Top Notes 
Grapefruit
Violet leaf
Lavender
Heart Notes 
Cardamom
Apple
Pineapple
Base Notes 
Cashmeran
Patchouli
Tonka bean
Yatagan
415 Reviews
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Yatagan
Top Review
34
Undeserved Compliments?
Uncommented Fragrances No. 4
For 30 years, I have been collecting fragrances. I read with envy about men and women here who report how often they receive compliments for their scent. That never happens to me. Is it because I prefer quirky English fragrances, that I use more masculine scents, or that I never really reach for the trendy mainstream options? Well, my wife has always been fine with it as it is.
But at the office, during meetings, or at lunch breaks, I have never been approached about my scent. The only thing to note is that I usually apply very sparingly, so perhaps I am not too noticeable to those around me.
However, about a week ago, it happened. Incredible! Remarkable! I actually received a compliment for my scent twice on the same day from two female colleagues. What had happened?
I had applied the fragrance quite sparingly as always, had not gotten too close to anyone, and had otherwise had a day that had annoyed and exhausted me up to that point. Not one of those days when you walk around with a special aura or particular charisma. I wasn't wearing any of my expensive niche fragrances, no English scent, and none of my beloved Guerlains or Carons.
A few days earlier, however, I had gone to the drugstore near my workplace to pick up a few things. I usually stop briefly at the perfume shelf of the drugstore, only to always leave disappointed (except for my favorite drugstore classics like Old Spice, Denim, or Tabac).
This time, however, I stumbled upon a fragrance by David Beckham that had never caught my attention before, as I am neither a football fan nor a fan of specific football players. But when I spontaneously tried The Essence, I was amazed. I had rarely smelled such a good drugstore fragrance in recent years. Let’s set aside the fact that this one also smells synthetic, and you don’t really get the feeling of isolating individual natural components, but still: The scent has an aura that apparently catches the attention of others as well.
First of all, I like the citrus notes in the top note. Whether it’s grapefruit, pineapple, and apple is up for debate, but you don’t have to categorize it that way. I really like that there’s apparently a strong shot of lavender in it, which gives the fragrance a serious, slightly old-fashioned note and elevates it right from the start of the scent development out of the uniform mass of synthetic everyday fragrances.
In fact, there is something like a scent development here: it’s almost a miracle, as most drugstore and mainstream fragrances are designed so that the impatient consumer knows right from the start which direction things are headed.
But here, the warm-sweet notes (patchouli - or whatever else might smell similar here, and especially tonka bean) only appear after a certain waiting period. Not that the fragrance really has a top, heart, and base note, but at least something like a two-stage or flowing development. Olivier Polge has certainly spent one or two more thoughts on the fragrance than is the case with many mainstream scents. I like that.
What impresses is especially the mixture of a, figuratively speaking, juicy note on one hand and the warm, soft, yet strong tones on the other. Apparently, there is indeed something to the grapefruit and pineapple in the top note, which also plays a role in other distinctive men’s fragrances, and which I fundamentally prefer over the eternally same opening of bergamot and subtle lavender that is characteristic of so many sport fragrances.
Somehow, I now feel a great desire to watch the next football game on television. It doesn’t matter who is playing. Strange.
For 30 years, I have been collecting fragrances. I read with envy about men and women here who report how often they receive compliments for their scent. That never happens to me. Is it because I prefer quirky English fragrances, that I use more masculine scents, or that I never really reach for the trendy mainstream options? Well, my wife has always been fine with it as it is.
But at the office, during meetings, or at lunch breaks, I have never been approached about my scent. The only thing to note is that I usually apply very sparingly, so perhaps I am not too noticeable to those around me.
However, about a week ago, it happened. Incredible! Remarkable! I actually received a compliment for my scent twice on the same day from two female colleagues. What had happened?
I had applied the fragrance quite sparingly as always, had not gotten too close to anyone, and had otherwise had a day that had annoyed and exhausted me up to that point. Not one of those days when you walk around with a special aura or particular charisma. I wasn't wearing any of my expensive niche fragrances, no English scent, and none of my beloved Guerlains or Carons.
A few days earlier, however, I had gone to the drugstore near my workplace to pick up a few things. I usually stop briefly at the perfume shelf of the drugstore, only to always leave disappointed (except for my favorite drugstore classics like Old Spice, Denim, or Tabac).
This time, however, I stumbled upon a fragrance by David Beckham that had never caught my attention before, as I am neither a football fan nor a fan of specific football players. But when I spontaneously tried The Essence, I was amazed. I had rarely smelled such a good drugstore fragrance in recent years. Let’s set aside the fact that this one also smells synthetic, and you don’t really get the feeling of isolating individual natural components, but still: The scent has an aura that apparently catches the attention of others as well.
First of all, I like the citrus notes in the top note. Whether it’s grapefruit, pineapple, and apple is up for debate, but you don’t have to categorize it that way. I really like that there’s apparently a strong shot of lavender in it, which gives the fragrance a serious, slightly old-fashioned note and elevates it right from the start of the scent development out of the uniform mass of synthetic everyday fragrances.
In fact, there is something like a scent development here: it’s almost a miracle, as most drugstore and mainstream fragrances are designed so that the impatient consumer knows right from the start which direction things are headed.
But here, the warm-sweet notes (patchouli - or whatever else might smell similar here, and especially tonka bean) only appear after a certain waiting period. Not that the fragrance really has a top, heart, and base note, but at least something like a two-stage or flowing development. Olivier Polge has certainly spent one or two more thoughts on the fragrance than is the case with many mainstream scents. I like that.
What impresses is especially the mixture of a, figuratively speaking, juicy note on one hand and the warm, soft, yet strong tones on the other. Apparently, there is indeed something to the grapefruit and pineapple in the top note, which also plays a role in other distinctive men’s fragrances, and which I fundamentally prefer over the eternally same opening of bergamot and subtle lavender that is characteristic of so many sport fragrances.
Somehow, I now feel a great desire to watch the next football game on television. It doesn’t matter who is playing. Strange.
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