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Cheap but Chic
I never imagined I'd be fascinated by Nautica Voyage. It's not even listed in my Perfume Hall of Fame, but this scent keeps making me want to reach for it regularly. Not only as my quick go-to errands scent, but also as research subject to help me learn about mass-appealing, entry-level perfume.
It started when I was gifted a 1ml decant. I didn't think I was going to like it because of the negative buzz around it, either that it smelled too generic or that it was the butt of jokes for having a 'watery sour cucumber' scent. But I suspected that most of this criticism came from it being cheap and highly accessible. Somehow, it grew on me over time and that eventually led me to owning a full bottle.
Truthfully, Nautica Voyage is a basic perfume but it still has its own merits. While basic, Voyage demonstrates genuine construction. It transitions properly through each phase, from a bright, sparkling citrus opening to a neutral, watery white floral heart and finally drying down to a light woody base with hints of powdery, musky notes. And of course, that green apple note remains the backbone from start to finish.
I did an exercise comparing Voyage to cheaper drugstore perfumes and it made me appreciate it even more. While those drugstore perfumes collapse right after that quick, aldehyde-induced sparkle in the beginning, Nautica Voyage keeps blooming till the end. It even thrives in hot, humid weather which is a plus for me.
It does come with a few shortcomings. The musk has a slightly metallic, plasticky trail (Galaxolide, perhaps?), and its performance is average at best. I suspect this is due to reformulations following IFRA regulations that restricted the use of oakmoss. By knowing this, now I find myself longing to sniff the original version which I've read offered better performance with an earthier, musky-woody base.
As a whole, Nautica Voyage does its job well, I'd even dare to say better than expected for its price bracket. Remember, during its peak it was priced alongside designer brands like CK, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss. But when its parent brand, Nautica, started slipping from mainstream recognition, Voyage's price tag was dragged down with it into the world of discounters and mass production. That's why I think it's important to note that Nautica Voyage is accidentally 'cheap', not born 'cheap'.
In the end, Nautica Voyage taught me that mass appeal doesn’t always mean mediocrity. Sometimes, accessibility and quality can coexist.
It started when I was gifted a 1ml decant. I didn't think I was going to like it because of the negative buzz around it, either that it smelled too generic or that it was the butt of jokes for having a 'watery sour cucumber' scent. But I suspected that most of this criticism came from it being cheap and highly accessible. Somehow, it grew on me over time and that eventually led me to owning a full bottle.
Truthfully, Nautica Voyage is a basic perfume but it still has its own merits. While basic, Voyage demonstrates genuine construction. It transitions properly through each phase, from a bright, sparkling citrus opening to a neutral, watery white floral heart and finally drying down to a light woody base with hints of powdery, musky notes. And of course, that green apple note remains the backbone from start to finish.
I did an exercise comparing Voyage to cheaper drugstore perfumes and it made me appreciate it even more. While those drugstore perfumes collapse right after that quick, aldehyde-induced sparkle in the beginning, Nautica Voyage keeps blooming till the end. It even thrives in hot, humid weather which is a plus for me.
It does come with a few shortcomings. The musk has a slightly metallic, plasticky trail (Galaxolide, perhaps?), and its performance is average at best. I suspect this is due to reformulations following IFRA regulations that restricted the use of oakmoss. By knowing this, now I find myself longing to sniff the original version which I've read offered better performance with an earthier, musky-woody base.
As a whole, Nautica Voyage does its job well, I'd even dare to say better than expected for its price bracket. Remember, during its peak it was priced alongside designer brands like CK, Tommy Hilfiger and Hugo Boss. But when its parent brand, Nautica, started slipping from mainstream recognition, Voyage's price tag was dragged down with it into the world of discounters and mass production. That's why I think it's important to note that Nautica Voyage is accidentally 'cheap', not born 'cheap'.
In the end, Nautica Voyage taught me that mass appeal doesn’t always mean mediocrity. Sometimes, accessibility and quality can coexist.