MIDDLE EASTERN FRAGRANCES THAT I BOUGHT DURING THE BLACK FRIDAY SALE! HAUL, PERFUME COLLECTION 2023

[@The_Hessie]

Hola everyone! ❤ My impressions on Lattafa Eternal Oud and its inspo MFK Grand Soir: GRAND SOIR opens up deeper and more resinous and the ambery vanilla stays throughout the long life of the fragrance (10+ hrs on my skin). Unisex leaning to more masculine, IMO. ETERNAL OUD loses its depth quite quickly and the resinous/ ambery quality starts receding early as the fragrance develops into a sweeter vanilla. Average performing. Unisex. CONCLUSIONS- 90% similar, especially the first couple hours. After that, similarity drops to 70-80%. Excellent alternative if you can’t splurge. For a more feminine twist, layer with sweeter fragrances like Nebras or BR540.

[@mariacollettlife]

Thanks Hessie!

[@pkswafford]

Hi Hessie, have you tried either Pendora Amber Grand or Barakkat Amber Eve? If so, what do you think of those compared to Eternal Oud?

[@The_Hessie]

@@pkswafford Hello there! Unfortunately, I have not smelled any of these.

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

My favorite subject. I used to work for some European designer brands and now that I've gone down the Middle Eastern rabbit hole, I don't buy many western fragrances. I used to keep less than 5 bottles for my personal use and never blind-bought because I am picky, but I am having too much fun trying out new offerings. Ostensibly as research for gifts but I am amazed at how many I actually love from UAE.

[@AmiAbroad]

What other ME fragrances are in your collection? I'm always searching!

[@mariacollettlife]

I've just ordered a few more but will be sharing a full video on my ME fragrances soon...Val will also be joining me in January for a HUGE haul video of all ME perfumes.

[@Vashaun76]

My husband said: USA probably duped middle eastern and jacked up the prices!!!! I was like yeahhhhh u are rightttt

[@jackiesasfai4162]

I have Ansaam Gold & Baroque Satin Oud! I love them both! I think you should get Nebras! I didn’t think I’d like it FOMO made me buy it last year. This year it’s beautiful! I wore it mixed with a fruity scent maybe a cherry from B&BW’s and literally had a young man follow me into a garden center and tell me I smelled amazing! About 30 mins later loading my pumpkins and mums in my car a couple came up and said, the wind is blowing and we could smell you when we got to the back of our car! I almost panicked thinking it was too strong or over sprayed.. they both insisted absolutely not! My husband continuously commented while we decorated our porch that whatever I had on was his absolute favorite I’ve ever worn! It takes a lot of sharpness out of some fragrances and mixes so well! Great stand alone too!! Get IT!!❤

[@mariacollettlife]

I like Nebras but it's not a huge love for me...I think eventually I will get it though 😀

[@bodacioustness5054]

I love Baroque Satin Oud. It's very close to the OG. And the longer it sits, the more beautiful it is.

[@tarak2915]

I have had Baroque Satin Oud for a while now. I agree it is impressive. Especially considering the price. The performance is also stellar. I’ve worn it in the evening and can still clearly smell it on my skin the next morning. One of my favourite Black Friday buys was D&G Devotion. It really is delicious.

[@mariamarin9178]

I have all 4 fragrances and absolutely love them and they do get better with age.

[@lookatmeimsoquirky5834]

I really like the way you explain sweetheart

[@Ania-on9le]

Oh girl, i just freakin love middle eastern fragrances

[@mariacollettlife]

Same!!

[@NinjaBooKitty]

OMG I do love when you go full on fastasy diva character depiction and get worked up into a frenzy! 🤣🤣 I always know I can count on your for the lolz! Can't wait for you and Val to come in with your hauls and then a month later like, 'Just kidding, these sucked!' 🤣 I still want Eternal Oud, just for the bottle. 🥰🥰

[@gigracer]

I saw that cloche and immediately thought how handy it would be to protect my makeup brushes from dust lol

[@matzinca]

Glad to watch more middle eastern perfumes!

