Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense Review: A Golden Hour in a Bottle
Exploring the warm, honeyed evolution of an iconic fruity-floral fragrance.
In the grand tapestry of modern perfumery, few fragrances have captured the spirit of youthful optimism with the same enduring charm as Marc Jacobs Daisy. Since its debut in 2007, it has become a veritable icon, a benchmark for the bright, carefree fruity-floral genre that defined a generation. It is a fragrance that conjures images of sun-drenched meadows and untroubled laughter. Yet, as with all great artistic works, the desire to explore new facets, to deepen the narrative, is an irresistible creative impulse. This brings one to the 2021 release of Daisy Eau So Intense, a composition that poses a fascinating question: how does one mature an icon without sacrificing its soul?
The launch of Daisy Eau So Intense arrived amidst a prevalent market trend for ''Intense'' and ''Parfum'' flankers, where heritage brands seek to offer richer, more tenacious interpretations of their beloved pillars to a discerning clientele. This fragrance, however, is not merely a case of amplifying the concentration. It is a thoughtful re-orchestration, a deliberate shift from the dewy, green-tinged light of early morning to the warm, honeyed glow of a late afternoon sun. It positions itself as the more sophisticated elder sibling to the original, retaining the signature playful spirit but grounding it with a newfound depth and a gourmand-inflected warmth that speaks to a more developed palate.
The conceptual inspiration is one of golden hour, a fleeting, magical moment where the world is bathed in a soft, luminous light. The composition, masterfully executed by the original creator, Alberto Morillas, aims to capture this ephemeral beauty in olfactory form. It replaces the original''s airy violet and crisp wild berries with a juicier, more syrupy strawberry and pear, and introduces a central, decadent accord of honey. This is not the Daisy of innocent first glances; this is the Daisy of cherished memories, of a nostalgia imbued with the richness of experience. It is a scent designed to evoke a feeling of comfort and radiant warmth, a golden halo for the wearer.
Within the fragrance community, Daisy Eau So Intense has been received as a successful and much-needed evolution of the line. While the original Eau de Toilette is lauded for its beauty, it is often critiqued for its ephemeral nature. This Intense version directly addresses that critique, offering enhanced performance and a more complex, resonant character. It has carved a niche for itself, appealing both to long-time Daisy loyalists seeking a more substantial version and to new admirers who may have found the original too fleeting or juvenile for their tastes. It stands as a testament to the fact that a fragrance can evolve, gaining depth and maturity while joyfully celebrating its bright, optimistic roots.
The Nose Behind the Scent
The esteemed Master Perfumer Alberto Morillas of Firmenich is the creative force behind Daisy Eau So Intense. As the original creator of the iconic 2007 Daisy, his involvement ensures a deep, intrinsic understanding of the fragrance''s core DNA. Morillas is a titan of the industry, responsible for an astonishing number of globally recognized scents, including Giorgio Armani Acqua di Giò, Calvin Klein CK One, and Kenzo Flower.
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The fragrance commences with a vibrant, almost syrupy burst of sweet strawberry and juicy pear. It is an unapologetically cheerful and fruity introduction that immediately captures the playful spirit of the Daisy line, yet with a richer, more pronounced presence than the original.
After the initial fruitiness subsides, the composition transitions into its golden heart. A luscious, warm honey accord emerges, beautifully entwining with the delicate floralcy of jasmine and soft rose. This phase is radiant and comforting, embodying the ''golden hour'' concept with aplomb.
The final evolution settles into a soft, warm, and subtly complex base. Resinous benzoin and a hint of vanilla provide a smooth, sweet foundation, while a clean musk and an unexpected touch of earthy moss lend a sophisticated structure that prevents the fragrance from becoming cloying, leaving a lasting, elegant trail.
Performance Dashboard
Impressively tenacious for a Daisy fragrance, lasting a solid 6 to 8 hours on the skin, a significant improvement over the original EDT.
Projects moderately, creating a noticeable and pleasant aura for the first 2-3 hours without being overwhelming, before settling closer to the skin.
Leaves a delicate, inviting trail that is perceptible to others in close proximity. It is not a room-filler but possesses a charming and noticeable presence.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Significantly improved longevity and presence compared to the original Daisy EDT.
- ✅ The honey note adds a beautiful, unique warmth and sophistication.
- ✅ Extremely versatile for daytime and casual wear across multiple seasons.
- ✅ Maintains the beloved cheerful DNA of the Daisy line while offering more maturity.
- ❌ The sweetness may be too pronounced for those who prefer fresher or greener scents.
- ❌ As a flanker, it lacks the groundbreaking originality of a pillar launch.
- ❌ The name ''Intense'' might set expectations for a powerhouse projector, which it is not.
