MJMF90

As already described in my review of "Isola Blu (Parfum) / Oligarch (Parfum) | Roja Parfums", I bought Dua at the beginning of my journey into the world of niche fragrances instead of the original. In addition to the possibility of getting a very similar fragrance for a little less money, I was also fascinated by the diversity of the Dua range.

I understand, of course, that part of Dua's concept is to spend as little as possible on packaging. However, in direct comparison with other designers or "dupe" brands, the look and feel is not particularly special.

In itself, Monarch is very similar to the original (citric, hairspray (personal association), slightly green, ambery base). However, if you spray the perfume on fresh after purchase, it is intense, but also clearly unbalanced. The fragrance should be dosed more carefully than Isola Blu, as the sillage was very strong from the start. In contrast, the longevity was good, but the expectations were higher. On the other hand, the fragrance, like apparently many duas, matures considerably.

In conclusion, for me Dua reflects the problem with dupe brands: you get a fragrance that, in the case of Dua, is very close to the original. However, it takes more than combining the fragrances listed in the fragrance pyramid to create an exceptional perfume. Due to the cheaply made bottle and the less coherent composition, Dua cannot create the same feeling when worn as Isola Blu.

Admittedly a somewhat lurid headline. But I really like the scent of "Isola Blu (Parfum) / Oligarch (Parfum) | Roja Parfums". I just kept asking myself what it reminded me of, it had something to do with hairdressing salons. I've since figured it out, it reminds me of hairspray from the past. Isola Blu was also one of the first "niche fragrances" that I tested. The DNA then stuck with me and for price reasons I tested a few alternatives first. More on this later.

For me, the fragrance starts with citrus fruits, especially lime and bergamot, before light green notes with some floral notes are added. There is this pleasant "hairspray" note over everything (sorry, I can't describe it any other way). After an hour, pepper notes are clearly added for me, especially pink "pepper". Towards the end of the lasting time, I notice very pleasant ambergris close to the skin. At around 7 hours, the longevity is very good for a fresh fragrance. Now to the alternatives:

"The Monarch | The Dua Brand / Dua Fragrances":

The first fragrance I bought was Dua The Monarch. The fragrance is similar to the original in every way. However, the Monarch is wild and unbalanced from the moment I spray it on. The longevity was good at first, but not as good as I had hoped. However, the fragrance has clearly matured. The sillage was almost too exaggerated right from the start. In general, Dua shows that it takes more than just the ingredients listed in the fragrance pyramid to create a good perfume. Due to the cheaply made bottle and the less coherent composition, Dua cannot create the same feeling when worn as Isola Blu.

"Basso | Sospiro":

I can totally understand why the Basso is so popular. For me, it combines the slightly different directions of Isola Blu (hairspray vibes) with Terre d'Hermes (more pepper). I like it, but the longevity and sillage are not nearly as good as the original or Dua. Together with the price, which is also not cheap, it couldn't really convince me.

"Terre d'Hermès Eau Givrée | Hermès":

For me, the Eau Givrée starts much more citrusy than the Isola Blu. I also perceive lemons rather than lime notes. The note that I like so much is only very light, if at all. Incidentally, I feel the same way about "Terre d'Hermès (Eau de Toilette) | Hermès" and "Terre d'Hermès (Parfum) | Hermès". However, I understand the often-mentioned similarity based on the distinct pepper note.

In conclusion, I wanted a bottle for a long time. However, I have since decided against it. If I fancy this fragrance, I need the Dua first. I've also realized that I'm not often in the mood for this type of fragrance.

Leaving aside how useful the division into designer and niche actually is, I was looking for a more "niche" "Spicebomb | Viktor & Rolf". Like many others, I wore Spicebomb for a very long time, though I stopped when too many in my immediate circle had the scent too. Now, several years and perfume samples later, I'm in the mood for something similar again.

The Histoires de Parfums "1899 | Histoires de Parfums" delivers exactly what I imagined. The first difference to the original, however, is the juniper in the top note. Then comes the light citrus freshness and an abundance of spices like the original. I notice the next difference after about half an hour, where slightly powdery notes emerge that I don't notice in Spicebomb. The base is then very similar again.

Overall, the 1899 is more rounded and somewhat less intrusive. Especially in comparison to the "Spicebomb Extreme | Viktor & Rolf" which my wife, for example, could not smell. The longevity could be a little better, but together with the discreet but good sillage, it's perfectly ok for the price.

Interestingly, 1899 can also be layered very well. I particularly liked the combinations with "Danger Parfum Cologne | Roja Parfums" and "Monarch | Vertus".

The title in no way means that "Acqua Viva | Profumum Roma" is boring. - On the contrary, the fragrance impresses me with the small number of (stated) fragrances. At the same time, you get exactly what you expect, but from the front.

In the summer of 2023, I was looking for a long-lasting summer fragrance. I had already tried many, but most of the classic recommendations such as "Pomelo Sorrento | Gritti", "Afternoon Swim | Louis Vuitton" and "Sedley | Parfums de Marly" didn't last very long on my skin. I had actually opted for "Burlington 1819 | Roja Parfums", but in really hot temperatures, the fragrance was just too much for me.

At the beginning of October, I tried Acqua Viva in a perfumery in Luxembourg and was immediately impressed. However, I thought to myself that summer would be over anyway and that it wasn't worth buying the fragrance before winter. I quickly made up for that in spring 2024.

The fragrance starts with a lot of lemon peel aroma - amalfi lemons are a little different to standard lemons - and a great broom note. The cedar wood forms the base, but is never too prominent. Due to the high perfume oil concentration of the Porfumum Roma fragrances, Acqua Viva lasts for seven to eight hours, even on me.

I also found the roll-on included interesting. I had previously toyed with the idea of getting some to fill up. However, after comparing the application and spraying, I can only see a minimal difference. The fragrance actually lasts longer for me by spraying it.

Overall, the fragrance is highly recommended if you like reduced summer fragrances and still want a certain longevity.

A review of "The Ritual of Oudh pour Homme | Rituals" brought the Acqua di Parma fragrance to my attention. Of course I knew AdP from their Blu Mediterraneo line (the "Mandorlo di Sicilia | Acqua di Parma" is one of the most beautiful scents for me), but I had hardly noticed the non-summer fragrances so far. After I had emptied a bottle within a very short time, I had to buy the bottle too.

The combination of fresh, citrusy notes and a soft oud base is perfect for me. The coriander underlines the freshness and at the same time forms a bridge to the darker components of the perfume. The oud then kicks in relatively early and remains until the end of the fragrance. I don't smell many other notes, but it is precisely the straightforwardness that gives the fragrance a certain seriousness. The durability and sillage are good. However, the former in particular could be a little better than the 6 to 7 hours.

I like to wear the oud in the office, but I can also imagine wearing it on early summer evenings or to parties. Anywhere you want to smell fresh but still "serious". For me personally, it is a very good summery addition to "Habdan | Parfums de Marly".