Clean Shaven 16
Brand: Clean Shaven
Masculine · EDP · £12.68
Inspired by Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme.
Description
16 is Clean Shaven's aftershave interpretation of Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme, the 1994 aquatic that helped define an entire decade of men's fragrance. Product Overview Sold as 50ml at 25% EDP concentration through Clean Shaven's own numbered range (bottle carries only the brand name and the number 16, with the inspiration named on the product listing), this is a budget reading of one of the most influential masculine aquatics ever released. Priced at 12.68 pounds against an original that now retails well above 60 pounds for the equivalent size, it is aimed squarely at anyone who wants the L'Eau d'Issey signature without the department store price. Scent Profile Opens on yuzu, cypress, coriander, mandarin, clary sage and verbena, a citrus aromatic burst that is crisp rather than sweet. The heart brings blue water lily alongside nutmeg, saffron, bourbon geranium and ceylon cinnamon, a slightly spiced watery floral that is the fragrance's signature move. It settles into tobacco, amber, musk, Indian sandalwood, Haitian vetiver and cypriol, a warmer and woodier base than most aquatics attempt, which is part of why the original has aged so much better than its 1990s peers. Technical Structure and Development The original was composed by Jacques Cavallier and remains a reference point for the woody aquatic genre. Clean Shaven's version follows the same top to base arc at a fraction of the ingredient cost, so expect the opening to read close to true while the base loses some of the original's tobacco depth over the first hour or two. Performance At 25 percent EDP concentration in the standard 50ml Clean Shaven bottle, expect moderate longevity of roughly 4 to 6 hours on skin and soft to moderate projection, closer to a skin scent by the mid stages. Best applied generously and treated as a daytime, close-range fragrance rather than a room filler. Wear Scenarios - Office and daytime wear, spring through early autumn - Warm weather and humid climates where the aquatic freshness reads best - A first aftershave for someone who has never tried the L'Eau d'Issey family - Layered lightly under a woody or amber signature for extra depth Scent Family Positioning Sits in the woody aquatic family, the genre L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme is widely credited with popularising alongside Cool Water and Acqua di Gio. Inspired By and Style Comparisons Direct interpretation of Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme. Comparable ground within the Clean Shaven range to 22, Clean Shaven's take on Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio, though 16 leans spicier and woodier where 22 stays more purely marine. Flankers and Variations The Issey Miyake original has spawned numerous flankers over three decades including Intense, Sport, and the newer Eau Essentielle; Clean Shaven's 16 is built specifically around the 1994 original formula, not the flankers. Market and Community Reception L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme remains one of the most consistently recommended entry-level designer aquatics in online fragrance communities three decades after launch, prized for ageing gracefully compared to sweeter aquatics from the same era. Clean Shaven customer reviews on the brand's own site describe 16 as a fair approximation of the citrus opening with a shorter lifespan than the original, consistent with the concentration difference.
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Atlas Match
Best Notes Match
VURV Indigo
Shared notes: Yuzu, Cypress
From This Brand
Clean Shaven 09
Same DNA Style
Lattafa Qaa'ed
Inspired by Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme
Community Reviews
1 reviews with an average rating of 6.8 out of 10.
Compare 16
Community Ratings
- Overall: 6.8/10
- Scent Accuracy: 7.5/10
- Longevity: 6.0/10
- Projection: 5.5/10
- Value: 8.0/10
What Reviewers Say
Atlas AI Analysis — 6.8/10
Clean Shaven 16 provides a structured interpretation of the woody aquatic archetype, emphasizing the sharp yuzu and aromatic verbena that defined masculine perfumery in the mid-1990s. The composition successfully replicates the transition from citrus-heavy top notes to a spiced, watery heart of blue water lily and nutmeg. While it maintains the crisp, airy profile expected of the DNA, the base notes of tobacco and sandalwood exhibit less complexity than the designer original, resulting in a leaner dry down that focuses on utility rather than technical depth. Technical performance is consistent with budget-tier Eau de Parfum concentrations, offering a realistic longevity window of four to six hours. Projection remains moderate to soft, making this a restrained option that settles into a skin scent relatively quickly. The fragrance lacks the diffusive power of high-performance aquatics, suggesting it is best utilized as a close-range grooming product rather than a statement fragrance. Market positioning for 16 is firmly in the value-driven category, offering a substantial price-to-volume advantage for consumers seeking the L’Eau d’Issey signature without the designer premium. It functions effectively as a daily-wear alternative for professional environments or high-temperature climates where a clean, non-sweet citrus profile is desirable. This release is ideally suited for users who prioritize the immediate scent profile over long-term development or room-filling sillage.
