Meliora by Parfums de Marly

I love decants; I tried Delina and Exclusif, but this one surprised me: it’s ethereal, less harsh, like a reserved friend who shines without seeking the spotlight. Pity it lasts only a few hours on my skin and fades away; the price is too high for such short longevity.

I recommend testing it on your skin and waiting hours before deciding. On me, it smells of flowers and lily, ending with a red fruit lollipop vibe. I sense an incense note even though it’s not listed: it’s soft, not very sillage-y, but a rich scent.

It’s very soft yet rich. At first, it’s fruity, typical market stuff, but after half an hour, its true self emerges: fruity with a dark, smoky base that I adore. It’s pricey; maybe a few dollars less would make it worth it, but I bought it on sale. Lovely scent, sure, but the price is a no.

I tried it in-store and really liked it; it has greenery and freshness, like mint in the nostrils. My boyfriend said it smelled like old clothes and gave it a 4, but I disagree. It’s very different and I loved it.

I was surprised by how different it is: it smells like soap and fig leaf (or fig). It didn’t convince me. I left it, and today, with no one wearing it, that fig leaf scent became unbearable; I felt like vomiting and had to take a full shower. It smells overwhelmingly of that leaf, so it’s a definite no.

I like the scent, but it gives me a headache, probably due to the fig. It smells of very ripe, almost fermenting berries, like artisanal liquors or homemade jams where the fruit provides the sweetness on its own.

I love this green floral! It’s cottony, soft, and warm, enveloping me. Slightly soapy, delicate, and feminine. It doesn’t feel like Lalique’s Amethyst: this one doesn’t embrace you warmly; it’s more like Body Shop, whereas Meliora highlights the flowers with less blue fruit. Amethyst focuses on the blues; Meliora has more red fruits. Both have musk, but Meliora is more luxurious, tender, and Parisian, like a giant marshmallow among rainy green notes. Amethyst dances with a vanilla base; Meliora scatters clean white flowers without extra sweetness. It’s like freshly bathed woman’s skin with Marseille soaps and light red fruits. Meliora is underestimated: if they put Amethyst in its place, they won’t sell it to you. My picky nose distinguishes them: Amethyst is acidic, dark, youthful, and less formal; Meliora empowers me. Casual for daily wear, but Meliora truly empowers. The final note is an excellent woody rose, better on clothes than skin, medium sillage. If you’re looking for easy compliments, this isn’t the choice; if you want something selective or to enjoy in bed, go ahead. I enjoy it with gusto. Happy holidays.

This perfume makes my stomach turn; I can’t stand it. The sweetness is too plastic. If someone gifts it to me, I’ll be furious.

This perfume makes me nauseous. I can’t stand it; such plastic sweetness. If they gift it to me, I’ll be furious.

What a gorgeous fragrance! Smells like luxury soap with fruity and floral notes, slightly sweet but very subtle. I love it; it’s delicate and feminine. It’s quite similar to Lalique Amethyst, though the latter is louder and emphasizes the musk more; Meliora is the refined, softer version. I adore both, especially for the blackcurrant and red berry notes. The sillage is moderate—it’s noticeable but not overwhelming, which is exactly what I’m looking for. The longevity isn’t the best, though on clothes it lasts about 5 hours; I don’t mind reapplying and I’m happy I bought it. Yes, the price is high for what you get, but the scent is so enchanting that I don’t mind paying.

Delicious fruity fragrance with green, sweet, and herbal notes, feminine and elegant. If it’s very similar to Lalique Amethyst, I’ve tested them side by side and loved them both, but since Meliora is 5 or 6 times more expensive, it’s the worst quality-to-price option. The sillage and longevity are similar: medium-low and about 4 hours on my skin. A bit insufficient for that high price.