Givenchy Play Intense by Givenchy

I tried it and it’s a beast. Lasts all day and projects well, for sure.

This perfume blew my mind back when I was young. My uncle owned it, and I always borrowed it because there was no way to stand out without it. The scent is impressive, clings to the skin, and lasts for hours. I think it’s perfect for anything, though maybe my nostalgia and years of not smelling it have made me rate it a bit too high. I hate that it’s discontinued; it should come back, and if it does, I’ll buy three so I never lose it again. Haha. It’s mandatory to buy it if you find it, even if it’s impossible. 9/10

I love Rochas Man devoutly, but I must say Givenchy Play Intense took these casual yet balanced gourmand scents to another level, adding a more elegant and mysterious aura. It’s one of those perfumes that some naive collectors took for granted, thinking they’d be on the market for decades. It was so much a part of the shelf landscape, as accessible as fresh-baked bread, that we never considered the possibility that, on a day we least expected, it would be discontinued, just like great fragrances that left us orphaned without warning. We went from appreciating it with a “Are you kidding? You’re everywhere, even in the soup” to “I can’t believe you just disappeared out of nowhere. Please come back!”. Its coffee-vanilla, woody, slightly smoky, and earthy opening, with a hint of pepper, leads into a pleasant and cozy blend that dresses the skin in distinction and playful masculinity, rounded out by inked vetiver, intoxicating patchouli, and caramelized tonka bean, adding a beautiful contrast and depth. I maintain that Givenchy is one of the brands offering the best-executed gourmand launches; many are characterized by a perfect balance between refinement and versatility. In plain words, for me, Givenchy Play Intense smells like a well-dressed guy with a calm, determined gaze, who trims his beard without shaving it off, wears predominantly dark semi-formal clothing, and maintains a discreet smile that reveals security, satisfaction, and self-confidence—the kind that naturally sparks attraction. I keep about two milliliters of a bottle left by my beloved, now passed-away brother; this bottle is perhaps part of his unfinished business that I’ve been entrusted with, and it would be wise to use it up to the last drop, as an act of detachment and gratitude for what we had and what’s leaving, as a prelude to making space for the new, which could include (why not?) a full-content piece of this superb example. Rating: 9.5/10

Much more refined than the Play EDT, with lasting longevity and moderate sillage. Citrusy at first, then it shifts to coffee, patchouli, and tonka; it was ideal for office use.

Why doesn’t it exist anymore? That’s the constant question… That scent of coffee, wood, vanilla, and citrus… it’s almost perfect. They say good things don’t last, and I only had two bottles thinking it would exist forever… Sad. I’ve seen some used ones at excessive prices, though if it were original and not a refill, I wouldn’t hesitate… Hopefully, it exists again someday… Pleasant memories… And if its longevity was average, those who criticized it were right; it was a good fragrance… Rochas gives it a touch, but it doesn’t last as long as this… I’ll try the Halloween x…

I wore this when I was young, and it brings back a thousand memories; it’s fresh, sweet, and playful—a true gem. What a shame it’s no longer in stores. If you come across one at a good price, buy it now!

What a great surprise! I bought it blind and was worried due to mixed reviews, but it lasts incredibly long and projects well. Right after spraying, it smells like a chocolate-mocha dessert; once it dries, it’s like Halloween meets roasted coffee and Ferregamo Uomo (a sweet tiramisu). I’ve never heard Rochas smell like this. I applied 5 sprays at 6 PM in Yucatán (30°C) for a party, and it lasted until 2 AM, lingering on my clothes until the next day; my girlfriend even said it still smelled strong! It’s a 10/10!

Givenchy Play Intense: a sparkling, spicy opening with soft pepper and sweet citrus like lime, nothing acidic. The balsamic, woody base with patchouli adds a fresh, mentholated touch, perfect for heat, though it fades quickly; best used below 25°C. Over time, the freshness and sweetness blend into a creamy, chocolatey atmosphere, like feminine praliné—not direct coffee or chocolate. It’s delicious but not gourmand, with moderate trail and lasting 2–3 hours in temperate weather. If it’s discontinued, Black XS (the floral one) is 90% identical. It’s like expecting a Pantera and hearing Coldplay; I thought it would be an explosion, but it was just a brief sigh. STOP and EXIT!

High-altitude coffee! It’s a full-on gourmand. It’s incredible that if it were released today, in 2021, it could win Fifi Awards. It’s very sweet with the coffee present, and once it dries, it becomes realistic with vanilla; an almost perfect combination. The downside is it’s hard to find. A similar option is Rochas Man; I take this chance to recommend both widely.

Perfect for winter nights, family gatherings, or couples. It’s intimate, but the coffee scent is incredibly pleasant. The citrus fades quickly to let the delicious coffee settle on the skin. Performance is good but close to the skin, about 4–5 hours; it’s not a bomb, but if you love coffee, it will accompany you well at home or at casual get-togethers. I can’t find it in stores anymore; it seems discontinued. Fortunately, I noticed it before, and it never had the hype of today’s releases.

My go-to perfume, a true extinct gem for which I have four bottles saved. Play Intense is a pure ode to roasted coffee.

It’s not discontinued… Today I bought the 150 ml bottle (oversize). I loved the subtlety of the coffee, not bitter but creamy like a cappuccino, warm, aromatic, gourmet, sweet, and masculine. I love smelling coffee with finely attarced woods, ideal for a winter night. Projection is ‘give me a hug so you can smell better’ (like the wolf in Little Red Riding Hood). Longevity, please last one more hour! It’s seductive and perverse. But bad luck, Halloween Man X beats it: that one is pure caffeine, intense and aggressive, with rich tonka bean, incense, and sweet cinnamon alongside bitter coffee. Although I prefer the warm delight of Givenchy. Note: there are already several options like Halloween Man X, Calvin Klein Red, Kokoriko, Lacoste Noir, and the already discontinued and best of all, Givenchy Irresistible.

Hi forum people, what can I say about this little gem? I bought it with distrust due to reviews about ‘low sillage’, but it depends on skin pH. I put it on at 6:30 AM and had sillage until 9; now it’s 12:48 and I still smell it on my skin. I apologize for contradicting others. Coffee, chocolate, and warm woods, a cappuccino with a woodsy aroma, excellent for the Buenos Aires winter. I think it was the best purchase in a world where everyone smells like Million or Invictus, which disgust me when I get on the subway (I’m not saying they aren’t good, but they are very overused). Givenchy and Dior are ahead of the rest.

It’s hard to find now and it’s a shame because its scent is exquisite. This EDT is dark, intimate, and warm. A soft and sexy invitation. Maybe there are others that resemble it, but having several perfumes in my collection, I miss this one. It’s really good.

Ehhh, I’ve had bad experiences with fragrances I expected more from, but in most cases, I indicate that every pH is different. The person makes the perfume, not the perfume itself, and I disagree with Mr. Luis Heisnten. This fragrance maintains an almost unique scent. Despite reviews like Beto Ruiz’s about reduced projection, it remains one of the most masculine on the market, even without current advertising or the advertising it deserved in 2008. I can say ‘okay’, but GIVENCHY PLAY INTENSE IS LOVE. If it lasts more than 7 hours and is felt at a distance, most girls or those I know at work have liked it a lot; they know when I change perfumes, and when I put on Play Intense, they say: ‘that’s the perfume I like’. In summary: buy it, it’s something sweet, mysterious, nocturnal, diurnal, cool. The tangerine, wow! I think if Givenchy didn’t pull it off the market despite rumors, it’s because it still maintains an interested audience. I was young then, barely 15 (2008), but now it’s a delight, and I even have the OVERSIZE just in case.