… now here’s something you don’t see everyday

SO.... Here is an update on my SHEIN purchase of Creed Oud Zarian... It's fake. Several other friends, some other harsher Redditors, and my fragrance guy were able to do 2nd looks and it appears to be a really good dupe, including the inserts. The giveaway is the stem the cap sits on. That was something I didn't think of or show my "researchers." That's the tell. I'm not a ego-driven member of this group, so I can admit to being duped and learn from it (the Redditor group I was in and a few others- are some really harsh critics. Tough voices, but I do feel educated). Although honestly, It's still a very strong clone and I absolutely love it; not an original, just damn good with the same performance strength and sillage. BUT... where is the WIN & GRATITUDE fit in on this whole thing? YOU. You're the win for me, as well as the gratitude. I feel that although it's not authentic, it's the experience of sharing this with you and knowing that although it's questionable, I didn't sit on it after presenting it to you all OR ignore the text messages I got from a few friends after a second look. The Win- you all care enough to cheer me on with what I thought was a great deal. Some of you questioned it and it allowed me to be open to a second look myself. The Gratitude- same as the aforementioned, but it goes further in knowing I walk away smarter from this AND I got a damn good dupe, as well as some education on the mechanics of atomizers and how Creed's is different. The batch numbers may look the same, but that atomizer stem, the shrink wrap... I'm smarter with knowledge of Creed now than I was yesterday. That's because of you all who responded to the posts. Thank you.

I’ve really been leaning into the clean boy, Mediterranean, linen oceanic look. I got pacific chill a while back and adore it, but I’m looking for a new summer freshie. So far I’m stuck between French Riviera by Mancera or Torino 21 by Xerjoff. I’d love to finally own a Xerjoff, and really enjoy the dna of this one, but it might be redundant as I already have a fragrance occupying the minty herbal fruity slot (pacific chill), so I’m leaning French Riviera now. I need more high quality marine fragrances as well. What do you brothers think?