[@mariacollettlife]

I’m happy to hear it!!

[@KARIN1980ification]

You’re so funny 😂❤ Thanks for your perfume inspiration

[@linettefritz2993]

Ok…. So when u started talking about the assassin with the knife in her dress… I had to subscribe. Love your humor. Thanks for the laugh, girl:)

[@mariacollettlife]

🤣🤣thank so much!!

[@tdsollog]

As a neurodivergent person, I truly enjoy your descriptions.

[@mariacollettlife]

Thank you!

[@georgiepaolinos1226]

You crack me up 😅love watching your reviews

[@mariacollettlife]

😊 thank you

[@creolenatchitoches7832]

Found this channel yesterday and some others on M.E. fragrances and I'm so glad I did. Blind-buying with expert opinions.

[@valsvida504]

I bought Ansaam Gold earlier this year and it’s an absolute fav of mine with Yara ❤ I also bought satin oud and what a beautiful scent ! I have sooo many gems and glad I came Across Arabic perfumes this year ❤

[@NinjaBooKitty]

I'm so glad I came across these so early in my perfume journey. I don't have a taste for spending hundreds on 1 bottle. If I like the dupe, it's good enough for me. :)

[@valsvida504]

@@NinjaBooKitty I would personally also recommend Dossier ! They have great prices for high end perfumes for such a great price and great sales honestly like some of these more then the original

[@mariacollettlife]

Dossier is goo as is DUA and Oakcha...I'm so impressed with so many of the ME Fragrances these days though!

[@Tscranton1]

I love your description of the smells ✨️😂😂😂

[@BongiCekuse]

I’m so happy I found out about ME perfumes. My first purchase was in May and I’ve been addicted since. I already have a dupe for oud satin mood and it lasts days if not weeks on your clothes, but I’d like to try out Baroque. I can’t wait to add Ansaam Gold and Eternal oud in my collection

[@mariacollettlife]

I hope you love them as much as I! ME has some really amazing offerings and so AFFORDABLE!!!!

[@jewelzdior7475]

Hi there I just got the baroque out satin mood and it was a complete blind buy I absolutely ❤it !! I have never smelt the OG it’s a dupe for and I would definitely say this leans feminine not unisex in my opinion heard mixed reviews on how close of a dupe but either way I enjoy the scent it was a win for me !! Happy holidays ❤

[@mariacollettlife]

Yes, same here...it's just gorgeous. I don't care how close of a dupe it is, I just love it!! 😀

[@AvaLanche-j3o]

Thank you for this lovely and funny video. You can really make good shoe for us. I do try to cut down my perfume buying, so no more blind buying before I get a sample. As it is, I'm waiting for my ansaam gold sample. Most love it, but not all. Kaheela lux is still on my wishlist, I'll get sample of it some time later. I have sample of eternal oud. At first testing I didn't think much of it. Later I noticed it's in fact pretty good. But I already have full bottle of barakkat amber eve. And I think they are quite near each other's. I think they shine best now that we have gold weather. I've also playing with barakkat, layering it together for example with khamrah. Really great combo. Also I have barakkat satin oud, another version of oud satin mood. I like it, but not love it. I'm not even sure why.

[@julieg_quebec-julesselivre8641]

I bought Dom Rosa and Pas ce soir… both beautiful! ❤ i’m almost afraid to dip into middle eastern fragrances because there are so many to try! 😬

[@pkswafford]

We love your imagination! Yes, I can see the Lion King scenes in the Eternal Oud tree! I agree that the Ansaam Gold bottle is gorgeous. Even more beautiful in person than in pictures!!! For me, however, the scent takes third place to two other marshmallowy scents. My number one (after the OG Love don't be shy) is Melodie de Orientica which is said to be inspired by Sintra (another orange blossom/marshmallow scent), number two (surprising to me) is Dossier Floral Marshmallow, and then Ansaam Gold. I've tried Kaheela Lux and think it could easily be worn by men as well as women. Finally, Baroque Satin Oud wasn't even on my radar but now you've made me want to try it!

