Portrait of a Lady Clones

"### Notes & Nuances The Artist No. 2 bursts forth with a sugary pink pepper blast, quickly morphing into a jammy raspberry accord reminiscent of slightly fermented fruit preserves. A fleeting hint of black currant adds a tartness that attempts to balance the growing sweetness, but ultimately loses the battle. The rose at the core is present, yet feels thin and almost diluted, lacking the opulent depth of the inspiration. Instead, the clove and cinnamon introduce a spicy warmth, giving it a somewhat medicinal quality, like cloves steeped in cherry cough syrup. The drydown brings forth a smoky incense, which blends into a creamy sandalwood, however, I detect a disconcerting plasticky undertone in the base that lingers unpleasantly. It diverges from its muse in the base, with the original having a richer, velvety feel. ### Wear time & Sillage Longevity is decent, clocking in at around 6 hours on my skin. Projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour, then settling to about an arm's length for the next three. I tested it on a cool autumn day, and found the sweetness became cloying after extended wear during a long walk. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? This fragrance is suitable for someone who appreciates sweet, rosy perfumes, and doesn't demand intense complexity. Perhaps a student or young professional who enjoys making a statement without commanding too much attention. Someone whose style leans towards trendy, modern silhouettes and appreciates a lively, noticeable fragrance."

"### Scent Breakdown Floral Sculpture starts with an initial blast of tart raspberry that leans toward cherry cough syrup, a noticeable pink pepper tingle, and a slight urinous black currant note which thankfully fades quickly. The core is undeniably rose, but it lacks the velvety depth of its muse, presenting instead as a sharper, more synthetic rose absolute. The clove and cinnamon are present but subdued, preventing the warm spice from fully developing. The drydown introduces a pleasant incense that’s blended with a creamy sandalwood. However, an underlying plasticky sweetness lingers, diminishing the sophistication one would expect. While it echoes the inspiration's DNA, it doesn't quite capture the original's luxurious refinement. ### Final Thoughts Wearing Floral Sculpture is like viewing a master painting through a slightly smudged lens. You get the general idea and some enjoyment, but the subtleties and intricacies are somewhat obscured. The incense and rose elements provide a worthwhile experience, even if the initial synthetic edge and plasticky base are undeniable tradeoffs. This may scratch the itch for the aroma, but those accustomed to high-end fragrances may notice the missing nuances. ### How Long Does it Last? On my skin, Floral Sculpture lasts a solid 6-7 hours. The projection is moderate, extending about an arm’s length for the first two hours before settling closer to the skin. I wore it during a cool autumn evening and found it performed adequately. However, in warmer weather, I suspect the sweetness might become cloying."

"### The Scent Profile Portrait of a Rose opens with a tart berry blast – think less fresh raspberries and more slightly fermented, syrupy black currant. The pink pepper adds a needed lift, preventing it from becoming completely jammy. The rose emerges quickly, a deep, dark Turkish rose, though initially, it's battling for dominance against the berry accord. The clove and cinnamon provide warmth, but lean slightly medicinal, like spiced cough drops. As it dries down, the incense and sandalwood become more prominent, adding a smoky, woody backbone. It diverges most clearly in the base, lacking the original's refined elegance and settling into a somewhat plasticky sandalwood. ### Wear time & Sillage On my skin, Portrait of a Rose lasts a solid 6-7 hours. Projection is initially quite strong, easily reaching beyond arm's length for the first two hours, before settling into a more intimate scent bubble. I wore this during a chilly evening walk and found it bloomed nicely in the cooler air. It also performed well in an office setting, though be mindful of the initial projection if you're in close quarters. ### Final Thoughts This is for the person who appreciates a bold, unapologetic rose fragrance. Someone who enjoys a slightly gothic vibe and isn't afraid to make a statement. Picture a freelance writer, draped in velvet, working from a dimly lit cafe, fueled by strong coffee and dark chocolate. This is their signature scent."

"### Bottom Line This fragrance is best suited for cooler evenings, or perhaps a casual fall outing. I struggle to see it working in warmer weather, as the sweetness might become overwhelming. The unbalanced spice notes do not lend themselves to any professional setting. ### First Impressions & Dry Down French Portrait opens with an aggressive pink pepper, almost sharp, layered over a sticky raspberry accord – not fresh berries, but more akin to a mass-produced fruit syrup. The black currant is faint, lending a slightly acidic undertone, overshadowed by the cloying sweetness. The heart attempts a Turkish rose, but it’s a diluted interpretation. The rose leans powdery, devoid of the original's depth. Clove is prominent, nearly overshadowing the cinnamon, creating an unbalanced spicy edge. The drydown introduces incense, detectable but muted, blended with a creamy, but synthetic sandalwood. Benzoin adds a resinous touch, yet overall the base feels thin, lacking the substantial richness of its muse. It diverges significantly in the drydown where the incense becomes chalky. ### Projection Power Longevity is moderate, clocking in around 6 hours. Projection initially sits at about an arm's length, softening to a skin scent after 2 hours. I tested this at the office. Within 30 minutes, a coworker noticed the scent and made a face."

