Basti87

Once again, a review from me about a fragrance from the Shiyaaka line. In my opinion, Khadlaj is very underrated in the Arab world, and many fragrances can at least compete with the popular Dubai brands that draw inspiration from well-known scents. The Shiyaaka line is especially known for the Reflection alternative "Shiyaaka for Men / Shiyaaka Silver | Khadlaj," which, in my opinion, performs extremely well at under €20. The entire line is quite pleasing and great, even though it doesn't only consist of alternatives to niche fragrances. This Snow is still very fresh and was released towards the end of last year, so it is still a bit pricier. However, it holds its own at around €30 for 100ml, which this fragrance is absolutely worth and smells significantly more expensive. It seems to be inspired by "Météore | Louis Vuitton," which is quite rare as a "dupe." For me, the LV is very underrated but also significantly overpriced at €300. A great freshie that will definitely be well-received. I had to have and test this cheapie, as such "freshie dupes" work quite well in everyday life and for sports activities.

The bottle comes in the usual design with this great ribbed pattern. The name Snow fits, in my opinion, less well, as it is rather summery. The packaging states Special Edition, whatever that is supposed to mean. Probably marketing, but it’s definitely a great release.
The scent is a great freshie that, as mentioned, goes extremely in the direction of "Météore | Louis Vuitton." Some even write that hardly any difference is noticeable. In fact, the scent is extremely close to the original, and at 1/10 of the price, I can only say: Buy it immediately if you like the original. For some, it may not replace the original, but even as a complement, the fragrance is absolutely top for casual occasions. The DNA is totally soft and lays beautifully on the skin with light maritime nuances. The top note consists of a wonderful citrus blend with bergamot and mandarin, very summery and easy. Along with a maritime freshness with a slight metallic touch and also a very subtle spiciness. Overall, the fragrance comes across as casual and relaxed, making it always wearable. The base becomes softer and softer with vetiver, a bit of spice, and a clean overall impression. Overall, for me, a fragrance that appears harmonious from start to finish. I can absolutely recommend it if you like such casual no-brainer freshies. The DNA doesn’t feel particularly "niche" to me, but the execution seems high-quality.
Performance is in the medium range and quite normal for a freshie. Longevity is about 6-7 hours, with the latter hours being more skin-close. Very pleasing throughout the entire duration, so it’s never out of place.

Overall, a great alternative with a top note that is extremely close to the original. Towards the end, the original is certainly a bit more elegant, but for 1/10 of the price? Go for it.

Continuing with the Lattafa fragrances from the Pride Line. Here’s another scent that I had from a 5-20ml set, allowing me to test it extensively. Usually, 20ml is enough for me, as I couldn't even come close to using up 100ml. The Kashan is a fragrance that is extremely unknown, probably because there is no clear inspiration or hype associated with it. For those who want to know which direction the scent takes to have a few references: The opening part slightly resembles Encelade with a very confident spiciness, later it becomes soft and woody towards Genetic Bliss. Thus, two fragrances that I own and also celebrate. Both are not 100% identical here, but those who like the two scents could be satisfied with this one. Overall, the fragrance DNA is quite distinctive, so it is rather not a substitute for either of the two. For me, it’s a great scent that feels confident, and the later woody development is very soft and suitable for everyday wear. Another great cheapie from this wonderful Dubai brand.

What is depicted in the picture is not immediately recognizable at first glance. I find the bottle somewhat trashy again, but the name Kashan likely refers to a Persian carpet. This could also correspond with the image. You get the usual quality and packaging of the Pride Line here.
In the opening, you get a wonderful orange note that is already covered by a very strong spiciness. Is that just the pepper? I don't think so. There’s another note at play that is quite challenging and, as mentioned, somewhat reminiscent of Encelade. This spicy orange note is complemented by a bit of freshness from sage. Once you get past the initial challenging spiciness, the fragrance becomes noticeably softer, though a bit of spiciness remains. The combination of Cashmeran and Ambroxan is very reminiscent of Genetic Bliss with its wonderful soft woody note. The raspberry note is also slightly perceptible, but it belongs more to the top note as it disappears after about 2 hours. The rest is then extremely soft, but it also has a few edges and corners, as does Genetic Bliss. Great woody DNA with this wonderful Ambroxan note and towards the end, also with more sandalwood. Musk and vetiver complete the rest in a clean base. The notes really harmonize well together, and I like this creation.
Performance is also quite good, and you remain well-groomed and interesting for a long time. The longevity should be around 8 hours, and the sillage is really quite good, but not too much. The fragrance is absolutely unisex and super suitable for everyday use.

Overall, a great scent that somewhat gets lost in this vast assortment from Lattafa. I particularly like the creation from hour 2 with the Ambroxan-Cashmeran-Sandalwood combo.

Another review of the wonderful French brand Nicolai. I received some samples from the brand, and a review is worthwhile for all the fragrances I have tested from this brand so far. Most of them already have their own charm, which perfumer Patricia de Nicolai incorporates into the scents. Many fragrances have classic elements, so you can't tell in which decade this creation was made. It's definitely something for vintage fans, just like the brand's bestseller New York Intense. Here, it is, of course, much fresher, as the name and the pyramid suggest. With Riviera Verbena, you get a scent that combines noble citrus notes with many green notes. It's something for hotter days, but also wearable as an everyday freshie. The citrus-fresh-green fragrances with a slight old-school touch are not necessarily my usual preference, but I would wear this one as it embodies a wonderful adult scent. Overall, the fragrance is timeless and can be worn by both young and old, but it is more sophisticated than playful & sexy.

