The Rodriguez press machine describes Narciso Rodriguez Essence Eau de Parfum as a “floral powdery musk” with iris, rose, benzoin, amber, and musk notes. It is marketed as a daytime scent that is both clean, like “liquid sunshine”, and sexy. Superstar perfumer Alberto Morillas created it. The sales associate who gave me a sample of it said that in her training on Essence, she learned that unlike some brands that target their scent to a targeted slice of perfume buyers, Essence is suitable scent for everyone from teens to senior citizens.

So, what kind of fragrance is sexy and clean and suitable for you, your niece, and your grandma? The answer: a scent that smells like a hot steam iron pressing a linen dress that had been stored with a sachet of dried flower petals. Essence smells of the metal of the iron, the steam, and the distant impression of a jumble of flowers too mixed to pick out just one.

For a while this is perfect, especially if a whistling-clean fragrance is what suits you…

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