Delina by Parfums de Marly

I think we’ve all been through Delina when we decided to venture into that parallel universe called niche. Excellent quality, very good longevity, great sillage, excellent performance, versatile. Everything without reaching bomb levels. And now comes the less objective part: personal taste. In the opening, the lychee+rhubarb combo never fully convinced me; it’s piercing. I thought I’d get used to it, but I haven’t. I always feel like one of the two is superfluous. Then it settles down, although I still perceive it attenuated throughout its duration. I like the dry down more: a well-present rose without being overwhelming. I don’t notice the cedar or vetiver, which is good. The base isn’t too prominent, it’s there discreetly doing an excellent supporting job. As it should be. Excellent perfume. So why do I always reach for another and barely use it? That’s personal taste. It has that ‘I don’t know’ factor that doesn’t quite click for me. From what I read, I’m not the only one. Good thing. Before spending this caliber, it’s normal to try dupes or clones to see if it’s for you. Some I tried were quite similar, others weren’t cheap and were supposedly high quality. But when I compare them to the original, that’s where Delina’s undeniable quality becomes apparent. It has what I call a ‘body’ that sets it apart. You know what I mean. I’m not trying to start a controversy with equivalences, that’s bad taste. Seeing how flooded the market is, I thought it timely to warn. Compliments? Many, many, which doesn’t stop surprising me. But of course, it doesn’t drive me crazy, which is why I’m surprised. Fun fact: the compliments come exclusively from young women. Is it the lychee? Draw your own conclusions. Would I buy it again? No, I don’t think I’ll finish my bottle. Nor do I love it enough to justify that expense. In summary, a very good perfume. I can see its potential as a signature scent. Just in case, I wouldn’t wear it to a job interview. Who knows, the interviewer might not like the lychee-rhubarb combo either.

To be completely honest, it took me a while to value this fragrance; it’s beautiful and undoubtedly lovely, but initially I perceived it as conventional. After using it in different moments and occasions, I can say it’s perfect for daily use and social activities, offering a fresh and youthful touch. As it evolves, the fragrance delves into a more sophisticated and professional phase with Turkish roses, without losing its youthful and vital essence. Although it’s not overwhelming, this rose scent is memorable and well-defined. In my opinion, it could fall into the category of perfumes with a ‘clean smell,’ and in the office, it would give the wearer a correct image. At night, the roses add a more delicate elegance, suitable for semi-formal to formal occasions, while the fruity notes remain present, allowing for a more relaxed and informal use. In romantic terms, the combination of fruits and flowers is attractive, creating an atmosphere of trust and likability, rather than seduction. Ideal for women between 20 and 45 years old.

When I smell this perfume, the first thing that comes to mind is: feminine and sophisticated. It smells like an expensive bouquet of roses, with lychee juice and a bit of bergamot, dusted with vanilla and nutmeg, with a hint of incense in the background. It’s a wonderful creation, rich and smells great, it screams spring. If you like roses, you’ll probably like it; if not, probably not. Don’t buy it blind, although yes, it’s not the typical rose perfume. As for the price? Definitely expensive, quite a few thousand. I bought it for special occasions; in Mexico, I bought the inspiration at Perfumes Europeos and it’s quite similar, definitely I can alternate between both. I agree with several people: the price is surprising given there are good dupes at a fraction of the cost, but it’s up to each person. It’s not for blind buying; on some skin types, the incense feels excessive.

I’m going to review the dupe (even though some might be annoyed 🤣) because even if I had the money to spend on something so expensive, I wouldn’t, and I want to explain why… Dupes are always 90% similar to the original, and when perfumes are excessively expensive, I test them that way (I’m talking about niche)… And Delina isn’t anything special; I’ve had many rose perfumes that smell the same with much lower values. Does it smell good? Yes, and a lot, but if people don’t have the money to buy something so costly, go for the dupe that smells 90% the same. It’s a very intense perfume and for me, it smells like a bouquet of freshly cut white and pink roses. Let the hate come for reviewing the dupe, hahaha.