[@mariacollettlife]

Have you tried the love don't be shy pistachio mixed perfume of DUA's??? It's seriously freaking amazing. If you like the jammy oud rose combos I think that it's a safe blind buy (baroque satin oud)

[@pkswafford]

@@mariacollettlife Baroque Satin Oud is going to be under my Christmas tree 🎄My significant other can't wait to give me my holiday gifts, so I've already recieved most of them and he was concerned that there wouldn't be anything for me to open on Christmas morning, so I told him he could get that for me 🤣 I haven't tried many DUAs, but LDBS+pistachio sounds yummy. I wonder if I could imitate that by layering Floral Marshmallow and Lattafa Affection?

[@heavenj7]

Ohh I want to add: the last three I bought: barrakat Gentle gold it’s great!! Khair Pistachio wonderful!! And a dupe for loveseat burning cherry and Tom ford?? I hit Flavia Cherry Lust and I say it’s 95% close to Kayali! Ugh I hope she’s been hearing my comments and improves performance rather than throw out flankers!! 😢

[@maryannsmith5348]

I love you! So funny/imaginative/creative! Thank you for your reviews. I have ordered a few bottles, based on your descriptions. Thank you

[@mariacollettlife]

I'm so happy to hear that it's helpful to you!

[@kerrierohr9341]

Curious to know if you ever bought that fragrance in the purple bottle (mango and sandalwood) that you fell for that Val had you try?

[@mariacollettlife]

No. She let me borrow it for a while. I really enjoyed it but I wanted more mango. I still may buy it in the spring!!

[@zairadiaz4957]

Thanks for this question and answer... was wondering the same thing!

[@coachdennyfratt5752]

❤

[@pamelabrown8467]

Thanks for sharing ❤

[@brendaschenk9390]

I absolutely love Baroque Satin Oud I absolutely loved at first sniff!!! It is so good❤Thanks for sharing.

[@dianaramos8100]

i love love love eternal oud. Maybe you may want to give it another chance. I actually use that for bedtime! y smell de prum, resins, sweetness and i find it very warm and cozy, al totally well blended. I usually love everything you recomend so i very happy that before i order two baroque satin oud and now i cant wait to them for arrive

[@mariacollettlife]

Yes, I will definitely be letting it sit and then bring eternal oud out again!

[@magdalenam5114]

I just bought Baroque Satin Oud - didn’t opened yet but so happy to hear your opinion about

[@tronnicia]

I absolutely love Oud Satin Mood so I bought Baroque for my bf after reading reviews. I still have no idea what it smells like cuz we're in a LDR but ik he likes it. He just prefers more of a typical sweet fresh scent tho so I just might snag it from him when we do meet up.

[@AMCTX]

If you love Oud Satin or Silk Mood, you really need to try the new Ormande Jayne Arabesque. It is so similar but even better - it’s gorgeous and I don’t even like rose/ouds normally! Less choking, smoother, and more elegant.

[@mariacollettlife]

Thanks for the suggestion!

[@MelissaWright-g6q]

I purchase eternal out last year and felt the same as you. I left it alone and brought it out this fall and it really did blend well with time.

[@mariacollettlife]

That's what I"m hoping for!

[@rachelnysted9355]

Love your reactions! I never thought I’d say this, but I’m far more impatient than you are. Loved the verbal description of the woman in black leather with the tall boots. And the church…there’s a picture to that since she ends up in the graveyard. Sorry about the broken packing. You’re always fun and keep doing this. After all this, I think I’ve ended up on a different review. I dropped my phone. Possibly just disregard this hodge lodge of words.

