Janrav26
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What’s different?
Well, one of the things about Dua’s fragrances is that they can take time to macerate. Basically, the aroma will change over a period of time. As such, what you get initially, isn’t going to be the same after a few months as it improves into the aroma that you’re looking for.
Now, most of the time this is minimal, in my experience with other fragrances from this brand. Sure, there’s some change, just nothing too major.
With my bottle of Greatness, it was a pretty pronounced change over the two months since I’ve purchased it. Which, makes my glad that I held off my review to this point.
The initial trial run, had way too much off the ambroxan coming out for this to be enjoyable. Now, it has settled.
Anyway, this Dua fragrance is inspired by the 2012 formulation of Eros EDT, a cologne that I am quite familiar with, as I had bottles of it during this era. My main complaint with the modern Eros, is how much the lemon overwhelms and throws off its former balance.
Greatness does correct this. In fact, the lemon is pretty subdued in the mix.
Early on this one is fresh and cold. Mint dominates the composition (with a touch of geranium), which is closer to how the 2012 era was like. Underneath that, is the crispness of the green apple note, the citrus, and a vanilla.
Is it the same as I remember? No, but it’s close. Maybe it’s a function of me misremembering the scent, but I did have a ton of time wearing the original Eros.
What’s different? The apple and lemon are too quiet. The lemon, I’m fine with, but the green apple doesn’t have the same sweetness. Secondly, the vanilla and mint felt richer and creamier as a pairing in the original.
Don’t get me wrong, much better than what I’ve gotten from the modern Versace release, just a bit off.
After that, the mint will still be heavy in the blend, but the vanilla and tonka bean really ramp up.
That’s another aspect of Greatness, it doesn’t have all that much development. More vanilla, tonka bean, ambroxan. Less mint and the fruits. It’s more of a minty tonka bean and ambroxan for a lot of the wear. Then, some light woods.
So, a fairly close rendition of 2012 Eros, just without the same depth. I like it, though.
Now, most of the time this is minimal, in my experience with other fragrances from this brand. Sure, there’s some change, just nothing too major.
With my bottle of Greatness, it was a pretty pronounced change over the two months since I’ve purchased it. Which, makes my glad that I held off my review to this point.
The initial trial run, had way too much off the ambroxan coming out for this to be enjoyable. Now, it has settled.
Anyway, this Dua fragrance is inspired by the 2012 formulation of Eros EDT, a cologne that I am quite familiar with, as I had bottles of it during this era. My main complaint with the modern Eros, is how much the lemon overwhelms and throws off its former balance.
Greatness does correct this. In fact, the lemon is pretty subdued in the mix.
Early on this one is fresh and cold. Mint dominates the composition (with a touch of geranium), which is closer to how the 2012 era was like. Underneath that, is the crispness of the green apple note, the citrus, and a vanilla.
Is it the same as I remember? No, but it’s close. Maybe it’s a function of me misremembering the scent, but I did have a ton of time wearing the original Eros.
What’s different? The apple and lemon are too quiet. The lemon, I’m fine with, but the green apple doesn’t have the same sweetness. Secondly, the vanilla and mint felt richer and creamier as a pairing in the original.
Don’t get me wrong, much better than what I’ve gotten from the modern Versace release, just a bit off.
After that, the mint will still be heavy in the blend, but the vanilla and tonka bean really ramp up.
That’s another aspect of Greatness, it doesn’t have all that much development. More vanilla, tonka bean, ambroxan. Less mint and the fruits. It’s more of a minty tonka bean and ambroxan for a lot of the wear. Then, some light woods.
So, a fairly close rendition of 2012 Eros, just without the same depth. I like it, though.
Just Great
So, upon spraying this one I’m immediately hit with a wonderful gourmand aroma. Fresh and not overbearingly heavy, however. The ginger does a nice job at breaking up the vanilla dominance.
Ginger and a cacao note add a great mix to the aroma early. Goddess feels cold with a lightness that I enjoy. I’ve seen this get compared to Mon Guerlain, but they’re are not the same, while having a similar style.
I mean, in the dry down, both are all about that lavender and vanilla. Still, smell differently. But, this one also doesn’t have jasmine, tonka bean, or patchouli. Cacao and tonka bean, play a similar role…but aren’t exactly the same and don’t have the same aroma.
The lavender also begins to show itself early on. It’s really tamed by all of the vanilla. I was worried that this might take a Libre path, with the lavender, but the note is balanced quite well in Goddess.
It’s interesting that there are three types of vanilla in this perfume. Can I tell them apart? I mean, not really. The ginger burns off and the middle is more about the lavender and vanilla pairing.
The very tail end of the perfume is a vanilla-centric scent. Though, it feels like a standard creamy vanilla note. So, I’m not getting any real distinction between the types.
Burberry Goddess isn’t very complicated and there isn’t really any development here, after this point.
Ginger and a cacao note add a great mix to the aroma early. Goddess feels cold with a lightness that I enjoy. I’ve seen this get compared to Mon Guerlain, but they’re are not the same, while having a similar style.
I mean, in the dry down, both are all about that lavender and vanilla. Still, smell differently. But, this one also doesn’t have jasmine, tonka bean, or patchouli. Cacao and tonka bean, play a similar role…but aren’t exactly the same and don’t have the same aroma.
The lavender also begins to show itself early on. It’s really tamed by all of the vanilla. I was worried that this might take a Libre path, with the lavender, but the note is balanced quite well in Goddess.
