In Woman La Rive 2014

Hooked by the many hints that In Woman is a good dupe for Armani Si, I set out on a search and found it at Müller. I was curious who knows my comment about Si and Si Intense and understands my dilemma.
I am by no means averse to Si, but I only like it on other women or in its own sillage. When I wear it myself, I find it terribly intense, brutally sweet, and scratchingly synthetic. However, when I smell it on the street, I find myself almost drooling as I follow the wearer, often noticing that it’s women with Eastern European looks/heritage, but maybe that’s just a peculiar coincidence.

In any case, I had to write off Si, but I didn’t want to, there must be a substitute drug! In the forum, I finally came across the tip that In Woman is supposed to smell strikingly similar. Hopeful, I found it and was already excited to test it.
The price is ridiculous, 7 euros for the 90 ml bottle, can that be anything? A few years ago, I might have just smiled wearily, thinking there’s no way one can wear something so “cheap.” Luckily, I have had some positive experiences with affordable fragrances, so I am willing to be open-minded.

So I quickly grabbed the bottle and went for it: Well, not bad, sweet indeed, piercing, phew, yes, that’s Si, just how I don’t like it... lavishly sweet stuff, decorated and glazed with everything that tastes good, and one could theoretically slap it right onto the hips. Too bad, once again a prime example of faux desire, better forget it quickly!

I was somewhat disappointed, still lingering around Müller, hoping for an epoch-making development of the highly praised dupe. Good things, as they say, come to those who can wait, and my patience was indeed rewarded.

Initially still drenched in honey-like blackcurrant juice, which is extremely thick, soon reveals an elegant and delicately melting sweetness, very smooth and very sexy, golden and buzzing, whispering, sighing one could say. There’s zero synthetics, I am more than impressed.
The fragrance feels really high-quality to me, warm and inviting, yet luscious and dominant, a hot promise of long enjoyment, subtly fresh, smooth, almost polished, the scent doesn’t rush past the wearer like Si, but casually grabs its victim by the fallen jaw and effortlessly drags it along, with a self-evident sexiness that seems almost arrogant and playfully light, definitely not cheap or trashy.
The rose, as known in Si style, is coated with sparkling sugar crystals, but it doesn’t come off as kitschy or prick unpleasantly.
Creamy, golden-yellow vanilla without added sugar, beautifully flowing and soothing, slightly smoky and sultry, just vanilla as I appreciate and find very stimulating.
Patchouli shows its tame and purring side, but is no less dangerous. It melts lazily away, reminiscent of delicate noisette pralines, sweetly melting and absolutely addictive. The kind of praline you want to let dissolve in your mouth for what feels like an eternity.
The woody accords give the incredibly delicious gourmand an elegant frame, adding a certain maturity and casting a slight shadow over the main players vanilla and patchouli, but that only invites closer observation and doesn’t censor the sensual, unrestrained frolicking.
Ambroxan gives the fragrance rich volume, an immense sillage, and lays a slightly crisp layer around the golden, very feminine, powdery, discreetly spicy praline cream. It’s simply incredible how harmoniously, calmly, elegantly, and nobly the scent shifts and shimmers, while simultaneously being so passionate, euphoric, and fervent, some designer or big label could take a page from this.

It must have been quite amusing for the observer: first, I spray the fragrance on, with a disgusted expression, a crude mix of disgust, anger, and disappointment, after a short time, astonished wonder and wide eyes, an incredulous and surprised grin, which soon turns into a blissful and ecstatic beaming, pure rapture, as if on remote control, with a crazy sparkle in her eyes, the woman runs back to the shelf, takes the packaging in hand, stares incredulously at the price, shakes her head in amusement, and visibly happy heads to the checkout.
Of course, I couldn’t resist the nasty impulse to hold my wrist under the nose of the saleswoman and ask which fragrance it is.
“Si” was the prompt answer, and when I enlightened her, she looked quite shocked as well. What’s it called? Where is it? I have to remember this!
I almost felt bad when I paid, so cheekily copied and then even better than the original, the saleswoman and I were already giggling over my great find.
On the way home, I had to keep sniffing, I liked it more and more, I was already afraid it would suddenly collapse and lose its magic. Luckily, one can be unconcerned about that, In Woman is no fake and convinces with lasting power and smooth transitions, it runs off smoothly and leaves a sweet scent trail garnished with woody-oriental hints even after many hours.

I don’t find the bottle particularly exciting, but I overlook that due to the performance. Longevity and sillage surprisingly enduring, La Rive must definitely be remembered in the low-price segment.

So far, there has already been quite a bit of praise, and it is often considered to have a wicked twin. Especially men seem to have fallen for the slightly sticky trap (Don’t worry, it’s the finest caramel with chocolate glaze in the dry down).
It’s almost sweet when a group of young men stands in Müller and the bottle is being sniffed intensely. Comments like “Dude, it smells killer, I swear!” are thrown around.
Or another male voice is quoted, saying that the secretary stirs up the whole workshop with it, everyone at the lathe has to measure again.

For me, a lovely all-rounder, suitable for all times of day and night, seasons, and occasions. In freezing cold weather, it warms pleasantly, and in the warm, spring-like temperatures, it skillfully exudes its cheerful and temperamental nature, stylishly enchanting and flirtatious.

A fragrance for women who love being women, with all the frills like makeup, dressing chic, meeting girls, throwing lavish parties, and everything that goes with it. I feel very comfortable with the floral, crispy pastry of vanilla-blackcurrant mousse, caramel-chocolate-patchouli-brownie gourmand bomb, which wraps around the finger less bombastically but more seductively from the shadows.

I am very glad to have finally found “my” Si, without the candy overload and annoying synthetic note. I gladly recommend the fragrance and will definitely have to get a backup.

The devil is a squirrel, or rather an unspectacular bottle, also insulted as a “bending stock,” but this one is a crown jewel among drugstore fragrances at bargain prices, I swear!