L'xtase Rose Absolue

Bottom Line

This fragrance is suited to someone who appreciates sweet, rosy fragrances but isn't overly discerning. Someone who frequents chain coffee shops and enjoys rose-scented body lotions. They seek a fragrance that won't offend and prioritize longevity over sophisticated construction. Ultimately, you get what you pay for: a passable imitation with a few rough edges.

Scent Breakdown

L'xtase Rose Absolue (Clone) opens with a candied rose, akin to rose-flavored Turkish delight, but with an odd, fleeting medicinal undercurrent – think cherry cough syrup mixed with talcum powder. The promised oud is present, yet it's a muted, somewhat generic woody note, lacking the complex depth and nuance of the inspiration. The violet attempts to soften the harshness, adding a powdery sweetness that's fighting a losing battle against the synthetic amber. The drydown is where this falters; a cloying vanilla emerges, leaving a plasticky, almost play-doh residue on the skin. It mirrors the original's core idea, but the ingredients lack the expensive luminosity, resulting in a denser, flatter experience.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is surprisingly robust, clinging to skin for around 6-7 hours. Projection, however, is moderate at best. It projects about an arm's length for the first hour before quickly retreating to a skin scent. I wore this to a grocery store and then to a movie theatre. It remained present but never filled a room.