If you like roses with a hint of acidity, this perfume is for you. It’s strong on rose; in fact, it’s a bouquet of roses. Perfect for spring. It has presence, it’s elegant but quite feminine. It’s very delicate, feminine, and ‘good girl.’ I think on a bride getting married in full spring, it would be perfect. This scent isn’t an old or grandma rose; it’s a very modern rose. But it has a bit of the litchi and rhubarb acidity, which is what predominates most. It’s quite expensive, so you can find other options in the Arabic perfumery; they aren’t exact dupes but they get very close. It’s not a blind buy: ask for a sample. It’s quite particular and not just another rose-scented perfume.

Inspired by the reviews, I went to smell it, oh no, I absolutely hate it. I notice a potent scent, I’m not sure exactly what it is, it smells like clove mixed with incense, very strong. I haven’t liked it at all, I wouldn’t buy it. I don’t detect the floral notes; there’s something potent that stands out on my skin above everything else and I don’t like it, it smells like an old cologne. And no, it doesn’t resemble Nina Ricci’s Bella like I read below: Bella is fresh, zesty green apple and citrus, while Delina is a smoky rose with incense… no, they have nothing in common.

Its opening is juicy and exotic thanks to the lychee, which mixes with rhubarb and bergamota at a fresh, slightly acidic start with a spicy touch of nutmeg. Later, the floral heart lands where Turkish rose is the absolute queen, but she’s not alone: she’s accompanied by peony, vanilla, and a clean touch of musk that reminds me of freshly changed sheets. In the base, noble woods, incense, and Haitian vetiver settle in, rounding everything off with elegant sensuality. If you like roses, go ahead. If not, you can save yourself the purchase.

Delina, with a very bad-taste bottle, I thought I wouldn’t like it, but I wanted to be wrong. Honestly though, I’m not, because if I had liked it, I’d have to put up with that bottle that clashes with my visual tastes. I retract: the only thing that matters is the perfume. For those talking about originality, try Bella by Nina Ricci, Rhubarbe by Hermès, or Herbae by L’Occitane and tell me what you think. I studied Business Engineering, and Marketing is my favorite subject; what a great marketing job this is!

I bought a tester and well, it really didn’t surprise me at all. It’s a rich, nice scent I could wear, but I wouldn’t buy it. At first, it has a beautiful opening, neither too strong nor weak, but then it changes very quickly and softens. The rose really stands out; you have to love rose. It reminds me of Mancera’s Roses Vanilla but less potent; I’d say it ends up with a slight, unexact smell that’s similar. To my taste, I wouldn’t buy it and it didn’t impress me.

Delina by Parfums de Marly is a hit in the niche world for anyone seeking a signature feminine scent. The blend of peony, rose, and musk is executed beautifully, complemented by soft lychee and incense that make it harmonious and incredibly pleasant. While the price-to-quality ratio might be subjective, I recommend giving it a try; it’s fresh, versatile, and you’ll surely earn plenty of compliments.

I find it a fantastic perfume; it evokes peace, serenity, innocence, and kindness. Predominant are non-oppressive roses that smell very natural and delicate. Its longevity is extraordinary, more than 24 hours on clothes. This perfume wouldn’t be missing from my collection if not for its exorbitant price, more than double that of a good designer perfume. It’s a marvel for whoever can afford it.

I’m here to disagree with everything said about this perfume. I call it bland, nothing innovative, and simply ordinary. I don’t deny the quality of the big names, but for its incredibly high price, it offers nothing. Fragrances like this make you wonder if houses inflate names to sell a unique experience that doesn’t arrive. It’s pleasant, but generic in the end.

I had the luck to try it on my skin a while ago; I associated it with what a beautiful antique doll might smell like. However, the price is so high that I could only dream of it until I found the perfect dupe (if you’re in Chile, it’s at Inspiraciones.cl, Ciro 18) and now I can afford to smell like a pretty doll whenever I want.

I tested it with just two sprays on my wrist and wooooow. At first, it smells exactly like a brand-new doll, like a quality perfume. I washed my wrist and still perceived the scent. It’s the most intense perfume I’ve ever smelled, and the quality is noticeable, but the price is an exaggeration.

I’ve had this tucked away for two years and finally tried it out in the summer heat—WOW… I’m not sure if it’s the maceration or the warmth, but fruity notes are emerging that I can’t quite identify. Paired with nutmeg and rhubarb, it feels fresh and green… I’m completely smitten.