Reviews of Salvador Dali pour Homme by Salvador Dali
This was a blind buy, based on the reviews calling this dark, smoky, brooding, and a cross between Jacomo, Zino and Antaeus, all of which I really like. Perhaps it is because my bottle is a new release (March, 2026) from UAE, but this is nothing like those descriptions. There is an immediate hit of florals, with musk, sandalwood, patchouli and herbal notes. It is soft, a bit sweet, and could go unisex. Unlike the listed "similars", it doesn't project much at all, the wafts last about 4 hours, and this is perfect for an office environment. As it wears, the promised oakmoss, vetiver, smoke and leather never appear, and there is no animalic note at all.
While I am disappointed that this isn't what I expected, it is actually a nice fragrance in its own right. It reminds me of Chopard Musk Maleky. I don't usually like most floral accords, but this one is of high quality and somewhat unique. The whole affair is smooth, with the amber, musk and vanilla remaining while the herbals and florals diminish. At the 3 - 4 hour mark, it has leaned towards a oriental fougere, with an almost almond-vanilla accord and not a hint of bitterness or darkness. These observations have been consistent over several wears, but I will put this aside and re-test it after it gets a few months of oxidation.
While I am disappointed that this isn't what I expected, it is actually a nice fragrance in its own right. It reminds me of Chopard Musk Maleky. I don't usually like most floral accords, but this one is of high quality and somewhat unique. The whole affair is smooth, with the amber, musk and vanilla remaining while the herbals and florals diminish. At the 3 - 4 hour mark, it has leaned towards a oriental fougere, with an almost almond-vanilla accord and not a hint of bitterness or darkness. These observations have been consistent over several wears, but I will put this aside and re-test it after it gets a few months of oxidation.
This is for a vintage COFCI version.
Strong, dark, haunting, gothic: these are all adjectives that have been used to describe Salvador Dali Pour Homme. I am inclined to agree, but it's also worth noting where it lies in the timeline of masculine fragrances. It draws from the popularity of imposing animalic and stoic juggernauts like Kouros and Antaeus, but was also hot off the heels of Zino Davidoff, as evidenced by its abundance of lavender juxtaposed with patchouli. However, there is more that can be said with Salvador Dali, as it has both tarragon and anise quite forward in its composition, adding to this mysterious air. It's also worth noting that with the vintage, the heliotrope is more pronounced. If we consider anise and heliotrope combined, we can recall the melancholy classics that are Apres L'Ondee and L'Heure Bleue (one could suggest that Thierry Wasser was already highly inspired by Guerlain at the time). Thus we have that melancholy with a stark woodiness and animalic undercurrent.
Altogether, we have an impressive, moody aromatic that pulls no punches in its first few hours but also dries down to something quite introspective and gentle. I am almost inclined to dress in all black, listen to some Front 242 and smoke clove cigarettes. Salvador Dali Pour Homme is a mood I can sink my teeth into like Dracula.
Strong, dark, haunting, gothic: these are all adjectives that have been used to describe Salvador Dali Pour Homme. I am inclined to agree, but it's also worth noting where it lies in the timeline of masculine fragrances. It draws from the popularity of imposing animalic and stoic juggernauts like Kouros and Antaeus, but was also hot off the heels of Zino Davidoff, as evidenced by its abundance of lavender juxtaposed with patchouli. However, there is more that can be said with Salvador Dali, as it has both tarragon and anise quite forward in its composition, adding to this mysterious air. It's also worth noting that with the vintage, the heliotrope is more pronounced. If we consider anise and heliotrope combined, we can recall the melancholy classics that are Apres L'Ondee and L'Heure Bleue (one could suggest that Thierry Wasser was already highly inspired by Guerlain at the time). Thus we have that melancholy with a stark woodiness and animalic undercurrent.
Altogether, we have an impressive, moody aromatic that pulls no punches in its first few hours but also dries down to something quite introspective and gentle. I am almost inclined to dress in all black, listen to some Front 242 and smoke clove cigarettes. Salvador Dali Pour Homme is a mood I can sink my teeth into like Dracula.
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A dark, dry-as-a-bone sandalwood, vanilla, and patchouli scent, with a slightly Gothic air thanks to its overall smoky feeling. Zino by way of Jacomo de Jacomo wouldn't be a bad description, though this is more polished than either. Wasser should be commended for the thoughtfully integrated touches (love the basil here).
This dark, herbal creation sits within the parameters of 1980s masculines well enough that it's sure to be familiar to anyone who has sampled the key masculine fragrances of that era, so don't expect anything from this that's as exuberant as Dali himself.
This dark, herbal creation sits within the parameters of 1980s masculines well enough that it's sure to be familiar to anyone who has sampled the key masculine fragrances of that era, so don't expect anything from this that's as exuberant as Dali himself.
