The Scent That’s Taking Over Saudi Shopping Carts

Splendid perfume has quietly become one of the most searched fragrance terms in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia — and for good reason. The Laura Mars Splendid line, manufactured in France, has carved a firm identity in the local market by offering Western freshness with enough Oriental durability to survive a full Riyadh workday.

Whether you’re browsing Noon, Sara-Makeup, or scrolling through Telegram group deals, you’ve almost certainly encountered the name. This review cuts through the marketing noise and tells you exactly what to expect — scent, performance, and value.

The Splendid line covers at least two core versions: Splendid Pour Homme (men) and Splendid Pour Femme (women), both Eau de Parfum concentrations. A third contender — Antonio Banderas The Icon Splendid (2024) — is rising fast in Riyadh’s younger fashion circles. We’ll cover all three.

First Impressions & Packaging

The Laura Mars Splendid bottle is clean and unfussy — a rectangular flacon with a metallic cap that carries decent weight in the hand. Nothing about the presentation screams ultra-luxury, but it doesn’t need to. The glass is solid, the atomizer delivers a fine, even mist without dripping, and the box features gold-on-white printing consistent with the mid-range French designer segment. The ‘FR’ manufacturing mark on the label is your first authenticity checkpoint.

First spray reaction: the fragrance projects immediately and assertively, leaving no ambiguity about its presence. The opening burst is clean and citrus-bright on the men’s version — something like stepping into a well-air-conditioned lobby after the midday sun. On the women’s version, the opening reads richer, fruity-floral, and unmistakably feminine.

Fragrance Notes & Composition of Splendid Perfume

Top Notes

Splendid Pour Homme: Sicilian lemon and apple — a citrus-tart combination that projects freshly and brightly in the first 15–20 minutes. The lemon is authentic, not synthetic, which elevates the opening considerably.

Splendid Pour Femme: Bergamot, strawberry, and green apple. A slightly sweeter opening, with the strawberry adding a ripe, sociable character that reads well in both morning meetings and evening gatherings.

Antonio Banderas The Icon Splendid (2024): Black pepper, pear, and tangerine — a modern gourmand-adjacent opening that feels both energetic and slightly indulgent.

Heart Notes

Pour Homme: Jasmine sits at the center, lending a subtle floral softness that prevents the composition from reading as purely sporty. It bridges the citrus opening and the woody base intelligently.

Pour Femme: Jasmine, rose, and orange blossom — a classic white floral triumvirate. According to the brand’s official product page, this heart is formulated to convey ‘modern elegance’ for the contemporary woman.

The Icon Splendid: Peony, guayacan, and orange blossom — fresh-floral with a tropical edge that aligns with the fragrance’s ‘brightness and liberation’ campaign messaging.

Base Notes

Pour Homme: Musk and cedar wood. The drydown is clean and woody — not overwhelming, but persistent enough to leave a positive trail in air-conditioned indoor spaces.

Pour Femme: Sandalwood, vanilla, and white musk. The vanilla adds warmth and sweetness that intensifies over time, making this base particularly appealing for evening wear or social settings.

The Icon Splendid: Praline, rose, vanilla, sandalwood, and musk — the richest and most complex base of the three, with a gourmand depth that lingers.

Performance — Longevity, Projection & Sillage

Based on aggregated wearer feedback from Saudi and UAE consumers, Laura Mars Splendid EDP performs as follows:

• Longevity: 6–8 hours on skin for both the men’s and women’s versions, with skin-type variation (drier skin may drop to 5–6 hours).
• Projection: Moderate-to-strong in the first 2 hours, settling to a comfortable close-to-skin presence by hour 4.
• Sillage: Described consistently as ‘soft and clean’ — present but not aggressive. The trail is noticeable when passing close but does not dominate a room.
• Clothing performance: Community feedback suggests spraying on fabric (thawb collar or abaya lining) extends longevity to 10–12 hours, which is a meaningful upgrade for full-day use.
• AC environment: Performs well indoors under air conditioning — the musk and woody base remain stable and do not go flat.

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Batch Performance Tracking (Known Variations)

Batch Year	Opening Strength	Longevity (Skin)	Notable Changes
2023	Strong citrus burst	7–9 hrs	Baseline; widely praised
2024	Slightly softer lemon	6–8 hrs	Minor reformulation reported by collectors
2025–2026	Stable, consistent	6–8 hrs	No significant reformulation confirmed

Note: Batch code variations are a known concern in the clone-heavy market. Always verify batch codes via the brand’s official website or trusted retailers.

