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Dear gentlemen, I’ve had the pleasure of immersing myself in the weird world of Thierry Mugler’s Alien Man EDT for the past week. This fragrance, long-awaited on my review list, has finally made its way into my musings. It’s a little odd, as you would expect from a perfume named “Alien,” but it’s still pretty good and worth a blog post.
Alien Man, introduced in 2018, arrived with a surge of excitement thanks to the widespread praise of its female counterpart, a scent you may already be acquainted with. It’s marketed as a fresh, spicy aromatic, but how does it stand out from other fragrances in this category? We’ll delve into the specifics of that shortly.
Now, let’s address the burning question on your mind: Is this fragrance a worthwhile investment? Here’s my humble opinion based on my “close encounter” with Alien Man (sorry for the pun).
Appearance and presentation
The bottle design is undeniably cool and has a futuristic, ultra-modern, ‘Alien-like’ look. It’s a sleek, black bottle with angular edges and a metallic finish reminiscent of a spaceship. It’s actually quite hideous but interesting nonetheless!
Those who follow my posts regularly will know that I’m a bit of a nostalgic, still rooted in the 70s and 80s, but I must admit, I’m quite fond of this one. The sprayer on it is also excellent, with just the correct amount of distribution.
I give it a thumbs-up regarding the appearance and presentation. Only on this occasion, though.
Price and where to buy
It’s one of those scents you will find near the front of the store, so you’ll likely have no issue finding it. It’s a mid-range designer fragrance, and the price is pretty much bang on the nose for what it is. This accessibility makes it a comfortable choice for many.
The notes
Top Notes – Anise, Dill, Mint, Lavender, Beech, Thyme, Lemon
Middle Notes – Leather, Cashmere Wood, Osmanthus, Pepper, Geranium
Base Notes – White Amber, Cashmeran, Vanilla
Thoughts about the scent
Now, on the top, I’m getting a fresh, fruity vibe with hints of anise, mint and a slight herbal touch from the dill. It settles down into a warm, woody scent, with the musk that adds a masculine edge.
It does have some similarities to the lady’s version with the Cashmeran and white amber notes, although it’s noticeably missing the Jasmin. I assume they’ve left out the Jasmin to make it more masculine, which, in my view, was a mistake. I think a few more sweet florals would have made things more interesting, as they did with the original. But hey, that’s just my personal take on it. Jasmin can be just as masculine if blended with the correct notes, so why not keep it there? Beats me.
Anyway…
Despite all the hype surrounding it, this was a bit of a disappointment across the fragrance community when it was first released. Some critics described it as having a bit of a ‘mall scent’ feel, a term used to describe popular and widely available fragrances that lack the uniqueness and complexity of niche fragrances. However, I found it to be a pleasing fragrance. It does have an oddness about it (not in a repellant way) with a dark, edgy twist. I enjoyed it, although it could have been better.
I would give the scent a solid 7 out of 10 and recommend it to those who enjoy unique, weird scents that don’t stray too far from the mainstream.
Performance
For an EDT, the performance is average and will last 4-5 hours, which will project for the first 1-2 hours. This ‘average’ performance means that the fragrance is not overpowering but is also not too subtle. It has just the right amount of ‘muscle’ for what it is; if it were any more substantial, the woody musk element would quickly become quite unpleasant. It has the right balance, ensuring the fragrance is noticeable without being overwhelming.
Where to wear
This fragrance has been designed to be much more versatile than the original, while still retaining as much of the Alien’ weirdness’ as possible. It succeeds in this to some extent, making it suitable for a variety of occasions. However, this attempt at versatility has also made the fragrance a little too generic for my taste.
You could confidently wear this fragrance anywhere, including the office, and it wouldn’t cause too much of a disturbance. You’re unlikely to offend anybody with it, making it a safe choice for any occasion.
When to wear
Again, it’s an all-rounder and would work any time of year. Woody aromantic scents like this are particularly well suited to milder climates. I would not wear it in the summer, but there’s no apparent reason why you couldn’t get away with it. There are much better options for that time of year with more of a fresh appeal, such as Aqua di Gio, Polo Blue or even Boss Bottled Night.
Want to try this fragrance on your skin?
If you’d prefer to sample it first, these are my two favourite
and most reliable places to get authentic decants:
Pros and Cons
Pros
- It has a unique, edgy twist
- Somewhat creative and different in parts
- Projection and longevity aren’t bad
- The price is very reasonable for what it is
- Well-blended masculine musk and woody notes
Cons
- Overhyped compared to the original
- It has been generalised to some degree
- More effort could have gone into the composition
- Somewhat lazy and predictable attempt at a male counterpart
Should you buy?
So, to sum it up, I would give this fragrance a slightly above-average rating. It smells good, not amazing, and it’s a little unique. The price is on point, and it offers a decent performance. However, I suggest tempering your expectations, particularly if you expect it to be as good as the original.
Go ahead and give it a try, and let me know what you think.
READY TO GRAB THIS FRAGRANCE?
If you’re ready to add this to your collection, here are two reliable places to check:
- FragranceX – usually the best prices, discount codes, and a wide selection. They also ship worldwide.
- Amazon – great if you prefer Prime delivery speed, just make sure to buy from a trusted seller.
👉 Pick the option that works best for you.
No matter where you’re reading from, smell good, spend smart.
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It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.