SOTD: This Is Him by Zadig & Voltaire

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I’ve always been drawn to the effortless "rock-and-roll" vibe of Zadig & Voltaire, and This is Him! perfectly captures that aesthetic. Released in 2016, it was co-created by Nathalie Lorson and Aurélien Guichard, and you can really feel their expertise in how the scent balances a clean edge with a darker undertone. Even though there is a matching female version, this masculine iteration has really grown on me over time. It’s housed in a cool, monolithic black bottle with these unique cracked, jagged edges that feel modern yet a bit rebellious, reminiscent of 80s pop culture aesthetics.

On my skin, the opening is a sharp, invigorating blast of fresh grapefruit mixed with a punchy black pepper that immediately wakes up the senses. As it moves into the heart, the fragrance develops into a fascinating tug-of-war between smoky, mystical incense and a rich, creamy vanilla. This contrast is what makes the scent so addictive for me—it’s both comforting and edgy. Eventually, it settles into a smooth, sensual sandalwood base that is characteristic of the house, though I sometimes pick up a faint, unlisted hint of leather that adds to its rugged charm.

In terms of wearability, this is my go-to "balance" fragrance; it’s the bridge between my love for heavy winter scents and the need for something lighter. It feels most at home during the crisp days of autumn or casual evening hangouts. However, I have to be honest about the performance—since it’s an Eau de Toilette, the longevity and projection are unfortunately quite intimate and don't last as long as I’d like. I also find the atomizer to be a bit frustrating and inconsistent for a bottle that usually retails around €70. If they ever released a Parfum version that kept this exact DNA but boosted the endurance, it would easily be a masterpiece in my collection.

My Rating 6/10

Scent 2

Longevity 1.5

Sillage 1.5

Y/N 1

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