Al Areeq Gold by Lattafa Perfumes

Ambered leather. The opening is a bit conflicting: it smells very alcoholic for about 5-10 seconds, and then the saffron gives a slight gasoline note. After a few minutes, everything settles, and a dark leather takes over, like a wallet or handbag. By the hour, a powdery, vanilla-like base appears that sweetens that leather (which I thought was very masculine) and makes it unisex. It’s one of those perfumes you have to test on skin, because it smells different on paper; the gasoline note lasts longer on paper, but it disappears quickly on skin. If you love leather, this is a safe buy. Scent: 8.5, Projection: 6, Longevity: 8, Sillage: 7, Value: 8.5

The leather and saffron are one. They complement the rest of the notes perfectly. Black tea gives it a mossy, damp base, like leather that’s been freshly wet on one side and well-conditioned and dry on the other. Elegant and distinctive.

I just bought it on sale and what a fragrance! Instantly reminded me of Magnificently Dubai by Jo Malone for Zara; they share notes. The other smells more citrusy, while here the tea really stands out. I’m already tired of designer feminine scents. Since I started testing unisex and masculine fragrances from Arab and niche brands, I’m not going back 😂. Longevity and projection are very acceptable for the price. Incredible perfume.

This perfume did something weird to me. I wore it one winter morning to college, I was running late, and I sat on the first bench near the door. I applied more to test the projection. During class, strong bursts of that particular Al Areeq scent kept coming through; with the heat, I felt it getting stronger and stronger, until I wondered if it was too much, but I enjoyed it so much. At the end, the teacher stopped, looked at us, and said, “Someone smells really good.” Several classmates nodded, saying something smelled strong and delicious. It was this beast that filled the whole room through the door. I’ve never had a perfume cause that.

An underrated perfume; when you see it says Lattafa Pride, buy without hesitation. Highlights the suede-leather-vanilla combo; it’s a sweet perfume but not cloying. In the style of Isqh Gold and Al Noble Ameer, on my skin about 3 hours of projection and longevity until you shower. It’s a beast mode. I paid $445 for it on Mercado in The Fragrance.

I have it, and it surprises with projection, longevity, and scent: warm, suede-like, sweet but not cloying, with a great personality. I’d dare to say that if I gave it a name, it would be the Yellow Beast (La Bestia Amarilla 😎👌🏻). One of my favorite Lattafa Pride scents.

It smells like walking into a leather shop, buying a vest or a jacket, and heading to church soaked in incense. That’s its scent from start to finish; in my case, it was annoying and unpleasant—neither my husband nor I liked it. I think it will only serve as a decoration in our collection since the bottle is gorgeous. Don’t buy it blindly because it’s not easy to enjoy.

A beast of a perfume. Watch out with the sprays because you’ll paint yourself; it’s not annoying, just too invasive. Smells like toasted chocolate, something charming. Compliments are moderate to low, but when it smells… it smells.

Tea, leather, and incense, that’s the evolution. Unisex aroma, but the kind that would look great on male skin. Not a projector, unlike Lattafa Ameer al Oudh Intense Oud, but it lasts. Some say it’s similar to By The Fireplace; I don’t think so. It reminds me more of Isqh Al Shuyukh Gold (Rosendo Mateu 5), though not really, as they only share the smoky vibe. Here, vanilla isn’t the star; it’s less sweet, more incense wrapping the leather (not one of those intense in that vibe). Smells well-constructed, refined, elegant, informal, and attractive. Sober, it doesn’t scream ‘look at me,’ yet it denotes originality for the wearer. The Pride line from this house is almost always a successful acquisition at a convenient price. I see this for fall and winter, daytime wear, and any occasion. It lasts on my skin for 6 or 7 hours easily.

I don’t know what it’s cloning, but it’s a classic Arab combo of oud, rose, and vanilla with a very well-balanced leather background that becomes the star in the dry down. It reminds me a bit of Replica By The Fireplace or its cousin Ishq Al Shuyuh Gold, just less dense. It’s delicious, totally recommended. Good performance and totally unisex.