Rifaaqat Adorn

How it Smells

Rifaaqat Adorn opens with a fizzy bergamot – not the sun-drenched citrus grove, but more like a bergamot-flavored soda left out too long, all the zest gone flat. The black pepper is a whisper, barely registering before the lily-of-the-valley barges in. Here, it's an artificial, candied version, cloying and reminiscent of those floral-shaped soaps found in grandma's guest bathroom. The patchouli fights gamely, adding an earthy counterpoint, but it’s ultimately subdued by the shrill floral sweetness. As it dries, the vanilla emerges, thick and dense, bordering on burnt plastic. The ambergris is a ghost; any marine, salty nuance is replaced with a synthetic musk. Finally, the incense arrives as a wisp of burnt matchsticks.

Bottom Line

Putting on Rifaaqat Adorn, I feel like I'm missing the velvet smoking jacket of the original and wearing one made of slightly scratchy polyester instead. The sophisticated, dark allure is watered down, replaced with a saccharine sweetness. Where the original exudes confidence and controlled power, this whispers uncertainty and a longing for something more refined. You save money but lose the smooth, polished feeling of the authentic experience.

The Performance Stats

On my skin, Rifaaqat Adorn lasts around 5 hours. Projection is moderate for the first hour, extending to approximately an arm's length, before settling closer to the skin. I wore it during a rainy afternoon walk and the synthetic notes were amplified by the humidity, becoming sharp.