Marc Jacobs’ original eponymous fragrance now seems an anomaly (and of course, Blush is nearly forgotten). Since the massive success of 2007’s Daisy — followed, of course, by her ‘older sister’ Lola in 2009 — it’s all vinyl flowers and sunshine and happy-happy pop music. Dot fits neatly into the family, from the whimsical (and flanker-ready) bottle to the waifish young model to the oh-so casual advertising.

Perfumer Annie Buzantian’s juice is very nearly besides the point — all it need do is play nicely with the “buy me” bottle. Any requirement for surprising and/or edgy and/or challenging has presumably been met by the visual elements; the fragrance itself can settle for pleasant and wearable. Daisy managed this perfectly; even a cranky perfumista like me found it “darned likable”. Lola was fine but I didn’t like it quite so well, and frankly I don’t like this new bottle quite so well,¹ but whatevs — I’m old as the hills, and so Marc Jacobs isn’t after my money (or my opinion) anyway…

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