It’s interesting that there are three types of vanilla in this perfume. Can I tell them apart? I mean, not really. The ginger burns off and the middle is more about the lavender and vanilla pairing.
The very tail end of the perfume is a vanilla-centric scent. Though, it feels like a standard creamy vanilla note. So, I’m not getting any real distinction between the types.
Burberry Goddess isn’t very complicated and there isn’t really any development here, after this point.
the juicy pear
God is a Woman starts off with the juicy pear note, really shining through. It is basically the same one that is found in Thank U, Next; just this time it is paired with a mellowing ambrette instead of the coconut and raspberry mix.
It’s a juicy fruit aroma with a musky clean and some additional freshness coming from the cedar note, in the base. The muskiness from the ambrette isn’t overwhelming at all and is tempered from taking over by the rose and orris root notes.
The orris does add that slight powdery smell to God is a Woman, but it’s limited in both its size and scope.
The next phase to my nose, is when the rose shows up. It’s a seemingly brief appearance at the top of the ticket, but it is there. For some time, it actually smells like the second strongest note to me. Mostly, the floral aromas are going to play third or forth fiddle in the composition.
God is a Woman isn’t a very complex scent. You pretty much know what you’re going to get for the rest of the wear, an hour or two in.
The pear is dominant throughout. The musky ambrette and cedar provide the secondary freshness. A light vanilla note for a bit of creamy sweetness.
This one isn’t heavy the juiciness and freshness give it a semi-aquatic wateriness, which keeps God is a Woman light and enjoyable.
It’s a juicy fruit aroma with a musky clean and some additional freshness coming from the cedar note, in the base. The muskiness from the ambrette isn’t overwhelming at all and is tempered from taking over by the rose and orris root notes.
The orris does add that slight powdery smell to God is a Woman, but it’s limited in both its size and scope.
The next phase to my nose, is when the rose shows up. It’s a seemingly brief appearance at the top of the ticket, but it is there. For some time, it actually smells like the second strongest note to me. Mostly, the floral aromas are going to play third or forth fiddle in the composition.
God is a Woman isn’t a very complex scent. You pretty much know what you’re going to get for the rest of the wear, an hour or two in.
The pear is dominant throughout. The musky ambrette and cedar provide the secondary freshness. A light vanilla note for a bit of creamy sweetness.
This one isn’t heavy the juiciness and freshness give it a semi-aquatic wateriness, which keeps God is a Woman light and enjoyable.
The anise spice is the strongest
Forever kicks things off with a blend of fruit and spice. Initially, bergamot is the strongest note to my nose, along with the star anise. After a few minutes, the kumquat takes over for the bergamot citrus opening.
From the jump it is a fresh spiciness with soapy underpinnings. Vetiver, musk, and sandalwood are all present and will take on a larger roll as things progress.
The anise spice is the strongest, but the second wave brings a fairly large dose of pepper along. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on your tastes. I think that it actually works well within this composition.
As it dries down, Forever isn’t nearly as spicy, and just becomes more of a fresh soap-like scent. A bit of tonka bean creaminess and the base notes. Clean with a bit of a greenish sort of aroma. I’m not all that into the latter stages of this one.
From the jump it is a fresh spiciness with soapy underpinnings. Vetiver, musk, and sandalwood are all present and will take on a larger roll as things progress.
The anise spice is the strongest, but the second wave brings a fairly large dose of pepper along. That can be a good or bad thing, depending on your tastes. I think that it actually works well within this composition.
As it dries down, Forever isn’t nearly as spicy, and just becomes more of a fresh soap-like scent. A bit of tonka bean creaminess and the base notes. Clean with a bit of a greenish sort of aroma. I’m not all that into the latter stages of this one.
That pineapple note
The opening act of Explorer is where the overlap with Aventus is going to be the most noticeable. Do the two smell alike? Yes, but let’s get the differences out of the way, and focus on Explorer in this post.
That pineapple note from Aventus is absent. Along with, the birch wood. Explorer isn’t nearly as sharp, deep, or smoky as the Creed fragrance. Also, no vanilla undertones. But, as a woody citrus cologne? Quite similar in terms of aroma.
Explorer starts off with its bergamot citrus note and it’s fresh spices. I mainly get the sage, but there is also a prominent pink pepper.
Underneath this, sits leather, ambroxan, wood, and vetiver. It comes across as bright and fresh with the a level of smoothness.
To me, the leather and cacao notes in the base, also give Explorer a resemblance to Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme. The D&G has tonka bean and tobacco, instead, but shares the citrus, sage, and it also has a pepper note.
It’s not too complex. The final dry down has less of the citrus and pepper and more woods and a somewhat chocolatey finish from the cacao note. Definitely doesn’t have the same depth or development as Aventus.
That pineapple note from Aventus is absent. Along with, the birch wood. Explorer isn’t nearly as sharp, deep, or smoky as the Creed fragrance. Also, no vanilla undertones. But, as a woody citrus cologne? Quite similar in terms of aroma.
Explorer starts off with its bergamot citrus note and it’s fresh spices. I mainly get the sage, but there is also a prominent pink pepper.
Underneath this, sits leather, ambroxan, wood, and vetiver. It comes across as bright and fresh with the a level of smoothness.
To me, the leather and cacao notes in the base, also give Explorer a resemblance to Dolce & Gabbana Pour Homme. The D&G has tonka bean and tobacco, instead, but shares the citrus, sage, and it also has a pepper note.
It’s not too complex. The final dry down has less of the citrus and pepper and more woods and a somewhat chocolatey finish from the cacao note. Definitely doesn’t have the same depth or development as Aventus.
