Animale Animale for Men

First Impressions & Dry Down

Animale Animale for Men is clearly chasing the A*Men vibe. The opening blasts off with a similar, albeit rougher, mint and lavender accord. There's a noticeable synthetic fruity sweetness layered on that the original handles with more finesse. The caramel and honey heart tries its best, but lacks the creamy smoothness of Mugler's masterpiece. The drydown leans heavily into coffee and patchouli. This is where it deviates most. Expect a slightly bitter edge, not the comforting gourmand hug of the original. I'd say it captures around 86% of A*Men's essence, but the cheaper materials definitely show.

Final Thoughts

If you want a dirt-cheap approximation of A*Men and don't mind a few rough edges, Animale Animale delivers. It scratches that itch without breaking the bank. Is it as good as the original? Absolutely not. A*Men is smoother, more refined, and boasts higher-quality ingredients. But if you’re looking at a 10x price difference, and simply want that recognizable DNA for everyday wear, this is a worthy contender. Someone on a tight budget, or a younger fragrance enthusiast just starting out might appreciate this option.

Projection Power

This stuff performs like a beast. Easily gets 6-8 hours on skin, and projects strongly for the first 2-3. A word of caution: overspraying will cause a headache. Its strength is a double-edged sword, as the synthetic aspects become more pronounced.