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I’ve done a lot of reviews already for the fragrances in the Lacoste L.12.12 series of releases. There are some pretty good colognes under that label, but none that really stand out, as amazing to me. Today, I am going to review Magnetic Pour Lui, which was released back in 2016. I will share my experiences with this one. How it smells? The notes involved. When it should be worn? If it is even worth a try?
What does L.12.12 Magnetic Pour Lui Smell Like?
Notes include: juniper berries, amber, violet, patchouli, bamboo. tea, geranium, artemisia, vetiver
Click here to try: LACOSTE L.12.12 Magnetic Pour Lui Eau de Toilette
My Full Wear Review
At the very least, I want to give Lacoste some points for trying. The composition of this fragrance is quite different, from what you’ll get from most any other men’s colognes, on the market. It’s unique, certainly.
Even though, I don’t think the execution is there. To me, it is more strange, than ‘magnetic’. Not bad, just strange.
L.12.12. Magnetic opens up with a mix of juniper, violet, bamboo, and patchouli. It’s fresh and floral, the juniper is the strongest note, at the start.
However, the freshness of that note, gets diluted by the additional patchouli. While that’s not the strongest, it really does pair with the violet to create an outdoorsy sort of smell.
Further along, it has more of a woody/green herbal scent. Apparently, this is the bamboo and tea, going to work. Again, what an odd combination all of this is. I like it at this stage, though.
I start to pick up more and more amber, the bamboo is interesting, and I still kick a nice bit of juniper. I’m not a huge fan of violet, but it’s not bad.
Finally, what I ultimately get from the rest of this wear is: violet, amber, bamboo, a tad of the juniper, with patchouli/vetiver at the base. It’s got a light outdoorsy freshness, quite green, but not offensive or anything too extreme. It’s nice, really.
Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility
Projection wise, this stuff is pretty light to moderate. The sillage just isn’t very powerful. I actually broke the rest of my sample vial and it dripped on my living room carpet.
The thing is, the whole room didn’t smell all that strong from it. If I had done that with other fragrances, it would have coated the carpet in its aroma for days. So, not a powerhouse scent. On the skin, it’s noticeable, but not a huge radius of scent. Then, the last few hours sit close to the skin.
The longevity is like the other Lacoste’s in the L.12.12 series, 4-5 hours, and pretty pitiful. I don’t know what it is about this house, that they can’t ever put out a scent that gets to an elite or at least high level of performance.
Seasonally, I suppose this would be a year round type of scent. Honestly, it’s just a fragrance that doesn’t really fit into the usual categories. I’d say it’s more casual, but has enough freshness, to be considered attractive to others.
Overall Impressions of Lacoste Magnetic
Overall, do I like Lacoste L.12.12. Magnetic? Sort of. I don’t hate it. I don’t love it, either. Like I wrote earlier, I appreciate what they were trying to do, I just don’t believe they hit the mark.
It’s an interesting scent, yet blends into something sort of generic, and it really wouldn’t have mass appeal. With the violet note, I’m surprised I even mildly liked it. Still, it’s nothing that I really want to wear beyond the testing for this website.
The juniper, bamboo and amber aspect I actually sort of like. At least, it’s intriguing to me as a concept. The violet and light patchouli kind of dirty up and distract from it. Magnetic had some real possibilities.
The performance is also not very great. I’m not sure who this is for? I can see someone enjoying this, but I’d say find it for cheap, if you really want to try it out.
Update: This is apparently still around online here in 2023. Bottles don’t seem that pricey, but it’s still a pass for me. Lacoste Magnetic just isn’t a great scent.
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Best Men’s Colognes started back in 2013, as a way to share my learning experiences with different fragrances, as I dove head first into the hobby. Since then, I have written hundreds of reviews and other pages about perfumes and colognes.