by Antonio Banderas
The Icon Eau de Parfum by Antonio Banderas presents a synthetic yet smooth profile built around ambroxan, lavendar, and a powdery citrus-woody character. It opens with a sharper, slightly peppery grapefruit and black pepper, followed by a midsection of lavender, suede, and cypress that adds a fresh aromatic depth. The dry down reveals a soft, creamy sweetness with labdanum and patchouli, creating a gourmand-woody base that feels more like a modern formula than a natural fragrance. Though it lacks the bold projection of top-tier EDPs, it performs admirably in longevity—some users report up to 8 hours, especially with heavy spraying. The sillage is moderate, centered close to the skin, making it ideal for office settings and daytime wear. It is frequently compared to a softer version of Dior Homme Intense or Dylan Blue, offering a clean, skin-scent feel without being intrusive. Notably, it is widely praised as an affordable daily driver with high value for the price, particularly for those drawn to fresh, softly sweet, synthetic fragrances with a modern lab-note sensibility.