Is Alexandria UK Defending Paris a dupe of MIND GAMES French Defense?

French Defense EDP

MIND GAMES by Christelle Laprade Original Statement

Defending Paris EDP

Alexandria UK   Inspired Favourite
Share
Card A shareable image comparing these two fragrances - verdicts, profiles and what they share. Save or copy it to post anywhere.
French Defense Eau de Parfum bottle French Defense EDP
EDP Concentration EDP
U Gender U
2023 Year -
££££ Price Tier £
Defending Paris Eau de Parfum bottle Defending Paris EDP
No stockist yet
We have not found it at a shop we track that delivers to you
Check price on →
No stockist yet
We have not found it at a shop we track that delivers to you
Check price on →

Where they differ

Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.

ScentArt

View Liquid → French Defense EDP
View Liquid → Defending Paris EDP

Which Should You Buy?

Our Verdict - French Defense EDP
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.
Statement
Our Verdict - Defending Paris EDP
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.
Favourite

Scent Profile

How they compare
French Defense EDP A Defending Paris EDP B
Where they part company by gap size

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
French Defense EDP
Defending Paris EDP

Notes

Shared Notes
Cherry 46% vs 44%
Rose 38% vs 43%
Amber 37% vs 32%
Shared Notes
Cherry 46% vs 44%
Only in French Defense
Violet Leaf 28% Chamomile 25%
Only in Defending Paris
Amber 32% Ozonic Notes 24%
Shared Notes
Rose 38% vs 43%
Only in French Defense
Geranium 31% Mimosa 31%
Only in Defending Paris
Mint 30% Herbal 26%
Only in Defending Paris
Woody Notes 38% Musk 33% Sweet Notes 29%

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 Brands do not publish formulations.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

French Defense Defending Paris
Long (6-10h)
Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Moderate
Projection
Moderate
Strong
Intensity
Moderate

Season and Occasion Fit

French Defense

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter
Also Works:
Spring

A cold-weather scent - best worn in autumn and winter.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Casual

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.

Defending Paris

Seasons

Best For:
Autumn Winter
Also Works:
Spring

Community season votes for MIND GAMES French Defense, the fragrance this is built to match, favour autumn and winter.

Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Casual

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.

Overall scent match
66%
Key Similarities

Shares 3 of its 9 notes, including Rose, Amber, Cherry

Key Differences

Adds herbal and mint, drops blond woods and cedar

Where to buy

French Defense EDP
Defending Paris EDP

Pick a size. The two cheapest offers, then the rest.

French Defense EDP

Check price on →

No other shop we track that delivers to you has it in stock.

Defending Paris EDP

Check price on →

No other shop we track that delivers to you has it in stock.


ScentVerdict earns a commission from purchases - this doesn't affect our verdicts.

Compare Another Pair

VS