Checkmate

Very grown and sexy fragrance. You can't wear this and look like you've never smoked before. Feels like it was made for the late 20s+ crowd, but definitely still able to be rocked by someone in their mid or early 20s depending on their energy. Nothing inherently sets the "age range" outside of your ability to rock rose and tobacco. And no, this is NOT that grandma rose whatsoever. It's fresh, aromatic rose. Doesn't directly scream "rose" to me despite being VERY rose forward due to the blend of all the other notes. It's starting to as I type and keep smelling it though lol. Somewhat feels like their response to YSL Tuxedo or at least that vain of fragrance. That one has no actual tobacco in it but the smoked patchouli is so clean and smokey, it's reminiscent of a cigar. This is very very rosey, backed up by that champagne and tobacco very well. Quite addictive, the blend is superb. It all wraps into more of a chocolatey kind of accord than separate notes, but you can still see where each note has its place within the accord. Does not smell like chocolate, please don't misunderstand, but the accord is sweet and has depth in a way that's reminiscent to chocolate. I guess you could say it has a gourmand feel about it. Deep enough of a fragrance to project in the winter, but not too deep to be cloying in the summer. Glad I have plenty to play with because I keep going back to it like I did when I first got Tuxedo. Probably layer really well together. I got this and blockade as samples of choice and I can't lie, this is taking the cake. If you're interested in this scent, I recommend taking advantage of (that feathered fragrance subscription we all know)'s 50% off first month special so you get a 10ml to play with at a really good price. They make cancelling difficult but contacting them on instagram is apparently the best way to get it handled quickly.

I am wearing a sample of this perfume and it smells so pretty. Very rose dominant . The longevity is out of this world. The projection is strong for the first four hours and then becomes moderate. I put the sample in my top drawer and when I opened my drawer today the smell from that sample was so strong. I absolutely love it. It gives me vibes of the perfume Stella in the dark purple bottle. This perfume isn’t anything new smelling but it’s very nicely done. This to me is a good night time going out scent or a Fall daytime scent when the weather is slightly chilly.

Apple Candy Goodness. Checkmate is one that caught me by surprise when my girlfriend has got this one for me as a sample, and I didn't think it would have the effect that it did. This one immediately gave off the vibe of some apple rose candy when it hit my nose. It's definitely one of the more playful fragrances you could wear out on a warm day, or possibly one of the ones you can have on a close encounter. The Champagne note on this one gives it a sweet vibe before the rose comes in and eases it down; but she can't stop sniffing this one and I can't either. 9/10.

If you have ever smelled a rose, it smells exactly like that. A luxurious Old World rose. I can see some people thinking it smells too vintage, but I really really like it. I'm 22 years old and would totally rock this. It's a timeless elegant scent. Addendum: I don't think I sprayed enough to get the full effect last time. This time I definitely got more of the champagne and some tobacco. Insane! This house has not missed! Absolutely love! This and Blockade for spring and summer, Double Attack for fall and winter.

On this 84F, low humidity Spring day, Checkmate is a gorgeous bubbly effervescent champagne on my skin. My favorite of the Mind Game fragrances that I sampled. Signature type scent. Lasts all day and dried down to a warm but bright rose. Indeed the dry down does give a similar feel as Sisley Izia La Nuit but not the same of course. Some elements of Cartier La Panthere. The Mind Game perfumes are very unique and generally unisex. I can't wait to explore them further.