Val

Asad Zanzibar / اسد | Lattafa / لطافة" had already aroused my interest a few weeks ago. Unfortunately, the export to Europe had been delayed somewhat, so that I was only now able to make the blind buy for a good price.
In contrast to the slightly cheap-looking bottle, the ingredients suggest a beautiful aquatic summer fragrance.
Even the tropical coconut vibes, if they are not too feminine, are always welcome in my home!

I'm a big "Le Beau Le Parfum | Jean Paul Gaultier" fan!
It gives me exactly the vibes I expect from a beach fragrance on vacation.
At 30 degrees in the shade, linen shirt open, sipping cocktails on the Malecon in Havana, there is no better fragrance.

And to make a long story short:
The "Asad Zanzibar / اسد | Lattafa / لطافة" goes in the same direction!
It also immediately gives me those creamy coconut vibes that "Le Beau Le Parfum | Jean Paul Gaultier" also exudes.
However, in direct comparison, Zanzibar also has a subtly smoky vanilla and something floral, which I find very interesting.
It is not quite as sweet as Le Beau Le Parfum and lies exactly between Aquat and Gourmand.

The H/S doesn't need to hide either. Zanzibar lasts a good 7 hours with a moderate sillage.
It's not a fragrance that overwhelms you, but it's still very perceptible and lasts a day at the beach without any problems.

I am delighted to welcome another top summer fragrance in 2024 with Zanzibar.
Let the vacation begin!

In a fragrant garden, where the white flowers bloom in full splendor, a scent floats in the air that seduces and touches the senses.
The symphony of floral notes embraces the sky and a gentle melody that promises life after death wraps itself in perfect bliss.

In this garden of dreams, we dance through meadows of flowers.
Our hearts are in love like the butterflies that fly around us.
The perfume envelops us powdery like a gentle breeze.
And the world is reflected in our eyes like a golden arc.

We walk hand in hand filled with love and liberated, our souls united in this magic of togetherness.
The sky smiles at us, its blue shines clean and clear -
and we know that love lasts forever, through every year.

For in the realm of perfume dreams, in this world so beautiful, we continue to exist safe in the splendor of life that never fades.
Our hearts beat in unison, in the rhythm of love and being,
in an infinite symphony that unites eternity.

At first I thought to myself: "Well, a trivial fresh-citrusy fragrance. Not particularly original, actually even boring."
The price of €280 made me shake my head again and again in horror.
I scornfully laughed at all the expensive designer brands in my head. "They're all lousy capitalists. You only pay for the brand anyway and then you get excited about showing it off in your next Instagram post. Perverse! Ugh!"

"Wait a minute, what the hell smells sooo good all of a sudden?"
Is that...? no, it can't be... or maybe it is?!
Is that still the same Imagination I sprayed on my wrist 10 minutes ago?"

Emotional fireworks erupted inside me. I was stunned, angry, relieved, enlightened and suddenly remote-controlled.
This fragrance, with its perfectly balanced ingredients of juicy citrus fruits and spicy ginger, develops a woody freshness that is second to none.
Imagination exudes an incredible lightness, full of luxurious elegance and intelligence.
No, this is not a trivial 0815 citrus fragrance, but the result of years of experience in the art of perfumery.
It is not for nothing that no dupe house has yet succeeded in capturing this unique charisma from Imagination.

Imagination is universally applicable in all situations in life, especially in summer.
Well perceptible, without being penetrating or intrusive, with a moderate longevity of 7-8 hours on my skin.
280 € is of course still a proud price, which usually triggers an inner revolt in me.
However, I am actually prepared to pay this price for it.
In the meantime, I am even tending to radically reduce my collection and limit myself to a top 10 of the most exquisite fragrances. Let's see if I can do that xD

I'll spare you any further confessions of love, because the ratings speak for themselves anyway.

An absolute dream fragrance has been created here that simply makes you happy!

I have been eagerly awaiting Lattafa's latest creation. The rumor mill has been churning for some time.
Should the "Art of Arabia I | Lattafa / لطافة" be a damn good "Imagination | Louis Vuitton" dupe, in top quality and at the usual charming price?

When I came to test it today and sprayed it on my skin, the first thing I thought was: It smells like lemon balm tea.
It had something homeopathic about it.

Slightly disconcerted and confused, I waited patiently for the top note to fade.
After a good half hour, it became more pleasant and softer. The sharpness of the ginger and mint subsided and a beautiful vetiver wood base emerged. The result was a strong citrus-wood symbiosis similar to that of "Turathi (Blue) | Afnan Perfumes".
From time to time there were also "Imagination | Louis Vuitton" vibes, but overall I would see the "Art of Arabia I | Lattafa / لطافة" more in the vicinity of "Le Gemme - Tygar | Bvlgari" "Turathi (Blue) | Afnan Perfumes" or "Al Qiam Silver | Lattafa / لطافة".
A beautiful, masculine fragrance that takes a luxurious direction after the strange lemon balm bath salt infusion. One that is completely devoid of any sweetness.
It's not really suitable as an "Imagination | Louis Vuitton" alternative, but it definitely works as an evening summer freshener.

In the end, however, it doesn't convince me across the board.
The longevity is rather lukewarm, while the sillage is mostly the top note. And I don't want to stand out as a medicinal herbal bath.
I already have the "Turathi (Blue) | Afnan Perfumes" so the "Art of Arabia I | Lattafa / لطافة" won't be moving in with me.
Nevertheless, I'm sure it will find its fans.

... of course, the fragrance pyramid immediately draws comparisons with Aventus, and expectations are correspondingly high.
But perhaps we should try not to do that and let go of the idea that we are getting a perfect copy, at a perfect price, with a perfect H/S.
Yes, there are well-made Aventus clones that come very close to the original. They also focus their creative efforts on this. But there are also those who have simply been inspired by Aventus and have gone their own way.

comparing "Armaf Niche - Bucephalus No. XI | Armaf" with "Aventus | Creed" can only lead to disappointment.
Why?
Because the fragrance takes a completely different path.
Aventus is a positive, uplifting, fruity-smoky nose flatterer in its entire presentation.
Bucephalus XI is dominated by the dark tones of myrrh, overripe fruits but also slightly floral notes are framed by fine vanilla.
An oriental signature is clearly recognizable.
With these fragrance characteristics, "Armaf Niche - Bucephalus No. XI | Armaf" is not really comparable to "Aventus | Creed"
If you look at Bucephalus on its own, you get a really well-made fragrance that also has a decent H/S.