Philippe II
Designed for men who favor timeless structure over sugary modern trends, this woody perfume delivers a sharp, herbal signature suited for professional spaces. The balance of fresh spicy coriander, soothing lavender, and resinous fir resin makes it an excellent choice for autumn mornings and cool spring afternoons. It fits mature wardrobes, crisp buttoned shirts, and focused work environments where loud sweetness feels out of place. Wearers seeking a confident daytime companion will appreciate how the bright bergamot and earthy vetiver project cleanly without overwhelming a room. It remains an understated pick for someone who values traditional barbershop craft and dry forest depth over synthetic amber bombs.
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Performance Metrics
178 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Community performance votes award Philippe II reliable longevity, with seventeen wearers rating it long lasting and eleven rating it moderate, indicating a solid 6 to 10 hour duration on skin. Projection is notable as well, backed by sixteen strong votes and thirteen moderate votes, giving the wearer an arm's length scent presence during morning wear before pulling closer by late afternoon.
Notes Pyramid
Search these notesChoose where each note belongs.
Philippe II is defined by its crisp aromatic opening, fresh spicy heart, and woody base. Bitter artemisia and bergamot provide an immediate herbal snap, quickly enriched by African geranium, lavender, and warm cinnamon. The dry-down establishes an earthy foundation through patchouli, vetiver, and fir resin, maintaining a dry, green profile throughout its lifecycle.
Main Accords
8 MAPPEDThe scent opens under the rule of aromatic and fresh spicy accords, propelled by zesty citrus and herbal artemisia. As the top notes fade, warm spicy facets from cinnamon and coriander blend into herbal lavender and floral geranium. The final dry-down belongs to woody, earthy, and patchouli accords, where fir resin and vetiver produce a clean forest-floor character that remains dry and grounded.
Community Data
624 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
OWNERSHIP STATS
GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
TAP TO VOTETIME OF DAY · TAP TO VOTE
OCCASIONS · TAP TO VOTE
It looks easiest to wear in fall and spring. The vote picture leans most toward daytime.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Crisp, traditional chypre profile built on aromatic herbs and clean woods
Dependable longevity with most community voters reporting 7 to 12 hours
Noticeable sillage that projects an arm's length without becoming stifling
Favorable price to value sentiment according to community voting
Ideal composition for professional office wear and formal daytime events
Distinctive bitter artemisia and cinnamon opening creates immediate interest
Resinous fir and vetiver base provides clean, grounded staying power
Strong seasonal versatility across cooler spring and autumn temperatures
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
Strong masculine barbershop style may feel dated to younger audiences
Complete absence of sweetness makes it unappealing for gourmand lovers
Bitter artemisia opening can be sharp and polarising on initial spray
Low appeal for summer heat as the resinous base can feel too dense
Lacks the playful energy expected from casual evening or party scents
Dry down leans heavily earthy and woody, which some find overly austere
Limited community wear reviews make blind buying somewhat risky
Narrow unisex crossover appeal with votes leaning almost purely masculine
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Philippe II by Charriol Review: A Disciplined Herbal Chypre”
Philippe II by Charriol opens with an assertive herbal snap that immediately establishes its classic masculine tone. The initial blast pairs dry, bitter artemisia with sparkling bergamot, giving the impression of cold morning air over wild greenery. A light sprinkle of cinnamon provides warmth, cutting through the bitter citrus rind without turning sweet. This opening feels deliberately dry and crisp, avoiding modern sugar in favor of sharp, green energy that grabs attention right away.
As the citrus top recedes, the fragrance transitions into a clean, disciplined heart dominated by aromatic lavender and rosy African geranium. Coriander adds a crackle of dry spice, steering the florals away from powder and firmly into traditional barbershop territory. In the dry-down, the scent grows deeper and darker. Sticky fir resin joins forces with earthy patchouli and woody vetiver, producing a forest-floor warmth that lingers for hours. The progression feels steady and structured, moving gracefully from sharp herbs to damp woods.
Across a full wearing, the accords shift from brisk and fresh spicy to grounded and earthy. The aromatic and herbal qualities dominate the morning hours, projecting a brisk, clean aura. By early afternoon, the warm spicy and woody elements step forward, smoothing the sharp edges of the geranium. Towards the final phase, the patchouli and vetiver root the composition in a muted, earthy calm. The fragrance never turns cloying, retaining its crisp herbal spine from start to finish.
Performance is dependable and well suited to professional life. Community ratings place longevity mostly in the 6 to 10 hour range, led by seventeen long lasting votes and eleven moderate votes. Projection is moderate to strong, throwing an arm's length bubble for the first two hours before settling inward. Voting data clearly leans toward autumn and spring, with fall receiving the highest endorsement and daytime earning more than double the night votes. It serves brilliantly as an office scent, a formal business staple, or a polished daytime companion in crisp weather.
