Steel Sugar

Mmmm, I really like how this scent smells on me haha. Seems worth a lot more than what little I paid for it too. Anyway, I wouldn’t necessarily say this is a through and through gourmand like some of the other Aquolinas. It is but it isn’t because its kind of sweet but also a bit aromatic (lavender) that balances it into something in the direction of gourmand but not completely. Either way I love it! Its so easy to wear and feels like such a perfect fit for me! Overall I’d best describe the scent as an aromatic lavender that has a good dose of warmed up ginger operating in equal support. And a nice balanced solid stream of sweetness carrying it all along. Not at all cloying but just right sweetness. Some of the other notes are there like the cinnamon and tobacco that warm it up perfectly as it dries down (where the ‘gingerbread’ aspect comes into play a bit more) but you wouldn’t necessarily pick those notes out, they just undercurrent the scent to help give it warmth and body. The angelica adds a bit of sweet musky powderiness (think Prada Luna Rossa Black) and a very slight freshness lingering from the citrus and apple. But again not notes you’d pick out, they just serve to add more depth. The woods aren’t apparent to me. One of the best parts I love about this scent though is that as it dries down the notes tend to meld more and more - which only serves to make it nicer and nicer as the wear goes on. And the sweetness comes up a little more too, but still not cloying in any way, all of which I love. I don’t wear this in winter because it upsets the balance and I’ve consistently found kills off some of the best nuances of the aroma. On me it’s best with a little spring or autumn warmth to bring out its full proper flavour. Even summer nights (think dates etc), just not high heat as some natural suppression seems to help keep the balance. Overall I really do love it and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it. Definitely one of the best budget scents I own!

I agree with bpmck78 on this. It sits in the realm of D&G The One and La Nuit de l'Homme. It also has a little hint of Rochas Man vibe and a drydown Musk of JPG Le Male. This really could've done without the Angelica in the opening. It adds a watery sweetness that gives off a chemical vibe. I rarely like anything with Angelica in it because it dominates other notes too easily. I really like the drydown to this. It's a great fragrance for days you don't really care what you are wearing or just want a break from the norm. You could easily never smell this and you wouldn't miss out on anything.

Love this! Its perfect for warmer weather, spring especially but very good for summer days as well. Nothing like the other more "gourmand-ish" Aqualinas. It's very fresh, fun, floral and sexy. A very happy and uplifting fragrance in my opinion. Even a little on the unisex side since it has that floral feel to it. I personally don't get the gingerbread note described, I get more of a sweet fresh feeling that I really do love. Sillage and longevity are pretty basic, nothing crazy but for the warmer months you really wouldn't want anything stronger.

This is very nice. I originally bought it for myself but it is too masculine. I love the gingerbread note and I also smell a lot of cedar, bergamot, tobacco and lavender. It is a really good scent so I am giving it to my fiance. It lasts forever too which is wonderful. Found it for 8 dollars at nordstroms rack which was awesome. Edit: The more that I spray this the more that I think I can wear it as a woman. The initial spray is quite masculine but the dry down is pretty sweet.

This smells a little like Serge Lutens Chergui to me! Does anybody else here have both, I am wondering if I am not the only one that thinks they smell similar, or maybe I am just stroking out. It definitely does not perform like Chergui, I only get an hour or two before it fades away. Powdery, tobacco, some sweetness. I can see this being very polarizing just like Chergui. I mean, who would clone Chergui, my nose must be broke for real!