Florida Water

In the bottle I get - lemon lime soda, lavender, lemon-heads candy, medicinally herbal, basil On my skin - 10 seconds in - Still getting the lemon heads and medicinal/herbal, basil. Very slight hint of lavender. 30 seconds - brown sugar and clove becomes apparent on top of the before-mentioned (likely where some get the "cola" scent, but it's not very cola to me) 3 minutes - Mandarin orange, honey, and the basil is getting stronger. 5 minutes - Nutmeg, cardamom, medicinal/herbal stronger now - Sillage is at an arms length (co-worker tested lol) Ok, skipping ahead now - 20 minutes - I'm still smelling everything surprisingly, very linear, all together now. What does stand out is the lemon/lime/orange/medicinal/herbal with a hint of clove and seems to be the most prominent during the entire experience. I would definitely classify this as a bright citrus spice with medicinal herbal notes. I am very surprised that the sillage is still at an arms length at this point. I expected it to be mostly gone by now and be a very close-to-skin scent. 45 minutes - OMG it's still here. I'm in love. I keep smelling my hands. 1 hour - Bergamot, clove, and basil. Divine af. Skipping ahead - I can't believe this, but that one splash on hands, wrists, around my neck and the excess in my hair lasted for 3 hours before reapplication. When I stepped outside I had an aura of berg/clove/basil still though light. Sillage now is much lighter but still very apparent when I go outside or walk by the ac or fan. My co-worker just ordered a bottle after being a spectator of all of this and smelling it through the office wherever I walked. Sillage - 7/10 Longevity (for an EDC splash) - 8/10 Totally unisex. Sexy, fresh, clean, uplifting, bright, happy. Can definitely see why this is used spiritually so often for cleansing. I love it and this is my personal Summer favorite. It's not the strongest or the longest lasting, but is very charming for that and at this value, reapply all day without the 10 spritz-guilt.

Uplifting, refreshing, fresh, and clean. Smells amazing, like aftershave used by an old era barbershop with a slightly antiseptic smell from the lavender. The thing I love most about Murray & Lanman Florida Water is how natural and fresh it smells. I swear, this stuff must be like catnip to men, because I bought a bunch of bottles up at bottom barrel prices on clearance a long time ago, and each one was systematically taken from me by each boyfriend that I’ve had. Even though I think it smells incredible, I do prefer the smell on men rather that myself despite its unisex status, so I never actually protested its appropriation. You can smell it from a couple feet away, but it’s not overpowering which makes it perfect for blistering summer heat where a lot of other fragrances could prove nauseating. I was a bit surprised at how few accolades this cologne got from Fragrantican reviewers since it’s been around for over 200 hundred years, but I suppose I’m just happy that Landman & Kemp are still manufacturing this gem after all this time. First and foremost this scent is composed of mouth wateringly zesty lemon, combined with the sweetness of orange, with a splash of lavender added which lightly grounds the citrus notes with a wonderful herbal/floral, vaguely powdery spice. Lastly a wisp of clove is added so sparingly that, unless you were looking for it specifically, you’d undoubtedly be oblivious to its presence, which modestly serves as another grounding aspect for the citrus, and dances together with the lavender accentuating its herbal jaggedness.

I purchased this when I forgot to pack a fragrance or 2 for a family beach vacation in the southeastern US. Rather than buy a bottle of Stetson or Eternity from the drugstore that I’d pay $15 for and never wear again, I decided to give this a try. Paid $4 for 7oz. Opens with sweet lemon candy and bergamot notes, along with mint, to my nose. I understand why some people get cleaning solution vibes, but for me it’s not overwhelming. As it dries down I get a lot of clove and cinnamon with the citrus fading into the background. The floral notes start to come through after about 10-15 minutes, but not so much that feels ultra feminine by any means. Cinnamon and clove hang on throughout. It’s a skin scent after about an hour, and that’s after being applied very liberally — to me, that’s what you want out of a hot weather fragrance. This is certainly unisex, maybe even more masculine to my nose. This cologne is a part of fragrance history and I’m really glad I tried it out. It’s not something I’d reach for regularly, but it’s also more functional than most modern fragrances. It is extremely light on the skin, and definitely produces a cooling effect when splashed on the neck and wrists on a hot day - and that’s how you want to apply it. Splash it on like your dad’s aftershave. For $4 this is a no brainer.