Performance in Gulf Climate — KSA & UAE

This is where Splendid earns its place in the Saudi market. In 40–45°C outdoor temperatures, many fresh fragrances evaporate within 2–3 hours. Laura Mars Splendid holds significantly better, owing to its EDP concentration and the musky-woody base that resists heat volatility.

• Outdoor in Riyadh summer (40°C+): Expect 4–5 hours with moderate projection. Apply to pulse points covered by clothing (wrists under sleeve, behind knees) for best outdoor retention.
• Indoors under AC: Performance improves markedly. Community feedback from Riyadh and Jeddah users consistently reports 7–8 hours in air-conditioned office settings.
• Office suitability in Saudi Arabia: Excellent. The ‘soft and clean’ profile is professional and unlikely to cause discomfort to colleagues. This is not a beast-mode projection fragrance — it is a ‘presence fragrance.’
• Mosque suitability: Yes. The clean, non-cloying character of the men’s version makes it appropriate for Friday prayers. The women’s version is softer in a mosque context, though the vanilla-rose heart may be slightly prominent in very close proximity.
• Traditional dress compatibility: The fresh woody profile pairs naturally with the white thawb aesthetic — clean, bright, composed.

When & Where to Wear Splendid Perfume

• Best seasons (Middle East): October through April — when temperatures allow the fragrance to project naturally without rapid evaporation. Suitable year-round indoors.
• Day vs Night: The men’s version is a day fragrance by character; the women’s version transitions well from day to evening thanks to the vanilla base.
• Office: Both versions are well-suited to professional Saudi office environments.
• Formal occasions: The women’s version works beautifully for social majlises and family gatherings. The men’s version suits formal business contexts.
• Casual/weekend: Both versions are appropriate for casual daily use — shopping, errands, social visits.
• Gender: Clearly positioned as gendered flankers (Pour Homme / Pour Femme), though the men’s version has been worn by women who prefer fresh-citrus profiles.
• Age group: Core demographic is 25–45. The women’s version skews younger; the men’s version reads confidently across age groups.
• The Icon Splendid (Antonio Banderas): Best for evening events, fashion gatherings, and younger (20–35) demographics seeking a modern gourmand-floral signature.

Pros & Cons

✅ Pros

• French-manufactured EDP with above-average longevity for its price tier
• Clean, versatile profile suitable for office and mosque
• Strong brand recognition in KSA market (Noon, Sara-Makeup listings confirm demand)
• Excellent indoor/AC performance — a critical metric for Saudi users
• Wide availability across all major Saudi platforms with Tabby/Tamara installment options
• Men’s version pairs naturally with the traditional thawb aesthetic

❌ Cons

• Outdoor longevity in peak summer heat drops to 4–5 hours — not ideal for outdoor workers
• Not a ‘beast mode’ fragrance — users expecting aggressive projection may be disappointed
• Batch variations (2023 vs 2024) suggest some inconsistency in quality control
• Counterfeit presence on informal market channels makes source verification essential

Competitor Analysis: How Does Splendid Stack Up?

Fragrance	Scent Profile	Longevity (KSA)	Price (SAR)	Best For
Laura Mars Splendid (M)	Citrus-woody-musk	6–8 hrs	45–90 SAR	Office, daily professional
Lattafa Khamrah	Oriental-oud-sweet	10–12 hrs	60–100 SAR	Evening, formal Arabic occasions
Arabian Oud Kalemat Black	Amber-oud-dark	12+ hrs	150–250 SAR	Collectors, luxury gifting
Antonio Banderas The Icon Splendid	Gourmand-floral-woody	6–8 hrs	80–130 SAR	Gen-Z, evening fashion events

The verdict: Laura Mars Splendid wins on value and daily wearability. Lattafa Khamrah dominates for projection beasts who want maximum sillage. Arabian Oud Kalemat Black is for those willing to pay a premium for deep, complex character. The Icon Splendid is the modern competitor to watch, but at a higher price point for what is still a designer-tier offering.

Price & Value for Money

Classification: Budget-to-Mid-Range.

• Laura Mars Splendid Pour Homme / Pour Femme (100ml EDP): Typically 45–90 SAR on Noon and Sara-Makeup. GCC pricing in AED: 50–95 AED.
• Antonio Banderas The Icon Splendid (2024): 80–130 SAR, positioning it at the upper end of the designer accessible range.
• Cost-per-wear insight: At 6–8 sprays per use, a 100ml bottle delivers approximately 100–120 wears. At 65 SAR average price, that’s under 0.65 SAR per wear — exceptional value.

