Retrospect

I should probably start this review by saying that I am not terribly sophisticated when it comes to fragrances, I am easily influenced, and the idea of the cool, minimalist Merit aesthetic has me in a bit of a chokehold at the moment. (I’m not proud of these things so much as speaking my truth.) I bought this blind during the Sephora sale and wasn’t sure what I was getting myself into beyond hearing that this fragrance is a) polarizing and b) a grownup version of Glossier You*. I’ve been wearing Retrospect off and on since I got it a week ago and I will say that it is DEFINITELY polarizing. In fact, it’s so polarizing that my feelings on it have swung wildly from NO to OK to MAYBE to YES during that time. First of all, the box is absolutely stunning (I love navy blue) and opening it up is a delight in and of itself. The bottle is gorgeous and heavy in your hand, which helps me forgive that the gold-toned cap is a little awkward to remove. When I spray this I immediately get the burst of pear - it’s very juicy, not at all candied or sweet, just very fresh. Then it starts opening up to those powdery notes that start out pretty lipstick-y. This phase is absolutely giving vintage makeup in this way that reminds me of my grandmother and my mother but it doesn’t feel stuffy or outdated. I don’t find it at all offensive, just unexpected. After a while that powder starts to fade out and I feel like I get little wafts of the pear again, and some of the florals, but everything is well-blended and nothing sticks out too much. After an hour or two everything calms down and it becomes the soft, slightly warm skin scent I was initially expecting - I don’t necessarily get musk, vanilla, and moss individually but I do get an overall warmer impression. Some of the pear does stick around. I do not think the lasting power on this is 12 hours, although some of that might be how understated this gets after it settles into that warm skin scent phase. I would typically wear a scent like this only on my skin rather than on clothes, but I wore it yesterday (one spray on each wrist + one on chest) and could still smell it on the cuffs of the sweatshirt I had on in the morning when I grabbed it to wear again today. Overall I really like this scent and it’s definitely pushed me out of my super girly fruity floral and gourmand comfort zone in a way that I appreciate! I think it will be an easy reach for me in early spring when temperatures are starting to warm up a bit and I’m ready to switch it up from the heavier scents I gravitate to in fall and winter. *I’m not exceptionally well-versed in similar fragrances, so I can’t speak to too many of the ones mentioned, but I can address two of them: Glossier You and Bath & Body Works Emerald Mist. I could maybe concede that the dry down on this has some of the DNA of You, but they are cousins, not twins or even sisters. On me, You starts out very peppery and stays warm the whole time. Retrospect does not have the pepper notes and leans more powdery throughout. Emerald Mist is just a completely different fragrance - the only thing they share is that pear note. To and on me, Emerald Mist smells like shredded hamster bedding misted with pear juice.

Now why is ANYONE saying this smells similar to Glossier's You? They have no similarities whatsoever (well, at least on me). I got a sample of this from an order I placed directly from Merits website, and I'm a big fan. I honestly cant really tell what to expect when seeing notes alone, mostly because there have been times where I assumed I'd love a fragrance based on the notes, and ended up hating it, then I see notes where I think "meh, not sure..." and end up loving it. The first thought I had from this fragrance was FLORAL! I do not pick up on ANY gourmand or fruit, maybe it'll come out later in the day? I have only had it on for 20 mins so far so I can't speak on how the fragrance develops. It definitely does start off strong, two sprays and I can smell it on myself pretty noticeably. I also can really notice the powdery and iris notes, this fragrance reminds me a bit of a classic lipstick smell (think of MMMs Lipstick On which is now discontinued), and some other floral notes which I cant really pinpoint. It is very feminine, and honestly I don't know why this is listed as a fruity gourmand because that is not at all what I get. I think it smells sexy, it's something I'd be comfortable wearing to the office, to the bar, anywhere really. I didnt expect to love this but do plan to buy a full bottle. Edit: Ok I am back after testing this fragrance for a few more days. The pear is definitely there - I didnt notice any fruit at first but I do now, but ONLY if I put my wrist up to my nose, and slowly breathe. It's as if the heat from me breathing out brings out the pear? Because if I just go straight to my wrist for a sniff, all I get are soft powdery florals, but slow warm breaths bring out strong pear. Also this stuff lasts - I get probably 10+ hours worth. And I got a compliment the one day I was wearing it! Was told I smelled good and I rarely get compliments.

