Monsieur Balmain Pierre Balmain for men

I was wearing this early in 1997 and since then, i never smelled it again or found it in the Cyprus market. now i ordered it from internet and from what i remember, it was a fresh lemon perfume without being bitter or acidic....it was just fresh rainy lemon....i can't wait to get it and recall that decade.
i do not recall D&G masculine but YSL pour homme is in my collection. i prefer by far Monsieur being fresher and cooler. YSL turns to be mossy in the old fashion way but Monsieur is not.

Nice, fresh, simple & not noisy, and... nothing else. Maybe at the time when Germaine Cellier was working to create this fragrance (the first version of which was issued way way before 1990!), Monsieur Balmain could be considered as an absolutely wonderful and highly original perfume. However, I personally think that today we have much more interesting versions of citrus fragrances. It's still good though.

This was a blind buy, and, as we know, blind buys can be disasters, sometimes expensive ones. This buy, however, lived up to the hype. But I would disagree with facile characterizations of this fragrance a lemon bomb. There is lemon, to be sure, and lots of it, but lemon here is about theme and variation -- the lemon is a constant that interacts differently with the various notes in the dry-down. This is perfume-as-process. The lemon and the pepper, which is very strong, and the sandalwood are not in lockstep. Rather, there is a tension among them that renders these ingredients somewhat unsettled. But this is not discord, it is communication. There is a linearity to this unsettledness, but it is not clumsy or awkward. It is highly choreographed, and is, therefore, quite confident and poised, despite its deceptive simplicity. It's rougher around edges than Dior's ultra-sophisticated original Eau Sauvage, and bone-dry compared the luxuriant, lemony sweetness of Chanel's original Pour Monsieur. I think it would layer well with a range of other scents, including Atelier Cologne's Orange Sanguine, and probably some of the vetivers. It's elemental enough to invite wide experimentation. I invite my fellow noses to suggest other possibilities.

so, it´s good, but nothing incredible. very linear and we have many citrus fragrances most funny out there, for example, YSL PH. My opinion.

Ratting = 6/10

Lemon juice with a good longevity..Drydowns with a little wood in it..good though.

A refreshing blast of lemon citrus on top with woods and vetiver in the base. It's a refreshing simple Summer fragrance for that zesty pick me up to start the day.

Monsieur Balmain is quite pleasant. The initial blast is of, well, what else... lemons. And not cheap, furniture polish, Pledge or Endust lemon either. Real lemons. The drydown was actually surprising to me, in that I got the marriage of Hanae Mori HM and Lalique Encre Noir, which I enjoy both, thoroughly.

However, I wouldn't go so far as to call this the best citrus ever. Personally, I tend to gravitate toward the more orange end than the lemon end of the citrus spectrum. Strictly smell-wise, Frederic Malle Bigarade Concentree is the best citrus ever! I would not hesitate to spend the money ($200+) if the longevity and projection weren't so poor.

To wrap: Monsieur Balmain is a great choice at $0.30 per mL :)

my favorite summer cologne! perfect for cool summertime beach party! tough to get now! balmaine must launch this once again!

A few years ago I was looking for a citrus fragrance, basically one with lemon (since I'm not a big fan of bergamot). and searching I found Pierre Balmain Monsieur.
This is an example of how a well done fragrance can stand out and leave the rest behind. Yes, this is a simple citrus/spice/woody fragrance but the ingredients are combined in a way that they lead one to the other without messing with each other. This is a fantastic, classic and elegant citrus perfume.

What a fresh kinda feeling of spring, of summer, of feeling fresh & free (sorry...sounds like a commercial)

It's lemon & soft mint making love while in a very tender loving embrace...

Superb citrus fragrance, refreshing yet masculine. Smells like a pile of lemon zest on a freshly cut piece of wood. Simple and elegant!

I have that but in an old bottled. I don't found some special ingredients in this fragrance. too much lemon, mint and bergamot. 2,5/5

the best citrus frag', ever made. End of discussion. Period.

A very nice dry citrus/lemon, like stated before, it is very comfortable, easy to wear. I absolutely love it.

