Dominik01

After a long time, "Asad Zanzibar / اسد | Lattafa / لطافة" is finally available in Germany. For me, this was an opportunity to order a sample and test the fragrance. I generally find that Lattafa offers high-quality fragrances at low prices. I was therefore very excited to see what they had conjured up with the Asad Zanzibar. As a lover of fresh, summery fragrances, I was all the more curious to see what awaited me.

Well, where do I start. As is so often the case, the first spray went into the air. There, a fresh, slightly sweet coconut water scent revealed itself to me. A pretty cool combination that is definitely made for summer. So I was initially positive about the fragrance. You could actually consider the association with Zanzibar, where you enjoy the sea and the sun on a white sandy beach under coconut palms in summer.

After the first few minutes on the skin, however, the scent suddenly smelled completely different. Instead of this fresh and sweet combination, it smelled more like sweet chewing gum. Even some time later, there was nothing left of the first impression. On the contrary. The fragrance felt like it took a 180° turn. What initially smelled fresh and sweet now turned into a salty creaminess. The salt takes over and is definitely the main component in the heart note - but there is virtually no trace of the coconut water. Some time later, this salty scent recedes further and further into the background and is now actually covered by a dominant, creamy note. In the background, the incense is still very minimalist, but hardly comes into its own.

I would say that the fragrance unfortunately doesn't know which direction it wants to take. A jumble of fresh, sweet, creamy and gourmand notes. Although it is said to contain iris, I would not describe the fragrance as powdery. Anyone who thinks it is in the vein of "L'Homme | Prada" or "Valentino Uomo Intense | Valentino" is mistaken. I would classify the sillage and durability as only average.

If you want to get the "Asad Zanzibar / اسد | Lattafa / لطافة", I would advise you to buy a sample first. Because in my opinion, this fragrance is not a blind buy candidate and also not a typical summer fragrance.

So actually, I'm not the one who writes a lot of reviews. However, the fragrance brings me to it. No matter where you go - Parfumo or Youtube - you just can not get around him. Many even talk about the "best release 2023". But is that really so?

Well, what can I say? The fragrance is in my opinion no more than a standard and pappsüßer vanilla fragrance. In the DD then comes the also sugary sweet and chocolaty praline to it. Whether the fragrance is suitable for the masses? I think so, especially now that it is approaching the colder season. However, I'm sure it's not the fragrance itself but the PdM brand that's behind the success of this release. To top it all off, the fragrance is of course promoted by various Youtuber. Sowas calls itself at the end then successful marketing.

I myself can say that this fragrance unfortunately does not pick me up at all. Actually, I hoped for something else through all the positive reviews and also expected. But it seems to me as if many had become brand-blind, just because in the end PdM is behind the fragrance. What specifically puts me off is this distinct vanilla/praline note. It may be that there are some people who celebrate this scent. Unfortunately, however, it is not what I associate with deliciously appealing winter scents. Likewise, I don't know anyone in my immediate circle who likes such scents. Therefore, for me, the hype is also not justified.

Many talk about him - the Turathi Blue...whether here or on other platforms. I must honestly confess, without various videos I would not have come across the fragrance in the first place. However. So off to the souk and the fragrance just ordered blindly, since he is called by many as a "must have summer fragrance".

In general, I am a big fan of fresh summer fragrances that really put you in vacation mode and awaken memories of past vacations in the Mediterranean region, especially Italy. Some time ago I was able to test the Portraits of Portofino by Birkholz, which I liked extremely well and therefore I could also ersouken a bottling. This fragrance is for me the epitome of citrus and aquatic elegance, which reminds one of the picturesque coastal landscape of Italy.

But now back to the Turathi Blue. When I unpacked the package, I was first amazed by the bottle, how heavy and massive this comes along. Cap off and put the first sprayer in the air. I was curious what awaited me now. When the first fragrance molecules reached my nose, my first reaction was: "What? Wait a minute...I know that one...It smells like the Portraits of Portofino (PoP) by Birkholz?!". Strong citrusy opening with bergamot and the rather sweet tangerine. I was totally surprised, as I had not read a review here before that associated the scent with the PoP. As the fragrance progresses, the citrus accords of Turathi Blue decrease significantly and a noticeable woody note comes in. The same is true of the PoP, though I would describe this as a bit fresher/floral and less woody. The similarity of Turathi to the PoP can also be confirmed quite well on the basis of the fragrance pyramid...

For me, the Turathi Blue was an absolute surprise. I would never have thought that this Cheapie embodies such a noble and elegant summer fragrance. Luxury in cheap, which makes one definitely stand out from the crowd!