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lmb982Unlogrere – :
@candymarie Not really, IMO. I find it closer to Coco. But if you like Theorema, you will probably also like RM.
gydaylota – :
Does it bear any resemblance to FENDI THEOREMA? Some reviewers’ descriptions give me the impression it might. But then again, Theorema does not have any clove.
Edit: Thank you, daisyM!
Тёма Vampir – :
I bought three of the Canovas fragrances from Marshalls–Pink Riveria, Ballad Verte, and Route Mandarine. I immediately liked the first two, and was immediately put off by Route Mandarine. It was too vintage (read “old lady”) for me. So I put it away. A few weeks later, I sniffed again, and felt a bit better about it. This kept happening until I actually started “craving” the scent, like today. Now this spicy-amber combo is warm and comforting to me. So on a cool Fall day, I knew that it called for Route Mandarine. It smells niche to my nose, and was a great bargain. Definitely a fragrance that should be more highly regarded. My skin vaporizes fragrances, and both sillage and longevity on me are above average. Ballade Verte takes the cake on both S & L of the three, but Route Mandarine is just fine too. I do think it reads “older” but not “old.”
ijb707speagoessenda – :
This one had been a blind buy and it turned out to be a major success. ROUTE MANDARINE absolutely deserves to be better known! As other reviewers have pointed out, this may remind you of some other fragrance, or possibly more than one. (It reminds me a bit of Chanel COCO, although it isn’t a dupe.)
ROUTE MANDARINE has a considerable amount of spice which remains throughout, but the spiciness is especially strong in the initial phase. Also, the beginning has a distinct citrus tang, however, it isn’t a citrus-dominant fragrance or a fruity one. As the hours pass, the citrus fades and the spice becomes more mellow. At the same time, the amber, sandalwood and musk become more noticeable. The floral notes remain in the background for me, but they add depth and interest.
ROUTE MANDARINE is classy, sophisticated and polished. It’s not sweet. There’s a perfume-y aspect to it that may contribute to something of a vintage vibe depending on your perspective. This one has some very definite sillage to it and the longevity is amazing (at least 18 hours). It lingers on fabrics for days. It easily dresses up or down and definitely is in the “go to” category.
Xeroxvzrxa – :
The first time I sprayed it, I got the mustiness someone below mentioned. I gave it another try, then another. It is cozy and sweetly spicy. I’m addicted! It’s somehow comfortable and familiar. This morning I figured out what it reminds me of: Paloma Picasso Tentations! Yes!!!
eplan – :
This one’s my favorite of the line ( I have yet to smell Ballade Verte though.)
The liquid is amber colored and, like others, I found it at TJ Maxx a few months ago for $9.99.
Definite vintagey vibe. Beautiful and buttery sweet with delicate nuances of spice…particularly clove. Ylang Ylang and amber are heavenly and roundly sensuous here while the bitter zing of various citruses maintain a brightness almost entirely throughout my wearing experience. Smoky incense swirls in and out of my nose.
I am reminded of other similar favorites such as: Coco,Original Guess,Tabu….Bal a Versailles. Not that they are the same but they do have a likeness, for sure. Route Mandarine is good from the start but wait for the quick (on me)drydown….it’s TDF.
It’s spring now and it’s lovely to wear but I look forward to enjoying it even more during Autumn..when the smoky sweet and butter golden tones will compliment, even more, the crisp air and colors of the season.
On my perfume-eating-skin,longevity is great and sillage is just right ( not too loud/not too soft).
I enjoy Route Mandarine very much….especially for such a great price ( do a search and you’ll find it priced as high as $60) I consider it a great find and fabulous little gem. If you even remotely like this style of perfume….GRAB ONE if you see it for this low price!
alena_9667663 – :
This is so gorgeous. A perfect blend of citrus and spices with a touch of balsamic – captivating right from the initial spray. This lady doesn’t need much time to develop into something wonderful on my skin like so many other fragrances I love and adore. She is breathtaking right from the start, lush, sensual and yet still peppy and upbeat. The sweetness is just perfect, not overbearing, not cloying, but surrounds you like a veil of comfort and coziness with a springtime feel to it. There is a bit of a soapy aspect to it, which makes you feel really clean, so it’s perfect for work, yet it is still intoxicating. Just wonderful.