"### Is it Worth It? This scent is best suited for casual daytime wear when you want something sweet and noticeable without being overpowering. Given its synthetic edge, I'd recommend wearing it in situations where close scrutiny isn't anticipated, such as running errands or a quick coffee with friends. It doesn’t possess the sophistication for evening events or formal occasions. ### Olfactory Experience This “Portrait” opens with a blast of pink pepper—think spicy cedar—dominating over a candied raspberry note reminiscent of children's medicine. The initial fruit isn’t vibrant; instead, it settles quickly into a thick, jammy sweetness. As the fragrance develops, a powerful rose emerges, but unfortunately, it has a slightly artificial quality, not unlike rose-scented cleaning products. The promised clove and cinnamon struggle to be heard, merely contributing a general, muddied warmth rather than distinct spice. The base is where this clone deviates significantly. The incense is weak and watery. The sandalwood registers as a generic creamy wood, devoid of the depth and richness I'd expect. I get a flat, plasticky benzoin note. ### Longevity & Projection I obtained about five hours of moderate longevity on my skin. Projection is initially strong, filling a room, but settles to about an arm's length within an hour. I tested it during a mild autumn evening. It failed to project outdoors."

"### Notes & Nuances Identity Unique Portrait opens with a blast of sugared raspberries and sharp pink pepper, a combination bordering on artificial. The black currant adds a slightly dank, earthy counterpoint. The rose surfaces quickly but lacks depth, smelling more like rose-scented soap than a velvety Turkish bloom. The clove and cinnamon are subdued, lending a subtle spicy warmth but never truly igniting. As it dries, the incense makes its presence known, mingling with the benzoin to create a resinous cloud. Unfortunately, the sandalwood comes across as synthetic and slightly plasticky, a departure from the creamy, woody base I was hoping for. ### The Verdict If Identity Unique Portrait were a character in a movie, it would be the charming con artist who looks the part but whose smile never quite reaches their eyes. ### Wear time & Sillage On my skin, Identity Unique Portrait lasts a solid 6-7 hours. Projection is initially quite strong, filling a room for the first hour or two, before settling into a more intimate, arm's-length bubble. I wore it to the office, and while not offensive, it was definitely noticeable. It would be best suited for cooler weather; I can imagine the sweetness becoming cloying in the summer heat."

"### First Impressions & Dry Down Aroma West's "Portrait d'Une Dame" imitation opens with a distinct, almost medicinal blast. The advertised pink pepper manifests as a cherry cough syrup accord, battling for dominance with a sharp, synthetic raspberry note. The black currant struggles to surface, buried beneath the initial syrupy onslaught. The heart attempts to salvage the situation with a velvety Turkish rose, but the clove and cinnamon lean heavily into potpourri territory, evoking images of dusty antique shops. The drydown shifts into a gentler incense, a whisper of sandalwood, and a comforting benzoin that pulls the composition back from complete disaster. However, a lingering plasticky undertone remains, a subtle reminder of its synthetic origins. It's a recognizable nod to its inspiration, yet it diverges significantly, particularly in the opening and mid-section where the materials feel less refined. ### Conclusion This fragrance is best suited for fall and winter evenings. It's an intriguing choice for a night out, specifically when one is going for a more assertive, confident aesthetic. This is a scent for the woman who enjoys commanding attention, but perhaps with a touch more calculated mystery than raw power. ### Projection Power Longevity is impressive, clinging to the skin for a solid 7 hours. Projection is moderate, extending about an arm's length for the first two hours before settling closer to the body. I tested this in a variety of situations, from casual outings to a formal dinner. It performed best in cooler environments, as the sweetness amplified unpleasantly in warmer settings."

"### How it Smells Her Portrait opens with a startlingly vivid pink peppercorn blast, almost medicinal in its intensity. The promise of raspberry quickly turns into a cloying, cough syrup sweetness, thankfully tempered by a dank, earthy black currant. The heart struggles to find balance; the Turkish rose is present, but feels muted, almost suffocated by the aggressive clove and cinnamon – imagine potpourri left too long in a dusty attic. The drydown fares better, the incense emerging with a smoky grace, though the benzoin contributes a slight Play-Doh undertone. Sandalwood peeks through but lacks the creamy richness I crave, settling into a somewhat papery whisper. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? This is a scent for commanding attention. It demands a bold wearer who isn't afraid to embrace a touch of darkness. Best suited for cold weather; a formal event or a dimly lit cocktail bar in late fall or winter would be its ideal habitat. This is not a fragrance for casual wear or daytime events. ### Wear time & Sillage I observed a robust 8-hour longevity, though the projection is initially quite powerful, easily filling a room at two arm lengths. After the initial hour, it settles closer to the skin. I tested it during a chilly autumn evening walk, where it surprisingly held its own against the brisk wind."

"### The Scent Profile Artist No. 1 storms out of the bottle with a brazen pink pepper blast – almost like sniffing peppercorn-infused vodka. The promised raspberry and black currant hide shyly beneath, a sugary whisper rather than a juicy statement. The rose at its heart is undeniably Turkish, but lacks the velvety depth. It's more of a dried rose petal found tucked inside an old book, papery and brittle. The spices arrive quickly, clove and cinnamon vying for dominance, creating a slightly medicinal, almost cherry cough syrup accord. The drydown brings a smoky incense note, but it is anchored with an unfortunate, play-doh sandalwood, obscuring any refined elegance. ### Projection Power This fragrance lasts a respectable 6-7 hours on skin. The projection is initially quite powerful, filling a room at arm's length, but quickly settles to a more intimate bubble within the first hour. I tested it at an evening cocktail event, and found it faded into the background noise surprisingly fast. ### Bottom Line Artist No. 1 wants to command attention, but ultimately whispers instead. It's a scent for the introverted artist, the writer who prefers the company of their characters, or someone browsing a dimly lit antique shop, drawn to tarnished silver and forgotten histories. It's a fragrance best suited for cool autumn evenings and introspection, not for a grand entrance or a night of revelry."