DKNY Men by Donna Karan

I was gifted this when I was just starting out with perfumes, and at first, the slightly sharp opening turned me off. Now that I’ve opened up to the olfactory world, I’ve started using it again and am getting more hooked; I might even buy it again. The mandarin isn’t sparkling or juicy; it has a mature, aged sweetness that blends beautifully with herbal notes and a very masculine noble wood base. It’s an excellent balance between fresh, elegant sweetness, and darkness—perfect for daytime but not nighttime. A great alternative to typical blue or loud citrus scents; it’s a darker version of freshness. The flaw? The longevity and projection are very low. If it had that, it would be a must-have. I’ve never used more than 15 sprays, and with normal use, it disappears in no time, leaving you smelling like you’re just going to the supermarket or staying at home alone. Still, it smells so good that even for that use, I want to own it.

The Woman is much better, even for men; it surpasses this in every aspect.

DISCRETE, PERHAPS TOO MUCH: It’s the classic Donna Karan scent—simple and uncomplicated. It can be very discreet, but it fulfills its function with a soft, pleasant aroma; it won’t attract anyone’s attention, but you also won’t risk irritating anyone with something strong or cloying. It gets straight to the point. The trail is moderate and discreet, and the sillage could be better, so you’ll need to reapply during the day. The opening is a discreet citrus, well-blended with ginger that becomes noticeable once the citrus fruits fade, followed by woods that seal the deal. If you like soft scents but find this too discreet, try L’Homme Rochas; it’s discreet with a fruity opening but has more initial intensity, a happier aroma with a mystical aura and better longevity. I used it in 2004 and liked it, but I haven’t bought it again due to its discretion and because it seems more suited for people under 25. Recommended sprays: 8 to 12. Longevity rating: 7. Sillage: Light. Intensity: Moderate.

When I first tried it years ago, it smelled like designer bug spray, like the version my friend used. The samples I’ve been using lately have changed my impression and I’m quite interested now. The opening is unpleasant; right after that chaotic citrus blast of bathroom cleaner, the ivy emerges, very noticeable and delicious. I was surprised to learn about this note; for years I stepped on and touched ivy without realizing it had an identifiable scent. It’s green, like grass, but drier and lower, creamy and plastic-like, like those flexible leaves, veins, and stems that bend without breaking. It’s a malleable green aroma with a spicy, penetrating edge, perhaps ginger and some juniper, though not very clear. It also smells like those leaves that fall on the sidewalk in autumn and turn to powder when stepped on; they’re weightless, crunch, and have a smoky, spicy aroma. Those green and dry-leaf nuances are what I notice in the opening and development. The weird part comes at the end: the dry-down based on white musk and sandalwood with greenish points reminds me a lot of Creed’s Himalaya, even recalling that disinfectant opening. I’ll keep using samples and might buy it to smell like ivy; I really want to. I should add that, in my opinion, it has nothing to do with Aqua CH or Dolce & Gabbana The Only Way Is Essex.

Ugh, this perfume was one of the first I used, and actually, I liked it. If I had to use it again, I’d do so without issues, unfortunately, it’s one of those that stayed in the past and didn’t advance with new male lines (just like Ungaro 3). It’s ideal for sports or summer use, but definitely not for a romantic date at night; for those occasions, I recommend Dunhill Icon.

It’s a fragrance whose aroma perfectly matches the product’s design image and what it wants to convey. I was gifted it when I was under 20. I took it on a trip to NY, and it carried a very good presence in lofts, design shops, museums, galleries, and the famous streets of the city, behaving like a true hostess of its New York origin. It goes very well for any formal-casual occasion, for going for a walk and visiting shops, restaurants, and galleries. In temperate climates, and somewhat rainy ones like the city of NY in summer. Definitely not in cold or hot climates.