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.

Just happened to be in Walgreens shopping and I spotted this on sale. A one ounce bottle for $13.99. I wanted to sample it but there were none open so I bought it blind. This is without a doubt a clone of Paco Rabanne 1 Million. This is a very nice fragrance. It is not as in your face sweet like 1 million. It is more subtle which is what I really like about it. It still reminds me of apple pie when first applied though, which isn't necessarily bad. Longevity is around 5 to 6 hours, not bad. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes sweet fragrances. If you like 1 million but are turned off by how powerful it is you should try this. For $13.99 it was a good buy.

i have this fragrance, and something i can say about it if you are considering buying it is that it is verrrrrrrryyy similar to versace eros. the apple and mint and the woody leather in the end makes them almost like each others clone. if you want something like this, i recommend versace eros, because the golden secret fades in like 2h and the good woody mint apple leather smell ends in like 1h and then i can only smell moss for a full 1h. besides what i have just said, i have recieved a good amount of compliments from girls with this fragrance, but like i said, if you want something like this, i say just go for the eros.

Ok, so, I REALLY like sweet fragrances on men and for me this is perfect: Inoffensive, light, versatile, masculine but sweet. If you like for example Boss The Scent Private Accord or even Boss Bottled, this would be a great cheap option. I really like many Antonio Banderas fragrances. There are some underated jewels and as someone said in the comments, have that "I want to hug someone that wears it" value. Like Blue Seduction or The Golden Secret, I find these are made for cuddly men lol.

Nice affordable cheapie. Moderate sillage and projection. Longevity 3-4hrs. It smells really nice on-air, smells weird if I smell directly on my skin. I'm not a fan of opening, on my skin smell terrible for a few minutes. Blast peppery opening then change to leathery apple sweetness. Not overly sweet. Any occasion. The same perfumer that created 1 million, so maybe you can detect that DNA on this fragrance. Rating: 7.5/10 Worth buy. Price under $15 for 100ml tester bottle

Never got the chance to try 1M (maybe years ago when it was released but can't really remember) but if this is how it smells then i probably love 1M too, lol. Both Black Seduction and this are great fragrances. The Golden Secret smells like sweet apple pie with cinnamon sprinkled on top. Good performance and cheap, you can't go wrong with this one.

Უდაოდ კარგი სუნამოა,ძალიან ლამაზი და სასიამოვნო.ფასში ერთ ერთი საუკეთესო. Ძირითადი ნოტია მწვანე ვაშლი,რომელიც რამდენიმე თვეში ტკბება და მწიფე ტკბილ ვაშლად გადაიქცევა.მიუხედავად დაბალი ფასისა ძალიან ნატურალური არომატია და ქიმიას ვერ იგრძნობთ. Სურნელი-8/10 Ბოთლი 9/10 Ატომაიზერი 8/10 Ხანგრძლივობა6/10 Სილაჟი8/10 Ერთიანობაში8/10

Doesn't smell anything like 1 Million. The first thing I smell is tart apple and a really mellow, fresh mint. Then some warm spices kick in. Then a half hour later it became a nice skin scent. No booze, no patchouli. You can wear this one to work. Its different, sexy, and it doesn't try too hard. Love it.

Scent: 8.5/10 (i love this scent, but it's not something special, but most people likes it.) Sillage: 3 /10 (bit weak) Longevity: 4/10 (3-5 h) ( Versatility: 7/10 (it's okay to use it everywhere, but u have better options) Price: 10 / 10 (I paid 24 eur for 200ml and i think i got more that i hoped).

I almost totally agree with the previous reviewer accept for the fact that I love the smell of this cheappy. I would describe it as a "sweet spice".. suitable for the cool weather (fall/winter) Therfore I give it a 9/10 in my opinion and that's because of the poor Longevity :(

با سلام و ادب وان میلیونی از برند آنتونیو باندراس گرم و شیرین کلاسیک شیرینی اش بی آزار است جذاب و دوست داشتنی مورد علاقه کسانی که از روایح شیرین و گرم لذت می برند وان میلیون با قیمتی ارزانتر با احترام مهرداد

Nice from antonio bandras. Sweet fresh bubblegummy,same vibe with 1 million and 212 vip. Wearable for night and office. Longevity: 7/10 Sillage: 6/10 Projection: 6/10 Buy/try: Buy if you like sweet fragrance

I love this perfume! Guess im gonna hug a man who use this perfume :) Its fresh n spicy, with masculine side, but the longevity is not really well, but for the price, its worth it!

1 Million Vibe in a Good Price. Light, Sweet, and Yummy... Projection, Scent [Sensual and deep], Longevity [6hours] = Good.. 8 of 10. Is it worth it? for me, Yes.

