L'eau d'Issey

Even back in the early 00’s, Issey Miyake was considered avant garde. The style was different from what was on offer, and graduating from cK, Cool Water or Eternity to Issey Miyake was a wow factor. Cool Water was the signature of a good friend, although I never liked it then; it was immensely heavy and I associated it with a cleaning product! cK One was my go-to for a good number of years, while Eternity was the signature of a dear friend. Then, stuff like Rush, Addict, D&G, Pure Poison and Narciso came out, but among the ‘male’ oriented Roberto Cavalli’s, Calvin’s Truth and Lauders Beyond Paradise, I enjoyed the Isseys. Both versions. Something about the gauzy freshness of the edt and the zingy spiciness of the Pour Homme caught my nose and wore them for a good part of the decade. L’eau d’Issey: floral, watery, melony. We didn’t know what Calone was, we knew what we liked. And Issey’s version was far away from the blockbusters of previous years. It was fresh, clean, tender. Among the soft flowers and the powdery feel, there was an aquatic feel that captured the salty sea air and the sand dunes, intertwined with a futuristic feel. It was beautiful. Lightweight on a hot summer day. Floral and comforting, with a clean powdery sensation. The stickiness of humidity was gone. And it didn’t leave your skin, leaving a gorgeous trail behind! L’eau d’Issey pour Homme: zingy, spicy and refreshingly citrusy but not like lemon Zoflora! I first smelled it on a friend, and instantly got smitten. Yuzu, which I now know, was the culprit. The smell of the peel and rind, sweetened by herbs, mignonette and gentle lilly of the valley. It was at once refreshing, spicy, herbal, floral and aquatic. It never went full Calone territory, but used the note as a balance point to make the fragrance completely different! Under it all, there was a slightly bitter touch and a modest use of what I recall as a ‘pissy’ note. Even then, I loved it! Both were of its time, seeing ahead. They took the familiar into a future tech environment. And they were innovative and beautiful. Today, gladly, they smell of themselves. They are still unmistakable. In a crowded perfumery shelf, they stand out among the ones that have gone and the ones that have faired less well. For nostalgia, like me, for a trip to the past and happy memories or simply for educational purposes, for something that bottles SUMMER, both are excellent choices. Modern then and modern today! Review based on current edt formula for both fragrances.

I do not care that this fragrance was super trendy in the 90s and everybody who's old enough to remember L'Eau d'Issey is soooo over it. I also do not care that many perfumistas--especially those who love big, heavy orientals or niche fragrances that smell like dirty underwear and cigarettes (and that none of their friends have heard of, much less own)--think that L'Eau d'Issey smells like melon-scented toilet bowl cleaner, or whatever. I effing love L'Eau d'Issey. It's hot and humid where I live, like a giant sauna, and if I could get away with wearing something big, loud and rich I would totally do it, but I don't want to asphyxiate people. I just want to smell nice. And when I wear L'Eau d'Issey, people go out of their way to tell me that I smell amazing. But that doesn't even matter, because I'm wearing it now and I think I smell pretty amazing. I don't find anything chemical or artificial about this fragrance. It's cool, fresh, and feminine, and it's not trying too hard. I think Issey Miyake and Jacques Cavallier achieved exactly what they were going for here. Bowls full of water and flower petals, enchanted springtime forests, magical waterfalls, etc. As a novice perfumista, I feel obligated to try obscure fragrances that smell like armpits and rotten tree fungus, and usually I can at least appreciate what the designer is trying to accomplish. But seriously, if you just want to smell pretty, don't let the negative reviews deter you. Give L'Eau d'Issey a try.

Some of the impressions of this fragrance expressed by reviewers are staggering. Faeces? Fish? Cat piss? What? L'eau d'Issey was launched in 1992 at the height of 'powerhouse perfume' (for reference, the same year as Angel by Thierry Mugler). Issey Miyake released it because he hated perfume and was tired of being constantly assaulted by other people's fragrances on aeroplanes and communal spaces. He wanted a perfume that did not smell overbearing and this was the end result. Some reviewers are calling it generic by today's standards, and perhaps now it is, but at the time of its release, you must remember it was completely unique and trend-setting by its gentle simplicity. I think it could even be classed as a forerunner to all the 'smells like your skin, only better' fragrances the market is now awash with. It is a barely there perfume full of muted sweetness and sunshine. I think when you understand the history of this fragrance it will suddenly make sense. It does not smell of cat piss, faeces or fish though by any stretch of the imagination, either on skin or on paper. It is a beautiful floral aquatic, and while it's not loud enough for my personality I can appreciate it for what it is and for being so ground-breaking. There is something about it that inspires happiness and tranquillity. I find it very uplifting to wear. It also performs really well for a gentle fragrance. I get around 6-8 hours of wear before it vanishes as discreetly as it arrived.

