Tamer139

When I was 18 years old, a small perfume shop opened around the corner from us.
I went to visit it with my brother, and we managed to snag some designer fragrances that were offered to us at a better price.
At the checkout, the owner said he would throw in the Nikos for 10€, specifically the 100ml version.
We didn't test it since he didn't have an open one, but for ten bucks, we didn't want to say 'no'.

Once home, we unpacked the fragrances and I was eager to test the Nikos, as I had never heard of it before.

"Probably some cheap scent that doesn't last long and smells terrible if he's trying to get rid of it for 10€," I said.

Sprayed it on my arm, smelled it - and WHOAAAAAAAA!!!!
My sense of smell exploded because everything I had known until then were just plain, light designer fragrances.

That evening, I had to DJ and sprayed myself with the stuff. I could smell it all night long until the end of the party. For days afterward, it lingered on my clothes.

I urgently wanted a replacement bottle, preferably 30 of them for 10€ each - but they were nowhere to be found. Neither in any shop nor from the dealer I got it from. Bitter. Very bitter.
I still don't understand why they discontinued this beautiful, distinctive scent. It can't be that so few people liked it?

After I had emptied that 100ml bottle and my heart broke, I found 30ml versions on online platforms for exorbitant prices. Initially, I couldn't justify paying so much for it, but it was MY scent. Nobody knew it, nobody had ever seen it, I had discovered it.
So I decided to spend over 130€ on it.

For years, it sat in my closet, the packaging unopened. It was meant to be a special moment when I wanted to use it again. And that moment became my engagement party.

Since I celebrate Erba Pura, but I know for sure that I won't keep it for long, I preferred to go for a more affordable alternative.
This fragrance was recommended to me.
I went to the nearest store that sells it and grabbed the bottle.
I still remember that I actually didn't want to have an Erba Pura in my collection, as I was certain it would only appeal to me temporarily.

I sprayed the Shaghaf and was fascinated by the DNA, as if I were smelling it for the first time.

We don't just have any Erba Pura dupe here, no, we have a prominent (water)melon. This melon is very synthetic, and I associate it strongly with the well-known BumBum Ice (one of my favorite flavors). Quickly, memories from past summers come flooding back, like when I walk to the nearest outdoor pool with a bubblegum-watermelon ice in hand.

For me, this is definitely the better Erba Pura with an additional note that rounds off the fragrance and makes it more interesting. Unfortunately, I find the H/S a tad inferior to Erba Pura, but for the price, you can't complain. The bottle alone is more elegant and beautifully crafted than that of Xerjoff.

There has been a lot of talk about Oud Maracuja, which is why I got a sample and was blown away by the scent. Since it was the beginning of my exploration into niche fragrances, I was a bit too stingy for the original. However, I was quickly recommended a similar scent, which is this one.

I practically bought Azzure Aoud blind and had slight concerns that it would never - not even close - match the original. In fact, I was surprised.

If I have to roughly estimate with my nose, I would say the scent is about 95% similar to the original.
I must mention here that this assessment took place at a time when I hadn't tested many fragrances yet.

For the price range, an enormous, mega strong scent is offered here.
And if someone argues: "it doesn't come close to the original," then my answer is: "it doesn't have to, the direction is what matters to me."

If manufacturers charge an >>exorbitant

You've been out all day and it's midsummer. Soaked, you've fought through work or your stressful daily routine. Now you're home in the evening, you've cooked, eaten, cleaned up in the warmth, and finally want to relax.
After you've calmed down a bit, you take a cool shower, refresh yourself, and then put on some snug, comfy chill clothes. Now you're all freshened up, the evening sun is already shining, and the air is much more bearable. You want to go out on the balcony, but first, you spray yourself with this beautiful fragrance.

Outside, you sit on your garden or balcony, it's quiet because people are going to sleep and the streets are empty. Now it's just you. Tomorrow you have the day off, and you feel this relaxation, this ease. You smell this pleasant fragrance and wish this evening would never end.

These are exactly the thoughts I have when I spray this fragrance after showering.

It's simply airy, fresh, delicate, with a tiny hint of sweetness, barely noticeable.

Among my "Good Night" fragrances, it's number 1.
Many recommend the Le Parfum variant, but for me, it has something that's too heavy. I no longer feel the vibes, so I prefer to stick with this variant.

First of all, I have to mention that I was never a fan of leather scents (!)
Often, other people raved about how good something smells like leather. I could never understand that.

Then I was in Fuerteventura, at a Duty Free shop, and Tom Ford immediately caught my eye - at that time, I had no idea about niche fragrances.

I sprayed it on my arm, smelled it, and was fascinated by this scent. But I don't even like leather, how is that possible?

The longer I smelled it, the more I liked the fragrance. I probably couldn't believe that scents like leather could be packaged into a fragrance.

The vacation was over, back in Germany, and lo and behold, both Ombre Leather fragrances were on sale.

By then, I had long lost track and had to test them again. Luckily, there are decanters. So I was able to test both again, starting with the perfume version.

If you like a strong leather scent, you are better off with the P, but personally, I prefer the edP, as it is not overpowering, but beautifully balanced and wonderfully combined with other components.
I fell in love immediately.
There was no need for further testing, so I went for it.

Ombre Leather edP is a lovely everyday scent if you don't want a harsh leather note.
Some (YouTubers) detect a raspberry note, but unfortunately, I do not; however, I do sense something else that could lean towards the fruity direction. It's hard to describe, but exactly what is mysterious, combined with the leather, is what makes the fragrance special.