There is nothing Dracula about Salvador Dali pour Homme; The bottle is an interpretation of Dali's painting Aphrodite of Knidos ( a pronounced chin and a mouth ) and the juice is a woody floral chypre: sage, aniseed, lemon, cedar, geranium. Beautiful blend, masculine, fresh, and spicy with a little bit of darkness. A fragrance with a lot of personalities. The vintage formula has a more prominent oakmoss presence.
Blend Maxim's Pour Homme with Eucris, give it a lick of Castoreum tinted Vanilla, sly smokiness and you have something of Monolith-Gothic Sensuousness.
This has me in my Raven-ed Quattroporte, wearing my Jet Silk tailored, my Borelli Royal Burgundy 11.
Sliding down the Highway 10 clicks over with the Security Services monitoring above.
Lovely, Archaic Lestat-ness.
This has me in my Raven-ed Quattroporte, wearing my Jet Silk tailored, my Borelli Royal Burgundy 11.
Sliding down the Highway 10 clicks over with the Security Services monitoring above.
Lovely, Archaic Lestat-ness.
Salvador Dali pour Homme is a strangely seductive spell, one that is outlandishly playful, from its hypnagogic bottle to the rich, fullness of its composition. A disorienting beauty of dare, of floral temptation, of tasteful herbs, of murky depth, of superfluous care, Salvador Dali pour Homme wears like a dark barbershop fougère and a diffusively rich oriental, where a dominate lavender anise pairing, sooted in clary sage, basil, and tarragon, lightly soaked in citrus, ventures into the flower beds of lily of the valley and its poetic sweet, green dew, jasmine and its pungent urinous honey, geranium and its rosy, green patina, and heliotrope and its savoury powdery blush; that fluidly mesh as a warm, delicious funk emanating from a deeply creased love seat and a moist lipstick trace on a freshly laundered collar. Eventually all this action gives way to a loosened mossy belt of lichen, feverishly relenting to a base heavy, musky patchouli stroke and a vanilla finish; that altogether culminates as a tastefully tarry, chocolaty kiss wafting in creamy resins and a leather wink. The whole experience is otherworldly and beckons like a wanton pull between an incubus and a succubus in the hour of the wolf... Sweetly dark, sensually dank, and strictly decadent, Salvador Dali pour Homme is a paradoxical wonder of beauty in the beast/beast in the beauty that is surely rousing and luring as a forbidden kiss... Genius!
Salvador Dali pour Homme opens with a potent, slightly earthy patchouli, aromatic lavender and culinary basil spice trio before transitioning to its heart. As the composition enters its early heart the patchouli remains, joining with powerful, deep mossy green oakmoss in the joint focal heart role, with the aromatic lavender hanging around as well eschewing its basil counterpart now in support, as honeyed animalic musk rising from the base joins a significant, almost rose-like geranium floral as co-stars. During the late dry-down, almost all of the prior noticeable ingredients vacate or fade significantly to the background, revealing a slightly sweet, natural smelling sandalwood and vanilla tandem that remains the late focus through the finish. Projection is very good, but longevity average at 6-8 hours on skin.
I have never been much of a fan of surrealistic artwork, so the late Salvador Dali while extremely successful never really interested me much. The crazy looking odd shaped bottle with a pair of lips as the cap I personally find unbelievably odd and ugly looking to the extreme. That said, I am sure Dali and admirers of his art would find it the polar opposite, and very much in-line with his surrealist style. Bottle aside, this review is solely focused on the perfume it contains, and that perfume is definitely impressive. From the aromatic lavender and patchouli open, to the patchouli, oakmoss and musk driven heart, the composition stays very in-tune with its 80's roots and shows an ingredient palette that is just not seen today except in rare non-IFRA compliant artisanal offerings. Prolific perfumer Thierry Wasser in one of his first creations skillfully combines a very complex ingredient list, while keeping the perfume's balance in-check at all times. The late dry-down really sneaks up on you, as before you know it, the crazy potent ingredient onslaught has all but "left the building," unveiling a sublime soft sandalwood and vanilla finish that is as near equally impressive as it is minimalist. The bottom line is the discontinued $65 per 100ml bottle on the aftermarket Salvador Dali pour Homme may not quite reach the crazy height the absolute best of the great 80's compositions do, but it is an "excellent" 4 stars out of 5 rated composition that can hold its head up high regardless, easily worthy of a strong recommendation to vintage perfume lovers (even if you are like me and detest its bottle).
