Reviews – Tom Ford – Beau de Jour

Tom Ford – Beau de Jour – Everything old is new again. 8/10

Over the last few years, the Tom Ford release schedule has been in overdrive. Seemingly every week, something new pops up from the brand. Sadly, it has felt more like the focus has been on quantity over quality. Nevertheless, despite the lows, there have been a few high points. Interestingly, many of these high points have come from Tom Ford turning his attention to the aromatic past. Commendable releases such as Lavender Extreme, Fougere d’Argent, and Fougere Platine are all interesting, albeit overpriced, takes on the age-old fougere genre.

Beau de Jour, the subject of my review today, was initially part of the Private Blend Line but now finds itself in the Signature Line. It’s another riff on the fougere olfactive family. The differences between the Signature and Private Blend Beau de Jour scents are minimal. Perhaps the Private Blend fragrance has a little more heft, but one would be hard-pressed to see many other differences. My review today is for the competitively priced Signature Line scent.

Before I’d even sprayed Beau de Jour, the first thing that struck me was the rather eye-catching, classy bottle. It looks fantastic on any bathroom shelf or indeed anywhere you choose to display your fragrances. I like it much more in this bottle than in the Private Blend Bottle. Perhaps this is a controversial opinion, but I think the Private Blend bottles lack uniqueness.

Beau de Jour’s opening is bracing. Herbal and aromatic notes abound. Rosemary, mint, basil, and oakmoss lend proceedings a decidedly classy touch. However, the verdant freshness of lavender is most prevalent in the mix. This smooth, suave blend of notes is reminiscent of old-school shaving foam. It’s a welcome pivot from the overly sweet concoctions of recent Private Blends. Fans of Lost Cherry and Bitter Peach need not apply.

After a couple of hours, the base of Beau De Jour begins to appear. Tasteful but never in your face ambery notes and clean, earthy patchouli add warmth. The amber, in particular, adds a touch of sweetness, ensuring the scent never falls into clichéd “old man territory.” The interplay between the classy top notes and sophisticated base lends the fragrance a “square-jawed” quality, akin to powerhouse scents of the ’70s. Even so, the scent cleverly still retains a modern appeal.

If performance and sillage are your things, well, Beau de Jour won’t leave you disappointed. It lasted well over 10 hours on my skin, with decent projection for the first couple of hours. Of course, it is something more suited to formal occasions, but I think Beau de Jour would acquit itself well to a white tee and jeans kind of day. In Summary, Beau de Jour is the very epitome of self-assured, self-confident, and in charge, and is without question one of my favourite Tom Ford releases for men.

Quick Notes:

Launch Year: 2020.

Top notes: Lavender Extract, lavender.

Mid Notes: Geranium, mint, basil, oakmoss, rosemary.

Base Notes: Amber, patchouli.

Longevity: 10 hours maximum.

Projection: 3-4 hours medium.

Season: All year, but best suited for formal occasions.

Price: 50ml EDP $202AUD. 100ml EDP $280AUD.

Alternatives: YSL Rive Gauche Pour Homme, Azzaro Pour Homme.

Have you tried Beau de Jour, and what’s your favourite fougere?

Note: All photos by me.