Masa

Scent Breakdown

Masa goes for the distinctive mineral-forward profile of Ganymede. The opening bursts with a juicy mandarin touched by saffron, but lacks the sharp, almost metallic tang of the original. The violet and osmanthus heart is there, a suede-like floral that's pretty well done. The dry down shifts to the woody, slightly medicinal Akigalawood and immortelle. It nails the mineral accord, though it's less refined than Ganymede. I'd say it gets about 75% of the way there, missing some of the original's airy complexity and refinement. There's a *slight* synthetic edge here, especially early on, but it fades quickly.

Projection Power

the performance is solid. I get a good 6-8 hours on skin, with decent projection for the first 2-3. It sits closer to the skin after that, creating a subtle, intriguing scent bubble. It projects less than Ganymede, but also costs a *fraction* of the price.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

If you're curious about Ganymede but balk at the price, Masa is an excellent entry point. It's a great daily driver for the office or casual wear. While fragrance aficionados might pick apart the subtle differences, the average person will simply perceive a unique, modern, and sophisticated scent. Buy it.