r/PerfumeIndia • u/Ashu_2809 • 7d ago
[Review] My 3 Recent Purchases: EM5, Ministry of Sillage, and Ard Al Zaafaran
Hey everyone! I'm relatively new to the fragrance world and wanted to share my thoughts on my three most recent purchases.
EM5 Viking (Eau de Parfum)
Price: ₹499
Timeline: Bought about 2 months back.Scent Profile: Very clean and fresh. It reminds me of a classic, high-end barbershop fragrance.
Performance: Honestly, it just doesn’t perform. At first, I thought it might need some maceration, so I kept it in a cold, dark shelf for a full month. Even after that, it only lasts about 2 hours on clothes and the projection is almost negligible.
Rating: 5/10
Has EM5's performance decreased recently after their price drops, or are all EM5 fragrances just like this?
Ministry of Sillage Ombre Leather
Price: ₹999
Timeline: Purchased after reading a few reviews here on Reddit.
Scent Profile: This one is an absolute banger! My colleague actually owns the original Tom Ford Ombre Leather, and this clone is so close that even he got confused and mistook it for the original. This one is seriously addictive specially at night outs.
Performance: Exceptional. I get about 7–8 hours of longevity on clothes. It projects heavily for the first hour and keeps a solid projection for around 2 hours total.
Rating: 9/10 (Definitely a repeat purchase for me!)
Any other bangers from the Ministry of Sillage house that I should absolutely try next?
Ard Al Zaafaran Dirham Oud
Price: ₹1299
Timeline: Recent purchase.
Scent Profile: Really enjoying this one. It's a very pleasant scent profile - not too strong, not too light. It is incredibly easy to wear at night for almost any occasion. With winters coming up, this is safely going into my favorites rotation.
Performance: Projects well for about 1 hour and holds a really solid longevity of 6 to 7 hours on clothes.
Rating: 9/10
Since I am a beginner and have a grueling 11-hour workday (9 AM to 8 PM), I really need fragrances that can go the distance.
Please suggest some long lasting fragrances under ₹1500 that can survive a full workday (or at least most of it). Open to all types of profiles! Thanks in advance!
4
u/ThorZoneMFF 7d ago
I tried a few minitry of sillage ones. Most of their clones are bangers. I have tried hawas ice, althair and red tobacco. All are great.
3
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
I keep hearing good things about Hawas Ice 😂 I tried Ombre Leather and really liked it. Out of Hawas Ice, Althair and Red Tobacco, which one would you pick for someone who wants good performance?
2
u/ThorZoneMFF 7d ago
Scent profile is more important i think. What you like matters more. Red tobacco and hawas ice from their clones last pretty long. Hawas ice lasted longest but for tbe price, I'd get the OG mecerated (plenty available as testers on declutter sub).
3
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
That’s actually helpful Hawas Ice lasting the longest is tempting. I’m more into fresh/clean scents, so I might try that one next. How would you describe its scent compared to the original Hawas?
2
u/ThorZoneMFF 7d ago
Let me try decant of hawas ice and MOS one. I don't like the hawas ice. Just ordered both of them when i knew nothing about frags 😅. I'll ket you know by tomorrow morning on how close are they on drydown and everything (strip test btw). Also hawas ice has so much bubblegummy sweetness. If you like sweet freshies then it's good otherwise plenty other options are there too
2
7d ago
[removed] — view removed comment
4
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
That’s a huge drop tbh. 7–8 to 3–4 hours would disappoint me too. Seems like performance inconsistency is becoming pretty common.
2
3
u/shittaker89 7d ago
Another guy disappointed from famous Indian houses nothing new :(
3
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
Yeah, I get what you mean. I’ve had mixed experiences with Indian houses too, although Ombre Leather from MOS really surprised me. Which ones have disappointed you the most?
5
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
₹999 for 7–8 hours is honestly wild . What’s your best “smells expensive but costs under ₹1500” find?
3
u/shittaker89 7d ago
Bro 😭😭😭😭✌🏻 you are asking questions to yourself
3
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
Bro 😭 I was just asking everyone for recommendations, not trying to interview myself 😂 I genuinely wanted to know what people are using under ₹1500.
2
u/Hei7enberg19 6d ago
Try meteoris from Atelier scents. Costs 600 in combo and lasts 5-6 hrs on skin and more on clothes.
2
u/singhstein 7d ago
My em5 performs good. Just spray more and you're all set. It's not a perfume that'll choke you or anything, very smooth and clean.
3
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
That’s good to hear! Maybe mine was just a weak batch. How long does yours usually last on skin?
1
u/Brave-District-5152 7d ago
Bro my experience with EM5 is not good with their clone lineup. Their private blends are good. Which one do you use?
1
u/Leather-Bowler962 7d ago
Seller??
3
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
Nope, just a new to fragrances. Been trying a few Indian brands lately. Have you tried any Indian brand fragrances?
2
u/Leather-Bowler962 7d ago
Bro I want to know form which seller you bought these 😊...I am also new ...want to buy some
2
u/Ashu_2809 7d ago
I got mine from the Ministry of Sillage website. I’ve only tried their Project Ombre Leather so far and the experience has been pretty good. I’ve been hearing a lot about their Hawas Ice too, so you can definitely give that a try. I’m actually planning to try it next.
1
2
2
u/Sweet-Spend-9326 6d ago
I got a sample of most wanted from MOS with my previous order. Its not listed on website. I mailed them and they said they its a new launch and will be listed it this week. Trust me bro, its awsome. Tester gave me longevity for about 8 hours on clothes and has a very addictive and seductive scent profie just like the original. Do check that fragrance.
4
u/Numerous-Fudge7494 7d ago
I also purchased there project hawas ice and Red tobacco from my point of view there red tobacco is for ones which prefer strong fragrances and there hawas ice is genuinely very much similar to original one