In a world where brands are releasing fragrances at unimaginable speeds, I believe Merit has created something special. This scent pays homage to the lost art of slow and intentional fragrance creation. It reminds me of 8os perfumes and shares a blueprint with iconic scents like White Diamonds. That’s not to say, it smells like them but it definitely calls those scents to memory. Upon initial spray, Pear comes to the forefront. It's fresh, juicy, and ever so slightly sweet. When we transition to the mid notes I smell the orris (which creates a soft, creamy, dream like quality) and the Rosemary (which gives a bit of spice on my skin). Finally, after 6+ hours of wear we settle at the moss and vanilla notes. The moss takes the forefront contributing to the freshness of this scent, while the vanilla once again adds a bit of sweetness. It's comforting and takes me back to childhood. Imagine your grandma giving you a bath as a small child. She's wearing White Diamonds (both the scent and jewelry wise). You watch as the soap bubbles cling to her wedding ring. That's the memory this conjures for me. The skin scent aspect makes it incredibly comforting but it's still strong!

such a beautiful fragrance. i do not understand the comparison to glossier you, as this smells not even remotely similar (only similarity would be that they could both technically be classified as skin scents.) i'm one of those people where unfortunately, glossier you smells like pencil shavings on me. retrospect is entirely different. retrospect is such a smart name for this fragrance, it truly does evoke feelings of a different time. what's interesting is it's pulled off in such a way where it feels vintage but still has a kiss of modernity. this is not your grandmother's chanel number 5. though, in a way, it does have a similar dna to chanel fragrances. retrospect is like the cooler, gen-z sister. here's what i picture: it's christmas time in new york city, and it's snowing. she's wearing a plush vintage fur coat that she splurged on. she's wearing a pair of wine coloured slingback heels as she's walking through the frozen east village. she's on her way to meet a couple of girlfriends for espresso martinis, and afterwards, she'll return home to her rich, hot, older boyfriend. this is my new signature scent, at least for the cooler months. i'm obsessed.

I’m leaving my original review below but have to add that Retrospect smells so very much like my Delina Parfum fragrance for hair. I hadn’t used it in a long time and and soon as I smelled it, I smelled Retrospect. Original review: I went to Sephora to try it and could smell pear straight away, but it had a burnt plastic note along with it. I walked out, did a U-turn, went back into Sephora and sprayed myself heavily in Retrospect, because why not, and left again. A few hours later, and into the evening, I smelled so good that I ordered a bottle from Merit so I could get the cute makeup bag and the mini one along with the perfume. I’m sorry that I cannot decipher this scent and describe its stages of development but I’m perplexed at how it becomes a sweet, supple, leather note with gentle perfumed notes of lipstick and juicy fruit gum. It’s a very personal skin scent that gives me a pleasant olfactory experience. It’s like a new leather purse or jacket with good things in the pockets and you just want to huff the memories of the person who owned it. Now it’s yours, and you smell so good.

Truly impressed! The performance is balanced and beautiful. I found the projection to be moderate and the longevity to be verging on eternal. I catch pleasant whiffs throughout the day as the fragrance evolves and settles into a sparkly skin scent. I can still smell this on my laundry the day after wearing, with only a few sprays. This is definitely in the Glossier You neighborhood, but I'd say it stands on its own, and performs more like the original Glossier You, before they reformulated. (IYKYK) To me it isn't quite as lipstick forward as Sonic Flower, or Lipstick Fever. I get the powdery, makeup-y accord, but my experience of wearing Retrospect has been too unique to just lump it in with other violet fragrances. The opening is intense, and may smell plastic-y, but for me it is usually settled down by the time I am out the door. I also want to note that the pear is really unique among the pear notes I have smelled in other fragrances. It's almost like the smell of the earthy skin of the pear, rather than the juicy and sweet fruit itself. Solid all around!

