VivienneK

So, after a very successful blind buy from another middle-eastern brand (Rasasi, specifically, the now cult Daarej), I finally got the courage to try another perfume from a similar "clonehouse" that I was yearning to try because I am always chasing for the perfect osmanthus and in some comments on the internet as well as by looking at the pyramid, I assumed it may be reminiscent of Narciso Rodrigues For Her, which I love. I've heard Armaf has made some decent clones although I have never smelled them myself and decided to go ahead with my plan - it's a cheapie anyway. Unfortunately, when the package arrived, despite the box being in impeccable condition, I noticed brownish residue around the atomiser (like mentioned in the earlier review). Then I sprayed it on my wrist and... and that was not what I had expected at all. Even after an hour of wear, the smell remained the same. There was no osmanthus in it. Zero. It smelled of a combination of some generic white flowers and citrus, no amber, no vanilla at all. The scent is very synthetic and linear and feels almost over-priced at 16 euros for a 100 ml bottle. I am greatly disappointed and frankly it deters me from trying anything else from this brand in the future.

So here comes the big moment. With much anticipation due to the deepest love for the now begone Valentino V, I open up the box of Rasasi's Daarej, not knowing whether it would disappoint me or elevate me. With the first spray, I can tell it is harsher and more synthetic than my recollection of V. However, with every minute of drydown, it gets closer and closer to the DNA of the original V. About 30 minutes in, it smells like a memory, the shell of something that has now morphed into something different to the objective and precise record that we foolishly believe our memories to be. It feels so close, in fact it seems like it is V, but something is telling me it was a bit more complex, a bit better-blended, more dynamic, more nuanced. But it is still a fantastic perfume and it gets better and better with every minute of wear. I highly recommend trying it.

It's not bad but very typical and "lightweight" in composition. I wouldn't know it's Chanel if it weren't for the fact that it is so well-known and recognisable because the style of it is too girly for Chanel, more like D&G Light Blue and very mainstream early 2000s. I also find the floral accord to be a bit overwhelming for my taste but I am very picky with my florals. It's a nice inoffensive fresh floral that I personally wouldn't wear.

The first time I tried it I thought it reminded me of something but couldn't quite figure out what. Now after a few months I finally found what it was... YSL Black Opium! Virtually the same composition although perhaps not as much complexity as it lingers on throughout the day. Very decent projection and surprisingly good staying power.

Being a big fan of pretty much all Stella McCartney perfumes, I was not disappointed by the new release of this perfume. Faithful to Stella's beloved English garden aromas, this is a beautiful modern yet grown-up peony scent leaning towards mild chypre. The only downside, like with other Stella's perfumes, is longevity. The smell dies out after about 3-4 hours leaving pretty much no trace behind.