lacoste

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Jaune (Yellow)

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One of the few things that I actually like about being in airports ,is the proliferation of duty free shops and luxury retailers, from which I can test out a few sprays of new colognes.

Today, while at El Prat in Barcelona, I got to sample Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Jaune and thought that I’d post a one-time wear review of this fragrance. Update: I’m coming back to this one years later, with more on Jaune.

Now for those of you who don’t know French, this is the yellow bottle of the series, and was released back in 2015.  As usual, I’m going to give my thoughts on how it smells, performs, and whether or not I think that it is worth a purchase.

What does Lacoste Yellow (Jaune) Men’s Perfume Smell Like?

Notes Include: grapefruit, pink pepper, cyprus, tonic, golden delicious apples

Click Here to try: Lacoste Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Jaune Eau de Toilette for Men, 3.3 fl. oz.

My Full Review

Upon first spraying Jaune, I immediately identified the first note as grapefruit. There is a slight spice to it, which when combined with the citrus overtones, creates an energetic and lively fragrance.

The opening is rather bold and instantly reminds one of a summer day with a hint of woodiness provided by the cyprus note, gives Jaune a somewhat unique feeling for this type of citrus fragrance.

There is a tonic note which gives this Yellow cologne, that slightly fizzy and upbeat kind of aroma. It’s like a cold drink paired with a peppery bite, with a fresh woodsy overtone consisting of cypress/vetiver.

One thing that I noticed about Jaune, is that, it doesn’t particularly develop beyond its initial scent. It’s very simplistic and straightforward. That initial burst is really quite good but this cologne lacks any real character, other than what it first shows you.

That in itself, wouldn’t be a problem. However, it becomes much more noticeable, when its other weakness is put front and center. Coming back to this perfume, multiple times, I still never really get any development so to speak of on my skin.

Jaune is sweet and citrusy, with a pleasant freshness that permeates the wear.

Sillage. How Long does it Last? Versatility.

The longevity of this one, like the other Eau de Lacoste scents I have reviewed, leaves much to be desired. Again, it starts off bold and seems like it’ll be a welcome addition to your cologne collection, but then fades relatively fast and is relegated to a skin scent.

It does project very well for the first 30-45 minutes of wear…which just ain’t enough. I also sprayed Polo Red Extreme, on my other arm at the same time, and that Ralph Lauren fragrance is still going strong. The difference is very noticeable in terms of performance.

As a weaker fragrance, it will stick around for maybe 4-6 hours, depending on the day. Not great for the retail price, but at a discount it could be a nice pick up, for those warmer days.

Update: Yep, right in that 4-6 hour range, is about what to expect from this one. This whole series from Lacoste, had pretty mediocre performance.

I don’t know that I like the scent of the Yellow bottle of Eau de Lacoste better than the White, but it might have the edge (or be tied) with Red.

Jaune is a bit different than the others, it’s a casual spring/summer scent, but I’d categorize it more towards the sporty end of the spectrum.

Again, it’s a simple scent. I’d say that it’s more geared toward younger guys, up through their 20s. It’s light enough to wear professionally. Smells nice, but isn’t sexy, nor does it have the power of a club beast.

Overall Impression of Lacoste Jaune

Overall, is it worth a buy? Maybe. If you can get a hold of a cheap bottle of Jaune, then, I would consider having a bottle. The scent is a really nice and energetic citrus, if that’s your thing, than this Eau de Lacoste edition is worth a look.

Again, I wish Lacoste would’ve beefed up the longevity of these scents because they are good casual colognes for the warmer months. Good smell, not so great performance.

I enjoy the grapefruit and the tonic, there are other summer colognes which do more of the straight lemonade vibe, so this was a slightly different take. An intense version would’ve been great, but that’ll probably never happen.

Update: This is still around on discounter sites, as of now, even if Lacoste discontinued it. I’m pretty sure they did, anyway. Jaune was one of the better editions of the L.12.12. lineup, in terms of smell.

The performance while not great, was also better than some of the others. Very pleasant, fresh, fizzy, and sweet. I just saw it for under $60 and somewhat cheaper with a promo code. In that $40-50 range, it might be worthwhile for some, while the stock of Jaune dwindles.

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Magnetic Pour Lui

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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.

Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme by Lacoste

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In today’s review, we have an entry from the Lacoste women’s line: Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme. This one was released back in 2013. How does this perfume stack up? As usual, I am going to go through its ingredients, when it should be worn, what it smells like, and if it is even worth a try.

What does Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme Smell Like?

Notes include: jasmine, pineapple, vanilla, orange, vetiver, sandalwood, orange blossom, and bergamot

Click here to try: Lacoste Eau de Lacoste perfume for Women Eau De Parfum 3.0 fl.oz

My Full Review

The opening of Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme features mainly the pineapple note and the jasmine. There is also a hint of the mandarin orange and bergamot, but it isn’t all that strong.

The pineapple doesn’t strike me as too sharp in this composition, more of just a juice, mixed with that familiar aroma of jasmine. It’s quite light and pretty, with a non-candied sweetness.

Further along, I don’t really get any more of the orange note, but there is orange blossom floral in there. Also, sandalwood and vanilla merge, and give this Lacoste a heart. At this point, it is less fruity than it had been, and much more woody/floral.

This is a simple and linear scent that doesn’t really develop much at all. What I get for most of the wear is: pineapple, jasmine, vanilla, sandalwood with some musky sort of undertones. Within an hour or so, you’ll pretty much know what you’re going to get from Eau de Lacoste.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projections wise, the sillage on this one is pretty light and airy. It’s not a completely weak scent, but it’s definitely not a powerhouse. It’s a subtle perfume, that won’t blow the doors off of anything.

The longevity isn’t amazing, but it is a pretty consistent strength throughout. It’ll go into the 5-7 hour range and still maintain that lighter sillage. Most Lacoste fragrances aren’t marathon performers and neither is this one.

Seasonally, spring through summer. It’s bright with the pineapple and citrus along with the floral notes. It’s safe to wear at the office, casually, or as a sort of sporty kind of fragrance. It is pleasant and attractive, but not sexy. This isn’t one that is going to be a nightlife or date night wear.

Overall Impressions of Lacoste Pour Femme

Overall, is Eau de Lacoste Pour Femme a good fragrance? Good? Yes. Simple? Yes. It’s a nice scent, that can be worn in a variety of situations, but it won’t be one that stands out. It is a scent that is very clean and feminine.

If you want a low key, everyday wear, this might be a perfume to consider. However, you’re going to have to like the smell of pineapple and jasmine, for this one to ‘work’ for you.

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12. White

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This is my second review of Lacoste’s L.12.12 cologne series. I already covered Rouge and my thoughts on it: here. This time around, I am covering Eau de Lacoste Blanc (White), and testing out this floral/woody cologne for men. As usual, I am going to overview how it smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not this casual fragrance is worth a buy.

What does Lacoste Blanc Perfume for Men Smell Like?

lacoste l.12.12 white

Notes include: cardamom, grapefruit, ylang-ylang, cedar, rosemary, suede, tuberose, leather

Click here to try: Lacoste Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Blanc Eau de Toilette for Men, 3.3 fl. oz.

My Full Review

With the opening of Lacoste Blanc, I am immediately reminded of daytime in the spring. It’s a very clean floral and woody opening, with the main note of grapefruit taking charge.

I detect the cedar note but it seems to be smoothed out and tempered by the suede/leather combo, which is surprisingly quite mild. This fragrance definitely starts out with a bang, as it both projects well and also brings a lot of energy. Blanc is very upbeat and bright.

The is a slight herbal spice to this, light rosemary, and some cardamom. However, it never makes all that much of an appearance for me. Cedar and leather? Yes, the others? Not so much.

The floral notes aren’t really the ‘girly’ kind of scent, more earthy, and get hidden some by the citrus of the grapefruit. The interplay between these two is quite nice. It’s tuberose, which is hardly ever used in a men’s fragrance, and ylang-ylang.

There is also a layer of sweetness in this cologne that doesn’t take over but lends itself well. It feels like everything about this fragrance is just blended the right way. The grapefruit is mainly responsible for it, especially when it gets paired together with the ylang-ylang note.

What I’m ultimately left with a very wonderful blend of citrus and cedar. It’s fresh and uplifting. Though, this does go in more of a unique direction, with those floral notes. It comes together as being super clean and a delight to have on.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The projection on this one starts out fairly strong, but begins to weaken pretty quickly. It does transform more into a floral/woodsy cologne during the dry down period but that is again, brief.