Less "To the Face" version of 1 Million. Where have you been all that time!? What a GOLDEN SECRET. But No More, cause I have found it! Hahaha

Surprisingly good for the price. Golden Secret is often compared to Cuba Royal. They are similar but Golden Secret smells much better quality

This one is good! Would recommend this one to anyone that is in to sweet and leather frags. 9/10 overall but lacks performance.

smells like sweet & sour sauce in the best way possible

Exactly like one million but cheaper. Worth it.

To be honest I am surprised to see so many people comparing it to one million! My fiancé got the golden secret for Christmas from my parents and he's been using one million for a while now and let me tell you there is some resemblance but the overall vibe is DIFFERENT! One million is warm spicy and silky/creamy. Golden secret is sweet spicy and fresh! One is cozy & luxurious, the other is more sporty & elegant. The Golden secret did however remind me of a different scent my man used to wear, from the first whiff I could tell it is similar to James Bond 007 Seven (https://www.fragrantica.com/perfume/Eon-Productions/James-Bond-007-Seven-31784.html) I even compared the notes and bingo! Most prominent note in both is green apple, there's also nutmeg, pepper, leather, musk and cedar in both of them. I'd say I like 007 more because of the gourmand touch of caramel, it's less aftershave'y than the golden secret. So, if you're looking for a good dupe of one million this won't be it. I do recommend "made in lab 001" If you're looking for something similar to one million but fresher, the golden secret is a good choice. If you smelled this fragrance and you'd like something similar but less aftershave'y then get 007 Seven.

I like this unlikely cheapie from an unlikely celebrity line. When it was released, I appreciated PR 1MM, but found it too overbearing (and later, too oversubscribed) to enjoy wearing. AB The Golden Secret solves this problem, delivering much of the same 'faux-riental' experience, but with far worse performance. That's not a bad thing with these sweet nutmeggy frags in the 'gold' category. I found much the same with Playboy VIP - you want them to calm down significantly before they become disgustingly cloying. I wish I were getting more fresh apple than apple pie potpourri, and more authentic leather than the synthetic aromachemical accord that passes for such, but this juice is pleasant enough to wear occasionally when not trying to impress, as it does smell a bit cheap. Bonus points for the attractive (Tom Ford influenced) bottle design, and the surprising kick of benzoic incense at the very tail of the drydown.

Hey, I like this frag! However, it is not what I expected after having read the comments and therefore I will leave my own comment myself. First, it doesn ́t smell much from the top notes. It is the middle and base notes that produce what it really is. It is warm and sweet but not overwhelming and with an inherent character. But it is not too bold either. Second, it is in fact warmly seductive in an undefined way as it has some unisex aura around itself. But that is fine with me, although being a little macho I don ́t care if the circumstances are right. And accordingly for me it also works best during summer evenings and nights, and I wouldn ́t wear this during any other season myself. I find it very well connected to summer nights seductions for any age. It truly shines in this setting!

I got this for my husband because I found it on clearance. I was familiar with the reviews for this, so I took a chance and got it. I really, really love the scent of this. It's sexy and warm smelling. It could be stronger, and by the time he comes home from work it has worn off, but I still love it. Next time I'll just get him a larger bottle and he can reapply as much as he likes. My husband seems to like it too, and he can be pretty particular about what he wears. The bottle is nice and overall I'm pretty impressed with this. When I met my husband he wore a much more expensive cologne and I hated it. It was too sharp and loud in a bad way. To me Golden Secret is smooth and sexy. Much more fitting for my handsome man.

first fragrance i ever bought. don't think you can go wrong with one, but i would not recommend you to buy any of these Antonio Banderas or similar tier fragrances (if you are fragrance enthusiast, which i assume you are if you are reading this comment here). Save some money and buy a real fragrance. Projection is bad and i think you can wear this only in intimate situations. on the other hand, it lasts very long as a skin scent. I prefer this one over the (silver) secret. you have to understand that not everyone wants to spend money on fragrances and for many people this is more than good enough. definitely sexy and sweet in a very masculine way, and girls will absolutely love it.

Similar to PR One Million but built around a more subtle framework. I get cinnamon and coconut with other fruits mixed in with complexity. Nutmeg and pepper wafting on a strong base of leather give this fragrance a subtle yet expensive-smelling charisma all of its own. I would suggest it's more of a night-time, indoors frag, as its warm, cosy, subtle and alluring and doesn't belong on the dance floor or in the shopping mall. Overall, a very pleasant light and leathery scent, with moderate sillage, projection and longevity. Great value at the moment and worth picking up in either 100ml or 200ml bottles.

Recently bought this at Ross for $9.99. Was a total blind buy. It's okay I guess, nothing amazing. I feel like it can be somewhat cloying with its intense dirty sweetness. It doesn't last long on my skin, after a couple hours its pretty much completely gone. It goes from top notes to gone in like 2 hours, I didn't notice much of a middle note. I guess you get what you pay for. UPDATE: This one really grew on me recently. I've been wearing it off and on this fall and I like it. I came to enjoy it's weird fruity sweetness. Unfortunately It doesn't last long. I wish there were a EDP version.

