Enigma

Notes & Nuances

Enigma by Alexandria Fragrances aims for Roja's Creation-E, and gets respectably close. The opening bergamot is bright, but a touch sharper, more synthetic than the original's refined citrus. The heart features a powdery heliotrope that leans quite feminine, alongside a jasmine that's present but less indolic. Where it most obviously differs is in the base. The cognac note is dialed back significantly, replaced by a heavier dose of vanilla and benzoin. It smells good, but doesn't have the boozy depth of Roja's version. I'd say it captures around 90% of the original's DNA. The missing 90%? The *expensive* ingredients.

Performance Reality Check

This is where Enigma shines. Expect 6-8 hours on skin, with moderate projection for the first two hours. It creates a nice scent bubble without being overwhelming. Solid performance point. It's not a perfect substitute, lacking some of the boozy sophistication. However, it delivers a very wearable, sweet, and powdery fragrance that's sure to please. A safe blind buy for vanilla lovers. Buy this.