M7 Clones

"### Final Thoughts This fragrance suits a character attempting gravitas before they’ve truly earned it. Think a junior executive trying to command a boardroom, or a teenager attempting a sophisticated look. Ultimately, the fragrance wants to project power, but the execution falls slightly short. It would pair well with dark clothing and a carefully cultivated air of mystery, though perhaps not the best choice for a first date. ### How it Smells Niche Oud opens with a fleeting sparkle of citrus. It hints at fresh bergamot, but swiftly yields to a medicinal wave. The rosemary note edges towards Vicks VapoRub, while the mandarin gets lost in the shuffle. The heart dives headfirst into oud, but it’s an oud rendered synthetic. It's reminiscent of band-aids and a faint whiff of rubber tires. This isn't the refined, animalic oud of luxury perfumery; it's a more aggressive, almost plasticky rendition. As it dries, the amber and musk emerge, creating a powdery sweetness that attempts to soften the initial harshness, yet the blend is still faintly antiseptic. The vetiver provides a grassy undertone, but it's a subdued player in this somewhat discordant arrangement. It departs significantly from the smooth, cherry-tinged warmth of its inspiration. ### Projection Power Longevity is moderate, clocking in at around 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour, then settling to within an arm's length for the remainder of its lifespan. I tested it during an indoor workday, and it garnered a few intrigued glances, but no compliments."

"### First Impressions & Dry Down Magnificent 7 opens with a brisk bergamot blast, not the sun-drenched citrus groves of Italy, but more like a bergamot-scented cleaning product. The rosemary emerges quickly, a camphorous, slightly medicinal edge that clashes with the synthetic mandarin. The heart is where this aims for the original M7, but falls short. Instead of the rich, nuanced agarwood, there's a generalized "woody" accord, almost pencil-shaving cedar with a hint of band-aid medicinal oud. The vetiver is green, but thin, lacking the earthy depth. The drydown is dominated by a powdery musk that obscures any remaining amber, leaving a vague, slightly plasticky finish that lingers without developing any real character. ### Wear time & Sillage Longevity is deceptively good, clocking in at around 6-7 hours. However, projection is moderate in the first hour, projecting about an arm's length, before quickly retracting into a skin scent. I tested this during a rainy afternoon walk and found the humidity amplified the medicinal notes in an unpleasant way. ### Bottom Line This fragrance feels out of place. Save for a cold night at home, I can't imagine wearing this. It tries to emulate a sophisticated warmth, but the synthetic elements create a jarring experience. It is suitable for fall or winter, but only if applied very sparingly."