DesirToxic

The house of Micallef is one which I've fallen in love with. It started with me being skeptical, with seeing this one mentioned all over the fragcomm and on many fragrance content creators' social media. And then there was this whole fiasco with DesirToxic L'Intense (people were up in arms about content creators getting free bottles). I don't get the big deal, it's not like this is anything new. So yes, the brand kind of got unwanted hate and the controversy overshadows the quality of the fragrances in my personal opinion (at least so far from what I've tested). The comparisons to Layton are inevitable but personally, I definitely find more similarities to Nishane's Papilefiko. This is deep, in intensity much closer to Layton Exclusif but without the animalic element. Here, this animalic component is replaced by a much spicier and earthier tone, brought by oakmoss materials and cannabis notes. Lots of cinnamon too, giving it warmth and sweetness. This is much less vanillic than Layton. The cannabis gives it a slight dirtiness/sexiness without even making it challenging (to my nose). This is very easy to wear, I'd say. I already got quite a bit of attention wearing it as well, so it definitely brings attraction. As a fan of Layton Exclusif I was worried this would be redundant but I don't think so (here cannabis is the highlight, in LE its the underlying civet note). Owners of the original Layton might find this one a little close for their tastes and owners of Papilefiko should get their nose on it first or they might feel this is too close. As for the comparison between DesirToxic and L'Intense, I prefer the original. L'Intense is great and it does have more projection but I find it loses the nuances of this one and while I love the upticked cannabis note, I find that the end result is ultimately less satisfying and I find the overall wear experience of the original better. While like I said it projects less than the Intense, it does still projects well for the first 2-3 hours and lingers on for a good 6-7 hours of great sillage before settling to a skin scent for another few hours. Overall, I find it warrants the interest I saw in it. If you're a fan of Layton and are looking for alternatives of similar DNAs, this will very likely please you.

Aromatic, spicy, woody, and just enough sweetness for me to love it. Personal: 9/10 – I really enjoy the dark, spicy, woody depth brightened up with lots of green notes. I've never smelled something quite like this. Mass appeal: 8.5/10 – Fruity sweetness and spicy warmth make this very approachable. Performance: 7.5/10 – Good longevity and moderate-to-strong projection, without being overwhelming. Value: 7.5/10 – Priced pretty fairly in the niche bracket, and I love what you get for the price. Uniqueness: 8/10 – Fruity-spicy-woody isn’t brand new, but the greenness present absolutely sets it on its own tier. SCORE: 81/100 Full bottle buy? NO, despite loving it, I don't think I'd reach for it often enough over similar aromatic spicy/sweet fragrances, like Layton. Blind buy? NO, even though black currant and these spices are safe, green notes are usually polarizing, and for the price, it's not worth the risk. Recommend? YES, especially to someone who wants a niche step up from designer fruity/woody/spicy fragrances. Date night? YES, it’s sweet, seductive, and pretty formal. Office safe? YES, it’s clean, polished, and not overly loud. Though don't overspray. Pros: Fruity-spicy balance is smooth, crowd-pleasing, and versatile. Green notes make it pretty unique. Cons: Pricey for what it is, fruity woody spicy DNA is fairly unique, but not groundbreaking for the price. DesirToxic is a polished, crowd-pleasing fragrance that bridges gourmand sweetness and woody-spicy masculinity. The black currant and the cardamom keep it pretty mass appealing, somewhat unique, but not so weird and unique that it's unwearable. Despite the very spicy nature of this fragrance, it's fairly quiet on skin. It doesn't shout its presence, rather it settles nicely into something that's just warm, aromatic, sweet and inviting. I really enjoy it and I think anyone who enjoys fragrances like Layton or other well known sweet, spicy fragrances will appreciate it. It's definitely more formal due to its subdued performance, and I think there's a market for that. A sweet, spicy, aromatic scent. I really enjoy its subdued performance, funny enough. This is the more office-appropriate Layton. Review #129 in my fragrance journey – this fragrance I own as a decant

