Lagerfeld Cologne Review: Find Your Signature Scent

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Christine Kent

Perfume Gallant at Scent Chasers

Since she was a little girl, Christine was always obsessed with the latest fashion and beauty trends. And her love for perfume and cosmetics only grew stronger as she got older. If there are two things that she can’t live without, they would be perfume and mascara.

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Karl Lagerfeld, a jack of all trades, was the Paris-based German creative director behind such distinguished names as Chanel, Chloe, Valentino, Fendi – to name a few – and his very own fashion label, Karl Lagerfeld.

Already a legend in the world of fashion, his earliest creation in the fragrance market dates back to 1975, with the first official launch under the name of Lagerfeld debuting in 1978 with Lagerfeld Classic for Men. Karl Lagerfeld became a well-renowned name in every field he chose to partake in, from fashion to art, to photography, fragrances, and beyond. 

Today, we have come up with this nifty little comprehensive article to guide you through the Lagerfeld Cologne line, along with some viable options you could try out instead. So without any further ado, let’s begin with the cologne that started it all – Lagerfeld Classic for Men.

Lagerfeld Colognes

Lagerfeld Classic by Karl Lagerfeld

The Scent

The powdery woody fragrance was the very first fragrance in the Lagerfeld line. This is a Lagerfeld perfume worthy of its name with a beastly projection and longevity. It’s a rare treasure perfect for winter festivities, although it also suits the fall season well – it’s perfect wear around the clock. 

This perfume is masterfully concocted with everything that makes a mere fragrance an absolute classic in the mix. The opening notes, although strong, morph into a deliciously elegant pure masculine scent for the more mature men (definitely above the 30s).

Packaging and Price

The packaging is so attractive and graceful, especially for a perfume of its time, that you want to get the perfume just by viewing the bottle! The price of this gem? Ridiculously expensive but oh, so worth it! This delicious elixir comes in a sleek glass bottle, topped with a shiny silver cap that is adorned with a silver ring – at the hefty price of $60 per 5 Fl Oz bottle.

Top notes: Aldehydes, Tarragon, Clary Sage, Bergamot, Lemon, and Green Notes.

Middle Notes: Tobacco, Sandalwood, Orris Root, Patchouli, Rose, Cedar, and Jasmine.

Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla, Musk, Tonka Bean, and Oakmoss.

Pros:

• Excellent longevity and sillage.
• Although expensive, it offers great value for money.
• Very sexy and unique scent.

Cons:

• Comes off a little too strong in the beginning.
• It can be too inherently masculine for some peoples’ taste.

Perfume Similar to Lagerfeld Classic

Obsession for Men by Calvin Klein

Obsession for Men is a Woody scent that smells very similar to Lagerfeld Classic yet, distinguished. As with Lagerfeld Classic, this one is also a fall/winter scent with an excellent sillage and longevity and offers good value for money. 

Although this cologne is available at a lesser price than Lagerfeld Classic with the same antique notes, it can’t quite match the former in its dreamy scent. Furthermore, as is the case with many other perfumes, the reformulations down the years have ruined the original feel and grace of the perfume. 

Top Notes: Cinnamon, Lavender, Coriander, Mandarin Orange, Lime, Bergamot, and Grapefruit.

Middle Notes: Myrrh, Nutmeg, Carnation, Brazilian Rosewood, Pine Tree, Sage, Jasmine, and Red Berries.

Base Notes: Amber, Vanilla, Sandalwood, Musk, Patchouli, and Vetiver.

Pros:

• Offers value for money.
• Long-lasting scent.

Cons:

• It has been copied so much that it can smell a bit ‘commonplace.’
• Synthetic smell.
• Reformulations don’t match up to the original scent.

Sun Moon and Stars by Karl Lagerfield

Price and Packaging

This sensuously seductive scent comes in a bottle so beautiful it’s worth it getting this perfume just to possess the bottle – made out of a gorgeous shade of midnight blue glass and crafted with shapes of the sun moon and stars worthy of its name. Capped off with a dull gold-domed lid completes the bottle’s elegant look. Though is it worth the arm and leg that it costs at $63.80 per 3.3 Fl Oz? That’s for you to decide!

The Scent

The scent, although best worn in winter, can be used in other seasons, no matter what the time of day (although perhaps it would be a good idea to avoid using it on the hotter summer days). 

The long-lasting scent is perfect for the modern, self-sufficient woman – capable of conquering the world on her own. The scent frequently morphs and merges into the next note without losing its intoxicating charm. It’s definitely a mesmerizing gem for a lover of this particular genre – where’s the fun in wearing a crowd-pleasing scent that doesn’t set you apart?

Top Notes: Peach, Pineapple, Water Lily, Freesia, Rose, and Bergamot.

Middle Notes: Carnation, Narcissus, Heliotrope, Orchid, Orris Root, Jasmine, Orange Blossom, and Lily-of-the-Valley.

Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Amber, Musk, and Cedar.

Pros:

• A very distinct scent.
• Long-lasting.
• Gorgeous packaging.

Cons:

• All perfumes of Sophia Grosjman seem different variants of the same base scent.
• Might be too expensive to be worth a buy for some.

Perfume Similar to Sun Moon and Stars by Karl Lagerfeld

Volupté by Oscar de la Renta

Coincidentally, this fragrance by Oscar de la Renta is formulated by the same perfumer behind the concoction of Sun Moon and Stars – perhaps that’s why they smell so similar?