I have never been much of a fan of surrealistic artwork, so the late Salvador Dali while extremely successful never really interested me much. The crazy looking odd shaped bottle with a pair of lips as the cap I personally find unbelievably odd and ugly looking to the extreme. That said, I am sure Dali and admirers of his art would find it the polar opposite, and very much in-line with his surrealist style. Bottle aside, this review is solely focused on the perfume it contains, and that perfume is definitely impressive. From the aromatic lavender and patchouli open, to the patchouli, oakmoss and musk driven heart, the composition stays very in-tune with its 80's roots and shows an ingredient palette that is just not seen today except in rare non-IFRA compliant artisanal offerings. Prolific perfumer Thierry Wasser in one of his first creations skillfully combines a very complex ingredient list, while keeping the perfume's balance in-check at all times. The late dry-down really sneaks up on you, as before you know it, the crazy potent ingredient onslaught has all but "left the building," unveiling a sublime soft sandalwood and vanilla finish that is as near equally impressive as it is minimalist. The bottom line is the discontinued $65 per 100ml bottle on the aftermarket Salvador Dali pour Homme may not quite reach the crazy height the absolute best of the great 80's compositions do, but it is an "excellent" 4 stars out of 5 rated composition that can hold its head up high regardless, easily worthy of a strong recommendation to vintage perfume lovers (even if you are like me and detest its bottle).
This is awesome. So different from what's on the market. A dirty (as in earth dirt) feel that stays fresh thanks to some mint and elegant with the florals.
The fashionable and outrageous bottle ends up as a most appropriate introduction to this gem from Salvador Dali!
Dali pour Homme is a sweet, spicy potion that is just as eccentric in perception as those huge lips adorning the spray top!! It comes off as a dark, thick rich cologne swarming with personality and ending up a like-it-or-hate-it type affair.
I can see myself wearing this one nowadays in moderation. It doesn't come off as being outdated, and if you can imagine the polarizingly sweet and complex effect of Tom Ford's Black Orchid, you'll get some idea of the pathos of Salvador Dali pour Homme.
Dali pour Homme is a sweet, spicy potion that is just as eccentric in perception as those huge lips adorning the spray top!! It comes off as a dark, thick rich cologne swarming with personality and ending up a like-it-or-hate-it type affair.
I can see myself wearing this one nowadays in moderation. It doesn't come off as being outdated, and if you can imagine the polarizingly sweet and complex effect of Tom Ford's Black Orchid, you'll get some idea of the pathos of Salvador Dali pour Homme.
Salvador Dali was certainly one of, if not the most eccentric and avant-garde artist of the 20th century, extending his artistic expression not only on multiple fronts, but through developing personas of his female muses, and his own self-made persona as well, which he portrayed himself in public with for his entire life, flamboyant upturned mustache and all. Dali entered fashion by the 1950's, with Elsa Shiaparelli (famous among perfume collectors for 1937's Shocking), and Christian Dior by the 60's. However, in the twilight of his years, he entered the perfume world, creating a perfume bottle just for his eponymous scent which was crafted by Alberto Morillas for his wife Gala in 1981, then released in a limited capacity in 1983 to honor her a year after her death. The bottle for Salvador Dali Pour Homme was also designed by the esoteric genius, and like the launch feminine, was based on his painting "Apparition of the Aphrodite of Knidos". This very dark and gothic masculine fragrance would be created by famed and now currently Guerlain house perfumer Thierry Wasser on Dali's instructions as a tribute to Sir David Niven (another cult icon in the art world), as his first major designer perfume release; think about that next time you go sniffing a modern bottle of Guerlain Homme (2008). Tragically, this signature masculine for Salvador Dali would be released two years before his death, and by that point his health was failing and he was inconsolable due to his wife's passing, so I'm not even sure if he wore this himself. What I do know is this is a very captivating and murky animalic-driven masculine that really suits the style of the late artist, and in unsurprising ways for those who know me, suits me quite nicely as well. If nothing else, this scent will get attention wherever it goes, you just have to be okay with it not always being (nor likely to be) positive attention.
To start off, fans of Jacomo de Jacomo (1980) and all it's blackened, smoky, and vetiver-rich character will simply love Salvador Dali Pour Homme. Essentially SDPH is the halfway point between that erstwhile Jacomo scent and Montana Parfum d'Homme (1989) in terms of balancing sweet and smoke. It doesn't have the island spice elements of the Montana scent, but it does have the roundness and body, being less charred than the burnt vetiver of Jacomo de Jacomo and having a small dollop of castoreum for a funk neither Jacomo nor Montana have. SDPH opens with basil, tarragon, bergamot, the odd choice of tangerine with lemon, and a lavender/anise pairing that gives it a slight nod in the direction of Azzaro Pour Homme (1978). All told this is an armistice of barbershop and boudoir as it is, and it only gets better (or worse) as the heart comes in. Jasmine indole, heliotrope, the expected geranium, and muguet come into play here, presenting a floral core not dissimilar from the original Fougère Royale (1882) and Zino Davidoff (1986) from the previous year, but while Zino really just toys with animalic growl, Dali lunges. Base notes of leather, dirty musk, amber, patchouli, dry vetiver, cedar and sandalwood mix with benzoin which imparts a semi-sweetness of dried honey, before firming up with just a tad of castoreum, but not as much as One Man Show (1980) or Antaeus (1981). I feel the really raw musk here replaces the need for a heavy hit of the castoreum, and instead Wasser chose to blend the two together to make the sensuality here less foreboding and more of that daring "come-hither" stance. Wasser was composing for Dali after all, and Dali was known to have unorthodox sexual predilections, in addition to not always staying confined to his wife, nor even the opposite sex. Dali Pour Homme is perfectly contradictory, quixotic, and in many ways, surreal just like Dali's paintings and the man himself. Those who know about Sir David Niven will see this as a fitting tribute.
