Milovely

Well, at least I hope so.
Today, we know Shanghai as a colorful and extremely modern city. But when I look at pictures of the city from the past, I realize it didn't look that modern back then. And it wasn't really that colorful either, and NO, it's not the black-and-white pictures that are to blame.

Rather, the way the city looked back then could also be found in France or even England. Very simple, graceful, but not really Chinese at all. Modern without being modern. Does that make any sense? I hope so.

I admit, I'm not a big fan of Mon Précieux Nectar, and that as a huge Guerlain lover (that's how I now refer to myself!). It just wasn't my thing. But Shanghai does this much better.
Like a delicate powder dream, here the blossom intertwines with almond, along with a touch of vintage.
But through the herbal nuances, Shanghai becomes unique. And I really like that a lot; it suddenly turns into a feel-good fragrance.
You are almost embraced and hugged, a bit like silk gently moving over the skin.
And fittingly, it's by no means too loud, staying rather close to the skin and holding solidly throughout. NO, a fragrance doesn't always have to last 12h+. That's really absolutely fine here.

But I still wonder... did Shanghai perhaps smell like this back then? Powdery and elegant through the streets, without much opulence and fuss?
I guess I'll never know, and since I've only been and stayed in Europe so far, Guerlain - Une Ville. Un Parfum 05 can be my feel-good fragrance.

You understand - for home, of course.

PS: The bottles from the entire line are really pretty and charming, fitting the concept but still chic.

Actually, I didn't want to write any more reviews.
Why?
Simply because I felt like no one really reads them anymore. Especially when they are particularly long. Statements are short, concise, poetic, without much fuss and frills.
But reviews have their own charm, and I find myself reading one more and more often lately. (Especially those with exciting stories!)

So why write one for THIS fragrance?
Because I was afraid I couldn't describe the scent properly in a statement, hence the review. :)

I was lucky enough to receive a sample as a gift, sprayed it on, and my first thought was: "hmmm, not bad at all, but also not particularly special."
Boom, back it went into the drawer.

Now, for some time, I've developed a certain love for Guerlain, and I had the brilliant idea: "Come on, let's take the sample out again and test it once more." - said and done. (Who says women are complicated, huh?!)

And suddenly, on the second attempt, it happened; I somehow fell in love with the scent. Well, the opening is indeed quite alcoholic at first.
But it then develops into a wonderfully beautiful, vanilla-powder-soft leather scent.
But there’s something else that makes this perfume so unique. Let’s be honest, leather and vanilla scents are now as common as sand on the beach.
(Anyone who wants to object is of course welcome!)
However, there’s something here that simply sets the scent apart; I could of course point to the note of "strawflower," but it’s not just that. It’s also the typical Guerlain DNA that many fragrances from the house have.
And damn, I love it!
Well, I know I'm exaggerating a bit, but the scent has really captivated me.

Now I received an original manufacturer sample with a Guerlain order for Cuir Beluga, and of course, I was totally excited because I hadn’t thought about a bottle at that time. :)
I sprayed it on and then came the disillusionment

- "Is this still the same scent?" -
I was shocked; I dug out the sample, sprayed it on my other arm, and indeed, there were small and fine differences.
My sample smelled much more embracing, but also more natural and just somehow better. The manufacturer sample was basically the same scent, just in a new - and more subdued version.

I rolled my eyes
- Yes, and now? -
But how lucky I was! A dear Parfumo (thank you so much at this point!) offered me his bottle, and I couldn't believe my eyes; it was the old version (including the pretty box)
Now guess who couldn't say no?

Sometimes it really does take a second attempt.... :)

Finally, thanks to a Parfumos, I was able to test this great and very popular scent for men.

Unfortunately, I have no comparison to the original. However, I have already been able to test the "Royal Chariot Attar | The Dua Brand / Dua Fragrances".

The scent opens very sweet-appley with a certain spiciness, it strongly reminds me first of Boss Bottled Eau de Toilette. A classic in the field of men's fragrances and not without reason passed down from generation to generation.

After that, it fades a bit, now an alcoholic note emerges that strongly reminds me of Raki or Rakija. After about 1 hour, this is gone as well.

The Detour should be sprayed with care; anyone who uses too much can quickly fill an entire room with it.

It is and remains an absolute No Brainer, a perfume that works clearly for any season and almost any occasion. Considering this amazing price, you get a very good, spicy-sweet, slightly alcoholic/synthetic scent. The fact that the bottle is not so great has already been mentioned several times. If Al Haramain ever changed the bottle, the hype would be endless!

PS: the Noir smells damn similar to the "Royal Chariot Attar | The Dua Brand / Dua Fragrances", but the Attar is much stronger while the Noir is a bit gentler.

After I was anything but enthusiastic about the first test of Peregrina, having completely dismissed the scent as musty and disgusting, I was able to test it again thanks to a wonderful perfume here (Thanks again!️). Or should I say "she"?

Apparently, my first sample was somehow not good or old. But the second one, yes, that was something completely different!

Peregrina is noble rose tea, sweetened with honey and accompanied by caramel candies.

It remains sweet yet close to the skin, so the scent does not become overpowering or cause headaches. Wonderful for a date or a special day/evening. I would also say it is very extraordinary and something you don't smell on every corner.

I'm sorry, Peregrina, I hope you can forgive me!

I finally managed to get a sample of Dates Delight!
The fragrance has already been praised by several YouTubers, especially by the smaller ones. (Not the really big names)

Still, my expectations were quite high and my fear of being disappointed was huge, which comes from the fact that I simply didn’t like some gourmand fragrances and they quickly gave me headaches or nausea.

Upon the first spray, I initially get a hint of rose, but what happens next explains why the scent is so good.

A few minutes later, I smell again, and now the real "WOW" effect comes out.
It smells like lightly spiced honey-caramel pralines dusted with powdered sugar. The whole thing combined with the rose and the oud in the background results in a perfectly successful perfume.
It doesn’t quite smell like dates, so maybe the name isn’t perfectly chosen, but it definitely smells a bit like oriental sweets.

I would say it’s worth a blind buy, but I still recommend trying it out first.
This scent is perfect for those who want gourmand, completely without musk and sandalwood. It’s now on my "want-to-have" list!

But I don’t understand why there are no reviews for this masterpiece yet! At least there’s one now.