This fragrance suits men who appreciate vintage chypre construction, clean barbershop aromatics, and dry woody textures. If you enjoy mature fragrances that rely on vetiver, patchouli, and lavender, you will feel right at home. On the other hand, younger fragrance fans accustomed to fruity tonka bombs or sweet vanilla ambers should skip it. The bitter bite of artemisia and the dry pine character of fir resin can feel severe to anyone looking for a playful party scent.
Philippe II delivers a remarkably poised, herbal experience that stays true to classic masculine perfumery. Christian Vermorel crafted a disciplined scent that rewards lovers of traditional chypres. Given its favorable price sentiment and steady staying power, it represents a worthwhile purchase for mature collectors and a smart sample choice for curious traditionalists.
FAQs
What does Philippe II smell like?+
Philippe II smells like a dry, aromatic chypre featuring bitter herbs, crisp lavender, and earthy forest resins. It opens with an invigorating pairing of artemisia and bergamot dusted with cinnamon. The fragrance then transitions through a clean heart of lavender, African geranium, and coriander before settling into a deep base of fir resin, patchouli, and vetiver.
How does the opening of Philippe II differ from its dry-down?+
The opening of Philippe II is sharply herbal and citrusy, whereas the dry-down is dark, woody, and resinous. Initially, artemisia and bergamot provide a zesty, bitter freshness with a touch of cinnamon warmth. Over several hours, those bright notes fade into an earthy foundation where pine-like fir resin, rooty vetiver, and rich patchouli take center stage.
Is Philippe II long lasting?+
Yes, Philippe II offers dependable longevity that typically lasts between 6 and 10 hours on skin. Community voting shows strong performance, with seventeen users rating it long lasting (7 to 12 hours) and four calling it eternal. Only eleven voters reported moderate duration, meaning its base of patchouli, vetiver, and fir resin clings reliably for a full day.
How strong is the projection and sillage of Philippe II?+
Philippe II produces moderate to strong projection that radiates comfortably at an arm's length. Community voters cast sixteen votes for strong sillage and thirteen for moderate. It creates a noticeable masculine scent cloud for the first two hours without filling an entire room, making it safe for office spaces before settling closer to the skin.
What season is best to wear Philippe II?+
Philippe II performs best in autumn and spring when moderate temperatures bring out its herbal and resinous facets. Fall leads community season votes with a maximum score of 100, closely followed by spring at 87. In contrast, hot summer weather scores lowest at 48, as humid heat can make the fir resin feel dense.
What occasions suit Philippe II best?+
Philippe II is ideal for professional office settings, business meetings, and polished daytime occasions. Its clean lavender heart and disciplined chypre structure project reliability and competence rather than casual sweetness. Day votes outpace night votes by 91 to 61, confirming that wearers prefer this dry woody profile during structured working hours.
Is Philippe II designed for men or women?+
Philippe II is formulated and perceived as a distinctly masculine fragrance. Community polling records sixteen votes for male, one for more male, and only one vote for unisex. With its sharp blend of artemisia, geranium, lavender, and earthy vetiver, it follows classic masculine barbershop traditions that appeal primarily to men.
What fragrances are similar to Philippe II?+
Philippe II shares aromatic chypre qualities with classics like Cerruti 1881 Men and Ralph Lauren Polo. While Cerruti 1881 features a similar fresh herbal lavender start, Philippe II dries down darker and more resinous. Polo offers comparable pine and patchouli accords, though it leans heavier on smoky tobacco than this crisp Charriol release.
Does Philippe II offer good value for money?+
Yes, Philippe II is considered good value by the vast majority of community voters. Out of eighteen price sentiment votes, twelve rate it as good value and two call it great value, against just four choosing ok. It provides refined blending by perfumer Christian Vermorel with lasting performance at an accessible designer price point.
Should you blind buy Philippe II or sample it first?+
You should sample Philippe II first unless you already enjoy dry, bitter barbershop chypres. The unvarnished artemisia opening and earthy fir resin dry-down are devoid of modern sweetness, which can catch unprepared buyers off guard. If you admire traditional masculine powerhouses like vintage aromatics, a blind buy carries significantly lower risk.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREWhile direct clones are rare, Philippe II shares stylistic kinship with classic aromatic chypres like Ralph Lauren Polo, which leans heavier on tobacco and pine needles, and Guy Laroche Drakkar Noir, which emphasizes soapy leather over resinous fir. Another comparable scent is Cerruti 1881 Men, offering a similar fresh herbal opening with lavender and cypress, though Philippe II feels woodier and more resinous due to its fir resin and dark patchouli base.
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