Playing with the Devil

Playing with the Devil announces itself as a sophisticated fruit-forward seduction wrapped in spice and florals. Calice Becker has constructed something genuinely playful here—the blood orange and blackcurrant create a tart, almost jammy opening that refuses to whisper. What makes this fragrance compelling is how the stone fruits (white peach and lychee) add a creamy, almost fleshy sweetness that sits against the bright citrus rather than capitulating to it. The pimento in the heart is the real protagonist, a peppery, slightly smoky note that transforms what could have been a conventional fruity floral into something with genuine attitude and dimension.

This is a scent for someone who doesn't subscribe to linear narratives. The rose and jasmine emerge with a certain dignity—they're present without dominating, providing a floral anchor that prevents the composition from becoming saccharine. The pimento-pepper combination creates a subtle bite, a hint of mischief in the title's promise. There's an almost cosmetic quality to the drydown, with tonka and benzoin lending a powdery sweetness that recalls vintage glamour, whilst the sandalwood and cedar prevent it from veering into fragrance-counter territory.