First vs MCM Blue Paradise
Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.
40%scent match
Some overlap
Quick verdict
Which one should you pick?
First takes 5 of 7 categories.
FirstChoose it for a floral and green character. Wins on ratings & consensus, longevity and sillage & projection. Best in spring, daytime wear.
MCM Blue ParadiseChoose it for a fruity and floral character. Wins on community sentiment and versatility. Best in spring, daytime wear.
First5/7
MCM Blue Paradise2/7
- Ratings & consensus
- First
- Community sentiment
- MCM Blue Paradise
- Longevity
- First
- Sillage & projection
- First
- Value for money
- First
- Versatility
- MCM Blue Paradise
- Note pyramid (duration)
- Not scored
- Fragranxe ranking
- First
Head-to-head breakdown
Every category side by side, with the winner called out.
Fragrance
FirstVan Cleef & ArpelsMCM Blue ParadiseMCM - Mode Creation MunichWinner
Ratings & consensus
Average rating and ownership split3.98/ 5 · 3,483 votes
Have 63%Had 37%Want 0%
4.15/ 5 · 27 votes
Have 45%Had 24%Want 31%
Category winnerFirstRating weighted by vote count
Community sentiment
How voters split from love to hate38%Love
41%Like
3%Ok
17%Dislike
1%Hate
3,483 votes
33%Love
56%Like
4%Ok
7%Dislike
0%Hate
27 votes
Category winnerMCM Blue ParadiseMost positive mix (25+ votes)
Longevity & sillage
0–100 community performance scores
Category winners
LongevityFirst
SillageFirst
Value for money
How fairly priced voters find itCategory winnerFirstBest value score
Main accords
Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by bothfloral100%
green92%
aldehydic84%
white floral77%
yellow floral69%
fresh61%
fruity100%
floral92%
powdery84%
green77%
woody69%
earthy61%
Scent match40%Some overlap · both floral and green
Note pyramid (duration)
Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = sharedTop20-30 mins
AldehydesBergamotBlack CurrantPeachMandarin OrangeRaspberry
Heart3-4 hrs
NarcissusHiacynthJasmineLily-of-the-ValleyCarnationYlang-YlangOrris RootTuberose
Base6-8+ hrs
CivetOakmossHoneyAmberMuskSandalwoodVetiverTonka Bean
Top
PeachBlack CurrantMandarin OrangeVioletGalbanumBergamot
Heart
OrrisCyclamenHyacinthRoseLily-of-the-ValleyJasmine
Base
OakmossMuskSandalwoodAmberVetiver
InformationalShared notesBergamot, Black Currant, Peach and Mandarin Orange. Durations are only published for First, so this is not scored.
Seasons & time of day
Relative to each fragrance's best seasonSpring100
Summer0
Fall0
Winter99
Day100
Night85
Spring100
Summer60
Fall50
Winter20
Day100
Night50
Category winnerMCM Blue ParadiseMost year-round
Who wears it
Gender appeal votesInformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored
Ranking & credits
Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launchOverall rank#955
PerfumerJean-Claude Ellena
Launched—
Reviews205
Overall rank#39,967
PerfumerArturetto Landi
Launched—
Reviews1
Category winnerFirstHigher overall rank
In a nutshell
Description & review snapshotFirst by Van Cleef & Arpels opens with a brisk, effervescent burst of aldehydes, tart bergamot, and ripe black currant that immediately calls to mind crisp, high-end French milled soap. As the initial sparkle settles, the scent unfolds into an abundant floral heart packed with spring narcissus, dewy green hyacinth, an…
Reviews →MCM Blue Paradise is a fruity floral chypre from 1989 with a syrupy peach and black currant opening, a powdery cyclamen and orris heart, and a mossy green base. Despite the name, it does not read as a true aquatic. It suits shoppers who enjoy vintage-leaning fruity chypres with floral powder and green undertones. Samp…
Reviews →InformationalRead bothTaste is personal
How we score: ratings blend public fragrance ratings with Fragranxe member votes; longevity, sillage, value and sentiment are community vote scores, and season bars are relative to each fragrance's strongest season. Categories with too little data are shown but not scored. The scent match weighs accord overlap (60%) and shared notes (40%). More in the FAQ.
Guided comparison
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Common questions
Straight answers from the data above.
Which is better, First or MCM Blue Paradise?
First takes 5 of 7 categories. First is rated 3.98/5 from 3,483 votes; MCM Blue Paradise is rated 4.15/5 from 27 votes. Choose First for a floral and green character. Wins on ratings & consensus, longevity and sillage & projection. Best in spring, daytime wear. Choose MCM Blue Paradise for a fruity and floral character. Wins on community sentiment and versatility. Best in spring, daytime wear.
Which lasts longer, First or MCM Blue Paradise?
First lasts longest (First 72/100, MCM Blue Paradise 63/100), based on community performance votes.
Which projects more, First or MCM Blue Paradise?
First projects furthest (First 64/100, MCM Blue Paradise 60/100), based on community performance votes.
Do First and MCM Blue Paradise smell similar?
Some overlap: a 40% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share floral and green accords. Common notes include Bergamot, Black Currant, Peach and Mandarin Orange.
Is First or MCM Blue Paradise better for summer or winter?
For summer, MCM Blue Paradise is the stronger pick. For winter, First is the stronger pick. First suits daytime wear; MCM Blue Paradise suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.
What are the notes in First and MCM Blue Paradise?
First has top notes of Aldehydes, Bergamot, Black Currant and Peach, heart notes of Narcissus, Hiacynth, Jasmine and Lily-of-the-Valley, a base of Civet, Oakmoss, Honey and Amber. MCM Blue Paradise has top notes of Peach, Black Currant, Mandarin Orange and Violet, heart notes of Orris, Cyclamen, Hyacinth and Rose, a base of Oakmoss, Musk, Sandalwood and Amber.
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