Under the Stars

I just got Replica Under the Stars from UPS today, so I haven't had a chance to fully experience this fragrance yet, but I really like it so far! I ordered it directly from the Maison Margiela website, and it was the first time I've done that. I have four other 100 ml Replica fragrances, that I ordered from Amazon. I also have some 10 ml travel bottles that I bought from Sephora. They are having a sale on some items, and Under the Stars was one of them. It was about $135 for the 100 ml bottle, and I got a few free items too, two fragrance samples, a small candle, and a 7 ml splash bottle, and the shipping was free and fast. The selection wasn't great, for the free samples. I was hoping to get Under the Lemon Trees or the new Afternoon Delight, but neither were options. These Replica fragrances definitely illustrate how there isn't a set rule for perfume concentrations. These are EDT, but they seem to perform as long and well as EDP fragrances or even Parfums. I can't really describe the scent of Under the Stars, but it definitely agrees with my nose! It seems like a cool weather fragrance, like Stronger With You or The Most Wanted. It has a nice, rich leather and oud aroma that I really enjoy. The atomizer is threaded onto the glass. This is the second bottle that I've gotten so far, that was like that, and has the plastic ring around the atomizer. I experimented with the bottles at Sephora a while ago and some of them were threaded and some pressed on, so I'm not sure what the implication is. It's easier to decant bottles when you can remove the atomizer, so I like that.

Honestly, this fragrance is exactly what I imagine a Sheikh or a well-dressed Arab gentleman would wear daily—it’s deeply rooted in Arabic culture, from the luxurious notes to the atmospheric presence it carries. The moment I spray it, I’m mentally transported to the heart of Dubai: gold-trimmed halls, luxury cars, and private lounges filled with billionaires. That’s the kind of aura this scent gives off. What truly sets it apart, though, is its exceptional longevity. It clings to clothes for over 24 hours, evolving beautifully over time without losing its core identity. On colder days, especially in winter, it performs like a dream—projecting warmth, richness, and sophistication. The oud in this fragrance is masterfully balanced: smooth, elegant, and not overwhelming. Unlike some traditional oud-based scents that can feel medicinal or overly smoky, this one is far more wearable. In fact, I’d argue it’s even more versatile and refined than designer oud options like Tom Ford’s Oud Wood. This doesn’t just try to smell luxurious—it is luxury. And it doesn’t scream for attention; it draws people in with quiet power and confidence. If you want to smell like understated opulence, this is the one.

I love this scent, but that's not to say that many will; I knew I'd love it when I read the ingredients: leather, oud, peppery notes. On me, it lasts quite a while, even though it's an EDT. It's definitely not floral, but there is a sweet quality to it. Maybe a bit of vanilla? I don't smell burning tires or cigarettes/tobacco/ashtrays as another reviewer commented. I agree that it is more suited to fall/winter, but I would use it year-round I love it that much. It reminds me of my childhood, growing up in Saudi Arabia, shopping at the souq, smelling the oud burning in the burners in mostly every other shop. I loved it then, and I love it now. This reminds me of home. Edit 29MAY24: It's puzzling to me that so many people hate this, even going so far as to say that it's disgusting and awful. I've had so many compliments when wearing this, even at work. Maybe it just works on me. It wears so well, as others have noted (8+ hrs. on me), and the projection and sillage are remarkable for an EDT; I just spray the tiniest amounts on both wrists. Unisex, for sure. I love that about this absolute beast.

Gorgeous scent with expensive ingredients. You can smell the real oud and the leather notes are just divine. This one is for experienced niche brand fragheads who still shop designer, because the mixture is both sophisticated and not for the faint of heart. Anyone who likes this, I instantly assume they're really into perfumes. You need to have palate to understand this perfume(unless you just really don't like Oud or Leather notes). I love how light it is, when the middle eastern perfumes with similar notes are usually extremely heavy. I feel like this is for a western/eastern person who likes middle eastern notes. I can see people who only like freshies or florals not enjoy this at all, because it's the opposite. It's smokey, it's woody, it's leathery. I personally think this is the best from this house, and one of my faves. If this were from another brand it would be much more expensive for sure.

