Insense Ultramarine by Givenchy

Very fresh, spicy and cheerful; it reminds me of the original Kenzo: that blend of watermelon, melon and the salty sea. What a shame they’ve discontinued it, just like the classic Insensé; two lost treasures.

It started like a slender wooden trunk on a pier with foul smells of algae and stagnant water, mixed with a sweet fruity note. A curious and unique scent, but useless for anything other than attracting attention. It seemed the three phases hated each other and sought out the worst. Fortunately, it’s discontinued and we can no longer endanger public health; the idea was good but the result was a Frankenstein.

It was once one of my favourites, but no longer… not because it’s bad, but because I know better fragrances. I love the opening; few captivate me so much at first. Then it shifts to notes I also like, but in the end it smells very synthetic and I detect tobacco, something I don’t like which smells like cigarette smoke on clothes. The longevity is good on skin and clothes, but the projection is low to medium, very intimate. Ideal for heat and daytime. It smells good but very synthetic; don’t buy it blindly, it doesn’t suit everyone.

Axe Marine with used socks.

Although it’s the current, reduced version, it’s an intense fresh fruity floral, with nothing of Acqua di Giò or Zara. It’s a nineties classic that remains current and enjoyable. The scent denotes quality, has evolution and is well constructed. It looks like a mid-summer scent, suitable for both cold and heat, spring or summer, even sharp. This is more than a mere freshie; it has its own weight, it’s Givenchy. With this scent you’ll please, it’s for mass appeal but well executed. Masculine, informal and with good performance and price. I think there’s a good scent here to discover, to give it justice before it disappears, something like the Cartier ones that are already missed. Discover and try it. Kenzo Pour Homme EDT is different: it has a fresh, aquatic and green darkness; they aren’t as similar as people say. That other one is also a nineties icon.

The first time I tried it, straight from the bottle, it didn’t say ‘Givenchy Paris’ underneath and I thought it was an imitation due to its synthetic opening. I showed it to my colleagues at work, and although they knew it would be negative, they all liked it. I wore it for a few days and my perception improved; it is very original. If your surroundings smell like One Million or Invictus, Insensé will make you stand out and earn compliments. It is neither vintage nor brand new, just original and unusual. Givenchy always makes good perfumes and this is no exception.

This IU is a flanker of the original Insensé, already discontinued, and I don’t find much resemblance between them. Perhaps it was one of the first aquatic, rather than marine, perfumes to emerge. I met it in the late 90s, liked it, and used up the 50ml bottle. Now, with a sample from the early 2000s, I notice it has been reformulated and performs worse than the original. It has a pleasant, summery, fruity aquatic opening without pretensions, followed by flowers that blend well. The base maintains the aquatic character but becomes denser. Good performance for a summer perfume: 7-8 hours with a good trail for the first two hours, then skin scent. I believe it is masculine due to the heart flowers (valerian and carnation) and the base. Absolutely summery, suitable for day and night. A good perfume that accompanied me through memorable summers.

The first perfume I bought several times. Today it seems dated, but it remains good. Fresh, marine, floral, fruity… if all that. The opening is unisex, but over time it reveals a more masculine and slightly woody character. It is a perfume that changes throughout the day. I recommend it even today in 2024, but there is no harm in trying it first.

I used it since I was 13 or 14. I had the exceptional luck of a beloved relative gifting it to me. A marvel. Despite what I say, it is not for such young boys; it is too much for someone who barely understands the subject. It is a fresh, exquisite fragrance. I have bought it several times; roughly every five years, I have had about seven bottles. At 40, I still consider it exquisite and unique, perfect for summer and spring. It suits all ages from 18-20 upwards. Ideal for daily life, totally versatile: office, beach, countryside, city. Formal or informal. Performance typical of an EDT, decent.

A perfume with an interesting aroma. Although it is not my style as it leans heavily towards floral, the truth is it smells quite good. The only thing I can criticise is that it does not have very good performance, at least according to my experience.

To me, it smells like a marine floral; it reminds me of Kenzo Pour Homme, but Givenchy makes it fresher. The iris gives it a unique touch. It lasts about four hours and is noticeable for an hour, but given the price, it’s worth reapplying. In my opinion, it should always be in the collection.

To me, it is the best perfume in the world. I have had eight bottles; I have one nearly finished and two in stock (I never run low; I’m afraid they might discontinue it). I don’t like to categorise it; it smells like a room where a baby was bathed while someone ate a watermelon slice. It is fresh, not loud, sweet, softly woody (it doesn’t smell like an old man), unconventional, with a sexy synthetic touch. It doesn’t cause astonishment upon arrival, but rather nostalgia and a desire to leave when you go out.

Synthetic to the point of death. It is one of the worst fragrances I have ever smelled.

Very good. The 90s formula was more concentrated; the current one needs more sprays and is less invasive.

A bath of fresh fruit and roses. Ideal for summer or a walk in the countryside. The unisex touch makes it bold and risky, but there is the charm: feeling masculine and manly even with this type of fragrance. Longevity and trail are moderate. Women love it. Rating: 8.5/10.