When I sprayed it first I was amazed by how green and juicy it smelled! I mean wow! Also, the fragrance seems to have a lot of natural ingredients. It's designer style niche. This fragrance has an opening for 15 mins or so and relatively longer drydown. The transition from opening to drydown is fast so couldn't observe much mid. It's so well blended that we can hardly point out notes if we don't check it in the breakdown. That combination of spices, lemon and Cannabis somehow creates an illusion of a designer oud smell during the opening itself till it transitions to the drydown which is quick. Also from opening to drydown transition, Cannabis note is prominent and it's a leafy cannabis note, nothing that anyone will make faces for. Coming to the drydown, it's all about mild spices, prominent tonka beans and oak moss combination. It becomes quite subtle and sexy intimate fragrance that doesn't change a lot. Becomes mossy Patchouli before it evaporates. I observed people comparing this to Layton but honestly this is too green to compare with Layton. Maybe it has that fresh oudy nature and cardamom note that gives a little bit of greenish layton impressions initially for like 15 minutes or so but overall way different scent. Overall impressive! It's a quite unique and artsy fragrance which is very sexy, seductive and mass pleasing. We can't ask for more...

Where’s the page for the new L’Intense flanker? Anyway this scent smells more like a fresh take on Sauvage Elixir with an added cannabis note than it does Layton to me, and I’m totally here for it. Highly addictive and sexy scent made with quality ingredients. It’s not beast mode and not intended to be. You can wear this any time anywhere if you ask me, and you will definitely stand out in a crowd! I don’t get church or incense vibes at all with this, just an edgy but still mass appealing and alluring scent. Absolutely gorgeous bottle, too, a work of art in itself. Can’t wait to add the new one to my collection. Update 4/6/2024: just received the L’Intense version today and it is definitely an improvement on the original. They added a freshness with the mint, toned the cannabis way down, and honestly it feels more versatile of a fragrance overall for nearly any occasion (it wouldn’t even be out of a place in the gym), signature scent worthy stuff, and potentially longer lasting. Back up bottle will be on deck once it gets down to $150 or so. It is really good, not vastly different scentwise, but an improvement in versatility for me. Love them both just the same, though.

DesirToxic M. Micallef I admit I'm kinda late into this despite coming across many hyped reviews and videos all over since it's release. This was available at a really good deal recently and I blinded it. Now, this is a nice smelling sexy alluring scent, it's pretty comforting and comfortable to smell as it settles on the skin. I get no distinguish prominent stand out notes from my use so far but the spicy cardamom and sourly blackcurrant is distinguishable at the opening. Its a soft spicy, semi sweet, creamy vanillic, a little soft green with a nice not so strong oakmossy drydown. It kinda reminds me of of the vibe of a softer Opium pour homme. It isn't a projection monster and settles down on the skin nice and easy making u smell really good. Longevity is probably 6-10 hrs on skin. The bottle is really nice, a raw midnight blue with historical like designs on it. Cap is simple with a nice lift and clip. Good sprayer and atomizer. Somehow it got soft and comfortable on my skin fast and I wish it was more projecting with strength. I'm liking this and will look to give it more runs. Ladies can wear this easily too.

This is officially my new favorite fragrance. I don't get comparisons to Layton which is good because I actually don't care for that fragrance. To me It's like a better smelling, more wearable and less sweet version of Sauvage Elixir or an updated modern version of YSL Opium Pour Homme. The latter of which I have wonderful memories of my father using and spraying on me when I was a little kid in the mid 90's. I can also understand the Drakkar Noir similarities because ir has a distinct shaving cream note in it that I've also smelled in Replica At The Barber's. Also someone mentioned Amouage Beach Hut Man, which I love, and yes I see a slight similarity to that one as well. I don't smell any cannabis note whatsoever so don't let that stop you from trying it. This really is a perfect fragrance but the only problem is the price. Secondly the performance is decent, but could be better. Would be awesome if one of the big middle eastern clone houses could clone this as well as they've done other insanely expensive fragrances like Aventus and YSL Tuxedo. That would solve both price and performance issues.

New school with a splash of old school. Tart juicy fruit, warm spices and dusty sweetness over a bed of sticky pine needles. This is well-blended perfumery that conjures up a bit of Christmas-y barbershop vibes for me. I wouldn't consider this to be the wildly seductive scent it's been hyped as, however it does deliver a fresh, alluring, modern masculine that thankfully doesn't overdose on sweetness. At its core is a blend of cardamom, cinnamon and tonka that feels familiar and inviting. The scent leans designer in profile while sporting a mossy-earthy edge for a slight throwback feel. I can see some of the parallels with Layton style-wise, but DesirToxic goes in a totally different green and slightly balsamic direction which may be a bit more divisive to younger noses. Worth giving this a try if you're looking for something spicy, sexy and sweet that won’t make you smell like a dessert cart. Edit: I sold my bottle. l do think it’s a solid scent, but the gf would always ask "what are you wearing?" with sour face so I decided it could find a better home.

