Desert Reflection The Dua Brand

An *extremely* potent "inspired by" of Reflection Man. Others will catch your scent before the see or hear you. The only other bottle I own that's as strong as this is Camp Fire . It's a 12+ hour fragrance that can persist even after showering. So long as you don't use more than 2 sprays it's not chokingly strong. For me, 1 spray on the chest was perfect, another on the wrist was a lot, but tolerable, but putting one on the other wrist gave me a headache and I had to wipe it off.

Smells mainly of rose, rosemary, and cedar. I get a hint of jasmine, but I can barely smell anything else over the very loud first three notes, even well after the dry down. While a good, classic masculine floral, I don't know that I can call this close enough to say it's a dupe of Reflection.

The biggest difference here is that this is a very linear fragrance that drops most of the top notes (the "heart" here, if I can call it that, is very close), where RM has a 3 act progression. The basic idea is there, but it is heavier on the rosemary and lacks the dry sweetness of the original. The neroli that is quiet, but present in RM is either overwhelmed or just not present here. Compared to Reflection, it's missing pepperiness on the open, some of the floral complexity and faint sweetness in its heart, and the dry grassiness in the base.

I don't think it's close enough to call it a dupe, and I don't say that as someone trying to feign some kind of olfactory superiority; I alternated between the two when testing over a few days, and even in passing, people noticed that whatever I was wearing was different from the day before. It was always complimentary, but it was accompanied by, "What are you wearing today?", never, "Is that the same thing you had on yesterday?" Desert Reflection is heady, herbaceous, woody, and classically masculine. RM is also that and so much more; it's a fragrance that tells a story. Put them side by side you can instantly tell them apart, even if they're similar.

All that is to say this is still a very nice fragrance with very strong performance. On its own merits, the scent gets a solid 7.5, leaning towards 8, and that's the rating I use here. If I were rating the scent based on its proximity to RM, it would be closer to a 6/10.

I reach for it readily when I want something strong, and I don't feel conflicted about wearing it like I do with my RM decant.

This is stunning. So close to the old non-magnetic version of reflection man. I think I've never came across 2 fragrances that are so similar to each other. Brutally long lasting and extreme sillage/projection around you. 1-2 sprays and you're all set for the day/night.
Musky, powdery, woody, green, manly and so elegant and sophisticated.
A touch of happy flowers here and there and that neroli is lovely.
Gorgeous creation and if you can leave aside the fact that it's a clone, you'll love it. Of course, if you love reflection.
Versatility ? Although it's pretty versatile (being a fresh, clean one), I would save this for special days or nights only. Because it captures that elegance and sophistication that once reflection had.
Reflection lovers, give it a shot.

Overall : 9.25/10

Pure perfection juice with great performance, 99% close to the original and one of the best Dua inspired fragrance that I will definitely be buying again and again. 10 hours on my skin and days on clothes, another banger. This is fills the room, so clean and sophisticated scent. This is one of the most complimented fragrances out there, smells wonderful.

Since I love the original and it has received good reviews here, I ordered a decant. After the decant arrived, I tested the fragrance right away, first applying 2 sprays to my wrist. The first impression had a lot in common with the original, but after 20-30 minutes, it smelled "dirty" on me, definitely no longer pleasant. The next day, I gave the fragrance another chance and tested it again with the same result; even after a longer time, it still smelled "dirty" and I couldn't determine that the sillage and longevity were better than the original. Unfortunately, the fragrance really disappointed me.

So here I am, on the hunt for an affordable alternative to the RM.

The RM is hard to surpass in terms of refinement. The notes are perfectly and completely harmonized. For me, it is definitely one of the most beautiful fragrances there is. Not least because the RM takes the wearer on a journey. From the floral top note, which fades over time, develops one of the most beautiful and creamiest sandalwood notes I have ever smelled. It is my absolute signature scent.

Unfortunately, it's the same with Dua as with ALL the other RM dupes I have smelled so far: I just don't understand the sometimes 10/10 ratings.

The Dua has massive power and lasts easily 10 hours. It also brings compliments.

It replicates the floral top note of the RM very well, albeit a bit more synthetic.

That….
..is about it.

The scent changes only minimally and mostly remains linear. Not bad, but unfortunately just the "half" RM.

I hope to find a dupe someday that can capture the heavenly drydown and the base..