Social media is a great platform for circulating viral products. For example, “Lattafa,” a Dubai-based luxury perfume brand, went viral on TikTok after the release of “Lattafa Eclaire,” a dupe for Bianco Latte. Since then, Dubai and Arabian fragrances have been trending over social media, known for their dupes of high-end fragrances. Even stores like Zara have gone viral for the same reason.
Popular fragrance content creators and collectors such as Daniel René, Paulina&Perfumes, Affordableperfumerevies, and sniffwithsteph9399, review popular and viral fragrances. Known for their massive collections and knack for describing fragrance notes, viewers who want to hop on the latest perfume trend trust the noses of such content creators for luck.
However, sometimes these fragrances just fall short of nearly everything they’re lived up to be on social media. Here are five personally-tested fragrances that are not worth the hype:
Everything about this perfume suggests that it will smell tropical and fresh. According to their website, the fragrance description reads, “With every spritz, Aziza transports you to your own tropical paradise, making every day feel like a beach day.” However, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Many fragrance creators rave about Aziza despite it being such a flat fragrance. It smells like a watered-down Yara. There are no hints of coconut or peach. On the skin, this smells almost like rancid or expired fruit snacks. Some fragrance connoisseurs recommend letting fragrances “macerate” (mature) into their true scent. However, Luniche doesn’t evolve into anything beach-related. This fragrance is not for everyone.
Base Notes: Caramel, Amber, Suede, Musk, Peru Balsam
This unisex fragrance is said to lean more female, and many online users claim it smells like a version of apple pie. Again, after reading reviews on Amazon and Fragrantica, this flopped. Casablanca is very masculine-leaning and smells more of suede and Musk. Honestly, it is nauseating. This is another flat scent that smells entirely the same, even on the dry down. There are no hints of caramel, amber, or grapes. Casablanca definitely does not live up to its positive reviews!
There is nothing positive about this fragrance besides its longevity. Ana Abiyedh is not a safe blind buy, despite users claiming it is a fresh and clean scent. It’s mostly a musky/woodsy scent profile that overpowers the vanilla, orange, pear, and other listed notes. It smells similar to men’s deodorant with a hint of body odour. Like many Lattafa fragrances, Ana Abiyedh is strong and smells better on paper than it does on skin.
Base Notes: Vanilla, Musk, Sandalwood, Sweet Notes
To give this perfume the benefit of the doubt, it does smell like the listed notes: coconut, pineapple, musk, etc… However, there is something off about this fragrance. It could be the citrus notes that turn this fragrance sour. It is not the worst fragrance on this list, as other creators had second thoughts about it. It’s definitely more masculine, though if it’s layered correctly, it can lean more feminine.
Middle Notes: Jasmine Sambac, Ylang-Ylang, Lilly of the Valley
Base Notes: Vanilla, Sandalwood, Patchouli
Overall, this fragrance is nice; however, it gives off “old lady” vibes. The vanilla note stands out during the dry-down, and it’s not as citrusy as the tangerine suggests. Athena is said to be a dupe of “Burberry Goddess“, but some users mention it smells similar to “Burberry Her“. It is not a safe blind buy for younger perfume collectors who love gourmand fragrances. Despite this, Athena has almost five-star reviews on Amazon.
Generally speaking, everyone perceives fragrances differently. Smell Stories states that one’s skin pH levels, body temperature, skin type, and even skin bacteria can affect how perfume smells on an individual. It’s best to test perfume on skin to smell the “true” notes and how they react with your body chemistry.
Despite being a novice perfume collector, I have already (unintentionally) run into some fragrance clones. These fragrances are not dupes of high-end perfume; they have similar aromas. For reference, I love gourmands, vanilla, and powdery scents!
Here are a few in my current collection that remind me of other fragrances:
Arabiyat “Blueberry Musk” for “Dark Kiss” from Bath and Body Works.
As a Fenty perfume lover, I went online looking for another blueberry gourmand. After watching a few videos and reading user reviews, I bought “Blueberry Musk.” I remembered reading a review on Fragrantica that read, “This perfume smells exactly like Dark Kiss from Bath and Body Works.” This perfume is literally Dark Kiss on steroids with nice longevity. It leans more towards sweet and powdery blackberries, but it is a top 10 fragrance!
