Acquired this decant in a trade last winter with @Jeff Beason and have been looking forward to testing it. Finally did that yesterday. Wow— this surprised me in a great way. Gorgeous and uplifting opening of the lemon zest hits immediately but with the zaps of the floral heart of cistus and lavender making me pause to recognize that this isn’t your typical, short-lived citrus top. In fact this performed beyond expectations. It’s my first time trying this brand, but I have a general read from the brotherhood that it has a luke warm following(?). It continued to develop over a couple of hours and a projected well within a few feet. Got family compliments! And, I smelled hints of it upon waking this morning so quite an impressive performance. Now I love freshies and Vetiver in general, and I will be enjoying this alongside some other tests before determining which wins a FB spot.

On my way to grab dinner with my work colleagues. Decided to go with this mass apprealing masterclass. Not planning to turn heads or grab attention so this should do just fine.

My first impression: London presents itself as a vibrant and contemporary citrus fragrance with a velvety, creamy finish. The top notes are a refreshing blend of lemon and tangerine heart, accented by a hint of pink pepper. In the middle, the fragrance unfolds with a warm and inviting combination of ginger, neroli, tuberose, and apple. The base notes provide a grounding and sophisticated touch, featuring sandalwood, vanilla, and musk. To me, the scent exudes a sense of freshness and vitality, with a subtle hint of spice that adds depth without overwhelming the senses. The opening is lively and citrusy, transitioning smoothly into the ginger and floral notes that impart a touch of elegance. Finally, the vanilla-musk base rounds out the fragrance, creating a harmonious and easy to wear scent profile. It feels more like a versatile and refreshing fragrance. Regarding its potential dupe, I cannot confirm this information. I have not been able to find a reliable source that identifies a confirmed original fragrance. My final thought: Lattafa Pride London The City of Contrast presents a captivating fusion of invigorating citrus notes, warm spices, velvety woods, and an everyday, unisex scent.