This is Him
Built for anyone who wants an edgy yet comforting signature, This is Him blends dark incense smoke with sweet Madagascar vanilla and warm sandalwood. It captures a rebellious rock-and-roll attitude without feeling harsh or overwhelming to people around you. The zesty grapefruit top adds just enough brightness to keep the heavy pepper and resinous base from turning stuffy. If you want a cool-weather fragrance for coffee dates, night drives, or indie rock shows that stands out from typical sugary designer releases, this bottle hits the sweet spot between affordable designer pricing and creative indie style.
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Performance Metrics
12,848 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
Longevity sits comfortably at 6 to 8 hours on bare skin and easily surpasses 16 hours on fabric. Sillage creates an arm's-length scent trail of 2 to 3 feet during the initial two hours before pulling back into a cozy personal scent bubble.
Notes Pyramid
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This is Him opens with a bright spark of bitter grapefruit and cracked black pepper before mellowing into a rich core of smoky frankincense and smooth vanilla. The base settles on a creamy, clean sandalwood that wraps the wearer in a warm, resinous woody glow.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe dominant warm spicy and smoky accords start crisp and resinous on skin before blending into a creamy balsamic vanilla woodiness. The dry sandalwood prevents the sweetness from turning cloying, maintaining a clean, smooth, smoky timber profile all day long.
Community Data
5,426 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 winter and spring.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Rich, smoky frankincense note gives off high-end niche character
Smooth vanilla and sandalwood dry-down is cozy and approachable
Exceptional value for an artistic designer fragrance
Stands out clearly from generic sweet blue fragrances
Great 6 to 8 hour longevity on cool weather days
Clings exceptionally well to coats, scarves, and hoodies
Moderate projection creates an inviting scent bubble without suffocating
Perfect fit for fall and winter date nights and concerts
Enjoyable contrast between zesty grapefruit and dark spices
Easily pulled off by anyone who loves dry woody scents
Created by top perfumers Nathalie Lorson and Aurelien Guichard
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
The black pepper and incense opening can feel sharp to some noses
Initial grapefruit note comes off slightly synthetic in the first few minutes
Lacks the heavy sweetness expected from typical gourmand vanilla perfumes
Not suitable for humid, high-heat summer days
Projection dials back to a skin scent after the third hour
People seeking heavy room-filling beast mode may find it too polite
Dry church-like smoke aspect may be polarizing for sweet cologne fans
Requires 4 to 5 sprays for stronger projection in open outdoor spaces
Can feel too casual or edgy for ultra-formal corporate occasions
Those sensitive to Iso E Super woody aroma-chemicals might detect a faint buzz
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Zadig & Voltaire This is Him In-Depth Wear and Scent Review”
Spraying on Zadig & Voltaire This is Him immediately delivers an energetic blast of bright, bitter grapefruit peel dusted with crushed black pepper. It has an unmistakable rock-and-roll edge right from the nozzle. The citrus is tart and punchy rather than sweet, cutting through the initial sharpness of the spice. This lively, peppery opening makes a strong first statement that instantly wakes up your senses, offering one of the most distinctive openings you will find in a designer bottle.
Within fifteen minutes, the zesty citrus begins to fade into the background, allowing the dark, smoky heart to take center stage. Swirls of dry frankincense mingle with warm, smooth vanilla. Rather than turning into a sugary dessert, the vanilla acts as a softening cushion around the burning incense resin. As the hours tick by, a creamy sandalwood foundation emerges, anchoring the entire scent with a calming, tactile woodiness that clings warmly to the skin.
On warm skin, the transition from fresh spicy citrus to warm amber and smoky wood feels remarkably fluid. The interplay between bitter grapefruit and dark incense creates an addictive contrast that keeps the scent dynamic. Because of the subtle Iso E Super hum underneath, the woody accords project in transparent waves rather than a heavy cloud. It smells less like sweet syrup and more like a cozy coffeehouse lounge filled with antique bookshelves and candle smoke.
