So I’ve noticed a trend recently that Youtubers are spending more and more time glazing Middle Eastern brands and clones, with more and more “Top 5 dupes for summer” or “Top affordable fragrances for date night” or whatever that just keep recycling the same offerings. At the same time I keep seeing the same Youtubers at exotic locations, like the pyramids or Maldives for events thrown by these brands. Now, I always had to take with a grain of salt anything that these folks had to say for the most part, and I get that hyperinflation is putting more and more designer and niche offerings out of reach for most people, but I feel like the trend is resulting in less and less content that is relevant to me or that I feel I can learn from. Or that I can trust as being truly impartial. At the other end of the spectrum, there are a few true content creator connoisseurs that don’t seem swayed by paid promotions and aren’t following the trend to emphasize Middle Eastern and clone offerings, but my issue with them is they feature all these random super ultra niche houses and frags that are nearly impossible to sample — and when I do manage to sample them, for the most part they turn out to be beautiful works of art that are absolutely unwearable for me. So I’m feeling stuck in the middle and less and less satisfied finding content I like. Anyone else feeling this way?

It's time to grab some gems that I do not reach for enough. Ambra Calabria is bright and green then creamy and smooth. Ineke Jaipur Chai is a realistic slightly sweet tea fragrance. To this day I haven't tested Wu long from nishane since I love this sooo much. A hidden gem in my opinion. Last but not least fan your flames x. Nothing like the OG on my skin but has grown on me for what it brings to the table. Unique, masculine, excellent blend of coconut,rum, mastic, tobacco,tonka bean,carrot,thyme,oakmoss, patchouli and cedar. On my skin I do not get anything dominant that stands out. However a get transitions throughout the wear that are very enjoyable and contrast from the OG in a way that definitely warrants having both in your collection. Enjoy the holiday folks. Stay safe and smell great!