White

To Buy or Not to Buy?

If this scent were a character in a movie, it would be a washed-up extra desperately trying to portray a refined aristocrat but failing miserably due to an unfortunate wardrobe and overly eager acting.

How it Smells

White opens with a tart grapefruit, like the peel candied then abandoned. Pink pepper's playful spice is quickly subdued by a heavy, almost medicinal saffron. The heart strives for grandeur, but the incense smells like potpourri left too long in the sun, clashing with a tobacco note that leans more toward stale cigarette ash than pipe tobacco. The oud in the base is timid, overpowered by a plasticky leather accord and an amber that lacks depth, settling into a powdery, vaguely unpleasant sweetness reminiscent of cheap vanilla-scented car air freshener. It diverges from the inspiration with a notable absence of the original's elegant smokiness and sophistication.

The Performance Stats

Longevity is approximately 5 hours, becoming a skin scent by the 3-hour mark. Projection is moderate for the first hour, extending just beyond arm's length before retreating. Tested in an office setting and received no positive comments, only a questioning glance from a colleague.