Africana

Dark, syrupy cherry-flavored novelty wax lips slowly melting on a shelf in a smoky African tent city located somewhere below the Tropic of Cancer. The tents are surrounded by jarred fruits honeybees and small birds,a Berber wedding next door has been carrying on since last evening showing no signs of stopping. The musk of 20 camels subtly floats in the breeze along with date syrups drizzled on fresh-baked sahara pastries each filled with exotic jams. A small oasis garden growing all sorts of purple flowers blossom in the heated, smoky haze of twilight. Africana is similar to golden sand in style; it’s almost comically gourmand and linear with its dominant note, a mixture of synthetic cherry teas, melon, and mandarins in heavy syrup that eventually turns into a beautiful dark, sweet, boozy, powdery, sharp, musky frankincense amber. It is described perfectly in most reviews on this site, but the magic is in the subtle breakdown of notes, which takes about 12 hours and could last for days thats right days. To my nose, cherry is the maestro, and as the middle and base settle, hints of purple flowers, medicinal ouds, and bitter green floral musky sugars play their notes. Think of opening a 10,000-year-old wooden cask of overproof blackberry mead, found in the sarcophagus of some forgotten mummy’s tomb. Bouquets of ancient flowers and resins still permeate the pyramid’s cavern, the leathery, tannic, musky scent of the mummy’s flesh and bandages slowly seeping into the air. As this happens, someone’s great-grandmother applies a cheap cherry-flavored chapstick to her parched lips—she pulled the chapstick out of an old pocketbook filled with assorted fruit candy found at your local drugstore—you will arrive at Africana. Probably the most cherry-forward scent I have ever tried, and it works. Unisex, Gothic, Dark Yet Light, Ancient Yet Youthful, Sacred Yet Irresistible—the subtle unyielding power of Africana could easily become a olfactory nightmare for those who are not prepared for what it offers... Like golden sand, Africana can be layered with other fragrances to add dimension and complexity. There’s a beautiful oud and iris note that really brings this fragrance to another level. The florals in this resemble the African bush at night—dark, sticky, smoky resinous air with hints of animal musk blending with poison plants and tropical fruits—making this one of Al-Rehab’s most paradoxical yet complex masterpieces. I own over 20 different fragrances from this house, and Africana is the most enigmatic. It will make people talk, and those who you thought wouldn’t like it will love it—a must-have for those who enjoy cloyingly sweet gourmand sorcery or vintage androgynous aldehyde bombs from yesteryear. This scent invokes memories in people. It’s one of Al-Rehab’s greatest creations in terms of originality through complex simplicity. You will either love it or hate it, but once it crosses your path, you will never forget it.

Truly a difficult scent to review. In a good way. :) There is so much here, and it all smells searingly sweet, fruity, and very appealing. That is odd thing for me to say, as I do not like fruity scent in general. However, Africana is quite unique! Here we have a sweet fruit and floral vibe that is not one fruit or flower so much as a wonderful melange. (I persist in feeling there are some fruits here that I've yet to see in any supermarket!) It's heady and overwhelming at this point, and I am now getting hints of YEAST??? But so it is. Therefore, I'm not a bit surprised at people's mention of the scent smelling of beer! Thankfully, no brewery on me, but fresh baked rolls mixed into the fruit and flowers and greenery. So far it resembles the smell of a fantastic tropical green house with an outdoor market nearby? The fruity greenness juxtaposed against the yeast is also that of lush growing plants. You can see why descriptions fail me at this point.... Looking at the notes, I should have immediately guessed the orange, but never in a million years would have guessed pink pepper. NO! I seldom ever get on with this note in perfumery, and here not only do I not smell pink pepper, but it behaves perfectly on my skin. Yay. Another lovely surprise is that one of the flowers I'm smelling turns out to be IRIS. Oh, Iris, how I love thee! Once I saw the note listed here I could readily begin to smell and associate some of the floral aspect of Africana with this heady flower. I have a happy history with IRIS. For me, Iris goes a long way to explaining how something this exotic could at once feel so familiar and beloved! To sum up, this is one of the few Al Rehabs I fell in love with almost instantaneously, and also one of their power houses. I feel like I'm wearing a playful, super-concentrated Niche without the high price tag. Not a safe blind buy, obviously. Only the adventuresome need apply. Be prepared to be blown away by your own sillage trail! Five Star <3

