By Designer

Light Blue for Women by Dolce & Gabbana

by

Here in my latest batch of reviews on this site, I wanted to tackle another ladies’ fragrance, Light Blue by Dolce & Gabbana. This has been one of the most popular perfumes for women for over a decade now, and I wanted to see, just what it is about this scent that keeps demand so high.

I mean, I’ve come across the fragrance seemingly countless times with women, over the years. It’s really piqued my interest. In this post, I give my impressions on its opening, its dry down, how it smells, its longevity, and my overall feelings about this fragrance.

What does D&G Light Blue for Her Smell Like?

Light Blue by D&G Perfume for women

Notes include: rose, apple, musk, lemon, jasmine, and more

Click here to try: Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue By Dolce & Gabbana For Women. Eau De Toilette Spray 3.3 Oz

My Full Review

The opening of Light Blue is a bright citrus affair, which is held together by the lemon and apple notes.  I also distinctly noticed the rose note, that gave it a slight floral take on the predominantly citrus open.

It is a very crisp and refreshing scent at first, and I can see why, this is such a popular choice in the summertime. Light Blue doesn’t come on too strong or pungent in my opinion, however, it isn’t completely weak either.

The lemon is the main player here and while the apple is strong it is sort of the backup. It provides that watery juiciness and lighter feel to the composition. I really like the opening, even if it can be sharp, as I find the lemon to be nice with its sort of sugary lemonade aroma.

When it dries down, I feel that Light Blue loses some of its charm. It seems to become a more earthy/floral/woodsy scent, although the lemon doesn’t fade away.

It is still light and clean but just doesn’t feel as beautiful as it does during the opening and the apple note is almost completely gone. That said, it is still a perfume which smells quite good, just not as much as it does at first.

The dry down picks up some muskiness, which is all to common with these sorts of citrus scents. I also get some woody base notes, jasmine, and that rose note from the opening.

Cedar provides that smooth freshness at the base of the perfume and is really quite nice, when paired with the floral notes. Finally, the musk and the lemon dominate things, until it fades away completely.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, it’s not a beast, as the name ‘Light Blue’ suggests. However, it is still quite noticeable and it for sure, didn’t become just a skin scent when I tested it out.

At first, it does have a decent amount of ability to create a scent trail. It’s not heavy or a ‘thick’ kind of fragrance. Instead, that initial sharpness is just noticeable. Plus, the perfume can project itself a good ways away.

Yes, that distance will come in closer, but it will have a nice scent bubble for much of the wear.

In terms of longevity, this fragrance just keeps going, which you sometimes don’t expect from something that isn’t a heavy perfume.

It’s one of those can be sprayed on in the morning and be there until you shower in the evening. This is part of the reason that Light Blue has been so popular for so long. On my skin, it is in the 10+ hour range. Don’t know when it ends exactly.

I would say that this is best for the spring/summer months, which is what it was designed for. However, it pretty much is a year round scent, that you can spray on and forget about.

It’s got good versatility, for work, school, or just casually hanging out. Not really a night club fragrance or date night perfume, but it’s nice enough to garner complements, even if it’s not really ‘sexy’.

This is a ‘can do’ daily wear fragrance, that can easily cover your bases, in terms of usefulness. It’s definitely not a niche perfume and has obviously struck a chord with its mass appeal.

It may not be the most original scent to go with anymore, but a great deal of that is precisely because it can be worn in so many scenarios.

Overall Impressions of Light Blue for Women

Overall, Light Blue is a safe casual wear perfume that is clean and inoffensive. It doesn’t require more than a few sprays to do its job.

I wouldn’t really call this an evening wear or romantic fragrance (though not out of place either), but this Dolce & Gabbana is one that can be worn to school or the office by ladies of any age group.

Another solid option and perhaps even more versatile is Bright Crystal by Versace. Light Blue really is a great starter perfume for women, as it does everything well enough, and isn’t some extreme scent that folks will either love or hate.

The lemon and the apple in the opening act are the highlights for me. Crisp, bright, and sharp…but it has a charm to it and I dig the smell.

