Lucian

I first smelled OPH on a winter hollyday in Turin, 2006. It was almost a mystical experience, almost 20 years later I still remember the day.

Despite the sales assistant advice, who really wanted to push me some other fragrance, I bought my first 30ml bottle. For some time was my special occasion fragrance. Since then I had multiple bottles, EDP included.

I got bored of it and I didn't ware it for a couple of years. Two years ago I smelled it again on someone. I was struck by nostalgia, I had to have it again. The same day I ordered a fresh bottle.

It was, of course, the newest reformulation, I thought it was the same as always, and I was happy with my bottle.
But a few weeks ago I ordered a vintage miniature from ebay, and I have to admit it, it's quite different!

The vintage one is definitely richer, reminds me more of the EDP than to the newest formulation. The opening is very different, smells smoother and syrupy, has a camphoric accord (a bit like tiger balm), which I personally love very much. And is stronger.

Still, the new version isn't bad, I don't agree that it's just a shadow of itself. It's still Opium, just a bit fresher and more casual.
It remains one of the best designer fragrance you can buy at your local perfumery.

But if you love it as much as I do you own it to yourself to try the vintage too. It's not yet crazy expensive, but it gets harder to find. I bought two 100ml splash bottles from 1995 and one of 30ml.

For me it is a 10/10 fragrance, my personal favorite for winter, night time or special occasions.

I smelled Evento for the first time a few months ago, and my first impression was good but not great. I bought a bottle anyway.

I thought is way too similar to Vibrant Leather but is not the case. The opening is just as fruity but the dry down is much richer and complex. Smells much better than my other clone, Rasasi Zebra. I used about 30ml and I'm very impressed.

I own a small bottle of the original too, but I would never buy that again since Evento is so close and is so affordable. Good enough to be my signature scent.

Moderate performances, great versatility and price!

P.S. Capucci Just realised a new fragrance, Blu Water EDP, apparently is a clone of Bleu de Chanel.

I said to myself that I wouldn't buy another Zara fragrances, just because I have too many already.

But I was really curious to try this new one, and I wasn't disappointed. It's very similar to DHC, simple, well done and very easy to wear. Not 100% alike but smell just as good, maybe is a bit more gingery, that's all.

Reminds me also of Zara Orange Zest but this one is better quality IMO. The performances are great for a citrus fragrance. Great value.

After a few times wearing it I think that this fragrance is as close to La nuit as 9.0 to DH! The performances are not bad either, 6-8h with moderate projection.

Zara have a few other fragrances with the "La Nuit vibe" like For Him Black Edition, Winter Collection 2017, Black Tag Intense 2017, some people say Evitorial Twist(I personally don't agree here) but Y Collection is a shameless clone, despite the notes, just ignore that.


Awesome value! Best alternative on the market, ~95% of the smell, ~12% of the price.

Based by the listed notes, I was expecting something close to Dior Home Sport 2008. But no, after a week of wearing this fragrance I find that it's remaining me of Kenzo Boise and Encre Noir Sport. Don't expect any orange here, the name is very misleading. Average performances for a summer fragrance. I love it.


#Edit, after a week of wearing, Orange Zest has grow a lot on me. Final rating 9/10