DKNY Men by Donna Karan

I was gifted this when I was a perfume novice, and at first, its slightly brash opening turned me off. Now that I’ve opened myself up to the olfactory world, I’ve used it again and am increasingly hooked; I might even buy it again. The mandarin isn’t sparkling or juicy; it has a mature, aged sweetness that blends brilliantly with herbal notes and a very masculine noble wood base. It’s an excellent balance between fresh, elegant sweetness, and darkness, ideal for daytime but not for night. A great alternative to typical loud blues or citrusy scents, it’s a darker version of freshness. The flaw? The longevity and projection are very low; if it had those, it would be a must-have. I’ve never used more than 15 sprays, and with normal use, it disappears in no time, leaving just enough for a quick trip to the supermarket or to wear at home where you’re the only one smelling it. Still, it smells so good that even for that use, I want to own it.

The Woman is much better, even for men; it surpasses this in every aspect.

DISCREET, PERHAPS TOO MUCH: The classic Donna Karan scent is simple and uncomplicated; it can verge on being too discreet, but it fulfils its function very well with a soft, pleasant aroma; it will not arouse the interest of almost anyone, nor will you risk irritating anyone with something strong or cloying. This scent gets straight to the point and delivers well. The trail is moderate and discreet, and the longevity could be better, so you will need to reapply during the day to maintain adequate strength. The opening is a discreet citrus, well paired with the ginger which remains perceptible once the fruity notes have faded; afterwards, the woody notes finish off the ensemble and are what remains on your skin. If you like soft aromas but find this too discreet, my recommendation is to try L’Homme Rochas, a discreet proposal with a fruity opening but with more initial intensity and a slightly happier aroma, with the plus of a mystical aura and better longevity. I used this scent in 2004 and enjoyed it quite a bit, but I have not repurchased it due to its discretion and blend, which, despite including wood, I feel is more suitable for people under 25. Recommended sprays: 8 to 12. Longevity rating: 7. Trail: Light. Intensity: Moderate.

I love it. I’m not a huge fan of citrus as they don’t last long for me, but I adore this one, and after a long time, I finally found it. It’s very similar to the women’s version, being the more woody masculine counterpart. Ideal for warm climates or outdoor activities; it’s very cool.

When I tried it a thousand years ago, it seemed like designer bottled insecticide, like the female version a friend used. The samples I’ve been using have changed my impression, and I’m quite interested now. The opening is unpleasant; right after that chaotic citrus of bathroom cleaner, the ivy emerges, very noticeable and delicious. I was surprised to learn about this note. For years, I’ve stepped on and touched ivy without believing it had an identifiable scent. It’s green, like grass, but drier and lower, creamy, plastic-like, like those leaves, veins, and flexible stems you bend without breaking. A malleable green aroma with a spicy, penetrating edge. A facet of the ginger and perhaps something of juniper, not very clear. There’s also something reminiscent of leaves falling in autumn and turning to dust underfoot; they’re weightless, crunch a lot, have a smoky, spicy aroma. Those green nuances and dry leaf facets are what I notice in the opening and development. The rare part comes at the end: the dry-down swears to be white musk and sandalwood with green points, very similar to Creed’s Himalaya. In fact, even that disinfectant-like opening reminds me of it. I’ll continue using samples and consider buying it to experience the formula they sell; I fancy smelling like ivy. I add that in my opinion, it doesn’t resemble Aqua CH or Dolce & Gabbana The One at all.

An ivy with a citrusy aftertaste. I just acquired it at a ridiculous price. I remember smelling it back around 2000-2001, with a certain intrigue and admiration for the bottle. It’s a typical fragrance of that era; it transported me right back to it. At that time, it could compete with Ultraviolet, Boss in Motion… It opens with powerful ivy and citrus notes that give way to maple and sandalwood mixed with ginger. Yes, the ivy doesn’t fade away. It has a certain metallic, salty, or resinous aftertaste that disappears within minutes. It has a moderate trail and life. It’s not a bomb or anything like that, but as Ricardo says in his review: ‘It’s very good for any formal-casual occasion, for going for a walk and visiting shops, restaurants, and galleries’. For this, it’s a very worthy fragrance. It could remind me, in its final phase, of Yves Saint Laurent’s Live Jazz, but this DKNY is quite a bit more potent.

It’s a fragrance that perfectly matches its scent with the product’s design image and what it wants to convey. I was gifted it when I was under 20. I took it on a trip to New York and it carried a very good presence in the lofts, design shops, museums, galleries, and the famous streets of the city, behaving like a true hostess of its New York origin. It’s very good for any formal-casual occasion, for going for a walk and visiting shops, restaurants, and galleries. In temperate climates, and somewhat rainy ones like New York City itself in summer. By no means in cold or hot climates.