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slam08 – :
I usually love all things MM this one is just a like. The Oud is so strong and in a bug spray kind of way. It’s still nice a good blind buy just wish that bit of bug spray scent wasn’t there.
softvpio – :
Date, mild spices (cinnamon, cumin?), osmanthus, a
woody base and a touch of smoke. Kinda smells like a freshly baked raisin spice cake. The notes list here is not complete. The woody base is nice, but doesn’t smell like real oud. Across Sands is pretty cozy, very blended, linear and mildly sweet. I love date and osmanthus and cinnamon and woods, so this scent is really just sort of “comfort food” for my nose. I didn’t expect to like this one – a lot of MMM’s scents don’t work on me and seem over priced. But Across Sands seems to be better crafted than some others in MMM’s range, with no sharp notes sticking out. It’s not as strong of a projector as I would like but it’s not bad. I would suggest this as a good first scent to try if you want to dip your toe into exotic scents – it’s sort of an Arabian-lite, with extremely mild spices.
Like/love!
Pcholka0909 – :
This perfume opens with a very sickly sweet maple syrup smell and continues to smell like sticky tree sap without much development. Not for everyone.
Jidasppeege – :
It is interesting to see how the same theme can be interpreted in different ways by different brands, but maintaining a point in common between them. In this case I am talking about how the desert can inspire oriental creations that capture the exotic aspect of the environment and its contradiction between an arid environment and the life that persists in it anyway. If in the Teo Cabanel Barkhane the dunes of a desert are used to shape an exploration focused on oud, amber and aromatic resins the brand Martin Margiela proposes something more abstract when exploring an Oasis in the middle of this desertic environment.
As it is a segment of the Replica collection that captures fantasy memories, the Oasis proposed here is not a realistic reproduction, but a mirage amid the heat and infinity of the desert. As a memory, it works more like catching the olfactory elements of this mirage, as if we were distant from it. Thus, the perfume more suggests than gives full body to the fruit and floral aspects, however they are present in the composition.
Considering that the theme of the perfume was that of an oriental oud, the first surprise I had when spraying it on the skin without knowing the concept was of a suggestion of a fruity aquatic aroma, something very rare to see in this type of thematic But he is here to suggest the illusion of fruit, with something that creates citrus and watermelon countours. This illusion dissipates quickly, making room for the other two desertic illusions proposed, the aroma of fruits and flowers. Regarding the flowers although we have the davana in practice we have a floral aroma half roasted and dry typical of imortelle, that matches the desert theme and that comes along with touches of spices. We also have a rose not very evident but in line with what is expected of an oud perfume. The davana flowers along with the osmanthus and dates create the exotic and juicy fruity aroma that other oriental perfumes usually present, perhaps reminding me something of Amouage’s Jubilation XXV.
As this Oasis is nothing more than an illusion in the middle of the desert, as soon as the nose recovers the sanity of the vision that the eyes had returned to a resinous and incensed, something more “arid” environment. Yet it is a harmonious impression, a blend of earthy patchouli aroma, a more woody oud with connotations of incense. It is an exploration of the Oud and desert themes in a very creative and in a way full of nuances to be discovered.
kotyara110 – :
It took me a while to figure out why this smelled so familiar to me, but I finally remembered. It happens to smell like Perfume-S Himiko. I’m not sure why since the notes are different, but yes, it’s distinctive. To me, it’s airy and warm. Between the two, I think Himiko is longer lasting.
avukasava – :
You know there is more than 3 notes…
This is from Basenotes.
Across Sands celebrates the Oriental tradition of a daring ‘oud’ fragrance softened with warm earthy notes of dates and cinnamon. The suave, fruity concoction is lifted with liquorice, osmanthus and divana flowers on the deep woody base of oud, patchouli and incense. This heady cocktail of spices evokes an otherworldly mysticism for a voyage into the undulating hills of one’s imagination.
These are the notes.
