Mon Paris

To Buy or Not to Buy?

If this scent were a character in a movie, it would be the imposter pretending to be the sophisticated socialite, desperately trying to fit in with a wardrobe purchased off the sale rack.

First Impressions & Dry Down

The opening is a sharp, almost acrid rendering of the advertised fruits. The strawberry presents as an artificial candy accord, reminiscent of those strawberry hard candies found in grandma's purse, while the raspberry is muted and somewhat vinegary. Pear is detectable, lending a fleeting, watery sweetness. The heart struggles to emerge from this initial fruit blast, but a synthetic peony note eventually surfaces, mingling uneasily with a generalized, slightly indolic jasmine. The specified Jasmine Sambac is lost in the mix; the Chinese Jasmine note is more prominent but rendered in a flat, one-dimensional style. The base attempts to ground the composition, but the patchouli is harsh and devoid of nuance; it’s closer to a musty earth scent than the clean, camphoraceous variety. The white musk is simplistic, adding a slightly powdery veil but failing to smooth out the jarring edges of the patchouli. The resemblance to the original is superficial at best, with significant deviations in depth and complexity. The initial fruit notes veer into cloying territory, and the drydown lacks the sophisticated balance of the inspiration.

Projection Power

Longevity is moderate, clocking in at approximately 4-5 hours. Projection is initially strong, extending approximately one arm's length, before quickly settling closer to the skin within the first hour. Tested in both indoor and outdoor environments, the performance remains consistent.