PatrickSchi
Reviews
Filter & Sort
Detailed
Translated · Show original
The Spicy One
The last review of the Private Key series by Armaf is dedicated to Private Key to my Success. And this one really packs a punch.
To my Success starts off spicy with a hint of freshness. I perceive ginger most intensely, followed by other spicy notes that I can't quite identify, but they fit perfectly into the overall picture of To my Success. It then becomes very enveloping and, in my opinion, somewhat balsamic-creamy as it develops. In terms of fragrance notes, I must say this one is the most successful of the entire series, and I have often caught myself holding my arm right under my nose because I find it incredibly well-crafted.
Not surprisingly, the performance of this extrait is impressive. Similar to Private Key to my Love, this one lasts indefinitely. 10 hours are easily achievable, and I still noticed it clearly the next day, a good 24 hours later. After spraying, it has a powerful sillage and is very encompassing. As it progresses, it becomes a bit more reserved and develops into more of a skin scent, which is not a bad thing.
Overall, I am thrilled with all the perfumes in the Private Key series. You can really tell that Armaf is operating on a different level when it comes to the quality of the ingredients. Private Key to my Success is my favorite, closely followed by Private Key to my Dreams. However, Success is a bit more exciting in its scent progression and is even more distinctive than To my Dreams, which is quite similar to many other current releases.
Ranked number 1 in the series and a clear recommendation to the Parfumo community is Private Key to my Success.
To my Success starts off spicy with a hint of freshness. I perceive ginger most intensely, followed by other spicy notes that I can't quite identify, but they fit perfectly into the overall picture of To my Success. It then becomes very enveloping and, in my opinion, somewhat balsamic-creamy as it develops. In terms of fragrance notes, I must say this one is the most successful of the entire series, and I have often caught myself holding my arm right under my nose because I find it incredibly well-crafted.
Not surprisingly, the performance of this extrait is impressive. Similar to Private Key to my Love, this one lasts indefinitely. 10 hours are easily achievable, and I still noticed it clearly the next day, a good 24 hours later. After spraying, it has a powerful sillage and is very encompassing. As it progresses, it becomes a bit more reserved and develops into more of a skin scent, which is not a bad thing.
Overall, I am thrilled with all the perfumes in the Private Key series. You can really tell that Armaf is operating on a different level when it comes to the quality of the ingredients. Private Key to my Success is my favorite, closely followed by Private Key to my Dreams. However, Success is a bit more exciting in its scent progression and is even more distinctive than To my Dreams, which is quite similar to many other current releases.
Ranked number 1 in the series and a clear recommendation to the Parfumo community is Private Key to my Success.
2 Comments
Translated · Show original
The Fruity One
Number three in my journey through the Private Key line from Armaf with Private Key to my Love.
Upon detection, I immediately get vibes of Erba Pura and Kirke, but this one consists of fewer top notes, you can feel that. The focus is clearly on the blackcurrant and pear, while I only perceive the peach in hints. Over time, it becomes a bit sweeter and heavier, but still retains the notes of the opening.
Due to the density and heaviness of the fragrance, I clearly categorize it for the winter season. In the warmer months, I believe it quickly leads to headaches. It is also the most feminine of the line, although it easily passes as unisex.
All perfumes in the Private Key line have no performance issues due to the Extrait concentration. However, this one operates on another level. I applied it in the morning, one spray on the arm as I wasn't sure if I could handle the scent all day. The next day, around the same time and after a shower, it was still there, exactly as it was the day before! So, the performance is impressive, but for my taste, it's a bit too much.
Those who enjoy Kirke or Erba Pura and are looking for at least an equally potent alternative will find it here. It is distinct in my eyes and not a dupe, but conveys similar vibes as the two.
Upon detection, I immediately get vibes of Erba Pura and Kirke, but this one consists of fewer top notes, you can feel that. The focus is clearly on the blackcurrant and pear, while I only perceive the peach in hints. Over time, it becomes a bit sweeter and heavier, but still retains the notes of the opening.
