Scandal Eau de Parfum X-Mas Edition 2020
Designed for collectors and gourmand enthusiasts, this holiday release brings bold warmth to the winter season. The composition leads with sweet honey and rich beeswax, supported by white florals and a touch of citrus. It is a fragrance that demands cold weather, performing best during festive evening events and winter nights out. Shoppers looking for a light, clean floral should look elsewhere, as the caramel and patchouli base leaves a dense footprint. It serves as a statement bottle for those who love heavy, long-lasting sweet profiles.
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Performance Metrics
60 VOTESOpen Performance Breakdown 1 TAKE
It lasts eight to ten hours on the skin, projecting strongly for the first three hours, making it ideal for freezing winter climates.
Notes Pyramid
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A thick, warm floral gourmand dominated by sweet honey, rich beeswax, and gardenia, with a dry-down of caramel and earthy patchouli.
Main Accords
10 MAPPEDThe honey and white floral accords dominate early on, slowly blending into a warm, waxy base of caramel and patchouli that hugs the skin.
Community Data
203 TOTAL VOTESCOMMUNITY SENTIMENT
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GENDER APPEAL
REVIEW SENTIMENT
When to Wear
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It looks easiest to wear in fall and winter. The vote picture leans most toward night.
Pros & Cons
Quick take before you sampleWHY PEOPLE MAY LIKE IT
Features a highly collectible festive holiday bottle design
Excellent longevity that easily lasts over nine hours
Strong projection that cuts through cold winter air
Rich, realistic honey note dominates the scent profile
Earthy patchouli base prevents the sweet caramel from flatlining
Perfect for casual holiday parties and cozy winter outings
Highlights a complex middle structure of orange blossom, gardenia, jasmine, and peach
Grounded by a smooth beeswax note that lends a creamy quality to the dry-down
A great autumnal option for those looking for a dense oriental floral
Features a robust patchouli and caramel base that ensures significant lasting power
WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR
The heavy sweetness can feel suffocating in warm weather
Too loud and sweet for quiet office environments
The licorice note can smell slightly medicinal on some skin
Citrus top notes fade away within a few minutes
Can be polarizing to people who dislike gourmand scents
Requires careful application to avoid overpowering a room
The initial mandarin and blood orange sparkle fades almost instantly
Sweet peach and honey notes can overwhelm the delicate gardenia and jasmine
Rich gourmand elements of beeswax and caramel may feel too heavy in daytime settings
Potent white floral notes mixed with patchouli can polarize sensitive noses
Fragranxe Review
EDITORIAL“Jean Paul Gaultier Scandal X-Mas 2020: A Thick Honey Bomb”
The opening of this fragrance is a brief, bright flash of citrus. The mandarin orange and blood orange notes try to bring a fresh, juicy start, but they are quickly overwhelmed. Within minutes, the sweetness of the heart notes takes over, pushing the fruitiness into the background.
As the scent settles, the honey note becomes the main character. It is a thick, sticky, and rich honey, supported by white floral notes of gardenia and jasmine. A soft peach note adds a jammy texture to the florals, making the middle stage feel very dense and sweet. This is not a fresh floral scent, it is a syrup-dipped gardenia.
On the skin, the dry-down is where the fragrance finds its true grounding. The honey melts into sweet caramel and waxy beeswax, while patchouli adds an earthy texture that keeps the sweetness from becoming completely flat. There is a slight hint of licorice too, which adds a dark, spicy edge to the finish. The oil concentration feels high, leaving a shiny patch on the skin where you spray it.
In terms of performance, this holiday edition is a beast. It easily projects past arm's length for three to four hours before settling down. The longevity is impressive, lasting well over nine hours on the skin and days on fabrics. It performs best in sub-zero winter temperatures, where the cold air cuts through the thick sweetness.
This perfume is not for the faint of heart or those who prefer clean, soapy scents. It is designed for someone who wants to stand out at a winter party or holiday dinner. The sweetness is loud and unapologetic, making it a great match for festive outfits and cozy sweaters.
Ultimately, this is a successful presentation of a rich floral gourmand. If you dislike heavy honey or patchouli, you should skip this entirely. But if you want a warm, syrupy shield against the winter cold, it is a great choice.
FAQs
What does Scandal Eau de Parfum X-Mas Edition 2020 smell like?+
This scent opens with a bright splash of blood orange and mandarin. It quickly shifts into a thick, sweet heart of honey and gardenia. The base settles into a heavy, warm mix of caramel, beeswax, and earthy patchouli.
How does the fragrance develop from the initial spray to the dry-down?+
The initial spray is fruity and bright with citrus notes. Within fifteen minutes, the citrus fades, allowing the honey and peach to take over. The final dry-down hours later is a warm caramel, beeswax, and patchouli blend.
How long does this perfume last on the skin?+
You can expect excellent longevity from this fragrance. It easily lasts eight to ten hours on the skin, and it will linger on clothes until they are washed, thanks to the heavy beeswax and patchouli base notes.
Does this fragrance project widely or stay close to the body?+
It projects strongly for the first three hours, filling the space around you within arm's length. Eventually, it settles into a dense, sweet cloud that hugs the skin but remains noticeable to anyone standing nearby.
What is the best season and weather to wear this scent?+
This heavy juice is built for cold winter weather and crisp autumn nights. The thick honey and caramel notes can feel sticky and overwhelming in the high heat or humidity of summer.
For what occasions should I wear this perfume?+
It is perfect for casual holiday parties, winter date nights, and evening outings. The bold projection makes it a bit too loud and sweet for a quiet office setting or a formal daytime lunch.
Does this scent lean masculine, feminine, or unisex?+
This fragrance leans heavily feminine due to the sweet honey, gardenia, and peach notes. However, the earthy patchouli and licorice in the dry-down might appeal to anyone who enjoys bold, dark gourmands.
What age group is best suited for this fragrance?+
It suits young adults and mature fragrance fans who love bold, unapologetic sweetness. The strong white floral and heavy honey elements give it a confident profile that requires some attitude to pull off.
Can I layer this fragrance with other perfumes?+
Layering is tricky because this scent is already very complex and loud. If you try, pair it with a simple, dry woody scent or a basic vanilla to temper the heavy sweetness of the honey.
How does this compare to the original Scandal Eau de Parfum?+
The juice inside the X-Mas Edition is the same sweet honey and patchouli blend as the original. The main difference is the collectible holiday bottle, which features a festive design for collectors.
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Dupes & Alternatives
COMMUNITY DUPESCOREConsider the original Scandal for the same juice, or Lancome La Vie Est Belle for a different take on sweet patchouli.
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