When it comes to performance, This is Him provides reliable staying power, lasting between 6 and 8 hours on skin and over a day on a wool sweater or jacket. Projection stays moderate at two to three feet for the first couple of hours before settling into an intimate personal bubble. This makes it an outstanding choice for autumn and winter evenings, pub hangouts, dinner dates, and outdoor concerts where you want a noticeable scent without choking out a room.
This fragrance fits anyone who loves indie-style aesthetics, dark casual clothing, and cozy spicy blends. While marketed for men, its creamy vanilla and smooth sandalwood base make it easily wearable for anyone who enjoys dry, smoky scents. It is especially well suited for young adults and seasoned collectors looking for a distinct evening fragrance that breaks away from the generic blue and bubblegum designer trends.
Overall, This is Him stands out as a creative, high-value gem from Nathalie Lorson and Aurelien Guichard. It successfully marries church-like incense smoke with approachable, sweet vanilla and creamy wood. If you enjoy cozy, dark winter scents with character and flair, this is an easy recommendation to sample or add to your cool-weather rotation.
FAQs
What does the opening of Zadig & Voltaire This is Him smell like?+
The fragrance opens with a sharp, vibrant burst of bitter grapefruit peel mixed with cracked black pepper. This creates a fresh spicy, slightly tart punch that lasts for about ten to fifteen minutes before the deeper smoky notes begin to surface and soften the citrus edge.
How does the fragrance transition from the heart to the dry-down?+
As the citrus top fades, dark frankincense smoke and sweet vanilla take over the middle stage. Over several hours, the resinous smoke blends into a creamy sandalwood base note, leaving a warm, cozy wood and spice trail that stays close to your skin throughout the evening.
How long does This is Him last on skin versus clothes?+
On clean skin, you can expect between 6 and 8 hours of noticeable longevity. When sprayed on clothing such as hoodies, scarves, or wool jackets, the vanilla, incense, and sandalwood base easily lingers for 16 to 24 hours without turning stale.
What is the sillage and projection radius of this cologne?+
During the first two hours, it projects moderately within an arm's length radius of 2 to 4 feet. After the third hour, the sillage calms down into an intimate, warm scent bubble that people will only notice when they lean in close.
Which season and temperature range suit This is Him best?+
This scent performs at its absolute best in cool autumn and winter temperatures below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Celsius). Cold air lets the warm spicy incense and rich vanilla breathe naturally without becoming heavy, cloying, or suffocating.
What occasions and settings are ideal for wearing this perfume?+
It is tailor-made for casual evening wear, night dates, pub outings, and rock concerts. You can also wear it to a relaxed office during colder months if you keep application light at two sprays under your shirt.
Does This is Him lean masculine or can anyone wear it?+
While originally marketed for men with its dark pepper and smoky woods, the smooth vanilla and creamy sandalwood give it strong unisex appeal. Anyone who enjoys dry, resinous, non-sugary vanilla scents will feel comfortable pulling it off.
How does This is Him compare to Diptyque Eau Duelle?+
Diptyque Eau Duelle EDP offers a greener, more refined bourbon vanilla with subtle aromatic juniper, while This is Him delivers a rougher, darker profile driven by bitter grapefruit and heavy church incense at a fraction of the cost.
Is This is Him good value for an Eau de Toilette?+
Yes, it provides outstanding value in the designer category. For an affordable price tag, you receive an artistic incense and sandalwood composition crafted by master perfumers Nathalie Lorson and Aurelien Guichard, delivering the nuanced depth and staying power often reserved for expensive niche bottles.
What fragrances or note families layer well with This is Him?+
It layers exceptionally well with cedar, amber, or pure vanilla fragrances. Pairing it with a molecule-style cedarwood base amps up the woody projection, while layering a drop of sweet vanilla oil rounds out the smoky church incense.
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Dupes & Alternatives
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If you want a greener, higher-end niche take on spicy vanilla, try Diptyque Eau Duelle EDP. For a boozier, heavier leather profile with similar warmth, Bentley for Men Intense is a fantastic alternative, while Lalique Encre Noire offers a strictly dark, dry woody path without the vanilla sweetness.
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