I'm working my way through the Al Rehab roll-on line. The majority are good and wearable, better than your average drugstore brew. A few not so much for various reasons. Maybe a sixth though, are excellent, which is a very high success rate for a budget line. Africana is one of the excellent ones, albeit a bit polarising. This will definitely not a fragrance everyone will love and it's not subtle. It's a bit like that friend you have that always says EXACTLY the wrong thing at the wrong moment but is kind and tonnes of fun, so you forgive her. Africana is loud, impolite and bit artless but fabulous. It reminds me a LOT of fruit incense from my youth but in the best way. This scent isn't trying to be Western or too familiar and personally I think that's when Al Rehab does its best work. It opens with a big, dirty fruit musk, similar to the musk in Al Rehab Elena. Elena is a thing of the twilight; Africana is bright sunlight. It's also fresher than Elena though, has fizzy citrus aldehydes and incense. As it develops on the skin, a whiff of dirty jasmine passes through and, over time, a powderiness from the iris develops. The dry down features a surprisingly, different and lovely vanilla note. The longevity is exceptional. If you like Lush Karma or Al Rehab Elena, this is for you.

I have a tiny bottle of this perfume oil and it ́s literally so, so good. Very yummy. Let me tell you something... this smells exactly like some candies from my childhood, or something like that. And I am sure it will smell like that to you, too, no matter in which part of the world you grew up... it ́s one of those familiar scents of life... The comments below mentioning bananas, syntetic strawberry scent, grapes, etc. are all right. This has a little bit of everything candy-like, gummy-bear style, sweet soda style. Sadly, I can ́t describe the scent better than that... but, once you smell it, you will know. :) I am about to test it ́s longevity and sillage but I can smell it very well even after shower and I had only a drop on my arm like three hours ago. Also, I want to mention this has tropical vibe to it, so I can imagine this will be great for summer (and by the way, normally I am not that fond of tropical perfumes, but this is perfect). However, I am going to wear it in the winter days, too. :)

This is a memory. It is a hot one, and that is how I associate this scent with the name. I've been to Africa, but this is not pulling me there. It is pulling me to the sweltering hot of Caribbean island interiors. This is the smell of wandering around a hot island to a local standup pub made of a few boards. There they make only one drink, some kind of tropical punch with a goofy name, but it is always like drinking straight out of the warm concentrate can, as there is no ice to be found. It is hyper sweet fruity and syrupy, and has dripped all over the ground, soaking into the wooden floor, and disappearing into the packed dirt outside. The heavy fruit floats in the humid air and you can almost taste it. The sun is setting and the fairy lights flick on. It is hot and we are thankful for the small breeze the sunset brings as we worked up a good sweat just finding this place. You can't stay too late or it can get dangerous. Here's to Smurfs Cafe and every other place like it.

Ooh I really like this. It smells like bubblegum mixed with tropical fruit/cherry. I definitely understand the comparisons to Montale Mukhallat and Makkah from Al Haramain but I like this so much more than either of those. Makkah and Mukhallat have a very incense-y base which makes the whole composition smell like a fruity incense stick. No matter how much I tried, I just couldn't handle that aspect. The crazy loud cherry and bubblegum aspect, totally fine with me. I'm a gourmand lover to the extreme and the sweeter, the better. But the incense just ruined those for me. Africana is like all the cherry bubblegum goodness without the incense for me, thankfully. It's super strong, super long lasting. The base has the slightest powdery vibe but it's minimal. I'm glad I tried this because it's a great alternative to Mukhallat, which I was sad that didn't work for me. Also the price for quality is amazing.

I've been wanting to try exotic perfume oils. I found Africana as part of a set of 3 Al-Rehab 6ml Perfume Oils on Amazon. It came with (2) other roller ball fragrances, Saat Safa & Al Fares both of which I thought I was going to love but Africana stole the show! I am so very pleased with Africana's performance over the other two oils. Africana showcases bright satsuma mandarin and luxe beautiful iris! It's so lovely and quite the sillage monster; a little goes a long way. This set was a great value for only $13. I will definitely buy a full size of Africana and it will have a permanent place in my fragrance rotation!

It took me a while to work out what this reminded me of (and it's something I still have stashed away as I liked it bit it was discontinued) UK superdrug melon crush body spray...but it also has a little of something else in a little bit like champagne (pre yvresse) or fiori di krizia..I don't know if it's a floral note or fizzy vanilla or a bit of both. I like it anyway. It is definitely unusual and definitely strong.

I'm not normally into fruity fragrances but this one really makes my mouth water. It is extremely fruity to my nose, it smells like juicy mangoes and melons but also has a slight powdery texture to it. On my skin the overall performance is excellent. ( I am reviewing the oil version ) The only minor negative i can see is finding the right situation to wear this because it is very fruity.