[@mariacollettlife]

🤣🤣🤣I was trying to figure out what you were referring to. Yes Mom, you ended up on a different one! 😜

[@donaldbanks8921]

Eternal oud is one of the best fragrances you can buy. I don’t know what’s wrong with your bottle, but it’s one of the best fragrances in my collection.

[@mariacollettlife]

I think it just needs to macerate longer. I’ve smelled both my friends and it was super smooth and rich. Mine seems harsh….im sure it will mellow out. 😀

[@jros9312]

I just received baroque Satin Oud. It’s not as bad as I thought it would be (not my favorite scent profile) it is very classy, gentle and elegant. It’s not nauseating and jammy. The violet makes it so special.

[@TheEagleslover]

I didn’t make any Black Friday purchases because I was out of country and didn’t want anyone stealing my packages. But I bought the Oud Satin for a really great deal earlier in the year and it’s a stunner.

[@jenniesmall5054]

Love your hair x

[@CommonSense-iu6wz]

I do too

[@sybilleziegler9729]

Marie, I just love your stories you 😅imagine withe the fragrances.

[@mariacollettlife]

Thanks so much!!

[@nicholeh1280]

I wore Eternal Oud last week and loved it. It had been sitting for 1.5 months. It was very long lasting on skin.

[@mariacollettlife]

yes, I'm letting mine sit - pretty sure it just needs to macerate!

[@letgobandit]

I boycotted black Friday to show solidarity with suffering people, but I did love the video as usual.

[@mariacollettlife]

I love the fact that you boycotted Black Friday!!

[@helenwhitenyc1]

Omg you grew up around arabian horses? That sounds like a dream.i had a plastic collectible one

[@mariacollettlife]

Well yes and no. They were beautiful but I didn’t get to ride them and had to muck a lot of manure! 😳😜

[@natb5187]

I have samples of both Grand Soir and Eternal Oud. They are very very close to my nose. On my skin, Grand Soir gets a BO tinge on the dry down whereas Eternal Oud does not.

[@mariacollettlife]

Thanks for weighing in, that’s awesome!!

[@jetaboveclouds]

I have Kaheela Lux, you nailed it ..But....how did you know about my tango, stiletto knife evening in my black dress? LOL I have Black Origami....It is really interesting and so different....I really like it and since you like unusual ones...I think you will like it. It is supposed to be Tom Ford's Black Orchid.....eh.

[@mariacollettlife]

Every assassin must know the tango.... 😜

[@RM-go2mo]

Excellent collection

[@jillshorten3457]

Ha love the Disney solos!

[@mariacollettlife]

🤣

[@AmiAbroad]

Hi Marie! Middle eastern fragrances? Now you are speaking my language! 😊I own over 30 of them Love Ansaam Gold. Lattafa's presentation and quality in relationship to price is fantastic. I don't know how they do it. Eternal Oud... That bottle looks like something from a Tim Burton movie. 😬Beetlejuice. I would urge you try Afnan Rare Passion. I know you didn't care for Rare Tiffany. But Rare Passion is a gorgeously blended floral. Stunning. I don't feel it leans Middle Eastern at all. One of my top 3 ME fragrances. I believe it's an original, too.

[@mariacollettlife]

I’m going to go look it up right now!! Thanks for the suggestion. I actually still like rare Tiffany but have to be in the mood for it. 😀

[@danielleshadlow891]

I had a sample or Grand Soir and my husband had Eternal Oud. I burnt through my sample and then took his bottle since he wasn’t wearing it, so it was a couple months old, but I think it is very close. The quality and richness is a little less, but I rarely wear it on its own. So I don’t notice. My favorite layering is with Apples & Aces from Genre. I haven’t bought perfume lately as I just had a birthday and will get something for Christmas. I am in my decluttering phase, so 3 or 4 bottles are plenty to add to my collection this season.

[@mariacollettlife]

Thanks for weighing in!

