Bvlgari Aqua Pour Homme

I’ve had this review idea sitting in my drafts folder for a couple of years now. I entirely forgot to review Bvlgari Aqva, way back then, and have overlooked it ever since. So, here I am to remedy that oversight, armed with another mini bottle of this Bvlgari aquatic fragrance.

This one was released in 2005.

How does it stack up? What does it smell like? Does it last long? Please continue reading below for my full take of Aqva. Note: I have updated this post, a few years later, to add some further depth and experience with it.

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What does Bvlgari Aqua Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, seaweed, cedar, orange, lavender, petitgrain

Click here to try Aqva: Aqua By Bvlgari Eau De Toilette Spray For Men 3.4 oz

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My Full Wear Review

It doesn’t get much more ‘aquatic’ than a scent whose main note is seaweed. Yes, that green stuff at the bottom of the ocean, gives Bvlgari Aqua a very interesting aroma which helps sets it apart from the crowd.

The opening blends this seaweed note with cedar and both types of orange to create something that is familiar with its citrus content while still remaining fresh and unique.

I like the citrus notes in the opening, but their strength is short-lived. They do still stick around, just not with the same intensity. 

This opening lasts about 10 minutes or so and then Aqva changes course. It becomes more oceanic and salty, with a bit of smoothness from the lavender note. This is when this fragrance really shines as an aquatic, as you will pick up on that watery sea vibe.

Also, Aqva begins to hang much closer to the skin, and you won’t detect it for a few minutes and then it’ll hit your nose again. It’s kind of a weird experience.

It is interesting, how Aqva goes from being a clean and upbeat citrus blend, to something darker and deeper. Closely emulating the sea itself. Is it a naturalistic sea blend of notes? Not really, you can tell that it’s manufactured. However, it is a very good simulation. 

What I’m finally left with is seaweed, soaking in the ocean, with hints of lavender and cedar that has become driftwood. Salty and a bit of fresh spice from the latent sage note. 

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Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it starts off pretty strong and as I wrote, it turns more into a skin scent that can be sneaky strong. I guess I could say that it’s fairly moderate, when you don’t notice it but other’s in your general vicinity will.

Longevity wise, it’s okay, and not something that lasts more than 5 hours or so.

I’ve had a mini bottle of this for ages, now. On my skin, that 4-5 hour range, is a hard limit. It does have that light watery sillage, but this one isn’t ever going to be an all day wear. More like, something you throw on during a warm day, knowing it will fade into the evening.

When to wear? Summertime, of course. This is a casual scent that is built for the summer months. I wouldn’t be wearing it to the office or while dressed up but at the beach or at a laid back bar at night, this would be good stuff to have on.

This is straight coastal and island life in a bottle.

Keep it casual. Aqva isn’t going to be a date night scent and the sea notes, really don’t put out a formal vibe, in the slightest. For a fairly popular fragrance, it uses are pretty limited.

This shouldn’t be the only cologne on your list of potential buys, if you don’t have anything else to use, for the rest of the time. 

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Overall Impression of Bvlgari Aqva Pour Homme

Overall, do I like Aqua? Yes, it’s kind of a niche fragrance in terms of its use, but has a wide appeal in terms of its smell.

This is a unique scent by Bvlgari (before they released all of the flanker versions), the seaweed and oceanic aroma give it a defined spot to wear on the calendar, and it is a great wear from the aquatic category.

It doesn’t have amazing longevity but it is decent for what it is. If aquatics/oceanic scents aren’t your thing, skip this one. Otherwise, you might do well to check Bvlgari Aqva out. I’m still not a huge fan of the sea weed note, but it’s not horribly offensive, in this version.

Some of the other Aqva scents, go seriously heavy into the oceanic side of things, but this is more moderate.

Bvlgari Aqva gives you a nice citrus fruitiness with the refreshing notes of the sea, along with woody undertones. It’s not the most outstanding thing on the market, but it can have it uses for the right kind of guy.