DesirToxic by M. Micallef

Niche hype because it was commented on by those reviewers who get excited just by pontificating, because it’s an expensive and exclusive perfume (from the French house Micallef), and voilà, because it has the marijuana note (which I don’t smell anywhere). If you think this smells like pot, forget about this Desir Toxic. Blue bottle, cool, artisanal-looking, hand-painted. That’s it. Normal aroma, herbal, woody, and slightly cinnamon within the all-powerful realm of tonka bean and cardamom. I repeat, for those blown away by buzzwords. The marijuana scent, if it’s there, I DON’T smell it. Let’s see if it’s my nose. And you all know well or have heard that marijuana stinks 10 meters away. Well, none of that, your honor. I expected something else with Desir Toxic. That it was much more groundbreaking, original, and wild. Little to no surprise. It’s a mix of previous aromas like the herbal one and the forgotten Fan de Fendi and a little, watch out, don’t get crazy like some talking about a clone (NO, sir, it’s similar and that’s it) of the ubiquitous fresh floral amber Layton from Parfums de Marly, which already seems like the damn Creed Aventus due to the daily fire its fans stoke. PD: I don’t like Layton; it seems like an overrated fragrance in every aspect, price first. Mid-range niche perfume. Although to Micallef’s credit, they do offer test vials and 30ml to 60ml bottles at very reasonable prices that are very, very good. Normal duration, 6-7h, which isn’t something to throw fireworks at. Trail more moderate than the leftist rhetoric of an PSOE leader from the 80s.

Neither here nor there. DesirToxic, which launched almost five years ago, hasn’t aged well and has faded into obscurity among fragrance enthusiasts; it lost its punch and deflated, much like when clowns inflate a hype balloon. Everything that rises… 🎈 ➡️ The opening is a sweet (vanilla-based) scent with a very aromatic note that smells like lavender (though it’s not listed), a touch of spice, and citrus in the top notes that welcome you in. It’s totally unisex, versatile, and easy to wear, reminding you of youthful designer fragrances you’ve smelled dozens of times in department store perfume aisles, at parties, clubs, gatherings, etc. Performance is modest. It smells like a designer fragrance but at a niche price of $229, which is what the bottle costs. Does it resemble Layton? No. Could it remind you of Layton? Possibly, due to the vibe it exudes: youthful, sweet, and aromatic, perfect for the same situations. An DNA I insist, you already know. Does it resemble YSL’s Opium? Man, you’d need a broken nose to call that nonsense. It offers nothing new, and its cannabis note shines by its absence. An offering that will delight users who aren’t demanding. No thanks.

If I’m being honest, it doesn’t even look like Layton. If I’m searching for something similar to Desirtoxic, I’d say it’s Sauvage Elixir with a sweet twist; are they the same? Not even close. The cinnamon and cardamom are similar, but then Elixir is spicier while Desirtoxic is sweeter and more patchouli-heavy. It was a huge hype that faded into obscurity, and I don’t know why. After a while, the marijuana note kicks in; it’s not unpleasant like in Bad Boy Le Parfum, nor as overt as in Narcos’ Is, which smells only of weed without even declaring it. In Desirtoxic, everything blends well; in the dry down, there’s a resinous note, I think benzooin. Overall, it’s an 8; no one will tell you they hate it. Good longevity, though the projection is short. It’s a different and easy scent, which isn’t bad; sometimes we overthink being original when the wheel was invented long ago. I never recommend blind buying, but if you have to, this wouldn’t be a bad choice.

Desirtoxic starts with a citrus note and a spicy touch, and from the very first moment, that menthol note (marijuana?) makes it unique. It’s its most distinctive feature. After the first hour, it sweetens a bit and shifts tone without losing that initial fresh menthol vibe. Just sweetness is added. It’s very noticeable in the trail and projection for the first 3 hours, then it becomes a personal bubble lasting about 6-7 hours. Performance isn’t bad, but it doesn’t stand out for an EDP. Although marketing targets night, I see it for anything: office, party, date, event, or gym. There will always be better options for each situation. The best is its versatility and that it works all year. The worst is the price and that I don’t see it winning in anything. Overall, I give it a 7/10.

After finishing an 8ml decant, this scent excited me enough to make the purchase. Just don’t expect to pay the official price; at €90, it feels like a solid deal. It has fresh, green, and spicy facets that blend beautifully, taming the tonka bean’s sweetness just right. Yes, it reminds me of Layton in the dry-down, but in its best form—the version that doesn’t rely so heavily on vanilla. If you like Layton but aren’t fully sold yet, I recommend trying Desirtoxic; it does it better and is easier to find at a better price than the original.

It feels a bit citrusy and herbal, with the cannabis scent predominating a bit more over the other notes. I wouldn’t say it’s the richest fragrance you’ll smell, but it’s different and attention-grabbing, feels high quality, and makes you feel elegant; they say around here that Christian Grey from Fifty Shades was recommended it. I recommend it for wearing a suit or dressing up.

I’m wearing it right now and it has a very pleasant sweet citrus opening that gives way to an herbal touch, perhaps from the cannabis. It lasts quite well and leaves a delicious trail, though it doesn’t project much. After a month of use, I’m still obsessed with it.

I absolutely loved it. It has the Layton vibe but without the overwhelming vanilla that can sometimes be cloying. The dry-down is incredible. Exquisite aroma with brutal longevity and projection. It’s like a PDM winter fragrance combo all in one.

I tried a 2ml decant and it smelled like a barbershop. Didn’t like it. I see many saying it resembles Layton, but I don’t see any similarity to the original. It feels more like a fragrance for people over 40.

Smells like Layton but with that recognizable menthol twist. People say it’s versatile, but to me, it smells dirty; nothing appropriate for the office.

Exquisite, I’d recommend it 100%. To me, it’s an improved Layton, and it lasts longer too.

Exquisite. I recommend it 100%. To me, it’s an improved Layton, and it lasts forever.

The latest reviews I’ve read are 👌