Ralph

Ralph is the typical shower fresh, clean cotton t-shirt type fragrance that the bottle colour alludes to. I first discovered Ralph during a really hot spell when I was living in Edinburgh, I was wearing Cerruti 1881 which, whilst lovely, was very cloying in the sweltering heat, so I wandered off to Boots to look for something better suited to what felt like the Scottish tropics. I first sampled Eternity Air which was newly released and exceptionally refreshing, but because I was working with a budget, I couldn't afford it, I then tried Paul Smith Extreme Woman, which was peppery and fresh, but there were no bottles on the shelf. I was about to wander off to TK Maxx to try my luck there when this blue bottle caught my eyes, I sprayed it onto my wrist and it was exactly what I was looking for! Clean, freshly showered and wearing a clean cotton t-shirt fresh with a sporty aquatic edge, I bought a 50ml bottle and used about half of it within 3 weeks! Ralph, does have a bit of a synthetic tinge, but I cannot discredit it for that, its very affordable and smells fresh and clean, perfect for daily wear, office, gym, etc etc, its very easy and inoffensive to wear. Longevity is ok, but not the best, I can get about 4 hours from 5 spritzes, but it did mean that I could enjoy the refreshing opening when I reapplied it later in the day. Apple, freesia, some citrus and an unlisted cotton flower note are very prominent in this. Totally genderless and timeless as well, I wear it during times of olfactive fatigue as well sometimes due to its light nature. Ralph is an olfactive memory for me, its the scent of a a period and place in my life which was a big milestone for me and whilst I don't always wear Ralph now, when I do it always takes me back to Edinburgh during that time, I love it!

Man, I missed this scent. I tried Ralph for the first time in the summer of 2000, when a bunch of brand reps were giving out free sample vials at the Backstreet Boys Millenium tour stop at Starlake Ampitheater. I was 10, and I loved it so much that, towards the end of the night, I asked one of them if they had any extras. She must have given me at least 20 vials. I wore them religiously up until I finally ran out in high school. I begged my mom for a bottle for Christmas that year, and wore that up through college. Once I had my own job and income, I probably bought at least two more bottles before I decided it was time to move on to some other scents. I have always been a perfume nerd, and I wasn’t wearing it nearly as often as I used to, since it felt very much like a childhood fragrance due to how long I’d been using it. But, recently, after years of letting the last few drops in my last bottle languish on the shelf, I finally picked it up again. It had long since gone bad, so I grabbed a new bottle in the hopes that it hasn’t been reformulated. To my great surprise and joy, the new bottle smells identical to my memory of those little vials from 26 years ago. It’s still a fresh, clean, summery scent with a tangy sweetness and a generous dose of greenery. It’s an EDT, so it isn’t particularly long-lasting, but that’s perfectly fine with me since I usually like to switch my scent in the evening anyway. I feel like, as long as this baby is on the market, I’m going to have to keep a bottle on hand. I may not reach for it daily, but if I ever need to be transported back in time for a bit, it’s a trusty ally.

I was feeling extra nostalgic and found myself obsessively craving a BOTTLE of this. Not a sample or even a splash mini, I needed an entire bottle to get the full effect of spraying this all over, the way I did back in high school and my freshman year of college. In spite of inwardly knowing that I had long outgrown this scent and fragrances like it, I couldn't help myself and bid on a used bottle. (Spoiler alert: I won!) The opening is fresh and sugary, very fruity in a crisp, clean way, with an interesting (if not synthetic) undertone of "pretty flowers." Definitely freesia. Super girly. Then it gets much sportier as the fruit burns off, and for a while this is a pleasant, dated little ditty, inoffensive and perfect for casual day wear, freshly showered, jeans and t-shirt, hair in a ponytail. Only young teenagers can get away with wearing this to be fancy. It's not immature, but it's underwhelming and sexually sterile. Also, it has a bitter metallic after-bite that sticks in the back of my throat and gives me the impression of eating ink, like those hyper-pigmented purple gumballs you get out of the machine for 25 cents. The dry down is acceptable. Nondescript chemical musk. I wish I got more of the iris. I know why I enjoyed this when I was younger, and I feel like it set the stage for some of my preferences in adulthood. These days I tend to gravitate toward more natural smelling blends, with a little more depth and intrigue, a little more sex (it's true), and less freesia. So much less freesia.

