L’Homme Ideal EDP Type Formula

L’Homme Ideal is one of my partner’s favorite perfumes, so I know it well. CF’s version went through a couple of versions to land on this one, which is nearly identical. However, all depends on the Tonka you use, which at 50%, is very strong. Knowing this, I actually used it at 10% instead, and even then when he wears the perfume it knocks me down like a wrecking ball. Keep in mind that in this formula, Coumarin is already doing a lot of the Tonka heavy lifting. My suggestion is to go with a more subdued and refined Tonka, like Firmenich or Albert Vieille (or the Fraterworks ones) as opposed to your average supplier’s Tonka, which is very strong, smokey and nutty. The average one will overpower the scent. You might like it that strong (my partner seems to like it over the original perfume). I will make a softer version for him using ALbert Vieille’s Tonka and let him choose. This morning, he wore the stronger one to work, I walked in the room and went, “Oo-hooo…L’Homme Ideal!” (and not in a nice way). Granted, I smell the perfume with a nose that has for 10 years adapted to perfumery, so I detect Tonka hitting me like a truck, whereas my partner just smells it as a whole. The original L’Homme’s tonka is nowhere as present, and so the top notes breathe more. I’d say, you’ll like this formula but…watch the Tonka!