Denden22
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Allure Homme Sport with a lot of self-confidence.
At first, I didn't believe it, but now I've tried Allure Homme Sport at the local perfumery, alongside Al Dirgham. And indeed - they are very similar. However, it's not a simple copy; Al Dirgham has a few aces up its sleeve.
The top notes of Al Dirgham are noticeably sweeter and zestier, with hints of Fanta. The top note is described here as tangerine, while in AHS, it's orange/mandarin - I can attest to this 100%.
In the heart note, AHS is slightly floral with neroli that complements the top note well, along with a hint of pepperiness. In contrast, Al Dirgham pulls out the big guns: Instead of a subtle neroli, we have lily of the valley, jasmine, and a strong tuberose - a very bold move, considering there are quite a few "tuberose haters" out there. Additionally, instead of light pepperiness, it's more like a whole gingerbread with cloves and cinnamon.
In the base note, both fragrances are vanilla-creamy, but AHS' base leans towards amber, while Al Dirgham is more musky.
Overall, Al Dirgham is a stubborn AHS with a lot of self-confidence. People who it appeals to will love it, while others might feel offended.
Due to its more intense notes, Al Dirgham lasts longer and projects further, but it can come across as slightly synthetic.
The price speaks for itself: 19 euros versus 110 euros.
The top notes of Al Dirgham are noticeably sweeter and zestier, with hints of Fanta. The top note is described here as tangerine, while in AHS, it's orange/mandarin - I can attest to this 100%.
In the heart note, AHS is slightly floral with neroli that complements the top note well, along with a hint of pepperiness. In contrast, Al Dirgham pulls out the big guns: Instead of a subtle neroli, we have lily of the valley, jasmine, and a strong tuberose - a very bold move, considering there are quite a few "tuberose haters" out there. Additionally, instead of light pepperiness, it's more like a whole gingerbread with cloves and cinnamon.
In the base note, both fragrances are vanilla-creamy, but AHS' base leans towards amber, while Al Dirgham is more musky.
Overall, Al Dirgham is a stubborn AHS with a lot of self-confidence. People who it appeals to will love it, while others might feel offended.
Due to its more intense notes, Al Dirgham lasts longer and projects further, but it can come across as slightly synthetic.
The price speaks for itself: 19 euros versus 110 euros.
Citrusy Masterpiece
So far, I've only smelled designer stuff from Douglas or cheap Arabian dupes - this is the first time I've smelled PdM/Niche, thanks a lot to PdM for the 1.5ml sample!
What an amazing scent! The interplay and sweet/citrusy/green transition of grapefruit, bergamot, and green mandarin is simply heavenly! I never knew you could do something like this with citrus... Additionally, perfectly placed fruity/green/floral accents from geranium and blackcurrant.
Wonderfully soft yet dry-woody base.
You can simply tell that the individual ingredients are of top-notch quality.
If I ever want to treat myself to something really special, I'll get myself a bottle - even though it would exceed the maximum I've ever paid for a fragrance by a considerable amount. That's how awesome the juice is.
What an amazing scent! The interplay and sweet/citrusy/green transition of grapefruit, bergamot, and green mandarin is simply heavenly! I never knew you could do something like this with citrus... Additionally, perfectly placed fruity/green/floral accents from geranium and blackcurrant.
Wonderfully soft yet dry-woody base.
You can simply tell that the individual ingredients are of top-notch quality.
If I ever want to treat myself to something really special, I'll get myself a bottle - even though it would exceed the maximum I've ever paid for a fragrance by a considerable amount. That's how awesome the juice is.
Pungently Synthetic
There's a piercing synthetic note in this fragrance that ruins the entire composition for me.
The fragrance pyramid tells the whole story - that's exactly how the fragrance smells. Initially, there's a citrusy-green freshness, followed by white flowers and a lot of Ambrofix (ambery, slightly woody). It burns my nostrils when I smell it, which is a shame.
Otherwise, it's a generic fresh, clean scent. It won't bother other people. It will be well-received as a blind gift.
But for THAT price, you can find much better options.
The fragrance pyramid tells the whole story - that's exactly how the fragrance smells. Initially, there's a citrusy-green freshness, followed by white flowers and a lot of Ambrofix (ambery, slightly woody). It burns my nostrils when I smell it, which is a shame.
Otherwise, it's a generic fresh, clean scent. It won't bother other people. It will be well-received as a blind gift.
But for THAT price, you can find much better options.
Nothing exSTRAVAGANt, but not as bad as many say.
The opening is fresh and sweet with an appealing hint of soapiness. Bergamot is clearly the main star of the show. The promised coffee note is subtle and easy to miss - I would have liked a stronger coffee accord. The scent is quite linear and changes little from the opening to the drydown. The opening is slightly sweeter, while the drydown is slightly dry-woody.
Fragrances where bergamot is the main star often end up smelling synthetic - but here the quality of the ingredients is excellent - must be the real-deal essential oil from Calabria, not some aroma chemicals.
A good daily-wear option for spring and summer (I'm curious to see how the scent will develop on the skin in the high summer heat). Mass-appealing, no one will feel offended, and you will also receive a fair share of compliments. There's no big wow-factor, but it is a good casual clean scent. Also a great gift that will be well received.
Available from some online retailers between 60 and 70 euros for 100ml - OK, but the recommended retail price by Valentino is way too high.
Fragrances where bergamot is the main star often end up smelling synthetic - but here the quality of the ingredients is excellent - must be the real-deal essential oil from Calabria, not some aroma chemicals.
A good daily-wear option for spring and summer (I'm curious to see how the scent will develop on the skin in the high summer heat). Mass-appealing, no one will feel offended, and you will also receive a fair share of compliments. There's no big wow-factor, but it is a good casual clean scent. Also a great gift that will be well received.
Available from some online retailers between 60 and 70 euros for 100ml - OK, but the recommended retail price by Valentino is way too high.
Just as uninspiring as the entire Invictus line
Lots of synthetic sweetness - the "Invictus DNA" - a bit of lavender, some soapy notes, a pinch of pepper - all checkboxes ticked for "mass appeal".
Myrtle isn't seen all that often and actually has quite an interesting note - but it's completely overshadowed by the synthetic sweetness and really belongs in fresh-aromatic fragrances - what a shame! Add to that the violet leaf, and it gets an unpleasant accord of wilted/spoiled leaves for me.
I would never wear something like this, but Paco Rabanne wouldn't care; the target audience is probably broccoli-hair under 20. That being, it will probably still sell very well in local perfumeries.
50ml for 99 euros? Yikes...
Myrtle isn't seen all that often and actually has quite an interesting note - but it's completely overshadowed by the synthetic sweetness and really belongs in fresh-aromatic fragrances - what a shame! Add to that the violet leaf, and it gets an unpleasant accord of wilted/spoiled leaves for me.
I would never wear something like this, but Paco Rabanne wouldn't care; the target audience is probably broccoli-hair under 20. That being, it will probably still sell very well in local perfumeries.
50ml for 99 euros? Yikes...