Let me start out by saying this is not something I would usually go for, if I would have just read the notes I probably would have written it off. I tested it one day in Sephora and could not stop thinking about it. It's got incredible longevity without being aggressive or loud. On the initial spray you get that bright burst of crisp pear and aldehydes. Within minutes it completely transforms into this stunning mysterious powdery, nostalgic "vintage lipstick" kind of smell, due to the orris and violet. I don't want that to scare anyone off or sound dated, because it's anything BUT that. It feels very chic, sophisticated, it just smells like you have MONEYYY for lack of better description. It settles into the most comforting, beautiful, warm second-skin vanilla musk. To me it's like quiet luxury, understated and incredibly expensive smelling. I also love that the bottle looks like contemporary modern art. I got the FB and the travel size too!

I like this! I didn’t think I’d make it past the initial lipstick bomb, honestly. I wrote it off almost instantly, but after about 20ish minutes the wafts I got of myself when I moved was addictive. I can’t attest to longevity yet, as I’m still testing that out. I’m surprised someone hasn’t described this as a softer version of Lazy Sunday morning. Aside from glossier you being in the skin scent genre, I didn’t think of it at all when smelling this. This smells like a very well composed, pretty, department store fragrance. It’s a stroll through Von Maur on an early Saturday afternoon. It’s a light breeze catching your fresh blowout after leaving the hairdresser. When you think of those “running errands” scents, it’s that—but you’d wear this if you’re in your 30’s. I feel like the hottest mom in the car rider line. I’ll be getting a full bottle like yesterday.

I think I'm picky when it comes to fragrances, and it's rare I can really say "I love it" with my full chest. I love it. It’s definitely not going to be for everyone: it smells vintage and sophisticated ... it develops over time into something soft and slightly sweet on me. It does sit close to the skin, which I prefer in a scent. To me, it smells like a vintage lipstick. Like a classic deep burgundy lipstick you'd find at the bottom of a leather purse from the 80s. It’s nothing like Glossier You ... I also love Glossier You. But they are very different. It's my favorite scent I've found in a long time. Again, it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea. But it's cozy and soft and feminine and classic. EDIT 11/17: it is not as long lasting as you would expect, which is a disappointment. Still gorgeous at first spray and initial dry down though.

I’m surprised this one isn’t talked about more. To me, this scent is truly unique. I find myself craving it. There is something so entirely comforting and vintage about it. I can’t put my finger on exactly why it evokes such nostalgia or feeling of home, but it does. Calm comfortable, not necessarily trying to impress, but confident. Different from the others, but ok with that. Not girly, but feminine. Vintage without being “old”. It makes a good work scent, as it is not loud or offensive, but more quiet and self-assured. It wears close but people within arms length will catch it. I think it is marketed feminine and does lean that way, but it really could be worn by anyone. I don’t always think about this, but the bottle really matches the vibe of the fragrance. Simple, a little elegant, but unique, and comfortably chic.

Late to the party as this brand wasn't available here until recently. I tried it in Sephora and immediately got a bottle, it's right up my alley. If you like Sonic Flower, Fleur de Peau, Glossier You, Angel Dust, this is probably the most refined version of them all. It's quite peppery and you get a bit of an animalic jasmine for a bit, similar to ELDO Jasmin et Cigarettes, but much softer. The orris is delicious and buttery, it lasts for ages, surprisingly, given how soft it is, and it's a no-brainer, year-round, all-occasion, genderless type of scent. The bottle is gorgeous and heavy, the presentation with the blue packaging is very luxurious, all in all this could be my new signature scent. It also works well paired with Sonic Flower, they're distant relatives, if you will.

Köpte och gick hem en splitt på 2 ml av Merit och har precis lagt 1 spray på min handled på ren hud. Den doftar tobak i öppningen, det enda jag kan känna är tobaksdoft, som när jag var barn och pappa öppnade sitt tobakspaket för att stoppa sin rökpipa, precis så känns den på mig! Det är inte lång tid ännu som gott, jag vet, får återlomma senare och se vad den utvecklas till, något som är säkert är att den behöver tid, vilket jag är villig att ge den. Tycker den är unisex, kan tänka mig att den för mig luktar härligt på en man(rätt man)! Men om den är för mig det återstår, får jag känna så småningom! Uppdatering, den ÄR för mig, jag har kommit att älska den här doften och jag kan känna den på mig fortfarande efter 14 timmar! Kommer absolut att investera i en full flaska!

