JadenDesmond

I recently got my hands on "Faris" by Kajal, and it's been quite the aromatic journey.

Right from the package, the scent was so potent I could smell it even before opening. Thankfully, no leaks; just a powerful fragrance. The first spray is akin to slicing into a cool, crisp green apple, creating a fresh and sparkling aroma, with its fresh sparkle enhanced by a twist of orange, bergamot, and lemon for that zesty edge. This vibrant mix is like a fresh breath of nature, with the juniper berry adding a subtle woodiness to the ensemble.

As it settles, it reminds me of Dior Sauvage (probably closest to EDP) but smoother, higher quality, and without the sharpness. Don't worry; it won't trigger the same bad reaction some people have to Sauvage. I'm impressed by its 6-8 hours of longevity and decent projection. The scent itself is incredibly refreshing, making it standout. The bottle's design and quality are top-notch, though I must admit the retail price on Kajal's website is steep. Yet, finding it at a discount on websites like Jomashop (which is what it gets a 9/10 on pricing for) makes it absolutely worth it.

Overall, it's a refreshing, versatile fragrance that I'm happy to say has become my new signature scent, and has earned its place in my collection.

"The Pride of Armaf" aims to replicate the popular Dior Sauvage, and in my comparison with a coworker's Sauvage, it comes close at around 85-90% similarity, leaning more towards the latter. The fragrance doesn't match Sauvage's powerhouse performance but offers a respectable 4-6 hours with moderate projection, a decent deal for the $20 price tag I paid for it at Jomashop.

It doesn't have the same intensity regarding Sauvage's sharp, metallic notes, but it retains a recognizable likeness. As for its standalone appeal, it aligns with the 'generic male smell' attributed to Sauvage—a pleasant, masculine scent reminiscent of a "metallic shower gel", with a burst of citrus/orange in the opening, and a woody/earthy dry down.

For those interested in Sauvage but not keen on the original's cost, The Pride of Armaf is a budget-friendly alternative. Objectively, it holds up well, but personally, I lean towards other fragrances due to my preference for scents beyond this type of DNA/scent profile. It's a matter of personal taste, and while it doesn't grab my interest, it doesn't discount its overall quality.

Dior Homme Intense (2011) has proven to be a satisfying addition to my collection.

Being relatively new to fragrances, I often encountered the term "powdery" without a clear understanding of what that actually meant, until experiencing this scent. It strikes a welcoming balance—a lipsticky, floaty sweetness, subtly floral, and undeniably powdery. The iris note really stands out, and the way its done here is so beautiful and smooth and appealing. Performance-wise, I notice a solid 6 hours or so from my bottle, which satisfies my expectations. The bottle design is unique, maintaining a classy and masculine feel. In a word, I'd describe it as "Classy"

I do have to say, for people who may want to buy this fragrance, find some way to test it before buying a full bottle. While I personally enjoy the fragrance a lot, I know my expectations from hearing about it vs actually smelling it did not match, and some men may not be a fan of the iris note, as it may not match the style they expect/give off. For those who would want to aim for something in a more traditionally "masculine" style, I'd suggest giving Dior Homme 2020 a try, or for those looking for a deeper masculine fragrance in this style, take a look at Dior Homme Parfum.

Overall, I'm content with my purchase. Dior Homme Intense strikes a balance, projecting a classy, masculine, composed vibe while retaining an approachable charm.

this is going to sound really bad but this fragrance actually reminds me of urinal cakes for whatever reason, but not in any kind of bad way! I do like how this smells and think it smells pretty good, I really like it. It's definitely manly/masculine. I just, for whatever reason, get reminded of urinal cakes with it.

It is a blend of warm spices, including cinnamon and nutmeg, which transitions into aromatic woods such as amber and myrrh, then dries down into a leather/sandalwood accord

it's pretty well priced, you can find a bottle for around 30$ in many stores like Ross, Burlington, etc. I think the bottle is good too, nice sprayer. It does go away kind of quickly, sadly; performance does leave a little to be desired. But overall it's something I'm pretty happy and satisfied with.

UPDATE: it is currently 2 weeks after I bought this fragrance. when I first sprayed it, it smelt sickeningly sweet, so I decided to store it and let it macarate in hopes of getting a better scent later on. I just tried spraying it again and it currently smells awful, like it has turned rancid inside the bottle. I am 100% sure it is not because of how I stored it, I left it in a cool, dark place, and the rest of the fragrances I keep there smell fine. I hope in a few months it smells better but currently I cannot recommend anyone buys this.

UPDATE 2: Currently at the 7 or so week mark, still smells incredibly alcoholic and vinegar like, can't recommend

I am not reviewing this fragrance in terms of how good it is as a clone to BR540, I am reviewing this as if it were its own stand alone fragrance, and personally I think its just a little too sweet. I like it, but damn its smells like such a sugary sweet cotton candy that I cant think or see myself ever actually wearing this. I had my room mate smell it and he said it was sickeningly sweet. I wont hold it against the fragrance too objectively since that would be like ordering an apple pie and complaining about the apples, but I just personally think its too sweet for my tastes and that causes it to be unwearable. otherwise pretty good. the bottle is nice, 7/10. the fragrance sillage and longevity is very strong, really good job there. yeah, just too sweet.