Ihwayne

This is my first Dua fragrance and didn't know exactly what to expect. This fragrance appears to be either discontinued or just not available currently so this review is mostly academic (and barely at that).

I had a decant of Ege and found Aegean Sea at a decent price so decided to give it a shot.

When my bottle arrived I immediately compared it, wrist to wrist, against Ege. I should say that I bought my bottle from the secondary market and likely had time to macerate. In side by side comparison these two scents are virtually identical. Ege is slightly fresher but besides that, you could read the reviews of Ege and it would apply to Aegean Sea for all intents and purposes.

Longevity and sillage are also virtually the same as Ege which makes sense considering they are both extraits. This usually gives Dua an advantage when comparing against EDTs or EDPs, at least in longevity. No such advantage here.

If you can find this fragrance at a about $30-40 it's worth considering but anything more than that you might as well but Ege from a discounter because the price per ML is virtually the same. I've seen Ege on sale for just over $100 for 100ml.

Overall this is a surprisingly accurate and quality smelling dupe. I know that dupes are controversial but they exist and since I can't always buy full bottles of niche fragrances then I will likely dip my toes into the dupe pool from time to time. I don't always expect them to be this good but this one is.

I like to try to think about fragrances and judge them on their own merits. But, in an industry with hundreds of thousands of fragrances from tens of thousands of houses you're bound to make connections with other scents.

Such is the case with Ninfeo Mio. Immediately upon spraying I am met with incredibly strong citrus and galbanum. Immediately I am reminded of Capri. Bright and potent citrus with an equal dose of screechy and green galbanum. This opening is also reminiscent of Paula's Ibiza which doesn't have any citrus to speak of but is equally green. The greenness of these fragrances are leaves and stems and quite believable.

As the opening settles a little some woodier and sweeter elements come through. It's at this phase that I can't help but be reminded of Ani Extrait de Parfum and her sister Ambra Calabria. I believe that Ninfeo Mio predates each of these but the connections remain. (Side note: I'm convinced that, despite what official literature says, Ani must have been named after Annick Goutal.)

Also during the drydown there is a hint underneath the loud and bright top notes of something sweet and almost gourmand. Like a sort of baked cookie or muffin. It is light, unobtrusive and barely noticeable.

For the life of the fragrance all the similarities to other fragrances are tempered by a dirty, earthiness that none of the others have. This makes it nicer and more masculine and, quite frankly easier to wear daily.

This is where the fragrance stays for the bulk of it's stay. In this crunchy green, sweet and woody phase.

Projection is average for a citrus scent and longevity is a solid 5-6 hours.

Bright citrus, crunchy, leafy green and sweet woodiness are what Ninfeo Mio are all about. Certainly worth a try, especially if you've never tried any of the other scents I have mentioned.

I'm not going to pretend to be able to do justice to this fragrance after just one full wearing but I have some things to say and I doubt more time will make things more clear to me.

Chergui is a fragrance that is supposed to illicit thoughts and images of a middle eastern market and I have no doubt that people who have experienced one will make that connection.

When I wear Chergui I am flooded with pastoral western country markets.

Upon initial spray I'm met with a very clear and sweet hay note, a very forward saddle leather note, wood and spices. For the first half hour or so up close the fragrance is sweet but slightly rough around the edges. During this first hour the sillage and scent trail are remarkable. Chergui projects and what it's projecting is beautiful.

The drydown is similar but more nuanced. On my skin this phase reads as a sweet tobacco and Tonka bean sweetness with a very slight woodiness. As the drydown continues the sweetness fades and the woods become more perceptible but not stronger.

Where Chergui is interesting to me is that while my skin gives off sweet tonka notes, my clothes are giving off something completely different where they were sprayed.

My shirt smells like a spiced hot apple cider. Or something like boiling orange peels and cinnamon sticks. It's a spicier and less "deep" scent. The skin scent and clothes together give me vibes of something like Khamrah (and I'm assuming Angel's Share) and other similar gourmands.

The way my mind makes these scent associations I personally would probably only wear this in the Autumn but it could easily be worn year round.

This is a remarkable fragrance that has more to it than is initially obvious. It is anything but challenging but anyone willing to give it the time will be rewarded with layers that aren't immediately obvious.

I'm a male who isn't afraid to wear floral fragrances. In fact, I love florals and am always on the hunt for florals that

A) actually smell floral

B) don't smell like I'm wearing my wife's fragrances.

In Osmanthus Acqua di Parma have created the exact type of floral that I'm always looking for.

I always like the idea of Rose fragrances but they always end up smelling heavy and even cloying in their own floral way. If not that then they've been moderated to death by oud, incense or resins to the point where they are no longer a floral but a fragrance with floral notes.

Osmanthus wears its florals proudly. Upon spraying you are met with a rich floral that has a slight almost animalic edge. This hint of animalic disappears within minutes and you're left with white florals, patchouli and mandarin. The pepper adds less of a spice and more of an effervescence. It is beautiful.

Once the drydown occurs you're left with almost purely osmanthus. In this phase it's reminiscent of a REALLY nice floral soap. Something you'd find at a very nice hotel. On skin this fades within hours but if generously sprayed on clothes it will stay with you for at least half a day. I find myself catching whiffs at random times and it just makes me happy.

Most guys might find this too feminine but after smelling hundreds of fragrances and really searching for florals that I can wear this is toeing the line of feminine but certainly wearable by a confident male.

This is spring/early summer signature scent worthy and I'm so happy I've found it.

Let me start by saying that, as a whole, Mancera has been a huge disappointment to me. That's where Aoud Lemon Mint comes in.

This fragrance is a breath of fresh air from the house.

I'm not sure if there is any mint in this composition at all but if there is it's in a barely perceptible support role.

The opening is a slightly unrefined blend of Oud and citrus with other listed notes rounding out the composition in a very muted way. It is nice and inoffensive.

Not long after during the drydown you are left with a smooth almost creamy blend of the aforementioned notes with a slightly fuzziness. It is bright but opaque. Citrusy but without the zing as if it's been mixed with cream most likely achieved by the leather. The oud remaining and the vetiver grounding the entire thing.

Overall this is a surprisingly competent blend that manages to be appealing and performs well without the usual Mancera loudness. It reminds me of a slightly fresher L'Homme Intense which would be appropriate for most situations and seasons except for maybe the hottest of days. Maybe even then. Lasts on skin for well past 12 hours and honestly 18-24 on my skin.