Is Alexandria UK Defending Paris a dupe of MIND GAMES French Defense?
Where they differ
Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.
ScentArt
How it unfolds
Notes
- French Defense
- Defending Paris
- in both
Tap a note to light it in both. A+B means both have it
Which Should You Buy?
This one is a divisive, boozy cherry. Some reckon it's a masterpiece of refined fruit, others smell glorified air freshener or cough syrup. Don't blind buy; you'll either love it or furiously scrub it off.
Defending Paris dupes Mind Games' niche French Defense, chasing its boozy cherry-amber opening and rose-mint heart. It is sweeter and simpler than the original's unconventional, more experimental composition, with a shorter dry-down, but a wearable unisex take on the cherry-rose-woods genre at a fraction of the price.
Scent Profile
How They Wear
Mood
Notes
Top Notes
Top Notes
Heart Notes
Heart Notes
Base Notes
Base Notes
Note weights are our estimate from each note's place in the pyramid, not the share of the formula. Brands do not publish formulations.
Performance
Season and Occasion Fit
Seasons
A cold-weather scent - best worn in autumn and winter.
Occasions
Given its strong projection and rich cherry-amber profile, French Defense is best kept for nights out, special occasions, and date nights. Its potent nature isn't suited for an office environment, but it can work casually in cooler weather if applied lightly.
Seasons
Community season votes for MIND GAMES French Defense, the fragrance this is built to match, favour autumn and winter.
Occasions
Wearers put MIND GAMES French Defense, the fragrance this is built to match, at its best for date nights and formal occasions.
Similarity Breakdown
Our estimate of how alike these two fragrances smell, calculated from their published notes. It is a position on our scale, not a measured percentage of shared smell.
Shares 3 of its 9 notes, including Rose, Amber, Cherry
Adds herbal and mint, drops blond woods and cedar
Where to buy
Pick a size. The two cheapest offers, then the rest.
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