Ralph Lauren • Notorious • Fragrances

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*TOP REVIEWER* sucrose77 on 9/24/2008 10:05:00 AM more reviews by sucrose77

Age: 30-35   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

This fragrance is marketed as dangerous and seductive, but it doesn't quite deliver. The opening is sweet fruity-floral, almost aquatic, and the base has a bit of cocoa and that patchouli note that's in so many fragrances lately. It ends up smelling very pretty and cozy, with no rough edges. My husband says it smells like "generic hot chick" and I think he appreciated the change from the more unusual things I wear! I think it's a perfectly pleasant-smelling perfume although not something I'd fall in love with.

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josie24 on 9/23/2008 11:00:00 PM more reviews by josie24

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

I absolutely agree with the previous reviewer, in that the combination of topnotes (bergamot, cassis, cocoa) does smell much like classic Coca-Cola, fizz and all! I, however, happen to like it -- maybe out of some sort of nostalgia. Like a comfort food, this is a comfort scent. On my skin, it then goes through a rather musky stage as it dries down, which I am not crazy about. Then it settles into a sweet, somewhat gourmand but somewhat earthy scent. Unlike the "femme fatale" image RL appears to be going for, this fragrance seems to me more like a casual, cozy scent perfect for fall days. Will I repurchase? Not sure, because Notorious has very poor staying power. After an hour or two I can barely smell it. So, I will just re-spritz every couple hours, enjoy the fizzy topnotes, and appreciate my small bottle while it lasts.
EDIT: This ended up being too musky in the drydown for my personal taste. Those who like musk should try this, though.

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paulamarie on 9/21/2008 3:58:00 PM more reviews by paulamarie

Age: 25-29   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

When I sniffed this it reminded me of something familiar. I had to think about it but eventually it came to me. Coca-Cola! I swear it smells just like regular Coke. Which you can get for a lot cheaper than this stuff. Still, who wants to smell like cola? Not me.

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Sheepie1813 on 9/20/2008 11:40:00 PM more reviews by Sheepie1813

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Hazel    

I am so torn on this ... let me try and do my impressions through the drydown.

At first, I think I spritzed a lot more than I did the first time and it smelled a bit tangy-metallic to me, which isn't my favorite impression! Quickly, though, I did get a foodie vibe! I suppose it's that chocolate flower thing that's in here--not chocolate, but a type of flower, which I've never smelled in real life but am now quite interested in finding! Then, it quickly switched over to a spicy, muskier scent, And back to chocolate. This bounced around for about 5 minutes on me, and it was really quite interesting. I really only get the floriental after a few hours.

What I didn't like so much about this is that the floriental drydown is that one me, it smells like basically just another riff on Obsession, which no one really needs, since we already have the original and the new Secret Obsession, which I haven't smelled yet, but EVERYONE's heard about the ad *scandal,* soo. Plus, I strongly associate Obsession with my Dad (he's worn it since I was quite small). RL, we don't need the same perfume over and over. And I hate the idea of flankers. It just seems like such a cop-out to me.

If this could have retained that interesting flip-flop aspect, I definitely would be more interested. It smelled, actually, a bit like Angel but without the BO note that I always pick up. Notorious is a perfect example of the problem with the dept. store perfumes: they want to be different, but in the end, it's the same old same old. So sad.

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rena10 on 9/19/2008 5:18:00 PM more reviews by rena10

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Brown, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

THIS... smells like a 70 yr old women type scent....it does not smell good for a women in her 30's or 40's. THIS ...stinks and my boyfriend is 41 and told me this smells like an old lady, don't wear this! I agree! ha! never will buy sorry!

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Mulvehill on 9/19/2008 3:19:00 PM more reviews by Mulvehill

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

I really like this fragrance. I was in the mall looking for a new scent for the fall and this one really stuck out. I had also tried D&G the one and the new prada and versace and this one for me, was much nicer than any of those. It is soft, described as a floriental but strong enough to make an impression. I am suprised that people aren't liking this more, i really am.

**** I just had to add how surprised I am at the "old lady" smelling comments in regards to this scent - I just don't get that at all from this. I guess when i think of old lady scents, i think of things like red door some of the Lauder scents. I dunno, I guess you have to try it out for yourself but i am dumbfounded at those comments.....

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*TOP REVIEWER* spikester on 9/15/2008 10:56:00 AM more reviews by spikester

Age: 44-55   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

I had mixed feelings when I first smelled it but thought I would wear it a day to see how it wore on me. It never grew on me. On me, it has a very strong lemon and peppery smell. I didn't find that attractive at all and I couldn't wait until it wore off.

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lauriebeth on 9/15/2008 12:50:00 AM more reviews by lauriebeth

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Medium   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Other    

Very pleased...It is a heavy fall scent, alot like Safari toned down, & much improved. The top note isn't as pleasant as the dry down, so it settles well. Not a day scent, but I'll be wearing this afterhours all fall/winter.

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