No 5 Clones

"### The Scent Profile Ishq Al Shuyukh Gold begins with an intriguing juxtaposition. An initial blast of hot, dusty spices -- think stale cinnamon sticks and mace -- quickly melts into a creamy, almost lactonic floral accord. The "exotic floral notes" lean heavily toward tuberose; indolic and bordering on decaying banana peel. The carnation and lily-of-the-valley in the heart add a powdery, vintage feel, like a forgotten compact of face powder from the 1950s, slightly musty. The base of amber, vanilla, and musk is where it veers away from its muse. The vanilla is prominent, thick like artificial vanilla extract, while the musk is more synthetic laundry detergent than skin-like. A slight plasticky vibe emerges in the far dry down. ### To Buy or Not to Buy? Wearing Ishq Al Shuyukh Gold is like stepping into a sepia-toned photograph. The spiced florals evoke a vintage, almost antique quality, but the pronounced vanilla and synthetic musk render it as a reproduction, not the original article. You gain a sense of historical intrigue, a powdery nostalgia. What's lost is the refinement, the seamless blend, the subtle elegance inherent in the inspiration. It's a costume, not a character. ### Projection Power On my skin, Ishq Al Shuyukh Gold lasts around 6 hours, with moderate projection for the first 2. After that, it settles closer, leaving a creamy, spiced halo. I tested it during a humid afternoon and in a climate-controlled office. The heat amplifies the tuberose, creating a somewhat cloying effect. It's better suited for cooler temperatures."

"### Scent Breakdown Wujood opens with a peculiar clash. The "spices" translate more like a dusty attic filled with potpourri, jarringly juxtaposed against an indistinct floral sweetness; imagine candied violets left out too long, attracting flies. The heart attempts to resuscitate things with a medicinal carnation note. Unfortunately, the lily-of-the-valley reads as a generic, soapy aldehyde, a far cry from its delicate, verdant potential. The base, however, reveals the most glaring disparity. Instead of a smooth, comforting amber, I get an intensely artificial vanilla, akin to a cheap air freshener, underpinned by a synthetic musk that feels stiff and uncompromising. Any resemblance to the inspiration fades quickly, replaced by a plasticky drydown. ### Wear time & Sillage Longevity is surprisingly robust, clinging to skin for around 6-7 hours, though the unpleasant base notes linger longest. Projection is moderate for the first hour, easily reaching beyond arm's length, before settling into a closer, less obtrusive scent bubble. I tested it during a rainy afternoon, and its heavy sweetness became cloying and oppressive. ### Bottom Line Wujood is for someone who prizes boldness over refinement. Perhaps a young individual experimenting with fragrance, drawn to loud, sweet scents and unconcerned with nuanced compositions. Someone who frequents brightly lit shopping malls, favouring synthetic fabrics and sugary drinks, their personality radiating youthful energy and unapologetic directness. They might enjoy the initial sweetness, overlooking the rough edges and synthetic undertones."