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. 

Well, I thought I was doing good, 2 weeks and knew I was gonna make it till the end of December without buying anything, outside what I have already committed to. Well crap..... a local deal came up, that I just could not pass up, both for the price and rarity of the bottle. I had to....sorry fellas, I really did try.

The top notes of grapefruit, lemon, and mint are easily identifiable. This makes for a very clean headline profile, though perhaps not overly interesting - in so far as there ae plenty of scents on the market that strike a similar chord in their opening. Given a 10 minute dry down, and a more complex sillage develops - as a winning combo of jasmine, amber, and sandalwood develops. In the background, there a pleasing hint of incense, it takes its time to come through, but is worth the wait, as it doesn't over power or cut through the more floral and aromatic notes. I personally didn't find the longevity to last much beyond 2-3hrs, but that doesn't detract from the appeal, and the projection within that timeframe was decent. I can see this would be a very versatile wear, both in terms of situation and season, though the fresh leading edge would lend itself to more daytime wear - if I were wearing it on a regular basis. Still undecided as to whether a spring for a full bottle of this - but it would certainly be in the running as and when I look to refresh my everyday/office scents.

I swear I have had my nose on this before, maybe a Tom Ford. Can't figure it out at the moment, it's said to be similar to Ombre Nomade, but I can't make the comparison. This is a rather intriguing blend of Fruity florals and some Arabian wood notes. It not my normal jam, none the less, I find myself drawn to it? The fragrance follows a distinct progression from bright fruitiness to a dark, resinous finish. The opening is vibrant and juicy, dominated by the tart sweetness of blackcurrant and the soft, velvety succulence of apricot. The freesia adds a touch of crisp, clean, and slightly sweet floral air. The heart introduces a rich floral tribute. Rose provides a classic, velvety sophistication, while osmanthus lends a distinctive apricot-like, slightly leathery, or suede nuance. Patchouli adds earthy, deep texture, preparing the scent for the base. The dry-down is warm, sensual, and long-lasting. With an Oudh accord giving it a luxurious, woody-leathery depth without being overly animalic or medicinal. Olibanum adds a smoky, resinous, and balsamic complexity, while musk provides a smooth, creamy finish. This packs some serious clout, well over The 8 hour mark on skin, even after a scrub, I could still easily pick it up on my wrist. Get this on your clothes and it could be game over. It has a notable presence, particularly in the first few hours, creating a noticeable, captivating scent bubble. It is designed to be expressive without being overwhelming if applied gently. its unisex with a slight lean on the ladies side, but the deep oud, leather, and olibanum base firmly grounds it for a masculine wearer as well. Best suited for the cooler months and a definite evening wear. My Rating: 8/10 Scent: 2 Longevity: 2.5 Sillage: 2.5 Y/N: 1

Another sample today - straight off the top, quite an obvious, lemony citrus, surprised this doesn't appear to be listed in the notes? However, that citrus does fade relatively quickly into the background, and you are left with a comparatively straightforward vetiver dry down, with a hint of clary sage in the background. The ginger is also definitely there throughout, but in no way pungent. I get the sense this fragrance would be suited to a formal and/or office environment, its very, very subtle, and doesn't appear to project much at all - so if you are in the market for something that 'announces' your presence - maybe this one wouldn't work. Not bad - but not memorable either, imho.