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Afternoon, gentlemen. I hope you are having a fantastic week. This week, I have been wearing a fragrance by Emporio Armani called “He” or “Lui” in French. It is an Eau de Toilette (EDT).

I generally get along well with Armani fragrances. I am a big fan of the famous Armani Code, particularly the version before its reformulation in 2023. Yes, I know this was under ‘Georgio’ Armani, separate from Emporio, but it’s still Armani, as far as I’m concerned.

Anyway, this one, on the other hand, has been flying under the radar since its release in 2020. By ‘flying under the radar,’ I mean it has yet to gain as much attention or popularity as other fragrances in the lineup. The noses behind this scent are Alain Astori and Carlos Benium. The latter is one of my favourite perfumers and the creator of my beloved Polo Green. You can check out my review of that little beauty here. 

But is this one any good and worth your time? Well, my fragrance-loving friends, that is precisely what we will find out in today’s article. Let’s get into it. 

Appearance and presentation.

The package design of Emporio Armani ‘He’ is truly unique. It’s not your typical fragrance bottle but somewhat resembles some kind of refill carton. This unconventional design may pique your interest, and I personally appreciate its simplicity. 

The only downside for me is that the atomiser could be better. Applying requires more effort, as the distribution is poor. Usually, If the juice is good, I’ll be willing to overlook this minor defect. Luckily, in this case, it is.

Pricing 

Emporio Armani ‘He’ is reasonably priced and offers decent value for money. While it may not be considered a premium fragrance, it’s also not priced as such. You can find other similar fragrances at a cheaper price, and I’ll recommend some of them at the end of this review.  

The Notes

Top Notes – Yuzu, Sage, Cardamom

Middle Notes – Nutmeg, Rose, Orris Root

Base Notes – White Musk, Sandalwood, Vetiver, Tonka Bean

Thoughts about the scent 

As you can see, quite a few notes have been added here. The opening is sweet, fresh, and floral, and it has a nostalgic quality. It is reminiscent of popular releases around the turn of the century when the masculine powerhouse era started to fade, and men’s fragrances became more sweet and subtle. 

It becomes more woody and spicy in the dry down, blended in a very unusual but good way. I like this one. It’s a freshie but also has a dark, edgy masculine component that does stand out. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea, of course, but if you appreciate a good woody, rugged scent, you might enjoy this. It’s blended well, and I am impressed.

It is primarily a fresh, woody scent, but it’s not limited to that, and it is by no means linear. Those other notes, such as the Rose and the Nutmeg, also shine through, adding complexity and making it more interesting.

Not a bad job at all.

Compliments

For the most part, this fragrance will be well received, although it’s not a crowd-pleaser. A few people may view it as a little dated, but not enough to worry too much about. Speaking for myself, I would actually appreciate it if someone noticed that I was wearing a dated fragrance, as that’s a good thing in my eyes… or should I say “nose”? That’s just me, though. 

Performance

It performs reasonably well for an EDT, although it is moderate and not a powerhouse by any stretch of the word. You can expect around four hours for overall longevity with about an hour and a half of projection time. Most people within a few feet of you will be able to detect it, so there are no issues. 

By the way, I cover the different fragrances you can buy in my free cheat sheet (hint: some are much stronger than others). It might save you much time (and heartache) on your next purchase! 😉

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:

When and where?

This is quite an easygoing fragrance that I would place in the ‘all-rounder’ category. This means it’s versatile and suitable for various occasions and seasons. Whether it’s a casual day out, a formal office meeting, or a night out on the town, this fragrance fits the bill. 

I would save it for casual daywear for the best results. 

Should you buy?

So there you have it, gentlemen, an enjoyable and well-composed throwback to the early 00s. Now, if you’re “Mr Contemporary,” you may look down on something like this, and thus, I wouldn’t recommend it to you. 

However, if you are open to something a little different or are someone who mainly wears scents for himself and isn’t that interested in what others may think (this is me, by the way), you might enjoy this. It just doesn’t have the same mass appeal as some of today’s other modern releases.

There is nothing wrong with either; it depends on your needs.

It could work well as a signature scent. It’s versatile, reasonably priced, and performs well. Remember to let me know your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.

If you’re looking for a fresh, woody scent like Emporio Armani He, check out my other reviews on Polo Cologne Intense, Montblanc Legend, or Boss Bottled Night. I would recommend all three. 

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.

WANT TO FAST-TRACK ALL OF THIS STUFF?

I put together The Ultimate Fragrance Cheat Sheet—a no-fluff guide that covers everything from notes and families to shopping smart and applying like a pro.

It’s built for guys who want to smell sharp without overthinking it.