Well, it seems like this is the fragrance that everybody has been waiting for from Parfums de Marly. This new fragrance, Althair, there are some familiar things about this fragrance because it kind of connects with the previous fragrances from the house, but this is a fragrance on its own, focusing on one of my favorite notes, my number two favorite note, vanilla.
So when I first heard about this fragrance, I got excited because I wasn't impressed or excited about the last release that Marly did.
So when I saw vanilla in the notes, I got excited, and also the fact that Hamid Merati-Kashani is the perfumer for Althair, and so got me excited because he does some great work, and it seems like he's having a great year with some great releases.
Upon first smelling this fragrance, I noticed a certain familiarity, reminiscent of the DNA of Parfums de Marly fragrances. However, this is undeniably a vanilla-focused scent, taking a clear direction towards vanilla. It's worth noting that this is a 2023 launch, created by Hamid Merati-Kashani and Ilias Ermenidis. I would categorize it as a woody Amber fragrance.
What Does Parfums de Marly Althair smell like?
Let's first unveil the notes:
Top Notes: Cardamom, Bergamot, Cinnamon and Orange Blossom.
Heart Notes: Bourbon Vanilla and elemi
Base Notes: Praline, Musk, Ambroxan and Guaiac Wood.
So, what do we get from Althair? Right off the bat, Althair reminds me of other fragrances from Parfums de Marly, most notably Layton. The cardamom in Althair, I believe, bears a resemblance to the cardamom in Layton, along with a shared sense of dryness. They seem somehow connected.
The fragrance itself is an overdose of bourbon vanilla, presenting as a distinctly vanillic fragrance. It's crafted in a way that is quite masculine, suitable for men to wear, yet unisex enough for a woman to appreciate a vanilla fragrance like this.
Scent Description:
To me, it's a very powdery and dry, dusty vanilla fragrance with light, creamy, and syrupy undertones. It creates a powdery effect when worn, filling the air with a beautiful smell. When I wear this fragrance, I do detect that praline note intertwined with the bourbon vanilla, lending it a sweet and quite delicious quality. I appreciate this combination.
Then there's the warm spice of cinnamon that emerges. Cinnamon typically gives me a holiday vibe, but I'm not getting that here. It seems they're using it in a way that doesn't overly emphasize the cinnamon, yet there's a noticeable spice element, contributing to the overall spiciness of the fragrance.
While an overdose of cinnamon might give off a holiday-ish vibe, I don't sense that here, and that's perfectly fine. It keeps the fragrance distinct, and creating a completely different olfactory experience.
Spice and Fresh Notes:
But definitely, the fragrance has loads of spice here with that cinnamon and also the Guaiac Wood, whereas the cinnamon or whatever kind of note that's in here that's cinnamony is providing a warm spice to the fragrance.
The cardamom, on the other hand, is providing a fresh, spicy effect on the fragrance because this fragrance has a contrast running throughout it with warm notes and also fresh notes. And we've got bergamot in here as well to provide more of that fresh characteristic to the fragrance.
Dry Down:
And then it's, of course, loads of warm notes that are carrying the fragrance onto the dry down of the fragrance.
But we've got lots of Ambroxan here, and I feel like Ambroxan contributes to the dry effect of the fragrance.
That's why we've got a very dry fragrance. Ambroxan makes fragrances last a long time and adds its unique characteristics.
In this case, it adds its unique characteristic of providing a very dry woodiness, an ambery touch, a dry amber, a bit marine, kind of aquatic thing.
And then finally, the muskiness that it provides. Ambrox or Ambroxan is supposed to be the replacement for the very expensive ambergris.
To me, they don't smell alike, but maybe they might act alike. But it creates a very dry effect here with Ambroxan and then provides musk, in addition to the musk in here as well.
Additional Notes:
Along the way, you'll experience some citrusy touches of orange blossom, and more resinous touches with elemi, and then there's the Guaiac Wood that provides a bit of a creamier edge to the woods because I said this is a very dry fragrance, and it acts very, very dry, so it's dry and powdery and a bit dusty as well.
And I think it's that overdose of Ambroxan because traditionally, bourbon vanilla or vanilla, in general, is very syrupy and ambery, and we don't have that here.
There are some creamy and syrupy touches, but it's overdosed with the dryness, and you don't get that kind of syrupiness.
Also, because of this dryness, it acts a bit like Layton. Not smelling like it because the only thing from Layton I get here is the cardamom note, which was prominent there.
But to me, it's very well connected with that fragrance, and I feel like it fits into this collection perfectly.
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Seasonal Appropriateness:
What I love the most about this release is that it's seasonally appropriate and timed right.
We want a fragrance that is not going to be too fresh or too citrus-driven in the fall and winter, especially if you live in a really cold climate.
Of course, here in the tri-state area, it gets quite cold, especially around December and January. But this one, given the performance, the notes, the way it smells, and the overall vibe, I'm going to love wearing this one in the fall and winter.
Longevity and Versatility:
Longevity on this one is about 9 hours on my skin.
Projection was wonderful for the first 45 minutes of application, and it radiated within an arm's length. It became an elbow's length scent right around 6 hours, a skin scent right around 8 to 9 hours.
It's perfectly unisex, great for colder weather, great for formal occasions, and perfect for anyone of any age.
In Summary – Parfums de Marly Althair
In conclusion, Althair is undoubtedly going to be a crowd-pleaser.
It will particularly appeal to vanilla enthusiasts and fans of Parfums de Marly fragrances.
If you haven't had the opportunity to experience it yet, I highly recommend giving it a try.
It's a top-notch vanilla fragrance that preserves the distinctive Marly DNA and recognition factor.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Parfums de Marly Althair
What is Parfums de Marly Althair, and what makes it unique?
Parfums de Marly Althair is a fragrance released in 2023, known for its focus on bourbon vanilla.
What sets it apart is its balance of powdery, dry, and slightly dusty vanilla with warm spice notes like cinnamon.
Is Althair reminiscent of other Parfums de Marly fragrances?
Yes, Althair has a resemblance to Layton, primarily due to the presence of cardamom.
However, it is its own unique fragrance with a different emphasis.
When to wear Parfums de Marly Althair?
Althair is well-suited for the fall and winter seasons, especially in colder climates, due to its warm and spicy elements.
It is designed to be less fresh and citrusy, making it appropriate for these seasons.
How long Parfums de Marly Althair last?
Althair is reported to have a longevity of approximately 9 hours.
It projects strongly for the first 45 minutes, radiates within an arm's length for about 6 hours, and gradually becomes a skin scent around 8 to 9 hours.
Is Althair suitable for both men and women?
Yes, Althair is described as a fragrance that is masculine enough for men to wear but also unisex enough for women to appreciate.
It's considered versatile in terms of gender.
In which occasions and settings is Althair most suitable?
Althair is versatile and appropriate for various occasions.
It is great for formal events and can be worn by individuals of any age.
