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KenzoEau de Toilette · EST. 1991

Kenzo Homme

Kenzo Homme by Kenzo is a men's fresh Eau de Toilette launched in 1991, built around marine, aromatic, spicy. It opens with marine notes and bergamot and dries down to cedar and vetiver.

NOSE: UndisclosedRELEASED: 1991RETAIL: $35 - $65
The Quick Answer

Kenzo Homme opens on marine notes and bergamot, moves through nutmeg and cardamom, and dries down to cedar and vetiver. At $35 - $65 it is which makes it an easy budget pick, with moderate (5-7h) on skin. A relatively safe blind buy for most wardrobes.

ADEGBE ANALYSIS SCORES

7.5
Expert
6.1
Longevity
6.1
Sillage
9.2
Versatility
8.6
Value

Scores are AdeGbe's editorial analysis based on composition, concentration and community-reported performance — not a single personal wear test.

Approx. $0.35/mlBased on the lowest street price ($35) over an assumed 100ml bottle for this concentration.

OLFACTORY PYRAMID BREAKDOWN

TOP NOTESFirst impression · 15–30 min
  • marine notes
  • bergamot
  • mandarin orange
HEART NOTESCore character · 2–4 hours
  • nutmeg
  • cardamom
  • sage
BASE NOTESDry-down · 6–24+ hours
  • cedar
  • vetiver
  • musk

EXPERT ANALYSIS — COMPOSITION & PERFORMANCE

AG
AdeGbe Fragrance Research Team Data-Driven Analysis
Olfactory composition & performance assessment
Updated Winter 2026Eau de ToiletteMethodology: note-pyramid analysis + community performance data + AdeGbe scoring model

Composed by Undisclosed for Kenzo in 1991, Kenzo Homme sits in the bright citrus space of modern perfumery. Below, our research team breaks down its olfactory structure, measured performance, and ideal wearer.

The Opening

From the first spray, marine notes, bergamot, mandarin orange establish a bright citrus and clean aquatic character that defines the top of the composition.

The Heart

Beneath the opening, a warm spice and aromatic herb heart of nutmeg, cardamom, sage forms the signature most people will recognise.

The Dry-Down

The base is dry woods and soft musk, with cedar, vetiver, musk providing the depth and tenacity that carry it through the day.

Projected Performance Timeline
Hour 1
marine notes and bergamot opening. Moderate, arm's-length projection.
Hour 4
nutmeg and cardamom heart fully developed. Still projecting clearly.
Hour 8
cedar and vetiver base emerges. Becoming a skin scent.
Hour 8
Soft base notes still detectable close to skin.
Longevity
6.1/10
Sillage
6.1/10
Blind Buy
LOW RISK
Final Score
8.5/10

Who Should Buy Kenzo Homme

Kenzo Homme leans masculine but is wearable by anyone who enjoys the style. Its season vector points strongest to winter, and its day/night balance makes it best suited to versatile day-to-night wear. If you gravitate toward bright citrus and clean aquatic compositions and want a more moderate, easy-going wear, it belongs on your shortlist.

One Honest Warning

No major red flags in the composition, but fragrance is personal — skin chemistry can shift the balance of notes, so a sample wear is always wiser than a blind purchase at this price.

Analysis based on composition, community-aggregated performance data, and the AdeGbe scoring model.A human skin-test review is added as our team tests each fragrance.

PERFORMANCE INDEX & SUITABILITY VECTORS

LONGEVITY FACTORModerate (5-7h)
Weak (1h)Moderate (4-6h)Beast (24h+)
SILLAGE / PROJECTIONModerate
IntimateModerateEnormous
DAY · NIGHT SUITABILITY
DAY
58%
NIGHT
42%
GENDER INDEXMasculine
FEMININEUNISEXMASCULINE
SEASON SUITABILITY VECTOR
SPRING 🌸24%
SUMMER ☀️14%
AUTUMN 🍂30%
WINTER ❄️32%

PROJECTED PERFORMANCE TIMELINE

Projected from this fragrance's concentration, note structure and reported longevity — an analysis, not a single personal wear test.