While staying overnight at my grandmother's house as children, we slept and played in the Blue Room. Much like the rest of the house, the Blue Room was filled with trinkets and baubles of a past that seemed quite distant to my young eyes. There were heavy blue brocade curtains we eventually used to make Halloween costumes. Against the wall stood, a dusty armoire filled with frilly nightgowns and old prom dresses for all of our princess dress-up needs. My cousins and I spent many nights in the creaky brass bed, giggling & whispering ghost stories until granny came upstairs to shush us. Of all the memories in that room, the most important to this review is an old shelf that hung on the wall above the bed. It was filled with the most beautiful bottles of forgotten perfume and cologne. Half full and sticky with perfume oils, the blended scent from those bottles is stamped into my mind. Florida Water reminds me of that shelf in the best possible way. I adore this scent and only wish that it lasted longer. Somebody should work on that for me. :D

I use this all the time in my spiritual practice to cleanse a space and reset the energy. I have a scent association with this now: I use it to take back my brain from anxiety and protect from negativity. To me it's a gorgeous aromatic citrus fragrance that is super high in alcohol. I have used it before as the base for other fragrant oils, and I include a few drops in my essential oil diffuser from time to time. I've also used it as an accelerant when lighting spiritual fires. On a non-spiritual note: I particularly enjoy the soap, and it's the only thing that cleans my makeup brushes adequately! I used to think this had no sillage or longevity, until I wore it out once, and a woman two seats over from me at a concert complemented my perfume, and asked what it was. Living in the SOUTH, I wasn't about to be fully honest with a stranger about my spiritual practice...so I just said, "Oh it's something I whipped up in the kitchen with some essential oils..." She was very disappointed I couldn't direct her where to buy it. LOL

@ aura-therapy: I wouldn't let that bother you too much... Cultures from all over the world use scent for rituals, generally to convey a notion of cleanliness and focus... Christianity has used incense for these reasons at least as far back as the Byzantine era (circa 300 CE/AD), and there is little doubt that these practices were directly adopted from pagan practices in the Mediterranean and fertile crescent regions. likewise, the pyxides found in Persian paces often contained resinous perfume. Lemon and citrus notes, because of their acidity, have been associated with hygiene in the preparation of food and drink for centuries. Hoodoo ceremonies using Florida Water probably picked up the idea from Voudon (voodoo), which would have been just as likely to have adapted such practices from French Catholicism as from African Shamanism. I cannot imagine why, in any case, one would feel prejudicial against a scent just because of a religious practice born out of the culture of those who survived slavery, but to each their own.

Love, love, love Florida Water. I was so happy to find it being sold in Walgreens during the holiday season. This is so cheap but it does not smell cheap at all. The composition is perfectly done, sweet citrus, musks, florals, gentle and sparkling and uplifting. It's soo zesty, really like citrus peels and juice and goodness. Sure, it doesn't last long, but that's not the point. It actually lasts at least like 2 hours for me after I splash it on, and honestly, that's all I need from it. I was bathing in this during the summer, it made me feel soo much less like a stinky pig and more like a refreshed, clean, elegant Southern Belle. I always think of Scarlett rinsing her mouth out with this in Gone With the Wind (or something like this) and probably liberally using this to survive hot humid summers in Georgia. It's perfect for that, love it. Makes your room and closet smell great, too!

A quarantine test buy for me. I've wanted this for a while especially since it's so cheap. It's not a super strong performing scent but it did last longer than I expected according to the reviews. My sister said it reminded her of Sedona, AZ, which honestly makes sense. Sedona is known for its crystal vortexes, many of the crystal shops in town sell incense and herbal remedies. It wouldn't surprise me if some of the people there also used this cologne the same way spiritualists and witches have been for decades. I definitely get the Haribo Happy Cola vibe, to me it smells like a coke with lemon. Room temperature more of the spicy clove comes out and cooled in the fridge it's more bright sparkling citrus. The first day I tried it I was wearing Britney Spears Fantasy, and let me tell you Florida Water is lovely layered on top.

I must defend Florida Water! First of all, it banishes evil spirits. But it also puts me in good spirits....I find it refreshing and tonic. It is, of course, citrus and spices in a splash, often used for cleansing, bug bites, sticky skin in warm weather.... But I love its initial light citrus and pleasant spicy dry down. It is light enough that I can splash a little on before I go to the grocery store without worrying about giving my checker a headache. At same time I feel clean and can pick up a faint reminder of the scents I like myself. There is no cloying sweetness, no vanilla, no amber, no musk, no chemical "fresh smell"...just a fresh whiff of citrus and spice. I can buy a bottle for under five dollars...(the bottle and label charm me and sit on my bathroom sink).

This is as essential in the oppressive heat and humidity of Florida summers as sweet tea and shade trees. Florida Water absolutely captures the essence and nature of Florida and the West Indies in a bottle. Brisk lime and citrusy-floral neroli combine with licorice-like verbena and Jamaican pimento allspice to create a clean, refreshing Caribbean elixir that smells familiar, comforting, and fresh. I always have a refrigerated bottle for a pick-me-up on those sweltering, slow-moving July and August afternoons. It works miracles when poured generously over a wet towel and wrapped around your neck or draped over your head. It's a must have that I can't do without. Grab a bottle for the hottest days of the year ...you'll be glad you did!

