M by Mariah Carey

Master Carlos Benaim leaves his quality stamp on all his fragrances, whether designer or celebrity scents. Case in point, this gem: delicious, sweet, and very feminine. It smells fine, has longevity, and a 10ft sillage, perfect for autumn and winter. I’m delighted to have it in my collection and highly recommend it if you enjoy sweet floral aromas.

I perceive it as a creamy floral scent. You can feel the soft incense in the background. It surprised me, and personally, I love florals. 10/10.

I owned this fragrance during my youth and remember receiving compliments when wearing it. In fact, people told me it smelled like an expensive perfume. I bought it again today, and although its longevity on me is less than it was back then, its scent remains intact. I wouldn’t say it smells expensive or highly sophisticated. However, the combination of notes, despite seeming at first glance as though they wouldn’t blend (such as the incense with sea water, for example), has resulted in an original, sensual, and coquettish perfume that I find very difficult to perceive in other perfumes in my collection (at least the ones I know). I would recommend it more for cold weather, but it wouldn’t go amiss on a fresh summer evening either. I perceive it as between formal and informal, as it is a difficult scent to define. However, I would risk saying it leans slightly towards informal. Regarding the time of day to wear it, I personally see it as quite versatile too. It could be suitable for a night out or for the day, though it leans slightly more towards evening.

M by Mariah Carey (2007): I was lucky enough to try the first versions of this sweet fragrance, which is nothing like cloying, very sensual. The dry-down is super feminine; I don’t know if the incense base gives it a smoky touch or something like smoked cream and caramelised milk, the sensation is unique. The amber note adds warmth, and it is in the dry-down when it becomes more elegant. I love this composition and the bottle, very original with the singer’s passion for butterflies.

Well, another perfume of which I had extremely high expectations and I ended up somewhat disappointed. It smells like absolutely nothing special; indeed, I perceive it as super cheap and common, a very generic perfume. I waited a bit longer for this perfume based on the reviews I’ve read. I wouldn’t buy it again, unfortunately…

Marvellous! Where has this been all my life? I don’t like gourmand or excessively sweet perfumes, but this fascinates me. It has an incredible evolution on my skin, changing several times in the first hour; the scent that remains after an hour is fascinating, sweet and powdery. I think if Nina Ricci or any other house had released it, it would have more recognition. Longevity on skin is 4 hours at full performance, then skin-scented for another 2 hours. On clothes, until you wash it. The trail is large: for the first hours, it can be smelled three metres around 🙂 I am considering buying a backup bottle (this is the first time this has happened to me with a perfume).

It is delicious; all its notes blend harmoniously to create an exquisite fragrance. The toffee notes stand out, while the incense balances it so it isn’t excessively sweet. The trail is enormous, the longevity is excellent, and the price is quite accessible for what it is, asking for nothing from a designer or niche house.

Sometimes celebrity fragrances surprise and even outshine the big brands. This is one such case: it follows the current sweet trend but isn’t overly sugary. It’s refined, feminine, and unobtrusive, lingering on clothes for ages. I’ve tried others from the collection, but this is my favourite and I’ll definitely repurchase.

One of the best celebrity scents. It projects hugely, and you can clearly detect the tiare, incense, and a hint of marshmallow. I wore it and people always commented on how wonderful it smelled.

Knowing your favourite singer is launching their first perfume keeps you thinking. On one hand, I wanted something she wore; on the other, I feared I wouldn’t like it. Mariah Carey M didn’t disappoint. They used the marshmallow well, it fits perfectly. The incense and amber give it character, a warm and intoxicating side. It’s sweet but not cloying. It accompanied me to every outing and concert in 2007 and 2008, earning me many compliments. Excellent longevity; I recommend it.

Ultra-feminine, elegant, and mysterious. The incense stands out, yet it doesn’t feel heavy because the tiare and patchouli soften it, delivering a delightful vanilla sweetness. Better suited for winter, though it doesn’t clash in the heat. The price is very reasonable. The bottle is dapper with its oval shape and butterfly cap. The purple hue is attractive. The glass is basic, but you can’t ask for more at this price point. I’d love a limited edition in quality crystal, keeping the purple and a finer butterfly detail.

At first, it smells sweet, delicious, and long-lasting. It has good longevity; it’s better in winter as it can be a bit overpowering in summer. It lasts up to five hours and the value for money is good. I recommend it to those who enjoy floral scents.