Hanae Mori – HiM: Overview, Smell, Notes & More!

Marketed as “a real men’s scent,” HiM by Hanae Mori is a woody, spicy fragrance for men.

It is a relatively inexpensive fragrance and this, coupled with its sensual and adventurous modern aroma, has garnered it a lot of fans.

There is an eau de toilette (EDT) version of HiM, which is as popular as the eau de parfum thanks to its nice fragrance. 

This is a truly masculine fragrance that blends the heady vibe of eastern and western spices.

The perfume is available in 50ml and 100ml.

Overview

• Brand: Hanae Mori
• Fragrance: HiM
• Release: 2012
• Gender: Men
• Perfumer: Hanae Mori

Fragrance Notes

• Top Notes: Violet Leaves, Pepper, Cardamom, Mandarin Orange, Bergamot
• Heart Notes: Cinnamon, Tonka Bean, Fig Tree
• Base Notes: Amber, White Cedar Extract, Teak Wood, Balsam fir, Musk

What Does Hanae Mori HiM Smell Like?

It’s a very fresh, spicy, and woodsy smell.

Refined with cinnamon notes, it opens spectacularly to the great scent of a dense forest thick with white cedars, fir trees, and teak encompassed by a mellow ambery feel. 

Then the sweet and woodsy middle notes are laced with glorious traces of cardamom, and distinct notes of cinnamon and tonka bean with bursts of Mediterranean fig tree.

On the dry down you experience the continent of Asia, with an alluring explosion of oriental spices, complete with a whiff of herbal tea, sprinkled with bergamot and mandarin orange.

The smooth musky, woody sweet notes are still dominant once the perfume settles on the skin with a hint of pepper and pine balsamic.

It evokes the aroma of a sensual man, and at the same time it envelops you in a cozy and comforting sensation.

This is one of those delicious fragrances that you can blind-buy as it rarely offends anyone, even if it has a mild synthetic note to it.

It’s truly an intoxicating delight—it’s sweet, modest, and makes you feel like a dashing voyager that traverses many lands.

How Long Does Hanae Mori HiM Last For?

The EDP formulation lasts all day long.

You don’t have to spray it over a dozen times, just three to four sprays will do, and it will last for 8 to 12 hours. 

If it is spritzed on clothes, it can even last over 15 hours. 

It has a very good sillage, and the slightly sweet cinnamon note and spicy scent linger long after you’ve left the room.

It’s one of those perfumes that smells even better on the dry down and will invite compliments from everyone.

When Should You Wear It?

Wear it in the cool fall and winter months. 

HiM is more lovely on a cold day when the sky is bleak and ominous.

The cool winds will allow you to appreciate the warm note of cinnamon and the homely vibe it portrays—it’s truly comforting and toasty.

Where Should You Wear It?

From casual to formal, there are no limitations when it comes to a delicious fragrance.

Wear it in the office and impress your colleagues with your sophisticated manly smell topped off with a spicy tea woody blend.

This is also a great skin scent for a romantic date.

This fragrance takes you to Japan on a cool winter night with the aroma of dark pine trees, cedar, and musk swirling in the air.

Presentation and Value For Money

For a cheap perfume, the bottle is classy.

The box imitates grained wood, and the bottle is gorgeously crafted in deepening shades of caramel. 

The topper resembles the handle of a samurai sword.

It’s simply, elegantly, and sophisticatedly presented.

For around $30 to $50, this is amazing value for money.

With its winning combo of presentation, very good performance, price, and of course, scent (with stunning longevity), it’s no wonder that it gets repeat buys. 

The Bottom Line

For an affordable eau de parfum, Hanae Mori’s HiM is a must-have for those looking for a decent fragrance with sweet woodsy notes for fall or winter.

It’s romantic and sensual and a true melting pot of East and West. 

Perfumes that Smell Like Hanae Mori HiM

1. Gucci Pour Homme II

Fans of HiM exclaim how the fragrance smells like Pour Homme II by Gucci.

Both have the same scent—aromatic and fresh woody-spice with a hint of red-hot pepper. 

Gucci Pour Homme II also has that elegant manly fragrance backed by fresh green notes.

2. Spicebomb Viktor&Rolf 

This 2012 fragrance for men also has a sophisticated spicy, woody scent that is similar to HiM.

This scent emphasizes sweet and spicy oriental, with sexy undertones.

It is similarly alluring, but this one smells flashy.

3. Vera Wang for Men Vera Wang

Launched in 2004, Vera Wang for men smells like HiM with its classy, spicy, and woody notes.

The notes include mandarin leaf, nutmeg, sandalwood, and tobacco.

Like HiM, it’s fresh, spicy, masculine, and romantic.