Stronger With You Intensely Clones

"### Notes & Nuances Florida jumps out of the gate with a blast of candied violet and pink peppercorns. It's a bit more forward and less nuanced than its inspiration; imagine a raspberry hard candy coating over the initial spice rather than a gentle fruitiness. The heart brings the promised toffee note, but it leans toward a slightly artificial caramel flavoring, almost like butterscotch candies wrappers. Where the original has a sophisticated boozy warmth, Florida carries a more basic cinnamon-vanilla accord. The drydown is where the divergence is most apparent; it substitutes a smooth tonka bean with a somewhat plasticky amber, giving it a generalized sweetness rather than a cozy, comforting finish. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? Florida is a good choice for casual fall and winter days when you want a sweet, pleasant scent. Think relaxed weekend outings, coffee shop visits, or even just staying in and reading a book. It’s straightforward and easy to wear, not demanding much attention. Consider it a simple, comforting grab for when you don't want anything too complex or challenging. ### Longevity & Projection I got about six hours of wear from Florida, with the projection being noticeable within arms' length for the first two hours. After that, it settles into a close skin scent. I wore it to the grocery store and while running errands on a chilly afternoon. It performed fine in those scenarios, without being overpowering."

"### Conclusion If Cotton Kiss were a movie character, it would be an overly enthusiastic extra in a teen rom-com, desperately trying to steal the spotlight but ultimately coming across as grating and one-dimensional. ### Olfactory Experience Cotton Kiss opens with a candied blast. The pink pepper is dialed up to eleven, creating a prickly, almost sinus-clearing effect that overpowers the juniper and violet. The heart attempts a toffee accord but lands closer to a cloying, synthetic caramel flavoring found in cheap hard candies. The cinnamon is muted and struggles to cut through the saccharine sweetness. The sage is a ghost note, barely perceptible. The base consists of a rudimentary tonka bean impression, coupled with a vanilla note that has a distinct plasticky quality. The amber is present, but adds more of a vague warmth than any distinct character. It lacks the depth and complexity of the inspiration, presenting as a simplified, linear rendering. The primary difference lies in the absence of the chestnut and vanilla cream found in the original; instead, we get a cotton candy simplification. ### Wear time & Sillage Longevity is moderate, clocking in at around 5 hours on skin. Projection is initially strong, filling a room for the first hour, before settling closer to the body. I tested this in an indoor, climate-controlled environment."

"### To Buy or Not to Buy? This is a fragrance suited for youthful, informal settings where subtlety isn't a priority. Think casual dates, or hanging out with friends. It tries for something sophisticated, but lands firmly in the realm of simply "sweet." Its overt sugary quality makes it better suited for cooler weather, where it won't become cloying. ### First Impressions & Dry Down Your Touch blasts out of the gate with an initial sweetness that's reminiscent of cherry cough syrup mixed with a harsh, peppery alcohol. The violet is barely present, mostly overwhelmed by the synthetic juniper. As it settles, a burnt sugar note emerges, trying to mimic the toffee but falling short with a plasticky, artificial character. The cinnamon is muted and the sage gets lost in the sweet amber cloud. The drydown leans heavily into tonka bean and vanilla, which creates a cozy but ultimately unremarkable sweetness, lacking the depth of the original. ### How Long Does it Last? Longevity on my skin is decent, around 5-6 hours. Projection is moderate, extending about an arm's length for the first hour, then quickly fading closer to the skin. I tested it at work and during a casual evening out."

"### Notes & Nuances This clone opens with a confusing blast. The pink pepper is aggressive, almost medicinal, battling a slightly acrid juniper. The promised violet hides behind a wall of synthetic amber. As it settles, the heart emerges: a cloying toffee note dominates, with the cinnamon adding only a vague spiciness, more like potpourri than freshly ground spice. The sage is unfortunately undetectable. The drydown is where it somewhat redeems itself, morphing into a pleasant, if predictable, tonka bean and vanilla accord, though a plasticky element lingers, preventing true smoothness. The original has a richer, boozier, hazelnut quality missing here; this is sweeter and less sophisticated. ### Is it Worth It? This is for the young man who enjoys being noticed, perhaps a college student or someone in their early twenties hitting the club. It's loud and sweet, perfect for nights out but ultimately too juvenile and unsophisticated for more mature tastes or professional settings. This scent profile is for the guy who prioritizes making an impression over nuanced complexity. ### Projection Power I get about 6 hours on my skin, though it becomes a skin scent after the first 2. Projection is initially strong, easily filling a room at arm's length, but quickly mellows. I wore this during a casual office day and found it overpowering during close interactions, but adequate for a quick errand run."

"### Scent Breakdown Proud of You Absolute bursts open with a candied violet note, less the sophisticated powder, more reminiscent of grape soda concentrate. The pink pepper is dialed up, creating a mildly irritating prickle rather than a refined spice. The heart struggles to integrate the toffee; instead, it's a strangely artificial burnt sugar mixed with a cloying cinnamon note that smells more of potpourri. The base attempts redemption with tonka and vanilla, but a plasticky amber undertone ruins any chances of smooth warmth. Where the inspiration aims for boozy elegance, this lands closer to a teen's locker room after a candy binge. It mirrors the source material in overall sweetness, but lacks the nuance and quality. ### Final Thoughts This is strictly for cool weather evening wear, perhaps a casual date or a night out with friends where subtle blending isn't paramount. It doesn’t work in professional or intimate settings. Best suited for autumn or early winter. ### How Long Does it Last? Longevity is surprisingly robust, clinging to skin for around 6-7 hours, though the drydown becomes a skin scent relatively quickly. Projection is initially strong, reaching about an arm's length for the first hour, before mellowing considerably. I wore this during a grocery run and later while watching TV. It didn’t choke anyone out, but also didn't garner any compliments."