The perfumer Sophia Grojsman though talented seems to have a particular inclination – almost all of her perfumes smell round about the same. A more versatile scent than the prior, it offers good longevity. Although all the notes present do not seem to make an appearance in the aroma exuberated – overall a pleasant scent even if it can smell a little synthetic.

Top Notes: Mimosa, Melon, Freesia, Osmanthus, Mandarin Orange, Watermelon, and Cyclamen.

Middle Notes: Heliotrope, Narcissus, Ylang-Ylang, Carnation, Jasmine, Lotus, Lily-of-the-Valley, and Peony.

Base Notes: Sandalwood, Amber, Incense, Tuberose, Vanilla, and Patchouli.

Pros:

• Offers value for money.
• Cheaper than Sun Moon and Stars.

Cons:

• Can smell a little too sour for some peoples’ taste.
• Synthetic scent.

Karl Lagerfeld for Her by Karl Lagerfeld

Karl Lagerfeld for Her is a Fruity Floral dream that you can quite literally get lost in. The incredible aroma consumes your senses; it’s the perfect scent if you’re looking to bedazzle your date. This day scent is more suitable for a spring or a relatively cool summer day and a very safe scent if you don’t have the time to explore but don’t want to throw your money down the drain at the same time.

Top Notes: Peach and Lemon.

Middle Notes: Magnolia, Rose, and Frangipani.

Base Notes: Musk, Woody Notes, and Amber.

Pros:

• Value for money (You can decide about that)
• The scent is exceptionally good, in a simple way.
• Crowd-pleasing scent.

Cons:

• Poor sillage.
• Not a very imaginative scent.

Perfume Similar to Karl Lagerfeld for Her

Boucheron Quatre by Boucheron

Although an incredible pick, Karl Lagerfeld still doesn’t compare to the divine Boucheron Quatre. This was intended to be an iconic scent, and it hit its aim on the mark.

There’s nothing in the market that quite comes close to this absolute treasure, although the closest alternative is Karl Lagerfeld for Her – in that it seems to belong to the same Fruity Floral family, yet Boucheron Quatre is in a league of its own. The longevity is really fine and though expensive, offers good value for money. 

Top Notes: Grapefruit, Tangerine, Lemon, and Orange. 

Middle Notes: Jasmine, Apple, Big Strawberry, Rose, and Peach.

Base Notes: White Musk, Cashmeran, Cedar, Vanilla, and Caramel.

Pros:

• Good longevity.
• Value for money.
• Very distinguished scent.
• Gorgeous packaging.
• A combination of a variety of notes without being too much.

Cons:

• It can smell too sharp in the beginning.
• It might be too sweet for some peoples’ taste.

Kapsule Light by Karl Lagerfeld

The Scent

Kapsule Light is a unisex Aromatic Spicy scent. It offers a unique touch to your general crowd-pleasing scent and does not aim to be a classic. Though a nice pleasant scent, it’s nothing revolutionary – nor does it seem – it intends to be. Marketed as unisex, this scent smells more masculine.

Overall a very versatile scent that suits people of all ages, seasons, and – arguably – genders; it offers moderate longevity. This one is more favorable for a summer/spring day. The notes include Musk, Bitter Orange, Jasmine, Nutmeg, and Cloves.

Packaging and Price

The square, slightly tinted glass bottle is emblazoned with a silver emblem of its name. The bottle is capped at the corner with a dull silver square cap. It can cost $19.50 for a 2.5 Fl Oz bottle.

Pros:

• A safe, pleasant scent.
• Adaptable fragrance.
• Distinct packaging.

Cons:

• Poor longevity and sillage.
• A boring scent, giving a ‘same old’ vibe.
• Too subtle.
• More masculine than unisex.

Perfume Similar to Kapsule Light

Vetiverus by Oliver & Co.

This Woody Spicy unisex scent offers excellent longevity. Although the scent can be defined as unisex, it leans more towards being masculine. Definitely superior to Kapsule Light, this is a very distinct captivating scent. It’s hard to find a critic of this one. Although more expensive, it is worth every penny.

Notes include:  Cloves, Vetiver, Osmanthus, Bitter Orange, Leather, Coriander, Patchouli, and Musk. 

Pros:

• Unique scent.
• Compliment magnet.
• Excellent longevity.

Cons:

• More masculine than unisex.

How to Know Which Lagerfeld Scent is for You?

• There are three notes a perfume is made of – Top notes, middle notes, and base notes which make their appearance in that order. The base notes ultimately being the most prominent and lasting the longest. Furthermore, these notes’ effectiveness can vary according to the season they’re used in. So, be sure to study the notes before you head out to make your choice.
• There are a number of different scent families like Oriental Woody or Citrusy – the list goes on – so familiarize yourself with the different families and which one appeals to you most personally, then browse for a scent that falls within that family. Also, remember that heavier scents can be too much in the summer season, which is more complimented with citrusy, fruity scents.
• Buy according to your specific aim. Are you looking for a casual everyday scent? A special occasion scent? A scent to wear to the club or to date night? Also, consider your personality whether you’re a traditionalist, prefer the classics, are more inclined to be liked by everyone, or are a rebel who chooses what they like regardless of what other people think – although your personality would probably play a part in your choosing a scent subconsciously anyway.

Lagerfeld Cologne Review: FAQs