Top Notes 
Narcissus
Rhubarb
Heart Notes 
Almond milk
Base Notes 
Cashmeran
Cedarwood
08/07/2021
Elysium
888 Reviews
Elysium
Helpful Review
3
We’re All perfect, Just The Way We Are
According to Greek mythology, people widely regarded Narcissus as the most attractive living person. After being cursed by the goddess of vengeance, he saw his face reflected on the surface of the still water and fell deeply in love with it. Eventually, he realized he was staring at himself and that he could never return to this love. Consumed by the fire of desire and passion, he ultimately walked away from the most beautiful man on the planet in a small yellow flower. But narcissus is not the main character, and there is more. In perfumery, the use of rhubarb notes can add a unique freshness and clarity to a fragrance. Like most fruits and vegetables, it is not possible to extract the scent of rhubarb naturally. So perfumers have the option to reconstruct its smell with accords or to choose between ready-made “compositions” and synthetic ingredients when creating a fragrance with rhubarb notes. Perfect is a combination of gourmand and floral. I am reminded of a delicious white cake with sugary flower petals and Jordan almonds on top, topped with powdered sugar. Rhubarb is mild and not super syrupy or sweet. The cashmeran keeps it clean.
Perfect opens with a burst of rhubarb sweetness, which I like since rhubarb is not very common in fragrances and is slightly different from the typical fruity notes. Well, this was a complete surprise, and I am shocked. It has a warm, creamy scent on me, like almond milk without bitterness, and a burst of flowers to keep it fresh. I like to smell it on my skin as I feel the yellow floral notes and the rhubarb in the opening. The latter is really delicious, juicy and only slightly tart, reminiscent of a freshly ripe plum. After the rhubarb fades, I get the sweetness from the floral core, so weak. There is a sweet narcissus, a light floral more earthy than the standard white floral note. The narcissus flower softens the edges of the rhubarb but is not entirely muted. And I appreciate it because it’s pretty distinct. The opening is spicy, at the same time refreshing, sweet and sour, fruity and green. To me, the leafy accord smells of freshly grated green apple pulp, and a hint of bitter orange adds a citrus touch to the opening.
Then it softens with a delicate nutty scent, obviously the aromatic note of almond milk. I’m a big fan of the almond fragrance, but it can often be too hot, heavy, and thick. Fortunately, in Perfect, the nutty note is well made: sensitive and soft. Almond milk offers this creamy starch to tame the floral dessert. The heart is soft, smooth, pale pink like the juice in the bottle. I’m a little surprised that almond milk is the only heart note because it doesn’t have many scents. Here, almond milk is more of an idea, a nutty note to dilute the two contradictory top notes. It lets the perfume breathe a little; it gives it to space without cramming with too many ideas.
At the base, we have cedar and cashmeran—soft, woody, musky. The ground is dry, scented and transmits the scent during wear, adding a nice texture. The cashmeran note brings out the generic floral-almond smell and becomes more transparent with the base, while the sweetness dissolves and the yellow narcissus blossoms. It is the base where Perfect becomes more of a fragrance for the mass. It becomes lighter, more relaxed and somehow cosier. Little bursts of rhubarb keep spreading in the nutty almond milk from time to time, bringing a fun twist to the delicate base. It’s a little more sophisticated than your average fruity floral, as it dries into a creamy, powdery scent.
It smells unique to me, with something reminiscent of B. from Balenciaga. The best way to describe this perfume is cute. It is excellent for casual daywear, and you can wear it to work. It has a pleasant smell. I wear it at home, after a shower, or to run errands. It is so welcoming with mild to moderate sillage, medium longevity. It is perfect for summer days and nights. Overall, I love Marc Jacobs Perfect’s light warm floral scent. It is a quick but not too intense mood booster, an extremely wearable perfume.
-Elysium
Perfect opens with a burst of rhubarb sweetness, which I like since rhubarb is not very common in fragrances and is slightly different from the typical fruity notes. Well, this was a complete surprise, and I am shocked. It has a warm, creamy scent on me, like almond milk without bitterness, and a burst of flowers to keep it fresh. I like to smell it on my skin as I feel the yellow floral notes and the rhubarb in the opening. The latter is really delicious, juicy and only slightly tart, reminiscent of a freshly ripe plum. After the rhubarb fades, I get the sweetness from the floral core, so weak. There is a sweet narcissus, a light floral more earthy than the standard white floral note. The narcissus flower softens the edges of the rhubarb but is not entirely muted. And I appreciate it because it’s pretty distinct. The opening is spicy, at the same time refreshing, sweet and sour, fruity and green. To me, the leafy accord smells of freshly grated green apple pulp, and a hint of bitter orange adds a citrus touch to the opening.
Then it softens with a delicate nutty scent, obviously the aromatic note of almond milk. I’m a big fan of the almond fragrance, but it can often be too hot, heavy, and thick. Fortunately, in Perfect, the nutty note is well made: sensitive and soft. Almond milk offers this creamy starch to tame the floral dessert. The heart is soft, smooth, pale pink like the juice in the bottle. I’m a little surprised that almond milk is the only heart note because it doesn’t have many scents. Here, almond milk is more of an idea, a nutty note to dilute the two contradictory top notes. It lets the perfume breathe a little; it gives it to space without cramming with too many ideas.
At the base, we have cedar and cashmeran—soft, woody, musky. The ground is dry, scented and transmits the scent during wear, adding a nice texture. The cashmeran note brings out the generic floral-almond smell and becomes more transparent with the base, while the sweetness dissolves and the yellow narcissus blossoms. It is the base where Perfect becomes more of a fragrance for the mass. It becomes lighter, more relaxed and somehow cosier. Little bursts of rhubarb keep spreading in the nutty almond milk from time to time, bringing a fun twist to the delicate base. It’s a little more sophisticated than your average fruity floral, as it dries into a creamy, powdery scent.
It smells unique to me, with something reminiscent of B. from Balenciaga. The best way to describe this perfume is cute. It is excellent for casual daywear, and you can wear it to work. It has a pleasant smell. I wear it at home, after a shower, or to run errands. It is so welcoming with mild to moderate sillage, medium longevity. It is perfect for summer days and nights. Overall, I love Marc Jacobs Perfect’s light warm floral scent. It is a quick but not too intense mood booster, an extremely wearable perfume.
-Elysium
Scentwitch
Blue84HB
jmarr
Telekinec
Friedegg
Aethersong
Fernqueen