As others commented, people around me do not enjoy this fragrance, but there’s something about it that keeps me coming back, now I love Oud, I have a collection of natural Oud essential oils from India, Thailand, Philippines, Bangladesh etc but none of them smell anywhere near this, I wouldn’t call this an Oud fragrance, it’s more of a leather rubber fragrance with hints of fruitiness to my nose, it really does smell like car tires mixed with some raspberry and smoke and ash, it’s not your usual Oud fragrance and it does not remind me of any other perfume I’ve smelled before, maybe a bit of the plasticy-ness of fantomas? I’m layering it with CH Burning Roses and so far, this is phenomenal, I definitely get the hate but I also get the love

Several of my friends absolutely hate this, every time I wear it around them I'll get a comment. However, I love it way too much to stop, and have ended up wearing it when alone more and more- simply to enjoy it. Reminds me of so many times in my life, somehow both searing hot days and bitterly freezing. It's close to not pleasant, with the heavy leather and quite animalic notes, but it does what replica aims to do and really has bottled the feeling of many moments of my life within it. That feeling when you catch a smell in the wind and are suddenly transported back in time, but you can't quite place where you've been thrown back to. That feeling. Definitely not a blind buy.

I know a lot of the other reviews seem to really dislike this but for me personally it's a favourite. Late on cold autumn and winter nights I used to stand outside in the cold, feeling it on my skin, and smell all the nearby houses woodstoves burning. and wish I could bottle that. This does exactly that for me, considering it was an accidental purchase too it's an absolute win personally. Just keep in mind I was looking for the smell of several houses worth of burning wood, and it could be too 'burnt' smelling or 'old' for some people, if you're a big fan of floral scents I don't think this would be your thing, but if you like the deeper oud scents I 100% think it will.

Pure Art. Sleeping by a gentle crackling fire in the snowy quiet winter night with ashes trickling down on a real fur Jacket hunted by you under the star and moonlight and flicking flame reflecting off of skin and fur and a glass of fine bourbon. Not sure if it stole #1 spot but its in my top 5-10 .. probably tied with Dyptique Volutes amd killian intoxicated as both my favorites for winter.. Amen and prada amber intense as favorite designers for winter. Reminds me of Gucci Guilty absolute or Tom Ford ombre leather mixed with killian intoxicated and MM By the Fire Place but I like it better than all 3 mentioned here.

Perhaps better than Jazz Club. This is a masterpiece of a scent, I see a bunch of people that dislike it and the only thing I can say to them is keep training your nose. The leather and oud combination is very simple but great and extremely well blended together. The smokiness can definitely be felt as the leather smells almost burnt. It really does smell like the night sky and desert of Namibia. Although it is an eau de toillete don't let that fool you. It has strong projection and lasts around 10 hours on my skin. Natural scents tend to last longer with ease. Definitely in my top five, really great fragrance.

Masculine, sexy, smooth, dry, elegant. Not a particularly powerful oud on my skin, the leather (and it is a clean, fashionable, well-worn but not grimy leather jacket scent, not fresh tanned hide or sweaty saddle leather) more prominent, but given how overpowering some ouds can be it's a very well blended fragrance perfect for date night. I wish it were a little less intimate on my skin, but well, that's why you if you want a loud statement piece that fills the room you should buy Arabian perfumes over French ones. This is a great perfume if you want something sexy and oudy but inoffensive to those around you.

I think this one might be my favourite fragrance I've ever tried, it's perfect if all you want a simple, but strong leathery scent. I know a lot of people don't think this is a good fragrance for women, but I really disagree - sure it's not a feminine scent by any means, but it's easy to pull off well if you're on the more masculine end of things style-wise. It lasts an incredibly long time on me and can be really good for layering given it's simple notes, do NOT buy this one blind though, it's definitely one of those fragrances some people will strongly dislike.

