L'Eau par Kenzo

L'eau par Kenzo is in my opinion a timeless classic. Almost translucent clean, with water lilies and lilac as leading notes, but I also smell some wet green grass or bamboo. It is so refreshing, I love to wear it - it makes me feel calm and serene. No wonder Olivier Cresp is one of my favorite perfume creators.

Wow, what an interesting scent and what a twist. It starts fresh and watery with water lilly, mint and pepper, then something almost stinky comes in, I think it's reed, but after a minute or two boozy cedar and vanilla start to rise, and underneath there's floral fruit. I've been looking for a scent that smells like lilac for a long time and I think I can smell it, and it's a very accurate lilac scent. Rose, amaryllis and violet, you can feel every note. Everything comes together in a magic where the cedar and the sweetness of the vanilla kiss the freshness of the water lily and musk. I wasn't expecting this festival of scents. The star of this scent is definitely cedar. The sweet, boozy, fresh, piercing note keeps everything in balance, the other notes dance around. I like this work. Maybe I'm a little biased towards Mr. O. Cresp. L'Eau par Kenzo is underappreciated. Sillage is good and longevity is about 7 hours. Love this so much.

This is the only refreshing perfume I can't forget. I really wish I had it with me everywhere. I guess it's not very easy to find anymore. As far as I can remember, it was the only scent I ever smelled that felt like cucumber freshness. If you're looking for a scent that's safe, clean, and makes you feel like you're jumping into an icy pool in the scorching heat, this is definitely the one to have on hand. I haven't tried their other flankers, but the information I've provided is based on experience.

I have what I believe is the current formulation of this (purchased 2 years ago). It's obviously been reformulated as I don't pick up most of the notes that are listed or that others say they smell in vintage versions. Despite that, I do like it and feel that it's a wonderful clean scent for hot summer days. To my nose it's a water lily/bamboo fragrance that somehow manages to smell watery but not aquatic. Nothing ground-breaking but I also can't imagine it being offensive in any way--it smells like you just got out of the shower using a clean shower gel. Soft sillage, and not long-lasting, but it was inexpensive so I don't mind reapplying.

With all the Kenzo's I've sampled I've come to realize all women's fragrances of this brand have a very distinct DNA that I'd describe as oriental poise. Given how delicate they generally are, this DNA often stands out the most, and each new one I try instantly seems familiar. But regarding L'Eau: it is good. Olivier Cresp knows his craft, especially if we talk his earlier works. Kenzo (and perhaps only Kenzo) knows how to deliver this kind of scent, the meaningful minimalism. It smells like water; not the tap kind but the element itself and our mental image of it - the stillness of it, not the calamity. L'Eau feels like a beautiful blend of nature's breath and coolness of urban futurism, what with the impeccable humanly cleanness it emanates alongside the gentle herbal freshness. In the 90s people still dreamt of progress and nature coexisting in harmony, and that harmony manifests itself in this fragrance. It might be popular because it is simple, but it is in fact very special, being the perfect olfactory interpretation of water as a part of nature, the bridge between scent and vision. A delicate timeless fougere that is linear but not in the way that gives you a migraine with its monotone presence. Reed is appropriately sweet for a distinctively herbal note, mint and pepper aren't overdone, the base is soft and perfectly womanly. No fruits for me - maybe the newer formula has been tweaked - but frankly I prefer it that way, a strong fruity accord would only simplify it, not refine. As for performance, in my experience Kenzo fragrances get stronger with time. Melody it reminds me of: Air - J'ai dormi sous l'eau.

Classic for a reason. My third bottle and an easy reach in summertime. This was one of my first designer perfumes, and I still remember the awe I felt when I first smelled it in the early 2000s. It’s the perfect everyday fragrance for summer—not suffocating, not loud, not attention-seeking. Just effortlessly clean and aquatic, like a splash of cold water on a hot summer day. If you find the equation “summer = citrus scent” a bit tiresome, you might enjoy this one. The mandarin orange note is incredibly subtle and supports the top notes rather than overpowering them.

