Okay, so, Valaya by Parfums de Marly… I blind bought it. Yeah, I know, I know, risky move, especially with a brand like that. But the notes sounded right up my alley – fruity, floral, a little musky. I was feeling impulsive, what can I say?
First sniff, straight out of the mailbox? I was kinda underwhelmed, to be honest. I was expecting this burst of juicy peach and orange blossom, but it was… faint. Almost like a high-end dryer sheet, if that makes sense. A little clean, a little powdery. Definitely not what I envisioned based on the hype online.
I figured, okay, let’s give it some time to settle. Sometimes perfumes get a little funky during shipping, right? So, I sprayed it on my wrist, waited like, a solid hour, and… still pretty subtle. The fruit started to come through a little more, but it was still very sheer. Like a watercolor painting compared to an oil painting.
I wore it out the next day. I sprayed it on my clothes this time, thinking maybe it would project better. I got a few compliments, which was nice. People said I smelled “fresh” and “clean.” One person even said I smelled like “expensive soap.” Which, I guess, isn’t a bad thing? But it wasn’t the intoxicating, head-turning fragrance I was hoping for.
The longevity wasn’t amazing either. I’d say I got maybe 4-5 hours out of it before it faded to a skin scent. And I’m a heavy sprayer, usually. I was really trying to make it work.
So, here’s the thing. I didn’t hate Valaya. It’s a perfectly pleasant fragrance. It’s just… not worth the price tag, in my opinion. There are tons of other fruity-floral-musky scents out there that are just as good, if not better, and way more affordable.
What I Learned: Blind buying is always a gamble. And sometimes, even expensive perfume can be a letdown.
Would I Recommend It? Honestly? No. Unless you’re a die-hard Parfums de Marly fan and you have money to burn. There are better ways to spend your perfume budget.
What I’m Doing With My Bottle: I’m gonna keep it around for layering, maybe. Or just wear it when I want something super light and inoffensive. But I definitely won’t be repurchasing.
- Initial Impression: Underwhelming.
- Wear Test: Pleasant, but subtle.
- Longevity: 4-5 hours.
- Overall: Overpriced and underwhelming.
Final Thoughts
I think the biggest disappointment was the lack of projection. I wanted something that announced itself, you know? Something that left a trail. Valaya is just too quiet for my taste. Live and learn, I guess!
