Reviews of Photo (1990)
by Lagerfeld

A run-of-the-mill herbal fourgere (with out the oakmoss). It lasts a good while. Is quite herbal in the opening but quickly turns to a fruity smell that remains throughout the drydown. It's good but too generic. This is a "hello, I am a cologne" fragrance spoken in a Ben Stein voice but again, this does smell good.

too stiff and woody, mix this stuff with brut and youv'e got yourself a great scent

Photo is nice fragrance. It is quite traditional — I see it as a classic composition that has been reduced in strength, perhaps to fit the modern tastes. Its citrus / lavender opening is quite well done—lively, bright, clean — one of the more attractive openings of its type that I have encountered recently. The mid floral notes are nothing to write home about, but they are solid and presentable, and I don’t think they are overly aggressive or overly feminine. I find the drydown surprisingly good, and, contrary to some others’ experiences, I also it is quite long lasting. I can catch its sillage six hours after application. Photo is a good choice for a light classic fresh fougere — well-constructed, very good aroma — traditional and reliable. It’s certainly not exciting but it performs very nicely — basically spray and forget about it. I want that in a fragrance once in a while.

Way too ordinary for my tastes, too much of the typical "men's cologne" smell. That said, there is something in the mix that reminds me of photography - maybe film, or maybe the fluid you use to develop film (a smell familiar to me from high school shop class). Or maybe I am imagining that due to some sort of olfactory self-fulfilling prophecy (a sort of "it's in the name, so I must smell it" effect). Not bad. Just not anything that yells out "buy me."

On me, this starts very powdery, which I don't like all that much. But soon enough it dries down to a much more floral scent, which is very pleasant. Sadly, it only lasts about 2 hours on my skin, which is quite a shame for such a nice dry down. The not-so-special top notes and short life spawn grant this one a neutral review from me, it still is good though.