[@diamondpsycho9485]

I'm on the fence between Baroque Satin Oud and FW Barakkat Satin Mood. I own the latter and ADORE it!! I need to get a back up bottle and I'm on the fence between these two. Is the longevity of Baroque pretty good?

[@mariacollettlife]

It’s about 6 hours…maybe more? If you love the one stick with it! 😀💕

[@lyricusx2900]

Eternal Oud is magic in a bottle. It doesn't look cheap. Best bottle ever. It's so sexy. The bottle is beautiful it's not weird. This gets more compliments than 99% of perfumes and colognes. If you later it ❤. It's hard to top Eternal Oud you have to wear it for a little and it will blossom into something magical. Everyone loves Eternal Oud. My bottle got so much attention when I wore it. I felt goddess beautiful ❤️.

[@mariacollettlife]

Awesome to hear!!

[@karinatumanov7363]

Lady's can someone help me? I am a huge gourmand lover and love sweet vanilla scents like aris fragrances the cloud one or thank you next I also had BR540 and alien goddess I also love guess seductive red and guess Bella vita and I also had Olympia and Carolina herrera good girl & supreme these are my top. Fragrance atm I want to try WE fragrances but I hate oud does anyone has the same taste as me and can tell wich ones are safe blind buys? 🙏🙈 That would help me a lot ❤️🥰

[@carlinos9440]

Que divertida eres contando los perfumes 😂😂😂

[@halliehay1704]

I have Invite only aswell bought it last year. I ddn’t like it on me because it projects too much. 😂 I will try it again .. i hope it like it now a bit better!

[@cynthiat5215]

Oh my goodness the beauty and the beast/lion king part had my dying 😂

[@mariacollettlife]

🤣

[@seasonferrell1364]

I hit the Dua sale for Black Friday but they just prepared my package for shipping on Friday! I hope the wait is worth it!

[@frontporchwigchat6260]

I love that you know about Arabian horses. My late best friend had a very diva-esque Arabian mare, a flea-bitten gray out of a wonderful breeder line. I loved that mare, such personality! My current favorite Arabian perfume at the moment is Swiss Arabian's Casablanca and Barrakat Ambre Eve (I sometimes layer with Lattafa French Coffee). Val is so much fun, hope to see her again soon! ~Cynthia

[@mariacollettlife]

I will have her back in January!

[@frontporchwigchat6260]

Yippeee!@@mariacollettlife

[@tiffanistrickland9146]

I wish I was able to ship you my dupes I don’t care for. Thanks for the video. ❤

[@mariacollettlife]

Awe, that is very kind! are you in the states? You should try and sell them on Mercari!

[@tiffanistrickland9146]

@@mariacollettlife yes I am. I would rather pass them down to the women I subscribe to on here. It’s too much lol

[@joannathesinger770]

Nebras...the accent is on the first syllable, not the 2nd...NEH-bras. (It's not a French word.) I've been a little "mad" with my money, and have amassed quite the collection of fragrances in a relatively short time. I'm looking at the ones you've shown, but I have to tighten up my purse strings for a bit!

[@mariacollettlife]

There is another sale on perfume online right now...12% off and free shipping over $49 if you are interested...still gets expensive though

[@joannathesinger770]

@@mariacollettlife What site?

[@CatherineBriseboisCatWoods]

Yup. I did a bit of damage before and during Black Friday. I did buy the Roses Vanilla one you and Val talked about. And also one called Boozy Cherry (TF dupe). And a few more expensive ones...🥴 But I got a bit more money and a raise at that time.👍 I splurged a little...

[@mariacollettlife]

Congrats on your raise!!! That's wonderful!

[@savitajardine5868]

Does Kaheela Lux smell similar to Tobacco Vanille or amber Oud tobacco?