Hour 1
Top burst

marine notes and bergamot lead the opening before the volatile top notes burn off.

Projection: Strong
Hour 4
Heart in bloom

nutmeg and cardamom take over as the core character of the fragrance.

Projection: Moderate
Hour 8
Early dry-down

cedar and vetiver anchor the scent close to the skin.

Projection: Skin-close
Hour 12
Base residue

A skin-scent of cedar and vetiver is what typically remains by now.

Projection: Skin-close

Wear It

  • Winter (32% seasonal fit)
  • Autumn / Fall (30% seasonal fit)
  • Flexible across day and night

Skip It

  • Summer — it underperforms here (14%)

Blind-Buy Risk

7/100SAFE
Risk factors
  • Fresh, broadly-likeable profile lowers the risk of disappointment
In its favour
  • Clean citrus/fresh structures are widely accepted and rarely offend.

INGREDIENT SAFETY SNAPSHOT

Linalool / Limonene

Common EU-declarable allergens; can oxidise and irritate sensitive skin.

Benzyl Benzoate (fixative)

Generally well-tolerated base/fixative materials with low sensitiser risk.

This snapshot is based on the published note list, not a full INCI ingredient breakdown. Always check the box for the official allergen declaration and patch-test if you have sensitive skin. See full ingredient-safety guides →

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does Kenzo Homme last?
As an Eau de Toilette, Kenzo Homme projects moderate and typically lasts in the moderate (5-7h) range on skin. Warmer skin and cooler weather push it toward the top of that range.
What season is Kenzo Homme best for?
Its fresh character performs best in autumn and winter, where the warmth reads richer. The season vectors above show the full breakdown.
Is Kenzo Homme worth buying?
At $35 - $65, Kenzo Homme offers a recognisable signature. Sample first if you are sensitive to fresh fragrances — it sits closer to familiar than groundbreaking in its category.
Can I wear Kenzo Homme to the office?
Yes, within reason. Kenzo Homme sits at a moderate moderate projection, which is generally office-friendly with one to two sprays. Apply before you leave home rather than at your desk, and you should stay within polite, non-intrusive range through the working day.
Is Kenzo Homme good for summer?
Not really. Kenzo Homme scores only 14% for summer — heat tends to amplify its cedar and vetiver base and push it toward cloying. It performs far better in winter, so save it for cooler months and reach for something lighter when it is hot.
How many sprays of Kenzo Homme should I use?
Two to four sprays suits most people. Kenzo Homme has moderate projection, so you can apply a little more generously than a beast-mode scent without crowding others. Spread sprays across pulse points and let it settle; its moderate (5-7h) longevity means you rarely need to reapply.
Is Kenzo Homme safe for sensitive skin?
Kenzo Homme is an alcohol-based eau de toilette and its note list includes materials such as marine notes, bergamot and mandarin orange, some of which fall under EU-declarable allergen rules (for example linalool, limonene or coumarin depending on the notes). That does not make it unsafe — most wearers have no reaction — but if your skin is reactive, spray onto clothing or patch-test on the inner arm first. This guidance is based on the published note list, not a full INCI breakdown.

INTERACTIVE FRAGRANCE TOOLS

Personalised calculators and scanners specific to Kenzo Homme.

INTERACTIVE FRAGRANCE TOOLS

Personalised calculators and scanners specific to Kenzo Homme.

TOP DUPES & AFFORDABLE ALTERNATIVES

Looking for a more affordable scent in the same family as Kenzo Homme? Use our free Dupe Finder to match it against thousands of fragrances by note similarity.

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ADEGBEDRAFTING 3D PERSPECTIVE...
N° ENC-1991Kenzo HommeANTI-GRAVITY CONTAINER VISUAL
4.9 RATED