Complex 2020
Boadicea the VictoriousParfum2017
Side by side
Complex 2020 vs. Shem
Is Complex 2020 better than Shem?
Shem rates higher with the community, while Complex 2020 wears longer on skin.
Why this score
Performance proximity
Accord profile overlap
Mood overlap
Leather
aromaticfresh spicyamberleatherwarm spicy
This match is a verified relationship from our fragrance graph. The score weighs each fragrance's notes, accords, mood, occasion, weather fit, gender, and performance — the same scale as the badges on every “reminds of” rail.
The essentials
What's different between Complex 2020 and Shem?
| Complex 2020 | Shem | |
|---|---|---|
| Concentration | Parfum | Eau de Parfum |
| Launched | 2017 | 2021 |
| Gender | Unisex | Unisex |
| Perfumer | John Stephen | Lucas Sieuzac |
| Best season | Fall | Fall |
Scent DNA
How do Complex 2020 and Shem smell?
Complex 2020
Aromatic
Fresh Spicy
Amber
Herbal
Leather
Oud
Soft Spicy
Musky
Shem
Aromatic
Woody
Rose
Leather
Earthy
Fresh Spicy
Floral
Amber
Shared between both fragrances
The pyramid
What notes do Complex 2020 and Shem share?
Top
SageBasil
RoseGeraniumCardamom
Heart
FrankincenseViolet
OsmanthusAmber
Base
LeatherOudMusk
LeatherVetiverElemi Resin
Notes both fragrances share
Community taste
Which performs better, Complex 2020 or Shem?
| Complex 2020 | Shem | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 3.5/5 | 4/5 |
| Longevity | 10+ hours | 6-10 hours |
| Sillage | strong | strong |
No varnish
What do reviewers say about Complex 2020 and Shem?
This is for someone who doesn't need the room to like them. Bold, smoky, and unapologetically present. Not a crowd-pleaser. A statement. The kind of fragrance that announces your arrival before you.Complex 2020
Shem doesn't try to please everyone. The leather in the drydown is not a whisper; it's a statement. If bold, structured fragrances appeal to you, this rewards wearing.Shem
Good to know