Paris

The Scent Profile

Paris opens with a jarring, almost acrid citrus blast - imagine grapefruit rind steeped in cheap vodka. The pink pepper attempts to add a sparkle, but it comes across as more of an aggressive scratch. The heart is where it tries to mimic I by Widian, aiming for that smoky incense, but it lands closer to a burnt rubber accord with a cloying sweetness reminiscent of cherry cough syrup. There's a vague tobacco presence, buried beneath the syrupy haze. The drydown leans heavily into a synthetic oud and a plasticky leather, leaving a trail of amber that smells suspiciously like stale candy. It misses the nuance of the original's refined incense and smooth leather.

Projection Power

Longevity is surprisingly tenacious, clinging to skin for around 6-7 hours, though it becomes a skin scent after the initial two hours. Projection is initially strong, pushing out a good arm's length, but quickly diminishes to a close bubble. I tested it during a chilly evening walk; it cut through the cold, but the synthetic edge became even more pronounced.

Final Thoughts

If this scent were a character in a movie, it would be the try-hard villain who wants to be menacing but ends up tripping over their own feet.