Beyond Paradise for Men (2004)
by Estée Lauder

Beyond Paradise for Men is essentially a green-tinted, fruity/woody composition in the manner of Cool Water and Green Irish Tweed, though more obviously floral in its heart than the former, and drier and more herbaceous than the latter. It’s also distinguished by a peculiar luminous quality that pervades its structure, the result, I assume, of some potent synthetic base notes that I cannot identify. It’s a nice, upbeat, casual scent, but having worn it for a while, I’ve come to find it disappointingly bland. In this crowded field Yves Saint Laurent’s Jazz, the grand old Grey Flannel, and especially the lamentably discontinued, (though still available) Rochas Globe all offer far more by way of depth and character.

A well made, and expertly balanced fragrance, that ticked a lot of the requisite boxes for a winning formula. However, despite its many virtues, wearing Beyond Paradise was never a terribly engaging experience,and found it lacking in soul and character. In some ways, it was overly polished and a touch contrived. The opening did manage to provide a sweet and fruit laden accord that never became cloying or excessive, and this basic character remained for the duration of the fragrance. The subtle freshness provided by the floral presence in the middle notes ensured that the working phase felt soft and and reserved, which added a slight nuance on the original theme. I really wanted things to kick on and for Beyond Paradise to thrill and delight me, but it petered out, and nothing in the base notes could save it from a rather drab end. There is no doubt that this is an interesting product, but I find it hard to get passionate about it.

I have tried this on at department stores numerous times, but I can't get past the initial shock of a cat urine-like stench. It does dry down to a more complex composition, but there is that feral sub-odor that repulses my olfactory sensibility and makes me gag. This scent is a cross-blending of beauty and depravity, intended for the Dr.Jekyll and Mr.Hyde-type personality. Beyond Belief is what I call it. What were they thinking?

Smells like rotten fallen citrus fruit, very disappointing.

I cannot think why this horridly cheap and nasty concoction achieved 5 stars in The Guide. This would be acceptable for a cheap shower gel or deodorant but that is about it. I am totally puzzled as to why The Guide would so wholeheartedly praise something so pedestrian. Cheap cheap cheap.

I fell foul of Luca Turin's notes for this one. He's clearly having a practical joke. Either that or it seriously doesn't work on my skin.

Soapy and cloyingly sweet, and hideously juvenile. To me it's the equivalent of a white tracksuit and baseball cap.

...And I bought two bottles.