KuRbat – :
Firstly, I can see how this could be put in the same vein as Kenzo Jungle Elephant….but….Kenzo JE, was an instant DISLIKE for me….a scrubber. Route Mandarine shares a lot of the same notes, but something smooths everything out, compared to Kenzo JE. Route Mandarine is for sure a scent you must let develop on your skin and with your chemistry. Patience. I am enjoying this scent journey so far. I also “get” the Coco reference, but not clones at all. The same vein, well, yes,maybe. I get more “retro” vibe from this, and btw….NOT….”old-lady”….lol. For $9.99 at TJ Maxx, it is worth the purchase, IMHO. And also, the clove and cinnamon are not as heavy-overwhelming in this, like in Kenzo JE. In the Kenzo JE, all I got in the first minutes was “red hots candies”….then the dry-down was cloying. This one is way smoother. 7.5/10 rating.
P.S…..Longevity/sillage is great.
serg555557 – :
My experience is much like Xango’s, below, except I got this for $9.99 at Marshall’s! I applied it at 9 a.m. and I can still smell the base notes on my wrist 13 hours later. And very pleasant they are, too — mostly the amber, incense and vanilla. For the first hour or so, this smells like a very nice, fresh orange pomade, the kind we used to make as children by piercing a fresh orange all over with whole cloves. Slowly the orange notes fade but the cloves remain, softened by the emergence of florals. On my skin, those were mostly the orange blossom and jasmine. No LOTV that I could detect and very little rose. I did get the sandalwood but not really the patchouli. The base notes are warm and comfortable. This is a very nice, warm fragrance for fall — spicy but still light. And at this price, I’m happy to spritz! But not too much, as this one carries and lasts.
deniiskaras – :
Based on the reviews, I was expecting this to be lovely and warm and soft, a bit exotic, with some citrus… However, there is a VERY unpleasant (dank and dry at the same time) note that hits me right at the forefront. It must be the combo of cloves and patchouli that does not agree with me, because I could not tolerate this.
nerko-volg – :
I’ve already reviewed this, I know sorry, but I’m doing a side-by-side test with Kenzo Jungle L’Elephant and Salvador Dali Parfum today, as IMO they’re all in the same vein. Would compare with Coco as well if I had her!
I love all of these fragrances, but I have to say AGAIN, that this one is really truly gorgeous and stands out, apart and above the other 2 I tested here. While it may smell similar to others perhaps, really I think Route Mandarine is a unique fragrance. It’s still powerful but is definitely more gentle, slightly more restrained, than KJE and SD. It is warm and spicy but not in the way that KJE is like breathing in a big jar of fresh spices! It’s more luscious than KJE, not so dry. Nor is it as “perfume-y” and sweet as Salvador Dali, although there are distinct similarities. RM manages to maintain that citrus-y-orange aroma throughout, which I think helps it to evolve into a less heavy, albeit still quite heady, scent. There is an air about it that evokes something of the West Indies or Goa in southern India for me.
I’ve no doubt said it before but I’ll say it again – Route Mandarine is IMO a hidden classic, an absolute gem that has somehow managed to fly under the radar.
In my previous review I stated that Route Mandarine is good enough to rub shoulders with the likes of Opium and Youth Dew, and I stand by that, and I would include other classics, too. I’m sure if it were sitting on a department store counter near to Coco, it would not be overlooked!
