Potion Blue Cadet by DSQUARED²

Born in Canada, living in London, made in Italy: that’s the DSQUARED2 story. Twin brothers Dean and Dan Catenacci trained in Milan with Versace before launching their own youthful, casual fashion lines in the nineties, and they built the brand around their name. POTION BLUE CADET smells like pure aquatic freshness, even though the description calls it woody; up front, the citrus notes of bergamot, tangerine, and grapefruit take the lead, adding a floral touch through their delicacy. Picture a cadet in a blue uniform or a young sailor: this scent captures that exact freshness and joy. A clean, luminous musk adds a carefree vibe, like a bright blue sky with white sparkles, while the base of tonka bean and sugar sweetens the refreshing juice. It may not be original and echoes other fresh aquatic fragrances, but it stands out for its high-quality materials. It avoids that artificial, stomach-churning smell of cheap colognes, instead delivering a sensation of clean laundry with well-executed floral and lavender hints. It’s the perfect choice for anyone seeking a fresh, summery, pleasant, and quality fragrance that the whole family can wear.

After reading hundreds of negative reviews in English, I bought it just for the notes and one external review; I’ve really enjoyed it. Although I usually don’t like aquatic scents, this one is well-made. It’s a sweet fruity-aquatic, nothing more. Very similar to Versace Eau Fraiche, but with much better definition and clarity, giving a sense of quality that outshines the competition. What surprised me most is the longevity and sillage, both well above the current average. I bought the set with the 100ml EDT and shower gel for around $40, which adds value. However, for me, it’s very youthful and perhaps too sweet; being over 40, I sometimes don’t feel comfortable wearing it, so I’d say it’s best for people under 30, maybe even less versatile because of that. Overall, it’s quite good, well above the average.