Also here, of course, the beautiful bottle, which comes in 30 and 100ml. The 100ml is worth it, as it is suitable for almost every occasion and season. The prices for this fragrance are really good; when it comes to the MSRP, there are already many alternatives that are significantly cheaper.
By a wide margin, this is a blend of citrus-fresh and green notes, where you don't get much else in the first hours. Overall, you get what you read in the pyramid. Lemon, lemongrass, petitgrain, a bit of mint, grassy notes, and also verbena. Verbena feels quite classic and is very rare in today's releases. It provides a wonderful herbal-fresh note that harmonizes beautifully with the citrus-green notes. The lemon note also feels very lively and impresses with a great lemongrass note. The green-fresh notes have a great vibe that reminds you of some old classics. The floral notes from the heart do not come to the forefront, but they soften a bit as the top note fades. The base consists of noble-fresh vetiver, a bit of patchouli, and a clean musk base that allows the fragrance to fade out nicely. The overall rating of 8.0 seems fair, as this fragrance leaves a serious and noble impression.
Performance is quite good for a freshie, lasting about 7 hours. The sillage is decent, especially in the first 3 hours. By the way, this is an EdT, which is rather rare in the niche and this price range. However, this realization does not detract from the good impression. The fragrance is unisex, but it may be too masculine for some ladies.

Overall, a very stylish fragrance with, as mentioned, slight old-school vibes that appear very classic with this citrus-fresh-green note. I can recommend it if you find it at a reasonably good price.

Continuing with the British brand Ormonde Jayne, from which I purchased the sample set some time ago. All have been rated and I have also written statements. I do not have reviews for all the fragrances, but this bestseller certainly cannot be missed. Nawab of Oudh Intensivo is, of course, extremely well-known and has a relatively large fanbase. Like many others from this brand, it also comes with a proud price of €335 for 88ml at retail, possibly a bit cheaper in some shops. One can definitely expect a lot of quality here, so this price is not outrageously expensive. You can already smell an exclusive price point, and that is already in the high-end category. The fragrance is definitely something for the evening and for special occasions to appear serious and elegant. The German perfumer Geza Schön does not offer a creation that is too playful here, rather grounded and serious. I can fully endorse the high ratings here, even if this is not 100% my usual preference. A great fragrance that is worth taking the time for an extensive test.

The overall package with the bottle and packaging is as usual, and the quantity of 88ml is rather unusual. It looks great in any elegant fragrance collection.
The scent is truly a wonderful blend of spice, wood, green notes, and a lot of rose. The oud, which is included in the name, is not so present that it needed to be in the title. But oud is also subtly and gently perceptible. The opening is beautifully spicy with cardamom, a bit of cinnamon, and also allspice. Slightly green notes give an interesting vibe, which harmonizes with the spice. The rose note gives the creation a wonderful sensual warmth. It is an elegant creation that comes across as quite serious, and the complexity is also present here, so the large pyramid blends quite well, and not all notes are easily distinguishable. The base is also successful with a soft warmth from labdanum, musk, subtly vetiver, and a slightly dark woody oud note. I like the creation that feels harmonious, coherent, and elegant. The fragrance is well-suited for elegant occasions and will certainly appeal more to men, as the notes lean more masculine. However, it is not unwearable for women.
You will definitely enjoy the performance if you like to stand out. It is not a fragrance that will stand out negatively, as it is already quite elegantly composed. The sillage is really strong and the longevity easily reaches double digits.

A test is worth it. For me, it is not a fragrance type that one often smells, and I cannot think of a real fragrance twin. Those looking for an elegant evening scent with power and individuality will find it here.

I definitely need to write a detailed review about this wonderful vanilla scent: Infusion de Vanille from the Les Infusions line by Prada. A truly great line that addresses many themes combined with the cleanliness of the infusion DNA. Even though the line may not officially be considered niche, it has a somewhat niche quality to it, and the execution often feels luxurious and clean. The scent is a few years old and comes from the good Prada era with Daniela Andrier, who has unfortunately faded somewhat from the scene. I love the clean and noble creations that, fortunately, are still somewhat available. Here you get, as the name suggests, a vanilla scent that is quite easy to wear. Of course, vanilla is a note that has a huge fan base, and many like to wear this note in spring/summer, which gives you a chance with the airy, relaxed DNA. It’s not a gourmand vanilla, but paired with cleanliness and freshness.

The scent is not as widespread as many other Pradas, but many do carry this fragrance. The recommended retail price for 100ml has a niche character at €180, which I don't really see here. However, it is already available for around €100, which is quite reasonable. The bottle is typically good and fits into the uniform look of the line.
What I absolutely love about this scent? The twist of vanilla and freshness, and yes: it works. This wonderful note can also be worn in spring and summer, as the vanilla is not really gourmand. This vanilla is complemented by citrus-fresh notes of citrus fruits, bergamot, and neroli. The neroli note comes through really well at the start and gives the fragrance its typical lightness. I also really like the citrus notes here; they are rather soft and lay as a fresh component under the vanilla. The vanilla note is sweet, yet also quite soft and easy to like. The vanilla does not become too overpowering, which makes the scent extremely pleasant. The angelica seeds and the musk base then give the fragrance the typical infusion signature, which definitely belongs here. Those who know the line will get a scent as expected, including the vanilla. Overall, very harmonious & wonderful.
Performance is very solid; however, the sillage is rather gentle, which suits the DNA well. It’s not a pure skin scent, but a huge projection is not present here. Longevity? Quite good with 7-8 hours, making it suitable for everyday wear if you like to wear vanilla and don’t apply it too heavily. The scent is unisex, but rather clean and well-behaved. If you like it, you can wear it.

Overall, a great relatively fresh clean vanilla scent that convinces me. I love the note of vanilla, and here you get a vanilla for the whole year.