PhilFRG

I don't really know how to start, or if I even should...

This fragrance has been at the top of my list for quite some time, basically my grail. I thought about it for a long time before I only tested it briefly in a store. I had to order it right away.
But is it worth the money? Is it worth the hype?

My answer is: Yes and no ^^

This beautiful tonka bean paired with bitter orange and jasmine is a composition in itself, of very high quality. The bottle is just so-so in terms of quality, as I've heard several times before.

The scent is beautiful, but for some reason, I perceive very slight associations with Carlisle by PDM???

All in all, this is more of a fragrance for collectors who want to have a beautiful bottle on display with a scent that doesn't reinvent the wheel, yet has set the bar very high for this fragrance DNA.

I could never warm up to this fragrance in the past. Also because in my surroundings, there were mostly people who wore it in the form of a dupe. I couldn't stand the scent on myself, and on others, it was more or less the same. After a longer time with the dupe in my nose, I received a sample of the "real" fragrance in a surprise fragrance package, which was immediately passed on to the lady.

The first time she applied it, she fell in love right away, which really got on my nerves because I had hated the scent up to that point…

I gave the fragrance a chance and tried to understand it more or less, hoping to like it a bit more. With a very overwhelming and sweet opening, I was initially put off, but this quickly faded. As the fragrance settled and one could finally notice a clear difference in quality between the dupe and the original, I began to like the scent. A very feminine, almost creamy powdery combination enveloped by a light spiciness unfolded and persisted until the dry down.

I am not a professional nose and prefer to judge fragrances by associating them with things. But I see this scent on a self-confident woman who wants to draw attention to herself with a slightly seductive yet present fragrance.

Is the price justified? Maybe not.
Do I prefer the original over the dupe? Yes.
Will this fragrance be under the Christmas tree for the lady? Probably ^^

I am genuinely looking forward to this review because it is about the fragrance with which I was able to introduce my mother to the niche world.

From a small tester that I received, which I personally didn't care for, I gifted it to my mother since she is a huge fan of coconut scents. It didn't take long before she asked, "Phil... where did you get this? How much does it cost? Can you get me a larger bottle?" Said and done! I bought another 10ml to keep her satisfied at first. Seeing how much joy she got from this fragrance and how I was able to ignite the passion for perfume in someone else in my circle, I later bought her a bottle for her birthday. A bit shocked that she actually received this fragrance, she was incredibly happy and thus found her first signature scent, which has garnered a lot of positive feedback from her colleagues.

But let me quickly shift gears and share my opinion about the fragrance. As in my previous reviews, I like to associate scents with places. Virgin Island Water is for me the definition of - sun, linen shirt, coconut with a straw, hammock, and a little monkey in the tree next to me. Carefree living in the Caribbean. A wonderful coconut scent that could almost be a cocktail. Definitely for both men and women!

The price is debatable, but the performance has been great with any batches I have tested so far. Whether it's 2020 or 2023, etc.

In conclusion, this fragrance is something very special to me because it has effortlessly transferred my passion for scents to my mother.

The stage is set… Take two.

So here we go, my second review of a fragrance. Back in 2019, when I desperately wanted to get my hands on a Dior Prive scent. I rushed into the store and first asked the nice lady at the perfume counter for some good advice… THE hit at that time, Bois D‘argent, caught my eye and was sprayed on my arm. I tested my way through and left the store with a lot of impressions, strolling through the old town of Düsseldorf. An hour passed, and I couldn’t take my nose off my arm, the same after two, three, and even four hours. The scent, which smelled so different on paper than on my arm, unfolded over the hours into a very pleasant fragrance that flattered my skin.

Now let’s get to the actual scent, since my nose isn’t so expert that I could name all the notes off the top of my head, I’ll give you another association with a place. You pack your suitcase with light clothing on a warm spring day and fly to Croatia. With warm spring temperatures, you set off with a gentle breeze to a beautiful national park. Of course, you’ve sprayed on your Bois D‘argent. Butterflies flutter by, you’re surrounded by greenery and one with nature. If the scent were a flower, it would probably be a lily of the valley…

The longevity on my skin was very satisfactory for this type of fragrance, and I could still perceive it very well after 5-6 hours.

For me, a clear recommendation to buy if you are a fan of fresh floral scents that spread their magic on your skin.

I hope I could help some of the enthusiasts who also prefer location/situation-related reviews over the fragrance notes.

So I am also venturing into my first review.

I have been dealing with fragrances for about three years and during this time I have come to love many scents. However, I have always been much more interested in niche fragrances, as I enjoy experiencing my scents "for myself" and want to be somewhat individual.

So I took on several samples of supposed spring/summer fragrances with the background that I don't really like citrus scents. But then I tested Imagination. The name says it all, a very soft yet clean and pleasant scent that, in my opinion, could really only elicit a negative reaction in the rarest of cases. Everyone around me loves this fragrance, as it is very elegant and present, yet not overwhelming. I like to associate scents with cities/situations and clothing. I imagine Imagination to be perfect on a beautiful summer day in Mykonos. Linen shirt on, sunglasses on, and all of Greece will be looking at you when you wear this scent.

But why should this fragrance have the characteristics of a designer? In my eyes, it doesn't have a particular point where I say, "Wow, this note makes it unique." However, this fragrance composition is so well done that it could never be compared to something like YSL Y or similar, as it is perfectly balanced.

The scent has great longevity on my skin; I perceive it for four to five hours, while my surroundings actually still notice it after seven or eight.

The packaging is also an experience in itself and as a fragrance, it is a great entry into the world of LV scents.


My personal summer highlight and definitely an option for the coming years thanks to the refilling offer!