Rifaaqat by PARIS CORNER

For those worried about the ‘burnt plastic’ smell, read the olfactory notes first and try to understand the aroma. The blend of elemi and incense gives that crude sensation of burnt plastic; elemi is a resin, and when combined with incense, it creates that effect. If we pay attention, we can understand what the fragrance is about. Let’s not exaggerate. It’s a rich perfume; the opening is spicy as it should be, smelling resinous and smoky at first, then over time it transforms into a delicious smoky vanilla. Stop relying solely on comments and study the notes to have the judgement to interpret the scent, because reviews based purely on personal taste leave no room for people to try and see if it’s a good fragrance or not.

It has something I personally can’t define. I share the opinion of those who say it reminds them of plastic, especially at the start. However, when it dries down, that’s what really throws me off; generally, I wouldn’t say I like it, and it’s one of the scents in my wardrobe that captivate me the least, but sometimes it gives me a delightful burst of incense. I’ll give it a few more chances, but clearly it’s on my list to move on from.

At its core, it smells like Babycat, its inspiration, but at the start, the opening and development are super synthetic, with that plastic smell others mention. For the price, you can’t ask for more, although I have a decant and I’m not going to buy the full bottle. EDIT: After several weeks, it improves immensely. It stops being so synthetic and gains a touch I absolutely love. The vanilla and incense are clear. Perhaps I’ll buy the bottle at the end.

It arrived with a black liquid, nothing like the caramel colour in the photos. The worst part was the blast of new-car interior and plastics mixed with vanilla. It cost me eight months of maturation and enduring the hate from those who recommended it. Now I love it 🤩. Have patience if it smells terrible to you even four months after buying it. More patience than usual, but it’s worth it.

Rifaaqat has an opening that reminds you of plastic, but only for a few minutes. Then the vanilla appears, sweet and comforting, without being cloying. In my opinion, the spicy side of the pepper goes almost unnoticed. It has a good trail and on my skin, it surpasses eight hours of longevity. It’s surprisingly cheap for how well it smells, one of those fragrances that justify every euro invested.

It smells like Barbie hair with vanilla. I detect no spices. It’s a synthetic, plastic scent with poor-quality vanilla. I haven’t smelled Babycat, but if they’re this similar, it’s not a surprise.

To those who only buy at Druni or similar sites and don’t know what they are talking about, please do not give an opinion.

Exquisite fragrance for the price. I’ve been collecting perfumes for over 30 years and I think people have a distorted vision; not everyone is a professional. A perfume like this, very similar to Babycat, only an expert can see slight differences, but for street wear they are identical. Superior quality/price to the original; I own both. It has dry, spiced vanilla, lasts about 6 hours, the bottle is well-finished, and the price is unbeatable. Highly recommended. Everyone perceives it differently, like sight, but it’s a perfume to enjoy for little money.

Rifaaqat makes you doubt your decisions in the first ten minutes. An opening so plastic and chemically alive that it seems like the breath of a melted doll. Then a change occurs, as if the air opens up and torture turns into fascination. It is perfumery redemption made liquid. The resemblance to Babycat is there, but its story is different. Babycat has evolution and nuances; Rifaaqat does not: it appears all at once, throws incense, vanilla, and wood at you, and stays there. It has an almost narcotic charm. The incense scrapes and the vanilla bites, forming a dry, spicy accord that clings with stubbornness. It demands space and respect. One spray is acceptable, but two in summer or in an enclosed space is olfactory terrorism. It recalls warm plastic, industrial resin, addictive artificial warmth. It is the version of the overheated cable, hypnotic and dangerous. As if the Barbie from your childhood had gone through a crisis and was now smoking oregano in a windowless bar. Rifaaqat is for provocation. It has fetish in its lack of refinement, deformed beauty that only reveals itself by accepting its rarity. It is not versatile or kind, but it leaves a mark. The small bottle will last you an eternity. It is an experience revisited with guilt and morbidity. It prefers a false, brave note to a cowardly, pretty accord. In a world of harmless copies, it has the merit of being an imitation with its own soul.

I bought a 15ml bottle at a good price and have only received compliments. Everyone who has smelled it has liked it. My daughter loves it, she says it’s like smelling a vanilla cake. My partner liked it a lot, although it didn’t achieve the almost aphrodisiac effect of Reserve Privé. It is true that the opening is challenging and if you don’t like incense and vanilla, it’s not your perfume. Controlling the sprays, it is versatile for autumn/winter. If you want to leave a trail, 6 sprays is fine. The longevity is exceptional, from night to the next day it still remains on the skin. Fantastic perfume.

Without having heard YSL’s Babycat, I’d say this is the offspring of Margiela’s By the Fireplace and Tom Ford’s Eau d’Ombre Leather. The opening is strange, balsamic and spicy, with a smoky aroma reminiscent of the first, and quickly reveals a light, tasty vanilla like Tom Ford’s. I’ll let it age for a few months to see how it develops. Overall, interesting, challenging, and something worth smelling before buying. Nocturnal and as cold as it gets.

I love it, that’s simply how it is. I haven’t tried Babycat and don’t need to. The original is surely wonderful, but this is too, and at the price it has, it’s madness not to own it if you like this DNA. They say it smells like plastic and I understand what they mean, but one has to be very stubborn to define it so; it seems like a negative connotation and to my nose this is rich. Hoping for autumn-winter to arrive.

At first, a strange and demanding opening: it smells like a mix of wood varnish and Coca-Cola. After half an hour, that vaporous varnish tone dilutes and a delicious incense with saffron appears, adding a spectacular animal tone like suede. The dry down is enchanting: bourbon vanilla, not cloying, and wood that rounds everything off. As they say, it improves after two months and will be my favourite Arabic perfume. EDIT: A month later, the opening has softened or I’ve got used to it, but it’s no longer unpleasant. It’s a delight once that sensation ceases and the incense and vanilla hit full strength. I’ve just bought a refill; I don’t want to run out of this. Without a doubt, my favourite Arabic perfume (normally I recoil from them and prefer to pay more for originals). EDIT2: Indeed, it loses that aggressive varnish+Coca-Cola opening after a month and a bit, leaving only the deliciousness of the composition. A medal of honour to the creators.

If they wanted a clone of Babycat, here it is. At least in the opening it has extreme closeness. I must try it in the dry down to see how it goes. It’s a delight.

Rifaaqat is a jewel (not so massified) that surprises from the first instant. What stands out most is its sweet vanilla: not cloying or youthful, but caramelised and refined, with smoky touches that add depth and character. It’s not a simple or generic fragrance: it has high-end sophistication without the excessive price. The incredible thing is how it is perceived as elegant from the opening to the dry down, without abrupt transitions. The evolution is soft but gives great presence. That said, it’s not for any occasion. Rifaaqat asks you to rise to its level. I don’t recommend it with casual clothes; here the suit, the blazer or a well-tucked shirt are almost obligatory. It’s one of those fragrances that dress you, change your attitude and make you walk straighter. Perfect for an elegant date, gala, important meeting or a warm night, but without a doubt it goes better in cold climates (winter). The trail is moderate but very refined, and the duration surprised me: 8-9 hours without problem, projecting with class in the first 2. The nicest thing is that warm and enveloping dry down that accompanies you in a discreet but distinguished way. Rifaaqat is a dark and elegant vanilla, ideal for those seeking something with character. A jewel from Paris Corner! If you’re looking for something formal, seductive and mature: this is it!