Oh, Perfumites! Little Perfume Champions! Too long it has been since I last was able to spend a considerable amount of time on here; writing and reading fun and helpful reviews! ANYWAY! Let us proceed to the gorgeous olfactory wonders of "Ralph". As I've mentioned previously: I am a Trash Person (Mentioned quite a few times previously, really). I have also previously mentioned how I have neglected Ralph Lauren perfumes in the past. NO LONGER! Thanks to this perfume (recommended by the *amazing* GinCatsBooks - go read all their reviews)! This has captured my heart. This is the true fresh, floral, summer perfume I have been holding out for! That constant pretty, fresh scent is sweet. Of course, we thank the combination of osmanthus, magnolia, and - surprisingly - a restrained freesia! This floral combination just screams FRESH PRETTY SUMMER! SOAK IT UP! The apple here is gentle; never harshly zesty. Same with the mandarin. Allows for the fruit to mingle and be a sweet, juicy fruit salad rather than a mouthful burst of sour. Boronia, folks? A very pretty, small, fragrant pale-pink/purple flower. Fun fact: A flowering scrub that is most commonly found in Australia - You're welcome, Perfumites - *wink*. Mix that with a soft musk and white iris, and you have a very fresh, pretty, floral feminine scent that has surprisingly decent longevity! Jesus, and isn't it refreshing! My GOD - I can't wait for summer where I'll be spending some schweet quality time with my friend, "Ralph". *** Kitty rating: 9/10.

Ralph, like many others, is the grandchild (or great-grandchild?) of Debbie Gibson's "Electric Youth" (and to a lesser extent, fragrances like Coty's wonderful "Tribe"). Introduced in the late 80's, Electric Youth was the first true fruit-bomb scent. And unfortunately because of the slew of IFRA restrictions implemented since that time, it's difficult to see how a scent like Electric Youth with its insane bombastic performance could happen again. So we have to settle for releases like "Ralph", which is pretty terrific. And of course the wannabees like Justin Bieber's "Girlfriend", Avon's "Wink", Escada's "Rockin' Rio", etc... I'm not going to go as far as to say Ralph is the pale shadow of Electric Youth. Truly it is unfair to compare the two considering the restraints put on the fragrance industry as a whole. But it certainly lags behind. Still, it's quite acceptable. Basically what you're getting is a pleasant swim in a bowl of fruit punch (whereas with Electric Youth, you got a fruit laden Hiroshima-like explosion, followed by the sensation of getting beaten in the face by a bag of watermelon candies). It's girlish, lovingly obnoxious, youthful and fun. If the sitcom "Saved by the Bell" gave off a scent, this would be it. Highly recommended. But not for folks who are only into super-sophisticated affairs. Ralph is a portrait of a thirteen year old boy-crazy gossipy junior high school student as seen through technicolor lenses.

Edit: I take it all back! It must have spent enough time in the dark in my closet because the note that bothered me is completely gone. I get it - Ralph is beautiful and fresh without being too sweet, great longevity, good sillage. I love it - perfect for summer and most daytime events.The longer it’s on the better it smells! I have been charmed by fresh, pretty scents lately. Easy to wear and enjoy, I appreciate their versatility. I have to say that the first hour of Ralph does not sit well with me. There’s a note in it that I also find and dislike in DKNY Be Delicious when it’s first applied. I wish I knew what note or combination of notes it is. I’m leaning toward apple and a green note that reminds me of bamboo. Ralph eventually settles into a nondescript fresh scent that lasts about 4 hours and sticks close to the skin. It was a blind buy - so many freshie lovers love it, so when I saw it at Ross, I got it. I put it back in the closet to sit a little longer to see if it or my perception of it improves. For my money, there are much lovelier fresh scents that perform far better than Ralph.

When I mentioned to the perfume counter employee my preference for this perfume, she scrunched up her nose and told me she thought it it smelled like detergent. Barring the negative press, I bought a bottle anyway ... I will admit to being intimidated in the world of scent, and I easily capitulate to people I deem more experienced. She tried to sell me on a bottle of Gucci Bloom, which I also like, but this fragrance, for me, is where I find the courage to be myself and stand up for what I authentically enjoy. This is a *YES* fragrance I reach for time and time again. It’s fresh, easy, sweet, not overbearing or gloomy. It’s breezy and bright. It’s casual but sophisticated. I love it without permission, legitimacy or explanation (other than the one I’m attempting here). For me, Ralph is a classic like white button-down shirts, linen fabric (both formal and casual—dress up or down), tartan plaid and Oxford shoes. Hmmm ... oddly enough, I guess that’s what you would expect from Ralph Lauren 😂 I would say it’s pretty true to the brand! Classic brand, classic scent.

