Mandala by Masque Milano

This is the fourth fragrance from this brand I own. I’d rate it as half good, half average. It opens with an acidic incense, nutmeg, and labdanum, which is quite exciting. After ten minutes, it mellows and balances out, but that doesn’t convince me: that initial density becomes too light. It wears similarly to PDM’s Nisean. It’s fairly linear, lingering in a soft bubble of incense, labdanum, oakmoss, and a creamy, salty base. It’s very good but doesn’t really grab attention. On my skin, it lasts eight hours, though by the fourth hour you have to sniff it up close. I lean towards a masculine interpretation, suitable for semi-formal or formal occasions. It’s versatile for all seasons except extreme heat. I love it; it’s serious, it just lacked a bit of oomph. Scent: 8.5/10 Trail: 7/10 Projection: 6.5/10 Longevity: 6.5/10

I got this during a niche promotion: spend a certain amount and get to choose a 35ml of Masque Milano. I wanted Russian Tea, which I had loved, but the next day they told me it was out of stock and I could only choose from a few I didn’t know. I decided on Mandala because the notes indicated incense, something I didn’t have in my collection. What a mistake! I’ve been wearing it for two weeks and it’s a strange blend that never quite fits. It starts soapy with a peppery touch (angelica and nutmeg?), then moves to spicy notes (cloves and cinnamon) and finishes with a bomb of ambergris. Over time, it just leaves behind an acid note with weak memories of what came before. Where is the incense? It’s buried at the bottom, drowned out by everything else. It lacks cohesion and balance; it’s a total failure. I wouldn’t recommend it; it’s a pity. Age: 40+, 90% male/10% female. Winter, outings. Scent: 1/10. Duration: 8h. Trail: 6/10. Projection: 7/10. Versatility: 4/1

A fragrance with incense and myrrh, serious and formal, ideal for daytime wear and even meditation, unisex style. I tried it with a sample from the Discovery Kit.