Escada • Margaretha Ley • Fragrances

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*TOP REVIEWER* prettykitty1 on 3/2/2012 4:47:00 PM more reviews by prettykitty1

Age: 36-43   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette, Straight, Medium   Eyes: Other    

After seeing all the wide-ranging reviews, I was so excited to get my hands on a sample vial and satisfy my curiosity about this scent.


On my skin, Margaretha Ley is a subtly sweet, powdery fruit like the smell you get from a freshly torn roll of SweetTarts candy. The dominant fruit is peach. Underneath, there's a hint of warmth and spiciness. This spiciness could very well be interpreted as cumin, curry, or BO by some people--hence the poor reviews by the haters.


I'm no fan of those objectionable notes either, but having smelled some cumin-y fragrances that are far more intense--Annick Goutal Songes, Amouage Jubilation 25, L'Artisan Safran Troublant, and Worth Courtesan, just to name four--I find that the smell of Margaretha Ley is quite tame in comparison. It's much softer than any of those four fragrances and (at least on my skin) unlikely to be interpreted as BO. It's more on par with Annick Goutal Le Mimosa, where the musky, cumin-y note is subtle and not as dominant.


But whether I love this scent is a whole 'nother story. I think I like it well enough for a cold winter day, but in the blooming heat of summer, it could very well be a risky fragrance to attempt in a crowded room.

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elnvk on 11/19/2011 8:37:00 PM more reviews by elnvk

Age: 19-24   Skin: Other   Hair: Other   Eyes: Other    

Lovely soft luxurious fragrance........ I've had total strangers in waiting rooms say "Someone smells great!".....when I profer a wrist they ALL say "Oh! That's it....what is it? It's wonderful!" It's very feminine . Floral and vanilla..... a little carnation and peach, too.......... I have worn it for better than 15 years,, it never changes, it's always a favorite. A little hard to find, but wonderful

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jardines1 on 3/23/2008 6:15:00 PM more reviews by jardines1

Age: 44-55   Skin: Combination, Fair   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Medium   Eyes: Hazel    

I recently met my daughter for a shopping day. When we hugged "Hello", I could smell something very unpleasant on her--OMG, was it possible? She wafted of B.O.--really strong B.O., too!!!! Not possible!!!! My daughter is a very clean and hygenic-conscious person. So what was that stench???? Escada Margaretha Ley, that's what it was!! GAH! Horrible Bog of Eternal Stench!! Needless to say, it was the last time she wore that acrid goo!! Enough said!

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*TOP REVIEWER* verolyn on 10/25/2007 12:13:00 AM more reviews by verolyn

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Hazel    

It went on smelling exactly like Charlie Express, which I used to drench myself in back in 8th grade. No good. The instant fruit blast "dries" out quickly, leaving something vaguely musky and a little ashy smelling on my arm. I'll pass on the chance to relive my awkward stage.

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ukleder on 8/11/2006 6:42:00 AM more reviews by ukleder

Age: 36-43   Skin: Sensitive, Fair   Hair: Brown, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

I'm shocked by the negative reviews. This is a gorgeous musky scent that is very seductive and something I'd wear at night. It is a classic perfume that is just another example of a wonderful original Escada scent. I buy it over and over again, and it always gets rave reviews when I wear it...especially by men!

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*TOP REVIEWER* kandiceplain on 6/3/2006 2:22:00 AM more reviews by kandiceplain

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This has got to be the worst Escada scent, ever. It smelled so gross that I washed it off right after applying it, and immediately got rid of it. I wouldn't even give it to my little cousin who loves my "left over" perfumes. Gross, Gross, Gross.

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magnificent on 4/7/2006 7:27:00 AM more reviews by magnificent

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

My review is for THE CLASSIC ESCADA by Margaretha Ley!!! Escada's first fragrance. Red/gold packaging. Smells exotic, floral-spicy, warm, creamy, elegant and very feminine. I cannot smell coconut in this well-balanced and special scent, but I detect tuberose (...tuberose smells a bit like coconut). For my nose Escada classic is just perfect & ultra-feminine. It's a deep and very complex symphony. No other fragrance smells similar to this unique concoction. - Year Introduced: 1990.
Scent Type: Floral - Oriental.
Top Notes: Bergamot, hyacinth, peach, coconut.
Heart Notes: Orange blossom, jasmine, iris, carnation, frangipani flower.
Base Notes: Vanilla, musk, sandalwood.

"Escada is the signature fragrance developed by Margaretha Ley, the supremely elegant international fashion designer from Sweden, who was widely noted for her inspirational use of vibrant color.
Escada borrowed its name from a champion Thoroughbred whose name is Portuguese for "staircase." With its smooth blend of fresh fruits, orange blossom, jasmine, and sandalwood, the floral Oriental scent is versatile enough to be worn during the day, yet sophisticated enough for the evening.
The complex scent is presented in classic Escada design: a voluptuous sculpted glass heart, topped with gold-colored filigree swirls, nestled in Escada red packaging. Let it capture your heart. "©
- Scent Profile by Jan Moran author
Fabulous Fragrances II © 2006 -

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*TOP REVIEWER* missamerica32 on 12/1/2005 12:22:00 AM more reviews by missamerica32

Age: 19-24   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Brown    

This is strong, which is how I like my scents, but I am just not totally sure that this scent is for me. It smells like something my Grandma wears, (not necessarily a bad thing, b/c she smells good.) I like the scent, but am still trying to decide if it's for me.

