L'Eau Serge Lutens

This is a review for the 2022 version. I have not experienced the 2009, although word on the street is that they’re the same fragrance. I rather doubt the validity of this claim, but again, I wouldn’t know. I cannot understand the amount of vitriol this fragrance has and continues to receive. Yes, there are a lot of fragrances out there with a similar profile that last longer and/or are more affordable. I even own a few of them. But there’s just this deeply satisfying but undefinable “SOMETHING” about L’eau that I can’t resist. Whatever that something is in L’eau, I find myself actually thirsting for the scent of it the way my body would for a draught of cold spring water, especially in summer. There’s a very addictive “hot pressing iron”quality in L’Eau. It’s not unlike the similar and equally addictive “hot metal” smell in Baccarat Rouge 540. I’ve tried many of the scents that are similar in style to L’eau, and I have so far found none that contain the same addictive quality. I wish I knew what that particular ingredient or accord in L’eau is. It remains a mystery to me, and I simply must own it. I love wearing L’Eau when I feel I need a break from the olfactory warfare being waged on my nose, and I start smelling a strange chemical “sameness” to current fragrances. As well as being a beautiful scent, a week or two wearing L’Eau presses a reset button. It’s a curious irony that it takes a scent to help my nose process scent, sort of how smelling coffee beans is supposed to do the same. This juice is the best in my collection at helping me feel joyfully zen. Clinique Happy, Elizabeth Arden Sunflowers, Armani Acqua di Gioia, Versace Bright Crystal Parfum, D&G Light Blue, it doesn’t matter. Nothing else I wear smells as crisply ironed and “put together” like this. Spritzed upon my skin still damp from the shower, I feel myself stand a little straighter and feel more focused and centered. If a business suit required a scent, L’Eau is a perfect choice. You may not have your sh*t completely together, honey, but no one will know that because you’ll smell like you do. You’ll smell like the old 1980’s Enjoli commercial, a woman who brings home the bacon, fries it up in a pan, and never, ever lets you forget you’re a man. Baby, you can do anything. 🤗 Starts with a burst of citrus, aldehydes and hot metal/steam underscored by a crisp aromatic pepperiness. L’eau then settles into a soft clean musk with a touch of sage, fresh brine and sweet powder. This is a scent that is solidly unisex, and would smell great on anyone. When I wear it with the accompanying scented body lotion, I find L’Eau lasts about 4 hours before I feel I have to touch up. For a freshie scent, that’s fairly respectable, given that fresh scents are notorious for fading quickly. Not a beast in terms of projection, this scent is perfect for work and anyplace where you might be in close quarters with others. However, L’Eau is also very enjoyable at home while sipping hot tea, reading a book and rockin’ some comfy pj’s. Can’t be without my L’eau. If it weren’t so expensive, THIS would be the one and only fragrance I’d wear to work. As it is, I can barely afford Starbucks.💸💸💸

Clean and musky. An absolutely beautiful fragrance that keeps things simple.

Nuclear freshie to give MFK a run for his money. Similar to Le Perce Vent

How can something so weightless be this tender, this beautiful? I laughed; there’s no way I’ll love this; and then I kept returning, nose to wrist, again and again. A hush of musk: soft, ethereal, pristinely clean. You’d have to bathe in the bottle to make it speak, yet I’ve fallen for this downy, heaven-light veil. I, who love perfumes that shout, have lost my heart to a whisper. Tag(s): tender, pure, clean

Clean detergent like scent intended for when you want to be truly minimal with your scent wear. The main players are mint, clary sage and aldehydes. Also present faintly are traces of citruses, magnolia and synthetic musk. The unisex scent has soft to moderate projection and longevity. Not intended to be a show stopper, this is a calming discrete scent for hot weather officewear. Enjoy!