For those of us who are into niche fragrances, Layton shouldn’t sound foreign. In fact, this fragrance should be on everyone’s to-try list. After all, Layton has earned itself a stunning 4.46/5 on Fragrantica and it is also highly raved about on Youtube reviews. However, it is also sometimes bashed for smelling like a designer fragrance and hence, undeserving of the high price point.
Top notes: Apple, Lavender, Mandarin Orange and Bergamot
Middle notes: Geranium, Violet and Jasmine
Base notes: Vanilla, Cardamon, Sandalwood, Pepper, Patchouli and Guaiac Wood
Scent
On the first sniff, you will be hit by a heavy dose of zesty citrus due to the presence of bergamot and orange top notes. In less than 5 minutes, you will start picking up a sweet apple scent mixed with spicy nuances from the cardamom and pepper in the base.
To be honest, I do not get many hints of floral notes. Probably just a tinge of geranium which added to the overall sweetness of this scent.
For the next 1-2 hours, the scent will remain fairly linear, seamlessly transitioning to its base stage. In its base stage, you will pick up a very robust vanilla scent mixed with woody and spicy notes from guaiac wood, cardamon & pepper respectively.
Longevity & Projection
Simply put, a beast! The longevity of this fragrance is insane, easily lasting over 10 hours. The projection is no slouch either. Layton can be easily smelled from across a small room during the first 2 hours, before slowly forming a closer scent bubble of an arm’s length.
There was a couple of occasions I sprayed on Layton in my room and my mother could smell it in the living room 7-8 metres away. That is how powerful Layton is. Thus, it is definitely worthy of its price when it comes to how long it can last and how well it can get you noticed.
Seasons & Occasions
Parfums De Marly Layton is a fragrance more suited for the cold weather, meaning fall, winter and maybe early spring. That is why in where I live where it’s basically summer all year round, I only put it on when it is raining or on cooler nights. Otherwise, it might get really cloying and perhaps annoying to the people sitting close to you.
Occasions wise, Layton is a scent suitable for semi-formal occasions and date nights. Due to its sweet and robust nature, it is not really suitable for formal nor casual situations. Hence, I personally think that Layton is not a very versatile fragrance despite its spectacular scent profile and performance.
Conclusion
Layton is absolutely worth every cent! A likeable niche scent with strong performance is not easy to find. Personally, I do not feel that Layton smell similar to Hugo Boss Bottled due to its stronger performance and more authentic vanilla and apple notes. The woody nuances in Layton are less pronounced in Boss Bottled as well.
However, I would strongly advise against buying Layton IF you are buying your first niche fragrance. Otherwise, Layton is a strong buy for me.
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