авианосец – :
A mid-century throwback, way too rich for public use. If you like Desirade, you’ll probably appreciate this one. Although they are slightly different, they are both in the retro categry. I know it’s cliche to say a fragrance could be used for bathroom spray, but this seriously fits the bill. Works well as a rug spray or potpourri refresher. Mine is a yellow/amber color, unlike the violety product shot. Why, oh why didn’t I notice the main note is clove. It’s so true.
All in all this is that ancient, powdery scent that elderly women wear at the store or on public transportation, when they refuse to change with the times.
Unfortunately, this is way more Madame Rochas than Coco, which I like.
boa – :
This is gorgeous if you are a COCO lover. Its beautiful, done in a similar vein, updated, big sillage and nothing comes off as synthetic. Orange and spices..warmth for an autumn day. Not as heavy as the classic orientals like Opium or Cinnabar, but not a lightweight either. Nice balsamic presence.Great buy for a 3.3oz bottle and golden liquid.
C.R.O.W. – :
Just wanted to ask does anybody else have a bottle of Route Mandarin with clear liquid in it, like pictured above? Mine is a brown liquid. I’d have thought it would be brown with those notes in it but wanted to check. Thanks
shmaluga – :
For $9.99 at TJ Maxx, I feel pretty good about this scent. It *smells* very high quality – someone mentioned Coco and there’s definitely something reminiscent about it in Route Mandarine. There’s also a hint of orange + clove pomander smell, which is oddly comforting and reminds me of the holidays, so definitely save this one for a cold day.
Caution: there is heavy, heavy sillage on this one so spray lightly – less is more!
Edit: first time wearing this to work. I went easy on the spray, and it lasted from 7 am to 8 pm, and it’s only just now become skin-scent. WOW!
RIGIS – :
This is gorgeous. The initial spray reveals a hit of spicy citrus, quite potent. Not long afterwards though this heady blast warms up and the potency mellows a little. Then it begins to sweeten slightly, the jasmine and perhaps the orange blossom coming through, still mingling with the spices. It is reminiscent of a Christmas smell but in a more sophisticated and elegant way. Less Christmas pudding and more warmed spices by the fireplace. Gradually the vanilla amber scent emerges, with the sandalwood, still mingling beautifully with the spices, and then the incense starts to come out to the front, more sweetly than smokey, and this lovely fragrance continues to sweeten softly…and on it goes.
This is a beautiful, warm, rich, quite complex and almost nostalgic scent. I adore rich spicy oriental scents and I’m also quite partial to orange accords, so I was fully expecting to fall for this blind buy. Route Mandarine is certainly good enough to rub shoulders with the likes of Opium and Youth Dew IMO, both of which I love, but is probably a little softer, more mellow than those two powerhouses.
Spicy, sweet, delicious. I love it.
Anton_777 – :
This smells quite reminiscent of vintage Chanel Coco EdT, but lighter – perfect for summer. If you see this at TJ Maxx like I did, and you like Coco, buy it. You will be so pleased!
lyagaevaiv – :
Another blind buy. WooooHoooo! It is awesome and I love it! It is put together so darn well that I just couldn’t believe it when I spayed it on. Stayed with me all day. Keep getting whiffs of myself and thinking, nice! I wish I could tell you each aroma that goes into this beautifully done scent but I can’t. It’s just one of the best put together fragrances I’ve EVER had the pleasure of buying and trying. It smells fresh but yet a bit floral and soft musky vanilla in the background. It’s just so well rounded and grounded. Maybe I can update you as time goes by after wearing it EVERY DAY!
KIRILLCS – :
“Route Mandarine” is a very high quality fragrance. It did not come off as very citrusy, it more had an oriental vibe on my skin.
The opening is gorgeous incensy rose – full, opulent and very complex. I got bits of orange, bits of jasmine and warm cinnamon accompanying the rose-incense combo. When it goes closer to drydown the whole composition turns more to what it’s called – Route Mandarine – I get soapy natural smelling orange filled drydown and it keeps going strong on my skin for more than 8 hours.
Impressing quality, worth a try.