Yes I'm a sucker for leather, This is one that I actually left behind a few days ago, regretted my desicion and went back to get. It's rather intriguing, said to be a dupe for everyone's favourite, Ombre Leather. But whilst there are some similarities, Rare Carbon is different. I even get some African Leather vibes in the mix here. Overall it's an impressive release from 2020 by the UAE based house Afnan. It's built around a strong leather accord, sweetened with florals and spices, and grounded by a woody base. The opening is a powerful blast of leather, it's a little smoky, rugged, new-car-like. This is immediately smoothed by the green, slightly aqueous presence of Violet Leaf and warmed up with a touch of aromatic Cinnamon and Nutmeg spice. As the initial intensity mellows, the scent reveals a softer, more complex heart. The Violet and Rose add a powdery, floral elegance that prevents the leather from becoming too harsh or linear. Cedar Wood provides a clean, dry backbone. There is supposed to be an oud note here as well, but if it's there the cedar seems to be masking it? The dry-down is warm, earthy, and long-lasting. Vetiver introduces an earthy, smoky quality; Sandalwood adds a creamy woodiness; and Amber adds a rich, resinous warmth, securing the leather accord.Oddly this is one of the few leather fragrances that does not contain any Jasmine Sambac. I really like the construction here. For a budget friendly ME fragrance, it offers solid performance, especially for its price point: I'm getting a strong 6+ hrs. The opening is quite strong, pushing out noticeably for the first hour. It then settles into a moderate scent cloud that will still be easily detectable to those around you in your personal space for a few more hours. It continues my favouritism for cold weather scents. But it's versatile to cover day and nighttime wear. This is a good one to have on your shelf My Rating: 8/10 Scent: 2.5 Longevity: 2.5 Sillage: 2 Y/N: 1

Good morning Frag Fam and happy first Friday of the new year. We’re kicking it off with a serious deep freeze here in Chicago, the kind of cold that makes you reach for something bold, rich, and comforting before you even step outside. Wishing everyone a warm, blessed, and great-smelling start to the day. Today’s scent is Mohra by Lattafa, and I’m currently doing a side-by-side with Halfeti by Penhaligon’s. Initial thoughts right out of the gate… these two are very, very close. Mohra opens with that same dark, spicy richness and slightly resinous sweetness that instantly brings Halfeti to mind. There’s depth, warmth, and a smooth progression that feels far more upscale than the price would suggest. At this stage, Mohra is holding its own impressively, especially in this cold weather where it really shines and blooms off the skin. I’ll spend more time with both and come back with a full, detailed comparison later, but early impressions are that Lattafa did something special here. Definitely one to keep on your radar. Stay warm, Frag Fam.