I bought it around June of this year while looking for the Ferrari Scuderia Black, which was discounted at a ridiculous price of 12 euros for a 75 ml bottle, a real bargain. The Scuderia Light Essence was positioned right next to it, there were still a couple of boxes, miserably a small size of 40 ml, however, they were sold for 7 euros, new steel. I was a bit reticent, and I was just thinking about another normal aquatic, so I took a couple of sprays on a paper strip and smelled it. Wow, a lot of lemony waves filled my nose, a pleasant, not disgusting sensation. So, I continued my walk towards other fragrances while keeping my nose close to the paper strip. At each sniff, the redolence was getting better and better, something I didn't expect at all. Suddenly, I went back to my step and took both the two boxes left on the shelf. Nothing compares, it is not too strong and not too light, and fresh.
For the sake of clarity, this review is for Light Essence, not to be confused with the other two colognes with a very similar name, e.g., Light Essence Acqua and Light Essence Bright. On my skin, Ferrari Scuderia Light Essence opens with a robust citrusy accord; the lemon is tangy, harsh, close to an unripe green lemon. The citrus fruit melts with a crisp and tart green apple, not at all over standing, and a few shades of freshly-cut mint leaves. The resulting redolence is a minty citrusy juice reminiscent of some traditional cocktail like a Cuban Mojito or a Brazilian Caipirinha, based upon lime and mint, but without any boozy tone. The initial stage is spicy citrus. At first, I thought this would be too fruity, but the apple and hint of blonde woods take some sharpness out of the lemon.
As soon as the top notes tone down after a quarter of an hour or so, the floral heart starts pulsing with a pleasant feeling of freshness thanks to gentle honeyed and peppery freesia that mingles with sun-drenched orange blossoms. In the background, a bashful lily of the valley adorns the frame with its little bells. This bouquet made of washy flowers adds an aquatic facet to the middle stage. However, it is neither salty nor marine, but a delicate green wet aroma comparable to the early morning dew drops. The intermediate stage is floral, all just too sweet and subtle.
The dry down highlights the dull and pencil-shaver vibe of the cedarwood, which mixes the slightly sweet white musk and the creamy ambroxan, which is used with a moderate touch here, not overpowering. The final stage is somewhat musky, while the woody and green notes dominate. It's a great unisex scent that brings a charming aromatic light clean vibe.
The performance is typical of a light cologne. The projection and sillage stay within your arms, whereas the longevity is excellent, around half a day on my skin. Scuderia Light Essence is a perfect summer fragrance for those extremely wet hot days and nights out when you search for something fresh and comfortable to wear. It is modern and young and so freaking, and quite masculine though anyone could wear this, not marine or beachy kind. The mild scent never offends, just soothes and freshens, and the fruity and flowery side gives this fragrance a happy, positive mood, which I appreciate. It is not the eau de toilette for excellence not to be missed, but it is an outstanding quality full to join your collection for summer. I've read many reviews saying this is close to Dolce&Gabbana Light Blue for Her, but I am not 100% sure about that. Perhaps they share plenty of notes and a similar vibe; however, there is no peculiar green smell of the bluebell and bamboo. Lastly, many contradictory statements have been told for the notes in there, someone does not pick up the fruity green apple note, while others do not get the zesty lemon note. Weird enough, those are two notes that my nose gets most.
This review is based upon a 40ml bottle I own.
-Elysium