Enjoying my trip down the knock-off rabbit hole of colognes (the Middle Eastern market has some serious clone game!). After watching several more videos, heard good things about Jean Paul Gaultier, and came across Rayhaan's Lion eau de parfum (equivalent to JPG Ultra Male). So, $80-$150+ vs $35 per bottle. For now, I'm exploring cheaper options. Scent profile: - Top notes/initial burst: Pear, lavender, and bergamot (first 10-20 mins) - Middle notes: Cinnamon, clary sage, and cumin (next 20+ mins) - Heart: Warm gourmand; dominated by vanilla, amber, and cedar (1 hour+ after full dry-down) Estimated lasting time? Varies per skin, but reported between 5 hours to 24 hours. Suggested application amount: Minimal - 1-2 sprays (one on skin, one on clothing). Suggested setting: Somewhere with good air circulation/open-area; definitely not a regular everyday signature scent or office-friendly cologne. Reported to linger in the air in passing... I'll have to test that. Bottle presentation? Very nice for what it is. I especially like the copper with antique finish lion head, and 3D Arabic brand inscription on the back. Magnetic cap is a nice bonus. Feels solid in my hands, and the black + copper/gold color matches my home interior decor theme. At first spray, this actually reminded me of a cologne I'd forgotten an ex of mine from 20 years ago used to get for me - Jaguar (classic blue). However, as it settles, I'm picking up more of the scent profile. It's been about 30 mins since application and I can tell the top notes are slowly yielding to the next level. This is despite being a bit stuffy from allergy season. Maybe it'll grow on me, I do like that it has such potent time-releasing layers... but I honestly like my Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla the most so far as a regular signature scent.

Memo Paris is one of those houses that really pulls me in.There’s something about the way they do fragrance that feels a little like escaping somewhere else in a bottle. Whether it’s the fresh tea and citrus scents or the darker leather and woodier ones, the house has a style that feels rich, memorable, and transformative fragrance experience in my scent growth. I’ve been spending more time with Memo lately, and now I’m curious what everyone else thinks. What’s your favorite Memo Paris fragrance? If you could only keep five from the house, which five would you choose? Have you tried others that aren’t as popular and think it should be? I’d love to know which one really stands out to you and you would love to own or own and love as well.

A little cool start to the day and then warmup to about 80 degrees. Thought this might go well. Also, saw a snippet from JW4 the night before. Anyhoo, this aromatic woody scent starts with the citrus burst of "spiced" lemon which is pretty short-lived then moves into clary sage with the gunmetal accord (this is the similar steam iron scent that Hermes H24 Herbes Vives has), which lasts all day long. Now the cedarwood and bourbon, I've had a harder time detecting, so maybe this isn't a well-blended scent but it does capture that sharpness I'd expect from John Wick. Now if I could only fight and shoot guns as well as he does, lol. At least I can smell what a nose thought he might smell like. Also, I was thinking, there should be more scents capturing fictional characters. I could go for a James Bond, James "Sonny" Crocket, Conan "The Barbarian", Harry Tasker, Jack Burton, Ray Tango, etc... 80's youth heroes you know.