Don Algodon

A classic from the eighties that shares some notes with Loulou (even thought this is older) but much lighter, simpler, fresher and with bitter citric notes and a bit more soapy and aquatic. It ́s one of those smells you can ́t describe accurately and you can ́t forget once smelled because it ́s so well formulated and rounded. It has lots of character and it remains widely popular in Spain even in the middle of those fruity fragances so widespread nowadays. It has a moderate sillage and an acceptable longevity for an EDT. Cheap, you can buy a 100ml flask for 12-18€ practically everywhere from El Corte Inglés to Carrefour and smaller supermarkets around the corner. It ́s beautiful in its simplicity and it compliments nicely with Lou Lou as a daily, soapy, fresher fragance for "the day after" Lou Lou. During the late 80 ́s and the 90 ́s it was the signature fragance of many Spanish girls who wanted something a bit more sophisticated and distinctive than Farala, Giovanna, Ragatza, Chispas, Verte, Pitiusa, Clyo, Eau Jeunne, Zinnia or Estivalia but still remains popular with all ages. Fresh, clean, a little bit soapy and powdery and perfect for hot days. Some people find this a bit heavy but it really is soft and nice and I wouldn ́t say it is heavy: it ́s not a bath cologne either because it has a moderate longevity perhaps not wearable under 45oC-50oC but good for summer mornings and evenings around 35oC. It ́s so widespread that almost every household in Spain has or had one bottle of this sometime. It had various flankers, one of them, Don Algodón Suspiro from the 90 ́s was also very popular and widespread and was much more similar to Lou Lou but more citric, more inciensey, less heady, lighter and less sweet. Its a pity Suspiro is discontinued. There ́s a newer flanker from 2010, Don Algodón Sweet and Sexy wich is just another generic sweet fragance that smells of marshmallows and it seems to be very succesful I suppose because of the popularity of sugary fragances nowadays. If you come across Sweet and Sexy give it a pass and go rather for the original Don Algodón if you want something unexpensive and light but with some character and a smell you won ́t forget. As a curiosity, Don Algodón started as a posh clothes trademark similar to Benetton and then they got into the fragances business. Don Algodón clothes broke down and dissapeared and today only remains as an EDTs trademark into the Puig house.

Adding a new review for my new bottle, bought in 2024 (a huge 200ml spray bottle in the beautiful cloudy sky cardboard box) --- I had to go apply my old (dab bottle) Don Algodon to compare to this one. It is still recognizeable as Don Algodon, but it smells a little different. The old one started off muskier and more floral right away. This new one starts a little drier and soapier. I think I detect more cedar (pencil shaving style, not resinous but dry instead) and possibly vetiver (not sure about this one). It smells a hint less rosy and more clearly white flowers, but the floral accord is still recognizeable as Don Algodon (at least for someone like me who has been wearing DA on and off since the late 80s :) ) The new version has the same transparency, the same feel of "airy and fresh morning" with a floral twist, a younger, brighter and fresher interpretation of the white floral musk. The feel is really similar to the cardboard box design: a bright blue sky, fluffy clouds and the halo of the Sun just behind a cloud, a diaphanous halo of a morning Sun still rising on the sky. Where it differs, at least at this try, is that the musk is less prominent, the florals are a bit less citrusy and a hint more fresh powdery instead. It's still a great fragrance for the price, and I expect to keep wearing it on and off for a long time :) .

This was the first perfume I received as a gift :) It's a fresh and nice musky floral, appropriate for any age, neither too romantic nor too sexy nor too soapy, not only white flowers but a bit of citruses and, to my nose, some rose note. And a nice, airy musk, which lends it some transparency like in Noa and other "white and airy morning" perfumes. This one is more floral, though. I still enjoy it sometimes. It's simpler and reminds me of putting my backpack on, dabbing my perfume and going to school feeling well put together and smelling nice :) Also, it can be found quite cheap and is worth way more than it costs! (I find it projects reasonably and lasts around 7 hours on me as long as I apply with some abundance).

A mi me dura mucho el aroma, sobretodo si pulverizo la ropa. Es un clásico en Espanya, para todas las edades.

I can't possibly improve on the Review by "Loca" ( below ) so I'll just add : I bought this in the late 80's on my annual holiday to Ibiza, not only was it perfect for the carefree, Spanish sun ( in a way that my usual, heavier scents could never have been ) but it led to a tradition of buying a different fragrance from a Spanish house each year. Thus, I discovered Myrugia and the Joy(a)s of Maja and Alada ( I recently bought a vintage bottle of the former & would kill for a bottle of the latter. 2023 EDIT: I found one ! ) So, I have a lot to thank this beautiful, modest, little fragrance for... I hung onto the bottle containing the last few drops not least for the wonderful memories but so that I'd never forget what it looked like should I ever make it back to Iberia again. Then, as the temperatures hit an unheard of 35°C in the UK (!!) it once again fell into my lap ( via eBay naturally ). So...I shall scent myself with memories as the sun beats down & remember YOUR BEAUTIFUL homeland : THANK YOU, Loca del Tó 🌅