Vie Brise

Scent Breakdown

Vie Brise starts off with a blast of spiced dates, a bit rough around the edges compared to Bvlgari's Onekh. The dried fruit accord is there, but it's a touch more synthetic initially. That said, give it about 15 minutes. The heart develops into a decent labdanum and leather combo. It's less refined than the original, lacking Onekh's smooth, almost chocolatey leather. But it's still enjoyable. The base is where it gets closer to the mark, with a solid oud and amber drydown. It's about 85% of the way to Onekh, losing some nuance in the transitions, but nailing the overall vibe.

Performance Reality Check

The longevity is surprisingly good. I get a solid 6-7 hours on my skin, which is respectable. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, then it settles closer to the skin. It won't fill a room, but people will notice it when they get close. Perfect for the office. It has some synthetic edges, but they fade quickly enough. difference, it's worth the trade-off. If Onekh is a tailored suit, Vie Brise is an off-the-rack that fits pretty damn well. Buy this if you want a sophisticated, slightly dark, and leathery fragrance without breaking the bank. The original IS smoother, but is it 10x smoother? Nope.