LoveShackFancy “Sugar Blush Hair & Body Perfume” for Skylar “Boardwalk Delight.”
This perfume/mist will hands down be another one of my personal favorites! I’ve always loved Skylar Boardwalk Delight and always received compliments when wearing it. However, it is on the pricier side. I unintentionally bought Sugar Blush, and it took me a week to realize that it smells almost identical to Skylar Boardwalk Delight. It’s sweet, sugary, and smells like cotton candy. This is a youthful fragrance, however, it doesn’t last very long on the skin. I pair this with a vanilla roll-on oil for more longevity.
Al-Rehab “Soft” for “Delicious Cotton Candy” by Gale Hayman.
This was another one of those “aha” moments where I realized Al-rehab’s “Soft” smells similar to “Delicious Cotton Candy” by Gale Hayman. To me, both smell more like brown sugar; however, they are sweet, youthful, and a bit powdery. Al Rehab does have a decent longevity of around two hours. Since the bottle is travel-sized, you can carry it with you anywhere to freshen up! This fragrance works well for Winter or in cooler months, but I have been wearing it recently. It’s very affordable as well!
Ellis Brooklyn “Vanilla Milk ” for Lattafa “Eclaire.”
Tjmaxx has many interesting beauty finds. Ellis Brooklyn’s Vanilla Milk was one of those. Although Eclaire is a dupe for Bianco Latte, Vanilla Milk gives off similar vibes to Eclaire. Both remind me of vanilla mocha with a hint of caramel and chocolate. I am not a huge fan of Eclaire despite it being in my collection; however, I am waiting for the colder months so I can pair these two together!
When shopping for fragrances, I usually buy from Amazon (if available) for their quick delivery. As mentioned earlier, T.J. Maxx and Marshalls are other options. Before blind buying, I always watch as many perfume review videos as possible. Lately, I have been watching Paulina & Perfumes and Sniff with Steph for in-depth reviews.
My eight-step, Daytime, Pre-makeup, Skincare Routine.
(A picture of my skincare products by Renee Medina)
Yes, my daily morning skincare routine consists of eight products. It is not necessary to use eight products; realistically, one to three products will suffice (for dry or combination skin). However, (for someone with dry/oily t-zone skin), I find that having a multi-step routine works best.
For reference, I’m not a certified dermatologist; I’m just sharing my routine! Health.com published a medically reviewed article on how to layer your skincare for maximum benefits. These are the steps to follow:
Cleanser
Toner
Spot Treatment
Serum
Retinol
Eye Cream
Moisturizer
Face Oils
Sunscreen
I don’t use retinols or face oils in the morning. I save them for nighttime since oils can make foundation separate. I also avoid spot treatments in the morning unless needed, as many contain benzoyl peroxide, which dries out the skin and can be less effective when layered with moisturizer. So, here’s how I follow the recommended routine with descriptions:
This cleanser removes sebum, dirt, and skin cells for clear and healthy skin. I use this almost daily to remove excess oil on my face and to help calm my skin during acne breakouts.
After cleansing, I apply this toner to my skin to retain moisture and adjust my skin tone. It also gives the appearance of slightly brighter skin after prolonged use.
This product is one of my favorites! I never skip a day without using salicylic acid. I feel as if it creates a barrier under my makeup to prevent clogged pores. It is drying, so I follow up with serums and moisturizers. It also helps with acne!
According to their website, this serum is clinically proven to brighten and even skin in two weeks. It also helps reduce fine lines, wrinkles, and smooths out skin texture. I love this serum! It gives my skin such a nice glow! Definitely a top-tier skincare product!
I am not a huge fan of eye creams. I feel they don’t do much for the dark circles under my eyes. However, I do like this eye cream for the hydrating and brightening effect. It was the Allure 2024 Best of Beauty Award Winner. I have recently started using this product and have only positive feelings towards it!
Tosowoong’s Arbutin Cream is a glowing moisturizer that gives the appearance of radiant skin. After seeing ads for it on Amazon (with almost 5-star reviews), I decided to try this product myself. Although I don’t have glass skin, this cream gives that appearance after application. It leaves my skin feeling plump! You can also layer this 2-3 times!
