Masa by Lattafa Perfumes

You can’t imagine a fleshy wizard here at all. It’s a super green, unripe mango. Only at the dry-down, with a touch of lemon and ginger, does the suede appear: soft leather but very present. The mineral notes are there, but supporting that fruity vibe.

Definitely the most complex in my collection. At first, it smells like mango, but as a fruity accord that creates dissonance with the rest; in the air, it turns pleasant. After an hour, the mango yields to suede and metallic accords. It smells like a clean, serious, very urban man, like someone just starting to succeed in the city. It’s not a blue scent, but it’s versatile for casual-formal situations. Decent longevity, about 6-7 hours. Complicated, not everyone will like it, but hard to pass up, so blind-buying it for the price (20k CLP) is worth it, though I recommend letting it macerate for a while so it balances out. I haven’t tried Ganymede or B683, but I bought this to get close to those DNA profiles at a lower price; if they’re similar, it’s a safe buy, very different from mainstream scents.

The blend of cashmere and suede is very persistent. At first, I didn’t like how it smelled on me, but in the air, it’s something else. I did a test: one spray on a shirt on the chair, and it’s been three days, and I still notice it every time I walk in. It evokes elegance and seriousness. The mango rounds out the opening but disappears, imperceptible in the air; everyone will wonder what it smells like, maybe that unique scent. My conclusion: it doesn’t captivate, but it conveys seriousness and masculinity.

It’s very complex, not a blind buy. The metallic and spicy notes in the opening disgust me and give me an armpit-sweat sensation; I almost discarded it. But after 15 minutes, it evolves and starts to be enjoyable. It’s quite strange but not bad, and its longevity is excellent.

Mass: the bottle has an elaborate design, but it’s not entirely to my liking because the cap doesn’t close well and the box doesn’t feel as high-quality as other items in the Pride line. What matters is the juice: good structural clarity. Strong opening with sweet, juicy suede, totally mature, with a fine suede that recalls Ganymede and B683. Once the suede settles, an intense, strong, almost spicy pink pepper emerges. Then, the violet leaves and osmanthus treat the nose, with soft wood notes that blend well with the suede and metallic-mineral touches. It recalls Ganymede, but it’s not an obvious dupe nor does it replace the other. MAB has elegant perfume with wonderful longevity; Mass works well for casual occasions—the suede gives it a punch of freshness and vigor, playful, making it more wearable for daily life. Despite the fruity aroma, I think some people won’t like it, so I suggest testing it first. It works well for ages 25+ in casual settings; if you’re looking for something more youthful, this isn’t it.

I understand why Mass is reviewed as a dupe for Ganymede/Bois Imperial, but to my nose, the resemblance is just a faint familiarity. I don’t think it serves to replace them, and I’m not saying this negatively; quite the opposite. It’s original, has personality, and is very enjoyable. Like many Arabic scents, it has an annoying opening, very saffroned, metallic, and with a burnt sensation that lasts a few minutes; you sense some leather before it settles into a super pleasant fruity sweetness, with a metallic and woody trail that distantly recalls Bois Imperial, but with sweetness as the protagonist, nothing exaggerated. It’s an excellent signature fragrance with versatility few possess, and it flies well under the mainstream radar.

Fruity, floral, metallic, and suede. If you know Lattafa’s Wajood, this is its fruitier, unisex version, whereas the other is more marine, serious, and less sweet. Good performance for moderate climates, day and night. One of the brand’s best current launches. I recommend trying it first: it steps away from the mainstream and isn’t a soft office scent. It has power and personality. The quality-to-price ratio is good. It doesn’t share much with God of Fire or Alhambra Sceptre Malachite, beyond the initial mango that later gets covered by patchouli and suede.

The bottle alone is worth owning; it’s a distinct scent. It’s not easy to get used to, but it’s rich and doesn’t feel low quality. It performs well. If you have a lot of perfumes and want something different, go for it. It’s a good product.

I bought it blind and have no regrets. It smells like ‘Paris for Men’ but more formal and mature. It’s less fresh because the mineral and suede notes give it a serious vibe. It’s a medium-sweet tropical fragrance, ideal for those of us living near the beach who have formal events in those settings; plus, it has no heavy sillage or annoying trail.

Whatever the intention behind cloning or following the Barrois line, what comes to mind for me is something linear, fruity at the start (the mango fades quickly), fresh, and present in the middle and dry-down. It’s enveloping but a bit heavy. It smells like an old creamy lotion, nothing like a barbershop scent, with a metallic and ozonic feel. It’s just as fresh as Armaf’s Odyssey Mandarin Sky (they share about 80% of the aroma) but without the citrus notes; to me, the Armaf seems more wearable, cheerful, and a safer bet. Masa doesn’t disgust me, but it’s not mainstream or for everyone’s taste; I see it as something for people over 30, less youthful. Maybe it’s the violet leaf note or that soft synthetic oud I perceive (typical in Arab scents). It’s unisex, but I think it shines more on women, maybe 60-70% feminine. I was surprised by its originality and lack of mass appeal; it’s rare, strange, and I love it, though buying it blind doesn’t seem like the safest move.

While I don’t agree that it clones the other two Barrois fragrances, I’ll share what it evokes for me: it’s linear, fruity at the start (the mango fades quickly), fresh initially, with presence in the heart and base, enveloping, and somewhat heavy. At the same time, it’s strange, like a creamy lotion from the past that conveys a metallic and ozonic sensation. It’s just as fresh as Armaf’s ‘Odyssey Mandarin Sky’ (80% similar) but without the orange. The Armaf one seems more wearable and safe. ‘Masa’ doesn’t disgust me, but it’s not mainstream; I think it’s for those over 30, less youthful. Perhaps the violet leaf note or that subtle synthetic oud marks it. It’s unisex, but I think it shines more on women (60-70% feminine). I was surprised by its original composition; nothing mass-produced. It’s rare, strange, and I love it, so maybe blind buying isn’t safe here.

It’s not a clone of Ganymede. It’s more like B683.