Fragrance comparison

mark Sophistique vs Gold Issime

Notes, accords, longevity, sillage, seasons and community ratings, side by side.

Updated 30 Oct 2026 370 ratings analysed

mark Sophistique

mark.

3.8786 votes

Rank #17,690 AmberWhite Floral

Full profile Similar & dupes

24%scent match

Clearly different

6 wins

Gold Issime

Ulric de Varens

3.77284 votes

Rank #11,099 PowderyAldehydic

Full profile Similar & dupes

Quick verdict

Which one should you pick?

Gold Issime takes 6 of 8 categories.

mark Sophistique
Choose it for a amber and white floral character. Wins on value for money and versatility. Best in fall, daytime wear.
Gold Issime
Choose it for a powdery and aldehydic character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.

mark Sophistique2/8

Gold Issime6/8

Ratings & consensus: Gold Issime
Community sentiment: Gold Issime
Longevity: Gold Issime
Sillage & projection: Gold Issime
Value for money: mark Sophistique
Versatility: mark Sophistique
Note pyramid (duration): Gold Issime
Fragranxe ranking: Gold Issime

Head-to-head breakdown

Every category side by side, with the winner called out.

Fragrance

mark Sophistiquemark.

Gold IssimeUlric de Varens

Winner

Ratings & consensus

Average rating and ownership split

3.87/ 5 · 86 votes

Have 41%Had 27%Want 31%

3.77/ 5 · 284 votes

Have 41%Had 33%Want 26%

Category winnerGold IssimeRating weighted by vote count

Community sentiment

How voters split from love to hate

35%Love

41%Like

2%Ok

21%Dislike

1%Hate

86 votes

23%Love

53%Like

4%Ok

20%Dislike

1%Hate

284 votes

Category winnerGold IssimeMost positive mix (25+ votes)

Longevity & sillage

0–100 community performance scores

⏱ Longevity56

〰 Sillage47

♥ Love / hate72

⏱ Longevity57

〰 Sillage55

♥ Love / hate69

Category winners

LongevityGold Issime

SillageGold Issime

Value for money

How fairly priced voters find it

¤ Price value83

¤ Price value82

Category winnermark SophistiqueBest value score

Main accords

Strength of each scent family · outlined = shared by both

amber100%

white floral92%

warm spicy84%

floral77%

citrus69%

sweet61%

powdery100%

aldehydic92%

fresh84%

white floral77%

yellow floral69%

sweet61%

Scent match24%Clearly different · both white floral and sweet

Note pyramid (duration)

Top, heart and base, with how long each lasts when known · gold = shared

Notes

AmberAfrican Orange FlowerRiceGingerLotus

No top / heart / base split published

Notes

AldehydesPowdery NotesYlang-YlangRiceVioletJasmineAfrican Orange FlowerRose

No top / heart / base split published

Category winnerGold IssimeLongest dry-down: 4-6 hrs

Seasons & time of day

Relative to each fragrance's best season

Spring33

Summer48

Fall100

Winter59

Day100

Night56

Spring100

Summer0

Fall0

Winter51

Day100

Night41

Category winnermark SophistiqueMost year-round

Who wears it

Gender appeal votes

Men0

Unisex20

Women80

Men1

Unisex1

Women97

InformationalProfile onlyAudience is not scored

Ranking & credits

Fragranxe overall rank, nose and launch

Overall rank#17,690

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews27

Overall rank#11,099

PerfumerNot listed

Launched—

Reviews33

Category winnerGold IssimeHigher overall rank

In a nutshell

Description & review snapshot

mark Sophistique by mark. is an unusual floral eau de toilette that contrasts starchy warmth with sparkling florals. Released in 2009 under Avon's younger fashion imprint, the fragrance centers on a distinct savory note of basmati rice paired with zesty ginger and sheer aquatic lotus. As the opening sharpens, African …

Reviews →

Gold Issime by Ulric de Varens is an unapologetic nod to classic French soap perfumery. It opens with an icy pop of aldehydes and sweet African orange flower. The first few minutes are sharp and brisk. Soon, creamy ylang-ylang and delicate jasmine soften the blast into a pillowy floral core. A distinctive rice accord …

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.

Common questions

Straight answers from the data above.

Which is better, mark Sophistique or Gold Issime?

Gold Issime takes 6 of 8 categories. mark Sophistique is rated 3.87/5 from 86 votes; Gold Issime is rated 3.77/5 from 284 votes. Choose mark Sophistique for a amber and white floral character. Wins on value for money and versatility. Best in fall, daytime wear. Choose Gold Issime for a powdery and aldehydic character. Wins on ratings & consensus, community sentiment and longevity. Best in spring, daytime wear.

Which lasts longer, mark Sophistique or Gold Issime?

They last about the same: Gold Issime 57/100, mark Sophistique 56/100 for longevity in community votes.

Which projects more, mark Sophistique or Gold Issime?

Gold Issime projects furthest (Gold Issime 55/100, mark Sophistique 47/100), based on community performance votes.

Do mark Sophistique and Gold Issime smell similar?

Clearly different: a 24% scent match on Fragranxe. Both share white floral and sweet accords. Common notes include African Orange Flower and Rice.

Is mark Sophistique or Gold Issime better for summer or winter?

For summer, mark Sophistique is the stronger pick. For winter, mark Sophistique is the stronger pick. mark Sophistique suits daytime wear; Gold Issime suits daytime wear. Based on community season votes.

What are the notes in mark Sophistique and Gold Issime?

mark Sophistique features Amber, African Orange Flower, Rice, Ginger and Lotus. Gold Issime features Aldehydes, Powdery Notes, Ylang-Ylang, Rice and Violet.