The Artist No. 2

Notes & Nuances

The Artist No. 2 bursts forth with a sugary pink pepper blast, quickly morphing into a jammy raspberry accord reminiscent of slightly fermented fruit preserves. A fleeting hint of black currant adds a tartness that attempts to balance the growing sweetness, but ultimately loses the battle. The rose at the core is present, yet feels thin and almost diluted, lacking the opulent depth of the inspiration. Instead, the clove and cinnamon introduce a spicy warmth, giving it a somewhat medicinal quality, like cloves steeped in cherry cough syrup. The drydown brings forth a smoky incense, which blends into a creamy sandalwood, however, I detect a disconcerting plasticky undertone in the base that lingers unpleasantly. It diverges from its muse in the base, with the original having a richer, velvety feel.

Wear time & Sillage

Longevity is decent, clocking in at around 6 hours on my skin. Projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour, then settling to about an arm's length for the next three. I tested it on a cool autumn day, and found the sweetness became cloying after extended wear during a long walk.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

This fragrance is suitable for someone who appreciates sweet, rosy perfumes, and doesn't demand intense complexity. Perhaps a student or young professional who enjoys making a statement without commanding too much attention. Someone whose style leans towards trendy, modern silhouettes and appreciates a lively, noticeable fragrance.