Humm Germaine Cellier died in 1976.... I doubt they kept her "nose" to create this one in 1990, I'm confused. I got a vial today and I have to say that it's a very nice and dry smell, the dry down is comfortable and the lemon at the beginning is quite impressing!

The best citrus frangrance of all time.It starts with a blast of fresh squeezed lemon and then comes the magical drydown with sandalwood and vetiver.Exeptional quality but short longevity

Zara limited smells EXACTLY the same, a little stronger even, and costs less than half of this

Es un perfume que lo cogi a ciegas por las buenas criticas que veia en el foro, pero me ha decepcionado porque su olor me recuerda a producto contra mosquitos. Supongo por el olor de la citronela, pero a mi criterio no me ha sorprendido, mi gusto de citricos no va por ahi, prefiero un tous man sport o happy antes que monsieur balmain. No encuentro una fragancia cítrica sorprendente, si alguien sabe de alguna? Decirmela, grácias.

Can I just say?: Germaine Cellier is my Elvis Idol. Or would be if she were around. Dag. To have created both Bandit and Fracas is mind-bending, but then there's this too, and I'm just wondering what she was like. M. Balmain is such a joy to wear. Easy going, fresh, summery...but not insipid, still has a GC thrill to it.

Exclusivo, romantico, sexy y con una personalidad unica que perdura por siempre. Aun no le he encontrado un sustituto. Las mujeres se derriten cuando sienten su aroma. Siempre que nos encontramos despues del tiempo me comentan que me recuerdan junto con el aroma del amor y la pasion. Unico..........

A wonderful scent more than a "fragrance", but don't underestimate this composition by Germaine Cellier. Shamus1 wrote an excellent review along with RobbieX and minimalist. When I first wore this, it was a single spray application on my shirt sleeve. It impressed me, but I wanted warm sunshine and a beautiful spring day for a full-wearing before writing a full review and exalting this great bottle of juice! Mid-80's today in Northern Calfornia - blue skies, not a single cloud! Perfect.

The opening is a beautiful, bright-as-the-bottle citrus blend of fresh-squeezed lemon juice and a dash of bergamot and mint (I just caught it - wow!) As invigorating an opening you can imagine. Pure - not synthetic at all or even a hint of sweetness (which would have ruined this great bottle). I may just squeeze fresh lemon and rub a little mint on my other hand next time to compare. A note that may be in there and not listed in the pyramid is lemon verbena. As I smelled this more - I realized that the mint is a light touch, but there is an herbal note in the top that blends this perfectly into the heart. I use a lot of herbs to cook and used to grow lemon verbena. If it is not there, then it is a figment of my imagination - but I believe it is. By the way, this notes segues wonderfully into the rosemary in the heart and finally warming to clary sage in the base.

It is not a truly "linear" composition. But, let me first address connotation here. The beautiful lemon note in this IS linear, but the surrounding composition is not. As shamus1 and RobbieX clearly write, this blends and evolves with other notes wonderfully. I love the clean vetiver in the base - great "green note" transition from the mint on top to the rosemary in the middle. The addition of ginger is key as well...which I think is an essential part of this fragrance. It keeps a fresh, zingy and sharpness to the scent. Fresh ginger is so fragrant and one of my favorite notes in fragrance, plus I find it blends very well into compositions that need "lift" and sparkle. That is in here, most definitely - along with a nice pinch of fresh pepper.

The base is a white musk - not dirty at all mixed with the aforementioned clean vetiver accord. This never get cloying or even close to sweet (as mentioned) and the dry down's greenness is further accentuated by another wonderful note - clary sage. This plays beautifully with the rosemary in the heart and vetiver in the base.

Overall - I would call it a wonderful scent that goes way beyond expectations on depth of the composition and longevity is fair (although it is a skin scent after about 2 hours). Highly recommended to apply to both moisturized skin and clothing. This really breathes - liberally apply and layer a few extra sprays before leaving the house. This would transition absolutely beautifully with a hot, balmy day's wear and followed in the evening with a nice vetiver that is not to deep or rooty (Guerlain EDC/EDT, Givenchy, Vintage Carven EDC/EDT, Vetiver Hombre - just to name a few). But, that is also assuming you don't just reapply while getting changed & refreshed for an evening out. This is, for me, a truly great scent and an expression of olfactory pleasure. I cannot imagine this not being enjoyed by both the wearer and those around him. It warms so well on the body.