There aren't a whole lot of fougères this brooding, heavy, and even against a backdrop of 80's powerhouses, this scent will cut a path through the room, as everyone's fruit-powered civet bombs or brutal bergamot and moss hammers crash to the floor uselessly in awe of the scent trail you leave. You will either make others feel shocked and hopelessly confused, or hopelessly enthralled by it's captivating power as you wear SDPH, with it's leathery soot-ash warmth, and sweet afterglow, like a fire on it's last embers. SDPH is most certainly not an office or casual scent, and the man who appreciates this will make his own appropriate time or place to wear it, even if it does last forever on skin if one does attempt an all-day wear from it. I think it's best on a dinner date, much like other darker masculines from this period, or a night at a cozy club. Being another typical 80's oakmoss-heavy fragrance also means Salvador Dali Pour Homme will be good only for moderate to cooler seasons, so no summer use with this one please, unless you plan on choking everyone around you. One fair warning: Les Parfums Salvador Dali would do a lot of cheesy things with Dali's own bottle designs after his death, including reusing them over and over with different colored glass or patterns on both male, female, and unisex fragrances. You will see this bottle in different colors for other scents, particularly those of Dalimix (1996), a unisex contender that also spawned flankers, one in a black gloss version of this bottle as well. If the box isn't gray, the bottle matte black or the sicker on the bottle doesn't say "Pour Homme" on it, then it's a different scent, so don't be fooled. If the late Jason Lee's "The Crow" had a fragrance all his own, this would undoubtedly be the one. Thumbs up.
To start off, fans of Jacomo de Jacomo (1980) and all it's blackened, smoky, and vetiver-rich character will simply love Salvador Dali Pour Homme. Essentially SDPH is the halfway point between that erstwhile Jacomo scent and Montana Parfum d'Homme (1989) in terms of balancing sweet and smoke. It doesn't have the island spice elements of the Montana scent, but it does have the roundness and body, being less charred than the burnt vetiver of Jacomo de Jacomo and having a small dollop of castoreum for a funk neither Jacomo nor Montana have. SDPH opens with basil, tarragon, bergamot, the odd choice of tangerine with lemon, and a lavender/anise pairing that gives it a slight nod in the direction of Azzaro Pour Homme (1978). All told this is an armistice of barbershop and boudoir as it is, and it only gets better (or worse) as the heart comes in. Jasmine indole, heliotrope, the expected geranium, and muguet come into play here, presenting a floral core not dissimilar from the original Fougère Royale (1882) and Zino Davidoff (1986) from the previous year, but while Zino really just toys with animalic growl, Dali lunges. Base notes of leather, dirty musk, amber, patchouli, dry vetiver, cedar and sandalwood mix with benzoin which imparts a semi-sweetness of dried honey, before firming up with just a tad of castoreum, but not as much as One Man Show (1980) or Antaeus (1981). I feel the really raw musk here replaces the need for a heavy hit of the castoreum, and instead Wasser chose to blend the two together to make the sensuality here less foreboding and more of that daring "come-hither" stance. Wasser was composing for Dali after all, and Dali was known to have unorthodox sexual predilections, in addition to not always staying confined to his wife, nor even the opposite sex. Dali Pour Homme is perfectly contradictory, quixotic, and in many ways, surreal just like Dali's paintings and the man himself. Those who know about Sir David Niven will see this as a fitting tribute.
