedly unisex) blend of Reflection Man would suit someone on a very special day in warmer weather. And as that special day turns to a special night, and Reflection Man's tinny florals soften into warmer woods (sandal, cedar, vetiver) and patchouli, you know your fragrance is taking care of you the whole way.
Solid, but for me not a stunner.
I just don't think the world needed a stronger, more bleachy version of Le Male... Reflection takes everything I dislike about Le Male (that petrol coumarin note, that spermy undertone, and the general mood of old, moldy cardboard) and amplifies it.
Got a sample. I don't mind it overall. It's very similar to Le Male on the dry down but much more flowery and powdery in the opening.
I’m surprised there are so many negative reviews as this seems to be one of the least offensive/challenging smells I own, but, that’s the beauty of art and how peoples opinions vary.
For me, it’s a gorgeous soft sweet powdery clean floral with a beautiful underlying woody support. Lasts most of the day on me and never gets fatiguing. If anything, so soothing and relaxing
Lovely scent.
For me, it’s a gorgeous soft sweet powdery clean floral with a beautiful underlying woody support. Lasts most of the day on me and never gets fatiguing. If anything, so soothing and relaxing
Lovely scent.
Good (can't say high) quality mass pleaser.
To me, it's too powdery/floral. Strongly reminds me of a refined combination of mainstream fragrances like JPG Le Male and another that I just can't put my finger on. It's more mature, well blended and maybe slightly less sweet than it's designer partners. If it wasn't that insanely expensive, I might have given a thumbs up.
When testing this one, I have to say that the drydown is almost convincing
To me, it's too powdery/floral. Strongly reminds me of a refined combination of mainstream fragrances like JPG Le Male and another that I just can't put my finger on. It's more mature, well blended and maybe slightly less sweet than it's designer partners. If it wasn't that insanely expensive, I might have given a thumbs up.
When testing this one, I have to say that the drydown is almost convincing
Reflection Man by Amouage under direction of Christopher Chong fits into floral group, except that here the leading note is neroli (the orange blossom essence) which is combined in an absolutely perfect way in the heart of the composition with jasmine, ylang ylang and a touch of iris essence.
The scent opens with a very strong, dense and beautiful green-floral accord with the help of petit grain (the orange tree leaves essence) and rosemary, enhanced with pink pepper.
Despite the high proportion of floral notes and the actual domination of neroli, Reflection Man has a dual nature, as it also has very distinct wood notes, especially cedar and sandalwood. This woody side, reinforced with patchouli and vetiver, adds to the whole blend masculinity.
Reflection Man is a perfume made to measure in every aspect.
The scent opens with a very strong, dense and beautiful green-floral accord with the help of petit grain (the orange tree leaves essence) and rosemary, enhanced with pink pepper.
Despite the high proportion of floral notes and the actual domination of neroli, Reflection Man has a dual nature, as it also has very distinct wood notes, especially cedar and sandalwood. This woody side, reinforced with patchouli and vetiver, adds to the whole blend masculinity.
Reflection Man is a perfume made to measure in every aspect.
First Amouage frag post-creed-fanboy phase.
Blind Buy based on perfumer and note pyramid.
Initial blast is very floral powdery feminine. If you smell it carefully though you can smell the deeper elements that are eventually revealed in the drydown.
Very orris/iris heavy throughout. Vetiver and sandalwood deepen the base.
Slightly herbal, very floral, but not without its woody character.
Beast in all phases of performance. No worries there whatsoever.
I wore it today. Two sprays on bare neck got me through an entire day.
I suspect that similar to the other high price frags, like Creed, you'll have people who are seduced by price tags into thinking it's absolutely wonderful or absolute crap. Not a ton of middle ground from a lot of the reviews.
For me it's a total winner as I enjoy these fragrance notes and in my opinion they all work together well here.
Not for someone uncomfortable wearing something that leans quite a bit feminine. I wear what I like and it's still masculine enough for me.
I'm glad I bought it and I'm not disappointed.
Blind Buy based on perfumer and note pyramid.
Initial blast is very floral powdery feminine. If you smell it carefully though you can smell the deeper elements that are eventually revealed in the drydown.
Very orris/iris heavy throughout. Vetiver and sandalwood deepen the base.
Slightly herbal, very floral, but not without its woody character.
Beast in all phases of performance. No worries there whatsoever.
I wore it today. Two sprays on bare neck got me through an entire day.
I suspect that similar to the other high price frags, like Creed, you'll have people who are seduced by price tags into thinking it's absolutely wonderful or absolute crap. Not a ton of middle ground from a lot of the reviews.
For me it's a total winner as I enjoy these fragrance notes and in my opinion they all work together well here.
Not for someone uncomfortable wearing something that leans quite a bit feminine. I wear what I like and it's still masculine enough for me.
I'm glad I bought it and I'm not disappointed.
It saddens me to say that this is the same company that produced the very good Honour Man and the outstanding Journey Man.
