WZ05
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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.
Classily Fleeting
I am a fan of Elizabeth Arden 'Green Tea' perfume despite how synthetic the tea can be. So, I was intrigued to smell the White Tea version. In hindsight, I wish I'd given it more time on my skin before deciding to buy the full bottle. This experience taught me the classic perfume lesson: don’t trust the opening notes too fast.
The opening bursts with a mix of citrus and aldehyde notes making it smell addictive and hard to resist. It's your classic 'trap', that first-impression trick designer perfumes often do to tempt people into buying instantly, even though the top notes are temporary and the real judgement should be around heart and base notes.
I have to admit after a while I realised I'd fallen into this trap. Fortunately, I do like the profile scent in general but if I were given a second chance, I wouldn't buy the full bottle because of how calm it is. Too calm indeed. More about this later.
White Tea is calmer, smoother and airier sibling in Elizabeth Arden's tea family. It carries zen-like power and a collected demeanor, no matter how messy your real life is. That aura transforms into an invisible pearl necklace making you look like the calmest person to ever exist.
I remember wearing this to one of my clinic appointments and it turned some heads. It's fresh, classy and never offensive. Even with dozens of sprays, it never shouts and stays grounded and composed.
This can also be a problem. The fact that it’s so airy means the longevity is only around three hours. The projection? Even less. It mostly stays within intimate range. I don't mind it being this shy but it leaves me feeling a bit unsatisfied like I'm not wearing anything after a while.
It dries down to a soft woody with a subtle hint of creamy, sugared tea. I swear I can smell a touch of vetiver too. Overall, I love this scent but it's just too fleeting for me. I've decided to make it as my bedtime fragrance where I spray it a little on the pillowcases so it will act as trigger scent for my brain to wind down for the night.
Despite this being marketed to the women I do think this is another unisex tea scent from Elizabeth Arden.
The opening bursts with a mix of citrus and aldehyde notes making it smell addictive and hard to resist. It's your classic 'trap', that first-impression trick designer perfumes often do to tempt people into buying instantly, even though the top notes are temporary and the real judgement should be around heart and base notes.
I have to admit after a while I realised I'd fallen into this trap. Fortunately, I do like the profile scent in general but if I were given a second chance, I wouldn't buy the full bottle because of how calm it is. Too calm indeed. More about this later.
White Tea is calmer, smoother and airier sibling in Elizabeth Arden's tea family. It carries zen-like power and a collected demeanor, no matter how messy your real life is. That aura transforms into an invisible pearl necklace making you look like the calmest person to ever exist.
I remember wearing this to one of my clinic appointments and it turned some heads. It's fresh, classy and never offensive. Even with dozens of sprays, it never shouts and stays grounded and composed.
This can also be a problem. The fact that it’s so airy means the longevity is only around three hours. The projection? Even less. It mostly stays within intimate range. I don't mind it being this shy but it leaves me feeling a bit unsatisfied like I'm not wearing anything after a while.
It dries down to a soft woody with a subtle hint of creamy, sugared tea. I swear I can smell a touch of vetiver too. Overall, I love this scent but it's just too fleeting for me. I've decided to make it as my bedtime fragrance where I spray it a little on the pillowcases so it will act as trigger scent for my brain to wind down for the night.
Despite this being marketed to the women I do think this is another unisex tea scent from Elizabeth Arden.
Just Pure Green
Personally, this is my favourite iteration of the H24 lineup. It immediately pulled me into a fresh, damp green rainforest after a drizzle. It is unapologetically green with a hint of pear from start to finish. I felt a brief cooling sensation when I sprayed it on my skin, though it was only noticeable during nighttime application.
There’s no woody element in it, which eliminates the irksome quality I found in both the EDT and EDP versions. However, it lacks an addictive factor, the sclarene, makes it the least complex in the series.
If sclarene were present here, this could have been a contender for my signature scent but it’s missing that X-factor I found in the EDT and EDP versions.
Both women and men can definitely wear this perfume with ease, as it’s the most unisex variation among the three.
There’s no woody element in it, which eliminates the irksome quality I found in both the EDT and EDP versions. However, it lacks an addictive factor, the sclarene, makes it the least complex in the series.
If sclarene were present here, this could have been a contender for my signature scent but it’s missing that X-factor I found in the EDT and EDP versions.
Both women and men can definitely wear this perfume with ease, as it’s the most unisex variation among the three.
Woody Green
After smelling the EDP version, I was expecting a more toned-down woody base in the dry down and ready to declare to the world that I’d found another signature scent. Unfortunately, the woody base is even stronger than in the EDP version. I do think that there is a slight Java Vetiver in the base note. So, if you enjoy a fresh green scent grounded in woodiness, this one’s for you.
Besides that, the overall scent profile remains the same. I still adore it especially the presence of sclarene, which is so addictive. But it dries down far too quickly into that typical woody base I'm not a fan of.
Overall, it's my least favourite of the three. Go for this one if you're into a stronger woody base. The EDP, by comparison, has a slightly smoother and lighter woody scent and brighter green freshness.
Besides that, the overall scent profile remains the same. I still adore it especially the presence of sclarene, which is so addictive. But it dries down far too quickly into that typical woody base I'm not a fan of.
Overall, it's my least favourite of the three. Go for this one if you're into a stronger woody base. The EDP, by comparison, has a slightly smoother and lighter woody scent and brighter green freshness.
Metallic Modern Greenery
I came here to learn about green perfumes and that’s exactly what I got and learnt from the H24 series. It unapologetically bursts with strong, fresh greenness, mixed with the sclarene note that contributes to a metallic scent, making it smell like something from a modern botanical garden.
Even with a rookie nose like mine, this is the most unique scent I’ve sniffed recently. However, I’ve discovered that a scratchy, deep woody base isn’t really up my alley. Although, to be fair, the rosewood here isn’t that woody and is at least passable for my personal scent profile.
There’s nothing remotely banana-like in the scent, at least nothing resembling the natural form. If you’re referring to that artificial banana flavouring found in candies or drinks, I might understand the association.
Overall, another great scent from Hermès but I’m shocked by how underrated this lineup is.
Even with a rookie nose like mine, this is the most unique scent I’ve sniffed recently. However, I’ve discovered that a scratchy, deep woody base isn’t really up my alley. Although, to be fair, the rosewood here isn’t that woody and is at least passable for my personal scent profile.
There’s nothing remotely banana-like in the scent, at least nothing resembling the natural form. If you’re referring to that artificial banana flavouring found in candies or drinks, I might understand the association.
Overall, another great scent from Hermès but I’m shocked by how underrated this lineup is.