Was worried after reading so many mediocre reviews, but I blind bought anyway and it turned out to be an instant like. All the elements are familiar, but it wears incredibly smart. After the zesty citrus and juicy black current opening it settles into a well spiced and musky patchouli, zig zagging along the way. At times clean, at times much dirtier, with different facets occasionally popping off, but always remaining restrained, mature and familiar. While I’m sure it’s not for everyone, nothing ever is, I find it remarkably easy to wear and never intrusive aided by its limited projection but with very good *longevity. Ideal for a multitude of social occasions. Now, the one part I do find that is universally adored is the presentation and in hand it does not disappoint. You could be excused for purchasing it solely for the flacon alone. No one would judge. *performance estimates were taken in the Rocky Mountain Springtime using the locally sourced dry pale skin that covers most of my body. YMMV.

This is an odd fragrance, and the reviews below all seem to indicate that, as describing it is difficult. It's green and clean, almost blue shower gel, but with an amber-vanilla base. To make it easy: imagine something like YSL Y with better ingredients plus the base of Drakkar Noir. I've never received a compliment wearing it, from my wife or anyone else, but I know it has strong longevity and good sillage as my wife has commented on it, in mostly a neutral way, 7-8+ hours after spraying. Sort of designer-y but a designer would never release this as it's too oddball. The green, blue, vanilla-amber thing is a study in contradiction. The smells like scents are all over the place and this is because DesirToxic really is a smashing of genres. Some people apparently love it. I'm almost one of them. Longevity is strong: 8-10 hours with hours of good sillage. A weak 8.0/10 for me. It's not bad as a signature daily driver for the office in cool/cold months.

This a great, sexy, designer-esqe niche fragrance for men. It’s blended superbly so no note sticks out and makes the fragrance hard for me to accurately describe but I can say that it does not smell like Layton or Papilefiko. Kind of smells like a guy who put on 2 or three different fragrances in an attempt to smell “unique”. The black currant does kind of stick out which lends a slight piercing sharpness, and combined with the mildly sour cannabis note this fragrance can become cloying if oversprayed. I can’t relate to the complaints about the performance because my bottle performs like a beast. Two blast to the neck are perfect for my skin. It last and projects for hours as the composition is tenacious. Anymore than two sprays would be headache inducing because of the piercing sharpness and sourness of the black currant and cannabis as I previously stated. Overall, its complex year round fragrance that I think is great! Hard to dislike.

This is very high Quality, the core is old school, Appel, cannabis,cinnamon gives it the new twist from the recent topp hitters like layton and sav Elexir etc, cardamom is rich and natural and the way the parfume is put together you can feel its a classic trained parfumer that put together a classic fougere French style and then added the notes by force hahah, its like a Frankensteins monster, bits and pieces from here and there.. well the monster is a beuty and you can get alot off pleasure by disecting it and finding the heart and soul off this beast. Interesting and freaky..should be talked about more. Deserves a large fanbase, i recommend ppl try this iff you like old school scents but w a new twist,fans off fresh Appel spicy half gourmands should reeeealy try this

This is a very fresh first impression. Immediate love and immediately very impressed. This is unlike any other I’ve had my nose on. I see that it’s been somewhat compared to Sauvage Elixir, Layton, and L’Insoumis. At least those are the 3 comps that I’ve had my nose on. Having had my nose on Sauvage Elixir (I wasn’t impressed enough to shell out the price per mill and went with Alexandria’s Ete Sauvage Elixir instead after numerous occasions trying the Dior), having Layton in my collection, and having had L’Insoumis in my collection until a recent purge and gifting it away... I don’t find any close resemblance to those, but find this juice distinctly unique... at least so far (about an hour into first wearing).

Sexy, Alluring, Refined. I love old school masculine fragrances and DesirToxic is a modernized take on old school scents. To me this frag is reminiscent of Drakkar Noir but obviously way better. It has a nice sweet musky vibe to it that some compare to shaving foam but that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying the scent profile. Cardamom, Cinnamon, Blackcurrent, Tonka, Musk and Patchouli are the main accords I can detect and overall an excellent blend. I just love the vibe this gives off and this frag suits me perfectly. It shines especially at night when going out for drinks at a bar or sometimes clubbing. DesirToxic is a modern masculine scent that I find attractive. 9/10 one of my favorites.

