Holiday

Olfactory Experience

Holiday by Dubai Essences aims for Halloween by Del Pozo, and gets reasonably close – say, 91% there. The opening hits you with that familiar candied violet and slightly aquatic vibe. However, here's where the budget shows: the violet has a synthetic edge, lacking the original's smooth depth. The banana leaf adds a unique touch but is more pronounced here, giving it a slightly greener feel. As it develops, the heart is a straightforward floral blend. The lily-of-the-valley is less pronounced, and a touch cloying. The base is incense and sandalwood. The incense is thinner than Halloween. The vanilla leans more towards the artificial side.

The Performance Stats

Projection is moderate for the first hour, creating a nice little scent bubble. After that, it sits closer to the skin. Longevity is decent. I get around 4-5 hours, which is acceptable point. Don't expect all-day performance; a respray is needed.

Final Thoughts

Holiday is a decent budget option if you enjoy the general vibe of Halloween but are unwilling to pay the premium. It's a like, not a love, due to the synthetic notes. If you're on a tight budget, give it a shot. However, if you can afford to spend a bit more for a smoother, more nuanced fragrance, the original Halloween is definitely worth the upgrade. For me, the original is only 2x better in quality at 4x the price, making this worth it.