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*TOP REVIEWER* star811 on 6/25/2005 9:50:00 PM more reviews by star811

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination, Fair-Medium, Warm   Hair: Black, Straight, Fine   Eyes: Brown    

This is one of the worst fragrances I've ever smelled. What can I say about it that hasn't already been said? It's old and stale smelling; so much so I couldn't smell it for more than 2 seconds to try and see what was beneath that nauseating note of bitterness. This is worse than my grandma's perfume.

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onmycue on 3/9/2005 9:09:00 AM more reviews by onmycue

Age: 36-43   Skin: Normal   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Blue    

This is a juicy floral and gives a hint of what later Escadas will become--definitely on the way to tropical and sweet. It certainly has good lasting power, though. I'd probably like it a lot more if I were sitting on a beach sipping an umbrella drink, but it just feels out of place in the snow. It can be found regularly at TJ Maxx and Marshall's.

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*TOP REVIEWER* monicako on 7/7/2004 9:00:00 AM more reviews by monicako

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

When i first had a sniff of this on my wrist, i experienced the worst, musty and expired perfume smell i have come across.. It had a smell worse than cheap red wine that had gone off.
I recently had another spray of it and that stench is somewhat weak now..i don't know what happened but it doesn't smell like something dead anymore.
Originally i gave this 0 lippies.. now i'd give it 2 for being ordinary but not something i'd wear. I still don't like escada perfume bottles. They look rather tacky in a bad way. But overall, this perfume is sweet florals with sandalwood and some powdery notes.
I think it was the sandalwood that condensed in the nozzle and caused the stink.. so when you get a bottle of this stuff and you get an awful smell on first application... spray it through about 10 times and it'll get better.

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7Out7 on 5/23/2004 5:56:00 AM more reviews by 7Out7

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

I find this an enchanting and interesting floral with top notes of bergamot, hyacinth, peach and coconut, mid notes of orange blossom, jasmine, iris, carnation and frangipane, base notes of vanilla, musk and sandalwood. One of the very few edt's that do not disappear on me in two minutes. I own other Escada products, Ibeza Hippie and Sunny Frutti, etc., that are lovely and go poof! in a nanosecond. Margaretha Ley will stay around well, growing warmer as it bonds with skin and I always get asked what I am wearing by people who get close enough to admire it. I have a 3.4 ounce jug of this stuff, so although I would buy it again it will take me forever to get through it.

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greengold on 2/26/2004 6:25:00 PM more reviews by greengold

Age: 19-24   Skin: Combination   Hair: Red   Eyes: Brown    

This is absolutely nothing special. I would not buy this again.

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aprilbella on 2/4/2004 3:39:00 PM more reviews by aprilbella

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

All I can say is PHEWWW!! I got this by accident (meant to get Ecsada Collection).....and as soon as I opened it, I got a headache. Would give it a ONE if Youth Dew wasn't around, and this is one step up from YouthDew. Pheeewwwwwwwww!!!

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Kyahgirl on 12/22/2003 4:08:00 PM more reviews by Kyahgirl

Age: 36-43   Skin: Dry   Hair: Brunette   Eyes: Blue    

This is a rich floral that is neither cloying, heavy, or sharp. I really love it for daytime wear. Lush but light is how it comes off on me. The notes I’ve read for this fragrance are different from the ones I’ve seen in “The Perfume Guide”. The ones from the book say top: bergamot, hyacinth, osmanthus, and mandarin. Mid: tuberose, orange flower, ylang-ylang, jasmine, and carnation. Base notes: sandalwood, vanilla, orris, frankincense, myrrh, and cedar.

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*TOP REVIEWER* hontapocasgreen on 10/8/2003 7:12:00 PM more reviews by hontapocasgreen

Age: Unknown   Skin: Combination, Tan, Warm   Hair: Black   Eyes: Brown    

I have been wearing this for about 9 years now. It was my signature fragrance of 1994. It turned the heads of men then as it does now. I was hoping Escada Acte 2 & Sentiment would have turned out as equally as nice for me. Unfortunately, it didn't. This scent does last on me all day long--even the edt. While I dont wear it as much as I used to, I do put it on occasionally for a lighter scent (on me).

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bossfan on 8/25/2003 11:41:00 PM more reviews by bossfan

Age: 30-35   Skin: Combination   Hair: Brown   Eyes: Hazel    

I love this fragrance. I agree with how the others have described it. What I like about it is it's staying power. Many fragrances fade fast on me, but this one stays with me all day.

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*TOP REVIEWER* violet978 on 5/24/2003 8:03:00 PM more reviews by violet978

Age: 30-35   Skin: Oily, Fair, Warm   Hair: Brunette, Wavy, Fine   Eyes: Blue    

another TJ Maxx special for 13 bucks.
i am really pleased with this scent, it's very sweet but not cloyingly so, and quite subtle, i think it is a skin scent imho.
it is somewhat complex (the list of notes is huge) but i do not smell coconut as other reviewers have mentioned. this scent is too complex to describe, i do think you should try before you buy.

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*TOP REVIEWER* cinnamongrrl on 4/27/2003 11:25:00 PM more reviews by cinnamongrrl

Age: 30-35   Skin: Normal, Fair   Hair: Blond   Eyes: Green    

Classy, sophisticated scent on others, hellacious sweetness overdose on yours truly. Really wanted to like this, as I am drawn to scents with coconut, but it just isn't compatible with my chemistry. Sigh.

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Miss_Binky on 3/7/2003 4:34:00 PM more reviews by Miss_Binky

Age: 30-35   Skin: Acne-prone   Hair: Red   Eyes: Blue    

Interesting and different-very sweet and slightly musky-the smell reminds me of root beer almost-it has that sort of sweetness-not overpoweringly so tho. In addn, it reminds me of a lighter version of VW Boudoir the end notes after the patchuli in Boudoir has died down. Nice for everyday.

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