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Lime Basil & Mandarin Eau de Cologne bottle Lime Basil & Mandarin EDC
EDC Concentration EDT
U Gender U
1999 Year 2023
££ Price Tier £
Fresh Mandarin Eau de Toilette bottle Fresh Mandarin EDT
Our Verdict

If you crave sophistication and subtlety, Jo Malone's Lime Basil & Mandarin stands out with its refined citrus-herbal blend and understated elegance - but its longevity is modest and the price is premium. Marks & Spencer's Fresh Mandarin, while inspired by a similar citrus profile, offers a brighter, sweeter mandarin punch with straightforward freshness and much greater affordability. The Jo Malone feels effortlessly upscale and nuanced, ideal for intimate settings, while Fresh Mandarin is a cheerful, uncomplicated scent perfect for daily wear or generous spritzing. Choose Jo Malone for a nuanced, iconic experience; opt for Fresh Mandarin if you want a wallet-friendly, uplifting citrus that doesn't take itself too seriously.

ScentArt

View Liquid → Lime Basil & Mandarin EDC
View Liquid → Fresh Mandarin EDT

Which Should You Buy?

Choose Lime Basil & Mandarin if...
  • You want a sophisticated, nuanced citrus scent
  • Longevity matters less than elegance and quality
  • You prefer subtle, close-to-skin fragrances
  • You value iconic, premium branding
Choose Fresh Mandarin if...
  • Affordability is your top priority
  • You like bright, sweet mandarin notes
  • You want an easy, everyday citrus spritz
  • You prefer bold freshness over subtlety
Our Verdict - Lime Basil & Mandarin EDC
The iconic citrus-herbal cologne that defined a genre. Unmatched for sparkling freshness and breezy, modern elegance, but best enjoyed in close quarters due to its fleeting, subtle presence.
Favourite
Our Verdict - Fresh Mandarin EDT
A juicy mandarin-bergamot-lemon citrus with soft white flower heart and clean musk-cedar base. Sparkling, summer-friendly, wallet-friendly - the kind of spritz you reach for in a heatwave and never regret.
Favourite

Scent Profile

How They Wear

Showing: Overall Blend

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding
Lime Basil & Mandarin EDC
Fresh Mandarin EDT

Notes

Shared Notes
Bergamot 32% vs 30%
Mandarin 32% vs 43%
Only in Lime Basil & Mandarin
Lime 34%
Only in Fresh Mandarin
Lemon 26%
Only in Lime Basil & Mandarin
Vetiver 53% Patchouli 47%

Accords

Lime Basil & Mandarin Fresh Mandarin
100%
Citrus
100%
85%
Aromatic
60%
Green
Floral
60%
Musky
50%
45%
Herbal
30%
Woody
40%
Amber
30%
Citrus shared
100%
100%
85%
60%
60%
50%
45%
Woody shared
30%
40%
30%

Performance

Lime Basil & Mandarin Fresh Mandarin
Short (2-4h)
Longevity
Short (2-4h)
Intimate
Projection
Intimate
Light
Intensity
Light

Season and Occasion Fit

Lime Basil & Mandarin

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer

Its effervescent citrus, basil, and green herbal notes shine in warm weather, making it perfect for spring and summer refreshment. The light composition can struggle to cut through colder air, so it is less suited to fall and winter.

Occasions

Best For:
Office Date Casual Sport

Low projection and understated citrus-herbal character make it ideal for office, daytime dates, and casual outings, where discretion is key. Its freshness is also great post-exercise or for active wear, but lacks the weight for formal events.

Fresh Mandarin

Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer

Juicy mandarin, bergamot, and lemon peak in spring and summer when citrus freshness reads brightest on skin. The light floral-musky base gives it some spring crossover but it feels thin in cold weather.

Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual
Also Works:
Date Sport

Low projection and an easygoing citrus character make it a casual daytime staple and a sensible post-sport pick. Too understated for formal events.

Similarity Breakdown

How alike these two fragrances smell, scored from their full scent profiles.

Overall scent match
5%
Key Similarities

Both lean citrus, woody

Key Differences

Subtle differences in overall composition

Where to buy

Lime Basil & Mandarin EDC
Fresh Mandarin EDT
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