Mind Games French Defense Extrait (Tester)

Description

French Defense is a floral fruity woody extrait de parfum from Mind Games, composed by perfumer Christelle Laprade and launched in 2023. It opens on succulent black cherry and green violet leaf, moves into a rose and mimosa heart, and settles into a velvety base of amber, cedarwood and pale "blonde" woods. The name borrows one of chess's oldest and most resilient openings (1.e4 e6) — a defense built on quiet solidity rather than aggression — and the fragrance carries that same composed, unhurried confidence.

Scent Character

• Floral (rose, geranium, mimosa) — 56%
• Woody (blonde woods, cedarwood) — 33%
• Sweet (black cherry, amber) — 11%

Translation: this is a floral-led fragrance first and foremost — the black cherry top note gives it a fruity, sweet edge, but rose and mimosa carry the body, wrapped in soft woods rather than anything sharp or smoky.

Fragrance Pyramid

Top: Cherry, Violet Leaves, Chamomile

Heart: Rose, Geranium, Mimosa

Base: Amber, Blonde Woods, Cedarwood

Performance

Longevity: Very good — typically 6 to 8 hours on skin.

Sillage: Moderate to heavy — noticeable without overwhelming.

Projection: Steady rather than aggressive, in keeping with its composed character.

Best Occasions & Season

Best in spring and fall, for evenings and special occasions where a soft, velvety floral has room to unfold.

Concentration & Provenance

Extrait de parfum. Composed by Christelle Laprade for Mind Games, launched in 2023.

Try Before You Commit

This listing is the 3.4 oz / 100 ml Tester at $219.99. Venba's standard French Defense listing carries the same fragrance in 1 mL, 5 mL and 10 mL decants starting at $6.99, and a full retail bottle at $299.99, if you'd like to compare formats.

100% Authentic

Every Mind Games fragrance sold on Venba is 100% authentic. We've filled over 200,000 orders and hold a 4.9★ rating on Trustpilot. Enjoy free U.S. shipping on orders over $100 and hassle-free returns on unopened items.

FAQ

Where does the name "French Defense" come from?
It's one of chess's oldest, most resilient openings (1.e4 e6) — Mind Games named this composed, velvety floral after that same quiet solidity.

What does it smell like?
Black cherry and violet leaf opening into rose and mimosa, settling into amber, blonde woods and cedarwood.

Tester vs. retail bottle — what's the difference?
Same 100 ml juice; the Tester ships without retail packaging at a lower price.

How long does it last?
Very good longevity, around 6 to 8 hours, with moderate-to-heavy sillage.