Although it feels like I have loved this perfume since forever, in the mid-90s my bff in high school wore it and it smelled saccharine, cloying. Around 2010 I finally tried it for myself and was struck by a totally different experience — this gorgeous, persistent floral of the most beguiling manner, nothing too loud or sugary. A few bottles of this later, it still makes for an easy reach. I read a scathing review about a different perfume in which the author slammed it as being boring like L’Eau d’Issey. How short-sighted! We are inundated with scents today but this was a show-stopping stunner when it came out that remains a beautifully composed fragrance. Some of us prefer even these newer classics to most of the juices on offer in recent years. I wear it mostly in winter and it’s a performer on me, both the EDT and EDP. This needs a proper test drive or two before purchase, but if it’s not for you, no judgement. And fwiw I like melon, but on me that’s not really present in this elegant floral bouquet. And yes, it’s watery, too, in a dreamy, almost wistful way.

I ́ve been curious about this one for such a long time. The first time I smelled this was among my korean girlfriends and initially I found it to be very overpowering, weird and strong smelling. But recently I had a friend gift me this for my b-day and I love it. It ́s very fresh in an aquatic way, like you got out of the shower and used a very expensive shower gel. The white flowers are very prominent and the hint of melon gives it a nice touch. I imagine myself on a warm morning in a balcony wearing a silk white robe, eating fruits and drinking a hot cup of coffee while the sun is bathing me in warm golden hues and smelling this aura around me. I just wish it lasted longer because I ́m confuse, like... I get anosmic to it and stop smelling it, but people say it still smells very strongly after a few hours, although I find that on clothes lasts longer than on skin. Anyways, definetly a staple freshy to my collection.

This perfume made me like floral perfumes. I'm still a novice in perfumes and I thought I liked floral scents before but it turns out I was thinking of sweet scents. After using this perfume I like my other floral perfumes a lot more! I got this as a gift and I am really happy with it. It reminds of me a flower garden where the flowers have just been watered. I live in a place where you can really strongly smell different flowers during different times of the year and this perfume feels just like that. Of course, it can't smell like actual real life flowers because at the end of the day it's just a perfume, but it definitely comes close enough. I'm super sensitive to smells and this perfume definitely comes to a point where at certain times it smells just natural and not like a perfume.

It changes a lot based on who is wearing it so do keep in mind, on my mother it's incredibly overpowering to the point found it nauseating on her, though to be fair she is more partial to citrusy scents. She said it smelt like jasmine? On me, the flowery smell is less strong and she found it more palatable, she even asked what I was wearing because she wanted to try it on. It's long lasting and easy to recognize, it stuck onto my clothes (jeans, shirt and sweater), and lasted even through my gym session. Another huge plus was that, as someone with a very limited amount of available perfumes due to allergies, it caused no rashes or irritation. It's still new in my collection so I can't say for sure it'll replace my current signature, but I've used it everyday since getting it.

This one is pretty popular with the YouTube reviewers and as it has been described, I thought it would be something I would like! Well, I finally picked up a bottle and I am not disappointed! This is a bright, fresh, somewhat green or aquatic, white floral that has amazing sillage and great longevity. Definitely could be a signature scent. I agree this needs to be used in moderation! Less is more with this one, since it’s such a powerhouse. I can see why people would dislike this if they’ve been suffocated by someone’s application of it. I’ve had great fragrances ruined for me due to association with a serious oversprayer! So, this is one to be mindful of! I’d say two sprays max and it’s gorgeous!

This is what beautiful women smelled like when I was a little girl. I finally identified the scent in college walking through a Macy’s, it stopped me in my tracks and bought it full price on the spot (an arm and a leg at the time). I just love this, it’s my fresh and clean scent in place of a soapy perfume because I don’t care for those. It’s like sweet melony water supported by rosy florals. I could see this going funky on some people though, so try before you buy. I’ve had this and the edp, the edp just smells like rosewater on me. The aquatic melon notes last to the dry down in this one, which is my favorite part, so I prefer this one. This is timeless, gorgeous, and unique.

woah ???? my auntie who i love lots has had this as her signature scent for ages (like over a decade) and even before i got into perfume this scent was just her scent to me. when she showed me what perfume it was i flipped because ??? i know about this house and i had never heard of this banger? this smells like a muted down field of flowers with honey and bees and its just spring all around to me. it has a non offensive scent imo even tho it lasts forever and the projection is crazy, i feel like if you wore this to the office no one would complain yk? oh my god obsessed. this is a definite repurchase when mine finishes

Easily one of my most favorite perfumes ever. And I repurchased it couple of times. For me this is ideal summer scent that is not a citrus smell (sometimes I just want something else). It is strong, but absolutely not overwhelming, it is just fresh, clean (not soapy or powdery clean, but non-intrusive clean). Funny thing is, I cannot break it into any of its components - I cannot tell the fruits, or the different flowers in it, or the woodsy smell. It is just its own unique perfect blend. Great for the office, or to go out. Love it, I'm on my 3rd bottle, and I will repurchase it again in the future.