The quest for awkward fumes has brought me here: Africana. Breathtaking, mystical, haunting dark sorcery. Smokey sweet resins, tuberose turned liquid amber with dirty vintage vibes. Orange peel and overripe fruits: mango, bananas, cherries... with all their glorifying turning liquor nuances. Rehabilitation required with guaranteed relapse.

I treat this fragrance oil not like a typical perfume; to me, it's more like an almost surreal experience — a vehicle that transports you to unfamiliar yet oddly close places, reminiscent of dreams. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, like walking through a bazaar in the 90s with your grandmother by your side, her gentle hand clasping yours as you meander through stalls brimming with treasures. Suddenly, the scene dissolves, and you're in a realm of neon dreams, like stepping into an AI creation that feels simultaneously foreign and familiar. This is Africana — a kaleidoscope of nostalgia and imagination. Africana is ever-changing, with no single note standing out distinctly; nor could I pinpoint one with precision. It is both syrupy-sweet and incense-like, with earthy undertones. At times, it recalls the aroma of a vape shop or freshly lit shisha with an intriguing twist — candy-like tutti frutti, bubblegum, and even a hint of fizzy soda. It carries a slightly herbal quality, reminiscent of fine tea, as well. Undoubtedly, it can be described as a powerhouse of sweetness. The fragrance is incredibly potent and long-lasting, absurdly affordable for what it offers. It lingers in space long after you've left. Versatile yet unconventional, a unisex scent is suitable year-round, perfect for moments when you want something offbeat. Reviews suggest it is polarizing, with opinions ranging widely, further emphasizing its uniqueness. The only comparable product I've encountered isn't similar in scent but in its emotional effect: Al Haramain's Makkah oil. Makkah shares Africana's knack for stirring childhood nostalgia and transporting the wearer to extraordinary mental landscapes. These oils could complement quirky event outfits and add a fun touch, enhancing your ensemble with an unexpected sensory dimension. While they're undeniably synthetic, that quality doesn't detract from their charm — at least not for me. I even use them to refresh a room or wardrobe with a cotton wool swab dipped in the oil. This enigmatic creation is exceptionally original, boasting ultra-high novelty value. Africana is a mystical adventure in a bottle, daring everyday cosmetics to experiment with intriguingly unconventional scents. If you're ready to take a step off the beaten path, Africana offers a rabbit hole portal. Opening note: 7 Sillage/Projection: 9 Drydown: 7 Longevity: 9 Blend/Composition: 7- Versatility: 8 Uniqueness: 9+ Value for money: 10 Bottle design/Aesthetics: 5- Overall experience: 7+ Blind-buy rating: 5-

This is what I'm getting- I could be way off: Head: orange peel, papaya, mango, melon Heart: cassis, vanilla, fig, tuberose, licorice, cumin, cinnamon, clove Base: benzoin, vetiver, tonka, patchouli, leather, sandalwood, nitro-musk Very unusual... prominent spiced-fruit, woody floriental. Back in the 70's, a friend of my mother wore either a perfume or scented lotion not unlike 'Africana'. I have no clue what it was, but upon smelling this fragrance, my mind was immediately brought back to those years. I actually begin to like 'Africana' after about 30 minutes as the overpowering candied-orange peel note mellows a bit; at this point, it calls to mind mulled wine/glühwein... or a mixture of fruits stewing in a kettle. So, if you're just trying this one, give it some time to settle. Longevity on me at ~70F: prominent/noticeable until about 12h with a heavy sillage at first, slowly fading down to moderate; trails off to the lower heart and base after that, but can still be detected as a skin-scent (ie: "close") at the 17h mark. And the 24h mark. If you dig it, check out 'Balkis' in the same line- which is far less fruity, but obviously by the same nose and much-more accessible, in my opinion. EDIT 29Feb16: I had an urge to experience this fragrance again for some reason; I seem to be intrigued by its oddness! This time, I wore it on my ankles... yes, not on my wrists or anywhere close to my face... and found it rather delightful as I caught occasional, diluted wafts. Africana is powerful, powerful stuff... and it lasts beyond 24 hours on my skin. The far drydown is my favorite part, after the fruit recedes and the musky-ambery base is unshrouded. EDIT 2Oct17: I forgot how nuclear this stuff was... and rolled my forearms with 2-3 paths each. It's been an hour now, and the scent is a bit overwhelming. It is much better to apply this to the lower-body (ankles or knees, etc.). Hopefully I'll remember this next time!

