Lola by Marc Jacobs

Powerful and bold scent for women who know what they want and don’t beat about the bush. Although it’s said to contain vanilla and tonka bean these are almost imperceptible on the skin; what dominates is that herbal red rose with plenty of geranium. The trail is wide and the presence is striking.

The best perfume I’ve ever smelled. I don’t understand why they stopped producing it; it was the only one where people stopped me every day to ask what I was wearing. Marc Jacobs Lola… Unbeatable.

It was a perfume I loved to wear, and it hurts that it’s no longer produced. It’s rare, captivating, heavy, mysterious, and super feminine all at once.

I was tidying my house and suddenly when I looked up there she was Lola on my fragrance shelf. A bottle that being so vulgar and childish with that poorly made flower on the cap ends up being charming. It smiled at me as I remembered it was a gift from my ex-boyfriend (now husband) back in 2010. On getting closer I saw the last few drops dying. I honoured them with the four sprays that remained. The scent was exactly as I remembered: very musky rose petals a ripe pear and a slightly synthetic touch. Compared to today the use of pink pepper is very timid barely making an appearance. It’s a floral-sweet scent without being cloying; the geranium gives it a touch of darkness that makes it more mature which is why I enjoy it more now than 11 years ago. I lost it for about 7 hours with a moderate trail. I consider that Lola was a good attempt that didn’t quite deliver everything. Although discontinued some can still be found. Lola: we lived lovely moments and this brief reunion was beautiful but ours is now a closed chapter.

I bought it on promotion the 100ml bottle full of promise. I used it only once. In my life I had never smelled anything so strong and cloying. I gave it to my aunt and forbade her from using it when she came to visit; it looked spectacular on her. A bad experience for me.

Definitely for me the rose scent predominates; it’s soft floral feminine and cheerful. A perfect fragrance for everyday wear.

Lola surprised me by catching my attention. The Marc Jacobs line isn’t always the best, but Lola suits me perfectly. I love its blend of pepper, roses, pear, tonka bean, and vanilla; on my skin it has a slight sweetness. It seems comforting, warm, coquettish, and sensual. I recommend it for autumn and evenings, ideal for going out with friends or informal gatherings. Longevity and trail are moderate. 7/10.

I’ve never been convinced by Marc Jacobs fragrances; they always seem to prioritise the visual and conceptual over olfactory quality. Lola is the perfect example: a blend of fruity and floral notes so ‘girly’ it feels made for a Disney short. It smells like freshly dressed salad with plenty of pink pepper and an acidic rose note reminiscent of vinegar. While some see it as mature, I find it ultra-childish. It’s not elegant, but it is fun. If you’re looking for something similar but better executed, try Nina Ricci’s Mademoiselle Ricci. The trail and longevity are moderate; in summer, it’s barely noticeable unless you douse yourself in it, which affects the value for money. Nothing new from the brand, though Decadence might promise more.

In one word: flowers. I bought it to step out of my vanilla comfort zone and find something versatile for school, gym, or night. Upon spraying, there’s a floral explosion! However, there’s a tickle in the nose from the pepper. The alcohol is strong, and the pepper adds a salty effect. It suits girls aged 15 to 20, yet the pepper lends maturity for the 40s too. It loses points for being boring; it smells merely of chicken broth. Light trail, moderate longevity. I wouldn’t buy it again: it’s pricey, and Marc Jacobs doesn’t excel in perfume quality. The bottle is gorgeous, but the flower smells of plastic or petrol, haha.

Horrendous! I didn’t like the pepper note at all. It smells like an old lady, and besides, it has a chicken soup scent.

I love it, but the pepper is noticeable. A guy told me it smelled of ‘chicken broth’, something salty. The bottle is beautiful and I like it very much. I should try it again.

I adored it. A different, uncommon scent—neither sweet nor too fresh. Magical. I don’t detect the pepper; instead, I smell roses and pear. It sits wonderfully on my skin.

Lola and I are a love-hate relationship. I love Marc Jacobs as a designer, but he hasn’t impressed me with perfumes so far. With the name “Lola”, I expected something coquettish and playful. On my skin, it smells of pepper, a bit of carnation, and, at the end, salad (??). It’s not unpleasant, but it’s odd. Later it becomes floral and fruity, but that doesn’t convince me to buy it. If it doesn’t work on my skin, it’s not worth it for the final scent. The bottle is confusing: I hate the flower colours but like the idea of the flower-topped cap and the purple. Its trail and longevity are very good. It suits all ages and is easy to wear. I won’t buy it, especially given the price, when there are more Marc Jacobs options. I hope others try it; I think it’s worth it. My chemistry with perfumes is always confusing.

Lola and I share a love/hate relationship. I adore Marc Jacobs as a fashion designer, but perfumes don’t impress me. I thought I’d love this perfume out of curiosity and the name ‘Lola’, expecting something coquettish and daring. On my skin, it smells of pepper, slightly of carnation, and in the end, with the other notes, it takes on a salad-like scent (?). It’s not unpleasant, but it’s odd. Later, it develops a more agreeable, floral, and fruity aroma, yet that doesn’t convince me to buy it. If it doesn’t work well on my skin, it’s not worth it solely for the final scent. The bottle is confusing: I hate the flower’s colours but like the idea of the floral cap and the purple. Its trail and longevity are excellent. It suits all ages and is easy to wear. I conclude I won’t buy it, especially considering Marc Jacobs’ price and the abundance of their other perfumes. I hope others try it; I believe it’s worth it. It’s not the first, nor will it be the last time my chemistry with a perfume is confusing.

“Lola, Lolitaaaa!” I loved it. Ideal for girls aged 18 to 26: university, first job, nights out with friends. It’s soft, feminine, and with a touch of elegance. I can picture a pretty, extroverted girl surrounded by people. I wouldn’t buy it myself, but I like it. I agree with Arantxa about everything except the bottle, which isn’t for me. My mother, who is over 55, suits it well, so it’s a bit of a mix: youthful yet mature. On my skin, I notice the pepper, but my nose detects more rose, geranium, acidic pear (from the grapefruit), and tonka bean. It’s a youthful scent with a mischievous twist, perfect for everyday wear.