Marc Jacobs Essence (2003)
by Marc Jacobs

A delicious creamy buttery gardenia scent that is quite addictive. The musk is not heavy at all and settle quite amicably on my skin. Good sillage and longevity. I think this Essence is a keeper in my book.

I love gardenia, and I really wanted to love my sample of Essence. But I don't. The notes sound soooo lovely: citrus, gardenia, other white flowers, sandalwood and musk... but all I get, from the first minute through the time it fades, is gardenia. Nothin' but gardenia. All gardenia, all the time. This reminds me of Coty Sand and Sable's more elegant sister... but I already own SaS, and it cost $5, and I don't need another gardenia fragrance. I won't be buying it.

I was in love with the buttery yellow bottle, although the bow looks cheaply put together. I quite liked Marc Jacobs Blush as well. This follows on with the very few feminine/demure fragrances that I allow in my collection. I was told that the scent reminded my male friend of "going to the beach". It is a sweet, carefree scent. Somewhat omnipresent but unobtrusive. It wore well when I first tried it - lingering for hours, again with that gentle reminder attitude. It's going to be the scent I wear to the office from now on. It's present enough to attract comments and says to me refined, relaxed and happy. In a way, there are some of the same feelings generated by Burberry Weekend, however Weekend was more like a ponytail, and this is more like a chignon.

I have always preferred musky,ambery scents but Marc's Essence is refreshingly floral and sensual. I loved it. It's definitely the perfume to wear to a party, on a weekend or on a bright sunny day :)

I found this fragrance to be a gorgeous, lush bouquet of gardenia. It is so well done and just lovely. Unfortunately, it does not work well with my skin chemistry. I wish I could wear it.