Zahrat Hawai

Don't be fooled, this can be worn by a man and takes a very strange, polarizing turn. It starts as a slightly synthetic gourmand with a androgynous vibe, reminiscent of Escada Rio, but then transforms into something like charred pineapple juice colada with sweet citrus and alcholic syrups evoking the feel of a tropical beach. It has a beautiful Middle Eastern take on gourmand and woody floral musk, similar notes can be detected in Creed's Virgin Island Water , SpongeBob’s Gary and Tommy Bahama's Set Sail Saint Barts. What a turn! If a person can withstand the synthetic pina colada lifesaver candy opening for the first half hour, Zaharat eventually evolves into a beautiful, tropical, sweet blend of smoky charred pineapple, smoky coconut skins, and old fruit, with a refined, almost sultry richness. It becomes a real challenging fragrance for those who don't prefer true beach like scents. This one has a twist of dark coconut, teak woody sweetness in the base, a fragrance that works on any sex with the right attitude. Beautiful, tropical, opens like a cheap bath and bodyworks spray X Lifesavers pina colada candy and does a 360 into a Smokey Hawaiian tiki bar serving frozen cocktails in the middle of a coconut lagoon.

One-by-one, I've been spending more time with some of my Al Rehabs that didn't immediately "grab" me upon first sniff (my preferences lean toward heavy, cool-weather and evening frags). I had meant to give 'Zahrat Hawaii' a wearing this past summer, yet here I am... on a very-chilly autumn evening, basking in the tropical aura of this delightful perfume... It makes me envision a trip I took several years back to Puerto Vallarta, sitting near the beach with my sister, talking and laughing as we sipped daiquiris and piña coladas, surrounded by blooming plants and sunshine, enjoying the fresh breeze coming from Banderas Bay, making plans for the coming evening. How I wish I was there now, instead of looking at the grey skies and bare branches that greet me here and now...[sigh] How is it that a perfume can be so evocative of times and places? I have nothing else quite like this in my collection. The closest thing is maybe 'Laguna' by Salvador Dali.

This works quite well on me and not many fragrances do work with my chemistry. I was worried that these would be cheap bathroom smelling scents but they're actually very well done. I love this one, it's my fave! Pineapple usually smells too sharp on me but this does pineapple beautifully! It actually smells like a more expensive Selena Gomez. It lasts and projects! I just love this! It's a better alternative to the overly sticky sweetness that turns into a mess of sugar from escada fragrances. Nothing manly here on my skin. This is tropical and fruit done right! Usually fruity fragrances smell so weird on me, those popular ones that work on everybody but me. Well here's a tropical delight for my oily odd man out skin. (Although I'm a woman).

This review is both for the oil and EDP! Truly unisex imo. Love applying the oil on skin, and EDP on fabric. They work better together than separately, and a little goes a long way... Projection and longevity is top-tier, as most middle eastern perfumes are... This scent opens up with the fresh/citrusy/floral notes. The fruitiness creeps in slowly right afterwards, blending in beautifully. The caramel and cedar bring complexity and depth to it, lingering for a while as the base. It resembles a very luxurious shampoo scent NGL. It's one of my favorites by Al-Rehab!

As the name, ”Zahrat Hawaii” or Hawaiian flowers shows, I can feel the comfort Hawaiian breeze scented with tropical flowers and fruits wearing this cute fragrance. First, bright coconut comes into my nose, followed by cheerful pineapple, and strawberry. Finally, beautiful musk wraps up everything leaving the seductive sillage. I use the oil version, and apply a small amount to my skin not to overwhelm the people around me. I can say this fragrance is a head turner. My friends ask me what fragrance I am wearing.