Women's Perfume Essens W116 — a Fragrance Inspired by Lacoste Pour Femme

A floral, woody, musky fragrance for elegant and confident women

🏛️ The Legend of Lacoste Pour Femme

This fragrance was introduced in 2003 and immediately became one of the most beloved women’s perfumes of the French house of Lacoste. The composition was created by the talented perfumer Olivier Cresp, who has crafted dozens of refined fragrances for leading fashion houses, including Light Blue and Acqua di Gio.

👫 A companion fragrance. Lacoste Pour Femme was created as a pair to the men’s Lacoste Pour Homme (2002), which along with polo shirts was the brand’s calling card. This is important context, as the fragrance is not a standalone gesture but part of a paired strategy typical of fashion houses of that time.

🏭 The manufacturer. The Lacoste perfume line is produced by Inter Parfums, a company that also makes fragrances for Boucheron, Montblanc and Coach. Lacoste as a fashion house licenses its name but does not create fragrances itself.

🌸 The fragrance pyramid. Top notes are Jamaican pepper, purple freesia and green apple. The heart is Bulgarian rose, Iranian jasmine, hibiscus, heliotrope and violet. The base is suede, Himalayan cedar, sandalwood, frankincense and labdanum.

🌫️ Suede, not musk. There is no musk in the base. The key note of the trail is suede, it is exactly what gives that feeling of «expensive well-groomed skin». Fragrantica classifies the fragrance as «floral woody musky», but musk is not declared in the official pyramid, its «feeling» is created by suede and labdanum. So it is more accurate to speak of a suede-woody trail.

How it sounds and wears. «A shattered powder compact with rose and suede» is the most accurate description. Pepper gives a spicy spark, freesia gives transparent freshness, apple gives light juiciness. In the heart is powdery heliotrope with violet, rose and jasmine. The base is warm, suede-like, with frankincense resinousness and sandalwood creaminess. Many note the effect of «expensive well-groomed skin», not sexy but elegant. Concentration is Eau de Parfum. Longevity 4–6 hours, some complain of a decrease after reformulations. Sillage is moderate. Fragrantica rating is 4.04 out of 5 with 10,300+ votes.

⏳ More than two decades. In 2026 the fragrance turns 23 years old, and during this time it has not lost its relevance but remains in the top of women’s perfume compositions. It is recognized by its spicy opening with Jamaican pepper and its noble suede-woody trail that you want to breathe in again and again.

📖 Stories of Four Notes

Jamaican Pepper — a spicy note with warm pungency and a light woody shade. In perfumery it sounds bright and energetic, adding character and dynamics to the composition. It is what makes the opening of the fragrance so memorable and invigorating.

Violet — a delicate flower with a powdery, slightly cool aroma. In the heart of the composition it creates a sense of refinement and romance, and together with hibiscus and jasmine it unfolds especially multi-faceted and exquisite.

Sandalwood — a creamy, warm woody note. In the base it gives the fragrance softness and nobility, creating a sense of comfort and protection. Sandalwood is that very trail you want to feel on your skin for as long as possible.

Labdanum — a resinous note with amber warmth and a light leather nuance. In the base it adds depth and sensuality to the fragrance, and together with frankincense and moss it creates a noble, lasting trail that is impossible to forget.

👤 Portrait of the W116 Woman

She is elegant and self-confident — but her confidence is soft, without challenge. She knows what she wants and knows how to achieve it. Her presence is felt without words: a calm gaze, a light smile, natural beauty.

She suits flowing dresses, natural fabrics, minimal accessories. She loves morning light, fresh flowers and heart-to-heart conversations. Her style is intelligent elegance, where every detail is in its place.

Essens W116 lives with her all day: in the morning it unfolds with spicy pepper and apple, during the day — with a floral heart with violet and jasmine, and in the evening it warms with sandalwood and labdanum. This is a companion fragrance for those who value a soft yet confident presence.

⚖️ Original and Essens W116 Side by Side

The only difference is the price and the bottle. The scent remains recognisable from the first seconds.

✨ Women's perfume W116 by Essens is a multi-faceted floral-woody fragrance that unfolds with spicy Jamaican pepper, powdery violet and warm sandalwood. It embodies the elegance of the French perfumery school — it is an exact analogue of the legendary Lacoste Pour Femme. Every drop conveys the recognisable accord familiar to fans of the original, and gives a feeling of soft femininity, confidence and style.

A versatile fragrance for any season and any occasion. Try it and see for yourself.