Daarej Pour Homme

How it Smells

Daarej opens with a blast of candied orange peel. Think Sunny Delight concentrate, not fresh mandarin. There's a fleeting herbal twinge from the basil, quickly overtaken by a dominant mace note. It's reminiscent of Christmas potpourri left simmering too long. The sandalwood and cedar emerge in the mid, but they're more pencil shavings than a walk in the woods. The base is where it noticeably deviates. It's a cloying vanilla amber accord with a powdery heliotrope – similar to baby wipes mixed with burnt sugar. It strives for warmth but ends up smelling synthetic. This diverges significantly from the inspiration, skipping the refined dryness and elegance.

Is it Worth It?

Wearing this versus the Valentino is like trading a bespoke suit for an off-the-rack polyester blend. You get the general idea, but the quality difference is glaring. You're gaining volume and sweetness with Daarej but losing the balanced, sophisticated profile that makes the original so appealing. This is a simplified, louder interpretation that sacrifices subtlety for mass appeal.

How Long Does it Last?

Longevity is surprisingly decent. I got about six hours before it became a skin scent. Projection is moderate for the first two hours, extending about an arm's length before quickly diminishing. I tested it during a workday in a climate-controlled office. It didn't offend, but it also didn't impress. It would likely choke out a small space if oversprayed.