Paradoxe (Eau de Parfum)
Perfumer: Raymond Chaillan
64 ratings
From your scent profile
Pierre Cardin Paradoxe Eau de Parfum is a citrus-opening, floral and green chypre, with white flowers in the heart over a leathery, resinous and smoky base. It has been discontinued.
Skunky's take: A classic that defies the years; my nose bows in respect.
How does it perform?
From 53 community ratings, all out of 10.
Holds up through the day and fades gently toward evening.
People close to you notice, nobody gets overwhelmed.
Sits nicely on a shelf.
Most people feel it is worth the price.
Blind buy risk
91% of votes are positive and opinions barely differ.
Notes
They open one after another, from the first spray into the evening.
Top notesfirst 15 minutes
Heart notesfirst few hours
Accords
From most dominant to most subtle.
- Citrus
- Floral
- Green
- Spicy
- Woody
- Resinous
- Smoky
- Leathery
What does Paradoxe (Eau de Parfum) smell like?
Lemon, bergamot and mandarin orange give a bright, fresh start. In the heart, ylang-ylang, jasmine, tuberose, hyacinth and iris form a full floral body. The base leans on leather, frankincense, moss and amber, with pepper adding spice and musk softening the edges.
Longevity and sillage are both rated good. Most voters pick fall and spring, and it suits evenings, leisure time and nights out. It was launched as a women's perfume and voters mostly call it feminine, though a fair share of them read it as masculine.
How it changes through the day
First minutes
- Lemon
- Bergamot
- Mandarin orange
First hours
- Ylang-ylang
- Jasmine
- Iris
Towards evening
- Pepper
- Leather
- Frankincense
When to wear it?
Seasons and occasions, by user votes.
- 36%Autumn
- 31%Spring
- 21%Winter
- 13%Summer
- Evening23%
- Casual21%
- Nighttime21%
- Daytime18%
- Office16%
Smells like this
The closest scents by notes and accords.
53% matchBlue Laverne
Laverne
53% matchR de Capucci (Eau de Toilette)
Roberto Capucci · 1985
52% matchSybaris (Eau de Toilette)
Puig · 1988
50% matchThe Afternoon of a Faun
Etat Libre d'Orange · 2012
50% matchJCC No. 2 (Eau de Parfum)
Jean-Charles de Castelbajac · 1988
49% matchLippizan
Parfums de Marly · 2010
48% matchG-man (Eau de Cologne)
Gainsboro · 1971
45% matchHalston Z-14 (Cologne)
Halston · 1976
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Last updated: October 26, 2026




















