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64 community ratings
Pierre Cardin

Paradoxe (Eau de Parfum)

Perfumer: Raymond Chaillan

1983WomenClassic
8.2/ 10
Community score
64 ratings
See your match

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.

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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.

Longevity
7.9 /10

Holds up through the day and fades gently toward evening.

Sillage
7.5 /10

People close to you notice, nobody gets overwhelmed.

Bottle
7.6 /10

Sits nicely on a shelf.

Value for money
8.2 /10

Most people feel it is worth the price.

Blind buy risk

Low 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

Base noteswhat stays into the evening

Accords

From most dominant to most subtle.

  1. Citrus
  2. Floral
  3. Green
  4. Spicy
  5. Woody
  6. Resinous
  7. Smoky
  8. 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

  1. First minutes

    • Lemon
    • Bergamot
    • Mandarin orange
  2. First hours

    • Ylang-ylang
    • Jasmine
    • Iris
  3. Towards evening

    • Pepper
    • Leather
    • Frankincense

When to wear it?

Seasons and occasions, by user votes.

  • 36%
    Autumn
  • 31%
    Spring
  • 21%
    Winter
  • 13%
    Summer
  • Evening
    23%
  • Casual
    21%
  • Nighttime
    21%
  • Daytime
    18%
  • Office
    16%

Smells like this

The closest scents by notes and accords.

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Last updated: October 26, 2026