It has sort of become the no-brainer go to scent for a lot of people over the years. That’s why there’s been so many cheaper alternative perfumes like Light Blue released over the years.

Is it going to stand out as something new? Nope. It will provide you with something easy to wear and versatile at a good price. Sometimes, that’s all you need.

Carat by Cartier

by

Carat by the famed jewelry designer, Cartier, sort of flew under the radar after its release in 2018. I’ve had a sample of this perfume for a while and really only recently decided to try it out. What does it smell like? Is Carat worth a try? How does this fragrance perform?

What does Cartier Carat Smell Like?

Notes include: hyacinth, tulip, bergamot, violet, mimosa, lily, and more

Click here to try: Carat by Cartier

My Full Wear Review

How Cartier describes Carat: The radiance of a diamond on the skin, the luminous fragrance of a flowering rainbow. 

Cold. Fresh. Green…this is how Carat by Cartier starts off. It’s like a mix of mint, vetiver, and stems. Not that any of these notes are actually in this composition, but that’s the impression that it gives off. 

Carat feels sharp, in its opening moments and icy, is the way I would describe it. You have to understand from the description, that the goal was to create a floral fragrance based on the colors of a rainbow. As such, it all blends together into something which can be difficult to pick apart.

The brightness early on comes from a combo of the pear and the bergamot notes. Again though, neither really stands out as distinct, but if you’ve experienced the scents before you get the impression that they’re in the mix.

At times, I get lots of tulip. Then, mimosa. Then, hyacinth. These are the main floral notes that I can distinguish. The rest of the blend? Super clean with soapy/powdery elements depending on how long it has been on your skin. 

I like the energy in this scent. Easy to wear, somewhat familiar, but has a distinct quality due to how it all comes together. 

The end is more floral, green, and a tad watery. Sort of like a bouquet sitting inside a vase. Hyacinth and some violet is mostly what I pick up in the latter stages.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sharpness and power it displays in the beginning, is pretty misleading. It actually is a lighter moderate perfume. More than a skin scent, but not an absolute powerhouse.

Longevity is pretty good. On first try about 5 hours. Second try, almost 7. Not spectacular, but it has the potential to be a solidly performing scent. I’d say, I would probably get closer to 7 more often than not.

 

Seasonally, this would be best in warmer weather. Not necessarily the hottest days of summer, but definitely a springtime wear. It is more of a ladies perfume, however, it is pretty unisex. Not really girly, in its overall flower arrangement. 

Casual, daytime, work, semi-formal. Carat really isn’t a nightlife or romantic wear perfume. Versatile, but not for every occasion.

These sorts of greenish floral perfumes, aren’t particularly sexy. But, they can be fun to change things up with, by going for something that is more naturalistically fresh in how it comes across.

Overall Impressions of Cartier Carat

Do I like this scent? I do. It’s a pretty unique experience and a different take on the usual floral perfumes. I really like that opening blast of cold freshness. Also, the way that it is so well blended at times, that it becomes a completely distinct scent.

The performance is pretty good, but not great. The aroma itself is better than average. I did like this Cartier, but I’m not in love with it. This probably isn’t going to appeal to a mass audience, but plenty of people will like it, and it is worth a shot.

The opening is really bright and does live up to that carat name. As it moves along, it’s got a bouquet like feel to it. The watery greenish aroma with bursts of tulips, hyacinth, and the other floral notes.

Crisp, fresh, soapy, and floral. All in a big step by step process. I don’t know if it’s one to pay full price for, but at a discount, Carat could be a nice play…if it sounds like your type of perfume.

Joy by Christian Dior

by

Another sample that I found stashed away in a box recently, is this fragrance by Dior and the subject of today’s review, Joy. Joy has become a very popular scent since its release a few years back now. The ad campaign featured Jennifer Lawrence and was seemingly all over the place for a while. How does it smell, perform, when should it be worn, and is it worth a buy? Please continue below for my full take and review on this perfume.  

What does Joy by Dior Smell Like?

