Thank you to one of our Brothers for trading this fragrance that I have been trying to acquire for a while. Really appreciate the camaraderie.

Dirty Melon is a really fun summer-style fragrance, but it is not just a basic sweet melon scent. The melon is there right away, but it has lime, red fruits, coconut, watery marine notes, and some green edges that keep it from smelling like cheap candy or body spray. To me, this comes across as a tropical, aquatic melon scent with a slightly dirtier, more natural backbone underneath. The name makes sense because it is fresh and fruity, but not completely clean or generic. The patchouli, moss, cedar, musk, and blue cypress give it some earthiness and texture, so it does not feel like just a poolside fruity freshie. I think this is more interesting than a normal melon fragrance because it has that green/floral/aquatic side with jasmine, violet leaf, and lily, then dries down softer and woodier. It still feels playful and casual, but there is enough structure to make it feel niche. For Arizona, I would wear this more in Summer / Spring weather, especially daytime, casual weekends, vacations, pool weather, or anytime you want something different from the usual citrus freshie. It is one of those scents that could be very easy to wear in the heat, as long as the floral and patchouli side does not get too heavy on your skin. Dirty Melon is a good one for someone who wants a melon fragrance that feels more grown-up and creative, rather than smelling like straight melon candy. It is fresh, fun, tropical, and a little weird in a good way. The fragrance features Australian Blue Cypress, Jasmine Sambac, Aquatic notes, Marine notes, Violet Leaf, Red Fruits, Patchouli, Coconut, Melon, Cedar, Amber, Musk, Lily, Lime, and Moss. DeskLab Parfums feels like an up-and-coming Puerto Rican indie house that is not trying to smell like everything else. They seem to take tropical fruit notes and give them a darker, dirtier, more niche backbone instead of making them smell like basic sweet summer scents. It feels creative, small-batch, and artistic, with a Caribbean identity but enough woods, florals, resins, and earthy notes to make the fragrances feel more grown up. I own all 6 of thier fragrances.

This was never a go too for me but last summer, I begun exploring more summer friendly options, this stood out in the ME category and it has grown on me. It's an extrait, and should wear longer, so they say? It was a popular release in 2024 from the UAE-based house founded by Mohamed Iqbal Abdul Sattar. It's a tropical, aromatic-woody fragrance, said to be an alternative to the DNA of Jean Paul Gaultier’s Le Beau Le Parfum, IMO Paradise Garden would be the better option. Island begins with a vibrant opening featuring pineapple, iris, ginger & cypress. The pineapple provides a juicy, tropical brightness that is immediately balanced by the powdery elegance of iris & a spicy, energizing kick from the ginger. As the fragrance transitions into the heart, it reveals a creamy exotic core, dominated by coconut & woodsy notes, for that sensation of a sun-kissed beach. This mid-phase is smooth & lactonic, avoiding the synthetic suntan lotion feel often found in tropical scents. The dry-down settles into a warm base of tonka bean, amber, sandalwood, & ambergris, which adds a salty, skin-like depth & a lingering sweetness that keeps the fragrance grounded. In terms of performance, Island despite the extrait claim lasts 6hrs on my skin, and a little longer on clothing. The projection is moderate for the first 90m creating a noticeable scent bubble without being cloying. Given its tropical and creamy profile, Island is best suited for the spring & summer months, though its woody/amber base allows it to transition well into early autumn. It is a versatile choice for casual daytime outings, vacation wear, or even an office setting where its clean, breezy character can shine without overpowering the room. My Rating: 7 Scent: 2 Longevity:2 Sillage: 2 Y/N:1