Eau Fraiche by Elizabeth Arden

If it weren’t for that lime and geranium opening, this would be almost a clone of Un Air de Samsara or Vol de Nuit. But that little detail changes everything, giving it an acidic touch that a narcissus and spice blend doesn’t need.

I admit I try fragrances based on reviews, not the notes, and I’m still surprised. It doesn’t smell wet or sweet, but rather like a bunch of dried herbs and flowers, bitter, apothecary-style. A serene aroma with non-aquatic freshness. There are days when you don’t want to smell conventionally good, but use perfume like aromatherapy: Eau Fraiche is one of those. I don’t recommend buying blindly despite the low price; many women will be disappointed because it’s unisex and they won’t see it as a fresh, feminine scent. This perfume is for a woman retired in the countryside, far from the noise, meditating or writing childhood memoirs. I don’t understand the criticism of the bottle: simple and straightforward, better than a cheap knockoff. The packaging matches the content, pun intended.

I think my bottle is the last reformulation because the longevity and sillage are ridiculous—I don’t experience that with my other perfumes. I can shower with it and only perceive an invisible trail a few minutes later. It’s a shame because I like it a lot, but there are fresh waters or body sprays at the same price that last longer.

It smells good without being an eye-popping masterpiece. It’s a citrusy, summery scent. It has good longevity, at least on my skin. It’s not elegant; I wouldn’t wear it for special occasions; in fact, it feels a bit vulgar, like cheap department store perfume (which it is).

Very rich… fresh and herbal… it transports you to a forest after the rain or a morning in the fields with the dew… it’s ideal for going to work or hanging out with friends. The only downside is that the sillage is very soft, making it a perfume for personal enjoyment only; for me, it helps to put it on clothes so it lasts longer.

It’s a fresh, spiced, citrus, herbal, and floral aroma, in that order. It opens with a burst of spices: cardamom and pepper, then you feel a juicy green lemon, with the bitterness of grass or freshly cut lawn. Jasmine and mint blend subtly to finish on a woody cedar base. It’s unisex, not sweet, better for hot summer days, original and distinct from current fresh waters. Personally, it reminds me of Eau Jeune Senteurs Fraiches, although this one has a sweet and sparkling mandarin in the opening, while Eau Fraiche has pure and acidic lemon and the surprise of its spiced dry down. The middle and base notes are almost identical: jasmine, mint, and cedar. Sillage is moderate to soft and longevity is 2 to 3 hours. I won’t mind reapplying because it won’t bother anyone. Hmm, the more I smell it, the more I like it. The bottle is very Arden, they could have improved it, but you can’t ask for much more.

I have it and I love it. I bought it recently at a great price and it’s a pleasant surprise. It’s fresh and light but with great fixation. The bottle is very simple, but I like it with that 70s vibe (at least for me). Definitely, it ranks among the top of my fresh waters list.