Nose Note #467 We first had a flanker of this - Kenzo Ice Pour Femme (that review became my first on Fragrantica!). I must say, they are quite similar. Kenzo Ice is about watermelon, this one is about water lily and something like a bamboo note. I think it's really lacking something, because it's withering away as I write these words. It's almost not there even when you spray it. I mean it's there, but I'm finding it difficult to say WHAT is left there. It's immediately a skin scent. Feels like a perfume with no base. It's very light, also reminds me of the famous mens version of this. Something citrusy and bamboo-like is the main show. 6.5/10, if only performance was at least average

I have vintage (oval shaped bottle) and rectangle shaped L'eau PAR-version of this. Vintage formula is softer. Opening is sweet herbal, like anise or fennel with hint of dry hay. After few hours it turns less sweet and waterlily comes out, dry hay note is still there, but less noticeable. After four hours I smell cedar and dry hay with hint of watery notes. This reminds me of Honore des Pres- Nu Green, very similar dry hay note. Longevity is better in vintage one, imo. Newer L'eau Par Kenzo: Opening is sharp, very aquatic and herbal at the same time. Strong mint leaf note (sweet and minty) I think mint leaf scent was the strange note that bothered me always. It's very noticeable if you overspray this. After an hour this turns out very nice aquatic fresh, I smell waterlily, lilac and hint of peach. And then it's gone. Weak hay scent with musk. So sad. I would like to try the newest L'eau Kenzo-version of this. I prefer vintage formula because it has good longevity and scent is close enough to newer formula.

I bought a new 30ml bottle of this fragrance for just $20, as I am on the hunt for the perfect fresh, watery, lotus fragrance and the notes list here was everything I wanted. Unfortunately, this is another one where my sensitivity to calone renders the fragrance unwearable. It's kind of funny... if I squint and focus, I can sense how it would be perceived as a sweet, watery melon sort of note! But then it's right back to being stale sweat. My search for the perfect fresh aquatic floral may be doomed!!

oooo I got a new fb gifted to me some days ago and It seems the juice got a rebranding because It does not smell like the perfume I remember? The Green is there, but it just smells off, like rotted lemons :( wished I never opened this one, it's like the floral portion of the scent got replaced by sharp fresh notes. Now I cannot even return It! damn

This fragrance is quite unique if we are talking abt the original one from the 90s. I am lucky to own 3 bottles of this vintage fresh juice. Not really something I am using, so pm me if interested.

Synthetic and kinda sour. Much like a deodorant. Or a body wash.

Weakest perfume ever!!! Does not last A BIT. Only thing I like is the bottle.

My favorite scent of all times. So fresh and calming at the same time.

I have a bottle from around 10 years ago. I had thought it had gone funky and had buried it away in a storage box. Recently I dug it out and was happy to discover that it doesn't smell rancid after all. Either I can't remember how it originally was, or my skin chemistry or the weather weren't quite right the last time I wore it more than 5 years ago, which seems more likely. It's a delightful, powerful water scent best suited for summer days. Super long lasting for its type - 7 hours and a shower after I can still smell it. It's quite linear, not much of a transformation. It's lovely, just don't overspray!

Smells great. And knowing that Olivier Cresp designed this scent makes it feel special. BUT, the scent is so fleeting. I love fresh scents and this one hits the spot effortlessly. It is fresh, lightly woody from the reed note, and blended well with the fresh fruit. The initial spray lasts only 5 min. And the dry down lasts only another 5 min as well. ☹️ ugh. so sad.

Clean, sporty, indoor swimming pool vibes. Inoffensive in a good way, nothing I'd wear on a date but does the job very well for errand running/gym/whatever.

I associate this perfume with very warm and pleasant times. To be honest, I bought it because of the reference to Hokusai's Great Wave. And although the aroma itself is not downright aquatic, it is still soft, fresh, and cheerful. My favorite choice for every day.

On my second bottle of this- this is my go to gym / workout scent or dog walking scent . I live in FL so I need something refreshing for anything in regards to physical activity. It’s kind of grassy, with a sweet mint and the florals are very light , vanilla gives it a nice sweet touch . I don’t really detect any fruit. It’s very sporty scent and it’s perfect for what it does , it lasts 3 hours maybe but it’s fine . This fragrance is dirt cheap and would happily buy again for how frequently I use it

I own a vintage bottle from 1996. Smells like an interpretation of Summer rain near a garden. Not particularly ground-breaking but well made and does not smell synthetic to me. Long lasting but won't project (and/or annoy anyone). Slightly masculine because of the freshness/strong aquatic note. I got it for the nostalgia. I was a child in the 90's but I still remember that decade. Anyway. I assume it's a great aquatic non-beachy fragrance for everyday Summer wear. Suitable for heat waves and the office.

