Sissa Mind Games 2023

I’ve been craving this perfume for months on end. The notes made me feel like wearing this would simulate a warm fresh sesame bun hugging me on a bed of tonka. And oh yes it is. This smells like a warm fluffy bread with toasted sesame seeds that was also baked with vanilla extract, accompanied by a warm glass of milk. Starts tonka and coumarin heavy, dries down more sesame and warm. Super cozy and beautiful, will buy this soon.

Continuing with the sample set from the American brand with the chess concept. The first sample set with 10 fragrances is coming to an end, and it is a pleasure to analyze them piece by piece, as most of them really suit my taste. Not all of them are candidates for purchase (also due to the high MSRP), but it is still enjoyable. Now we are talking about Sissa, which has no reviews yet. I’m happy to take the lead, even though it might not be the perfect season for this rather heavy scent. However, due to the refined milky notes, it is definitely a gourmand that is easier to wear than many others. Like all the names of the fragrances, Sissa also has a chess-related meaning. It’s not my game at all, but the concept is cool and the fragrances deliver. Those who like soft gourmand scents might find something here.

As with the other Mind Games fragrances: uniform look in terms of packaging and bottle, MSRP for 100ml is also €270. For me, that’s clearly overpriced, and one might consider it for a €100 discount (which does come up from time to time).
With this fragrance, there are few surprises if you rely on the pyramid. The milky notes are at the forefront, along with a wonderful warm coumarin note at the start. Due to the milky notes, it bears some resemblance to Milk. Soft sesame notes follow, as well as ambrette seeds, which fit quite well into this milky DNA. I perceive the roasted tonka bean a bit like a coffee vibe, which reminds me of Amore Caffè from hour 2-3. Along with the creamy notes of musk, tonka, and a sweet vanilla note, which of course cannot be missing in this gourmand. Overall, a great gourmand that I particularly enjoy from hour 2 onwards. The opening feels a bit overpowered and uneven, but becomes significantly more pleasant and rounded over time. Nothing that clashes significantly, and the milky note combined with the roasted tonka beans gives off a bit of a coffee vibe, as mentioned. Relatively easy to wear due to the milk-musk note with its clean appearance. The scent is unisex, of course, it’s a matter of taste.
Performance is pleasant with around 10 hours of longevity, and it does justice to a gourmand. The sillage is also good and not too overwhelming, as is the case with some gourmand fragrances. It could also work in everyday life due to the clean creamy notes.

Overall, a great fragrance that I couldn’t wear all the time. The best season for this gourmand is winter and possibly mild autumn days. Even though it is never too heavy, I see it more suited for cozy hours of the day.