Fabulous by Tom Ford

Fucking Fabulous is the kind of guy in jeans and a leather jacket that everyone stares at: a bit arrogant, mysterious, and dangerously seductive.

The name says it all. The moment the first spray hits, you’re surprised by lavender and a bitter, creamy almond. As minutes pass, leather and tonka bean enter the scene. Finally, close to the skin, it leaves an exceptional combination: aromatic flowers, leather, and a clean scent. More than a fragrance, it’s an attitude. It’s one of those perfumes that gives you personality and, when worn, fills you with ego. I’d define it as sexy, bold, elegant, sophisticated, provocative, irreverent, and even despotic. If someone smells it, they’ll ask: ‘But what are you wearing?!’ For all these reasons, it’s my favourite perfume and my secret weapon. Without a doubt, a masterpiece. Scent: 10/10 Longevity: 9/10 Sillage: 8/10 Projection: 8/10 Conclusion: If you have a niche background, try it, but bear in mind it’s polarising; you either love it or hate it.

It’s a beautiful scent. Brutal and tremendously attractive, as if a confident man in an expensive good leather jacket were hugging you… and had just taken a cough syrup. I see it as more masculine than unisex, though that depends on each person’s taste. The longevity and trail are good.

There are perfumes that simply exist. And others, very few, that impose their presence as a living declaration. Fucking Fabulous by Tom Ford doesn’t ask permission: it bursts in, conquers, and stays. For me, it’s one of the great exponents of contemporary perfumery. It’s bottled luxury, refined arrogance, pure power. This fragrance doesn’t just smell good: it’s an attitude, a way of being in the world. It evokes someone confident, sophisticated, with impeccable manners, shining with elegance and sensuality. A natural seducer, charismatic, magnetic, and yes, perhaps a bit selfish… but irresistibly charming. The kind of guy who walks into a room and without speaking has already said it all. I remember the first time I tried it. I didn’t know what I was smelling, but its name—provocative and resounding—was too short to describe the astonishment. I applied a single spray at 2 pm and couldn’t stop smelling myself every few minutes. Each inhalation revealed a new dimension, a new detail, as if the fragrance were unfolding layer by layer. That night, before saying a word, a friend told me: ‘Mate, you smell bloody fantastic. What did you put on?’. The scent is hypnotic. It opens with a unique lavender, far from classic barber codes. Here, the lavender is daring, modern, sensual. It’s wrapped in impeccable quality black leather: neither warm nor cold, perfectly balanced, with a provocative and almost narcissistic attitude. The leather intertwines with powdery iris adding dusty elegance, while bitter almonds and white woods give depth. All this gently caressed by a subtle amber that adds a golden warmth, as if fingertips were stroking a shiny surface. Fucking Fabulous isn’t a perfume you simply wear. It’s a perfume that takes you. It transforms you. It invites you to act with more aplomb, style, and intention. It’s an extension of character, a personal manifesto that feels as much as it smells. I can’t find words to do it justice. Saying it’s ‘art’ seems too short. But if art is that which moves, transforms, and leaves a mark, then Fucking Fabulous is, without a doubt, a masterpiece. Thanks to Tom Ford for making this creation possible, marking history in fashion and perfumery, and contributing with jewels like Tuscan Leather, Ombre Leather, Tobacco Vanille, Noir de Noir, Oud Wood, Black Orchid, Tobacco Oud, Costa Azurra, and almost all his perfumes. All reflect a fragment of his soul: sophisticated, sensual, bold, unforgettable. ‘This is Fucking Fabulous’.

Bought it in Bern, Switzerland. I wasn’t planning to, but after smelling it at the Tom Ford boutique, wow, I fell in love. It smells of rich leather, woodiness, with hints of vanilla and sandalwood. The longevity and sillage are excellent; on my skin, it lasted 15 hours from morning until night. The price is very high, but it’s totally worth it. It’s one of my favourites from the Private Blend line, and as the name suggests, it smells fucking fabulous. I’d give it a 10/10.

It is the epitome of contemporary perfumery: misunderstood genius, class and sophistication bottled. Sublime and irrepeatable, an ode to perfumery. My words are few to express my passion for this strong, beautiful scent that almost touches perfection and condemns the ignorance of those who dismiss it. Loved by those, like myself, who have known how to appreciate this work of art, because it goes beyond a simple perfume. Its interpretation of sweet and bitter almonds with a constant leather presence is sublime, free of pretension: sometimes powdery almonds, other times with a slight tobacco note, but always with strong character, elegance and class. The ultimate representation of elegance, longevity and trail, ideal only for special, formal and intimate occasions in cold weather.

Many reviews come from trying it in an airport or a perfumery in a fleeting moment: a spray from a poorly stored bottle in the light… that simply won’t work. After years of use, I’m reviewing it with more knowledge. It is an iris perfume with a high load of this ingredient of very high quality, which acts as a cohesive glue and makes it special and imitable, despite so many failed inspirations due to a lack of iris. It is Tom Ford’s version of the leather, iris and tonka perfumes that are popular today and that every house should have, like Dior, Prada, Givenchy, etc. It opens with lavender and sage with metallic notes settling over a base of bitter almond, leather and vanilla, culminating in a very integrated orris patina, difficult to perceive as such, but there to make everything sparkle, make sense and be an elegant, warm and original work of art. It seems a delight that makes you feel secure, important, happy and grateful to be alive. Despite its unjustified price and poor performance (on my skin it lasts 4 or 5 hours), it is incredible.

It is one of the best things I have ever smelled in my life, the only Tom Ford I like.

Tom Ford’s Fucking Fabulous combines mainly leather and almond with the aromatic touch of lavender. I must admit it is a highly original scent; I never perceived such a profile. Nevertheless, it is a fragrance that I dislike immensely; I have tried and worn it on numerous occasions and I fail to understand or share the positive comments. I recommend that you try it and draw your own conclusions; you may love it, or like me, find that you dislike it.

The name fits perfectly. When you are overexposed to current designer vanilla perfumes (JPG, PR, etc.), you realise that almost all are the same because they share bases, so nothing surprises anymore. Just as certain leather perfumes tend to be very aggressive and animalic. Then comes this fragrance that mixes those notes in such a perfect and unique way that it generates pleasure in smelling it, and your nose is capable of appreciating and understanding it. Over time it becomes more and more addictive, you don’t want to stop using it. It performs excellently (10h+), with 5 sprays you are very well covered, 8 or more if you want to burn noses. In the air it is imposing, it smells like what it costs and people will know that without a doubt. It is exclusively for winter, even in autumn it can become cloying. Its MA dupe is very similar but lacks certain molecules that make it feel inert, it’s like a dental piece with root canal treatment, it works but lacks life.

To be honest it smells clean and sexy perfect for night outings whether informal or formal. The almond adds a formal touch but the dry down stays sweet and vanilla-like with a clean scent. Ideal for the office or a select event. The best TF I’ve tried so far.

A spicy, distinctive, and well-made fragrance; the price is too high, as is always the case with this brand. The projection is very potent while the dry-down is subtle; highly recommended.

I tried it once. What on earth is that note at the beginning? Is it me, or is it something horrendous? The dry-down, however, is another story entirely—I do like it.

I couldn’t stand the opening. For those who can handle it, enjoy it.

Tom Ford Fucking Fabulous is one of my favourite fragrances; I absolutely adore it and it never fails to make me sigh. It’s a solid 10 out of 10.