Perseus by Parfums de Marly

Perseus by Parfums de Marly is a beautiful, tasty perfume made to please everyone. It has an elegant and versatile aroma that suits any occasion, from formal dinners to casual outings. Unlike cheap imitations like LV’s Imagination or Creed’s Aventus, Perseus hasn’t become trendy, so it’s almost certain that no one else smells the same as you on the street. I read below that ‘this is made for new noses,’ as if pleasing the majority is a bad thing. I think that user enjoys making negative comments; on the contrary, being told ‘you smell delicious’ should brighten their day. However, it’s not all perfect: Marly’s price tag might make you hesitate if you only care about the scent. For less money, you can find similar options like Terre d’Hermès Eau Givrée or Acqua di Gio EDP (I was surprised they didn’t mention their similarity), which have that fresh and elegant touch without the niche label. The real dilemma is whether you’re paying for the Marly experience or just the smell. I own Perseus and love it, but I bought it second-hand at a good price; honestly, I’d never pay the original price for it.

The opening smells more like Paralel43 by Yanbal than TDH Eau Grisée… In the dry-down it’s an Ambroxan bomb, totally unbearable. Created to please novice noses.

My goodness, what a beautiful aroma. It screams polished elegance and that grandiose mix I adore with madness, until the vetiver and cedar with that mandarin touch were enough to make me adore it completely. It reminded me of a perfume from ’93-’94 sitting in my stash, Givenchy’s Inense. All the notes live in total harmony, like a poem writing an ode to life, love, and happiness. I’m loving it with absolute veneration. By the way, the similarity to Terre d’Hermès Eau Givrée and Cedrat Boise is almost identical, and I adore those two as well.

What a terrible perfume 😅 Smells like rancid mandarins or oranges. After ten minutes, it improves significantly, becoming more citrusy but with a woody and creamy touch. I won’t be buying it again; it’s too expensive for such a bad scent.

I see we all agree; it’s literally Terre d’Hermès Eau Grisée but slightly spicier and with a bit more quality; the ambergris gives that punch to the aroma. However, the performance on my skin is terrible, about three hours compared to double the duration of Hermès (6 hours) and at a fraction of the price. It’s not bad, but in my opinion, it’s not worth it.

A citrus jewel. A delicious perfume, perfect for summer and everyday wear. From start to finish, it stays true to its character: citrusy, vibrant and clean. But be warned, it doesn’t smell like fruit juice like others in the style. It evokes peels, leaves and essential oils. That green, bitter sensation of squeezing a peel. The woody notes are there, yes, but without taking centre stage. They function as a structure that reinforces the citrus, giving it body and longevity without stealing the focus. Many compare it to Terre d’Hermès, and it’s no surprise: they share the dry citrus tone, although Perseus avoids that typical talc-like note of Hermès. That gives it a more modern and wearable vibe. I like it because, in a sea of fresh perfumes that seem like clones, Perseus has its own identity. It feels natural, effortlessly elegant and different from the mainstream. My rating: 9.5/10. A citrus jewel for those seeking freshness without falling into the predictable.

Perseus is fantastic for hot days. Personally, the grapefruit that gives it that bitterness and the mandarin that counteracts it, along with the vetiver and amber to anchor the fragrance and give it a longer-lasting touch, make Perseus a wonderful perfume for those scorching days. Good projection, excellent longevity (about ten hours on my skin and perceptible at all times). Two minor drawbacks: the price (as is typical for PdM) and a certain simplicity in the conception and evolution of the aroma. But if something is good from the start, why change it? Suitable for any age. Pleasant aroma, which will please everyone and is not challenging, ideal for everyday wear. Daytime use only. I give it an 8 out of 10.

It’s a gem: a bitter citrus opening with character that dries down to become creamy and soft. It’s not a beast mode, and despite the cost, it might make you hesitate whether it’s worth it, but I absolutely love it and recommend it wholeheartedly.

One of my Marly favourites: fresh, present, and full of nuances that make it complex and well-executed.

Literal is Terre d’Hermès Eau Grisée with a touch more quality but four times the price. I’ll stick with Hermès.

I tested it blind and it’s almost identical to Terre de Hermès Parfum, though with more grapefruit and mature vetiver. It resembles my EDT less and not much the Eau Grivée or Tres Fraîche versions. If you like Terre Parfum, you’ll like Perseus: it keeps the grapefruit longer, whereas in Hermès the vetiver emerges sooner. They are bitter, dry, earthy, and elegant citrus scents for cooler climates. Performance is similar, although Hermès has better balance and evocation. Is Perseus bad? Not at all; it smells expensive and satisfies lovers of dry, woody citrus. Perhaps it’s more versatile and modern than Terre Parfum, with a sparkier opening and a unisex vibe, though it remains masculine. Competing with Terre is risky, as Hermès offers spectacular ingredient quality and composition at a price one-third lower. Terre isn’t that vulgar Arabic clone to avoid; it’s the original that set the standard with a solid, versatile style. I’m not throwing hate at Perseus: if you like that olfactive family, it won’t disappoint. I prefer other versions that are more summery and youthful without vetiver, although they behave better. Salu2.

You can tell there’s much quality, as with all Parfums de Marly. Rich citrus opening with grapefruit as the protagonist. Then the tangerine appears and fuses. I don’t feel sweet or sharp citrus, but dry, bitter, spicy ones. It’s not the classic fresh fragrance, but has body and presence. I feel it’s formal, ideal for daily life, office, meetings. It’s not youthful, not sweet, not mature; it would suit anyone wanting a distinct, elegant, sporty citrus. I tested it with Terre d’Hermès (PP and Eau Givrée) and they bear no resemblance, neither in aroma nor quality. I also tested it with Jannat by Memo, it goes more in that direction with bitter citrus and similar quality, but different paths. In my opinion, it has its own style, resembles nothing, is super interesting and of excellent quality, superior to any designer. Good longevity, I got 5 or 6 hours. I don’t understand wanting it to last 14 hours; I change mine every 5 or 6. Would I buy it again? Of course. Would I use it daily? Yes, certainly. In my top 10? No, it’s very good, rich and versatile, but I have others in my collection that I prefer more. If I give it a score, it would be a 9/10: original, pleasant and high quality.

In terms of composition, it’s hard not to like it, but it doesn’t seem striking or interesting enough to buy at that price. Bitter citrus, sparkly opening, centred on vetiver and woody notes. The notes are good, but it smells like something repeated a thousand times. It’s versatile for all year round, except in beach settings. It fixes well and projects well. I feel I haven’t found the Marly that hooks me yet, but I haven’t lost hope.

A addictive summer fragrance, citrus and wood. Crisp on the opening and extremely soft as it develops. Very versatile.

I always defend this house, but with this launch they’ve really knocked us down. And please, it bears no resemblance to Tygar at all.