Review (5/5): I hate most colognes and aftershaves but I love this stuff
I really dislike most "modern" colognes and aftershaves. Their fragrance is too strong, they never fade away and they usually smell disgusting after wearing for several hours. I stopped using these types of fragrances upon reaching adulthood and realizing how silly I smelled and how it impressed no one. In fact, I stopped using anything for years. But eventually, I became curious after reading a bit on aromatherapy and being exposed to various fragrances that didn't smell like recycled chemical sludge. So I experimented and found what fits my criteria for acceptability. What I discovered was that I like citrus, herbs and woody. I don't like heavy colognes that stay strong throughout the day--I want the fragrance to fade into the background. An aftershave is preferable since the scent is usually lighter than cologne and slowly fades to the point only someone intimately close will be able to detect it. Plus, aftershave just plain feels good on my face after scraping off a day's growth.
Florida Water has become one of my favorite aftershaves. It's light, citrusy and slightly herbal. It's not feminine nor masculine, it's gender neutral. You won't smell like an old lady's rose bush or like an adolescent drenched in yak sweat when you're using Florida Water. It smells clean and fresh and well balanced. It reminds me of 4711, another classic gender neutral cologne I like, however, 4711 has a sharper, snappier overtone to the citrus and herbals. Of the two, I like Florida Water better. And 4711 is now pretty expensive compared to the relatively frugal Florida Water.
Being as I'm ignorant of many things--some would say almost everything--I had never heard of Florida Water until I saw it for sale online. Interesting history there. Anyway, I've grown to love the stuff. Splash it on after shaving or after a shower and it's refreshing and doesn't knock you down with its presence.