In 1994, Issey Miyake released a stunning new fragrance for men which was released under the name “L’Eau d’Issey Pour Homme.” It was created by the well-known perfumer, Jacques Cavallier, and launched by the design house at Issey Miyake to be “naturally elegant.”
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With its target branding in mind, the woody aquatic fragrance aimed at being one of the best universal fragrances on the market. Expectedly, it hit its goal right on the mark.
Packaging and Presentation
With L’Eau D’Issey iconic “Naturally Elegant” branding mark, the design house at Issey Miyake worked to create a bottle that would do the scent justice. The carton comes as a tall, rectangular box, with a white and silver color split. The bottle itself comes as a slim, tall bottle with a rounded centerpiece and smooth edges.
It’s got a wonderful opaque silver top and a semi-transparent body to showcase the fragrance in the bottle. The lack of color on the fragrance’s bottle mixes well with the silver on top to create a very stunning look. Mixed with it’s smooth and narrow features, it really brings it’s “natural elegance” to its look.
The distribution of the fragrance is good. It’s a narrow but long spray, great for applying directly to where the bottle is pointed. It applies in smaller amounts, but with its strong aquatic kick, one pump is really all you need for daily use. Once on the skin, it goes on nice and smooth.
It’s got a cool feel to it and mixes in after a couple of seconds of rubbing in. It’s one of the few that are enjoyable to apply, considering it doesn’t linger on the skin or leave any irritation.
Smell
At the time of its release, the ingredients were an unusual, rare mix compared to other fragrances. With its large variety and span of ingredients in its construction, it might not appear as so carefully constructed, despite the careful calculations behind it.
Yet, Issey Miyake best describes the scent by saying its “a waterfall of freshness combined with natural elegance” which best describes the impression of the scent as the wonderful citrus tops combine with the woody undertones to create an aquatic aroma.
Top Notes: Bergamot, cypress, mandarin, clary sage, yuzu, verbena, tarragon, and coriander.
Heart Notes: Nutmeg, saffron, water lily, cinnamon and geranium
Base Notes: Amber, tobacco, musk, sandalwood, cypriol, and vetiver.
Personal Impressions
The universal woody aquatic scent opens with a strong burst of yuzu. It might seem like a lot at first, but eventually, it’s initial kick will settle into a nice aquatic aroma. It sets on the skin smoothly and has a cool feel to it, and I never noticed any irritation.
When it starts to settle, you’ll notice the rest of the top notes, as well as the heart notes, start to bloom. The mandarin, water lily, saffron, and cinnamon really start to mix in, building a really solid base for that aquatic aroma.
My favorite part about this aroma is that, even though it really is like a waterfall in how the scent continually maintains and preserves its wonderful scent, it’s never overpowering. I never felt like I was drowning in the so-called “waterfall”. It always felt like I was watching it from a short distance away, continually flowing. That’s where it really gets its wonderful aroma.
Longevity
Speaking of a never-ending waterfall, the longevity of this fragrance is impressive. I found it lasting even after most or even all of my day was over. Not only does it last that long, but the scent is continually fresh well into it’s wearing. Whether its 6 hours or 13 hours, this scent really manages to keep its aroma feeling new.
Sillage
The sillage/aroma for this fragrance really does it justice. Since the fragrance lasts so long, the sillage is crucial for keeping a manageable balance and not being overpowering, otherwise, the scent would be more annoying than enjoyable.
Luckily, the aroma on this scent has a great balance. I never found it overpowering, yet it was noticeable with its distinct scent. It makes it great for any occasion since it never becomes annoying or fades out during the day.
When to Wear it
Considering it’s cool when wearing, the scent really does well in the warmer seasons, specifically Spring and Summer, potentially Fall for the warmer weather. It does best in the day time, for working hours or casual hangouts. Although it can definitely work for your evening outings as well. It’s a universal fragrance and can easily keep you smelling great for nearly any occasion.
Who Would Like It
Anyone looking for a universal fragrance, L’Eau D’Issey should be one of the first to look at. Although there are plenty of universal styles on the market, this one is a timeless classic that has continued to impress with its versatility.
If you’re a big fan of aquatic smells, this might be one of your new favorites. With a blend of a wonderful citrus and aromatic woody undertones, it’s aquatic sensation is one of the purest.