Essential

Paul Smith was the first 'designer'fragrance I ever bought and I must admit, I'm really impressed by this. Obtained a full bottle off ebay for an absolute silly price below £10 without even knowing what it smelt like and now, i'm spraying it for fun and really enjoying it. Initial spray got me a little worried, but 5 minutes later and as it started to dry down, I'm just surrounded by a lovely deep woody fragrance and (what must be the) ozonic notes giving it a real bit of character. It's not ground breaking or earth shattering different, but it's already had a decent compliment in the office and lasted a full day on my skin. It's not like you can still pick it up in store or from Notino.....but if you do see a bottle online, grab it It's an ideal spring/summer scent for the 30 - 50 age group who appreciate a classic, fairly masculine scent.

Tested this one in a retailer and fell in love with it so decided to go back and buy a bottle to my sadness that i couldnt find a single one anywhere. Was told discontinued by everyone but theres loads still left online so got myself it asap, this smells devine after a shower and its quite cheap so i can spray many times Very nice fragrance 8/10

I love this fragrance. I love the way it evolves when I am wearing it. I just enjoy it so much Paul Smith rules.

It's spooky how much this smells like Gucci Guilty. It must be a dupe, not sure why Paul Smith needs to do that but anyway, If you see this around for as cheap as I got it for and you like Gucci Guilty, take 3 bottles to the register pay for them and laugh your ass off all the way home having just won for the day. That said, pretty much only ever seen it a couple of times in the wild so presumably this fact is widely known.

I brought a 30ml 'Essential Paul Smith' from Chemist Warehouse for $24.99 (AUS), (June 2026), and although it is nice, it's quite generic and smells similar to the Gillette fragrances. Overrated and but ok for the price.

The Opening Very similar to Gucci Guilty Pour Homme, But the dry-down is more pleasant & slightly Sweet woody scent!

Dear, oh Dear! Just when I thought Paul Smith had sorted his act out fragrance wise, he releases this banal, drivel of a scent. I thought getting in the perfumer he did on Portrait would spark a glut of cool, interesting releases...but sadly not. Paul Smith Essential is a soaped up, messy composition which to me is stingy and harsh in the opening and for a good hour or two before a vaguely more pleasant drydown. The effect is clean and not dissimilar to Gucci's excuses for a men's line...but somehow cheaper smelling. Not a bad move I suppose, because men will continue to buy these fragrances and I will continue to moan about them, inevitable really? Like the movement of the planets or the tides...this was set in motion long before I was around and it's sure to go on long after I'm gone. Sorry to be so down on this fragrance, I expect if it was a new release from an unknown house I wouldn't be so hard on it. I just expect someone as creative as Paul Smith to strive for more when associating his name with a fragrance. Probably still sells and I expect that's why he's the millionaire designer and I'm some faceless internet gimp, moaning about scented water. Still... Worst fragrance ever.

Way too sweet, and in a harsh way at that. This is an in your face scent with no sense of modesty or refinement. Smelling this is like someone pinning you down and pouring spicey orange syrup up your nose. I work for Paul Smith, but will not be recommending this to anyone, even if it means less commission for me. An attempt at a clubbing scent gone horribly wrong. 2/10.

Apparently I found something different in this one. A massive fan of Portrait, and Sunshine, I liked this for its subtle fruitiness. I got a lovely note of melon which is rare in fragrances I usually like. I am far from being a purist in fragrances and see myself as having an eclectic taste, this appealed to me and people ask what it is when I wear it, so it must spark something in them! It's not a popular one, but one I'm glad I have... to offset the more mainstream frags out there. Paul Smith has got a small victory in this one... seeing as it appears to be just me that likes it!

Well this is an interesting one. Despite all the negative vibes surrounding this juice, I find it's smell & performance pretty similar to that of Gucci Guilty Pour Homme, which just happens to be one of my favourite fragrances. Perhaps a tad more synthetic, but still a dupe nonetheless. I may buy another bottle should I run out of Guilty & happen to be strapped for cash ! :P

I don't understand the hate for this one. It's a pleasant woody scent, maybe not groundbreaking or essential, but nice and sophisticated, perfect for spring or autumn. Good longetivity and silage, and really nice quality bottle. No need to wait for an extreme or intense version, this is all you need. A keeper!

I can't say I'm particularly inspired by these notes or this packaging. Paul Smith is such a dynamic and creative fashion house, what's up with this *DULL* bottle and package design and seemingly copycat fragrances!?! Please get it together with your frags, Sir Paul!

An absolute, 100% copy of Gucci Guilty Pour Homme. Fresh and synthetic. Times of good fragrances as Paul Smith London or Story or Extreme are gone. Now we have just clones...

Waiting for "Essential Intense" or "Essential Extreme" perhaps concentrated as EDT Intense or EDP. As of now, I'm not impressed with this new stock!