This perfume reminds me of my teenage years. My grandma treated me with this perfume as a back-to-school gift for my freshman year in high school. When I first used it in school, I remember one of my classmates asking if she could test it on her. When a visiting cousin saw my travel set, she asked for the shimmer lotion which I regretted giving away. Haha. I don't see any reason why someone would dislike this perfume. I think that this is such a classic scent and can be unisex. I think this is better and more unique smelling than other classics (D&G Light Blue, Clinique Happy). The main accords listed here are very on point. It is very fresh without smelling soapy or like laundry. It is also floral and citrusy but not too green and screechy. The blend of all the notes also give it a marine and aquatic vibe without smelling too masculine. It is very pleasing to smell from initial spray all the way to the dry down. I think it lasts and projects well both on skin and on fabric. I also think it does very well despite me having an acidic body chemistry.

This is such a nostalgic scent for me. It was basically my signature back in my teens and early 20s, and so reminds me strongly of that period. It was the first scent I picked for myself, after “sampling” it on one of those “scratch and sniff” magazine adverts, and I fell head over heels for it. I’d basically shower myself in it after lunch before I sat next to my crush in English class. It smells like the best, longest, summers of my life. In terms of scent it’s clean, fresh, lightly floral, a tiny bit fruity. Not really aquatic, but somehow watery. The musk and iris are very prominent in the base. It projects well for a little while when freshly applied, but on the whole it’s a quiet, gentle scent. I will probably always love it just because it has such strong memories for me, but it’s also an easy go-to that doesn’t require a lot of thought. I don’t wear it nearly as often now, but it’ll always have a place in my collection.

This perfume reminds me of the horse girls. I mean this in the sweetest way possible. I feel like every horse girl I knew growing up always wore this fragrance!!! Makes me miss my old, horse obsessed friends. Such a throwback. Makes me think of old, sweet friendships of when we were all girls together. This perfume smells very lovely. It smells clean, soapy, aquatic. It smells like the Suave Kids watermelon scented shampoo from the 2000s. It smells very juvenile, fresh, hip, and fruity. It smells like cutting red fruits and running through the sprinklers at dawn. Like running barefoot through the morning dew, knowing you’ll come home to a pitcher of kool aid and some grilled cheese sandwiches. I know it’s very graphic, but I love describing the feelings that perfumes evoke for me. They all tell a story. The story of Ralph by Ralph Lauren is a very beautiful one. Will 100% be purchasing this for my daughter someday.

Years ago I gifted my sister a dupe of this perfume. It was 6$. I loved it so much that I would sneak into her room and spray some on myself. I couldn't afford perfumes at that time so I couldn't see myself getting the real bottle. Fast forward to 2021, I recognized this bottle at the store and I had to get my hands on it. I figured it would smell better than the dupe. Tbh, I really love it. For a fresh scent, it is very strong and sharp. Some days I love it and other days I can't stand it cause it makes me nauseous...Could be the apple leaf note. It is a perfect scent for summer. It reminds me of a strong shampoo. This one could definitely get you compliments cause it projects... not too much but enough to get someone to notice it. By the way, I am an "oversprayer" I don't mind reapplying perfume during the day, but for this one, I barely have to reapply.

Got it as a gift. I like to wear it while doing sports, especially in the summer season. Can be well combined with body lotions which smell like ocean or freshness (e.g. Victoria's Secret Aqua Kiss Lotion, the mist of which does not have a good longevity, so Ralph may increase its value). inspiration in words: "I observed her playing tennis one afternoon at sunset, at the hotel where I was staying for vacation. She was so energetic and constantly active I spoke to her with all the braveness I had. The rest of my vacation was very promising. Every sunset we drank cocktails, rode bikes, and lay on the sand smelling the waves. The sun is sweet, the palm trees like tattoos. In winter, I can still smell everyhing and immediately transport myself to the dimension of summer".

