Phantom Paragon

How it Smells

Phantom Paragon opens with a somewhat muddled heliotrope, lacking the bright, powdery finesse of the original. The cumin is dialed up aggressively, presenting a distinct body odor nuance that clashes discordantly with the faint bergamot. The heart reveals a slightly chemical bitter almond accord, more reminiscent of marzipan extract than finely ground almonds. Lavender peeks through, but is muted, almost medicinal. The jasmine is barely detectable. The drydown is where the divergence becomes most apparent. The vanilla is cloying and synthetic, lacking depth and natural sweetness. The sandalwood is a ghost note, replaced by a generic amber that smells suspiciously like mothballs, amplified by a plasticky musk.

How Long Does it Last?

Longevity is surprisingly robust, clocking in at around 7-8 hours. Projection is initially quite strong, extending easily beyond an arm's length for the first two hours before settling closer to the skin. I tested this at the office where the opening projection was perceived as slightly abrasive.

The Verdict

Wearing Phantom Paragon is akin to experiencing a distorted mirror image of Pegasus. The key differences lie in the refinement and quality of the materials. Where the original presents a balanced composition with a luxurious feel, this rendition suffers from a synthetic edge and an imbalanced cumin note. One gains a longer lasting, though less appealing, base. One loses nuance, subtlety, and overall olfactory pleasure.