Polo Blue Parfum by Ralph Lauren

Polo Blue Parfum is one that I had encountered once last year in 2022, when it was released. This year, I finally got a sample, in order to test out this latest incarnation of the Blue formula. I had pretty much forgotten what it was like, so, this was almost like a new experience for me. What does it smell like? Does Polo Blue last long? Is it worth a try?

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What does Polo Blue Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: mandarin, cardamom, pink pepper, clary sage, vetiver, lavender, jasmine, oak, olibanum, patchouli

Click here to try: Polo Blue Parfum

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My Full Review

Here’s how Ralph Lauren describes it:  (Polo Blue Parfum) is an enveloping and seductive fragrance that adds a new intensity of rich sensuality to the iconic fragrance collection.

Blue Parfum starts off with its top notes different from the usual Polo Blue formula, but I can tell that this is a Polo Blue fragrance. It’s just using some different notes.

Actually, one thing I noticed is how this also resembles an Acqua di Gio scent. For me, it comes across as a spicier and less marine version of AdG eau de parfum. Also, lacks the metallic note of the Armani.

These two colognes do have a lot of overlap: mandarin, vetiver, patchouli, clary sage, and lavender.

So, Blue Parfum is like a Polo Blue (maybe closer to EDP) and Acqua di Gio EDP.

Anyway, Parfum starts off with its mandarin note, being quite apparent. Not as standalone powerful, as in AdG, but its there and noticeable. For me, I get clary sage, with the pink pepper and cardamom not overwhelming me with their intensity.

Yes, this is spicy and fresh, but it’s totally balanced with that citrus note.

The next phase comes in, with more of the vetiver and lavender. It’s smoother, less spicy, and the mandarin takes a back seat. The fruit, will stick around just not to the same extent.

Woodsy, clean, aromatic, with some earthy smokiness popping through. No worries though, this isn’t going to go completely ‘dirty’, sticking close to a mainstream wearable fougere fragrance.

As I get further into the dry down, it’s really woodsy. Oak, vetiver, patchouli, sage, and the rest all working in a balanced harmony with one another. Nothing too complex here, but clean and fresh and easy to wear.

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Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

This one is none too heavy, but has a decent projection radius of 6-7 feet, in the early part of the wear. That will come in towards you, to become a more intimate fragrance shortly thereafter.

However, it’s certainly not weak and can hang in the air quite nicely.

On my skin, it’ll go 6-7.5 hours. The others in the series tend to be in the 5-7 hour range, but this gives me about an hour more, on the whole. Though, it seems to have made it to at least six hours each time that I tested Parfum out.

Blue Parfum is of course a very wearable fragrance for most of the year. It works well in warm weather, is decent on the hotter days as well. It’s one that is designed to be an easy to grab daily wear and it fits the bill.

It’s suitable for all ages. Can be worn to work, school, etc. Not a club beast or one of the ‘sexiest’ colognes out there, just smells nice and has a good balance.

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Overall Impressions of Blue Parfum

Overall, do I like Blue Parfum? It’s pretty good. After testing this one for a while, I think I enjoy others in the series like EDT, EDP, and Deep Blue more than this.

Parfum certainly has its moments of being enjoyable. I like how they changed up the usual formula, while still managing to keep it a recognizable Polo Blue scent. Again, I don’t believe it to be better, but it certainly can compete with others in the series.

You get a woodsy rather than citrus and woody finish. More nuance than the EDT, depth, and a change in the notes. So, it has that going for it, if you happen to dig this style versus what you get with the others.

It’s still not completely unique, what with the overlaps between the other Blues and Acqua di Gio.

The one drawback is the price. This one is expensive for retail, especially considering that it might not be better (or that much better, depending on you tastes) versus others in the series.

I’d almost certainly go with an AdG or Chanel scent, if the choice was between them and Parfum, at this price point. With a good discount? Sure, this isn’t a bad selection.