Our take
What does 212 Men smell like?
The name is Manhattan’s area code. Carolina Herrera released 212 Men in 1999, with a formula by Alberto Morillas and Rosendo Mateu. It opens green and tart. Lavender and bergamot meet grapefruit and petitgrain with a pinch of spice on top, and ginger and pepper soon push forward. The heart is the surprise. Gardenia and violet bring a floral, almost soapy note, and sage keeps it from drifting too far from the men’s aisle. The base is pure late nineties: clean and musky. Sandalwood and vetiver stay in the background while incense and guaiac add a dry wisp of smoke, with a touch of labdanum for roundness. It smells more like an ironed shirt than like skin. That restraint is exactly why it is still on shelves, worn by men who want to smell good without being noticed.
When to wear it
Spring days and the office. Four sprays will never bother anyone in an open-plan room, which is its main strength.
It belongs to the Floral, Woody, Musky family. 212 Men is one of 6 creations by Carolina Herrera in our encyclopedia.