Been testing this at home for 5 wearings now. Not an easy scent to pull off. Did 2 additional wearings while layering with some sweeter fragrances which made it more wearable but reduced the nichey like nuances that I have grown to love. I feel this is amazing all own it’s own but won’t be appreciated by most. I have the same exact feeling about Gucci Guilty Absolute. I love it but almost no one does. I’ve come to a point where I say screw it and do this because I want it this way. Dark, mysterious, and weird while alluring at the same time. I love it.

I tried this in-store and ended up getting a sample from my local Mecca. I have to say, I really like this fragrance - it's dusty but not in a cloying way. It reminds me of old clothes in a folded up in closet. But it also reminds me leather-bound books, and notes written on parchment paper. True to the name I understand it's imagery of Summer nights spent star-gazing. It's slightly smoky and warm, and the oud and amber really shine through. I think it's a perfect addition to anyone's fall scent collection! It's very dark academia and I'm here for it.

I know people have said this is a “typical leather scent” so I didn’t even bother smelling this because I typically hate leather scents (often giving me headaches), and it’s been billed as very generic. Giving it a chance though I fell in love. I would say the oud mellows it out and the scent is a beautiful truly unisex fragrance that wears for a long time. I agree with whoever said it almost dries down to a cacao - because there is something a touch sweet to it after a few hours. Not fresh, but deep and sexy. I would imagine too much for summer.

Super likeable fragrance along the lines of Bonne Chauffe (same nose!) but less shouty. Immediately comforting, silky, waxy, smokey-woody-leathery amber scent where nothing stands out too much given that it's been blended masterfully. An instant love, gentle and cocooning enough to even wear to bed. Again, not terribly loud yet nicely tenacious and expressive, even at EDT strength. It will combo easily with a top-up of leather or oud or chocolate or simple salty ambergris later on in the day. For me - fussy as I am - an unequivocal 10/10.

Very nice dry woody oud and slightly animalic leather but in the best kind of way. I don’t agree on the peppery opening being that strong. Soft projection and longevity seems to be pretty good actually. Don’t get the hate, bet most reviewers are yet to even smell the thing and just enjoy hatebombing. Overall pleasantly surprised, not groundbreaking but a very nice fragrance which I usually find to be the case with Margiela’s, aside from Jazz Club and By The Fireplace. Probably won’t buy a full bottle but will happily use up my tester.

Nutty potent. I barely ever wear it, but will never sell, bc when you need it there’s nothing else. It changes your vision to that of a nocturnal animal, with mirrored eyes. It’s a liquid aura, heat and power in a spray, thick, slinking, corporeal animal musk. If you hold a lover wearing this, they are held, and will yearn for its signature subliminally, as a sleeper agent. I’m scared of it tbh. Don’t look for it. I got mine for ten dollars. Don’t look for it, if you need it it will find you.

Wow I need my husband to wear this. I love it but it leans a bit too masc for my style. This is bold but not cloying. It smells very expensive to me. It’s leathery and spicy (zesty spice) with a beautiful ambery powder note at the base that reminds me of some of the iconic 80/90s scents (CK obsession, Fahrenheit). The leathery nuance doesn’t smell synthetic like new car but rather rich and authentic. The oud in here is sharp, like the tree was sliced open right in front of you. Ugh gorg!

I know a lot of people aren't the biggest fans of leather scents, and I totally get it! But for those who enjoy leather notes, wow. This is beautiful. I really want to get a bottle of this. And for some unknown reason, it smells like one of my rabbits??? I have two bunnies, one smells like green tea and the other smells exactly like Under the Stars. I always joke with my boyfriend that if our bunny had a signature fragrance, this would be it. But it is amazing and so comforting.

I was gifted this for xmas and accidentally nuked everybody in the room by testing it on my wrist. It is HEAVY, def more of a spray/delay/walk away moment as opposed to applying directly onto skin. I do love it in moderation though-- very dry, smoky, spicy, woodsy, leathery, with just a touch of sweetness that dries down into something almost chapsticky? Not an overall crowd pleaser but a cold weather staple for me for sure. 8/10