Dates,
Cinnamon,
Licorice,
Osmanthus,
Davana,
Oud,
Patchouli,
Incense
The whole morrocan vibe is captured perfectly with this scent. Spices, warmth,depth, IDK about oud but whatever. Sillage is heavy for the first few hours and longevity is 8+ hours with this gem. This is a perfectly mild scent that is office friendly and reminds me of L’Erbolario Meharees. MMM seems to always be discounted on Ebay. For whatever reason the labels are generic and get dirty fast or start to peel off. If I can find this at around 60-70 bucks as other MMM’s are priced then it will most likely be in my collection!
cfyxtc1982 – :
This was a blind buy for me based on the notes, reviews and my appreciation for Jazz Club in this line. I am glad I added a bottle of this to my collection.
Across Sands opens as freshly cut up fruit mixed with sugar and partially buried in the sand on a warn dry day. To me this opening is similar to the opening of Bond No 9 Queens.
I don’t get oud in AS. There is an underlying woody type scent that makes me picture driftwood more than oud. Driftwood lining the sand around the partially buried fruit.
I get great projection for the first 3 hours, then settles down into a skin scent. But it lasts a good 10 hours on my skin. AS works will in a suit or in trendy casual attire.
Bottom line: AS is a very good scent that is worth a sample.
demonstak – :
This is uniquely cologne that stands alone because of the the combination ingredients. Sophisticated dark and very mysterious and smell. The projection is completely insane I’ve walked in my bathroom where it is stored and can instinctively smell this one stand out amongst all of my bottles. I get complement it especially in airports when I’m in close proximity’s to people. For as I’m concerned this will be in my collection to my last days on earth.
Bobrik – :
This is beautiful and incredibly blended, it’s very very similar to blacks club leather by Shay and blue, so much so that it’s pointless owning both imo…but never the less it’s beautiful
jdanov79 – :
Across Sands is a very unique and one of a kind perfume. I have not smelled anything like it before. I must warn you, it is very sweet and powdery. I am Persian and I am very familiar with the smell of Saffron. This is by far the best and the most authentic smelling saffron perfume, I have ever smelled. It reminds me on the saffron mixed sugar cubes that we mix with our Persian tea. It smells delicious. This perfume is definitely gourmand and you truly want to take a bite of the area you spray this on. I do not smell any oud in this one and if there is any in here, it must be far in the back end. But I am sure there is barely any because of the following statement I am about to make. The performance is horrible. It will only last about 30 minutes on you and it will become an extremely light skin scent which made me very sad. I tried it on few times and every time it only lasted 30 minutes. The projection for the first 30 minutes is really good and you might have to over spray it at home or take a little travel bottle of it with you, so you have to spray it on every 30 minutes. Let me also tell you this, I tried this on my right arm and I also compared it with Tom Ford Noir de Noir on my left arm. Tom Ford killed it. Noir de Noir would not even let Across Sands to get to my nose. It over powered it so much that I could only smell Tom Ford on me and I actually sprayed Across Sand 2 to 3 more sprays than Tom Ford Noir de Noir. Now after 1 hour and I can’t barely smell Across Sands on my skin, I have to put my nose against my arm to smell it. But The Tom Ford one, I can smell it as I am typing this LOL. And that is why, Tom Ford is expensive because it always performs beastly. I hope this helped. If you buy Across Sands, make sure you spray it on every 30 minutes to keep the smell fresh and going! 🙁
acafee – :
This one by far the best one i have sniffed from this house. I didn’t detect the dates note but now i realized why i really liked it.
It’s not really oudi or has any oud, cause all type of oud are quite strong, & dark, but this fragrance in here has the least European style type of oud (if there will be any) and quite a doses of sweetness that balances the blend. There is some spices yes cause it can’t be dates only, but i really can’t define the kind of spices there! maybe more tests will reveal the spice mix.
I believe this is quite interesting and the best I’ve sniffed from this line.
