Perfect Elixir by Marc Jacobs

Perfect Elixir was my daily driver for years; I still own and use it, though I’ve swapped it for Daisy Wild and Absolute. It’s the quintessential all-rounder that excels at everything yet stands out for nothing: reliable, risk-free, with good longevity and an interesting (perhaps slightly strong) opening that leaves a neutral, enduring base, nothing shrill. It smells very good, but isn’t spectacular if you’re seeking impact. It’s not controversial or intense; it offers a pleasant experience for everyone, but nobody becomes obsessed with it. Now I use it for sleeping, as the final sensory pleasure of the day without distractions.

The super fruity and fresh opening of this perfume was spectacular. Over time, it became sweeter, fitting well within the line of other flankers. After about three hours, I sense a similarity in warmth and slight sweetness with Coffee Break; they don’t share exact notes, but they have a very similar olfactory profile.

What a rich perfume. I always found the ‘Perfect’ line to be meh, but this one is very particular. You can detect the honey, a spiced touch, without losing its feminine air. If I’d had the money, it would have been an instant buy.

Sorry, but it’s dreadful… at one point in the evolution (both on skin and paper), it smells like under the arm (goaty, rotten), and not just me, but several people noticed it. Towards the very end, it smells like something else entirely. Enough with the flankers; they always do the same thing, break fragrances, or discontinue the ones that work well.

This is a gem. I went into the shop wanting to try a Gucci orchid, and alongside that, they let me try this Perfect Elixir. At first, it hit me as a strange scent, a bit synthetic, yet strangely made me want to smell it over and over. A while later, it transformed into a wonderful, sweet, resinous, and ambered delight that lasts on the skin even after a shower. Those who say you can’t smell unique scents have no idea how many perfumes smell like this; I have nearly 70 in my collection, and this was a scent I didn’t have. The next day, I rushed to buy it. Now, who smells like under the arm? I’d love to know what kind of forest fairy can smell like that under the arm, because I’ve never felt such an aroma there myself. I recommend trying it on skin and in a place where the tester is in good condition and original. Nowadays, a lot of rubbish circulates in original bottles, and those who don’t know how to recognise it end up tarnishing the reputation of precious perfumes like this.

I didn’t like the opening, but after two hours, a sweet scent emerges that lingers on the skin all day. I love it.

It starts with a pleasant fruity/floral opening that doesn’t last long. Then what I notice is rhubarb and patchouli. I didn’t detect the honey, and the amber with vanilla was barely there. On my skin, it remains dark, earthy, and resinous from start to finish; I didn’t like it. I’ll stick with the Intense version, which is luminous and warm.

Smells very similar to other popular ones. I definitely stick with Perfect and Perfect Intense. I recommend testing before buying.

I smelled it today and I’m sticking with Perfect Eau de Parfum