This is expensive effeminate office fragrance. In fact maybe not even that as its quite offensive. Pot pourri powder puff.
Is it? Yes it is. Its a wash off!
Lucas Sieuzac: Not one of your finest moments unless you specialise in this type of olfactory assault of an experience because there must be an Emperor's New Clothes crowd who go along with it.
Fragrance: 5.75/10
Projection: 7.5/10 (unfortunately)
Longevity: 7.5/10 (wash off mandatory)
This is expensive effeminate office fragrance. In fact maybe not even that as its quite offensive. Pot pourri powder puff.
Is it? Yes it is. Its a wash off!
Lucas Sieuzac: Not one of your finest moments unless you specialise in this type of olfactory assault of an experience because there must be an Emperor's New Clothes crowd who go along with it.
Fragrance: 5.75/10
Projection: 7.5/10 (unfortunately)
Longevity: 7.5/10 (wash off mandatory)
One of my favorite drydowns in perfumery. The opening is quite powdery and floral, but it quickly dries down to a positively addictive pink pepper, orris, sandalwood, and vanilla combo with a soapy, metallic sheen. I despised it on first application, thinking it was like a too cloying Le Male (if that's possible) but now I'm absolutely in love. On a warm spring day in a crisp white shirt, it's divine.
Got a decant after reading many hyped up reviews. Not impressed. Smells like cleaning products to me. Glad I only got a 5ml.
Reflection Man smells contemporary, highly synthetic, and it performs very, very well. But Bogart knock out fragrances like this for fun; with the same eye-watering fume effects but at a price point that wont add to the tears. Having said that, and to be fair, an hour after application and Reflection rewards me with a slight smokiness which adds a pinch of princely sophistication to the scent. So if I use that first hour of wearing for a mesmerizing process of self-hypnosis, I can justify the high cost of this Amouage perfume. But only just.
starts out nice and fresh with a clean soapy but almost heavy dry down. i guess in typical amouge style this one is meant to make a statement and it does. so definately not for the understated...
All the negative things you've read about this here are all true.
This isn't Amouage. This is so so bad.
Cant understand the hype around this and Interlude. Both unbearable. Is it their marketing strategy to create this sorta hype for their bad ones so as to sell them? Strange !
This isn't Amouage. This is so so bad.
Cant understand the hype around this and Interlude. Both unbearable. Is it their marketing strategy to create this sorta hype for their bad ones so as to sell them? Strange !
Alas, had to give this a thumbs down. Reflection Man is just too loud, reminding me too much of another similar scent that I've sworn off years ago: Joop! for men.
Atrocious, loud, poorly constructed of otherwise nice fragrance notes. Disappointing.
Atrocious, loud, poorly constructed of otherwise nice fragrance notes. Disappointing.
Aggressive, overwhelming, persistent. Like a joop flavoured chemical cosh. Had to wash it off. It still kept assaulting me nasally, even after 2 good scrubs with soap and water. I felt like "young Alex" in "A clockwork orange" where he gets drugged to make him feel ill (the bit where his eyes are forced open whilst violent video's play on the big screen). Sorry but this is a no for me.
High expectations from the youtube reviews of this fragrance, so I purchased a sample. I could swear that they sent me a jacked-up, high octane version of Joop instead. If you like the sweetness of Joop that lasts forever in a day, this would be the one. Unfortunately for this reviewer, I am not a fan.
This isn't really like anything else I've tried from Amouage. It's restrained, even a bit boring. It's pretty much a floral with some citrus on the opening... I've seen some reviews describing the opening as bitter, but I think they've just been reading the list of ingredients rather than actually paying attention to how it smells on the skin. It's not remotely bitter. It gradually gets more and more powdery and there's a bit of a woody vanilla (and something else a bit artificial and I'm not sure what it is) in the dry-down but it doesn't dominate. It's a well-done modern tribute to the barbershop, but it doesn't do this any better than a lot of other scents like it (almost anything from Dunhill, for example, who specialize in this kind of thing) and it has no real distinguishing element. Maybe that's what it's supposed to do, stay in the background, be polite, not push itself forward at all, but I like my scents to have at least something interesting about them.
I can see why so many people love this scent. Reflection is an aromatic scent built from old fashioned fragrance combinations that are often found in toiletries, fine milled soaps and barbershops around the world. The opening is bitter orange leaf, pepper, rosemary and neroli that turns a bit powdery over a layer of orris that smoothes out the mid notes. The base is a classic masculine sharp edged cedar, sandalwood, vetiver and patchouli perfect finish. This same combination can be found in many other popular stalwart colognes such as: Villoresi Uomo, Aqua di Parma Essenza, Stetson Cologne and MFK Pluriel. This is a classic but soapy aroma that is done on a slightly more refined level to reflect the Amouage standard level of quality. Reflection risks making no enemies and is a steady and pleasantly upbeat friendly clean cut fragrance.