"### First Impressions & Dry Down Elegant Opulence opens with a surprisingly subdued pink pepper, lacking the vibrant effervescence I anticipate. The juniper is present, but rendered almost medicinal, leaning towards a camphoraceous quality rather than a crisp gin accord. The violet is a mere suggestion, a powdery whisper fighting to be heard. The heart emerges with a strong toffee note, but it's more akin to a mass-produced caramel candy than artisanal confectionary. Cinnamon is synthetic and dominant, almost overwhelming the sage, which manifests as a vaguely herbal undertone. In the drydown, the tonka bean is noticeable, lending a coumarin-like sweetness, yet it battles a distinctly plasticky amber. The vanilla struggles to present itself, hampered by the other synthetic components, yielding a muddled and somewhat discordant finish. It deviates from the intended inspiration with its harsh cinnamon blast and the unfortunate artificiality that permeates throughout. ### Final Thoughts This fragrance is best suited for a young person drawn to sweet scents who needs something for short bursts - perhaps a quick trip to the mall or a casual evening hangout where subtle nuances are not crucial. Its pronounced sweetness might appeal to those who favor gourmand profiles, but be warned: its synthetic undertones may become tiring after extended wear. ### Wear time & Sillage Longevity is moderate, clocking in at approximately 5 hours. Projection is initially strong, extending about an arm's length for the first hour, then quickly retracting to a skin scent. I wore it during a moderately active day involving walking and light office work; its cloying sweetness became somewhat bothersome in the warmer conditions."

"### Notes & Nuances Amber Ego initiates with a jarring pink pepper assault, quickly tempered by a medicinal juniper note and a fleeting violet impression – reminiscent of violet candies left out in the sun. The heart attempts to replicate the toffee accord of its inspiration, but manifests instead as a cloying, slightly burnt sugar aroma, muddled by a dusty cinnamon and an indistinct sage nuance. The divergence from the original is most pronounced here; the creamy chestnut is utterly absent. The base consists of a tonka bean and vanilla pairing, delivering a syrupy sweetness, ultimately concluding with a synthetic amber note that has a slight plasticky edge. ### The Verdict This fragrance is best suited for cooler months – autumn or early winter – and intended for casual evening wear. The intense sweetness may be overpowering in warmer climates or formal settings. ### Projection Power Longevity is moderate, clocking in at approximately five hours on skin. Projection is initially strong, extending to about an arm's length for the first hour, then quickly settling closer to the skin. Tested in both controlled indoor environments and fluctuating outdoor temperatures; performance remained consistent."

"### The Verdict If this scent were a character in a movie, it would be the loud, eager-to-please understudy who's trying a bit too hard to imitate the star. ### First Impressions & Dry Down The opening is a jarring pink pepper blast, immediately recognizable but less refined than its inspiration. It introduces itself with a harsh, almost metallic tang before softening into a syrupy toffee accord. The heart struggles to escape the sweetness, with the promised cinnamon and sage playing supporting roles rather than taking center stage. The drydown is where the similarities to the original become most apparent; a comforting tonka bean and vanilla base emerge, but with a plasticky undertone that lingers unpleasantly. While it mimics the general aroma, the lack of nuance in the development sets it apart. It lacks the depth and smoothness found in the original. ### The Performance Stats I got about 5-6 hours of noticeable longevity on my skin. Projection is strong for the first hour, easily filling a room, before settling to about an arm's length. I wore it to a casual evening gathering and found it became cloying after extended wear in an enclosed space."

"### Notes & Nuances Moi? kicks off with a peculiar blend of candied violet and an artificial pink pepper note that smells aggressively sharp. There’s a distinct juniper presence, but it leans toward gin-soaked pine needles rather than a refined aromatic. The heart attempts to mimic the original's toffee sweetness but lands closer to burnt sugar with a synthetic cinnamon stick left too long in the oven. Sage provides a muted herbal counterbalance. As it dries, a cloying tonka bean dominates alongside a vanilla that possesses an unwelcome plasticky element, resting on a generic amber accord. It's a recognizable attempt at the intended DNA, but the materials betray its nature. The opening deviates significantly with a sharper, less refined edge, while the drydown is where the imitation falters most noticeably, with a chemical flatness replacing the nuanced warmth of the inspiration. ### The Performance Stats Longevity is surprisingly decent at around 6-7 hours, though it begins to fade noticeably after the fourth hour. Projection is moderate, extending to about an arm's length for the first two hours before settling closer to the skin. I tested it in an office environment and received no compliments, only a questioning glance from a colleague after initial application. ### Bottom Line This is for the person who prioritizes having "a scent" over the nuances of a quality composition. Perhaps a student or someone starting their first job who desires a sweet, modern fragrance but isn't concerned with refined materials or intricate blending. The ideal wearer likely favors quantity over quality and wouldn’t be adverse to reapplying throughout the day to maintain projection."