I will refrain from comparing it to others. Why? Because it is excellent on it own merit. I will wear this casually, formally - both indoors and outdoors in the Spring and Summer warmth. I will also keep a travel spray with me when wearing this as it needs to be re-applied to keep the top citrus notes projecting for more than the initial 2 hours, but the base itself is wonderful. It lasts about 4-5 hours on me indoors with a nice, faint skin scent remaining, which is perfect for transitioning to another scent (so you can let it just drydown) The question is - do you want more top notes and, therefore, refresh during the course of the wear - because you don't have to. This is personal choice. It exudes taste, class, freshness and confidence...8.5/10.

A side-note to finish - the first purchase I ever made from Pierre Balmain was a beautiful silk necktie that I still have in my collection (it is timeless). It has garnished more compliments than I can count. This is in the same vein - noticeable, distinguished and chic.

**Update** - After a nice 4-5 hour wearing of Monsieur Balmain in which I was outdoors in warm weather for part of it (and not refreshing), I was still left (especially on my shirt with a nice, light accord of clean vetiver and musk with a slight herbal tinge). Very nice. It made me think of what's next, since the weather is definitely warm today! Spring has arrived with vigor - it almost feels like a summer day. I decided (not for comparison purposes), but for a natural transition - to clean my face and neck thoroughly (since I applied Monsieur Balmain with neutral after shave balm on my light beard for more projection and to refresh my skin) and apply a nice light layer of current formulation Dior Eau Sauvage After Shave splash lotion (brilliant top notes) and a nice decant of older Vintage Eau Sauvage Cologne - perfectly preserved juice that I recently acquired from a seller who has become a good friend! The moss is present in the Vintage formula and the citrus and herbal top notes are in their full glory. The transition from a morning application of Monsieur Balmain to Eau Sauvage - sublime, perfection, seamless. I applied to my shirt as well and found they blend harmoniously - this is not revelatory, but one can only understand if they experience for themselves. Not a comparison of scents - but a two-part symphony that is so well composed and orchestrated. Notes, overtones and undertones go so well together. The brightness of the morning sun (Monsieur Balmain) in the lemon-drenched garden of scents to the fade out of the late afternoon into evening (Eau Sauvage) on the moss-covered side of the tree. Wow - this is truly special...a warm Spring day of pure olfactory pleasure.

It is appropriate for women too! Fresh and clean with a bit spicyness. My only complain is that it vanishes quickly.

un dia caliente el de hoy 33c° especial para usar MPB, me hace sentir tan fresco, su aroma esta por todos lados, increible como te hace olvidar del calor, sencillamnete espectacular con ese olor a limon tan refrescante, si vive en un país caluroso le recomiendo MPB
Today has been a very warm day 33c° a special day to wear MPB, makes me feel so fresh and clean, its smell is all around me, dispate of the high tempereture is just spectacular how the lemon refreshes me, if you live in a very warm country, like me, I can recomend you to wear MPB, it works perfect

PB Monsieur is one of the best fragrance i had have, I got it today an inmediately sprayed on me, and WOW, when I got to my office, compliments started right away, So happy to have the opportunity to buy PB Monsieur

A huge "Lemon bomb" initially, then turns into a more complex, masculine 'dry-down' with other notes. I love it.
Even the bottle is 'understated elegance!'

it is a great office scent after it calms down for about 10 minutes or so...always a compliment....just so clean and it is masculine to me with the dry down. you cannot go wrong , it is a bit of a lemon blast at first but it will settle down, it will cheer you up, it does me, smells like summer outdoors..i think exceptional in warm weather, bright and clear skies... the bottle is classic..and it is very reasonable right now on ebay...don't let it get away...