There aren't a whole lot of fougères this brooding, heavy, and even against a backdrop of 80's powerhouses, this scent will cut a path through the room, as everyone's fruit-powered civet bombs or brutal bergamot and moss hammers crash to the floor uselessly in awe of the scent trail you leave. You will either make others feel shocked and hopelessly confused, or hopelessly enthralled by it's captivating power as you wear SDPH, with it's leathery soot-ash warmth, and sweet afterglow, like a fire on it's last embers. SDPH is most certainly not an office or casual scent, and the man who appreciates this will make his own appropriate time or place to wear it, even if it does last forever on skin if one does attempt an all-day wear from it. I think it's best on a dinner date, much like other darker masculines from this period, or a night at a cozy club. Being another typical 80's oakmoss-heavy fragrance also means Salvador Dali Pour Homme will be good only for moderate to cooler seasons, so no summer use with this one please, unless you plan on choking everyone around you. One fair warning: Les Parfums Salvador Dali would do a lot of cheesy things with Dali's own bottle designs after his death, including reusing them over and over with different colored glass or patterns on both male, female, and unisex fragrances. You will see this bottle in different colors for other scents, particularly those of Dalimix (1996), a unisex contender that also spawned flankers, one in a black gloss version of this bottle as well. If the box isn't gray, the bottle matte black or the sicker on the bottle doesn't say "Pour Homme" on it, then it's a different scent, so don't be fooled. If the late Jason Lee's "The Crow" had a fragrance all his own, this would undoubtedly be the one. Thumbs up.
I'm very glad that Cofinluxe decided to bring back their prized fragrance, Salvador Dali Pour Homme.It's been too long that it's served as a marked up cost of a cologne due to it's years of being discontinued.All fragrance retailers need to do now is getting the ball rolling and make it common again.I fear this is because it's become 'forgotten' as tastes in the scent genre have changed over the decades.Still smells like I remember though!
If I had to describe this fragrance in short I'd call this a sandalwood fragrance that's dark and sexual.It's very dry,dusty,and woody.I get a fair amount of patchouli and a light but enjoyable rose/soap duo.Black leather is very present in this as some stated.Frankincense & Myrrh incense is a big player in this almost as much as sandalwood and it grabs onto that leather.Rose,black leather,and incense already says this is an intimate and suggestive fragrance.Then you get a very dirty musk in this and if that doesn't get the hint across...I don't know what will.An enigmatic and highly sensual fragrance with dark and strong tones.Careful though Salvador Dali Pour Homme may easily stereotype you into the person you aren't really if you don't understand it's persona.
2-3 sprays max and a good 10 hours easily on medium projection.
If I had to describe this fragrance in short I'd call this a sandalwood fragrance that's dark and sexual.It's very dry,dusty,and woody.I get a fair amount of patchouli and a light but enjoyable rose/soap duo.Black leather is very present in this as some stated.Frankincense & Myrrh incense is a big player in this almost as much as sandalwood and it grabs onto that leather.Rose,black leather,and incense already says this is an intimate and suggestive fragrance.Then you get a very dirty musk in this and if that doesn't get the hint across...I don't know what will.An enigmatic and highly sensual fragrance with dark and strong tones.Careful though Salvador Dali Pour Homme may easily stereotype you into the person you aren't really if you don't understand it's persona.
2-3 sprays max and a good 10 hours easily on medium projection.
Stardate 20161028:
Vintage Version
A dark animalic scent that reminds me of the forests in tim burton movies.
Moss, fir, decay,mint,smoke - it has all
A must for every perfumista
Vintage Version
A dark animalic scent that reminds me of the forests in tim burton movies.
Moss, fir, decay,mint,smoke - it has all
A must for every perfumista
Salvador Dali Pour Homme opens with a sharp, herbal, astringent, rubbery gunshot that opens up to reveal a whiff of something just starting to ferment. Whether we're about to get a nice batch of kim-chi or a rotten jar of funky sewage, we don't yet know. Oddly addictive for the same reasons we stop and stare at a burning car on the side of the road.
The scent very slowly softens to reveal notes that are a little more approachable. A touch of sweetness from (I assume) the jasmine in the heart shows itself, and a surprisingly soft burnt leathery fougere accord comes to dominate the lower heart and base.
The questionable fermentation process has resolved itself, and luckily, we ended up with something savory, and not rotten.
To compare Salvador Dali's genius base with the profiles of a few other scents you might be familiar with: think of Azzaro Pour Homme's classic anisic fougere base combined with Yatagan's bone dry, savory musk and leather foundation. Add good dose of funky earthy patchouli. Toss that on a smoldering charcoal fire and singe lightly.
This is definitely one that lives up to its challenging, dark, weird reputation. But it's captivating and beautiful in its own way.
The scent very slowly softens to reveal notes that are a little more approachable. A touch of sweetness from (I assume) the jasmine in the heart shows itself, and a surprisingly soft burnt leathery fougere accord comes to dominate the lower heart and base.
The questionable fermentation process has resolved itself, and luckily, we ended up with something savory, and not rotten.
To compare Salvador Dali's genius base with the profiles of a few other scents you might be familiar with: think of Azzaro Pour Homme's classic anisic fougere base combined with Yatagan's bone dry, savory musk and leather foundation. Add good dose of funky earthy patchouli. Toss that on a smoldering charcoal fire and singe lightly.
This is definitely one that lives up to its challenging, dark, weird reputation. But it's captivating and beautiful in its own way.
