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Two weeks ago, I decided to buy Le Sel d’Issey by Issey Miyake. It was, quite honestly, an impulse purchase. I didn’t try it in-store, I didn’t spray it on a blotter, and I didn’t wear it beforehand. I simply fell for the box set. Sometimes, that initial instinct is enough — especially when it comes to a house you’ve trusted for decades.
I’ve always admired Issey Miyake’s approach to fragrance. There’s something very distinctive about it. His scents are never loud or obvious; they’re built around essential elements of nature, often with a quiet, almost meditative inspiration rooted in Japan. Thirty years ago, L’Eau d’Issey changed the landscape of men’s fragrance completely. Clean, aquatic, minimalist, it was revolutionary at the time, and it still feels relevant today.
Fragrance has always been an important part of my life. Maybe it’s cultural :I’m French, with Italian roots but scent has always mattered. I still remember my father smelling incredible every single day. His fragrance was Ted Lapidus, and to me, that smell is forever linked to confidence, presence, and masculinity. That memory shaped how I approach fragrance, not as decoration, but as something essential
Since launching DapperandGroomed.com over 13 years ago, I’ve tested and reviewed a wide range of men’s fragrances. Over time, that experience has made me far more selective. I know what works on my skin, what feels right for my lifestyle, and what simply doesn’t suit me anymore.
Today, I want to share my honest experience with Le Sel d’Issey, a relatively new release for men and a fragrance that surprised me more than I expected.
How I Tested Le Sel d’Issey
Le Sel d’Issey was worn by me consistently over a two-week period in real-life conditions.
I tested it the way I genuinely wear fragrance: on clean skin, with 2 to 4 sprays, across different moments of the day. My focus was not just on how it smells, but on how it lives on the skin.
- Spray Quality & Opening: First impression after application, mist quality, and how the opening notes present themselves.
- Evolution on Skin: How the scent develops from the opening to the dry-down .
- Projection: How noticeable the fragrance is to others.
- Longevity: How long it remains detectable on my skin throughout the day.
- Real Reactions: Comments and feedback from people around me during wear.
- Emotional Impact: How the fragrance makes me feel.
The Bottle & Design
The bottle of Le Sel d’Issey immediately stands apart from what we usually associate with Issey Miyake fragrances. Instead of the tall, vertical flacon we’ve seen for years, this one feels compact, sculptural, and deliberately different.
Designed by Japanese artist Tokujin Yoshioka, the bottle draws inspiration from the sacred symbolism of salt in Japanese culture. Salt represents purity, energy, and essential life forces and that philosophy is clearly reflected here. The flacon feels almost luminous, as if light is trapped inside it, giving the impression of movement and clarity rather than weight.
What I really love is the restraint. The typography is simple, clean, and perfectly balanced. There’s no unnecessary decoration, no attempt to impress through excess. This is minimalist design done properly: thoughtful, calm, and quietly confident.
In my opinion, this is one of the most successful bottle designs Issey Miyake has released in years. It feels modern, artistic, and deeply connected to the brand’s Japanese DNA, while still sitting comfortably on a contemporary shelf.
First Impressions & How It Evolves on Skin
The very first spray genuinely surprised me , in a good way. Salt, by definition, has no scent, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. But Le Sel d’Issey opens with a striking mix of ginger and sea salt, and from that first second, it feels mysterious, unexpected, and quietly bold.
Yes, I quickly realised I’d just sprayed something that could be described as salty ginger on my skin, but somehow, it works beautifully. Not in a loud or experimental way, but in a controlled, elegant one. It doesn’t shout “aquatic” or “fresh” like so many marine-inspired fragrances do. Instead, it feels mineral, textured, and almost tactile.
As it settles, the fragrance moves smoothly into its heart notes of vetiver and seaweed. This is where it really comes into its own. The aquatic freshness starts to soften, becoming more grounded and earthy, without ever feeling heavy. Within minutes, it transitions again toward the base, where cedarwood and oakmoss bring warmth, depth, and a reassuring woody backbone.
What’s remarkable is how quickly (and naturally ) the scent evolves. In a short space of time, Le Sel d’Issey moves from something cool and mineral to something far more woody and refined. The combination of seaweed, ginger, and salt shouldn’t work on paper… yet here, it absolutely does.