AT firts, not right year of production,real year of production is 1964.2, yes this is happy and very funny lemon scent.Yes hi's great for summer time, for winter, no way!Really old school, too far from perfume in this modern time, but for people who is the citrus maniacs, real choise.Perfume is very strong and nice, very similarly like Yves Saint Laurent Pour Homme, perhaps little bit stronger, and YVS PH is more modern but this.YVS PH(1971), PB MB(1‚964).Ha.Carbon-copy,so, so, meaby not, meaby?!

I purchased this thanks to Fragrantica reviews that I read. It is described as a scent I would absolutely enjoy and the reviewers on here were correct. The lemon scent is excellent. This cologne is so good. It is now one of my favorites. Thank you to my fellow Fragrantica reviewers!!!

I like a lot but the most I like is a certain smoky vetiver at the dry-down.
Must have!

Fabulous lemon scent, and so fresh. It always makes me smile when I wear it!

Great ... i found it back! I love it 10/10

Silly ... One of the best "SUMMER FRAGANCE" is gone !!! No more available !!!!! SO STUPID

Monsieur Balmain is simple and speaks right through its bottle:

Sunny, happy lemons.

Thankfully, the lemon note isn't too bitter or acidic. Still, if you hate lemons, stay away from Monsieur Balmain.

Anyway, this is by far the best lemon-centric cologne on the market along with YSL Pour Homme, Eau de Rochas Homme, and Eau de Guerlain. Smells just right and lasts for hours - how a citrus scent SHOULD be.

This one lasts 16 hours on my skin. Believe it or not. Great lemony fragrance. Better than D&G Masculine.

Always cheers me up - just looking at it!

Monsieur Balmain starts with REALLY sharp and loud lemons, almost like detergent, but quickly calms down and starts behaving like a more complex aromatic creation. Then you really start to detect the other notes listed, for example creamy ginger. My opinion is that this definitely is a citrus fragrance equally as good as Eau Sauvage, Armani pour homme etc. It stays fresh all the time and you are sure to get noticed, if you wear this. It is not a generic perfume, and it is a very beautiful summer fragrance.

Sleazy lemons with a touch of fresh manly sweat (not the nasty two-day smell without a shower sweat note but the fresh, recent one ). It's daring, bold and warm. Muscled citrus happily splashing in patchouly.
Never before such a twist on citrus had been done and I'm afraid never again will be ...Superb!

I agree this is one of the BEST citrus fragrances, it´s lemony but the combination of vetiver, musk and pepper makes it really elegant and unique. Highly recomended.

This is one of the best citrus fragrances out there - the citrus stays and turns into a musky, woody lemony vetiver - very fresh - very good! as someone commented, it's much better than D&G Masculine - If you like fresh, citrus woody fragances - this is the one - it lingers for quite a while too! A sparkling summer fragrance. This is class. If you want a citrus scent - look no further!

when you apply it, it reeks of freshly peeled lemon and then it goes into this transformation and you get dirty-spicy- fougere-citrusy scent

Great scent.. I love it

this is so fresh and full of sunshine, fresh and warm at the same time like eau sauvage which is also supposed to be a men's fragrance. Both are delicious in the summer

Peppery ginger, bright clear citrus. Very lovely and yes, I'm a woman and can wear it. It reminded me very much of Eau de Reglisse in the peppery citrus feeling. Definitely a great summer scent. Downside is that it faded very fast.

This is a really excellent citrus fragrance. It can best be described as a dirty lemon scent - like a huge lemon note blended in with a bit of Kouros. The initial top note is PURE LEMON, you can almost taste it! After about five minutes, a woody note starts to sneak in, and then a sweaty, almost dirty smell (civet?) mixes in with the lemon and wood. It makes what could have been a kind of boring plain citrus cologne into a red-blooded, sexy scent. Not as good as Eau Sauvage, but still one of the better citrus fragrances for men out there.

I was wearing it in one of my teen summers spent at the seaside and I would agree that it is at least unisex.

The short definition for it 'a citrus aromatic one' is very true, but the citrus layer is not light here, it is very thick, bright, intensive like citrus honey with spicies.

Luca Turin has called this scent "one of the best citrus scents of all the times" and does recommend it.

I don´t think this is a men´s fragrance, to me it´s unisex! It´s a very nice, fresh citrus-scent, a wake-up call with warm woody undernotes - just perfekt!