This forms a strong accord, with complexity spilling out from the edges. Something prominent in the main accord is off for my tastes, but it has character.
I think this is great, but I also think you need to be in the right mood for this one. It's dark, muddy and heavy, like the dirty green of the bottle it comes in, so if you're in a bright, sparkly "all's well with the world" kind of mood, I would reach for something else.
It has an overall scent that is kind of unwholesome, earthy and ancient, yet every now and again you get single notes briefly appearing, like a series of images in a bizarre dream : patchouli, oakmoss, smoke, burning rubber, lavender, geranium, spices and a sort of sweet, chocolate like smell. It's also darkly sexual. If I had to describe it in an image, it would be a dark, brooding shape, watching lustfully from the shadows of an ancient cave, damp and hot, dimly lit by flickering, smoking torches.
For me it's not an everyday perfume, and it's not for the faint hearted, but I think it's great.
I'm surprised to see the ratings on sillage and longevity, because on me it's only moderate for both of these.
February 2016
It has an overall scent that is kind of unwholesome, earthy and ancient, yet every now and again you get single notes briefly appearing, like a series of images in a bizarre dream : patchouli, oakmoss, smoke, burning rubber, lavender, geranium, spices and a sort of sweet, chocolate like smell. It's also darkly sexual. If I had to describe it in an image, it would be a dark, brooding shape, watching lustfully from the shadows of an ancient cave, damp and hot, dimly lit by flickering, smoking torches.
For me it's not an everyday perfume, and it's not for the faint hearted, but I think it's great.
I'm surprised to see the ratings on sillage and longevity, because on me it's only moderate for both of these.
February 2016
One of those rare fragrances I knew I'd like even before I sprayed it, simply taking the cap off and catching a whiff of this beast brought a smile to my face. On initial spray, it reminds me somewhat of the original Givenchy Gentleman (before it was totally fucked up), but with much stronger animalics and a dark, earthy patchouli. Florals (mostly lavender) and herbs come into the mix next, reminding me faintly of Zino by Davidoff, but this one is not as civilized as that. A dark, brooding gem of a scent which eventually turns into a dirty musky-leather.
Longevity is enormous (I could still smell it on my skin the next day), so a single spray or two should suffice. Vintage version as tested and preferred.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy these type of scents.
Longevity is enormous (I could still smell it on my skin the next day), so a single spray or two should suffice. Vintage version as tested and preferred.
Highly recommended for those who enjoy these type of scents.
As far as I know, Salvador Dali re-launched this gem. When - I don't know.I know they did. So you can't call it discontinued anymore.
Good, I mean great for me. This is pure evil in a bottle... But in a good way! I mean - when I wear it, I feel like I'm in the middle of the dark, wet, huge forest and evil sourrounds me...
Longevity and sillage - outstanding.
Masterpiece of a fragrance. Enough said.
I wish I lived in the 80's and could have used all those powerhouses at their greatest times...
Good, I mean great for me. This is pure evil in a bottle... But in a good way! I mean - when I wear it, I feel like I'm in the middle of the dark, wet, huge forest and evil sourrounds me...
Longevity and sillage - outstanding.
Masterpiece of a fragrance. Enough said.
I wish I lived in the 80's and could have used all those powerhouses at their greatest times...
A kiss or a whisper...
This is a fragrance foreseen in nightmares.
I have a suspicion that this was what Colonel Walter E. Kurtz in Apocalypse Now was talking about when quoting "The horror! The horror!" from Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness".
In a recently discovered letter from Howard Philips Lovecraft to Clark Ashton Smith, in which Lovecraft describes one of his nightmares, the following passage was surely portending the birth of an anomaly like Salvador Dali pour Homme, some 50 years before its coming.
"...I dreamt of a dark pond amidst a desolated garden with long dead rose bushes. Its green, stagnant water was shimmering under an alien moon, emanating an unbearable foreboding of great evil. I was standing mesmerised in front of it, staring at its unfathomable depths, and completely unable to avert my eyes. And then I heard a cacophonous, orgiastic commotion of fifes coming from the ominous line of trees in the distance. And like answering to a call, the water begun to stir, like something unimaginably dreadful was about to emerge any moment. And along with the tumultuousness of the water, there came the smell...Oh dear God, the smell...
With a terrifying feeling that something was standing right behind me, I woke up drenched in sweat, and shaking. The last thing I remember from my dream was a fleeting glimpse of a pair of pitch black lips over my shoulder, whispering "I shall find you..." And although I'm sure that it was my imagination playing tricks on me, I'd swear that for what felt like an eternity, although it was only a few seconds, the smell seemed to have followed me, filling my bedroom.
God have mercy on us all, should this foulest of smells ever finds its way from the world of dreams to the world of the living."