This moisturizer is light and airy. It has calming green tea and aloe vera for hydration. It doesn’t suffice as a heavy-duty moisturizer, but it is perfect for summer and warmer weather. I apply this on top of a heavier moisturizer for dewy skin.
Mixsoon is a viral Korean Skincare brand. So when I ran out of my Innisfree sunscreen, I bought Misxoon’s Bean Sunscreen. This is a light sunscreen texture that gives a glowy appearance and is suitable for all skin types. After layering this over my moisturizers, my skin is tacky and ready for makeup!
(Image of Skincare Products by 588ku on pngtree.com)
I always patch test on my wrist before using skincare on my face, as it might not always be suitable for everyone. Typically, I like to wait at least ten minutes before applying makeup immediately after skincare. I haven’t had any reactions when layering these products, even with sensitive skin!
Most of the products I use are Korean. Korean skincare is excellent, and I love many of their products. They’ve really improved my skin! My skincare routine might seem expensive, but I usually find cleansers, toners, moisturizers, and serums at Marshalls or TJ Maxx. As a former Allure Glam Bag subscriber, I got eye creams and moisturizers for about $25 a month. Amazon is also a good place to find discounted skincare.
Only one thing holds back athletes from becoming better players: themselves.
As a young athlete playing basketball, I saw every game as a mountain I had to climb. The greater the stakes, the stronger the pressure, and the less air I had to breathe. Constant trips to the restroom to throw my brains out in the toilet pre-game were a reminder of how anxiety-filled my thoughts were.
I felt choked by a game I loved, and never fully understood why.
Even with limited skills (no left, low free-throw accuracy), I constantly felt I was the determining factor in every game. I thought, “If I don’t make any shots, we’ll lose.” I always put myself down, but realistically, I was a great player with limited physical capabilities that I could improve.
Even when I practiced dribbling,left-sided lay-ups, and free throws, I was still nervous for every game.
It took me years to realize that my mental struggles held me back the most. The fear of uncertainty and the outcome of the game was my biggest worry. I also did not have the best sports intellect and only practiced physical technique and skills. Many young athletes are not mentally equipped to understand and process the meat and potatoes of sports. Criticism (especially when ineffective) seems like bashing and can discourage athletes with high hopes, such as myself.
In my brain, it was either winning or losing, nothing else. If I didn’t perform at a level that was good for me, then I didn’t win. I also didn’t understand that having a sports intellect could shape how I played the game.
Kobe Bryant puts it best in this one-minute clip:
Kobe Bryant’s Preparation Mentality Video on YouTube
Brant mentioned that he would watch games and study them. This is key when learning and understanding any sport. You gain insight into different strategies and also observe areas for improvement.
Another strategy that mentally strong athletes use is “visualizing.” Michael Phelps describes it as visualizing the outcomes of a game, whether positive or negative. This way, he is already mentally prepared for any outcome.
Phelps goes more into depth about this in an interview at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit in 2019.
After quitting basketball because of severe sports anxiety, I noticed that it affects professional athletes, too. A popular name that gets thrown around regarding this topic is NBA player, Ben Simmons. During his time on the Philadelphia 76ers, it was evident that he was going through some mental health struggles:
Simmons giving up the ball with an open shot.
Commentators noticed that Simmons would do well during practice but would miss open shots during games. Simmons opened up about his mental health struggles and how he was seeing a therapist while on the 76ers but did not feel supported by the organization. As a result, he was underperforming, and got dragged by fans for such blatant and rookie mistakes on the court.
With this knowledge, looking back on my athletic years, it is easy to understand how I got caught up with the pressure to succeed and do well in every game. Fear, uncertainty, and limited intellect on the game caused my mental health to suffer while doing something I loved. The goal was to always win but sometimes losing can change your perspective. Mental health is important for any athlete to succeed as they need to be in the right headspace to perform well physically. Studying games, famous athletes, and practicing mindfulness and pre-game mental techniques can help ease any sports anxiety. Without the proper preparation and mental health guidance, an athlete may never discover their true potential on/off the court.
The 21st Century Girly Blog 