The Story
Why it exists.
The beginning
The To Be collection was created as a statement. Two fragrances, one for men, one for women, built around the idea that identity isn't something you negotiate. Police, the Italian brand known for sunglasses, carried that confidence into its fragrance line. The women's version, To Be Woman, was designed as a fragrance with a distinct personality that refuses to blend into the background. The bottle, a purple skull, says everything the name doesn't need to. There's an unapologetic boldness to how the fragrance presents itself, matching the visual statement of the packaging with a scent that doesn't ask for permission to be noticed.
The composition leans into contrast from the first spray. Granny Smith apple, clementine, and lime create an immediate tartness, green, crisp, almost biting. Then the heart softens the story. Freesia and jasmine bring white floral sweetness, but there's a sweets note in the middle that keeps it from becoming precious. The base, cedarwood, musk, sandalwood, grounds everything in warmth that stays close to the skin. The tartness fades as the florals bloom, creating a transition that's smooth without being abrupt.
The evolution
The opening hits first, sharp citrus, tart green apple, the kind of brightness that clears the air. Within minutes, the florals take over. Freesia leads, jasmine follows, and the sweets accord softens everything into something almost playful. The tartness recedes, replaced by a white floral presence that dominates without overwhelming. The drydown is where it earns its reputation. Cedarwood and sandalwood arrive slowly, with musk holding everything in a warm, close-to-skin embrace. No projection. No sillage that announces itself. Just a trail that someone standing next to you will notice, and want to know more about. As the hours pass, the woody notes deepen, and the musk keeps the fragrance intimate rather than theatrical. The sweetness that appeared in the middle phase fades, leaving behind something grounded and warm.
Cultural impact
To Be Woman sits in a space where fruity-sweet meets confident brightness. The purple skull bottle makes an unmistakable visual statement, one that draws attention before the fragrance even reaches the skin. Community response has been divided in the way that usually signals something worth talking about: some find it fresh and playful, others note the synthetic sweetness. The moderate sillage keeps it intimate rather than announcing itself. What makes this fragrance notable is how it balances accessibility with character. The sweetness doesn't tip into cloying territory, and the woody base prevents it from feeling one-dimensional.
