Battle of Summer Fresh Lines (Aqua Allegoria, Les Eaux, Cologne Forte etc)

[cheapimitation]

I was thinking about how a lot of brands now have a lighter summer/fresh line, usually at a lower price point and with a yearly new release. So I thought it would be interesting to compare and hear people's thoughts on them.

Here are four lines I came up with:

Guerlain Aqua Allegoria
Chanel Les Eaux
MFK Aqua Cologne Forte
Louis Vuitton Cologne Perfumes (I was going to call this their California or summer range, but the website officially calls the line "cologne perfumes")

Funny how many of these have reference to water in the name, I thought about calling this thread "battle of the waters" but thought that could be confusing.

Feel free to add more, make the case for which line is the best and/or what are your favorites from these lines.

 

[hednic]

Caron Les Eaux

 

[whoame]

Hermes Colognes and Jardins

 

[slpfrsly]

Funny how many of these have reference to water in the name, I thought about calling this thread "battle of the waters" but thought that could be confusing.

Tom Ford had its own Acqua line a few years ago.

Acqua di Parma's Blu Med line has a few Forte versions as well, I think?

 

[GWM]

eau d orange verte

 

[cacio]

I have not tried the LV. For the other brands you mention, it depends, some I like though they are pricey for being cologne.
I like Aqua allegoria nerolia vetiver very much, so I may buy it, but nothing else in the line excites me. In the Chanels, I have bought only Paris Paris, a nice rose. In the Kurkdjan, I only have the laundry detergent, which is a totally a splurge.

 

[Ken_Russell]

Seconding especially Aqua Allegoria, several of the Eau d'Hermes as well as Eau d'Orange Verte, Les Eaux de Caron, ADP Blu Mediterraneo among the best fresh lines.

But also adding the lighter, fresher flankers of the TDH, Eau Sauvage and Caron pour un Homme lines, the increasingly numerous modern takes on 4711, same with the lighter summery takes on Azzaro PH Cerruti 1881, same with a few unisex options from Panier des Sens and Scottish Fine Soaps, while also considering the newer Mugler Cologne releases almost completely replacing the initial Cologne.

 

[freewheelingvagabond]

Hmmmm interesting thread ....


Chanels - these smell nice on paper, and all are above a certain minimum that one comes to associate with Chanel. Edimbourg is nice, so is Paris Paris and one of the other two.

Guerlain - only had Herba Fresca (blind buy), and it was too sharp, the musks that is. Not that refined, Heeley's Menthe Fraiche is much better though pricier as well. Haven't tried anything else, but the line gets praised a lot.

MFK - I generally like the Aquas and the Forte versions, but the "Cologne Forte" versions have a synthetic / sharp aspect to them that I don't much appreciate. Aqua Vitae Forte is an excellent perfume, the others are nice as well. Well done fresh florals.

Hermes Colognes - They are quite great, though maybe an expensive treat. (orange and grapefruit)

Hermes Eaus - again, a great line. Very distinctive, yet with that understated Hermes quality. Some aren't so summery.

Hermes Les Jardins - This is a great line, especially the ones that Ellena did. Sur Le Nil is fabulous, Sur Le Toit and Mediterranee are quite excellent as well.

LV - Haven't tried. Very keen to try Afternoon Swim.

 

[CeeTee]

I haven’t tried the Chanels. I’d give it to Hermes JCE body of work. Guerlain’s AA line smells good long enough to tick me off. And what they did to Mandarine Basilic should be a crime. lol (Yes; extremely bitter.)

 

[Nastka]

I used to enjoy Dior's Escale series, but that has been discontinued a long time ago. Escale aux Marquises was my fave.

The Aqua Allegoria range is good, and Bergamote Calabria is a staple at the moment.

FK's offerings are too synthetic for my liking. I bought Aqua Celestia blind ages ago just when it came out (I thought it would be as good Amyris Homme which I like very much), but I barely wear it.

I'd love to try LV's range, but I'm afraid to fall in love with something with an exorbitant price tag.

 

[UESNYC]

Floris Neroli Voyage has distinct marine notes and is ridiculously under appreciated for summer. The nice thing is you can get it in 10ml which is plenty for a couple summers for around $30. Of the citrus scents I have tried it is potent and very long lasting.

 

[hednic]

I used to enjoy Dior's Escale series, but that has been discontinued a long time ago.

They were really nice.

 

[Ken_Russell]

Also happening to second the Dior Escale fragrance range-especially but not only Escale a Portofino-as wonderful scent series with summer/warm weather options.