First and foremost I would like to share to the community a little bit of life updates. Originally when I joined this community, I was infatuated with fragrances but couldn't wear any of them in support of my wife who was expecting our second child, Baby AJ. I have come to finally share that we have since had our baby boy and he is the cutest thing in the world. I was so happy to have him enter the world healthy and full of life. But another reason for my joy is, you guessed it, I get to SPRAY AGAIN!!! In my joy, I was able to revisit a fragrance that I haven't tried before, but was pleasantly surprised with. That was Abercrombie & Fitch FIERCE! This is a really nice fragrance, but what surprised me about it was that it was very similar to a fragrance I asked about in this community a while back, AVATAR by Coty. Since being discontinued, it been really hard to find a bottle that I am willing to pay the price for. It was never really an expensive fragrance to begin with, so to see the price skyrocket was saddening. This fragrance was out back in '97, but I still feel like it can hold its own now days. Questions for the Brothers: What fragrance brings you back to a time filled with pure joy?

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter this past weekend! It was the perfect time for me to debut my new fragrance, Michael Malul's South Slope, which I picked up for just $30 at TJ Maxx. After giving it some wear, I’m excited to share my thoughts on this scent. Upon first application, South Slope introduces a fresh and uplifting opening, reminiscent of a clean, fruity body wash—ideal for warm days when you want to feel invigorated. Within 3 to 5 minutes, the initial citrus notes start to fade, revealing sweet, woody undertones. As the fragrance develops, a classic masculine lavender emerges, seamlessly blending with the woodiness. This mid-stage lasts for about an hour before transitioning into the drydown, which remains quite similar to the middle notes, but with a slightly richer and creamier texture. In terms of performance, South Slope delivers a solid projection for the first 45 minutes, after which it settles closer to the skin. You can expect to catch whiffs of it for up to four hours, making it perfect for those who enjoy fresh fragrances without overwhelming performance. Comparing it to YSL's Y line, particularly the Y Eau de Parfum, South Slope shares a familiar DNA but leans towards a fresher, less sweet profile. Interestingly, when I had my wife compare the two, she preferred South Slope for its more subdued sweetness, finding the original Y a bit intense when over-applied. Overall, if you’re seeking a versatile fragrance that you can wear on any occasion—even in high heat—I highly recommend trying out Michael Malul’s South Slope.