Highcell

From the social media stage frequently mentioned, recommended and always named as a "clone" of the big brother from the house Creed, I could not avoid to smell him once sample.

I was quite familiar with the big brother and could never quite understand the hype around him. Sure, the Aventus has its charms ... but maybe this fragrance doesn't suit me, which is why all I could muster for it was a shoulder shrug: "Quite nice, but not for this price." Stone me for that.

I was off work, and then I like to stroll into the usual fragrance shops once in a while. And then there was the oft-mentioned Explorer on the shelf next to all the other designer fragrances at a price that should be worth testing on the skin, even for its mentions. I sprayed it on, and the opening immediately reminded me of its aforementioned role model, but more citrusy. But during the car ride home, I had that typical scent moment of having to bring the back of my hand to my nose again and again and "smell it up" - for me, that's the deciding indicator for a purchase - just that "wanting to smell it again and again" feeling versus all rationalities.

Explorer is certainly inspired, but to my mind it's not a clone, but a fragrance in its own right. It's more restrained, more subtle, more cautious. The thing I appreciate about him by a lot more, are his individual notes in the mids and drydown. Stone me a second time, but I'd prefer the Explorer to its model - regardless of longevity, price, or the like. I just like it more because it could elicit more than a shoulder shrug.