Notes include: rose, jasmine, peach, musk, orange, sandalwood, patchouli

Click here to try: Joy by Dior

Full Wear Review

Before we get into my thoughts about this scent, let’s see how Dior describes it: A fragrance like a whisper wrapped in the milky softness of sandalwood and the comforting brightness of white musks, blended with a sensual floral heart shining with rose and jasmine. Joy, finally captured in a scent faceted with a thousand enveloping nuances.

Joy opens with a blend of citrus fruits and peach, that seem as if they are dipped in powdered sugar and vanilla. Yes, there is a definite powdery quality to this Dior, but the early fruit notes keep it sweet and away from a baby powder sort of scent.

I enjoy that initial spray, as the perfume feels like it lives up to its name, being quite bright, upbeat, and joyous. However, the opening act is short-lived and this one begins to quickly move into its more floral stage. 

Once it transitions, my nose picks up a lot more jasmine than I do rose. I mean, the rose is there, but I get jasmine, musk, and powder more so…with a hint of patchouli. It’s very clean and pretty linear thereafter.

The only real notable change the rest of the way, is the light creaminess stemming from the sandalwood, blending with the jasmine and rose. This goes from that sweet powdered citrus opening to being mostly a floral scent.

Outside of that brief opening act, Joy seems to very much be a fragrance where you’re essentially going to get most of what to expect, and be able to tell if you like it or not.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Joy has a pretty moderate sillage, during that opening act, and then it is very light. Not undetectable, but not at all a fragrance that projects itself. That’s not a terrible thing, especially for a daily wear, but don’t expect something super bold.

This Dior will give you a small personal scent bubble, but isn’t going to ever blow out a room, unless you spill it all over.

The longevity also isn’t great. It will hang around for somewhere between 5-6.5 hours, before it’s gone from the skin. The performance is definitely one of the weak points for Joy. I do wish that it could at least hit the 8 hour mark, but that doesn’t seem to be in the cards.

 

 

One of its strengths is its versatility. Joy can work well year round and isn’t super niche. This could absolutely be a daily wear for someone either at work, school, or casually. It is put together well enough for semi-formal to formal occasions, as well.

Not really sexy or a nightlife perfume, though. It’s just one that isn’t going to be bothersome to most people and won’t feel like it really stands out like a sore thumb, for the wrong occasion.

Overall Impressions of Dior Joy

Do I like Joy? I like it well enough. It’s not amazing, but not a bad fragrance by any means. I was kind of disappointed that the opening, didn’t stick around for a long time, as that is my favorite part.

The jasmine led dry down is attractive, balanced, but not incredible. I like the happy kind of emotions that this Dior provides and I never felt that it ever smelled bad or was subpar in any way. 

It’s not super original or anything that’s going be all that distinct, but it is a fairly solid perfume overall. The main drawback really is the performance.

Not much sillage, but doesn’t have an elite longevity, either. You might get a few more hours than I did, but it’s just not a powerful scent.

You’ve probably smelled a fragrance similar to Joy before. However, it is a safe bet that provides an above average aroma with daily wear versatility. Whether that is enough to bet on, depends solely on what kind of perfume you’re after. 

Joy is one that can be a daily wear or certainly find a way in one’s rotation. But, not an absolute must have.

Dylan Turquoise Pour Femme by Versace

by

Dylan Turquoise is the follow up to the original Dylan Blue Pour Femme, I guess. It was released in 2020 by Versace, but I’m just now getting around to testing it out. I really didn’t know much of anything about it coming in, so, I got to experience it without any real preconceptions. How does it smell? Does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Dylan Turquoise Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin essence, lemon, pink pepper, blackcurrant, jasmine, freesia, guava, cedar, vibrant woods, and musk

Click here to try: Dylan Turquoise by Versace

My Full Review

Here’s how Versace describes it: Sensual, young and fresh, the new Dylan Turquoise fragrance balances the effervescent exuberance of zesty mandarin and primofiore lemon with hints of wood and musk. The vibrant notes are complemented with fruity accents of blackcurrant and guava, as well as jasmine and freesia floral tones.

So, right off the bat, Dylan Turquoise comes on with some sharpness. It’s very clean and has a strong burst of citrus and black currant coming through. Add to that, pink pepper and cedar and you’ve got a super fresh and clean type of perfume.

