ARMANIArmani Code Parfum

Most Helpful Positive Review

A Different Take on a Proven Trend

I gave Code Parfum a good couple weeks before I made up my mind about it. To me this fragrance gives me 4 stages. The first initial spray it has a cleaner type smell that reminds me of Lysol disinfectant. Its not off-putting but doesn't smell very refined. This only lasts about 5 minutes. The next t...hing I get is a slightly citrusy, very woody smell. I pick up notes of Juniper even though that's not an official note. The other prominent note in this phase is the bergamot. This lasted for me between 1 and 2 hours. The next stage was all about the iris. That was the dominant note and about all I could pick up on for the next 3 hours or so. The iris is nice, its almost in between makeupy and powdery, leaning slightly powdery. In the last stage at 4 to 5 hours I started to pick up on the Tonka, so it was Tonka and iris for the remainder of the fragrances life. Projection for me was good for about 3 hours where it startted winding down and became a skin scent. Longevity wasnt terrible but nothing overwhelming for me. I could smell it for about 7 hours on skin. The opening is what sets this one apart but the mid and finish are very reminiscent of Valentino Uomo and Givenchy Gentleman EDP. ITs a nice fragrance but nothing super unique. It is a departure from the other Code line items like Absolu and Profumo. Overall I would order the Code line from best to worst Absolu, Parfum, Profumo, and original in that order. If you like fragrances like Dior Homme Intense, Valentino Uomo, Givenchy Gentleman EDP or Prada Luna Rosa Black this one is worth a look. Its an Iris forward fragrance in a crowded field with just enough difference to set itself slightly apart from the rest