Every single time I wear this and go out a man ALWAYS compliments my fragrance. I’ve had a guy pull out his phone and buy it on the spot for his girlfriend. Just today when I went to the store the manager was assisting me with finding an item and he literally started shaking his head with pleasure saying “I’m so sorry, but you just smell so good. Wow!” Honestly, it surprises me all the time because this fragrance is a simple clean smell. Lol. Nothing ‘sexy’ about it to me, but apparently it is for men. This will always remain in my collection because of how clean and easy it is. But I’ll be honest.... If it was not for the compliments I get on this perfume, it wouldn’t have made it to my favorites. Lol.

I remember my sister’s boyfriend bought her a bottle of this back in 2004. She didn’t like it & gave it to my mom. I remember loving it, I was in high school. It smelled so good, fresh, aquatic, especially during that time in the summer. My mom stored it in her purse and one day she found that the entire bottle leaked empty in her purse :( I was so sad because she never even used it. Fast forward to today, I had to purchase a small bottle for memory’s sake, it’s also still nice. Just have to wear it in the summertime though I did wear it the other day to work. Funnily enough, my mom complimented me & said I smelled nice & sweet. I think she remembered the scent.

This fragrance has been worn by one of my best friends since she was a teen. She is now in her mid-30s and she still loves it. She embodies this scent. It’s all I’ve ever smelt on her. I saw her not long ago, during the winter time. It was cold and wet, this fragrance gives that fresh clean person aesthetic to ANY day of the year. It may remind you of sunnier/warmer days ahead but don’t be fooled that this is only suitable for spring/summer. A year round fresh clean scent that uplifts and is inoffensive. I agree that this scent is not too sweet or too flowery to be worn by masculine identifying people who want to smell delicate and fresh and clean.

Clean, fruity-fresh, and slightly musky. But, it's clean in that "American girl" way - where a fresh, sporty musk predominates as opposed to floral or oriental bases. The musk keeps it slightly interesting, but it will never get more complex than that. It kind of dates itself, knowing that young ladies really used to smell like this (at least here in the U.S.) - in contrast to the 2010s, where they smell like marshmallows and flowered caramel. It's a picture of yesteryear's definition of "basic" vs. today's. Not a disgusting change per se... just fascinating to see a bygone, but not *that* far away (right?), time captured in a bottle.

This is a classic. I remember as a child I smelled this from my friends mom’s perfume collection. It smelled so wonderful on her. It smells so wonderful out of the bottle as well. For whatever reason, whenever I sprayed it on myself, it either didn’t last or I went nose blind to it, so I never ended up buying a bottle for myself. Whenever I see it at the perfume counter I have to sniff it, and when someone else is wearing it, I instantly know it’s Ralph and I just adore it... I think I may just need to get a bottle since it’s clearly left a lasting impression on me...maybe it will work for me now.

A wonderful signature summer scent. Ralph is feminine in a very sophisticated, serious way. Differs from the traditional sweet, floral fragrance. This stands out because it channels masculinity in its feminine nature. It's super refreshing, crisp, and clean. You can really smell some green apple, citrus, and some floral notes. This is a great fragrance for anyone who wants to make a good impression, especially at work. It is versatile and can also be worn for a summer party or a fresh, springtime event. Smells good on a rainy or a sunny day. I love it and it's a staple in my perfume closet.

This was my signature scent for YEARS. It is so nostalgic and reminds me of my teens and early 20s. This was easily my biggest compliment getter. Has a great spillage, people would always walk past and say "wow someone smells amazing", and it would always be me ;) Can't wait to get my hands on another bottle. Unfortunately with inflation, the price point has gone up again but this perfume is worth every penny. You will absolutely not regret blind buying this fragrance. I'm trying desperately to find a similar, more mature scent that doesn't break the bank but I can't!

I think this is much longer lasting than it's given credit for. I have a friend who wears this exclusively, occasionally layering it over Bath and Body Works Freesia lotion and either way it lasts forever on her.. Like all day long with decent sallage. I think the musk in the formula may cause olfactory fatigue in some people. As for the scent itself. Think Apples and citrus with freesia and lilies with woods and tons of musk. Smells like a spring day and you've just stepped out of the shower. It's amazing how this one keeps that fresh note throughout the day.