Though, the cedar will really come in later. Less so in the opening.

For some, that’ll be off-putting. For others, it might just be what they’re looking for. It has that summertime appeal with a slightly aquatic kind of vibe. Not entirely oceanic, but Turquoise gives that impression. Watery is probably the best way of describing it.

There is a guava note here which helps with that tropical island/aquatic feeling. The guava is almost as equally present early on as the citrus, but the lemon will fully take over and that note will fade completely.

So, there is a nice little tropical wave that comes on towards the start. Not for long, however. Lemon, orange, and black currant will overpower it.

As it moves forward, I get a fresh and musky aroma with a good deal of freesia (maybe a hint of jasmine). The woods and the lemon note will sit on top of this.

The latter stages aren’t as sharp, with much of the citrus evaporating away. It actually has more of a general fruity sweetness with woods and musk. Not all that complicated of a fragrance and it doesn’t need to be.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Sillage wise, it’s a lighter moderate fragrance. The first hour, will give you a decent scent trail, but it’s pretty light thereafter. Wasn’t a total skin scent, however. I could still detect it, but the bubble it creates is going to stay closer to you.

The longevity is kind of meh. 5-6 hours, maybe, on my skin. You’ll probably need to go heavy with the sprays to truly get performance out of this Versace.

Seasonally, this is spring and summer, all the way. Leaning more towards summer. It’s a clean casual or daily wear type of perfume.

This isn’t one that’s going to be formal or even dominate the nightlife. It’s a fresh and chill perfume, without being overtly sexy.

Overall Impressions of Dylan Turquoise

Overall, do I like Dylan Turquoise? I do kind of like it. I wasn’t amazed or anything, but the scent itself is nice, if you’re into this type of perfume.

It’s not for everyone, though.

That opening is sharp, but once it settles a bit, there are some really nice facets here. I like the guava and its time to shine. It’s got a warm, spicy, and musky undertone to it. Even, a touch of powder, it seems.

The floral notes are light, most of it is going to be freesia.

The freshness is the main event. The woods and the citrus, which just becomes a general sweet fruit smell to me, makes this an easy to wear perfume for the summer months.

The downsides with Dylan Turquoise are basically the performance. The perfume doesn’t last super long, but it didn’t completely quit on my skin either. But, those last few hours are pretty weak.

Dylan Turquoise isn’t going to be universally loved. So, it’s probably best that you test it out, before committing to buying a full bottle.

7 Best Smelling Polo Ralph Lauren Perfumes

by

Ralph Lauren is an iconic American designer who has made the classic preppy look famous and fashionable for decades now. In the fragrance game, the brand has produced amazing and ever popular scents for both men and women over the years, whether it be under the Polo label or under the designer’s own name.

I have update this list to include some newer releases from Ralph Lauren, as well as, to purge some of the more difficult to find discontinued scents.

What are the Best Ralph Lauren Perfumes for Her?

Popular Versatile Floral Wear

Ralph Lauren Romance Eau de Parfum Spray for Women, 3.4 Fluid Ounce
Elegant and sultry floral perfume that will set off a romantic mood. Romance starts off with some citrus to lead one it to it’s main floral composition. Rose is prominent but not entirely dominant, as this Ralph Lauren fragrance, is much more akin to walking in a blooming garden than being spritzed with rose water.

It has a very feminine air, it’s sophisticated yet upbeat, and the florals are flanked by pink pepper and musk. The latter two notes add enough spice to make things interesting and seductive, otherwise, you might just be left with another boring floral perfume.

Romance adds other floral notes such as marigold and jasmine to add to the bouquet effect. It’s blended so well as to make it quite clean and more difficult to discern the individual notes. It’s not overly strong but has good longevity. It seems best used on spring and summer days, but with a name like Romance, it can be fantastic on a date night too. Romance EDP Review

romance

Clean Pear and Hazelnut

Woman by Ralph Lauren 3.4 oz Eau de Parfum Spray– Woman is the newest addition to this list, having been released after I posted the initial version, some years back. It starts with a fresh out of the shower vibe, with a clean pear note, that is flanked by soapy elements.