AnyncPync – :
Absolutely one of my favorite colognes. The combination of seats really makes you stand out from the pack of everyday seats your peers may be wearing. If you want to stand out or looking to add to a collection of stand outs cologne then this is 180.00 well spent and Ill do it again.
resak – :
The dates are the star of the show. Its jujube sweetness reminds me of saffron notes, which I love. Actually this is a very close match to Alkemia’s The Golden Bough, a saffron-centred fragrance. I particularly like this combination of dates and oud. The oud here is of the inky variety you frequently encounter in Arabic perfumes rather than the barnyard Laotian variety. This goes on juicy, treacly and warm. I don’t find it dry at all. Lovely depth and mystery from the oud. In my opinion, one of the best from the house Maison Martin Margiela. But then I’m a oud and oriental fan :))
Могила – :
DRY DRY DRY.
I feel it does disservice to the fragrance putting the word Sweet up on the Main Accords list. That, coupled with the picture of the moist juicy date would lead one to believe this was an unctuous oily sweet oud.
This is not.
This is so terrifically dry it is almost dust dry -(and don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with that.) Had i read the description as a dry date oud, i would be just as intrigued if not more so.
After the opening dust storm settles the first word that came to mind was Muskmallow. Dont know if that is a recognized listing but that’s what i get. Then Adenium flower and Agarwood stick (not the heartwood). Overall a fairly linear progression, just a few elements here, but the elements are so unique it really does put you in a Lawrence Of Arabia headspace.
Highly recommended for fans of the unusual. And highly un-recommended for those who like sweet frags.
MikhailFrolov – :
On my skin, Across Sands is mostly a fragrance about dried dates. The deep sweetness of dates is contrasted by smoky, mildly cheese-like oud and tiny sprinkles of vague spices, while the dry woody texture enhances the suede-like quality of dried fruits.
Although the listed notes are more often mentioned in heavy, exotic oriental fragrances, Across Sands is actually very discreet and airy in nature, like an abstract watercolour painting of desert safari. The oud here is not the assertive, gooey rose jam type or viril barbecue type, but merely a suggestion to anchor the sweet dried dates.
The fragrance barely goes through any major changes, only becomes more and more transparent and spacious, like sands got carried away by wind. The sillage is very close, and the longevity is around 7 hours.
I was apprehensive about the inclusion of oud in the pyramid before trying Across Sands, mainly because most oud that I encountered in fragrances can behave very forceful. Therefore, the unobtrusive interpretation here is a nice surprise. Being mostly linear and simplistic like other fragrances in MMM Replica series, I can see how it can come out as boring if one does not adhere this aesthetic. However, if you happen to appreciate unobtrusive, easy-to-wear fragrances, and are interested in an airy, fresh interpretation of exotic, oriental elements, I think Across Sands may fit the criteria quite well.
i6imbai – :
I got to sample the 4 new MM EDP and by far, Across Sands is my favorite! The others are nice but AS is the best IMO. I sampled it and then got an actual sample from Sephora and I do like it. However, after about an hour or so, I went to smell my wrist again and it’s gone. Faint, but barely there.
Now, there are oils in this frag, but perhaps I made the error of spraying it too close on my wrist and I washed them at one point. So it may of faded that way. Regardless, I suggest trying it before you buy! The oud does remind me of YSL’s M7 as someone mentioned. Great for the winter season for sure!
yanchik91-1 – :
I just received a bottle of this today and I have to say that I was on the fence about getting it because oud is pretty well played out in the realm of fragrances. The oud in this reminds me most of the oud in M7, rather than the ouds in other more recent scents. But, the spices and assorted fruits give this a very good background and provides more substance and depth, more so than if it was just oud by itself as we have seen in countless other fragrances. There is something magical and mysterious about this fragrance and it is definitely unisex.
I think this is the first time in a very long time MM (L’Oreal actually) has had the ability to kinda go off in an artistic direction with their scents. The Replica series is mostly based on known quantities and olfactory triggers. The last one that had any imagination was Untitled, which I am a HUGE fan of incidentally.
I’m dying to try the other 3 now…but at $180 a bottle, I’m gonna have to think long and hard before committing.
Дяша – :
Went to smell the new Replica EDP collection and was surprised that Across Sands was my favourite as I can’t stand Oud anymore. It’s very smooth exotic and warm I keep smelling my hand where I sprayed this all day long. I have found my winter 2016/17fragrance