Urban Hero by Jimmy Choo

I’ve got a whole lot of fragrance reviews to write up for the site, over the next few weeks, and I’m going to get started with a newer release from Jimmy Choo. Urban Hero was released late last year (2019, this post has been updated since), but is it any good? What does it smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

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What does Urban Hero Smell Like?

Notes include: lemon caviar, rosewood, vetiver, amber, leather, black pepper

Click here to try: Urban Hero by Jimmy Choo

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My Full Wear Review

Urban Hero opens up smelling like a few other popular scents, while retaining its own somewhat unique aroma. The top notes here are black pepper and lemon caviar.

Actually, this pairing reminds me of Guess Seductive Homme, which uses orange and pink pepper. Both fragrances, also share a fairly strong amber note.

The rest of the composition (which I’ll get to), smells like some sort of mix between the aforementioned Guess cologne, Coach for Men, and Jimmy Choo Man. Simply exchanging leather for suede. Oh, and add a big dose of rosewood.

Anyway, Urban Hero’s opening act has a warm and somewhat sweet aroma, with a slight saltiness, highly noticeable leather, and some pepper thrown in. The pepper and the lemon caviar, while present, come across as fairly weak.

The amber and leather base notes, are actually the strongest from the first spray.

After some time, the top notes fade away almost completely. The amber, also dies down quite a lot. In it’s place come rosewood and vetiver. Urban Hero, about 30 minutes in, is a leather/woody cologne that is dipped in amber.

That’s what I get for the rest of the wear, mostly leather and rosewood, with some vetiver and amber. Pretty simple and no real development thereafter.

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Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

When I first apply Urban Hero, it feels pretty strong. I will notice its presence and so will the folks around me. It’s not a powerhouse, but for the first 30-60 minutes, it does a good job.

After that, this Jimmy Choo, is a skin scent. If you get your nose close to it, you can pick it up, but you really won’t get much beyond that.

Longevity wise, the story doesn’t get much better. I can seem to squeak out around 4 hours on my skin, which is pitiful, and what I expect from $10 fragrances. It’s actually quite a lot like Coach for Men, in that regard.

I really don’t know what it is about this designer and the lack of performance with so many of its releases.

Seasonally, this would fit in pretty much any season, other than high summer. I’d say an autumn wear through early spring. You know, if it lasted longer. I could wear this casually, out on the town, or even a date.

It’s not super formal, but it has an adult-like scent, and not something exclusively for teens. Though, I’d say for younger adults.

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Overall Impression of Urban Hero by Jimmy Choo

Do I like this fragrance? The smell is fairly enjoyable. I’m not a big fan of Coach for Men or Jimmy Choo Man, which this has similarities to, but it’s different enough.

The opening act, while there actually is some citrus and pepper, is probably my favorite part. It’s got strength and an upbeat energy to it.

After that, Urban Hero falls apart. Not the aroma, mind you, I actually like the rosewood and leather combination. It’s the lackluster performance, that really disappoints. If they could have gotten the power ratcheted up, this would be a really good, though not great cologne.

I tested out my mini bottle again and again with the same results. This one just would not last for me. If it does for you, this could be a decent cologne to get, if it fits your style.

As it stands, you get a nice smelling fragrance for men, that won’t hang around that long…and has a $90+ price tag. Lame.

Update: After a year, this cologne has hit the discounters in the $30-40 range, which is a fair deal. That’s about the maximum amount that I would pay for a bottle, if I wanted it. In the $20s, would be more appropriate. That initial retail price was way too high.