Red Pearl Red Pearl 1999

Was it in one of my last reviews about a Xerjoff fragrance, so the crème de la crème of luxury perfumery, I take today an absolute counterpart - a Cheapie of unknown origin without noble lineage.

Okay, I exaggerate a little, some things I was able to find out about my foundling. The perfume is produced since 1998/1999 on behalf of SPCC Paris Bleu, a group whose business partner in North America was called or is still called Red Pearl Inc. In June 2021, SPCC Paris Bleu underwent a complete relaunch and now simply calls itself SPCC - Société Parisienne de Parfums & Cosmétiques. On the company's website, the Red Pearl is praised as a significant emblematic perfume that would have marked the history of SPCC with its overwhelming success.

As you can see, the supposed orphan nevertheless has a notable, if somewhat convoluted origin - very much in the style of 19th century trashy novels:) However, you can't find out very much about SPCC's perfumes - you only know they would be developed in collaboration with renowned (but unnamed) perfumers and made in Honfleur, Normandy. And - that they are enormously cheap.

Therefore, the question arises - can a perfume for currently 24,99 € fulfill all that one expects from a decent perfume so? At least smell nice and be durable? Or would such a fragrance be just trash? Well, I would say, the Red Pearl beats itself valiantly:) But do not forget - I have not yet tested too many fragrances, enjoy my assessment with caution. Certainly resonates here also in view of the low price a very decent portion of synthetic fragrances.

So, the Red Pearl is from the fragrance direction feminine, fruity-spicy-floral and warm. The fragrance pyramid turns out neither too lush nor too minimalist and does not seem too trivial. However, the individual fragrance notes are hard for me to smell out, I can only report on the changes in the course of the fragrance: initially I perceive a somewhat drier tart-sweet note, which then increasingly gains in warmth, sweetness, spiciness and a certain "juiciness". I find this heart note very attractive - it has a caressing effect, warming from within and evoking a strong association with grape punch. And believe me - the perfume name and the look of the bottle didn't sway me, I got that red grape vibe immediately after the first test:) Oriental is not necessarily the scent for me - I think of it more like vineyards in the south of France, warm sun rays, golden autumn and sweet grape must. In the drydown, the fragrance retains this grape juice note, but it loses intensity and fades pleasantly and quietly.

The shelf life is above average: over 8 hours with projection and sillage and then additionally over 4 hours close to the body.

So, I am satisfied with my foundling - it is a fragrance that gives you pleasure, attracts, is wearable on many occasions and - for my opinion - does not smell "cheap". He even has a recognition value - at least for me - and thus not generic-cheap. A quite worthy very feminine fragrance that makes for nice cozy hours in the fall, but can also be used all year round. The adoption succeeded! :)

PS. A little tip: if you want to test the perfume "live", you can find it regularly in the perfumery departments of the large department store, which was created a few years ago from two venerable chains.