Creation de Minuit by Ted Lapidus

I picked up a small bottle on sale at a vintage store. Although the little black bottle screams ‘bring it to the club,’ it’s pure daytime. The brand is a hit, and the longevity is another story—it can’t be true. Ideal for blind buys.

Arrived today thanks to an incredible deal. I bought it out of curiosity after reading reviews and watching videos, as almost everyone says it smells like J’Adore. I admit I owned the original back in 1999 and used it a lot because I loved it, but once I ran out, I didn’t want to repurchase it; while it was exquisite, it wasn’t one I’d repeat. I went with this Creation de Minuit because I’m a fan of Ted Lapidus, a creator who gets little press, is accessible, yet often underestimated; I believe his perfumes are top-tier. On my skin, which is tricky and doesn’t hold much, his fragrances last a long time. I’ll test it more and expand this review, but my first impression is that it’s not J’Adore. If you’re looking for a dupe, just buy a good replica. It can share notes, with a fruity opening and perhaps resembling J’Adore as it dries down, but right now I smell it as more fruity with roses, whereas J’Adore reminded me of being spiced with vanilla, featuring neroli, jasmine, and vanilla in the dry down. Adding more because it might be useful: I noticed today a strong resemblance to Benetton’s Woman Rose from the COLORS collection; in my opinion, they are very similar.

Bought it blind based on the black bottle and got a total surprise: I absolutely loved it! Smells super fresh and floral. What stands out most are the citrus notes and the green apple, which is very prominent, plus the night-blooming cereus. The last one transports me to childhood: those hot summer days visiting an aunt with a pool, staying until midnight with adults having drinks, waiting for her giant white flowers to bloom in the yard. It smells like that: a summer night with a blooming night-blooming cereus and lemonade. It’s a beautiful perfume, fresh, sparkling, and even a bit sharp, perfect for summer, in the style of Coty’s Prêt à Porter Paris New York, Molinex’s Quartz, or J’adore D’eau. Note, I say “in that style,” not copies. Verdict: Yes, I want it! 😂

It’s the perfect all-rounder to keep in your bag. It follows the trail of J’Adore but with more intensity. Works great for day or night, cold or hot. I bought it for the price and will definitely repurchase; it lasts 4-5 hours and has already received plenty of compliments. A great find!

I was looking for something that reminded me of my beloved CK Forbidden Euphoria. Seeing that some said Minuit Creation was similar, I decided to try it. Warning: they have absolutely nothing in common, but the fragrance is super interesting and mysterious. It starts with a fresh, rich cocktail of sweet and sour fruits. Minutes later, the flowers burst out, highlighting the rose. On my skin, it smells like a very creamy rose bathed in those purple fruits that give it a certain darkness and mystery. Vanilla accompanies the transition from creaminess to something more powdery, tying everything together without making it smell like vanilla. Longevity is about 5 hours with a very weak sillage, ideal for personal use or intimate situations. I’m not regretting the purchase because I really liked it. *I tested it against J’adore on my wrists and confess that only for the first minute are they incredibly similar; afterwards, J’adore evolves into a white floral with a fruity touch, while Minuit Creation keeps the fruitiness by adding flowers, especially roses.

This little-known gem caught me off guard. I ordered Minuit Creation by Ted Lapidus blind without reviews… 🖤. It’s a fruity heart EDT (I’m a fan) with floral touches 💐. The opening is alcoholic but passes quickly, then comes the fruit: red berries, plum, and that green apple freshness 🍏, all wrapped from the start in well-creamy vanilla that keeps the fruity side fresh like a body lotion. Then the florals join in: heliotrope reinforces the vanillic vibe, a powdery rose in the background, and a breeze of the majestic night-blooming cereus (if you don’t know it, try Mugler’s Flora Futura) over a bed of musk that keeps it light… Since it’s an EDT, don’t expect beast mode longevity, but it’s not that bad either… On my hydrated skin, it lasts 4 hours ⏱, with a medium sillage that fades but is noticeable, and it’s one of those scents that activates when you move, staying a bit longer on clothes 👗… They asked if it smells like J’adore… yes, it has that block of fruity soul, although they share black raspberry and plum (in J’adore you notice more peach and melon, but those fruits are wrapped). In the florals, they share the rose, which isn’t as noticeable in J’adore, but the white flowers of the night-blooming cereus against J’adore’s Jasmine and Magnolia can create a similar effect outside the shared base notes… For me, J’adore is a classy fruity floral, and this would be a sweeter cousin who still hasn’t reached the sophistication of the auntie, yet it’s still a hit….

The fragrance design has nothing to do with the bottle. I think that’s the first major mistake. It has nothing to do with Minuit. It’s a perfume with no longevity, no character, and nothing to say.

I bought it on sale looking for something fresh for the bag. In my opinion, it resembles AQUA by Roberto Cavalli. Longevity and sillage are moderate to weak.