McQueen Eau de Parfum

I will first say that I do not believe McQueen would ever have put his name to this series of scents. I have smelled no other versions than this and Blanche, but they suspiciously look like Zara or H&M scents! Not very discerning, so not something I would associate with McQueen! In my opinion, the scents, while having some merit, are not unique enough to be OKayed by McQueen - simple as that. I don't think he was one for borrowing style so crassly. These are too much of a type, of a certain character. Nothing stands out in these scents and they are in no way unique. They lack character. Or, what character they do have is borrowed, is too in-keeping within an ilk, an already well established style. They bring nothing new to the table. Everybody remembers how dirt cheap Madonna's Truth or Dare was. How tacky the bottle and the lid were/are. I say this as a "FAN" of Truth or Dare. It can't really be denied. This McQueen scent is much the same by design. The label looks like a sticker on the front for Christ sake... Though this one does have a nice spray mechanism. I will point out to anybody who hasn't noticed - these are by COTY (though perhaps this is debatable? "P&G Prestige" were "acquired" by COTY around this time and I'm simply not interested enough to put any effort in to researching/fact checking anything regarding COTY at this time). The same COTY who destroyed VW's Boudoir. Well, the Blanche version of this McQueen scent immediately put me in mind of "Mon Boudoir" and the million "Naughty Alice" flankers on the market. They're that type of scent, i.e relatively easy wearing, basic, safe scents. Doesn't smell like you paid a fair whack for it. This one is a lot better than Blanche. They open almost the same but while Blanche feels somewhat tacky and too bright for me - almost like a Lempicka scent - I'm sure I smell cherries there, this one's warmer, smoother, nothing fruity, boasting a better blend of notes. My qualm with this being that it levels out to fairly soft, intimate skin scent within an hour. In its final stage the tuberose is overshadowed by a blasé bed of sweet/gourmand vanilla and cedar. But for the most part this scent is enjoyable - as one of these rather specific/familiar types of tuberose scents. Fitting neatly within the little box it has assigned for itself. McQueen was not a man to be kept in a box. I say this as somebody who could not give a flying frick about fashion, having never cared much for it at all. But I agree wholeheartedly with the person who said that this does not fit the brand. McQueen's MyQueen and Kingdom are MCQUEEN scents. This set of scents are not. Smooth, slightly spiced, warm and womanly. A beautifully blended scent with a focus on tuberose. This is a very nicely rounded, though fairly linear scent. I like this one but was not at all keen on Blanche, which was fresh, tart, & boring. Though they both clearly have the same chemicals making their "tuberose" and "gardenia", or whatever, the rosette definitely goes to this one and I wonder what the PARFUM variant is like... This is very nice, for a COTY* scent. It smells like a COTY* scent. I'm a fan of this COTY* scent. (*"P&G Prestige Beaute" if you're gonna get pantsy..) Honestly, what actually offends me, besides this not being a particularly unique creation, is that they did not choose to call this McQueen's "such & such" or "so & so", but went straight for the jugular by calling it, simply, MCQUEEN. The eponymous, MCQUEEN. He didn't do that himself with MyQueen or Kingdom, so what makes them think they can drag his name through the mud after his death like that? Ew! Icky. Nasty! Below the belt! Nice scent though. So, in conclusion: For those, like myself, who might be in the market for a softer/smoother/day-to-day version of Truth or Dare by Coty/Madonna, look no further. I prefer this to Truth or Dare because it's more wearable and far less brazen and brash.There's even some of the character of Amarige in here too, which is nice . "ALEXANDER MCQUEEN" - Gone, and - by all accounts - sadly forgotten. The man was a national treasure. This could just as easily have been a "Steve McQueen" perfume for all it seems to matter. And that is quite sad.

Came across this one after looking for a replacement for my beloved Truth or Dare, the closest I’ve had to a signature. I’m not prepared to pay around £75-£100 for the few bottles left on eBay when I can buy a bottle of Fracas for those prices so have been looking for a day to day replacement. Fracas is eye-rollingly heavenly but quite strong and almost too special for the day to day, and some in my family and workplace object to very strong perfumes so I’m careful not to wear it too often in those settings. I got a sample of Alexander McQueen to try and whilst it is a more peppery, woodier version of Truth or Dare, it’s the closest I’ve come to a fragrance that has the freshness/airiness of Truth or Dare and a close enough match to be a replacement for me. It’s perfect for me for work and day to day and has that lush tuberose without being overly heavy. The tuberose in this is “bubble-gummy” as opposed to the “grape”-like smell I get from the tuberose in My Way or L’Interdit. Longevity and projection are on the low to moderate side, unless you overspray. As this perfume seems to be easily obtainable at the discounters online I will probably get a 75ml (can be purchased for about £50) so I can overspray with abandon! I don’t tend to get compliments on my tuberose fragrances as I find it’s quite a divisive note and this is no exception, but it’s the perfume I wear for me. Such a gorgeous perfume, really looking forward to trying it in the summer as I noticed many reviewers on here say it works well in the warm weather.

This perfume truly is pure sex. My husband likes most of my scents just fine, but this one drove him wild, not a single other scent has this effect on him. I jokingly said I would wear it when we were going to see the Bank Manager (and maybe he would therefore give us more money) and he genuinely looked alarmed, like he was scared the bank manager would be overcome by lust, or something. The scent itself is 'just' Turburose, ylang ylang and jasmine, but oh my, it is heady. I don't normally go for the high-pitched smells, but this just works. It's intoxicating, there's no other word to describe it. But despite it being overtly sexual, it still manages to keep up the pretense of being an icy-cool, upper class lady. I have to admit, I don't wear it too often, I can't be bothered swatting away my husband constantly. Be warned, this scent is crazy in that regard. It is totally like that end scene in the movie 'Perfume, story of a murderer'... I have never smelt Truth or Dare - it is impossible to get where I live but I will have to seek it out.

I just received this for my birthday and haven't stopped wearing it since. My partner bought this for me - apparently after many hours of deliberation and sniffing of pieces of card in department stores - and declares this 'the best perfume of all time'. Period. No retreat, no surrender. He has a close relationship with my 'habit' of perfume and has been exposed to many an expensive brew. Even so, for him, this was 'it', the one, the best. Happily, I agree that it really is quite something... Heady, hearty tuberose with a smoky, dark and brooding feel. Slightly dangerous, very sexy, surprisingly gauzy and transparent. Envelopes the wearer in a subtle dark hue all day without ever being too obvious. Sillage and longevity are perfect for me - I want people to breathe me in, not choke on me. Heavenly concoction, dark structural potion, very McQueen... but that transparency makes it suitable for everyday wear when sprayed lightly. Signature worthy. I feel very spoiled indeed.

A very warm tuberose, jasmine, ylang yland with some spicy touches here and there. What I find unique but perfectly fitting here is the addition of cloves. I love cloves in anything and goes so well in this composition. It adds warmth and elevates the florals in the composition. If you love a bubblegum tuberose with a bit of spiciness and you can get your hands on this, I highly recommend it. It’s well made and smells great, realistic and refined. A potential wedding scent in my opinion! Performs well in the warmer weather but it is not a beast like something from Givenchy’s L’Interdit line. Sadly, I don’t see this anywhere sold so I think it got discontinued.