Meliora by Parfums de Marly

I love it. I ordered decants of Delina and Delina Exclusif, and this one was included; to my surprise, it was the one I liked the most. It takes a different path; I consider it ethereal and less brash than the Delinas, like the reserved friend who doesn’t seek the spotlight but shines from within. It’s a pity that on my skin it only works its magic for a few hours and then fades gradually; I enjoy it very much but the price is high for its short longevity.

I recommend testing it on skin and waiting hours before deciding. On me, it smells of flowers and lily, finishing with a red fruit lollipop scent. I detect a hint of incense, though it’s not listed: it’s soft, with little sillage, yet a rich aroma.

I tried it in-store and loved it; it has greenery and freshness, like mint in the nostrils. My boyfriend said it smelled of old clothes and gave it a 4, but I disagree. It’s very different and I adored it.

I was surprised by how different it is: it smells of soap and fig leaf (or quince). It didn’t convince me. I put it down, and today, with no one wearing it, the scent of that leaf became unbearable; I felt like vomiting and had to take a full shower. It smells overwhelmingly of that leaf, so it’s a definitive no.

It is very soft for me, but the scent is exquisite. At first it is very fruity, somewhat typical of the market, but after half an hour it reveals its true self: it remains fruity but with a deeper, darker touch, even a hint of smoke. I loved that evolution; I don’t know what that smoky note is but it fascinates me. It is very expensive for what it offers; perhaps a few dollars less and it would be worth it. The good thing is I found it at almost half price, so I enjoy it. But paying the full price, I’m not sure… Lovely, clear scent, but it is so expensive!

I like the smell, but wearing it gives me a headache; I think it’s due to the casis. It smells of very ripe berries, about to ferment (it reminds me of artisanal fruit liqueurs or homemade jams where the fruit provides natural sweetness without extra sweeteners).

I love this green floral! It’s cottony, soft, and warm, enveloping me. Slightly soapy, delicate, and feminine. It doesn’t seem like Lalique’s Amethyst: this one doesn’t embrace you warmly; it’s more like Body Shop, whereas Meliora highlights the flowers with less blue fruit. Amethyst focuses on the blues; Meliora has more red fruits. Both have musk, but Meliora is more luxurious, tender, and Parisian, like a giant marshmallow amidst notes of rainy green. Amethyst dances with a vanilla base; Meliora scatters clean white flowers, without extra sweetness. It’s like freshly bathed woman’s skin with Marseille soaps and light red fruits. Meliora is underrated: if they put Amethyst in its place, they wouldn’t get away with it. My picky nose distinguishes them: Amethyst is acidic, dark, youthful, and less formal; Meliora empowers me. Casual for daily wear, but Meliora truly empowers me. The final note is an excellent woody rose, better on hard fabric than skin, with medium projection. If you’re looking for easy compliments, this isn’t the choice; if you want something selective or to enjoy in bed, go ahead. I enjoy it with gusto. Happy holidays.

This perfume makes my stomach churn; I can’t stand it. The sweetness is too plastic. If someone gifts it to me, I’ll be furious.

Similar to Kenzo World Intense.

What a beautiful fragrance. It smells like fruity and floral luxury soap, slightly sweet and subtle. I love it; it’s delicate and feminine. It reminds me of Lalique’s Amethyst, but the latter is more brash and has more musk; Meliora is the finer, subtler version. I like both, especially for the blackcurrant and red berry notes. The trail is moderate, noticeable but not invasive, which is perfect for me. The longevity isn’t the best, although on clothes it lasts about five hours; I have no problem reapplying and I feel happy I bought it. Yes, the price is high for the performance, but the scent is so enchanting that I don’t mind.

A delicious fruity fragrance with green, sweet and herbal notes, feminine and elegant. If it resembles Lalique’s Amethyst closely, I have tested them side by side and loved them both, but Meliora, being five or six times more expensive, is the worst value for money. The trail and longevity are similar: medium-low and about four hours on my skin. A bit insufficient for such a high price.