Maison Margiela recently released a new fragrance to their Replica line called When The Rain Stops. I purchased a mini pen spray to test out this fragrance before buying the full size. The name and description of this fragrance sounds like something I would like and I was thinking it might be in the realm of Lazy Sunday Morning or Bubble Bath.
When The Rain Stops has notes of: Aquatic accord, rose petals , and pine needles.
Top Notes: Green Notes, Bergamot, and Pink Pepper
Middle Notes: Rain Notes, Watery Notes, Turkish Rose, and Jasmine
Base Notes: Moss, Pine Tree, and Patchouli
My very first impression from sniffing the spray before actually spraying it on is that it does remind me of Lazy Sunday Morning a little bit, but a little more like a cologne version of it.
On my skin, It opens with a soft fresh type smell that has a hint of sweet and sour in the top notes, then after a few minutes I start smelling a pine or minty scent. I do get some aquatic notes in the background and can detect the green notes. There might be just a whisper of spice from the pepper, but barely.
After about five minutes, it starts to smell like an aftershave or men’s shaving cream on me. The image that comes to mind is like the scent left in the bathroom after a man brushes his teeth, shaves, and puts on an aftershave lotion with that slightly minty, shaving cream, wet fresh scent lingering in the air in the bathroom. I also get some sort of sour note here and there.
Reading the notes, I didn’t smell any rose, Jasmine, or patchouli. I only really smell the watery notes, pine, and bergamot. I think the bergamot and the green notes might be what is smelling a little sour to me. I also really feel like I smell mint in there but it’s not listed anywhere in the notes.
So far this fragrance smells too masculine for me and just doesn’t feel like “me”. It doesn’t make me feel pretty or feminine at all, nor is this fragrance a relaxing spa type scent for me. It doesn’t really make me feel any emotions. It’s just kind of there.
I didn’t get to the dry down on this one because I tried washing it off. It stays on the skin very well because it is impossible to wash it completely off. I even tried baking soda but it is still there on my hand so the longevity is good on this one. It stays pretty linear on me and doesn’t change much. I’m left with the minty aftershave scent on my hand.
Final Thoughts
I don’t really like this fragrance on myself and can’t really recommend it unless you like Fresh, aftershave like fragrances that are on the masculine side. It is a decent fragrance but doesn’t smell special at all, but would be good to spray on after a shower or possible layer with something else to give it more life.
I think this would smell good on a man or as a bathroom candle. I am glad I did not by the full bottle, and only purchased the travel spray, even though I love the lavender color of the juice and love most of the fragrances from the Replica line. I was really looking forward to trying this fragrance, but it’s just not for me.
I honestly feel that there are better fragrances like this out there such as Chanel Paris-Edimbourg. It has the fresh minty pine tree quality that is lighter and more well rounded that I do enjoy smelling in myself. It captures the outdoorsy, minty, pine smell better in my opinion and lifts my mood when I smell it.
I recommend smelling When The Rain Stops in person before buying it and if you do love it try to get it on sale during the Sephora sale. I don’t think I would pay full price for this one.
It is currently available as a Sephora exclusive online and in store.
I think you’re absolutely correct about the fragrance bring more masculine(guess that’s why I love it)? The Maison Margiela Replica line is unisex though, so it’s gender friendly. Good review. Try ‘Under the Lemon Tree’, for your next review.