Masa by Lattafa Perfumes

You can’t imagine a fleshy magician; it’s nothing like that. It’s a super green, unripe mango. Only at the opening, with a hint of lemon and ginger, does the suede emerge: soft leather but very present. The mineral notes are there, yet supporting that fruity fruitiness.

What a brilliant fragrance! It follows the vibe of Ganymede and B683 by Marc-Antoine Barrois, but Masa adds its personal touch with the mango, making it less formal and more versatile. Watch out: the opening can be slightly irritating due to the saffron, the sweetness of the mango, and the metallic notes. Let it dry for 5 minutes… ✔️ Longevity: on the tested decant, it lasts about 5-6 hours. ✔️ Projection: very good for the first hour. ✔️ Seasons: perfect for spring and autumn (not too cold). ✔️ Occasion: semi-formal. Top quality/price. A great creation by Lattafa!

The blend of cashmere and suede is very persistent. At first, I didn’t like how it smelled on me, but in the air, it’s something else. I did a test: one spray on a shirt on the chair, it’s the third day and I still notice it every time I enter. It evokes elegance and seriousness. The mango rounds off the start but disappears, imperceptible in the air; everyone will wonder what it smells like, perhaps that particular scent. My conclusion: it doesn’t captivate, but it conveys seriousness and masculinity.

It’s very complex, not a blind buy. The metallic and spiced notes in the opening disgust me and give me a sensation of sweaty armpit; I was about to discard it. But after 15 minutes it evolves and starts to be liked. It’s quite strange but not bad, and its longevity is very good.

I know many see Masa as a clone of Ganymede or Bois Imperial, but to my nose, it sounds more like a distant relative. It is not a substitute, and that is good, because it is a fragrance with plenty of personality and its own taste. Like many Arab scents, the opening is intense: saffron, metal, and a burnt touch that lasts a few minutes, before leather emerges and settles into a delicious fruity sweetness with a woody, metallic base that vaguely recalls Bois Imperial, but with that sweetness taking the lead without being overdone. It is an excellent signature scent, versatile, and one that completely flies under the mainstream radar.

I understand that Masa is reviewed as a dupe of Ganymede/Bois Imperial, but to my nose, the resemblance is just a slight familiarity. I don’t think it serves to replace them at all, and I’m not saying this negatively, quite the opposite. It’s original, with personality, and very pleasant. Like many Arabic scents, it has an irritating opening, very saffroned, metallic, and with a burnt sensation, which lasts a few minutes, some leather is perceived, and then it settles into a super pleasant fruity sweetness, with a metallic and woody trail that distantly recalls Bois Imperial, but with sweetness as the protagonist, nothing exaggerated. It’s an excellent signature fragrance, with versatility few have, and it passes well below the mainstream radar.

Fruity, floral, metallic, and suede. If you know Wajood by Lattafa, this is its fruitier, unisex version, whereas the other is more marine, serious, and less sweet. Good performance for moderate climates, day and night. One of the brand’s best current releases. I recommend trying it first: it steers clear of the mainstream and is not a soft office scent. It has power and personality. The value for money is good. It has little relation to God of Fire or Alhambra Sceptre Malachite, beyond the initial mango which is later covered by patchouli and suede.

The bottle alone is a luxury, and it smells different. It is not easy to hold, but it is rich and does not seem cheap. It lasts well; if you have many perfumes and are looking for something distinct, give it a try. It is a good product.

It is 85-90% similar to Paris Corner Celestial and shares similarities with Madison Alhambra Spectre Malachite due to the fruity note. The same applies to those three as it does here. It is a fruity, mineral, or metallic perfume, well-crafted: a casual aroma that is liked, different, and curious. It does not attract attention by being potent, but by its unusual yet good scent. It would enter the top 10 of Lattafa.

Although I do not share the view that it clones the other two Barrois fragrances, I will comment on what it evokes: it is linear, fruity at the start (the mango fades quickly), fresh initially, with presence in the heart and dry down, enveloping and somewhat heavy. At the same time, it is strange, like a creamy lotion from the past that conveys a metallic and ozonic sensation. It is just as fresh as ‘Odyssey Mandarin Sky Armaf’ (80% similar) but without the orange. The Armaf one seems more bearable and safe. ‘Masa’ does not displease me, but it is not mainstream; I believe it is for those over 30, less youthful. Perhaps the violet leaf note or that subtle synthetic oud marks it. It is unisex, but in a woman, I think it shines more (60-70% feminine). I was surprised by its original composition; nothing mass-produced. It is rare, strange, and I love it; perhaps the blind buy is not safe here.

Whatever the intention of cloning or following the Barrois line, what it evokes for me is something linear, fruity at the start (the mango fades quickly), fresh, and present in the middle and dry-down, enveloping but slightly heavy. It smells to me like an old creamy lotion, nothing like a barbershop scent, with a metallic and ozonic sensation. It is just as fresh as Armaf’s Odyssey Mandarin Sky (they share about 80% of the aroma) but without the citrus note; to me, the Armaf seems more bearable, cheerful, and a safe bet. Masa does not displease me, but it is not mainstream nor for everyone’s taste; I see it as suitable for those over 30, less youthful. Perhaps it is the violet leaf note or that soft synthetic oud I perceive (typical in Arab scents). It is unisex, but I think it shines more on a woman, 60-70% feminine. I was surprised by its originality and lack of mass production; it is rare, strange, and I love it, although buying it blind does not seem the safest option.

The similarity to Ganymede is incredible, keeping proportions in quality and performance. It is like a more usable, versatile, and wearable version of the Ganymede itself. A great discovery; it has become my favourite Arabic fragrance.