I have been eyeing this house for the past year now and I finally pulled the blind buy trigger because that's what I do... no samples over here. First impression is extremely fresh and clean that's from spraying it in the air not on skin. This will be my SOTD tomorrow where I will give it a full review but as of now Im very happy

So unless you've been resting under a stone lately, you will no doubt have heard of this guy. He is all over Social media these days. An Indian perfumer, based in Dubai, known for recreating designer scents. He makes a lot of dupes but also has some of his own creations. I picked this up at the recent opening of a. New Dubai Perfume Shop location. There were numerous claims circulating that this was a special creation for the store and that only 50 bottles were available. And yet it is clearly listed on Fragrantica. Guess someone was being creative with the truth here! Passio was launched last year and would be an Oriental Woody fragrance, fragrance built around a blend of warm spices, creamy florals, and woods. The scent opens with a welcoming and slightly exotic blend of Cinnamon and Saffron, which provides a comforting, warm, and inviting start. In the middle Jasmine, Coconut, Ylang Ylang and Resins, reveal a smooth and creamy heart with tropical and floral tones, softened by gentle resinous notes. The dry down provides a warm and lasting impression with Cashmeran, Madagascar Vanilla, Musk, and Agarwood. Passio by all accounts seems to be one of Yusuf Bhai's better-received original creations. It is a complex, long-lasting, and affordable unisex fragrance with a profile that balances warm spice, creamy coconut, and deep woods. For the money this is above average for me, I get a little over 4 hours on skin, not bad for a budget scent. My Rating: 6/10 Scent: 2 Longevity: 2 Sillage: 1 Y/N: 1

After reading @Jonathan Ventura Post about labeling. Everything is about Labels, even in the designer world, where an independent person making clothes and accessories can never compete with the bigger upscale designer houses. Just like in perfumery, where Niche / Artisan is top of the line as far as quality and artistry. In the fashion world, Designers are the Niche and the independents are the designers. So the role reverses. If you look at the designer fragrances, they are mass-produced and most often Generic and safe. If you look at independent clothing brands that sell accesories and clothing and shoes at Walmart and Kmart and go to a store that sells LV or Dior look at the diffrence. Look at the red carpet at a Hollywood event, you cannot even count the Dior, Ysl and Hugo Boss, Chanel Dresses and gowns strolling down the Aisle. Look hat Ralph Lauren how many elite wear this brand. So everything has a label, but they all live in their own worlds. so why do people buy designer frags? People buy designer fragrances, even if they seem "nothing special," for brand prestige, accessibility, trend alignment, and the comfort of familiar, crowd-pleasing scents; they offer an affordable entry into luxury, convey personal style/status, boost confidence/mood, and feature quality ingredients and beautiful packaging, making them ideal for everyday wear or gifts. Key Reasons for Purchase: - Brand & Status: Wearing scents from famous fashion houses (like Dior, Chanel) associates the wearer with that brand's luxury image, offering a sense of status and belonging. - Accessibility & Familiarity: They're easier to find (ubiquitous) and often smell pleasant and familiar to many, making them safe choices for daily wear or gifting. - Mood & Identity: Fragrance boosts mood, reduces stress, and helps create a personal brand or statement, making the wearer feel more confident and attractive. - Quality & Longevity: Many use quality, sometimes natural, ingredients and fixatives for a longer-lasting scent, justifying the cost beyond just the name. - Marketing & Nostalgia: Heavy marketing and association with celebrities create desire, while familiar notes can evoke positive memories, making them feel special. - The "It" Factor: Sometimes, a fragrance becomes popular because it's the scent of the moment, aligning with current trends or creating a sense of shared experience. 

Just wondering when you guys hear that phrase from so many influencers or reviews does that peak your interest more? I know for me it doesn't the only people that compliment me on my fragrance is my kids ( I'm divorced )lol. But then again I'm never in the situation to get compliments I don't work around anyone I drive a trash truck by myself all day. And very rarely go out in social situations where I would get a compliment. Also I think getting a compliment from a random stranger in a grocery store doesn't happen to guys very often or ever and if it does I think the lady is physically attracted to the guy and says "wow you smell good" as a ice breaker... that's just my thoughts

I have a credit at MaxAroma - https://www.realmenrealstyle.com/aff-colognes - for some new frags, but am having trouble choosing my next ones to review. Can you give me your rec?