Effervescent, historical, and utterly calming. I use this less as a a perfume and more as a day to day palate cleaner. A fresh, crisp splash to uplift my spirits and clear the space around me. Sometimes I feel like certain batches are more neroli forward, however the scent of Florida Water to me is always a wet orange blossom with cinnamon and fresh aromatics. I keep a splash bottle at my desk at work, and a spray bottle at home and while I travel. This works great as a toner (or even hand sanitizer) in a pinch, and it evokes so many beautiful memories for me! I’ve used it for over a decade and it truly is one of the most calming and refreshing aromas.

i use this in my spiritual practices, a lil' bit when mopping/shampooing carpets, on bug bites, after showers... there's a reason florida water is such a staple lol. beauuutiful layering potential with other tropical scents or even warm, cozier, and even spicy scents. citrus reminiscent of loose leaf earl gray... orange blossoms in bloom over head... feels like you're being handed limonade on a warm summer day. if there's any criticism, its that the smell doesn't last particularly long and its not super punch you in the face noticable, but that's kind of the point when i use the product as versatile-y as i do.

Florida water is a gorgeous spicy, fruity, and clean scent. Additionally, this fragrance has a wonderful spiritual background. In the African American practice of Hoodoo, slaves would use whatever they could find to practice their homely religons. Florida water was used for cleansing the spirit, along with psalms. I believe many barbers use it as well. My best friend adores this fragrance on me. I like it because its clean and makes me feel good. You can use it sparingly in laundry, as a pillow mist, etc. Everybody needs to experience this historic fragrance at least once!

I cannot describe exactly what it smells like; it almost reminds me of a fresher/greener cola? Unfortunately, it can be pretty weak/short lasting and there really isn't anything comparable with better sillage/stay powder. I have found that transferring the liquid into a separate spritzer/spray bottle greatly increases the longevity, especially if sprayed on clothes or hair ( I will spray it in the morning even on a hot day and I can stil smell it on myself at the end of the day). Doesn't feel masculine to me at all, true unisex if not a little feminine.

I'm a southerner. Our summers are cloyingly, oppressively hot. It's the only thing I will often to choose to wear on such days. Florida Water can cut through that heavy curtain of mascara-melting humidity like no other. Orange over medicinal lavender spiced ever so slightly with cloves. It's an old scent, an heirloom scent. It isn't fancy; it isn't high-end. It's a porch-sitting, sweet tea-sipping scent. And it's incredibly economical and versatile. I use it in mop water on my kitchen and bathroom floors, just for the clean scent. Truly a staple.

Smells similar to Outremer Cola. It does remind you of a soda drink in many ways. You will need to use more than usual. As citrus scents are not that bold on their own. Overspray it. It isn't that expensive at all. I put them in empty cologne glass bottles so I can spray it. As it came in a splash bottle. When budget dictates alot then try this. Want the polar opposite of this scent but still low cost? Bogart One Man Show Oud Edition. Less than $20. That is a synthetic Oud leather scent. Also try Outremer Cola. It too is not expensive

I use this for spiritual purposes as well as fragrance. it isn't a powerhouse by any means but that's not what it was created for. it's a beautiful aromatic fresh burst - cleansing and uplifting, whilst still very grounding and warm. I adore the smell, and I adore it as a spiritual tool for cleansing stagnant energies, as part of rituals and everything in between. the history of this cologne is so fascinating too if you're into researching this kinda stuff :))) 15/10 will never not have a bottle in my possession!

I discovered this scent this past summer and I will continue to buy this for the summer months. I live in Georgia so the summers here are rough ya'll! You need a 24 oz+ water bottle to stay hydrated and this is just to run errands. I love this! It's so light and fresh. I definitely smell orange blossom and cinnamon in this. My only complaint is that it doesn't last long at all. You have to keep reapplying it. All in all this scent is so wonderful. Amazon sells the soap as well so I think I'm going to try it.

I love this scent. Refreshing, sweet citrus and herbal notes that remind me of Happy Cola candy. Sillage is low, but I think that adds to its utility–in addition to splashing it on in the morning, I pour a little into the bath, or run it under the tap when I'm handwashing clothes. For a two hundred-year-old cologne, it doesn't seem dated at all, just a fresh, classic fragrance that smells good on everyone. I can't imagine ever getting sick of it.

A cologne without the thin lemon edge I hate - a miracle. Like other reviewers, in summer I keep this in the fridge for a quick spritz to cool myself down and carry a small spray bottle in my bag. It's good for winter too, as the clove keeps it from being too chilling. It's cheap enough to use as an air freshener, with a fresh orange-clove scent, which ruthlessly eliminates all other smells and then disappears within five minutes. Brilliant.