[@lucia3]

Hi Maria. I didn't buy anything during the black friday. I have French Coffee. It's too realistic, and I don't like to smell like a barista, but it's great for layering 👍

[@mariacollettlife]

Ya, that’s my thought on it too. I think it would be great with Shaghaf Oud. What have you layered it with?

[@onyinyechiblessingnwafor2707]

Please layer it with Nebras, you will love it!

[@lucyferrara5914]

I am definitely getting Baroque Satin Oud.....sounds wonderful!!!

[@saidalcapone3964]

How was baroque satin oud vs barakkat version?

[@mariacollettlife]

I find the BSO to be a bit more fruity as I recall. The barakkat version had more violet and wasn't quite as sweet. They are both fantastic.

[@jessicar5748]

That tree on Eternal Oud reminds me of Lord of the Rings 😂😂😂

[@mariacollettlife]

An Ent?? 🤣🤣🤣love it!

[@jessicar5748]

That too! But I was thinking of the White Tree of Gondor. I’m such a nerd 😂😂😂

[@danashackleton3790]

Nice to get a dedicated review on these perfumes. Bc there is no way no know what's good bc u have to blind buy them. I find a lot of times they are redundant

[@Sarah_98-d9e]

Plz what is for you the best dupe of love don’t be shy sheap price ? In Arabic perfumes ?

[@edithobrien7118]

BAROQUE SATIN MOOD is raved about in Europe, it is indeed fairly new :)

[@mariacollettlife]

Its seriously one of my new loves!

[@xanderpromeo]

Have you done a video on Velvet Oud?

[@mariacollettlife]

No I haven’t

[@lomo269]

I have Baroque Satin Oud and if you love it now, wait till it matures, it gets even better. The sweetness amps up a bit and it really becomes something special after a few months. Unbelievable quality for the price.

[@mariacollettlife]

I agree!!! so amazing!

[@jewelzdior7475]

Any suggestions for a colonge for a older man my father I’m thinking masculine fresh scent nothing too complex thanks 😊

[@baronesselsavonfreytag-lor1134]

I'm gifting several bottles of Al Haramain L'Aventure this Christmas. It's inspired by Creed Aventus. Two of my husband's friends requested it after smelling it on him.

[@mariacollettlife]

I am sorry but my husband doesn't wear fragrance so I'm totally inept in the male fragrance department.

[@Skiroleta]

Excuse me, but I have trouble understanding a concept you mentioned, maybe you can explain it to me...What is this "being very careful buying perfume on Black Friday"? 🤔Never heard of it!! 🤣🤣🤣 Now seriously, I agree with you, the presentation of Middle Eastern fragrances is so nice! I'm obsessed with the quality and detail of the packaging, and the bottles and caps are heavy and good quality! One can probably take a mother-in-law down or something with one of those bottles! 😆not something we're too used buying occidental scents (There are exceptions, but in that price range, the packaging is usually cheapish)

[@mariacollettlife]

Well that’s the thing. For 30$ I expect less but these are such amazing quality!!

[@BLANKU2]

I'm going to give BAROQUE SATIN OUD a chance.

[@coachdennyfratt5752]

Marie u are hilarious I love u we could have a lot of laughs together and I am a perfume nut too

[@mariacollettlife]

Isn't fragrance fun?? glad you enjoy the jubilation and weirdness 😜

[@c.tucker2247]

Unfortunately saffron and oud dont seem to like my skin. I can't even wear BR540 nor several ME fragrances. But, i do love Nebras...

[@876beauty]

I loved Ansaam Gold until I discovered Al Haramain Destino 😍...Now my favorite Middle eastern Fragrances, more fruity, sweater and not as floral

[@mariacollettlife]

I haven't smelled that one!

[@alexiss4225]

Question - Ansaam Gold is a safe fragrance but not a safe blind buy?

