Absolutely beautiful. This is a wonderful perfume, that's about it. I'm not breaking it down it's a kind of gentile, lightly spiced, powdery musk, sandalwood accord perhaps rose and iris? Certainly vanilla but not too sweet and brought together in such a way where it doesn't matter, it's more than the some of it's parts. Is it distinctive? Not really. Is it worth the money? Sort of...I mean you're not going to get much better but sure it's expensive. In fact this entire line are really good from YSL and sort fly quite stealthily under the radar as apposed to Dior or Chanel exclusive lines. I enjoyed this anyway.
Magnificent Gold opens with a bright sweetness coming from the saffron and vanilla, with pink pepper giving it a sharp kick. It quickly develops a heart of creamy sandalwood and a deliciously thick, gourmand vanilla note. In the dry down you’re gently greeted with an overload of sweet vanilla and sandalwood, with a musky undertone of white oud giving the fragrance this overall bitterness and maturity. As others have said it has a very ‘fluffy’ scent profile which is very soft around the edges, and in terms of performance this projects massively and lasts all day with ease. Magnificent Gold is massively underrated - a must have for any vanilla fanatic. I can imagine it can come off as too sickly sweet to some, and yet weirdly it’s one of my most complimented fragrances. It’s a shame to see it being discontinued as it truly is a hidden gem, perfect for a warm and cosy winters day.