Givenchy Insense Ultramarine
In this review
Released in 1994, Givenchy Insense Ultramarine arrived at the height of the aquatic fragrance craze, yet it managed to carve out a unique identity. While many of its contemporaries focused on pure, sterile oceanic notes, Ultramarine leaned into a more vibrant, fruit-forward, and energetic profile that captured the essence of a Mediterranean summer.
As a reporter for Vivir, I have revisited this classic to see how it holds up in a market saturated with modern niche aquatics. Its distinct blue bottle and unconventional composition suggest a fragrance that was ahead of its time, balancing the freshness of the sea with a surprisingly complex heart.
$40-$80
Accords
Aquatic
Fruity
Aromatic
Green
Fresh Spicy
Woody
Notes Pyramid
Top
Black CurrantWatermelonGalbanumBergamot
Heart
MintSageCardamomIrisLily-of-the-Valley
Base
CedarVetiverTobacco
Performance Dashboard
⏱️ Longevity
5-6 hours
📢 Projection
Moderate, reaching about an arm's length
💨 Sillage
Moderate
When to Wear
🌸SpringBest
☀️SummerBest
🍂FallOK
❄️WinterAvoid
📌 Casual daytime wear📌 Gym💼 Office📌 Beach outings
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Unique fruity-aquatic profile
- ✅ Excellent for high heat
- ✅ Affordable price point
- ❌ Moderate longevity
- ❌ Dated bottle design for some
- ❌ Can be hard to find in retail stores
Price & Value
$40-$80
“Great value for a classic designer fragrance.”
Reformulation History
No significant batch variations reported, though early 90s formulations are often sought after by collectors.
The Family
Insense Ultramarine Ice Cube
Insense Ultramarine Wild Surf
Explore More
Similar Fragrances
Kenzo pour Homme
Davidoff Cool Water
Azzaro Chrome
Clone Alternatives
Various generic blue scents
Cuba Blue
You May Also Enjoy
Issey Miyake l'Eau d'Issey pour Homme
Giorgio Armani Acqua di Gio
Organza Indecence
Xeryus Rouge (1995)
L'Interdit (1957)
Xeryus (Original)
Monsieur
Ysatiss
Layering Ideas
- Layer with a clean citrus-based scent to brighten the top notes
- Pair with a woody body lotion to extend the base longevity
Final Verdict
Givenchy Insense Ultramarine remains a standout aquatic that favors fruit and green notes over standard saltiness. It is a nostalgic yet highly wearable piece of fragrance history for the modern man.
More fragrances we love
Sponsored picks
Also worth your attention: watches
Sponsored picks
You may also like
GivenchyAquaticVintage90s PerfumeryMen's FragranceReview