Aqua Intense | Review | A Beautiful Amber Note

Today I'm going to share my thoughts on my latest aftershave purchase. The imperious Aqua Intense by Pour Homme. Inspired by the men's designer fragrance MFG by Shirley May Deluxe which I must confess, I've never heard of.

The Hype:

Aqua Intense by Pour Homme has a masculine blend of aquatic, aromatic, lavender, rosemary, woody and spicy.

The Word on the Street:

I am satisfied with my purchase. A generous amount has a very pleasant aroma, which I am sure I will use quite frequently.

The Bottle:

A very intriguing bottle. I love the sloped shoulders and the cog-wheel shaped cap. Doesn't feel too plasticky unlike many over bottles in the entry level price range. It oozes minimalism.

The Opening:

Immediately I get a push of green mandarin. It has that delightful citrusy flavour that makes you crave for the summer. I'm transported to the days in the garden when my wife and I first bought our flat in Chiswick. The long stretched garden was neglected, the decking boards all split and rotten. It was a deathtrap. Yet the herbaceous greens and the apple tree yielded enough fruit for another 4 seasons. There are tickles of sea tones, a little spice and it's not too hot.

The settle down:

After a few moments the mandarin gives way to some rosemary and lavender. There is some cypress and mastic that flirts with the final delivery. It's playful, it's got depth, sits close to the skin and has some real promise. The lavender feels like it's just come into season and the honeybees are droning around in a flurry. The sun is out, the grass on the top lawn is turning to straw.

The drydown:

When I return to the scent 10 minutes later I can sense the Amber immediately. It has a creamy richness that gives it a wonderful featherbed of cosseted luxury, like being hugged by a grizzly bear. The musk is the last note to come to the party and it doesn't out-stay its welcome.

Final thoughts:

Very pleasantly surprised. It doesn't project too much so it's perfect for first dates or office wear. It has a real garden-in-Spring vibe to it but is not your garden variety aqua fragrance. I was expecting something more generic, the post workout fragrance that only lasts ten minutes from the gym to the tube. However, I was caught off guard and slightly wrong footed by how complex and layered by this Aqua Intense fragrance.