by Alexandria Fragrances
Interplay by Alexandria Fragrances is a close, albeit imperfect, interpretation of Maison Francis Kurkdjian's Baccarat Rouge 540, delivering a sweet, ambergris-forward profile with a distinctive animalic undertone that some describe as woody, mossy, or even reminiscent of mothballs. The initial olfactory impression is quickly dominated by a strong, penetrating animalic note—often likened to synthetic musk or slightly fecal—making it divisive for those sensitive to such accents. Despite this, many note a sweet, cotton-candy-like aura in the dry-down, enhanced by jasmine, sage, and ambroxan, giving it a smooth, airy character that lingers moderately well—up to eight hours on skin for some. The fragrance has moderate sillage and notable versatility across seasons, particularly for weekend or evening wear, with a strong leaning toward unisex appeal. Some users report surprisingly long performance, with scents lasting well beyond the typical expectation for a sub-$60 fragrance.