Taking a chance in building my Autumn/ Winter aromatic wardrobe… I’ll let you all know if it’s a fake or real. So far, SHIEN hasn’t let me down. Also, I don’t gatekeep! https://onelink.shein.com/46/5xsh6wzwbvgg?shc=2_RXo5ErNMQl1

Today’s scent is Bani from Day Three Fragrances. This is one of those fragrances that doesn’t try to overwhelm you. Instead, it pulls you in with a smooth tropical character that feels natural and well put together. To my nose, the fruit comes across fresh rather than syrupy, with just enough creamy sweetness to keep it interesting. As it dries down, everything blends together beautifully, becoming soft, airy, and incredibly easy to wear. The quality of the materials is what really stands out. Nothing feels harsh or overly synthetic, and the transitions from the opening into the drydown are smooth. It has that polished niche quality I’ve come to expect from Michael Paul and Day Three. Performance: Bani gives me solid projection and a noticeable scent trail for the first couple of hours before settling into a comfortable scent bubble. It never becomes overpowering, but it stays present and continues to push off the skin. Longevity is around 7 to 8 hours on me, with the final stages wearing closer to the skin. This is a fragrance that shines in spring and summer, but I could also see it working on warmer fall days. Casual wear, vacations, weekend outings, or even the office—it is versatile enough to fit just about anywhere. Fragrance Rating: 9.3/10 Performance Rating: 8.5/10 Bani is another reminder that Day Three continues to punch well above its price point. It is original, refined, and wears with an effortless confidence that doesn’t need to shout. If you are looking for a tropical fragrance that feels sophisticated instead of loud or overly sweet, Bani deserves a spot on your radar.

Purchases are now slowing down, with me slowly sitting down, feeling very content with where my small collection is at. Sadly, there is another bottle I was really waiting for that didn't get in time to my freight forwarder to be able to include it in this haul, so it'll take still a couple of days. Thameen Carved Oud: oud notes don't particularly move me, with exceptions so far being Brioni EDP Intense and TF Oud Wood. Carved Oud gets labeled here and there as "the better Wood Oud", which made me curious enough to decant it. A single wear of the decant immediately sent me looking for a bottle! That amazing cardamom blended with the non-intrusive or intense oud, over the base of warm amber and sandalwood... incredible. And also considerably cheaper than TF Oud Wood. Performs by my little experience with Oud Wood considerably better. Got a 50ml, as it should be sufficient, and was at a great price compared to what I could find for a 100ml! Mancera Soleil d'Italie: Recently reviewed by @Edward Mooney , had a bottle already on it's way. My initial impression back in the day (August 25) was positive, but the powderiness I got from it was a bit of a turnoff. Fast forward to today, I had the chance to try it again a few weeks ago, and understood the fragrance much better. Powderiness is there, but cannot deny how amazing the citrus and aquatic blasts blend with this somewhat floral powderiness once it dries down. It was also at $68 at aura, so had to go for it. Boss Bottled EDT: There. It was a complete sin for me not to have the OG EDT in my collection, with how legendary it is, how much it takes me back, and how much I like the line. Timeless fresh, spicy fruity fragrance for the win! Oh, got a 100ml tester for $32. Expected no cap, as everyone shows pictures of Boss Bottled testers with no cap. It came with the cap! If only the Intense flankers were still around though. YSL LNDL EDP (2019): Had to get one of this line. After testing all of the readily available flankers, this one was it. Keeping the EDTs signature cardamom was what sold me in the end. Le Parfum was great, but strayed away too much from the OG. Bleu Electrique I was finally able to try a few weeks ago, loved it and definitely my favorite, but completely unavailable.