I have Rive Gauche and the "intense" version too. I have to say I like the intense better are there is a metallic note to the standard, perhaps imparted by the aluminum can.
I am of two minds on this stuff. It has grown on me, but I wasn't a big fan at first. I love classic barbershop fragrances and bought this one blind. I felt it was too harsh and somewhat synthetic the first time I tried it. It was SOOO DRY. I'm not a fan of overly sweet fragrances, but it seemed like Rive Gauche would benefit from a hint of sweetness to balance it out. It smells a bit like a very dry, more refined version of Brut with an anise note added in.
That said, I now enjoy it quite a bit. The anise stands out more now than it did at first and I really enjoy that note. I also like the fresh scent after it settles down a bit, although it gets a little linear after a couple of hours.
It's a very well crafted barbershop scent. Sort of lives in the same neighborhood as Old Spice or Clubman but more elegant.
Some say it's smells like spicy Barbasol. I can see that. But it's got a bit more than just that going on. I've only worn it a few times, but got positive feedback each time.
Way better than average longevity on me. Pretty good sillage too. Projects nicely. Watch dosage. It's stronger than it seems.
Very reasonably priced too. Biggest knock is that some people feel like others will think it to be a less expensive AS of some sort. But if you like the scent and it works for you, who cares?
Top notes are rosemary, star anise and bergamot; middle notes are lavender, cloves and geranium; base notes are patchouli, guaiac wood and vetiver.
This scent is in my rotation. It's not expensive. You can usually find it on the internet for less than retail. The only true negative is the aluminum bottle. It's hard to tell how much you have left.
I decided to try this one again as it had been several years since I tried it last and wasn't too impressed. My nose for scents has changed very much over the last year as I have expanded my cologne selection mainly with more niche scents and some fragrances I did not initially enjoy have become favourites.
Overall, I found this scent to be very harsh with a 'sharp' note that I found unpleasant and which made me feel quite ill. It is strong and long-lasting but very linear and with no depth. I just get the synthetic sharpness and a woody sort-of background. It smells very much like The Body Shop's Japanese Musk if anyone has tried it.
I found the packaging to be very tacky in that it just comes in a can. Not a beautiful aluminium flask like Montale, but a stripey-painted can that looks and feels cheap.
I am very surprised that no one seems to talk about Rive Gauche when B&Bers love Barber Shop themed stuff. This EDT is the best of it genre. Period. And sorry, but no YMMV applies. (ok everyone is entitled o their own opinion). The most usual reference is that it smells like Barbasol, but it is that and then more. It somehow reconciles the concepts of classic and modern. Is as refined as a dandy (I think of it as the Anteus for 20 and 30 y.o.) and yet it screams confidence when used right: it just states “Woman, come here and kiss me damn it” and she obeys… Ok, that may just work with my GF but it sure works. Older women also love it. This EDT has a prominent Anise note and I while I hate that smell on any other fragrance, it gives RG a drydown like no other scent out there. You will hear it is an oriental-woody-fougere fragrance. A step up of Old Spice, it lasts all day and it smells clean. It makes you feel like you just shaved 5 min ago, heck it make you feel with BBS all day long… ok I am exaggerating but this fragrance blew me away! The packaging is pretty much a can (tin, aluminum I do not know) that is simple and great. i gave it an 8 because I want to remain objective
Price: 20 dls… Are you kidding me?! I would pay 5 times more for it.
Buy one, thank me later.
Go to basenotes and read the reviews. They describe it better than me.
Who needs niche when you have YSL (and Guerlain hehehe).
Review it here but discuss it here