After a bit of time, the beautiful floral notes emerge, mainly orange blossom and tuberose. It has a spring/summery vibe with more of an outdoorsy smell than many of the aquatic types that get associated with the warmer months of the year.

I really enjoy the orange blossom here, with the hazelnut that comes in, Woman provides a very enjoyable sensory experience. The aromas form a fragrance that has grown on me, the more I have smelled it.

During the dry down, sensations of hazelnut and woody notes pop out, but never take things over fully. It’s a moderately strong perfume, that is pleasant, and safe enough to be worn in an office or at school. It strikes me as a definite day time wear, particularly in a casual to semi-formal setting. Woman Full Review

Raspberry and Vanilla Beauty

Beyond Romance from Ralph Lauren– Beyond Romance is a great sweet and sugary perfume. It kicks off with the raspberry note, that is joined by some light citrus touches.

Black vanilla, rose, and cashmeran gives this one a slight powdery hint…that sort of comes across like marshmallow for a part of the wear.

Raspberry and vanilla are the dominant notes, with musk and cashmeran finishing things off. The floral notes are rose, jasmine, and lily of the valley. Though, none of them play too major of a role in Beyond Romance.

Decent power and performance, just not spectacular. The scent itself, is. If you enjoy this sort of perfume, it develops a nice balance without becoming too childish with its sugary aroma. Beyond Romance Review

Fresh Semi-Aquatic

Ralph Lauren Blue by Ralph Lauren Eau De Toilette Spray 4.2 oz Women
A moderate and everyday wear that is highlighted by white floral notes similar to some Michael Kors fragrances. Ralph Lauren Blue is definitely for those who love notes such as gardenia, lily, and jasmine.

There is an element of an aquatic feel, as the name might suggest, but its pretty subtle and never comes close to taking over the floral composition. Blue is super fresh, with a slight powdery aroma, and underlying musk and sandalwood to give it more depth.

The watery feeling comes from flowers like lily and lotus, with some light fruit touches of juicy melon underneath. Lots of jasmine here, which pairs absolutely beautifully with the gardenia.

ralph blue

Great Fruity Floral Fragrance

Ralph by Ralph Lauren for Women, Eau De Toilette Natural Spray, 3.4 Ounce
A bright and sexier type of floral based fragrance that pairs with fruit notes such as apple and mandarin. The two fruit notes are the main event, so this is a good choice for ladies who don’t want a perfume completely dominated by flowers, like Ralph Lauren Blue.

Ralph is a warm weather scent, that has a sporty edge, and aquatic underpinnings. This is pretty sweet (fruity sweet) and has a fantastic crisp freshness about it. Ralph has more a youthful vibe and isn’t very complex, by any means.

However, it is a really good fragrance, and has a well earned spot near the top in its niche.

ralph

Sweet and Tart Scent

Ralph Lauren Polo Big Pony Eau de Toilette Spray for Women, No.2 Pink, 3.4 Fluid Ounce
Very soft and sweet perfume containing notes of cranberry, tonka bean, and some floral ingredients. Big Pony 2 is a simple and straightforward wear. One must have an appreciation for the sharp sweetness of cranberry and the smooth creamy tonka bean.

The cranberry note brings to mind Polo Red for men, that is upbeat, fun, and has a sunny demeanor. The main difference is that this doesn’t have a  lemon note complementing it. Cranberry paired with tonka bean is very unique and actually comes together surprisingly well.

ralph pink

A Classic Ralph Lauren

Lauren Perfume by Ralph Lauren for Women 118 ml / 4 oz Eau de Toilette Spray
A vintage type of fragrance which dates back to the late 70s. Lauren is youthful but a little more refined than something like the entry above.

This fragrance features more earthy notes to go along with sweet fruit and floral. If one can still find a vintage bottle, Lauren is an excellent blast from the past.

The updated versions are still very good, though, somewhat different from what the older ones brought to the table. It seems drier, with a greater emphasis on the sage note, for some of the wear. Later in the dry down, Lauren brings out some softer dewy floral petals of lilac and lily. Performance is good, and this still has that classic sort of feeling.

ralph lauren