Addictive stuff! A bright, juicy, and refreshing opening transitions into a spicy and slightly resinous sweetness. Cannabis, oakmoss, and patchouli add a tame greenery, and balances the fragrance beautifully, making for a full experience. The cannabis is not of the sticky, skunky variety. It simply lends a “grounding” nuance which differs from the green notes found in other scents. I’m generally not a fan of the note of cannabis, so if I’m enjoying a fragrance which contains it, rest assured that it is well-blended into the composition. Longevity is great for me. I received an unsolicited compliment 11 hours after application. The projection in that instance was more than an arm’s length.

This is a really nice fragrance, smells nothing like Layton (I own both), at the opening it is something completely different to the drydown, at the drydown it smells sexy, It smells great at the opening with that lemonish+bergamot mix, the cardamom (not like the La Nuit de L ́homme, more like the escence) starts fading and that strange green pungent smell of hemp pushes that nice blackcurrant note out, till it fades to a skin scent after a couple hours (around 2-3) and you can only perceive pachuli and oakmoss with some musk on your skin. Women love this thing. It does NOT smell like a joint or even like cannabis, probably it smells like the oil of it at most but very faint.

I was cynical about the hype on YouTube, but, wow, this is better than I expected. Yes, I see the similarities to Sauvage Elixir. However, Desirtoxic is slightly sweeter and has a bit more complexity. The cannabis here gives this fragrance some character. Cannabis gives this composition a touch of sourness, which can be off putting to some. Performance is good but not at Sauvage Elixir levels. If you ask me which one, I prefer, it would be a 50/50-coin toss. Since I own Dior, I don’t see the need to get a bottle of this fragrance. If you have neither, test them out and compare them. Lastly, having said all that, these fragrances are sufficiently different enough to own both.

Had my eyes on this one for a while and got a really good deal for the 50ml so I blind bought it. My first impressions were mixed as I found it overwhelmingly spicy but saw the potential. The cardamom is very prominent. However, once I got to wear it, it transformed into something different. I get a lot of the modern barbershop clean soapiness and a light fruty and chocolaty sweetness. To me it smells like a mix of the moss of platinum egoiste by Chanel with a touch of the playful sweetness of Layton with the fruit and cardamom. Performance seems decent but haven't fully tested it out. Beware, the opening projects a lot of spices and can be overwhelming to others.

Please upload the new Intense version. It's a more potent and improved version of the original. The controversial cannabis note is not there anymore. And it's less reminiscent of sweet winter fragrances like Layton or Sauvage Elixir. Which many think the original resembled. Reminds me of spicy early to mid 90s fragrances like YSL Opium Pour Homme or Chanel Egoiste with a touch of a greener 80s powerhouse fragrance like Drakkar Noir or Van Cleef Tsar. This is a huge improvement on an already nearly perfect fragrance. Who's only problem in my opinion was weak performance. Insanely good performance with this one. Two sprays lasted 24 hours on me easily.

A traditional, clean barbershop fragrance made spicy and with a touch of dirty cannabis. Really interesting combination that is actually captured really nicely by the name. It’s seductive and sensual but in a naughty way. I get the comparison to Layton, but this is honestly more interesting and actually more versatile, since i feel like it’s not as sweet. Great reactions all around. Projection is pretty OK, but longevity is really good, seems to stick to my skin. Love the design of the bottle. Atomizer is great, but the cap seems to loosen quickly. Scent: 10/10 Projection: 8/10 Longevity: 9/10 Versatility: 10/10 Price: 6/10 Overall: 8,6/10

Fresh, sweet, aromatic, 'soft' cardamom with a tangy, fruity twist (without any sharp edge) upon a blue-cologne undertone. Faint vegetal cannabis. Smells quite lush and damp/wet — I get an illustration of rain in the vineyard. I don't detect tonka bean at all. Morphs into blackcurrant, patch, musk, and a bit of oakmoss. Dries down soft aromatic blue colognes. I don't know about the comparisons, although this one is totally unisex. DesirToxic is quite serene, unique, and naturalistic — it stands out from the crowd because I'm not a big fan of their other fragrances. The theme and how some people interpret it (as toxic or sexy) is funny.