Review: Lacoste Essential

So my load today is hefty. It's Lacoste Essential, an overrated, overpopular designer fragrance that I must attempt to like.

The box is shiny and bright green, already a turnoff. When opened, packaged snugly is a nice clear bottle of translucent jade-colored liquid, capturing your attention with its subtle cleverness before turning it to face Lacoste's ever-ubiquitous crocodile. The bottle is textured smoothly, with an odd curve scheme that's vertically curved on one side and horizontally so on the other. Very well done.

Upon first smell it reminds me of fresh Old Spice. Slowly it turns into a more synthetic smell, but (if at all possible) more in the good way. It's decidedly masculine, with very few to no florals. Definitely one for the daytime, as it's not nearly strong enough for nighttime loving.

Once again we turn to Basenotes for the notes.

Top notes: Tangerine, Bergamot, Tomato Leaves, Cassis.

Middle notes: Black Pepper, Rose.

Base notes: Patchouli, Sandalwood, Woody Notes.

Tomato leaves and Cassis are what strike me as interesting. Many of us have smelled tomato leaves (if you haven't, don't bother) and found the sensation utterly displeasing. Amazing how Lacoste and IFF could make that into a great scent.

It opens very nicely, lasts quite a while on my body, and has given me many compliments. It's powerful, masculine, and gives a good first impression as not being too flirty. Suggested for spring and summer, in the daytime.

Packaging: 8/10- What the box lacks, the bottle makes up for. Its unique, clean, and simple design is simply beautiful.

Scent: 7/10- Not a god-among-men of scents, and has some unpleasant notes that wrinkle the nose slightly, but is in a whole an excellent scent.

Longevity: 7/10- It lasts. Quite long. Even after a shower.

I must say my impression of Lacoste Essential is excellent, even though it's not nearly my first. It's an enjoyable and impressive scent in the workplace, but will find you scorn at the hands of esoterics.

-Soren.