Due to the density and heaviness of the fragrance, I clearly categorize it for the winter season. In the warmer months, I believe it quickly leads to headaches. It is also the most feminine of the line, although it easily passes as unisex.
All perfumes in the Private Key line have no performance issues due to the Extrait concentration. However, this one operates on another level. I applied it in the morning, one spray on the arm as I wasn't sure if I could handle the scent all day. The next day, around the same time and after a shower, it was still there, exactly as it was the day before! So, the performance is impressive, but for my taste, it's a bit too much.
Those who enjoy Kirke or Erba Pura and are looking for at least an equally potent alternative will find it here. It is distinct in my eyes and not a dupe, but conveys similar vibes as the two.
Translated · Show original
The Freshness
The second review of the new Armaf line is dedicated to Private Key to my Life.
To my Life starts off very fresh, with citrus notes and pineapple being clearly noticeable right from the beginning. I also perceive a spicy note that could come from the pepper notes. The opening passes quite quickly, and a woody mix emerges that feels very ordinary yet high-quality.
Armaf is typically associated with good clones of expensive niche perfumes. Here, however, one would search in vain, as this is not a typical clone. The typical woody scent in the drydown admittedly reminds one of representatives of "blue" perfumes, but it is not a direct copy of any of those perfumes. In the opening, I get vibes of Nishane Hacivat from the pineapple and citrus notes, but this note fades relatively quickly as mentioned above. All in all, it is a fresh-woody scent with citrusy pineapple notes at the beginning.
In general, Private Key to my Life is a solid fresh fragrance. However, in my opinion, it lacks that certain something to justify the high price for this Armaf perfume.
It is clear: Armaf wants to establish its own creations with this line and draws on fragrance notes from established perfumes. However, I believe Armaf could show more courage for new ideas here, as they certainly have the capability to do so.
To my Life starts off very fresh, with citrus notes and pineapple being clearly noticeable right from the beginning. I also perceive a spicy note that could come from the pepper notes. The opening passes quite quickly, and a woody mix emerges that feels very ordinary yet high-quality.
Armaf is typically associated with good clones of expensive niche perfumes. Here, however, one would search in vain, as this is not a typical clone. The typical woody scent in the drydown admittedly reminds one of representatives of "blue" perfumes, but it is not a direct copy of any of those perfumes. In the opening, I get vibes of Nishane Hacivat from the pineapple and citrus notes, but this note fades relatively quickly as mentioned above. All in all, it is a fresh-woody scent with citrusy pineapple notes at the beginning.
In general, Private Key to my Life is a solid fresh fragrance. However, in my opinion, it lacks that certain something to justify the high price for this Armaf perfume.
It is clear: Armaf wants to establish its own creations with this line and draws on fragrance notes from established perfumes. However, I believe Armaf could show more courage for new ideas here, as they certainly have the capability to do so.
Translated · Show original
The Seductive One
My first review of the Private Key series is dedicated to the Private Key to my Dreams.
To get straight to the point: a masterpiece in my eyes.
It starts sweet-spicy - apple, cardamom, and lavender are clearly noticeable from the very beginning. Then, as the scent develops, it becomes sweeter, denser, and slightly woodier due to cedar, without straying too far from the opening. The vanilla integrates beautifully into the drydown. Scent-wise, it is truly special for an oriental house and, in my opinion, of niche quality.
It reminds me of many currently popular fragrance compositions like One Million Elixir, but due to the noticeably high-quality craftsmanship and blending of the ingredients, it feels like a more niche version. In parts, it also gives me hints of PDM Layton, but I wouldn't call it a dupe.
You can tell that Armaf is trying to do its own thing here while still appealing to the mass market - and I believe they have succeeded in this case.
The price is justified, as you can tell that classic perfumery art was prioritized here rather than simply copying a bestseller.
Performance is more than convincing - both sillage and longevity are remarkable. It lasts easily 10 hours on my skin, and significantly longer on clothing.
