I first tried DSquared2’s Red Wood a few months ago, when we launched it at Escentual. I loved it straight away and it’s a scent that has stuck with me ever since.
Red Wood continues to surprise me in a good way because it’s so fresh and sparkling. It almost feels ‘tingly’ when you breathe it in, before revealing a more complex and sophisticated undertone.
The brand behind Red Wood is DSquared2. Created by twin brothers, Dean and Dan Caten – hence their brand name – Red Wood is full of subtle hints about the fashion designers’ lives. The Caten twins were born in Toronto and now split their time between London and Milan, which is why Red Wood is made in Italy and features Canadian motifs.
The inspiration for Red Wood is – you guessed it – wood! But the perfume celebrates wood in more ways than one. Of course, it’s a fruity-woody fragrance, but its make-up is also inspired by the structure of wood. So, it is a perfume that’s strong and complex, but still lively.
The Smell:
To me, Red Wood is fresh, feminine and contemporary. And just like the bottle’s cap, it feels magnetic. When first spritzed, the perfume feels positive, juicy and crunchy. When I first breathe in Red Wood, I get a hit of cranberry. In fact, it reminds me of a glass of sweet cranberry juice.
As it develops, the fragrance becomes more floral, before the seductive musky and woody base lingers on to create a more sensual and sophisticated mood.
And just because it’s a refreshing Eau de Toilette, don’t be fooled into thinking that it’s weak: it’s still intense and long-lasting.
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The Notes:
The top notes are pink pepper and cranberry: Cranberry gives Red Wood its fresh, fruity and almost-drinkable tone, while a pinch of pink pepper helps enhance the fragrance for a more vibrant, electric feel.
The heart notes are lychee, rose and magnolia: The refreshing tone continues as lychee adds an aquatic freshness to the velvety floral aromas of rose and magnolia.
The base notes are musk, cedarwood and ambery woods: Wood pairs with musk to create a soft, sensual and cosy finish.
If you know DSquared2’s Wood Pour Femme Eau de Toilette, then you might recognise some of the notes used here, including magnolia and cedar, but the order of the notes have been switched around. So, Red Wood is a much fruitier, juicier version than its pink-bottled, floral-woody predecessor.
The Bottle:
Once you remove Red Wood’s bottle from its red velvet box, it instantly draws the eye. With a vibrant, deep red colour that catches the light beautifully and the silver name scrawled across curved glass, it’s certainly not a dainty or timid bottle. It wants to be noticed and rightly so; DSquared2 have added the extra detail, which deserves to be recognised.
Once you smell Red Wood, you’ll know why the glass is ruby red. It reminds you of the cranberry note within.
A maple leaf is embossed on the ash wood lid and the spray top to reflect Dean and Dan Caten’s Canadian heritage. The charcoal-black, hand-crafted cap is magnetic, so it quickly snaps back into place with an audible click. We also love the fact that you can see the grain of the wood run along the cap, which makes it unique.
Is Red Wood Unisex?
It’s designed for a woman and, with its floral heart, it feels like more of a feminine fragrance. But I can see all genders wearing this. Yes, it has a floral heart, but it’s mainly a juicy, tangible and vibrant scent – who doesn’t love that?
We also think Dean and Dan Caten summed it up perfectly when they said –
“Fragrance is a sensory experience that says everything about you and your personality.” So, wear whatever fragrance that suits your personality and character best; as long as you enjoy what you’re wearing, that’s all that matters!
How Long Does Red Wood Last?
Eau de Toilettes can last at least two to three hours, but me and my two fragrance-testing volunteers have found that it lasts a lot longer than that. In fact, it rivals the longevity of an Eau de Parfum! It lasted hours on end when I wore it on my wrist; I could still smell it six hours later.
To make fragrances last longer and feel more intense, you can also pair them with a fragranced body product. And thankfully, DSquared2 hasn’t left us high and dry. They have a luxurious Perfumed Body Lotion and a bubbly Perfumed Bath and Shower Gel for you to use alongside the perfume. And trust me, they smell just as good as the perfume itself!
What My Family Think of Red Wood:
Name: Jon Avetoomyan
Age: 57
Relationship: Father
If you had to describe it in three words it would be: “Refreshing, uplifting and easy-going.”
Describe Red Wood in more detail: “It feels very fruity to start; I think it’s almost citrusy. I can definitely smell wood when it develops.”
Where would you wear it? “I think it would be a good fragrance to start the day off; it would be great to use as soon as you step out of the shower. It would work well in any setting, including the office as it’s pleasant and inoffensive – but still noticeable.’”
What do you think it smells similar to? “It reminds me of a walk in nature because of its fruity and floral tones.”’
Name: Jenny Avetoomyan
Age: 56
Relationship: Mother
If you had to describe it in three words it would be: “Sweet, floral and light.”
Describe Red Wood in more detail: “I could tell Red Wood was for women because I find it floral and sweet. From the bottle, I was expecting a deep, sultry scent so I was pleasantly surprised by how light and refreshing it feels when you first spray it.”
Where would you wear it? “I think you could wear this fragrance anywhere and at any time, but to me, it feels like a daytime perfume. It would be good for a shopping trip, going to work or catching up with friends while out for a coffee.”
What do you think it smells similar to? “There weren’t any fragrances that came to mind when I sprayed Red Wood, but it reminds me of the experience of buying fresh fruit from a market.”
Why Is Red Wood Escentual?:
Fragrance is a part of our heritage, so we’re always excited by perfume! It’s a part of our name – Escentual – just like Dean and Dan Caten’s love for Canada and Italy are reflected in their fashion designs and now their designer fragrances. We love the story behind Red Wood.
Over to you!
Do you think you’ll like Red Wood? After reading our review, what do you think it smells similar to? Let us know by tagging us @Escentual on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram and use #EscentualScents
