Scentzilla!

Touch of Pink was introduced by Lacoste in 2004. Its creation is credited to perfumer Domitille Bertier-Michalon at IFF, whose other recent works include Viktor & Rolf’s Flower Bomb (one of three perfumers credited) and Laura Biagiotti’s Acqua di Roma for men.

I must admit to a bit of snobbery here, for I was prepared to dislike Touch of Pink on the spot. I mostly associate Lacoste with their polo shirts of many hues. However, Pink pleasantly surprised me. I wouldn’t run through fire for it, but it holds a bit of charm for a fragrance that seems so pointedly aimed at a teenagers looking for nothing more substansive than something my friend Stacy might call “prettyful.”

Touch of Pink’s initial peppered opening led me to at first think there was a pink peppercorn top note. I see this is not a listed note. Cardamom and leaves in mutated disguise, perhaps? This pepperiness vanishes within a minute, revealing a strangely bitter element nested into a slightly weak jasmine and fruit (Lacoste claims blood orange, but I really couldn’t say.) It is this bitter touch that really keeps Touch of Pink from falling into the category of “nice but dreadfully dull,” and seems to run right through the heart of it. There is a very, and I do mean very, faint green note in the middle as well. Pink calls to mind the way peonies from my father’s garden smell a few hours after being plucked. It dries down to reveal a short-lived but pleasant carpenter dust-like sandalwood and vanilla base. Traces of the fruity-floral notes linger but only just. I feel this is a warm bright scent during the whole wear. It’s well developed for the market Lacoste wants to curry favor with, but doesn’t entirely lose appeal for other age groups. (I know, I am generalizing horribly here.) Staying power on me runs roughly 3 to 4 hours.

All things considered, I’ll probably never purchase a full sized bottle of this for myself. I do think it would be a nice choice during gift-giving occasions to present to high school and college age young women.

Lacoste Touch of Pink eau de toilette can be found at Meier & Frank, Macy’s, and Sephora. It can also be picked up through several online discount retailers, including Imagination Perfumery and parfum1.