MuratArabaci
Reviews
MuratArabaci
My favorite Phaedon
So, I received my discovery kit from Phaedon a few days ago and since then, I have been trying them out one-by-one on paper - and then the ones I liked the most, on skin. So far, this one is my favorite, and that is why I thought I would review this one.
Upon first spray, I was immediately reminded of Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP. It was not a one-to-one comparison - it is clear that Albizia is trying to be something else.
While reminding of BR540, it has some fruity nuances that is hard for me to tell exactly what it is. My guess would be a berry-like fruity accord that is very apparent next to the BR540 DNA.
It's a little softer and 'delicate' than BR540, hence me liking this one more than the MFK, which I actually owned and then sold.
You would think a fruity accord mixed in would make it even more feminine, but not to me. While this one is targeted for women, I actually find it more balanced than BR540 which I find leaning slightly feminine.
Upon first spray, I was immediately reminded of Baccarat Rouge 540 EDP. It was not a one-to-one comparison - it is clear that Albizia is trying to be something else.
While reminding of BR540, it has some fruity nuances that is hard for me to tell exactly what it is. My guess would be a berry-like fruity accord that is very apparent next to the BR540 DNA.
It's a little softer and 'delicate' than BR540, hence me liking this one more than the MFK, which I actually owned and then sold.
You would think a fruity accord mixed in would make it even more feminine, but not to me. While this one is targeted for women, I actually find it more balanced than BR540 which I find leaning slightly feminine.
So uplifting!
This is my number one favorite 'simple' citrus fragrance of all time. It is so simple, yet so beautiful and uplifting. The grapefruit is apparent but it is red - I know this sounds weird, perhaps just think of grapefruit and mandarins. A sweet and juicy scent that will just lift up your mood. It is linear throughout the scent, which for me, is perfect - because I love the opening!
But let's be real. This is not a big performer when it comes to longevity. Grab a decant with you (or the bottle) and respray throughout the day and you will experience the very uplifting characters of the scents several times a day. The people next to you definitely won't mind as this is very mass appealing and acceptable to use anywhere.
I'm a guy at 25 years of age and very happy with my 200ml bottle. It is very unisex, but I do believe that more women wear this type of scent than guys. This is different from typical mens citrusses, while still being perfectly wearable for both genders.
But let's be real. This is not a big performer when it comes to longevity. Grab a decant with you (or the bottle) and respray throughout the day and you will experience the very uplifting characters of the scents several times a day. The people next to you definitely won't mind as this is very mass appealing and acceptable to use anywhere.
I'm a guy at 25 years of age and very happy with my 200ml bottle. It is very unisex, but I do believe that more women wear this type of scent than guys. This is different from typical mens citrusses, while still being perfectly wearable for both genders.
A comparing review with Virgin Island Water
Seeing that there were no reviews for this clone of Virgin Island Water, I thought that this would make a great opportunity to write my first ever review. I assume that everyone know that this is a clone of a popular fragrance, hence that I will compare the two throughout the review.
With VIW on one hand and HV on the other, both freshly sprayed. First impressions are that they are meant to be alike but there are differences.
Scent:
Upon first spray of Hawaii Volcano, the lime is very clear and rather standalone compared to VIW. In the first few minutes, all I smell is lime but I can also feel that there is some backbone to the lime, but they are not clear until a few minutes have passed. Upon first spray of VIW you can smell the true scent from the beginning: the coconut is there and the rum is there. A very beautiful balanced trio between lime, coconut and rum.
Throughout the life of Hawaii Volcano, after a few minutes of application, the coconut accord slowly appears and stands aside the lime. However, the coconut is not very natural-feeling. Actually, something came to my mind... That the smell of the coconut reminded me of the smell of a tumble dryer or perhaps the fabrics after a tumble drying. Up close the skin, it does not smell very pleasant and Virgin Island Water is clearly the winner here when it comes to overall balance and for the overall artwork of their coconut accords. Also, I get no rum at all which is kinda sad, because the rum is considered to be one of the key ingredients in Virgin Island Water and makes for the overall "special" feel of having a drink by a sunny beach.