EDIT: SUCCESS! She loves it and its great on her! The male version of this is my favourite fragrance ever. This is a softer and mellower and more floral version of that, but the opening (the best part) is nearly identical for me. I'm glad that its not nauseating or cloying or powdery like most female fragrances tend to be for my nose. Its actually quite calming and pleasing. Makes me want to smell it in bed. After having tried a few sprays of it on myself and strips I think I just found the perfect fragrance for my wife. Will buy a bottle for her and see how she reacts, then update here accordingly.

This fragrance would be worn by a punk mermaid. It makes me think of lily pads and swirls of light. It’s both retro and modern, yin and yang. The fact it came out the year I was born makes me feel connected to it. If this fragrance was a color it would be a pale shimmering blue with glints of golden yellow like a cool summer sunrise. I also am always blown away at how long this fragrance lingers. I put it on about 9 hours ago and can still smell it lingering on my shirt and hair. On my wrist it has worn down to a skin scent consisting of the woodier base notes. I’ll always love L’eau D’Issey <3

At first when I tested this I thought the lily of the valley was too screechy. I couldn’t understand the watery or sweet melon accords. A year later I saw a review and got curious again, so I sniffed again and... intoxicating sweet white floral, watery heaven! Maybe my nose matured or MAYBE this is hormones, but sometimes I crave this super pretty, white smelling perfume. It’s a flowery vibe for sure! I couldn’t wear this every day but it’s just so stunning when my fickle nose is in the mood. I’d follow someone wearing this perfume just to be in the wake of the sillage.

I was pleasantly surprised by this fragrance because I expected it to be more aquatic floral on my skin with little else that stands out. Instead, my skin's chemistry brought out the cedar so at first it smelled like the soft florals and watery notes, almost like a luxurious garden pond, and then there was that pleasant spicy smell that you get from smelling spruce needles in the winter (like a spruce tree covered in snow) that came in as a welcomed intruder to this ensemble of notes. That made me like L'Eau d'Issey so much more.

I see that many people find this scent annoying and overly harsh. I also got that impression when I overdid it (more than 2 sprays). I imagine that younger users, or those who are not used to high concentrations of fragrances, overdo it. With such a strong concentration, walking through the cloud that a single spray of the fragrance gives us is quite enough. If you still have the fragrance or tester, try it this way. And it is better if the mist gets caught a little lower (on your clothes or body) than in your hair. Try!

One of my favourite freshies for the summer. Its years old this one but I was never into it back then. Now I appreciate its beauty and when I spray this on I imagine a stunning deep green lagoon or glorious waterfalls. I’ve never experience the melon note beyond a few seconds after first application, my skin just pulls heavy lotus, water lily and aquatic notes with this, even the woody notes are mild and it feels like just smelling it could quench your thirst on a hot summers day. Watery, lotus, woody freshness.

(Tried this one from a friend of my mother’s, since it’s her signture scent.) It opens softly as a white floral, then we hit the fruity note of the melon for a moment. This fruity note gorgeously blossoms into a powerful and genuine floral that truly makes the delicate scent of the Lily-of-the-Valley shine through. It smells fresh and dewy, and it makes you feel like you’re a small fairy (wearing a Lily-of-the-Valley as a skirt) waking up on a big dew-dropped leaf on a sunny spring morning. Love it!

It smells amazing on my skin. It's so fresh, floral, and with a touch of sweetness that I simply love this perfume. It's so distinctive that I haven't found anything like it; it has a perfect balance. I recommend it for those who enjoy fresh and floral scents, but not too intense, and for those who prefer sweet perfumes without them being cloying or heavy. While it's not a gourmand perfume, it's a good option with a sweet touch; perhaps it also depends on each person's skin, but it's perfect.

Heavenly. I’m in my early 30s. By far my favourite perfume. Just wish there was a wintery version with a touch more warmth for the cold UK weather. But I’m wearing this year round, night and day regardless. LOVE. My fiancé compliments me every time I wear it. It’s a decadent bouquet of fresh florals on a cosy sunny day and the air is dancing around you. It’s confident but not shouting. A very happy scent for me. It’s what I picture the mother from Parent Trap wearing or Monica from friends.