Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
243 votes
A unique visual signature based on accords, character, and seasonality
The aldehydes strike first with a bright, almost champagne-like effervescence, immediately countered by bergamot's citrus snap and coriander's warm, bread-like spice. Within moments, lavender softens the composition into something almost cologne-like, though the vermouth's herbal bite keeps it from ever feeling delicate.
Cinnamon and carnation bloom into a softly spiced sweetness whilst tarragon emerges with an unexpectedly green, herbal presence that prevents the composition from becoming too floral. The jasmine and rose integrate beautifully here, adding a subtle powdery quality without ever dominating, as the woody undertones of cedar begin their slow ascent.
Sandalwood and cedar claim centre stage, creating a cool, almost minty woodiness, whilst leather and patchouli weave underneath with earthy, slightly tobacco-tinged warmth. Oakmoss adds a final whisper of old-growth forest, and the musk creates a soft, skin-like base that eventually fades into pure cedar and sandalwood clarity.
Safari for Men arrives as a distinctly cerebral fragrance—not the olfactory equivalent of khaki shorts and adventure, but rather the scent of someone who reads about expeditions whilst sitting in a leather armchair. The aldehydes and bergamot create a crisp, almost austere opening that's tempered immediately by coriander's warm, slightly dusty spice and a whisper of vermouth's herbal intrigue. There's something almost cocktail-hour about this composition, as though you've just stepped inside after a brisk walk.
What makes Safari genuinely compelling is how the heart notes wrestle for dominance without ever becoming chaotic. The cinnamon doesn't shout; instead, it works in tandem with carnation to create a peppery, slightly clove-tinged sweetness that feels unusually sophisticated for an early-90s masculine fragrance. The tarragon is the wildcard—that savoury, slightly anise-tinted green note prevents Safari from tipping into conventional florality, even as rose and jasmine attempt to soften its edges.
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