Does it remind me slightly of Kenzo Eau de Toilette? Maybe, just a touch. But where Kenzo feels brighter and more aquatic, Le Sel d’Issey is noticeably more modern, restrained, and elegant. It feels grown-up, confident, and thoughtfully composed, a fragrance that doesn’t rely on nostalgia, but instead feels very much of its time.
Performance, Longevity & Real-World Wear
After the first few minutes, I was completely hooked. Le Sel d’Issey had a real impact on me the kind that quietly pulls you back for another spray. It’s almost addictive in an olfactory way, but never overwhelming.
Projection is spot on. I’ve never been the kind of guy who wants his fragrance to announce itself across a room: think Sauvage by Dior levels of intensity. I naturally gravitate towards scents that are noticeable, confident, but never loud. Le Sel d’Issey sits perfectly in that space: present, refined, and well-balanced.
Longevity is where it truly shines. For an eau de toilette, performance is exceptional. I can still smell it clearly on my skin six to seven hours after spraying, which genuinely impressed me. On clothes, it lasts even longer, days, easily. At one point, my wardrobe suddenly smelled like an Issey Miyake boutique, and honestly, I wasn’t complaining.
But the best part? The reactions. My wife and my kids were immediately impressed by how good it smells: it’s actually become their favourite fragrance on me. And it doesn’t stop at home. Friends have repeatedly complimented it and asked what I’m wearing. For me, that’s always the real test. When people you trust (and people who aren’t trying to flatter you) keep asking about your fragrance, you know you’ve found something special.
So is this a winter or summer fragrance? In my opinion, Le Sel d’Issey works all year round. Its mineral, aquatic freshness makes it perfect for warmer months, while the woody base gives it enough depth to feel completely comfortable in autumn and winter. It adapts beautifully.
To me, this is a fragrance for men who want to smell clean, confident, and quietly sexy, not in an obvious way, but in a subtle, sophisticated one. It doesn’t try to impress. It just does.
Le Sel d’Issey – At a Glance
| Longevity | 9/10 |
| Projection | 7/10 |
| Scent Originality | 9/10 |
| Versatility (Seasons) | 10/10 |
| Overall Impression | Elegant, modern, quietly addictive |
Final verdict
Le Sel d’Issey was created by French perfumer Quentin Bisch, the nose behind some outstanding modern fragrances such as Paco Rabanne 1 Million and Carolina Herrera Good Girl and Bad Boy. And I genuinely think his experience truly shines here. He clearly understood the spirit of Issey Miyake fragrances, that balance of purity, nature, and quiet sophistication and managed to work with the element of salt in a way that feels elegant rather than gimmicky.
I know I sound completely in love with this fragrance, but honestly, Quentin Bisch has created something special. I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a few years’ time, Le Sel d’Issey is spoken about as a timeless fragrance rather than just a modern release.
In my own rotation, this has become my favourite daytime fragrance right now. I don’t wear it every single day (especially not at weekends ) simply because I like to give space to my other fragrances too. But every time I come back to it, it feels just as fresh and satisfying. Since launching Dapper & Groomed (13 years ago), I’ve tested a lot of men’s fragrances, and it’s rare for an eau de toilette to impact me this much.
I don’t think younger guys (under 30) will fully appreciate Le Sel d’Issey. At that age, I remember preferring louder, more powerful scents designed to make an instant impression in a room. But for men over 30 (and especially over 40 or 50) this is a beautiful, elegant fragrance for confident, grown men who don’t need to shout to be noticed.
I’m genuinely glad I blind-bought this one. It feels like a perfect way to start 2026, and it has already earned a permanent place in my collection. You can find Le Sel d’Issey at your local fragrance retailer or on Amazon (here)
Stay dapper, my friend.
Jerome.
About the Author: Jerome is an independent men’s lifestyle blogger and product reviewer with over 12 years of hands-on experience testing men’s grooming products, skincare, fragrances, and everyday tech. He is French, based in the UK, and writes for an international audience, with readers primarily in the United States and the United Kingdom. DapperandGroomed.com was founded in 2013 and focuses on experience-based reviews, long-term testing, and honest recommendations.