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Is there such a thing as an oriental aquatic?

post #1 of 27
7/13/10 at 11:29am
Thread Starter 
A bit of an oxymoron I guess - oriental being defined by warm, spicy, amber and aquatic being defined by cool, airy, water notes...

However, I guess I don't imagine a cool scent per se, but rather a warm oriental scent being cooled off by a salty, marine note. Imagine an ocean breeze in the near east or middle east...

Is there any fragrance that gets close to this idea in your book?
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post #2 of 27
7/13/10 at 11:41am
It's not an oriental aquatic, but I like Opium pour Homme Eau d'Orient for a fresher take on an oriental.
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post #3 of 27
7/13/10 at 12:21pm
The one spicy aquatic that comes to mind is Rochas Aquaman. No amber, but definite spice and aquatic accords.
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post #4 of 27
7/13/10 at 12:23pm
Kouros Cologne Sport
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post #5 of 27
7/13/10 at 12:25pm
  • KMF
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Salvador Dali - Laguna

That's the closest thing I can think of...
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post #6 of 27
7/13/10 at 12:26pm
I think many would place Geir and Laguna in that category.

PS - this is my least favorite of all scent categories. Aquatic chemicals and overblown vanilla/spice? No.
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post #7 of 27
7/13/10 at 12:44pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the answers.

I can add that I'm not a great fan of aquatics such as Bvlgari Aqua. However, I do like the more salty variety like Erolfa or Sel de Vetiver that may not be classified as aquatic but still brings my mind to the ocean.

In short, I'm more after a certain feeling/imagery, than I'm after certain notes or olfactory categories so feel free to suggest whatever comes to mind!

As for Geir, I don't get any oriental feeling personally, and it might be the most overrated fragrances here in my opinion - if there was ever a generic fragrance...
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post #8 of 27
7/13/10 at 12:57pm
A couple more spicy aquatics:

Oxygene Homme.
ST Dupont Essence Pure.

As to salty, perhaps:

Heeley Sel Marin.
Annick Goutal Eau du Sud is definitely salty, but a salty-citrus, more than aquatic. But it might be of interest.
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post #9 of 27
7/13/10 at 3:49pm
What about Kenzo (Kenzo Pour Homme Fresh) or L'Eau Bleue D'Issey pour Homme. Haven't tried either, but it would make sense to me that an oriental aquatic would begin with a Japanese fragrance designer.
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post #10 of 27
7/13/10 at 4:06pm
Montale's Embruns d'Essaouira, something I've been wanting to try for a while, mainly becuase it is so disliked! Iodine, sandalwood, resins and musk.
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post #11 of 27
7/13/10 at 4:15pm
kenzo pour homme smells like salt oceanic water. It's not oriental but it's a sexy aquatic scent.
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post #12 of 27
7/13/10 at 9:41pm
Carolina Herrera Aqua.
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post #13 of 27
7/13/10 at 10:23pm
  • Zgb
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Hugo Boss Elements Aqua - oriental fougere or aromatic woody fragrance that is actually wet, if that's possible!
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post #14 of 27
7/13/10 at 11:20pm
  • MFJ
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Try Montale's Sandflowers (Briny, sandy floral).
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post #15 of 27
7/14/10 at 12:06am


DNA for Men by Bijan is a oriental fragrance for men. DNA for Men was launched in 1992. Top notes are caraway, lavender, mandarin orange, bergamot and lemon; middle notes are cyclamen, ginger, fir, gardenia, pepper, jasmine, west indian bay and geranium; base notes are leather, sandalwood, tonka bean, amber, patchouli, musk, benzoin, oakmoss, vetiver, incense and cedar.
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post #16 of 27
7/14/10 at 2:52am
Perhaps Tommy Bahama.
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post #17 of 27
7/14/10 at 6:54am
I think you'd like Dune for women - I don't know the masculine but the feminine is absolutely unisex. It's definitely an oriental at heart with tons of amber plus sandalwood, benzoin, musk and vanilla, and although many would argue with me and say it's just bone-dry, I say it's also got a decidedly aquatic element. It's a masterpiece of contradictions (warm and cool, wet and dry, salty and sweet) and one of my five-star favorites, especially for warm weather....although it performs beautifully when it's cold out, too!
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post #18 of 27
7/14/10 at 7:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMF View Post

Salvador Dali - Laguna

That's the closest thing I can think of...

I agree
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post #19 of 27
7/14/10 at 7:38am
Fougeres Marines is pretty mainstream for a Montale, and doesn't have many fans here, but I like it.
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post #20 of 27
7/14/10 at 7:45am
Quote:
Originally Posted by derekp View Post

Fougeres Marines is pretty mainstream for a Montale, and doesn't have many fans here, but I like it.

One of the better aquatics, with a definite herbal aspect; not really salty or spicy in my memory though.
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post #21 of 27
7/14/10 at 7:50am
One more realistic aquatic to consider. Laura Tonatto's Oltre. Here is an extract from foetidus' review:

Salty and oceanic. Ms. Tonatto has accomplished such a true-to-the-sea marine scent without the synthetic notes that occur in so many other marines scents. Oltre is sharp and maybe even harsh and astringent, but those qualities are capable of speaking the character of the sea.
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post #22 of 27
7/14/10 at 10:17am
Thread Starter 
I might have messed up this thread - the starting post may be a bit misleading - probably because I'm not very good at classifying scents.

I don't look so much for a light, fresh, aquatic scent with a vanilla/sweet/spicy base - as in a combo between Bvlagri Aqua and Le Male - I don't know many of your suggestions but I think Hugo Boss Elements Aqua would fit in here.

I'm more looking for a dark, oriental scent with a cool and salty element - as in a combo between Opium and Sel de Vetiver - if that makes any sense at all?
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post #23 of 27
7/14/10 at 10:24am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scentsitivity View Post

One more realistic aquatic to consider. Laura Tonatto's Oltre.

I wanted to try this badly, but it's been discontinued. :-(
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post #24 of 27
7/14/10 at 10:28am
I don't think an oriental/aquatic has been done before but it can be a unique, intriguing challenge and concept.

A top and heart notes phase consisting of a marine-herbal accord ala Kenzo Pour homme or Erolfa but then landing on a rich luscious lutens or guerlain-like base would be something I will be interested in. It will also draw in french perfume and oriental snobs who look down on aquatics in general..
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post #25 of 27
7/14/10 at 10:43am
I have to agree with Salvador Dali's Laguna Homme. It was my SOTD yesterday and it's the epitome of the genre you're looking for. Nice sweet and salty thing going on. I don't always think to reach for it, but when I do I often get compliments from women. I really like the design of the bottle--very cool looking. Also, Laguna Homme can often be found pretty cheap. It's not super complex, but it's good stuff. I imagine this would be perfect to wear to the beach.
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post #26 of 27
7/14/10 at 11:01am
Thread Starter 
I will have to try Laguna, that is clear I'm also very curious about Opium Eau version, since I like the original but found it too cloying in the drydown... I will try some other suggestions here as well...
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post #27 of 27
7/14/10 at 11:22am
I have this Montale made for the Arabian market, Aragon, definitely an aquatic oriental. Ozone and spice and everything nice. Too bad I hate acquatics...
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