Mandarina Corsica

I think Mandarina Corsica is lovely, a real success for L'Artisan. I agree with the reviewer below me that it's not well blended, but I think that's rather the point: the combination of its separate sides is what makes this scent. StellaDiverFlynn describes this effect better than I ever could further along on this page, so I'll just say how well done both accords are - both sweet and delicious but not at all heavy. The orange note is particularly juicy, somewhere between a real mandarin orange with some of its peels still on, and the best quality orange soda. The caramel smells quite realistic, almost good enough to eat, but it's not at all overpowering (which is always a risk with this note). I love how it complements the juicy side without muddling it by blending in. All in all it makes for a very comfortable fragrance, especially perfect for early fall or late spring, I think. Longevity and especially projection could be a little stronger - it's not the kind of scent I notice much throughout the day, which is a shame since I like it so much. But it's not the worst either, and I'll happily spray a little extra with this one. I have a decant, but I have a feeling there's a full bottle of this one somewhere in my future as well!

Yes, L'Artisan Parfumeur did it again. This time the marvelous perfumer Quentin Bisch is responsible for a unique masterpiece. Like my other L'AP bottle Noir Exquis I was disappointed when I applied the first sprays. That one turned out to be absolutely wonderful after developing in the bottle. Mandarina Corsica opened as a flat, sauer mandarin smell with lots of maltol. Wanted to return the bottle immediately. But I love the box and bottle design so I kept it in the hope this one would open up after some maceration. And yes, it did! What a wonderful happiness in a bottle is this perfume. The concept is gorgeous, the more because the name Corsica is not about the mandarin but it's about the immortelle. This is such an unique pleasant blend of aromas that every time I apply this there is instant happiness. And I got really nice compliments. The blend of caramel with vanilla, cinnamon, tonka and a for me undetectable sandalwood in the base deliver a cosy experience. And the mandarin is noticeably through the whole duration that is for me 6 to 8 hours. I wonder how this jewel behaves in spring and summer.

FYI - I am not an expert and not great at describing scents. I am just hoping to share my experience with you guys :) I agree with psebi101 - but that is why I really love this fragrance. On my skin, it is an orange cake with caramel topping on top.I get these beautiful, sweet and a bit tart mandarin notes at first. Then caramel joins the citrus notes and it slowly changes to chocolate (tonka bean?) and vanilla. I am a huge fan of gourmand fragrances and this has become my new signature! I love freshness and uplifting mood I get from the top notes and I love how it changes to a warm and sweet scent. This fragrance's citrus notes last a bit longer than other citrus fragrances I tried - although its staying power is still quite weak for EDP.

Good substitute/expensive replica of L de Lolita Lempicka - same sweet blood orange with cinnamon and immortelle brew, same caramelly-cakey aftertaste, literally it is the same thing. I have Mandarina Corsica on my left arm (third time testing, not a brief test on a run) and on my right arm I have L de Lolita Lempicka that I own for ages. The difference is in the opening. Mandarina Corsica has this sweetly-tart smell of freshly peeled mandarines and then transforms into immortelle-cinnamon-caramel. Once L de Lolita Lempicka has less amount of orange in your face at the start and slightly less sweet in general. Cheeky cheeky Quentin Bisch! Maurice Roucel should tell him off!

It smells like new years to me because of cultural associations, so I wear it only in the winter. Very sweet, almost too ripe mandarins. I can feel caramel but it blends beautifully I do not notice it. It's pretty simple and straight forward but very addictive. I usually don't live orangy fragrances, especially when they don't smell fresh but rather like someone has already eaten an orange and the smell stayed in the air, but this one is everything. It stays for some time, not too long. L'artisian Parfumeur doesn't last on me much. For how strong and almost nauseating it can smell at times (especially fresh), it doesn't have much sillage.