The new one is similar to the eau par kenzo, but 3 times deluted. The citruses are not as bright and the mint is non existent. Can invoke some good memories though.

Something in this fragrance smells off and unbalanced to me. I get the pretty lillac in the opening and the lotus soon after, but they are mixed with something super sour (probably the reed) I also get some honey like sweeteness, but it always mixed with this green sourness and I can' t find the overall composition pleasant. Ps: On skin it smells slightly better than on paper. Much less sour. 5 /10

This is the freshest aquatic fragrance I've ever smelled, it was my favorite for many years. "L'eau par Kenzo" hasn't been produced for at least 7 years now, I have no idea why fragrantica still hasn't updated the name/ added the new one. It's now called "L'eau Kenzo pour femme", in the same bottle. I have both (I ordered the first version in a decant) and they are identical. My senses have changed though, and the memory of this fragrance smells better to me than it is now. After revisiting, I smell something very synthetic and a bit screechy somewhere in the middle of the dry down. Maybe it was there before and I handn't noticed. It also lacks the depth I remember. It could be because I don't smoke anymore. Nonetheless, it is the freshest aquatic ever, I still wear it from time to time. It suits all kinds of weather and doesn't need overspraying in the winter. It stays on even after a shower.

I usually love fresh scents and aquatics--and the opening and base is quite nice-- but something about the middle just smells too artificial / plasticy to me. Smells too much like perfume.

For me is green, fresh smell. For daily use in spring or summer long days. Something softer than DG-Light Blue and harder than Oriflame-Sun, somehow reminds me a both of this perfumes.

I have a bottle of L'eau par Kenzo from 2012 that I just finished. ADORE that one. Beautiful scent that reminds me of outside, but very aquatic - can't even describe it, but it gets prettier as it dries down on my skin. I just ordered a bottle of "l'eau Kenzo" (without the "par") and OMG, something in this (the opening, anyway) makes me want to straight up vomit. :( It's being returned. I truly hope that if I order a bottle of l'eau par from eBay, that it will smell identical to my first bottle from 2012, and that these are two VERY DIFFERENT separate scents. Someone else here said they smell the same. I do not agree. If anyone has further thoughts/details/info on this, please share!

It is so upsetting how weak this is, especially since it is such a memory vehicle of summer in the 90s. It is still the scent I remember and loved but it's dilluted down to less than 30 minutes and I could bathe in this and still would be a skin scent almost instantly. Also, the bottle. The one shaped like a drop was so beautiful, this one is just uninteresting if not plain ugly.

I'm reviewing L'Eau Kenzo not L'Eau par Kenzo here coz I don't know what's the difference but L'Eau Kenzo is really nice fresh clean smelling scent, Oliver Cresp is a master in making Clean scents, it's great for hot sunny summers, so refreshing smell, I only wished it lasted longer coz I love the smell, price point is good overall 9/10👍 Edit: After wearing this for a few days I'm lovin it so much 💗 it's my favorite clean scent now 10/10 I even purchased L'Eau par Kenzo to see the difference, I find them quite the same smell

another scent that reminds me of my childhood. it was my very second perfume - at the age of 14. I would then get it every several years - always brings me back to 1999 - it encapsulates the essence of the 90s - its cool charm, cold chromatic colourway combinations, Nike Airmax 97 Silver Bullet model shoes, white plastic Apple products, and baby G watches. it's very clean and creates a sense of more air and space around you. Truly magical smell - that's what air smells like near the crystal clear water in the blue and the sunshine. It smells fabulous on others - I actually fell in love with it having caught it on a person I met at a party when I was 14.

This perfume is unique. It's so elegant and chic that it can easily be considered an important part of your look for the day. If you wear jeans and a T-shirt, this perfume will give your look a swank and elegant touch. Whenever I wear it, people mention it as an "elegant/rich people perfume." It is an aquatic fragrance, but the middle and base notes are very present, making this perfume suitable for evenings and colder seasons.