The longevity on this one really isn’t all that great, it’s better than L.12.12. Rouge, but still taps out to the 4-6 hour range and more towards the low end.

This is a warm weather fragrance that is great for office, casual, or even some dating type environments. It’s appropriate for any age group, but has more of a youthful sort of vibe.

I wouldn’t be wearing this during the winter or autumn, but it is great when the weather starts to improve.

Overall Impression of L.12.12 White

Overall, I think that L.12.12. White is a very good cologne and an interesting floral based scent for men. I do prefer it, to the Red version from Lacoste (which I also like), and think that it can be a really good casual choice for guys.

I wish the longevity was a little bit better but aside from that Blanc is a quality cologne that is fresh, clean, and energetic. Coming back to this scent, years after my initial review, I can say that this is the best of the L.12.12 lineup, from my perspective.

Blanc is the only one that truly delivers a great smell and has at least decent performance. This line from Lacoste, really had plenty of mediocre and unmemorable scents.

This is a bright spot. Smells quite good, average performance, and a good pick up if you can get it cheap.

Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Noir

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It’s been a while since I’ve gotten a Lacoste fragrance to review for this site, so I was looking forward to trying out today’s entry from the Eau de Lacoste L.12.12. line: Noir. Yep, this is the one in the black bottle for all of my non-French speakers. How does this one stack up? What are the ingredients? Does it perform well?

What does L.12.12 Noir Smell Like?

Notes include: watermelon, dark chocolate, lavender, basil, cashmeran, patchouli, and more

Click here to try: LACOSTE L.12.12 Noir Pour Lui Eau de Toilette

My Full Wear Review

The opening of Noir has that familiar Lacoste light/watery/alcohol smell that so many others on this line also share. It’s like they refuse to make anything intense and while this is an EDT, there are plenty of other examples of these sort of scents that have much more body to them, so to speak.

Anyway, Noir opens with some lavender and basil sitting on top of a juicy and non-candy like watermelon. It’s more of a ripe watermelon aroma than something such as a Jolly Rancher.

It has a slight sweetness, which is added to by the dark chocolate note. Noir is fresh and light, almost aquatic, but with any sort of sea notes not being present at all.

I find the cashmere note to be quite interesting while I can detect it. It provides a woody warmth that pairs well with the bit of herbal spice provided by the basil note, as well as the smooth calming influence of lavender.

Ultimately, the notes all seem to blend together and I can mostly detect the watermelon during the dry down. It feels like it has some personality of its own, but it gets mixed to something that has trouble distinguishing itself.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise L.12.12 Noir, is a lighter kind of fragrance. Seriously, the sample vial isn’t a sprayer, and it can be a pain to open the applicator from the glass.

The first time I opened it, I spilled nearly half of the cologne in my living room.

With just about any other fragrance it would have smelled on my carpet for days. With Noir? I didn’t even notice it beyond the first two hours and no one else said anything…that’s some light fragrance.

Is it weak? Sort of. It’s longevity isn’t anything to write home about, I got about 5 hours on my skin with a heavy application. It wasn’t loud or going to choke the room but it did vanish, right around that five hour mark.

Climate wise, it’s a good year round fragrance, in terms of its smell. It won’t be out of place at anytime and can stand up to the heat…at least for 5 hours, after that you’re on your own.

I would say that this is a casual scent, maybe for a low key office cologne, but not romantic wear. Although, it is a pleasant fragrance. Noir is geared more toward younger men. Probably teens to mid-twenties.

Overall Impressions of Noir

Overall, do I recommend Eau de Lacoste L.12.12 Noir? Meh, not really. It smells decent, but it doesn’t perform well. Plus, I like both Blanc and Rouge from Lacoste better than this one. It doesn’t really stand out to me in the slightest.

It’s nice and has positive qualities, but also pretty unremarkable in how it smells. It has a unique composition, but it ends up smelling quite familiar. Though, I cannot really compare it to anything directly. So, I’ll give it a boost in score for being rather unique.

I, however, can’t give this high praise. It is a designer fragrance, thus pretty expensive, while not at all living up to that price point. I listed some better Lacoste options and there’s plenty else out there on the market, that outcompetes Noir.