Navy

A “not bad at all” cheapie that gets exponentially better with continued exposure, providing you enjoy powder and orange blossom, two of my favorite things. I can’t believe how inexpensive this is. I felt no need to secure a life vest, as there's nothing aquatic about this. In fact, it's quite powdery. Navy is a traditional oriental with orange blossom, soft spices, a whisper of vanilla, and a solid amber base. An inexpensive gem, to my nose. Yeah, it's a retro vintage revival scent (if that's a thing), but I like the classic feel it pulls off; especially during the dry down, which is powdery amber class at a bottom shelf price. The very first spray unsettles a bit, but quickly turns to a shower of heavenly, old-school eau de cologne style orange blossom/neroli that I wish would stick around for awhie. Lasts 5+ hours on me, the last three as a skin scent, but I don't mind low sillage for this price point. Like her sister Tabu, it’s labeled a cologne spray but performs more like an EDP. UPDATE: The more I wear this the more I love this. Great for my fellow orange blossom and amber fans. A charming, inexpensive fragrance with surprising longevity. It has become a staple. UPDATE II: I won a bid on a teeny little vintage parfum concentration and cologne spray recently. My set is circa 1992, manufactured by Cover Girl/Noxell. I enjoy this fragrance so much, I wanted to see if I’m missing something from the Dana reformulation. The cologne spray has spoiled, I’m afraid—nothing good came from that bottle. The teeny tiny parfum, however, is still intact. It is a bit richer, a bit sweeter, a bit more complex, but still fairly similar to the current juice. The distinction I detect is similar enough—given the formulation differences—for me to say that the current Dana formula is quite true to the original.

So...I wore Navy the other day. I almost talked myself out of making it my SOTD but decided to commit to it. I just don't wear it much. I showered, got dressed and we went out to do our errands. It was a nice warm day and I was well rested and energetic. It seemed like people were more smiling, more helpful, you know what I mean! Good vibes in general. I kept getting whiffs of the Navy I was wearing although I didn't drown in it. Mine is a small splash on bottle. It is an approachable fragrance and feels friendly. Hidden gem territory, I'd say. I can't speak to whether it smells like Boucheron because I don't ever remember wearing Boucheron in the past. Navy was never a perfume in my rotation either but years ago there was a young woman whom I had hired to work in my department and she wore Navy. I didn't know what perfume it was so I asked and she told me "Navy." It really suited her because she was so likeable and so approachable. She was never grumpy and had a very funny sense of humor. We became friends outside of work as well. She was someone you loved being around, someone with a positive outlook about life. That is what Navy is like, buoyant and fresh and in today's fragrance offerings, unexpected. It is floral but it has that spice to it and best of all you don't smell it everywhere! Strangers lean in a little and they get a whiff of this pretty fragrance when you pass by and a peaceful calm falls all around. Hidden gem indeed.

Always a reason why some scents stick around and that's because they just smell good and Dana's Navy just does. It has staying power, and a little spritz goes a long way. It's inexpensive, and its scent will remind you of a musky, patchouli, amber with a hint of vanilla essence in the background. I compare it to the daytime version of Tabu, or the good girl version of Tabu if there is such a creature. Navy is just a nice scent that isn't overbearing. In its initial spray, there is some peachiness, followed by a hint of rose. These notes dissipate rather quickly. It's the drydown that I love. Once the basenotes appear, the muskiness definitely stays with the musk, the vanilla and a slight scent of cinnamon begin to intermingle. It's a very wholesome type of scent. The scent has staying power to last all day, which is wonderful for an inexpensive product. If you enjoy an oriental perfume, try Navy. You just might be surprised. It packs a lot in its scent that keeps circling around the base notes in a pleasant surprise all day long. An old favorite that I'll just keep handy for when I want to feel good about myself. It bears repeating that Navy is not so much a watered-down version of Tabu, but it is a less sultry version of it. If Tabu is your night perfume, then Navy would be the one you'd reach for during the day.

I've overlooked this fragrance my whole life, for two main reasons. One, it's embarrassingly inexpensive. And two, I loathe anything watery or aquatic, which I associated with a name like Navy. What a mistake. I've learned, in the last few years, that price doesn't necessarily equate quality. And Navy is a quality fragrance. For a cologne strength, the longevity is impressive. I get a good 8 hours, although for the last several it's mostly a skin scent. And there's nothing ocean-y or aquatic about Navy either. It opens predominantly as a white floral; specifically the orange blossom is most noticeable to me. But within a few minutes, the most odd yet wonderful pastry note appears; I know that sounds weird but I don't know how else to describe it. Like a delicious French toast sprinkled with cinnamon. But I don't want to overemphasize the effect as Navy is not really a gourmand; it has just the right amount of sweetness. After a few hours, it becomes a lovely skin scent, and settles into it's Oriental base of amber, vanilla, and just a hint of spicy cinnamon remaining. I've been wearing this one every day for several days now, and I can't get enough. It's like I actually crave it. Lesson learned: always keep an open mind, especially when it comes to fragrance!

Such an interesting name for this fragrance. As a young girl, I thought Navy would smell some what aquatic, like the ocean, sunshine... you know. Instead, it's more like you joined the Navy and docked in the orient right near a spice market. It's delicious and feminine and soft. I get star anise out of this myself but it's not an ingredient. Maybe it's just the effect of mixing the musk with the cinnamon and vanilla. Upon first spray I don't get really any green notes but that lovely clean and warm peach caress that smiles as she passes on to reveal those well balanced florals in the heart. Jasmine, Ylang-ylang and Rose make a powdery dance around the orange blossom that keeps them from being too floral and then the whole base asserts itself and starts the cycle again. And through it all, cinnamon and vanilla keep you grounded. No sea legs needed at this port! Navy is a great drugstore cologne, great for cooler weather or fresh spring days - very comforting. She'll get you through the night if you need her to but she's a day time girl. However, that sailor you just picked up might not give you time to change. ;^) Editing to say that I have the cologne.