Thierry Mugler Alien Man Fragrance Review: Does E.T. Phone Home With This New Release?

Mugler Alien Man Composition

Although an overtly aromatic fragrance with woody overtones, Alien Man is edges towards an oriental blend thanks to the presence of osmanthus blossom, which we’ll explore later. Overall, this a Woody Oriental fragrance.

Head Notes

• Dill
• Anise
• Lemon
• Lavender

Opening with a rich citrus and aromatic burst, Alien Man initially gives the impression of a classic aromatic cologne similar to an Armani Code or Dior Sauvage. However, it quickly introduces unexpected notes of dill and anise for, which create a spicier accord.

We skip summer entirely and jump from spring odours to the scent of autumn. Very quickly, we transition to the heart thanks to a rich lavender note.

Heart Notes

• Blond Wood
• Tea Olive
• Geranium
• Birch Tar

The true star of the show is Alien Man’s heart, which is a vivid leathery experience with a smokey essence.

Blond wood or Cashmeran reveals itself with a piney yet leathery scent of freshly-cut lumber. This accords well with tea olive or osmanthus, a fruity yet musky oriental blossom.

Meanwhile, geraniums add a floral note before the birch tar emerges with an overt smokey extension to the wood and leather bouquet.

Base Notes

• Benzoin
• Labdanum
• Patchouli

Although the heart fades, it leaves a trace of the bird tar’s smokiness as we descend into the base. We first pick out just a hint of sweet vanilla thanks to a benzoin note.

The benzoin interacts with musky labdanum and earthy patchouli in order to produce a white amber accord.

Alien Man’s Life-Cycle, Wake & Strength

Given Thierry Mugler’s history of bold and brash fragrances that invigorate the senses, it’s surprising that Alien Man has such a mainstream life-cycle. While structured in a relatively classic three-tiered dry-down, it’s surprisingly fast and we find soon find ourselves in the base.

Although I try to avoid subjective comments so early into a review, I confess that I was disappointed by this base. Overall, it was quite anti-climactic and surprisingly fleeting for a fragrance that started so strong.

Indeed, the base isn’t unpleasant. Yet, it lacks the panache of the head and heart. After only a few hours, it eventually fades into a pleasantly sweet yet smoky skin scent. However, you’re left wanting more.

In terms of sheer performance, this was actually another letdown. Overall, the sillage was quite faint and the projection wasn’t much better. A good three sprays provided a modest scent bubble and the trail left behind the wearer was quite short.

Meanwhile, the longevity is somewhere between poor and average. As such, you’ll need a travel atomiser for regular top-ups.

What People Think Of Alien Man

As a relatively new fragrance that has yet to be properly explored by the fragrance community, there isn’t much online feedback regarding Alien Man as of yet. Nevertheless, of the few that have had the opportunity to try it, it’s relatively polarising.

After all, Mugler is a cult perfumery with a following of loyal fans. As such, there will be some people that will immediately love this just out of devotion. However, some of these followers confess to being a little disappointed.

Although I confess to having always struggled with Mugler’s masculine fragrances, I do appreciate their identity. That said, I am smitten with Aura, a feminine fragrance that I gave to my stepdaughter last year.

As for the popular opinion towards Alien Man, it seems to be surprisingly positive! Usually, Mugler fragrances are extremely polarising and are an acquired taste. However, it seems that most people find it rather pleasant.

It was particularly popular among the younger crowd. Men and women in their mid-twenties and below found this to be a very attractive fragrance. However, as the demographic got older, people tended to find it relatively bland but inoffensive overall .

When To Wear Alien Man

Firstly, Alien Man is perfect for autumn season thanks to its blend of aromatics, woods and spices. There’s a perfect harmony between warm and cool notes that captures the spirit of the season perfectly.

Nevertheless, it will also perform quite well during the winter and wouldn’t be too out of place during the spring. However, it’s certainly not a summer fragrance by any means.

When it comes to the most best time of day for wearing Alien Man, it’s very much a daytime fragrance. It feels rather appropriate for when the sun is at its peak but will lose effectiveness as it begins to set.

As for the best demographic for wearing this, I’d say it’s ideal for men in their twenties. However, it could easily be worn by slightly younger or older men too. Thanks to a moderate masculinity level, it’s quite versatile too.

Still, this feels like quite a casual fragrance for everyday wear. That said, you could probably wear it to less conservative work places or even a date.

Presentation and Value For Money

Feminine Mugler fragrances have always been stunningly ornate pieces of art while the masculine options are quite modest in comparison.

However, Alien Man’s design is a refreshing change with a shard-like appearance.

Although contemporary in spirit, there’s a distinctive Art Deco influence with its geometric contours and metal-coloured stalk.

Furthermore, it’s also somewhat reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey’s enigmatic monolith, which echoes the fragrance’s namesake.

Additionally, Mugler has gained a reputation for refillable flacons. With a firm pull on the top, you can recharge it yourself, which is a nice economical option.

As for the atomiser’s performance, it provides a thick and narrow mist with a firm hiss. This allows for precise and generous application in key areas.

With regards to the packaging, it nods to the original feminine version with the same “Alien” logo on the front and etched down the top and sides.

Finally, the value for money is actually quite satisfying! While it’s slightly pricier on Amazon at $75, 100 ml can cost less than $50 on FragranceX!

Closing Thoughts

Alien Man may seem to be something of a oddity from Mugler. In fact, it seems that the perfumery is seeking to make a more approachable scent for the mainstream market.

With an iconic bottle design, it certainly stands out on the shelves and may well attract newcomers to the brand.

While let down by a short-lived and anti-climactic dry-down, Alien Man is still a thoroughly intoxicating blend of smoky woods and spices. Comparable to other classics such as Dior Sauvage and Armani Code, this could well be a contemporary classic.

Only time will tell on that last statement and maybe I’m wrong. Have you had the opportunity to try Alien Man yet? If so, let us know what you thought in the comments below.