Polo Red EDP by Ralph Lauren

Polo Red is a formula that keeps getting used by Ralph Lauren. The initial EDT has sold so well, that every form of flanker seems to be getting put out by the designer. The latest is 2020’s Polo Red Eau de Parfum. I recently received a sample of this cologne and was really interested in trying it out. How does it smell? Perform? When can it be worn? Is it even worth a try?

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What does Polo Red Eau de Parfum Smell Like?

Notes include: red grapefruit, ginger, cranberry, lavender, sage, cedar, benzoin, oud, resin, musk

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My Full Wear Review

Polo Red EDP is obviously going to have a lot of overlap with the Red EDT version (review). The start of EDP has the same cranberry note, but paired with grapefruit, instead of lemon. Also, there is a prominent ginger also hanging around.

It’s less sharp, less sweet, but much more tolerable than the original Polo Red. I liked that one a lot, upon its initial release. However, the lemon could get annoying.

A bit further along, sage comes in and takes a bit of shine from the cranberry note. Ginger and sage, is a nice combination. Red Eau de Parfum has a definite balance between sweet and spicy during the early stages of the wear.

Other notes that I pick up on before it dries down completely are the lavender and benzoin. That’s one way that EDP, really separates itself from the other fragrances in this line. Smoother, slightly medicinal from the benzoin, and then the woody blend in the base of the scent.

The final dry down to me, is just woods and lavender mostly. There is still the impression of sweetness from the cranberry, but it no longer smells like a distinct ingredient.

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Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Red EDP isn’t a powerhouse. It will project itself just fine from the skin for the first few hours, before becoming more intimate. It’s not weak, on my skin, but it is pretty middle of the road. Maybe, only slightly better than the EDT.

It’s not really long lasting either, but quite passable. The times that I’ve worn it so far, I have gotten 6-7.5 hours each time. Not terrible, but it might be disappointing if you paid full price for a bottle.

Seasonally, any time other than summer. Probably better in the autumn and into winter, but it doesn’t have the same overwhelming sweetness as some of the others in the Polo Red line.

The smoothness of lavender and woods allows Red EDP to venture a bit further into the warmer months of spring.

I think that the other Red colognes skew toward a younger audience. Eau de Parfum does have a more mature vibe than them, but still feels younger, just well put together.

It could be worn casually, out on a date, to work, school and many other scenarios. It isn’t an ‘in your face’ fragrance, so, it probably isn’t going to offend anyone. I’d lean more casual to semi-formal wearing this one, but it’s not too bad elsewhere.

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Overall Impressions of Polo Red Eau de Parfum

Do I like this Polo release? I do. I don’t like it as much as Extreme, but I think it might be the second best release. I like the EDT and Intense, but this feels more wearable than either.

Intense can be too much, with the sweetness and feels cloying, at times. Red EDT can be too sharp with the citrus. EDP is a good balance between them.

If you liked either of those Polo Red’s, you’ll probably enjoy this. If you didn’t like any Polo Red scent, you almost certainly won’t like EDP.

I like the cranberry and ginger mix, up top, as it’s a common ginger ale blend that already works as a beverage…so why not a scent? It has a nice use of sage and a woods/lavender dry down, which tones down the level of sweetness.

Performance is pretty good, but not outstanding. Probably the biggest weakness here. I don’t know that this is going to win any new converts to Polo Red, but EDP is a solid release from Polo.

Not a must have for me, I like wearing it well enough, but it doesn’t completely grab me. Again, I’d still rather wear Extreme,