FRAGRANCE | Escada Magnetism for Men EDT: A fairly uncommon scent that ought to be brought back

halfwhiteboy - Escada Magnetism for Men 01

Escada Magnetism for Men is but one of many discontinued fragrances that fragheads are pining for. Ebay sharks, of course, have capitalized on its rarity, commanding prices that I find rather obscene. Personally, I wouldn't fork out a fortune just to score a bottle that in itself carries its own risks. I'm never sure if the juice hasn't turned, more so if it's authentic at all. I'm just lucky to find one.

My bottle didn't come with a box although I see it's just your run-of-the-mill cardboard box anyway. The bottle looks good with its deep purple color and beveled design. I always appreciate houses that give even a little thought to the design of their bottles and this is one such example. Moreover, I realized that purple is a color that isn't used that much in perfume bottles. That or I just don't have purple bottles in my collection.

halfwhiteboy - Escada Magnetism for Men 02

When I first tried it, I thought Magnetism for Men is a highly uncommon scent. I've smelled—and even own—a lot of leather fragrances, oud and rose concoctions, fougeres, chypres, florals, and many other fragrance types, and although I swear they're all different from each other, truth be told, they also are very similar. I mean, really, how much different is Octavian by Electimuss from Mancera's Black to Black? Or Royal Crown's Ytzma from Tom Ford's Tuscan Leather? But Magnetism for Men is a scent that's decidedly unlike most frags that I have, at least as far as the opening goes.

It starts with a fizzy, fruity cola vibe. I just can't put a finger on what drink it reminds me of. While also sweet, the scent is refreshing in that I don't see it used much  in today's market. It dominates for the first half-hour or so before the resinous sweetness slowly builds up and takes on a beautiful, powdery character, courtesy of the spicy saffron. I'm used to saffron being sharp, like in MFK's bestselling Baccarat Rouge 540, but here it's not the case and the resulting scent is beautifully rounded.

Up close, I get a soft, woody undertone. However, as that sprightly cola facet gradually fizzles out, so does the mild woodiness fade. By now, that powdery sweetness takes hold and stays unto the end. Escada Magnetism for Men doesn't seem to be a complex fragrance but it shines as it is. Admittedly, it lacks power, settling close to the skin soon after its first hour. In spite of this, it's still a nice fragrance—versatile, too, in that it can fit any occasion or weather. I hope Escada brings it back.

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