If one and only one creation of every art was to be displayed in a gallery dedicated to art's finest examples, then it should be no other than Salvador Dali pour Homme representing perfumery. I guess it would be redundant to say anything about its bottle, other than it's the most bizarre and surrealistic vessel ever used to contain a fragrance. But since we're talking about Señor Dali, I also guess that this shouldn't come as surprise. I'll just add that this is not a bottle that anyone would like to sleep in the same room with. Perhaps Henry S. Whitehead's short story "The Lips" could give a good reason why. But if the bottle is bizzare one time, what's inside it simply doesn't have anything analogous in the known universe. I simply can't describe how it smells like, because I don't know what I'm smelling. But whatever it is, it is something on a titanic scale. Words like notes, sillage and longevity have absolutely no meaning here. Maybe this is the reason why it took Thierry Wasser 13 years to create another fragrance. Maybe he was someplace hiding, terrified after he realised what he had unleashed upon the world. For this is one of the very few scents, of which when I trace a whiff of them in the air, I wouldn't want to meet the one wearing it. I could swear that the air around me becomes thicker every time I dare to spray a single shot on me. And judging by their body language, I could also swear that it changes people's behaviour towards me when I'm wearing it. It's like they sense an undercurrent of hostility coming in spindrifts. And it makes an otherwise friendly smile looking beguiling in the light of day, and dangerous after dark. It is a scent that defies the senses and all the usual ways of perceiving a scent, and speaks directly to the soul. Or threatens to steal it...
This is a fragrance foreseen in nightmares.
I have a suspicion that this was what Colonel Walter E. Kurtz in Apocalypse Now was talking about when quoting "The horror! The horror!" from Joseph Conrad's "Heart of Darkness".
In a recently discovered letter from Howard Philips Lovecraft to Clark Ashton Smith, in which Lovecraft describes one of his nightmares, the following passage was surely portending the birth of an anomaly like Salvador Dali pour Homme, some 50 years before its coming.
"...I dreamt of a dark pond amidst a desolated garden with long dead rose bushes. Its green, stagnant water was shimmering under an alien moon, emanating an unbearable foreboding of great evil. I was standing mesmerised in front of it, staring at its unfathomable depths, and completely unable to avert my eyes. And then I heard a cacophonous, orgiastic commotion of fifes coming from the ominous line of trees in the distance. And like answering to a call, the water begun to stir, like something unimaginably dreadful was about to emerge any moment. And along with the tumultuousness of the water, there came the smell...Oh dear God, the smell...
With a terrifying feeling that something was standing right behind me, I woke up drenched in sweat, and shaking. The last thing I remember from my dream was a fleeting glimpse of a pair of pitch black lips over my shoulder, whispering "I shall find you..." And although I'm sure that it was my imagination playing tricks on me, I'd swear that for what felt like an eternity, although it was only a few seconds, the smell seemed to have followed me, filling my bedroom.
God have mercy on us all, should this foulest of smells ever finds its way from the world of dreams to the world of the living."
If one and only one creation of every art was to be displayed in a gallery dedicated to art's finest examples, then it should be no other than Salvador Dali pour Homme representing perfumery. I guess it would be redundant to say anything about its bottle, other than it's the most bizarre and surrealistic vessel ever used to contain a fragrance. But since we're talking about Señor Dali, I also guess that this shouldn't come as surprise. I'll just add that this is not a bottle that anyone would like to sleep in the same room with. Perhaps Henry S. Whitehead's short story "The Lips" could give a good reason why. But if the bottle is bizzare one time, what's inside it simply doesn't have anything analogous in the known universe. I simply can't describe how it smells like, because I don't know what I'm smelling. But whatever it is, it is something on a titanic scale. Words like notes, sillage and longevity have absolutely no meaning here. Maybe this is the reason why it took Thierry Wasser 13 years to create another fragrance. Maybe he was someplace hiding, terrified after he realised what he had unleashed upon the world. For this is one of the very few scents, of which when I trace a whiff of them in the air, I wouldn't want to meet the one wearing it. I could swear that the air around me becomes thicker every time I dare to spray a single shot on me. And judging by their body language, I could also swear that it changes people's behaviour towards me when I'm wearing it. It's like they sense an undercurrent of hostility coming in spindrifts. And it makes an otherwise friendly smile looking beguiling in the light of day, and dangerous after dark. It is a scent that defies the senses and all the usual ways of perceiving a scent, and speaks directly to the soul. Or threatens to steal it...
I find the drydown excessively cloying... I can't with it, need a special day to wear it. If this were more on the bitter side, i would give it 9/10 stars. But cause of the sweetness, i give it 7,5. If you are a perfumista, is a must!