Price & Value
“A worthwhile investment for enthusiasts of the Daisy DNA. The enhanced performance and refined composition justify its position in the designer market.”
Accords
Notes Pyramid
Scent Journey
The initial impression is a vibrant burst of sparkling fruits, notably the succulent strawberry and crisp pear, uplifted by a zesty bergamot and a fleeting hint of pink grapefruit, offering a more immediate and effervescent freshness compared to its Eau de Parfum counterpart.
As the top notes gracefully recede, the heart unfolds with a familiar yet lighter rendition of the original's warmth. The golden honey note is present, intertwined with the delicate sweetness of jasmine and the airy elegance of rose petals, complemented by a subtle, luminous orange blossom that lends a more ethereal quality to the core floral bouquet.
The drydown is a soft, comforting embrace, where the clean embrace of musk takes prominence. A creamy vanilla provides a gentle sweetness, while a touch of cedarwood offers a refined, understated woody foundation. The heavier, earthier nuances of moss and benzoin, characteristic of the Eau de Parfum, are notably softened, resulting in a cleaner, more translucent finish.
Performance Dashboard
Typically lasts 5-7 hours on skin, with a noticeable presence for the first few hours.
Offers a moderate sillage for the initial 1-2 hours, settling closer to the skin thereafter.
Leaves a pleasant, moderate trail that is less commanding than the Eau de Parfum, yet still discernible.
When to Wear
Community Verdict
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Lighter and more versatile for daily wear
- ✅ Retains the core 'Intense' fruity-floral sweetness
- ✅ Often available at a more accessible price point than the EDP
- ✅ Excellent for warmer climates or office settings
- ❌ Significantly reduced longevity compared to the Eau de Parfum
- ❌ Less depth and richness in the drydown
- ❌ Requires more frequent reapplication to maintain presence
Price & Value
“Offers a good value proposition for those seeking the 'Eau So Intense' character in a more versatile, everyday concentration.”
Who It's For
✅ Ideal For
- Women aged 20-45 who enjoy sweet, fruity-floral scents.
- Fans of the original Daisy seeking a version with better performance and more depth.
- Individuals with a cheerful, optimistic, and effortlessly feminine style.
⚠️ Not Recommended For
- Those who dislike sweet or gourmand notes, particularly honey.
- Connoisseurs seeking highly complex, niche, or avant-garde olfactory profiles.
- Individuals preferring bold, powerhouse fragrances for evening wear.
The Family
The original 2007 pillar fragrance, lighter and more focused on violet and wild berries.
A fruitier, more sparkling and energetic interpretation with raspberry and grapefruit.
An airy, ethereal version with notes of blackberry, blue wisteria, and coconut water.
A gourmand take with crystallized cloudberries, daisy tree petals, and cashmere musks.
Explore More
🔍 Similar Fragrances
Shares a prominent, realistic honey note paired with sweet fruit and florals.
Occupies a similar modern, sweet fruity-floral territory with pear and brown sugar notes.
Features a similar pear and rose combination, offering a comparably bright and feminine character.
💡 Clone Alternatives
Users note a strong similarity in the sweet, bright, and fruity floral opening.
An inspired expression that aims to capture the specific strawberry and honey essence of Eau So Intense.
❤️ You May Also Enjoy
For its sophisticated blend of florals with a sweet, patchouli-warmed base.
Appeals to those who enjoy powerful, sweet gourmand fragrances with a fruity-floral structure.
A modern, bright white floral with a sweet vanilla base that shares a similar cheerful vibe.
More from Marc Jacobs
🧪 Layering Ideas
- A simple, linear vanilla fragrance to amplify the gourmand warmth in the base.
- A light, green, moss-forward scent (like Diptyque''s Eau de Lierre) to enhance the mossy base note and temper the sweetness.
- A molecule scent like Iso E Super to add a sheer, woody-amber dimension and boost projection.
🏆 Final Verdict
Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Intense is a masterful exercise in fragrance evolution. It successfully elevates a youthful classic into a more mature and substantial composition without losing the joyful essence that made the original a global phenomenon. The introduction of a rich honey accord, paired with enhanced performance, transforms the scent from a fleeting pleasure into a lasting, radiant embrace.
One should acquire this fragrance for its perfect balance of cheerful fruitiness, elegant floralcy, and comforting warmth. It is the ideal choice for anyone who loved the original but wished for more presence and depth. It is a scent of pure, unadulterated happiness, bottled in a flacon of iconic design. For its versatility, its beautiful evolution, and its ability to evoke the simple, golden pleasures of life, Daisy Eau So Intense is not merely a flanker; it is a worthy and compelling chapter in the continuing story of a modern icon.