Match #48 in the second-chance bracket is a study in contrasts: Lattafa Mashrabya versus Prada Luna Rossa Ocean Eau de Parfum. Mashrabya (2024) is an affordable powerhouse—a rich amber vanilla fragrance built around apple shisha, cinnamon, tobacco, caramel, vanilla, oud, and patchouli. It's sweet, smoky, and strong, and I can certainly see reaching for it when the weather gets seriously cold. Prada Luna Rossa Ocean EDP (2023, created by Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm) feels much fresher, particularly in the opening, with grapefruit leading into incense, vanilla, amber, and woods. It has plenty of depth, but it's considerably more versatile than Mashrabya. And ultimately, that's the test I've been using throughout this tournament: which one would I actually reach for more often? For me, it's Prada every time. Add in the emotional connection—Ocean was one of the first fragrances in my collection and the one I wore when I first met my fiancée in Hong Kong—and this decision becomes even easier. Prada Luna Rossa Ocean EDP survives for another round, while Lattafa Mashrabya is eliminated from the tournament. I'm glad Ocean is sticking around. This bottle has a story attached to it.

Another wear for the workday and I found it to be a great "Friday Fragrance." With fruity notes of grapefruit, floral notes of lavender, the musk of patchouli, and a suggestion of Absinthe, I present Celtic Platinum. This fragrance does really well with cold morning and warm afternoons. Extraits are something I find my are personal preference in fragrances and that may be because I enjoy the hydration it brigs to my skin- most especially my shoulders. I sprayed this on after a shower and dry finding it a pleasant, fruity, yet intoxicating wear. I'm now 9 hours with this and I kinda feel like I smell fresh and shower clean. I do feel that this is gonna be a weekend wear and Alex has crafted a wonderful fragrance in Celtic Platinum. Notes: Absinthe Grapefruit Lavender Pink Pepper Geranimum Lilacs Cypress Patchouli It's available now at Alexleefragrance.com on as a travel 10ml . I do highly recommend this fragrance,