Oh my oh my. This is an absolute kick in the...nose. In quite a positive way, I have to say. It's extremely strong, so go easy with this one. The first spray is a blast, the first 5 minutes are a blast, the first half an hour is a blast.... It's an extremely potent concoction, albeit quite screechy. What I get is a personification of overly sweet and ripe fruit (not specific fruit, but almost like a "tutti frutti" mix in bubblegum, hard candy or jellies; the reason I chose the word "personification" is because this dimension is definitely synthetic) laid on top of super sweet, almost gooey amber. Even though it's way too violent for my tastes and even what I define as kitschy, it is not disturbing. In fact, it almost makes me smile because it's so loud, happy, juicy and just overall too much of everything. If this was an outfit / look, it would be a skin tight dress in animal print with some additional ruffles, stiletto shoes and a big, fragrant, red rose in the hair. Classy? No. Horrible? Not necessarily. Actually, it could be quite charming, in a naive way, when done right. As I and many others said already, this is a sillage and longevity monster.

I brought this for my brother, he is starting secondary school and he begged me to get him a perfume. We both decided to get the oil roller on this, and we weren't disappointed! I tried this fragrance to myself, and all I got was fruit syrup/golden syrup. Don't get me wrong, it's nice, but it didn't suit my body chemistry, nor did I like it for myself. I got two baths that day and the scent was still stuck with me, and my clothes. When my brother tried it... oh my! It was fabulous! It reminded me of visiting the Indian pastry shops. It was syrupy, with a nice spicy depth to it which isn't overwhelming. I couldn’t pick up any banana that everyone keeps talking about, it smelled more of the mango/fruit syrup, with a caramelised fruit note. It's so nice that our mother has started wearing it. 😆 She gets a lot of compliments regarding the fragrance. Conclusion: This might not be everyone's cup of tea, but for £3 it's worth trying. It's a nice fun fragrance, works well for both the younger and older crowd. It's a true unisex fragrance.

Для меня по началу это пахнет женщиной с бокалом вина. Я не пью, поэтому без понятия что за вино. Женщина на банкете, где стол уставлен мокрыми фруктами, в основном кислыми, но в этом аромате нет ничего свежего от зелёного яблока. Вино очень быстро развеевается и остаётся только сладкр-кислый аромат, который постепенно становится похож на облепиху. Когда мы поехали с семьёй на отдых, сестра сказала "от кого так вкусно пахнет облепихой?". Этот аромат был идеален чтобы носить его на пляж, и наносить после душа. Он грелся на солнце и звучал очень по летнему, при этом не свежо, а густо. Однако, есть в нем то что мне не нравится. Это нота не очищенных молочных зубов за которыми в целом хорошо следят. Когда ты ребенок с молочными зубами и просыпаешь посреди ночи пить. И когда ты делаешь первый глоток, есть привкус. Вот это я чувствую в Afrikana.

When I first sprayed this I was expecting something extremely synthetic and something smelling like bubblegum and bananas? but the first thing I did was run to Fragrantica and check to see if it reminded anyone of Mukhallat by Montale and I saw that there was one person who voted. This smells 100% exactly like Mukhallat by Montale- a plastic, strawberry bubblegum barbie doll head scent.... crazy. Pleasant smell, I'm not sure why it's called Africana but I feel annoyed that I spent so much money on Mukhallat and yet this smells exactly the same and costs pennies. I recommend this if you like juvenile-smelling perfumes!

This is in regards to the roller oil: It smells very reminiscent of old-school gumballs (before being chewed). My particular oil is a BEAST. I'm currently wearing a 1/2 inch applied to one arm, and rubbed to the other. 2 hours later and it is projecting enormously....and I'm wearing long sleeves! If you decide to try, go really light, and maybe try to apply a decent distance from your face - maybe your waist? Trust me, your clothing won't interfere with this one at all...

First of all, I am glad I heeded the warnings of others and applied this on my ankles because this is STRONG. Projection is HUGE. It is no joke. I am getting something totally different than everyone else. Something almost nutty or chocolate but very sweet. Also some earthy undertones. I feel very Earth Mamma when I wear this. Not sure if that is my vibe. I am eager to see how long it lasts.

I have the roll-on oil and it’s all of the fruitiest of fruity things. Juicy fruits gum, fruity sherbet, those fruit syrups you can get to make cocktails, fruity shampoo. It’s potent, sweet, lots of fun...and very, very fruity! Proceed with caution. An absolute beast. One dab on my forearm and the whole downstairs of my house smells like those old school fruit salad sweets. Oooofff!

Totally fun...but could go wrong so fast though! This is the SWEETEST perfume I have ever smelled. It is a mix of banana taffy and juicy fruit gum..not to be taken too seriously. I can't wait to wear it hanging out this summer by the pool and enjoying time with family..not really a church or work scent.