If Scent For Women

If Scent opens on the signature juicy blackcurrant that made Armani's Si an instant bestseller, lifted by a bright thread of bergamot. The heart turns sophisticated, a soft floral bouquet of osmanthus and jasmine wrapped in a wisp of incense, lending an elegant, slightly smoky depth. It settles into the cosy chypre base the original is built on, benzoin and vanilla warmed by amber and earthy patchouli for a sensual, lingering finish. Set beside Si, the Perfume Parlour interpretation keeps that fruity-floral-amber character intact but pushes the sweetness louder and renders the composition flatter and more linear, missing the rose-and-suede polish that gives the original its grown-up refinement. Longevity is solid for the price but stays closer to the skin than Si's confident projection. For a few pounds it delivers that chic, blackcurrant-and-vanilla signature faithfully, an easy elegant pick for cooler days, the office and dressed-up evenings.