9am Dive by Afnan

The opening seems very synthetic, but after 15-20 minutes it changes drastically and becomes very pleasant. I wear it at school and with 5 sprays it lasts about 7 hours. It’s very passive; mixed with that synthetic opening, it gives my parents the creeps, but my friends haven’t had that reaction. I have little experience, but I hope this helps.

Fresh for everyday wear, versatile and easy to like. It has a salty touch that gives it a summery vibe. Unfortunately, it didn’t seem the same to me as Bleu de Chanel. It’s good for gifting because it’s inoffensive and almost everyone will like it, but it resembles perfumes you already know, as if it lacks its own sparkle. I had high expectations and it didn’t win me over.

I’m glad some gave good reviews, but my experience isn’t good: it smells like nothing, like water, a scam. I’ll let it macerate for a few weeks to see if it improves, otherwise it’s going in the bin. I don’t want to take up space with something that serves me for nothing.

Exquisite. I’ve loved it since I bought it a year ago and it’s my favourite. In my hot city it works very well: aquatic, fresh, woody and spiced. What I smell most is the blackcurrant, mint, pink pepper and woods. It reminds me of mornings after a shower, ready to go to school, church or the office; also for running or sport. It automatically puts me in a good mood. I got it a year ago for around $50, I would have loved it at $25, but it was still worth it. The downside is the longevity, but you can carry a decant to reapply without hassle.

Fresh but sweet, with just the right amount of sweetness for spring or summer nights, not so much for daily wear. It seems identical to Natura K EDP and both last about 4 hours. It’s boring and linear; if you’re looking for these characteristics but without being generic, I recommend Lacoste Match Point.

Within the fresh and citrusy category this one leans more towards evening wear although initially it smells green and crisp. As the heart and base notes emerge it transforms into a sweet fruity blend perfect for a summer night.

It should be noted that despite being youthful an older lady stopped me in the corridor and said it smelled great. Yes it suits any palate; it’s not overpowering or tiring although its Achilles’ heel is longevity. It would last longer and competes with the big leagues but this is resolved by using a decant or over-applying. It’s 100% aquatic and marine reminiscent of freshness and was my daily wear for a while. Will I return to it? I don’t know I’m trying other things. But at that price it’s the best. People love it and in the 🇩🇴 it’s perfect for the climate.

9AM Dive has many virtues but falls short on performance. It’s fresh modern and citrusy with sweet apple notes; the scent is pleasant and clean. Ginger and mint add a lot of freshness making it excellent for the office although you’ll need to reapply to last all day. For me it’s one of my favourites for wearing after a shower before bed. It’s also a good option for the gym or sports.

In summary it’s rich but doesn’t last long. Personally I love the smell; it’s nothing extraordinary but I really like it. A couple of people aged between 22 and 50 have told me I smell good but only when they get close (less than a metre). I can’t describe it exactly; it’s mainly fruity and citrusy very much in the ‘blue fragrance’ style and I don’t feel it’s synthetic. Particularly with the heat it feels fresher and more mentholated. I don’t detect the incense which is a plus. It projects up to a metre and lasts 1.5 hours on skin and 4 on clothes; afterwards it lingers in bursts within 10-20 cm for another two hours. I must highlight that on clothes it lasts all day and if you sweat or get wet the scent projects again; in fact after showering the next day I still feel it. It’s nothing extraordinary but I like it immensely. Everyone I’ve asked finds it pleasant or rich. No one goes crazy over it but I’d say everyone enjoys it. It’s perfect for the office or university especially in the heat. For me it could be a good gift or a blind buy if the price is right; I got it for $35 but if I see it for under $30 I’ll buy it again without doubt.

A delicious blue fragrance for summer with a youthful touch that appeals to everyone. It’s perfect for hot days fresh and versatile. Its only weak point is performance: longevity and projection hover around 5-6 hours but even so it remains a very enjoyable and easy-to-wear scent.

RICH, FRESH, FRUITY, POWERFUL, DEPENDABLE AND CHEAP.

My first Arabic fragrance; it was my girlfriend’s favourite in summer. I bought it at 13 and, in my opinion, it’s easy to wear for any age. Up close, I detect a green vibe with minimal citrus notes, but from a distance it leaves a sweet, fruity trail that’s very pleasant. Both in its top and base notes, it’s easy to like and has garnered the most compliments from people of all ages. It’s not for parties or dates; it’s good for everyday wear, easy to like but not designed to captivate in the heat. Longevity is around 5 to 7 hours with moderate projection for about an hour and a half, after which it settles into its own bubble. It demands warmth; wearing it in the cold would be foolish. It’s good value for money, suitable for all ages and tastes. Edit: the bottle is fragile and breaks easily; it’s happened to me a couple of times, but luckily it hasn’t shattered. I don’t perceive it as a dupe; it merely borrows elements from the DNA of several summer fragrances.

Pleasant, easy to understand, fruity and green with a hint of sweetness. It doesn’t feel artificial; I consider it good for daily wear, youthful and practical. Longevity and projection are moderate, lasting no more than 4 hours on skin in very hot weather. Fragrances like this are usually highly appreciated by ladies; they love them. I personally recommend it 8/10.

A manual blue fragrance, elegant, citrusy with a touch of wood and summery notes. Lasts around four hours with twelve sprays; for me, it’s a 6/10.

A good blue scent for everyday wear. It doesn’t last long nor project like a beast mode, but its great aroma makes up for it. Excellent for school, office, or the gym. Never buy it for over 500 pesos.