Masculin 2
Bourjois (1975)

A true masterpiece from the past! Pretty much close to ysl pour Homme! Love that soapy lemony notes❤️

There's something about the synergy between lemon, geranium, and musk that makes me feel like a cozy, warm-hearted Dad.

Bourjois Masculin 2 is the olfactory equivalent of hearing Bread on AM radio.

I have the urge to chat with a good buddy or two on the CB.

All of a sudden I am surrounded by panels made from knotty pine and am craving breakfast at Howard Johnson's.

This is such marvelous nostalgia. I am so glad I took the plunge and blind bought a bottle. Even the extant packaging design is terrific.

As a deviation from the well known, I present Masculin 2. After one wearing, I bought a bottle. As noted by KIG, in 2009, this fragrance absolutely does not fit in with what your brain perceives as how a '70s fragrance would smell and is completely appropriate for the modern person.

The initial blast is of citrus, with a bit of herbs in the background. Even though lime is not listed, the combination of grapefruit, bergamot and basil here presents more like a lemon-lime accord with an herbal zing. Reminds one of Mancera's Lemon Line in feel and scent spectrum, but I'm not proclaiming duplication here. The citrus remains clear through the drydown into the heart. At about the 20 minute mark, the nicely projecting opening has quieted down a great deal and the overall impression is citrus-herbal-woody and clean. Very pleasant. One thing that is not listed in the notes that I pick up a hint of, at around the 45 minute mark, is oakmoss. But it's just a touch and perhaps added to give a bit of backbone to the heart and act as an accompaniment to transition into the base. About 4 hours in, this fragrance is mostly (but not completely)a skin scent of woods and a hint of musk (not listed). Oddly enough, you will still catch whiffs of citrus mixed in. If vetiver is present, it's not clear and merely mixed in to add some bottom. The base is clean, reserved, pleasant and enduring. Overall I get 8 hours of longevity, 4 hours with decent projection.

This fragrance will wear well in the office, or anywhere. Extremely versatile for spring, summer, and early fall when you want a pleasant fragrance that doesn't challenge your senses or anyone near you. I can picture wearing this while enjoying a morning coffee on the lanai just as the sun is rising, while sipping a frozen concoction and looking at a sunset across an emerald green waterfront, or even while explaining analytics to junior members in a boardroom. It is a sold 7-7.5/10.

This is quite diferent from the other Bourjois "Masculin" family fragrance, "Or Masculin." Whereas Or Masculin is a lush, spicy leather oriental, reminiscent of vintage Bel Ami, this is an herbal, zesty,Eau de Cologne style fragrance in the spirit of Eau Sauvage, but with a more Mediterranean flair. Think Eau Sauvage's lemon-bergamot fresh opening, with tarragon and pepper (Masculin 2) substituted for the rosemary and coriander (Eau Sauvage), and geranium (Masculin 2) substituted for the jasmine note in Eau Sauvage. I also get a bit of cedar in the base of the Masculin 2, which is the last note to disappear. While it's not the stunner that Or Masculin is, it a very solid fragrance nonetheless.

If this one was released nowadays, would probably be a hit. Very, very unusual for 70's frag. Has nothing in common with any other from that era. One of the fragrances I will consider extremely lucky to ever find again. If I do, I'll buy a bucket.Will not go into a detail. I'm too upset it's gone.