Abercrombie & Fitch Authentic for Men Eau de Toilette was released in 2019. This citrus aromatic fragrance was recently reformulated as 2022 flanker Authentic Moments, but the original formula still remains popular.
The mastermind behind Authentic’s original formulation is Clement Gavarry. He collaborated with Abercrombie & Fitch on male and female versions of Authentic fragrances.
| Perfume Name | Authentic for Man |
| Brand | Abercrombie & Fitch |
| Year Released | 2019 |
| Concentration | Eau de Toilette |
| Scent Family | Citrus Aromatic |
| Gender | Men |
The entire collection features several fragrances with different concentrations and aromas, all inspired by the debut Authentic.
Since I have previously used Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch, I wanted to explore something new from this brand. Lucky for me, I got a sample of Authentic in one of the PR boxes I received, so I decided to give it a try.
What Does Authentic for Man by Abercrombie & Fitch Smell Like?
The combination of aromas in Authentic fragrance for men by Abercrombie & Fitch follows this brand’s traditional selection of aromas. The top dominant tones consist of grapefruit, bergamot, and pink pepper. Middle notes of ginger, sage, and lavender tone this intense combination, while the clearwood, suede, and moss featured in based notes complete the entire aroma of the fragrance.
| Top Notes | Grapefruit, Bergamot, Pink Pepper |
| Middle Notes | Ginger, Sage, Lavender |
| Base Notes | Clearwood, Suede, Moss |
Clement Gavarry, the Authentic perfumer, explains how the fragrance’s aromas are meant to balance light and warm, earthy and masculine vibes. Therefore, Authentic for men has an aromatic yet refreshing citrus overtone, while sharp ginger, savory sage, and calming lavender are combined to form the heart of the scent. The base gets its last bit of strong masculine aroma from the earthy clearwood, and the slightly bitter taste of moss.
My Experience
As I said, I liked Fierce by Abercrombie & Fitch because it smells very manly but not too strong. Therefore, I like that Authentic follows the same line by having top citrus notes.
The initial opening was very fresh, and grapefruit dominated. Even though I am not a huge fan of grapefruit in fragrances, Authentic had a very light and not-so-overwhelming aroma. Bergamot and pink pepper, which havd a deeper, almost spicy aroma, were great additions to give off a masculine vibe.
I enjoyed that Authentic had an innovative selection of middle notes. I have always been a fan of suede and sage, so I was happy to smell them in this fragrance. On the other hand, I was afraid that the ginger would ruin the nice, deep smell that was present at first. This is because I’ve had bad luck with fragrances that have ginger in them, which usually mess up the formula. However, the creator balanced the notes in Authentic to be relaxing and not intrusive, which is often very hard. Therefore, I think that the initial inspiration and approach were quite successful.
Speaking of balance and blend, as soon as I put on Authentic, I could see similarities between it and Creed Aventus. They have very similar scent profiles, but Adventus is more layered. I wouldn’t say it is a dupe since Authentic has its own character and can be easily recognized. However, the jasmine and bergamot notes are close to how lavender and bergamot smell together in nature.
Knowing that most male fragrances can be heavy and unpleasantly strong, it is hard to find moderate formulas such as the one in Authentic. A huge part of that mildness is lavender, which in this fragrance is not feminine. This was a big hit for me, which made me like the fragrance even more.
Once the fragrance sits on the skin and mixes with my body scent, I can feel the touch of wood and suede aromas. This gave Authentic quite a mysterious and sexy vibe. Because these smells were so well-balanced, they settled on my skin nicely, making me feel very strong, and thanks to Authentic, I got a lot of compliments.
Silage & Projection
Like most Abercrombie & Fitch scents, Authentic for Men has a moderately strong smell. The silage has been present for a good amount of time, but the projection could be a bit better since I can feel the fragrance radiate off my skin throughout the day.
Longevity & Versatility
This Abercrombie & Fitch fragrance has good longevity as well. I could feel it on my skin for around 7 hours, but this can be improved. Some of my friends like to reapply it after a while, but even one spray is enough for me.
Authentic has a mild smell that works well for both formal and casual occasions, especially in the summer and spring. I used it mostly during the day and during office hours because I could feel fresh while smelling nice.
Conclusion
I really enjoyed wearing Authentic by Abercrombie & Fitch, which emphasized the masculinity and mystique vibe I was going for. I very much appreciated that it kept me fresh and that I could wear it on any occasion.
The creative way Authentic was put together also made me want to try more moderately strong scents instead of the dark and harsh ones I usually choose.
Overall, Abercrombie & Fitch made a distinctive scent compared to their other fragrances, which is why I think it is a great catch. Besides this, Authentic has a good price for a branded fragrance that is made with quality. Therefore, I think it is worth investing in Authentic as a good daily fragrance for summer.