A*Men Kryptomint

I gave this perfume a few tries, expecting an invigorating minty opening that would gradually warm up into a rich gourmand scent with earthy undertones. Ideally, the mint should be a standout, executed flawlessly. Unfortunately, the mint was disappointingly subtle and overly warm, reminiscent of hot chocolate or vanilla with only faint hints of mint. The different notes blended together so seamlessly that it ended up smelling like a generic sweet and creamy fragrance with no distinct character. While it's pleasant in a bland corporate sense, I didn't find it particularly impressive. The packaging and name are both clever and effectively marketed; they did win me over, which might have influenced my decision to purchase.

I tried this at Ulta yesterday and my initial impression is extremely positive. Based on the sample and how it performs on my skin, I'm blown away by its unique scent profile. The opening notes of mint and patchouli are distinctive, yet untypical of Mugler's usual style in my opinion. To me, it's a rich, earthy, herbaceous patchouli with subtle mint undertones and a hint of sweetness in the background. I can see why some might draw comparisons to Ultra Zest, but only due to the shared drydown. The scent lasted for approximately 8 hours on my skin, with moderate projection that wasn't overpowering. To be honest, I think it's perfect as is – no need for it to project more, as its subtle nature is part of its charm. Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with Mugler (I still can't get used to the name change!) aside from this minor quibble.

Another iteration of an A*Men fragrance with mint added on top, reminiscent of Angel, if you already possess the original then there's no compelling reason to acquire this one. The mint infusion does imbue it with a more carefree and summery essence, but it doesn't strike me as distinctive enough to justify the purchase.

I find the scent incredibly distinct and captivating. The minty freshness harmonizes with subtle notes of chocolate, patchouli, and tonka bean on the drydown, while a faint echo of the original a*men is perceptible. I appreciate how this flanker is more approachable than other variations of the original. Although it's a bit lacking in strength, its affordability is reasonable considering the bottle design is also noteworthy.

Love the scent! Got my hands on it last winter, and it's been a powerhouse ever since. The initial burst of fresh mint isn't overpowering at all - just a gentle start. As it dries down, I get this soothing, comforting chocolate-coffee note that still keeps the mint present. If you're an After-Eight fan (chocolate-mint candy), you'll adore this one! In winter and fall, its performance is top-notch. I might try it out again in summer, when I can appreciate its richness even more. 8/10 😊