Desire II

How it Smells

Desire II jumps out of the gate with a juicy, almost candied mango. The guava and pineapple add to that tropical punch. It's sweeter than Cruz del Sur II right away. Where the Xerjoff leans creamy, this is more fruity-forward. The heart brings in a black currant note that's slightly tart, battling the sweetness. I pick up a generic floral aspect, and that violet leaf adds a hint of green. As it dries down, the milky accord arrives, but it’s not as rich or smooth as the original. The musk gives it a skin-like feel, but there’s a slightly synthetic edge to the dried fruits. Overall, I'd say it captures maybe 90% of Cruz del Sur II’s DNA, but with some shortcuts.

Final Thoughts

If you're craving that tropical milky vibe of Cruz del Sur II but can't stomach the Xerjoff price tag, Desire II is a decent substitute. It’s a fun, fruity fragrance, ideal for warm weather. The sweetness might be too much for some. But you are paying for higher quality ingredients. This clone offers a good approximation . Worth a blind buy if you like sweet, fruity scents.

Longevity & Projection

Longevity is solid. I get a good 6-7 hours on my skin. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, creating a nice scent bubble. After that, it settles closer to the skin. Good performance point.