Performance:
Looking aside the scent and unto performance, as on my skin, you will most likely get better performance with the Hawaii Volcano. Take into consideration that Hawaii Volcano is an 'Extrait de Parfum' rather than 'Eau de Parfum' with the Creed. It should also last longer considering that the scent DNA is the same. However, a choice of more synthetics would also lead to better performance which most likely is the case as well.
With Hawaii Volcano, I get about 5 hours of longevity. 1 hour before it is a rather close skin scent.
With Virgin Island Water, I get about 3-4 hours of longevity and as Hawaii Volcano, about 1 hour before it is a close skin scent.
With neither you should expect beastmode performance as you will not get that with such scent DNA that consist of mostly citrusses.
Price:
A bottle of 55ml Hawaii Volcano is about 53 british pounds which is equal to 67 USD. For 100 ml juice of Hawaii Volcano the price would be 122 USD, taking the ml price of the 55ml bottle.
If you are in the EU, you can order a 100 ml Virgin Island Water for 165 Euros, which is equal to 192 USD.
Virgin Island Water is a popular fragrance and is readily available to try in stores or sample online. Alexandria Fragrances offers 5ml samples aswell, making it possible to try out before a blind purchase of a full bottle.
Final thoughts:
Between the two, I enjoy Virgin Island Water more. For me, the smell is more important than the performance. When you compare the two side-by-side, you can feel the quality is better with Creed. Between the two, I will sacrifice slightly better performance with a better overall scent and experience.
With VIW on one hand and HV on the other, both freshly sprayed. First impressions are that they are meant to be alike but there are differences.
Scent:
Upon first spray of Hawaii Volcano, the lime is very clear and rather standalone compared to VIW. In the first few minutes, all I smell is lime but I can also feel that there is some backbone to the lime, but they are not clear until a few minutes have passed. Upon first spray of VIW you can smell the true scent from the beginning: the coconut is there and the rum is there. A very beautiful balanced trio between lime, coconut and rum.
Throughout the life of Hawaii Volcano, after a few minutes of application, the coconut accord slowly appears and stands aside the lime. However, the coconut is not very natural-feeling. Actually, something came to my mind... That the smell of the coconut reminded me of the smell of a tumble dryer or perhaps the fabrics after a tumble drying. Up close the skin, it does not smell very pleasant and Virgin Island Water is clearly the winner here when it comes to overall balance and for the overall artwork of their coconut accords. Also, I get no rum at all which is kinda sad, because the rum is considered to be one of the key ingredients in Virgin Island Water and makes for the overall "special" feel of having a drink by a sunny beach.
Performance:
Looking aside the scent and unto performance, as on my skin, you will most likely get better performance with the Hawaii Volcano. Take into consideration that Hawaii Volcano is an 'Extrait de Parfum' rather than 'Eau de Parfum' with the Creed. It should also last longer considering that the scent DNA is the same. However, a choice of more synthetics would also lead to better performance which most likely is the case as well.
With Hawaii Volcano, I get about 5 hours of longevity. 1 hour before it is a rather close skin scent.
With Virgin Island Water, I get about 3-4 hours of longevity and as Hawaii Volcano, about 1 hour before it is a close skin scent.
With neither you should expect beastmode performance as you will not get that with such scent DNA that consist of mostly citrusses.
Price:
A bottle of 55ml Hawaii Volcano is about 53 british pounds which is equal to 67 USD. For 100 ml juice of Hawaii Volcano the price would be 122 USD, taking the ml price of the 55ml bottle.
If you are in the EU, you can order a 100 ml Virgin Island Water for 165 Euros, which is equal to 192 USD.
Virgin Island Water is a popular fragrance and is readily available to try in stores or sample online. Alexandria Fragrances offers 5ml samples aswell, making it possible to try out before a blind purchase of a full bottle.
Final thoughts:
Between the two, I enjoy Virgin Island Water more. For me, the smell is more important than the performance. When you compare the two side-by-side, you can feel the quality is better with Creed. Between the two, I will sacrifice slightly better performance with a better overall scent and experience.
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