Is The Essence Vault Retrospect - 318 a dupe of Merit Retrospect?
Retrospect Parfum
| Parfum | Concentration | EDP |
| F | Gender | U |
| 2024 | Year | - |
| ££ | Price Tier | £ |
Retrospect - 318 EDP
Where they differ
Biggest gaps first. The bolder side leads.
ScentArt
How it unfolds
Notes
- Retrospect
- Retrospect - 318
- in both
Tap a note to light it in both. A+B means both have it
Which Should You Buy?
This one's proper divisive, love it or hate it. Some reckon it's a classy, modern "your skin but better" scent with a juicy pear opening, while others detect pickles, rancid musk, or a dusty old makeup bag. Definitely one to try before you buy, it smells totally different depending on your skin chemistry.
Inspired by Merit's Retrospect, No. 318 leans hard into the aldehyde-and-orris vintage lipstick accord that made the original a hit, but flattens out fast on skin. The powdery violet-musk heart is there, the pear opening is louder and syrupier, and where Retrospect lingers for hours this fades to a soft skin scent within two to three.
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 Brands do not publish formulations.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
Versatile across every season - no clear seasonal preference from wearers.
Occasions
Despite its 'Parfum' concentration, many users report it as a skin scent, making it suitable for office and casual wear. Its unique and sometimes polarising character means it might not suit every formal occasion, though some find it elegant enough. The fresh and clean aspects lend themselves well to casual and even light sport use.
Seasons
Community season votes for Merit Retrospect, the fragrance this is built to match, favour spring, autumn and winter.
Occasions
Wearers put Merit Retrospect, the fragrance this is built to match, at its best for the office, casual wear and sport.
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 8 of its 9 notes, including Musk, Aldehydes, Iris
Adds moss, drops ambrette and bergamot
Where to buy
Pick a size. The two cheapest offers, then the rest.
Retrospect - 318 EDP
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Import charges may apply
These shops deliver to the United States from the United Kingdom. How import charges work
Import charges may apply
These shops deliver to the United States from the United Kingdom. How import charges work
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