👉 Check the latest price on GoldenScent for current deals, Tabby installments, and authenticity-guaranteed stock.

Common Customer Feedback

Positive trend: Saudi buyers consistently praise the ‘soft and clean’ character, citing it as office-appropriate and inoffensive. The most common positive descriptor across Noon, Sara-Makeup, and Genie Perfume reviews is ‘ثبات’ (stability) — meaning the scent holds without fluctuating dramatically.

Negative trend: A notable minority of reviewers expected more intensity given the EDP classification. Some also report inconsistency between older (2023) and newer (2024–2025) batches.

One buyer from Jeddah summarized it well: “I’ve worn it every day for three months — it’s the safest compliment I’ve ever gotten at work. Not showy, just consistently present.”

Encourage localized reviews: If you’ve worn Splendid in Riyadh, Jeddah, or Dammam, leaving a region-specific review helps future buyers make better decisions for their climate and lifestyle.

Should You Buy Splendid Perfume?

• Office users: Yes, without hesitation. Clean, professional, and unlikely to offend.
• Date night users: Women’s version yes — the vanilla-rose drydown has genuine romantic presence. Men’s version is better suited for evening casual than intimate occasions.
• Fragrance beginners: Excellent entry point — approachable, versatile, and competitively priced.
• Collectors: Interesting for the French EDP positioning at this price tier; The Icon Splendid (2024) is a better collector’s target for gourmand enthusiasts.
• Middle East buyers specifically: Strong recommendation. This fragrance is designed for durability in conditions where many Western EDTs fail.
• Value hunters: Outstanding cost-per-wear. Buy with Tabby or Tamara for maximum budget flexibility.

My Final Verdict

Splendid perfume by Laura Mars occupies a smart space in the Saudi fragrance market: professional enough for the office, clean enough for the mosque, and durable enough to survive air-conditioned Saudi summers without disappearing by noon. It doesn’t try to be oud, doesn’t compete with ultra-luxury, and doesn’t promise what it can’t deliver.

Its one genuine limitation is projection — if you want a fragrance that announces your arrival before you enter the room, look toward Lattafa or Arabian Oud. But for the vast majority of everyday Saudi wearers who want a reliable, French-made EDP that earns quiet compliments without demanding attention, Splendid is a consistently smart choice.

The women’s version edges out the men’s for sheer versatility. The Antonio Banderas The Icon Splendid is worth watching for those who want something more contemporary and gourmand-leaning.

FAQs

Q: Is Splendid Perfume by Laura Mars available in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. It’s stocked on Noon, Sara-Makeup, Genie Perfume, and GoldenScent with Noon Express delivery available in Riyadh and Jeddah.

Q: How long does Splendid perfume last in the Saudi heat?

Outdoors in 40°C+: approximately 4–5 hours. Indoors under AC: 6–8 hours on skin, up to 12 hours on clothing.

Q: Is Splendid perfume suitable for the mosque?

The men’s version (Pour Homme) is well-suited for mosque wear — clean, non-cloying, and unobtrusive. The women’s Pour Femme is acceptable but has a warmer vanilla-rose base that may be more prominent in very close proximity.

Q: How can I spot a fake Laura Mars Splendid?

Check for the ‘FR’ (France) origin code on the base of the bottle. Verify the batch code position matches official Laura Mars documentation. Purchase only from platforms that explicitly state ‘100% original’ with return guarantees — Sara-Makeup’s Golden Guarantee is a trusted signal.

Q: What is the difference between Splendid Pour Homme and Pour Femme?

Pour Homme: Citrus-woody-musk (Sicilian lemon, apple, cedar). Fresher, more linear. Pour Femme: Fruity-floral-vanilla (strawberry, jasmine, sandalwood, vanilla). Warmer and more complex in the drydown.

Q: How does Antonio Banderas The Icon Splendid compare to Laura Mars Splendid?

The Icon Splendid (2024) is more gourmand and modern, with a praline-pear-sandalwood character that targets a younger demographic. Laura Mars Splendid is cleaner, more office-appropriate, and more established in the KSA market.

Q: Can I pay for Splendid perfume in installments in Saudi Arabia?

Yes. Most major platforms including Sara-Makeup and Noon offer Tabby and Tamara installments — typically 4 payments with 0% interest.

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