Retrospect
“Retrospect by Merit is a Floral Fruity Gourmand fragrance for women”
The Quick Read
Respected, if divisive — a musky, powdery composition with a floral undertone. Voted best for year-round wear, leaning feminine.
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Fanny Bal's Retrospect, launched by Merit in 2024, is a Floral Fruity Gourmand fragrance that weaves together the freshness of pear and bergamot with the warmth of aldehydes and musk. The composition opens with a burst of pear and ambrette, creating an unexpected contrast between sweetness and earthiness. As it settles, jasmine, violet, and rose introduce a delicate floral bouquet that melds seamlessly into the powdery base notes of orris, moss, and vanilla. This scent is neither overly sweet nor too heavy, striking a balance that feels both nostalgic and modern.
Composition & Character
How It Wears
Application Tips
Retrospect is best applied to pulse points and left to settle on skin for about 15 minutes before it fully integrates. The pear and bergamot top notes are fleeting but vibrant, making way for the rich gourmand base that blooms over time. This fragrance reads better close to skin than across a room, so layering lightly is key.
Fanny Bal
Founding perfumer · 68 fragrances
Fanny Bal is a force of nature. As Dominique Ropion’s apprentice, she has access to the finest raw materials in the industry and some of its best-kept secrets; and yet, she is constantly surprising her seniors, first at ISIPCA, then at IFF, with her own independent initiatives and rigorous experimentation, both testaments to her flourishing talent. She has shown everyone, including Frédéric Malle, that she is a young perfumer to be reckoned with. Dominique Ropion has said of his pupil that, “curious, tenacious and bold” in both her approach to perfume and as a person, Fanny Bal possesses “all the best qualities to become a great perfumer”.
Also created
Edited by Scentsation Editorial
The story behind the bottle.
The moment when an evening transitions from crisp to cozy, with the lingering scent of freshly baked pastries in a quiet neighborhood.
Fig. 01 — Retrospect, Merit
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