The Golden Secret

I don't know how Christophe Raynaud did it, but he did it. He perfected the idea for Paco Rabanne 1 Million with Antonio Banderas The Golden Secret. As regulars who check out my reviews may know, I don't like traditional 1 Million all that much but The Golden Secret is the PERFECT 1 Million dupe that does everything you got from the original for about one third of the price. I originally thought that of the scent it is a flanker to, Antonio Banderas The Secret was the perfect smell alike but after smelling The Golden Secret, this is a much better one. Somehow despite using apple and green notes over the grapefruit and blood orange citrus notes and NO cinnamon, I get what I get with 1 Million but far less abrasive despite still being strong. It smells so much more strong than The Secret is. The Secret is a little more versatile than The Golden Secret but I happen to think Golden Secret is better. The Secret comes off as Cuba Royal compared to The Golden Secret. I think this is despite there is no cinnamon note, the mix of nutmeg, cumin and pepper in the mid make up the difference. The Golden Secret is perfect for bars, clubs and even dates specifically in fall and winter. It might get a few comments of you wearing 1 Million, but it might stand out at the same time. The scent lasts for about seven hours on me, projecting strong at about six feet at its apex on me for about an hour, before becoming a moderate sillage on me for about two hours. For the scent, it's like a spicy apple cider to my nose which I love. I really notice the mint, apple, nutmeg, cumin, pepper and leather notes. I have to rate The Golden Secret at an 8.1. It is not overly sweet, not too spicy and projects like a pricy cologne despite it being a discount line. I never thought I would give a love to a 1 Million smell alike but I am right now.

It's kinda hard to go on this one without comparing it to Paco Rabanne's 1 Million and I bought this one knowing that it smells like 1M and If the reviewers tell you this smells like 1M, believe them, even the bottle has a gold part!! (I think the bottle looks good tho lol) But I'll do my best to review The Golden Secret as the Antonio Bandera's fragrance that it is. This was launched in 2011 with great notes of Apple and leather you can easily get those notes once you wear this, the scent is great I always thought this smell is awesome and I still think it is, it does feels kinda innocent it's not a loud fragrance, it's not the type of scent that tells everyone you just showed up to the party however it has enough sweetness to attract a lady. I do love this smell I'm not gonna lie, the sillage and projection is moderate is not beast mode so that also means that the longevity is moderate as well, after 2 hours becomes a skin scent and then just disappears. It is a sweet, elegant and smooth scent and if you don't have enough budget to afford a 1M you can easily buy this one or Halloween. It's great choice for somebody who do like the scent but is low on cash. My only cons are the longevity, sillage and it's a clon of another fragrance but other than that I do recommend this fragrance go and buy it if you like the smell and enjoy on winter and fall, on summer doesn't go that well as you may wish to. In my opinion and in my skin: Scent: 8.5/10 (not higher for being a clone lol) Sillage: 6.0 /10 Longevity: 6.5/10 Versatility: 5.0/10 (Use this in cold environment, it works better) Presentation: 8.0 / 10 Recommended: Totally Yes. Go and buy it you'll love it

This is a sexy, elegant and chic. My brother has it and OMG!! I just love it. When you first spray it you def smell LEATHER, pepper and nutmeg, it's so obvious the nutmeg that is. The musk anchors this scent btw. I'm surprised that it wasn't ranked. Maybe because i'm used to musk in my perfumes so i can sniff it out. I smell apple in it too. What even surprises me the most is no one ranked MINT in this, come on people it's saying I'M IN HERE. It's what's giving this perfume this freshness that can't be explained. I actually told my brother when he was testing it that i'm sure it has mint and when i checked it here, there it was. My brother also has 1 million but i've to say that i love this more.....way more. It's silly that people say they're similar yet they can't even make out that it's THE MINT in common >.>

I am more than impressed with this beauty! I had 1 Million a while back and I never thought Id buy another bottle. A friend bought this and explained it's resemblance to 1M, I never believe him (or others on these remarks because I find differences so easily), but this was in a whole different realm of similarity!! I will simply say this is an upgraded version of 1 Million. Someone also mentioned this having elements of Lancome's Hypnose, another I also happen to love, and I do agree very much. Overall, this has gotta be one of my favourites. On me, longevity is beastly and projection was excellent as well, leaving a really nice scent trail behind me. I will keep this as my little secret, or shall I say, my golden secret Hahaha!! =P

Comparing it side by side and experiencing them on skin: 1 Million, 1 Million Intense, Parfum, Cologne, Prive, Lucky, Elixir, and $ (the one's I'm familiar with). Golden Secret is very close to 1 Million Intense to my nose. For those that comment it's a more rounded and balanced take on the original, I agree. And it's because it takes he way of Intense. Weirdly this one has green apple, and I would vote that as the prominent note, but that not also mathces with intense. I think it's the lotus and and patchouli in Intense which the green apple here match. Intense is not very projecting and so you can't complaint about Golden Secret for that. 8/10 for me. The 30oz is always under $10.