Aqva Pour Homme Marine

Back in 2014, when I didn't know much about scents at all, this was the one of the few fragrances that surprised me the most, straight from the cap. I started wearing it all the time because I loved its uniqueness, its bright opening and the dryness of that Cedarwood/Posidonia combo. It didn't just smell remarkable, it was also vessel for an idea, a portrait of sea-waves, memories from long ago. In my childhood I used to watch them all the time, the sea-waves. Standing on rocks, watching them crash and surge. I couldn't get around the fact that this fragrance was capable of bringing me back to that feeling in an instant. Alone, once again, contemplating the sea. To be able to carry a bit of that salty breeze with you throughout the day was truly special, slightly nostalgic. I was sad to hear they no longer make this, but I was recently able to get a pre-owned 100ml bottle from 2010 that feels like the real deal and I am going to cherish it for special days to come.

A lot of fragrances are branded as "aquatic." This is the first I've tried that I'd say really lives up to that label. There's definitely a hint of breeze off the ocean in this one. You can smell the salt air, the seaweed, the sand, and you can almost hear the seagulls overhead (I do miss living on the ocean). Certainly this is a beach/gym wear kind of scent. Not that you can't wear it to the office, as there's nothing here to offend anyone in the carpool, elevator or tight office space. Absolutely no way this will be off-putting for anyone or aggravate anyone's "sinus condition." This is a very basic, very simple, neroli-forward fragrance, like Tom Ford Neroli Portofino, Van Cleef & Arpels Neroli Amara, Guerlain's Neroli Vetiver, Floris Neroli Voyage. All of them have this kind of bright freshness to them. They aren't sexy at all, just enjoyable to wear, and for me they're kind of a mood lifter. If they draw any notice at all it's the sense that you just showered.

This is really crisp and fresh with a rich and spicy opening aquatic opening that I really love. Reminds me so much of d & g light blue for men I actually had to compare the notes and thy have most of them in common. This one has a dash of green, they’re calling it seaweed but it’s cleaner and fresher than that. The seaweed in maine is half rotten, dank, and kinda reeks of iodine. I don’t Get any of that ‘charm.’ This also has a touch of ‘blue’ calone molecule but not overwhelmingly so. Overall I like this a lot, and a touch better than the dolce because it’s lacking a dry floral note that I didn’t ask for, presumably the rosewood note in the dolce light blue. A bit redundant to have both but I still love wearing them both, though dg has more persistent dry down.

Today I'm heading over to the house of Bvlgari to take a look at a discontinued fragrance: Aqva Marine. Previously, I had the pleasure of reviewing another fragrance from the same line, Aqva Amara, and I was genuinely surprised by how much I appreciated its scent profile. Like Aqva Amara, Aqva Marine proved to be quite a challenge to procure. While it is currently available on platforms like eBay, it typically commands an exorbitant premium. I was not prepared to pay such a high price for it, but as luck would have it, I serendipitously came across a bottle on sale at a Perfumania that was a bit out of my way. Now let's get into it and see if Aqva Marine can pick up where Aqva Amara left off.

As someone who grew up in the Caribbean, spending ample time on surfer beaches and marinas, the Bvlgari Aqva Marine fragrance holds a special place in my heart. It manages to capture the essence of those authentic coastal environments, where the scent of washed-up seaweed was a constant presence. This nostalgic element resonates deeply with me, evoking cherished memories of my upbringing. Aqva Marine's inclusion of the seaweed note not only adds a touch of authenticity but also transports me back to those raw, unfiltered beach experiences. It's a fragrance that speaks to my soul and offers a truly unique olfactory journey.