Why does the devil get all the good fragrances? Yes, it's true - SDph smells evil. If incense was commandeered by the Christian church, then SDph is official fragrance of the church of the dark side. It's evil, it's strong and packs a punch. The breathe and creativity of reviews already written about this wicked brew attest to the depth and striking originality of this scent. Thierry Wasser, he of the Guerlain mantel, created this? Say it is so!
If you want to get technical and dig a little deeper, SDph is a deadly fougere. Lavender and herbs (sage, basil) hit like a bolt of lightning. If you didn't recoil in horror at first blast, then you're in luck. The floral middle (think geranium & jasmine) takes over the show that leads shortly into what can only be described as the most intense and animalic musk you've ever smelled outside of a barnyard. Not even Kouros can match this. I can detect patchouli, oak moss & a drop of vanilla too but it's the musk that dominates your nose (and your soul!)
True story, I have a friend who is a dyed-in-the-wool Satanist and I've smelled SDph on him but I've never confirmed that he's actually wearing it.
Somewhere in the nether regions of the spirit world; grand ole Dali is still having a laugh over the fragrance he helped wrought onto mankind.
If you want to get technical and dig a little deeper, SDph is a deadly fougere. Lavender and herbs (sage, basil) hit like a bolt of lightning. If you didn't recoil in horror at first blast, then you're in luck. The floral middle (think geranium & jasmine) takes over the show that leads shortly into what can only be described as the most intense and animalic musk you've ever smelled outside of a barnyard. Not even Kouros can match this. I can detect patchouli, oak moss & a drop of vanilla too but it's the musk that dominates your nose (and your soul!)
True story, I have a friend who is a dyed-in-the-wool Satanist and I've smelled SDph on him but I've never confirmed that he's actually wearing it.
Somewhere in the nether regions of the spirit world; grand ole Dali is still having a laugh over the fragrance he helped wrought onto mankind.
A haunting, claustrophobic genius fragrance which smells like nothing else. And makes nowadays' "gloomy" and dark animalic scents smell like candies. Not to stick to clichés due to the signature on the box, but the first minutes are actually a great surrealist olfactory journey in a weird, ghastly, bizarre world made of rancid fruits, carcasses, thick petrol, narcotic herbs, black rubbery sticky smoke. You really feel yourself stuck in a locked closet submerged by any kind of curiosités. And above all, or below all, a really elegant, timeless, subtle but bold fougère accord with a prominent smoke/black woods accord, which is just lying there, far and silent an old man looking at you crawling in this gloomy, cadaveric circus of notes. Maybe Dalì himself, that is fun to see this that way. An amazingly evocative and morbid scent in which I can barely detect a couple of the notes which are supposed to be there pure alchemic transformation into a unique, straightforward, undiscernible liquid. It takes a bit of time to love this potion, but when you start doing it, it's just one of the most unique and captivating fragrances ever made. And most important, back on Earth... a bit challenging but not as much it may seem (just a tad too rubbery after a while - better in cold days I guess).
8,5/10
8,5/10
This scent is, to me, absolutely, unwearably gorgeous. I get a dressed-up cinnamon and leather oriental, much like Gambler and Gambler Musk by Jovan, but richer and darker. It has that old, polished drawing room feeling of Van Cleef & Arpels, complete with the vase of assorted wilting white flowers from the Wife sitting on the corner of the desk. The scent becomes less spicy over time and eventually devolves into a sweet and musky patchouli and I am surprised to find I enjoy this as much as I do. Too bad, because as a 29 year-old in today's scentscape I'd probably receive a more favorable response if I went into the general Public on fire than if I had worn SDPH. Every time I find a new bygone love like this I must seem like a happy puppy, shaking and sharing a fresh carcass with anyone nearby. "Hey, Human! Look at my new toy! I'll share my new toy with you! Why are you running away?"
In one word "WOW" For years I've been thinking to get this perfume, but for one reason or another I didn't, what a fool. Finally I got it and this is one of the greatest perfumes of all times in my book, it shot right up to the top 5 of my list of favorites and considering in making it my number one. It smells very similar to M. Micallef's Black Sashka, too similar maybe. The only difference is that the strong Artemisia note in Black Sashka has been replaced by Tarragon. Both notes are very similar but I thought I like the green and bitter Artemisia better than the sweeter anise like of Tarragon, but in SDpH case, the Tarragon seems to complement the other notes better, well, I am still in the fence on this. The dominant note is patchouli, strong, dark, dirty patchouli which is boosted by a dark, damp oakmoss and a wet sandalwood. Lavender plays the perfect contrast to the sinister mood of the main notes and together with other notes delivers some luminosity to the murky, somber tone of this gem. One of the most masculine perfumes in the market and lasts all day on me. This gotta be the perfume of Barnabas Collins.Pros: Dark, masculine, long lastingCons: None whatsoever"
Best fragrance i have ever used. I have had this about that 28 years and still using.