From my perspective, Armaf has taken a significant step here and is trying to package its experiences into more independent DNAs with this series.
To get straight to the point: a masterpiece in my eyes.
It starts sweet-spicy - apple, cardamom, and lavender are clearly noticeable from the very beginning. Then, as the scent develops, it becomes sweeter, denser, and slightly woodier due to cedar, without straying too far from the opening. The vanilla integrates beautifully into the drydown. Scent-wise, it is truly special for an oriental house and, in my opinion, of niche quality.
It reminds me of many currently popular fragrance compositions like One Million Elixir, but due to the noticeably high-quality craftsmanship and blending of the ingredients, it feels like a more niche version. In parts, it also gives me hints of PDM Layton, but I wouldn't call it a dupe.
You can tell that Armaf is trying to do its own thing here while still appealing to the mass market - and I believe they have succeeded in this case.
The price is justified, as you can tell that classic perfumery art was prioritized here rather than simply copying a bestseller.
Performance is more than convincing - both sillage and longevity are remarkable. It lasts easily 10 hours on my skin, and significantly longer on clothing.
From my perspective, Armaf has taken a significant step here and is trying to package its experiences into more independent DNAs with this series.
Translated · Show original
Beautiful scent, but...
...based on the reviews here on Parfumo and through numerous perfume influencers on YouTube etc., I expected something completely different.
First of all: This is the first one from the Swiss Arabian Shagaf Oud line that I have smelled so far. The line is highly hyped, which raised my expectations. I love oriental perfumes, and this one is fundamentally a really great oriental scent.
It starts off surprisingly oud-like with a hint of cinnamon and honey. The patchouli adds some edges and contours that really benefit it and set it apart from many other oriental oud fragrances. Vanilla and leather only join in later during the scent development. In my opinion, the vanilla could have been incorporated much more strongly; it would do it good.
What is indeed surprising is its performance: longevity and sillage are more than above average. I applied it in the morning after showering and could still distinctly perceive it in the evening after more than 12 hours. Nothing new for an oud fragrance, but with Azraq, you can still clearly perceive all the scent components. With many other oud fragrances, in the end, only a musty-woody note remains, which often feels similar.
Now to the big BUT about Shagaf Oud Azraq: Unfortunately, I cannot discern the alleged similarity to PDM Oajan at all. The two differ quite significantly, which leaves me puzzled as to why so many draw parallels between the two perfumes. Oajan is much spicier and sweeter, has less of the oud note of Azraq, and in my view, goes in a different direction. This is not to say that Shagaf Oud Azraq is not a less good release. Both are special in their own right and really great perfumes. However, if you expect a scent similar to Oajan, you will be bitterly disappointed here.
First of all: This is the first one from the Swiss Arabian Shagaf Oud line that I have smelled so far. The line is highly hyped, which raised my expectations. I love oriental perfumes, and this one is fundamentally a really great oriental scent.
It starts off surprisingly oud-like with a hint of cinnamon and honey. The patchouli adds some edges and contours that really benefit it and set it apart from many other oriental oud fragrances. Vanilla and leather only join in later during the scent development. In my opinion, the vanilla could have been incorporated much more strongly; it would do it good.
What is indeed surprising is its performance: longevity and sillage are more than above average. I applied it in the morning after showering and could still distinctly perceive it in the evening after more than 12 hours. Nothing new for an oud fragrance, but with Azraq, you can still clearly perceive all the scent components. With many other oud fragrances, in the end, only a musty-woody note remains, which often feels similar.
Now to the big BUT about Shagaf Oud Azraq: Unfortunately, I cannot discern the alleged similarity to PDM Oajan at all. The two differ quite significantly, which leaves me puzzled as to why so many draw parallels between the two perfumes. Oajan is much spicier and sweeter, has less of the oud note of Azraq, and in my view, goes in a different direction. This is not to say that Shagaf Oud Azraq is not a less good release. Both are special in their own right and really great perfumes. However, if you expect a scent similar to Oajan, you will be bitterly disappointed here.
5 Comments
