Burberry
Burberry
143 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
Black pepper crackles against citron's sharp, waxy brightness, immediately establishing a snappy, almost aldehydic freshness that feels somewhat impersonal. The violet leaf arrives almost simultaneously, adding a subtle green bite that prevents the opening from becoming conventionally citrus-sweet.
As the pepper subsides, geranium and thyme emerge with a slightly soapy, herbal character—think less bouquet and more botanical extract. The composition becomes noticeably more subdued here, the notes flattening into a pleasant but forgettable blend that lacks development or intrigue.
The vetiver and woody notes surface faintly, providing textural warmth without genuine projection, eventually dissolving into a skin scent barely distinguishable from clean skin itself.
The Beat for Men arrives as a calculated exercise in restrained masculinity—a fragrance that prioritises clarity over complexity, speaking in clipped, businesslike syllables rather than elaborate prose. Domitille Michalon-Bertier has constructed something genuinely interesting in its spareness: the black pepper and citron opening establishes an almost austere freshness, whilst the violet leaf refuses to soften into floral sweetness, instead contributing a slightly peppery, almost herbaceous undertone that keeps everything taut and alert.
The geranium and white thyme in the heart are the fragrance's saving grace, preventing it from disappearing entirely into the ether. These green, mineral notes create a herbal texture that sits somewhere between a grooming product and an actual perfume—there's something vaguely medicinal about it, a quality that suggests someone who showers before heading to the office. The vetiver and woody accords that follow are disappointingly muted, adding body without real presence.
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Byredo
3.8/5 (217)