Desert Star by Armaf

Super elegant and formal fragrance, perfect for everyday wear and all seasons. The performance is excellent. It’s very much in the style of the Loewe 7 line. I’ve read it’s often compared to Terre d’Hermès; well, Desert Star has a slight earthy note, and while it’s not a clone, it definitely shares family ties with the French house’s scent. Cheers to the community!

As other reviews say, it smells green, maybe like grass but sweet, not freshly cut. The woody part reminds me a lot of Odyssey Aoud, but without the saffron sweetness of that one; however, it does share a medicinal undertone with the Aoud, along with musk and a bit of pink pepper. Great longevity and projection; highly recommended if you’re looking for something different.

If you’ve ever wanted to wear Terre d’Hermès but didn’t because a friend used it and you missed out, this is a blind buy. Maximum Decimus Meridius, commander of the Northern armies, general of the Phoenix Legions, loyal servant of Marcus Aurelius… would wear this perfume. It’s EPIC. It has the spicy personality of TDH and matches Santal 33. It’s not a clone, but it could be its cousin. It’s not citrusy, but it’s just as spicy. I feel a lot of pink pepper, like I have it in my hands; for childhood memories, I guarantee it smells like that and not incense or mint—it’s pink pepper from the molle tree, typical of the Salta and Jujuy highlands. If you walk around in summer there, you’ll see the pink pepper berries with the exact same opening scent. There’s full vetiver in the middle and sandalwood at the end. Watch out for 6 sprays, it’s very strong, flies through the air, and lasts about 4 hours with 2 applications. On the skin, it won’t wash off even after washing your hands twice. It’s barely sweet, far from cloying. Anyway, as I said at the start: that’s what happened to me, and that’s how I felt it. If you’ve ever felt that about TDH, this is a blind buy with a good touch of distinction, as there are differences in the scent. Until my search ended, this is darker, more serious, and elegant, while Arabian Sky is for daytime and night outings (another blind buy if you like the Bleu de Chanel style, the TDH story repeats itself). Cheers! Hope my comment helps you.

A very rich perfume that exudes masculinity, elegance, and sensuality; it’s citrusy, spicy, earthy, and has a sweet touch. I’ve been wearing it for two weeks and I’ve loved it. I found it similar to Club de Nuit Private Key, the grey bottle one. From the line, I also have Arabian Sky, Desert Night, and Oasis, and this has been the one I liked the most; a safe buy.

I don’t know what this is, but it takes me to the sky. I don’t know much about perfumery; I just buy what I like. It’s a scent bomb: with 4 sprays, it projects for 2 hours, then stays in your personal aura with constant bursts. I’m getting another bottle because it can’t be missing.

Indeed, it has a strong tendency to remind me of Montblanc’s Black Meisterstück. It also carries that soapy note from Loewe 7, but this one is less sharp and strident than Loewe’s incense. Star is elegant, woody, and has that Montblanc incense vibe. They are similar, but this Armaf feels greener and fresher without being loud. The Montblanc is more luxurious and delicate. I think it’s perfect for Holy Week. It’s an all-rounder for any season, day, or night. It doesn’t follow the sandalwood line, but people see it that way because of the similarities. The Armaf and Montblanc are dark, green, and incense-heavy, while sandalwood is fresh, rich, and floral. Overall, it’s elegant. If you like green, dark woods (like Bentley Absolute, though this smells dirtier), or clean sandalwoods, it’s a blind buy.

Indeed, it has a strong tendency towards Black Meisterstück by Montblanc. It also has that soapy tendency of Loewe 7, but Loewe is very sharp and strident with the incense and that ultra-fresh note (I don’t like it); Star is an elegant and woody scent with that incense vibe of Montblanc. They are quite similar, but this Armaf seems greener and fresher (not strident or loud), while Montblanc is more sumptuous and delicate. I think it’s the perfect perfume for Holy Week and it’s a must-have for any season, day, or night. I don’t think it follows the Santal 33 line, but given the dupes or similarities to this, I understand why people see it in that woody direction; however, Armaf and Montblanc are dark, green, and incense-heavy (although Desert Star doesn’t declare incense, I believe that’s where the difference between Armaf and Montblanc shows: if it had incense, it would perhaps be more opaque and sumptuous like Montblanc, but it imitates the note in a pretty decent way). Whereas Santal 33 is fresh, rich, and floral wood. Overall, the perfume is an all-rounder and results in elegance; if you like woody, green, and dark scents like Bentley Absolute (this one is very dirty), any clean sandalwood, Tom Ford Oud Wood, YSL Y Eclat, HB Parfum, the Loewe incense line, etc. (woody to die for), this could be a blind buy.

Simple yet with its own character. Upon spraying, the bergamot gives you a citrus kick that lasts about 20 minutes before yielding to a woody base. It’s the kind of perfume that defines you: elegant casual, perfect with a sweater and slacks. If you’re looking for a woody scent that doesn’t sound like what everyone else is wearing these days, give it a try. 8/10.

I don’t understand where people get the idea that this smells like Dior Homme 2020, Loewe 7, or Kenzo, but finally, I found the one that actually emulates this Armaf: the Black Meisterstück by Montblanc. It was fantastic; I had high expectations, and upon smelling it, there it was—that pine scent in a misty, cold, elegant forest that I couldn’t place in any designer line. Of course, the Armaf is seven times louder and more strident, while the Montblanc is elegant and luxurious. Both capture that dark forest essence, but the Armaf broke the mold well, creating a true marvel of the future.