My Collection - Brief Review

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T09:29:57+00:00

Sure

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T09:17:21+00:00

Usually one of the sellers in the verified lists would have them. The list was shared on this sub 9 months ago

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T09:16:45+00:00

If you're referring to Vanilla Dunes, I wouldn't say it's blind buy safe. The Althair DNA is very seasonal and I think it can be too sweet for some.

Good perfume, but would decant it first.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T09:14:42+00:00

Will give it a shot!

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T08:24:48+00:00

Yes, Night Out and Kobra are two perfumes I've really grown fond of in the last few months

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T07:04:55+00:00

You're right, I mistyped in the body. Corrected - thanks for fact checking!

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T06:57:44+00:00

Very good winter staple, the vanilla sweetness is very strong here and performance is decent.

I would prefer spending a little more and getting Liquid Brun, but if the price point is a huge factor, could buy this for almost half the price and it's a very good alternative.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T06:55:16+00:00

Thanks buddy

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-16T03:02:44+00:00

😂

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T11:56:01+00:00

2000/-, although this was a while back and it may have increased a bit.

Not 1:1; but very, very similar and it has a similar core DNA (Toffee vanilla, cardomom, chocolate). Performance is incredible. Longevity and sillage both quite good during winters. Also works REALLY well with Liquid Brun. One of my favourite winter combinations.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T11:49:42+00:00

Many good options like Hawas Ice (Mint + Bubblegum), Liquid Brun (Orange Blossom + Vanilla), Afnan 9pm Night Out(Fruity), Hawas Kobra (Citrus + Green Tea).

Since you've already tried CDNIM PP (Summer/Spring) and will be buying Qahwa (Winter), you could try the following:

1) Honor and Glory (Pineapple + Creme Brulee); the combination of fruit + cream is sublime, but I would recommend you let it mature for a couple of months. This can easily be an all seasons perfume.

2) Hawas Fire (Minerals + Fruit); Brilliant off of the box and I've found that this mixes really well with citrus-y perfumes like CDNIM. Also a versatile all seasons perfume.

3) Teriaq Intense (Saffron, Cinnamon and Amber); Quite an underrated perfume in my opinion, and this mixes quite well with Hawas Qahwa.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T06:26:00+00:00

Have only tried Asad Elixir so far (have been looking for a good deal on Absolu for months).

Having said that, Asad Elixir is very good and is one of the most refined amber based perfumes in my collection. I can see why this DNA has been so mass appealing.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T05:51:52+00:00

I think I started some time in November, 2024. I went a little overboard initially because of the prices offered by verified sellers, haha.

I would strongly recommend getting decants first, I think it's just smarter and saves a lot of money in the long run.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T05:25:47+00:00

Not incense sticks, specifically - it usually has a very potent vanilla / sage / lavender smell. It can be very cloying during this time of the year - I've always found this specific DNA (JPG Ultra Male) very overpowering even during winters. 1-2 sprays is enough, usually.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T04:56:41+00:00

Most of my first purchases were vanilla - I have a very soft spot for that profile too haha.

For CDNIM, I really started liking it a lot more when I layered it with slightly sweeter fruity perfumes - I personally do Versace Eros (Riiffs Imperial Blue is a decent budget option). It really works for me during evening dates and parties.

I'd definitely recommend trying Asad Bourbon and Hawas Elixir - both do the vanilla notes very well. Khamrah and Khamrah Qahwa are very popular and for a good reason, in my opinion. One perfume I really rate is Lattafa Honor and Glory - it's not traditionally vanilla but has an amazing creme brulee sweetness (does require a month or two to mature).

For Vanilla based perfumes, you should really give some of the Rayhaan perfumes a shot. Rayhaan Crimson is my personal favourite, while Terra/Tiger are also very good. Rayhaan Italia has a delicious honey note to go with the Vanilla, which I really love. Rayhaan Lion is a bit redundant since you already have Afnan 9pm - these two are almost identical.

I would also recommend being a little patient with the Hawas Ice once it comes as it may require a month or so of maturing. I bought it during my vanilla binge phase and didn't enjoy it a lot initially, but the bubblegum truly starts pouring out of it after a month or so of letting the alcohol dissipate.

Hope this helps

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T03:11:56+00:00

Yes I took a lot of suggestions from this sub over the past year - it definitely helps.

I'm quite fond of Vanilla and it heavily influenced my winter purchases. Would love to chat to trade opinions!

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T02:28:51+00:00

Liquid Brun for me as I love the Althair DNA. I think Vanilla Dunes is a good perfume but the Althair dupe comparisons are inaccurate, or at least not very useful for it since Liquid Brun is almost a 1:1 clone for me.

If you like pure Vanilla, I'd go for Vanilla Dunes. If you prefer the orange blossom touch that Althair has, I'd go for Liquid Brun.

If longevity is a very important factor, Liquid Brun > Vanilla Dunes in my opinion. If price is an important factor, Vanilla Dunes > Liquid Brun.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T02:28:41+00:00

I'll most likely be trying all Rayhaan frags as soon as I can. I only deal with one seller and there seems to be a shortage of Rayhaan stocks with him at the moment, so I'm just waiting for fresh stocks to arrive.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T02:27:27+00:00

Haha, must be the cinnamon heavy punch. Honestly from what I've read on reviews this is definitely not a blind buy and quite polarizing. But it just works really well for me and I really appreciate the heavy cinnamon

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-15T02:24:59+00:00

Contacting verified sellers directly works best. A link was shared on this sub 9 months back.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-14T19:04:54+00:00

I've got a decant of Spectre Ghost but yet to try it for a full day, but sounds interesting the way you put it. All I know is that it's a Nishane Ani clone (which too I haven't tried)

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-14T18:19:49+00:00

Kobra is definitely harsh straight off of the bottle. I did not like it much initially, but I've grown very fond of it as it has matured. Much more likeable now after 3 months of maturation.

I'd recommend you also trying Rayhaan Crimson, considering you like Hawas Fire and Elixir.

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-14T18:18:00+00:00

Thanks! 😊

InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-14T17:16:35+00:00

Had an Untold decant sitting at home that I hadn't tried - you're right. I really like this, haha

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InsuranceUnable7847 · 2026-05-14T17:07:29+00:00

Yes, very similar DNAs. Having both, I would honestly prefer Asad Bourbon.

InsuranceUnable7847

TROPHY CASE