Where to Buy
Check current price and availability on Amazon.co.uk
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the signature scent profile of the Clean Shaven brand?
Clean Shaven focuses on the "Barbershop" and "Grooming" aesthetic, specializing in scents that are fresh, crisp, and undeniably clean. Their DNA is built around the idea of a fresh-out-of-the-shower experience, focusing on high-quality citrus, cooling mint, and traditional aromatic herbs like lavender and rosemary.
Can Clean Shaven fragrances be used as aftershaves and perfumes?
While the brand has its roots in traditional grooming, their fragrances are formulated as Eau de Parfums to ensure they last far longer than a standard aftershave. They are designed to be "skin-friendly" while providing enough punch to work as a daily-wear fragrance that stays noticeable throughout the workday.
Is Clean Shaven a good brand for the office or gym?
Yes, Clean Shaven is arguably the best "utilitarian" fragrance house for those who want to smell fresh without being overwhelming. Their profiles are non-offensive, uplifting, and professional, making them a top choice for office environments, gym bags, and warm weather where heavy ouds or ambers might be too cloying.
What is Clean Shaven 16 a dupe of?
Clean Shaven 16 is a dupe of Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme. It interprets the original scent profile using high quality alternative ingredients at a fraction of the price.
What does Clean Shaven 16 smell like?
Clean Shaven 16 opens with Yuzu, Cypress, Coriander, Mandarin, Clary Sage, Verbena, moves into Blue Water Lily, Nutmeg, Saffron, Bourbon Geranium, Ceylon Cinnamon, and settles on a base of Tobacco, Amber, Musk, Indian Sandalwood, Haitian Vetiver, Cypriol. It is built to capture the character of Issey Miyake L'Eau d'Issey Pour Homme.
Is Clean Shaven 16 long lasting?
Clean Shaven 16 is EDP with a community longevity score of 6 out of 10 and a scent accuracy score of 7.5 out of 10. It offers a budget friendly alternative to the original.
What does EDP mean?
EDP stands for Eau de Parfum. It typically contains 15 to 20 percent fragrance concentration, giving stronger performance and longer longevity than EDT. Most Middle Eastern clone brands release their fragrances as EDP, which is a significant reason they tend to outperform designer equivalents in longevity and projection at a lower price point.
What is an extrait de parfum?
Extrait de parfum, also called pure parfum, contains the highest fragrance concentration, typically 20 to 40 percent. It lasts the longest, projects most richly, and develops the most complex dry-down. Bujairami releases all its fragrances as extraits, which is a significant part of why the brand has developed such a strong reputation for performance.
What is maceration and should I let my new fragrance macerate?
Maceration is the process of fragrance molecules fully integrating and settling after production. A newly bottled fragrance can smell sharp, synthetic, or unbalanced because the individual ingredients have not yet harmonised. Leaving a bottle to settle for two to four weeks is standard practice in the fragrance community. Remove the cap and let the bottle breathe overnight to accelerate the process. Most heavy Middle Eastern releases benefit significantly from maceration.
What is a blind buy in the fragrance community?
A blind buy is purchasing a fragrance without having smelled it first, based on notes, reviews, community consensus, and comparisons to fragrances you already know. The Atlas compare tool, scent accuracy scores, and community reviews are specifically designed to reduce the risk of a disappointing blind buy by giving you data before you spend money.