I'm still in love with this ripe, juicy pear but I enjoy the scent more in the bottle than on my skin. I fell in love with it in September, and how it performs in that crisp fall weather. It dries down into something warm and comforting. I still like it and find the scent intriguing and unique for a cosmetic brand. That said, I keep sniffing the bottle, and not my skin.I keep wanting to trade it for something else, but I know I will miss my bottle of a scent I barely ever wear. WEAR UPDATE*** The weather has warmed up, it is quite humid outside, and I'm sure that my skin pH has changed. Now this smells much better on my skin. I know this was billed as a fall/winter scent, but it totally opened up like a good bottle of wine during a May thunderstorm.

This is so aptly named. Wearing this makes me feel so nostalgic but I don't know for what or for who. It doesn't smell like anything my mother or my grandmother wore when I was a child but it reminds me of something or someone who was a source of comfort. It's like wearing a giant cuddle. There is definitely something "retrospect" about this but at the same time it feels very modern. It's like nothing else in my wardrobe. It smells so natural and really hits that your skin but better brief right out of the park. Glossier for you and all flankers are nothing compared to this. It is ideal for work, for the gym, for evenings out, spring, summer, autumn, winter, day or night. I love it. I think it's a really clever creation,

Literally pheromonal. This perfume is so freakin pretty, I only wore it once so far from the sample and have immediately ordered a full bottle. It is so well-blended, sexy. I work at a restaurant and this made 2 of the guys I work with simultaneously agree that « something smells good » and when they figured out it was me they literally could not stop trying to get close to me😭. Keep in mind this was literally my first and only experience wearing the perfume. I layered it with my JHAG not a perfume in hopes that it would project more and I did spray quite a lot of the retrospect (which I’d say you can get away with because its soft and doesn’t smell perfumey). A GORGEOUS GORGEOUS MASTERPIECE

The other reviews really said it best: this fragrance is gorgeous. It smells classy, expensive, and effortlessly fresh, with that second-skin quality I love. Every time I wear it, the compliments are nonstop, and I catch whiffs of it on myself throughout the day, which makes it even more enjoyable. Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s fleeting because it lasts much longer than you'd expect. I wore it to work recently and got compliments in the morning, again in the afternoon, and even from my mom later that evening. The pear, orris, violet, musk, rosemary, and aldehydes are the main notes I smell, and they blend so beautifully together.

When this launched, my mom and I happened to be browsing through Sephora and stumbled upon this beauty. We smelled so many perfumes that day, but kept coming back to this one. It’s almost weird how much it reminds me of her growing up, and I’m sure those early memories contribute to what I like today, but the fact that I found this as we were together was really special. It’s a soft, nostalgic, feminine scent. Like hugging your mom after she sprayed her perfume and applied her lipstick. It’s sophisticated, and elegant, and comforting. We both left with our own bottles, and will now create future nostalgia every time we wear it.

This smells like an elevated version of Glossier You, with a subtle zest and better longevity. I liked it when I first smelled it in the store and picked up a travel size, but once I got home I wasn’t so sure and let it sit for a while. On a whim, I spritzed it on again and it really grew on me. I especially love wearing it after a shower, before bed — it has this soft, warm, powdery vanilla undertone that feels incredibly comforting. I’ve also been reaching for it during the day. It’s a bit pricey, but I wear it often enough that once the travel size runs out, I’ll definitely be springing for a full bottle.

I get the comparisons to You because of the iris note that is really one of my favorites at the moment, however I also understand people who say it's got an "old lady" smell--I think that's the jasmine, which is not my favorite. However, with the pear notes in the beginning I think this is really unique and gorgeous--the dry down for me is actually very reminiscent of BBW Japanese Cherry Blossom which is so nostalgic. Overall really nice and easy to wear when you want something more sophisticated than soap but not too overly sweet or heavy or sensual. Like Glossier You's classy MILF equivalent.

I received a sample and it is beautiful! Very elegant, very airy, very pretty, very me. I love it. The fragrance has so many nuances. It’s sexy but comforting, it’s classy but modern, it’s addictive but delicate. I get just a kiss of pear that brings a sparkle to the rest of this beautiful warm floral. I really loved wearing it and got lots of compliments as it lasts all day without being heavy or irritating. It’s very different from anything I smelt. I like the glossier scent but this is different in my opinion. Great price too and the bottle is stunning. I’ll buy one.