Across The Universe

This fell flat. None of the sparkling florals of MFK. It’s fine, but I let it rest for about 9 months and there isn’t much scent left. The resting period did wonders for the Aqua Celestia dupe though, it had a sort of dirtyness to the fragrance when I bought it, but it is crisp and close to Aqua Celestia.

I have this in the travel set size. I sprayed it on my wrist and can't smell anything other than a faint floral woody opening scent... not really sure. Then I sprayed more on my wrist and more all over my neck and chest. Nothing... I wait an hour... Nothing. I walk around outside in the 80+ weather. Nothing. All day nothing. If I inhale on my wrist I can smell something faint, but that's about it. I bought it straight from the house, so I know it's not a fake. I tried MFK Aqua Universalis Forte in Neiman Marcus and it was absolutely beautiful. Either what I got from Alexandria Fragrances is defective, or they are using ingredients that I can't really smell.

Opens with pleasant citrus and mint notes. 10 minutes later it turns into window cleaner.

I really like this and it does smell like it's inspiration/MFK. I've been through a full travel size of the MFK before. Fresh citrus, soft florals, dryer sheets, and a hint of woods. The lemon-y citrus makes it seem fresh and squeaky clean. The musk is not too intensely laundry/industrial clean for my taste or at least it's balanced with the other notes. I smell the rose and other generic florals but in the background. The whole fragrance is sort of mellow/restrained and lovely. Something really nice for everyday, office appropriate. Performance isn't comparable to MFK though I only get 4-5 hours from this one.

Having bought other fragrances from Alexandria I can attest to the fact that they often need to rest for a couple of weeks before becoming fragrant enough for wearing, this was the case with for example with 1981x and Himalaya Mountain. I don't know about their manufacturing process but they probably produce and ship very closely together whereas other perfumes you buy off the shelf have been resting for a while before they get available in stores.