Polo Blue Eau de Parfum by Ralph Lauren

I couldn’t remember exactly why I had ordered a sample of Polo Blue. After all, I’d already used it before and reviewed it on this site: here. Eventually, I pulled it back out of the box and it dawned on me that I had done so because this was the Eau de Parfum version of the fragrance and not the original release that I’d already went over.

Cool. I was excited to see if there were many differences between this EDP version and the original Polo Blue by Ralph Lauren.  As usual, I want to cover how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and if it is worth a buy or not.

Update: I’ve come back to add things a few times to my initial review from 2016 for additional thoughts and clarity.

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What Does Polo Blue Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: suede, bergamot, cardamom, basil, sea notes, sage, vetiver, woods

Click here to try: R.L. Polo Blue 4.2 oz / 125 ml Eau De Parfum EDP for Men

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My Full Wear Review

I haven’t smelled the original Polo Blue in a while and only have a slight memory of how it was, so I also have to rely on my posted review, to make comparisons between the two. However, this EDP, definitely feels different.

Actually, the opening really reminds me of Acqua Di Gio Profumo, because of the citrus aroma provided by the bergamot. I still have a sample of that Armani scent and it does share the bergamot, aquatic notes, sage, and patchouli with Polo Blue EDP.

Update: Having had a full bottle of Profumo and trying EDP multiple times since this review, the sage is much heavier in Profumo. But, this is still like a mix of Polo Blue and AdG Profumo, in the early stages, especially.

As a side note, Polo Blue EDT smells a lot like, Eternity Aqua by Calvin Klein.

It opens up with a sharp bergamot, spices, and its oceanic notes. The spices are sage, cardamom, and basil. Each of those notes, seems to have its turn as the main spice, before falling back into the ranks. Cardamom starts off in the lead.

Very aquatic and citrusy at the top, then, the suede comes in to give it an almost leathery feeling. Coming back to Polo Blue EDP, it noticeably has the same style as, Fan di Fendi Acqua during the middle.

Both aquatic, spicy, with smooth notes (actual leather in the Fendi fragrance). Not the same smell, but that cologne also reminds me of this one with how it comes across.

The final dry down, is much more woody/earthy than it had been up to that point. You do still get some basil/sage, but it isn’t nearly as spicy. Wood and patchouli at the base, with suede, sea notes, and some citrus. Much smoother and not as sharp, I really dig the latter stages.

That’s what this fragrance is to me, a blend of Acqua Di Gio Profumo and the original Polo Blue. You would of course have to minus the melon and cucumber notes from the Polo Blue original but that is essentially what this EDP is.

Honestly, I like it. It’s not super exciting but I do think that it is better than the original, which I thought smelled nice but was just bland as hell. Though, it has a lot of similarities to how this smells during that dry down. Still, this is better.

Polo Blue EDP once it settles down, loses a bit of the similarity it shares with ADG Profumo, and begins to emerge more as the original Blue but with more defined notes.

It’s second half takes on a smoother aquatic/woodsy feel with the sea notes and suede, that is noticeably boosted in this version.

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Sillage, Longevity, Versatility

Projection wise, it’s pretty good. Not overly loud but not a skin scent either. On the longevity end, it might be a little bit better than the original but really, not by much. It’s definitely in the realm of average, in that regard.

That initial burst is pretty strong, but it never matched the intensity of the original bottles of AdG Profumo.

I would say that this is a good casual wear for warmer weather and not much of a club or date night scent. Although, I think it’d be okay for the latter. It’s attractive enough, but not necessarily something that will really draw someone in.

Wearing it more often, I’ve been getting in the 5-7 hour range, pretty consistently. Definitely towards the higher end of that range, but sometimes, it doesn’t hold up as well.

In the summertime, this is the type of perfume that I can wear anywhere, and not feel out of place with it on.

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Overall Impression of Polo Blue EDP

Overall, is Polo Blue Eau de Parfum a buy? It is better than the original, in my opinion. So, if you liked that, then think of this as an upgrade. It does everything well and as a casual scent, I don’t think you could go wrong owning this one.

It’s pleasant and should garner complements, which is essentially everything most guys want from a fragrance. If you don’t like aquatics or citrus based scents, you should probably look elsewhere.

Polo Blue EDP honestly grew on me, the more that I wore it. It’s still not an absolute love or must buy, but it has such an appeal on certain days, that I want to spray it on.

Update: I’ve also enjoyed Deep Blue from this series. Polo Blue Parfum is also nice. I’d say this one or Deep Blue are my favorites from the line.