Detour Noir Intense

How it Smells

Detour Noir Intense opens with a perplexing clash: a medicinal cherry cough syrup note from the heliotrope battles a sweaty cumin. The bergamot is almost undetectable beneath this cacophony. As it settles, a slightly more comforting, though still synthetic, bitter almond emerges, laced with a powdery lavender. Hints of jasmine peek through, but they're quickly overshadowed by the looming base. The drydown is where this fragrance truly diverges; the vanilla reads as a plasticky, vaguely sweet synthetic, clinging uncomfortably to the sandalwood and amber, creating a cloying, synthetic finish. Gone is the sophisticated airy quality; this is a heavier, more blunt instrument.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is impressive, lasting a solid 8-10 hours on skin. Projection is strong, easily extending beyond arm's length for the first 3 hours, then gradually settling closer. Tested in an office setting, it garnered a few compliments, but also some raised eyebrows, suggesting it’s a polarizing scent.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

If Detour Noir Intense were a character, it would be the try-hard villain in a teen drama. All outward swagger and carefully constructed image, but beneath the surface, a faint aroma of desperation. Someone who peaked in high school.