[@mariacollettlife]

It’s a lovely fragrance. I don’t find it safe because some people don’t like that Oriana or Love Don’t Be Shy dna. It’s quite floral so you have to enjoy that aspect. Sometimes when people hear the term marshmallow they are anticipating something much more gourmand than what you actually get in Ansaam Gold. Hope that makes sense. I absolutely love it but I don’t think everyone is going to love it this not safe (unless you like that particular dna)

[@RealInvestorsChoice-wk3id]

Do you have a dupe for bianco latte giardini di toscana?

[@mariacollettlife]

Not yet, it’s too new. I think that we will see one from DUA soon enough though!

[@davicomeh]

Where can i buy MIDDLE EASTERN fragrances cheap?

[@mariacollettlife]

There are a few different sites. Fragbar.com is great as is perfume online.com

[@CarolynDick-r4f]

Wow

[@matzinca]

How is Barrakat satin oud compared to baroque?

[@MegaSemmie]

Yes same guestion which one last longer and stronger

[@liza4bz]

For me the Barrakat vanished on me within 2hrs. Baroque Satin Oud is also better blended to me.

[@mariacollettlife]

That’s a great question. I will ask to borrow a bit of Val’s and give you a comparison. 😀

[@user-wm1oo4os7e]

Does anyone know how to get samples of middle eastern perfumes?

[@mariacollettlife]

That’s a good question! I think some of the companies sell 10ml decants but not sure about small samples.

[@frankiefavero1666]

OMG Maria, normally you and I are really on the same page... except when it comes to Ansaam Gold... to me, this is the most repulsive, old-smelling, fowl-soap-detergent, sharp and unblended, sham of a fragrance! I had such high expectations (love both the Killian and the Parfums de Marly it is duping), and I honestly think that I just got a bad batch because this cannot be real! I've had it macerating now for 3 months, and it is just as repulsive as when I just opened it and emptied its straw... Honestly, it smells exactly like that old-school soap detergent my mom used to wash the kitchen rags with... to my nose it is vile both on my skin and in the air... do you think perhaps I got a bad one? Because it cannot be that everyone who loves the fragrances it is duping love it, yet it makes me gag :( I've had a similar experience with Club de Nuit Imperiale; though not repulsive to my nose, I'm getting musty and old-school incense churchy vibes... HELP!!!

[@mariacollettlife]

Well first, your description is EPIC!! Love it! It’s possible that there is an issue with the fragrance but it’s also possible that you don’t like the particular ingredients that are being used in Ansaam…or even the base that they use. Each company is different so you may find their ingredients off putting because they aren’t as refined?

[@frankiefavero1666]

@@mariacollettlife ha ha well I aim to please, plus I'm a highly descriptive person (you cannot see me face or hear me so it's the only way I can emote, haha). I'm thinking it's the mandarin orange as I LOATHE mandarins, both their smell and their taste, that devil's fruit mixed with grapefruit (yuck, too) and lemon is what may be ruining this potion to me... waaay to citric-forward, to the point that I cannot enjoy the sweetness within... Sigh, if you were in NZ I'd be gifting my bottle to you.

[@sharfalor4244]

I think the 'extra' packaging is nice but it's worth taking the cellophane off and checking it before gifting as there's so many dodgy ones that should never have made it past quality control. 😂

[@mariacollettlife]

Good point 🤣

[@heavenj7]

It’s crazy and sad…but I’ve had better luck with Arabic perfumes the last year when it comes to scent and performance!! Designer and niche need to step it up!! The prices keep going up and the performance down 😢

[@Jasmination21]

Don’t you already have ansam gold and reviewed it a few times

[@mariacollettlife]

You are correct that I have reviewed it but it was Val’s. She let me borrow it for a couple of weeks! 😀 really glad to have my own bottle now!!

[@Jasmination21]

@@mariacollettlife ahhh I’m so tempted…some reviews say it’s to powdery or mature smelling I might just blind buy it since it’s so affordable

[@MelissaWright-g6q]

I purchase eternal out last year and felt the same as you. I left it alone and brought it out this fall and it really did blend well with time.