The Golden Secret is the only Antonio Banderas fragrance I've tried recently and it's a great clone of 1 Million at a superb price (on FragranceNet it's $20 for 100ml or $24 for 200ml), so with the original being so much more expensive, the main question to answer would be whether to opt for this over Cuba Royal, and the easiest answer may be that Cuba Royal is a bit brighter and The Golden Secret is a bit tamer, but they're very close to one another. Fantastic in terms of value and a spot-on replica of 1 Million, The Golden Secret can be a blind buy for any fans. 7 out of 10

A $12 blind buy turned out well. Never smelled 1mil, but this smells good. Yet im getting dizzy trying to smell it since its faded pretty fast on my arm now a few hours after putting 1 spray on. Which I do have a slight sinus cold. I do smell a sweet apple-ish note if I shove my nose in it. lol. I'd definitely recommend it. ps. and to give u another idea of what the antonio gold secret smells like. to me its like if u mixed 360 black and white together while making gingerbread men..naked.. with a donkey. bouncing on a pogo stick.. yea, Antonio likes that.

This frag is GREAT, especially for the price. Very similar to one million with a nicer bottle. Smells similar to one million as well with slightly different top notes(apple standing out), and has a little pepper as opposed to one million's powdery spices. I hope they don't discontinue this anytime soon! EDIT: Very rich and modern, and one of the best smelling frags ive smelled to date. I dont consider this hanging out with the guys/going to class casual. This is DEF for a date night scent/ special occasion( at least that's what I reserve it for lol)

The first time you smell it will have you say it smells like One Million, but after you wore it you will smell the key differences! This is actually smoother than One Million and not so in your face! I like it more than One Million! The design of the bottle and box is decent. I like it! Longevity is about 6 hours! Sillage is moderate. What you get is a One Million inspired fragrance. People who like One Million will love it and people who don't will love it as well, because as I said it's different.

A more leathery and fruity version of 1 Million with less powdery spicy nuances. Plain and simple. If you like 1 million, you cant go wrong with this one. Quality wise I don't find it that synthetic especially for the price. Projection is the only "drawback" here since it is clearly weaker than the real thing. I personally don't think it's that big of a deal because 1M is a powerhouse scent per se so if you want a more tamed version, this is it. 7.5/10

It's very similar to One Million, but this has worse longevity and projection. The price tough is much friendlier, you can buy a 200ml bottle of The Golden Secret for about 25€. The scent itself is far too sweet for me, just like One Million. I would recommend this for fall and winter time, not for the office but for going out at night and casual activities. 6/10 PS: I usually don't like very sweet fragrances, so my opinion is subjective.

Yes it'll remind you with the elegance of the one million and Halloween , but with totally less longevity and sillage. If you want something like One Million but cheaper for you to be used at work or something, go for it, other wise , don't deserve money to spend. Perfume : 8/10 Longevity: 5 hours max Silage: 5/10

I bought 100 ml for 15 dollars. It was surprisingly good. A better and more unique version of One Million. Sweet and spicy. However the performance is not a beast. Lasts about 4 hours. Projection is moderate, just like the longevity. Scent: 7/10 Projection: 5/10 Longevity: 5/10

well this was a nice surprise, and a good addition to my collection, pretty cheap indeed, but smells really good. i even started to wear it only for special moments or with a tuxedo! nice longevity, a nice masculine and elegant fragrance. well job Antonio Banderas.

Very cheap frag (around $20 on Amazon) and it smells GREAT. Decent performance with a strong apple-mint opening, then dries down into a nuttier, muskier scent! Stills smells a little classy even though it is sweet! Highly recommend! Scent: 8/10 Performance:7/10

Very cheap and surprisingly great value. I can't decide if it smells warm and cozy or fresh and uplifting. I guess it does both, just doesn't really excel at either. Nice atomizer. overall it gives a gentlemanly vibe, and for the price i think it's very good,

Great apple, green and leather opening. Similar to 1 million but with a bit of a synthetic opening.. Very nice dry down. Versatile. Can wear anytime and anywhere. Decent initial projection. Longevity sucks. Definitely would have to reapply every few hours.

im very impress with this, in a good way, its sweet, spicy and have a moderate lasting, i use almost everyday, i think its a nice casual fragrance that not scream for attention, its not stronger, i think its a sweet spicy casual soft mans fragrance

im very impress with this, in a good way, its sweet, spicy and have a moderate lasting, i use almost everyday, i think its a nice casual fragrance that not scream for attention, its not stronger, i think its a sweet spicy casual soft mans fragrance

A very nice, cheap (only in price) and long-lasting version of One Million. A friend of mine owns both, and honestly, i don't know if it's because of her (yep, a girl) skin chemistry, but i can't NEVER tell the difference.

I get the 1 million vibe but a softer version. It's nice and prices are very cheap. The main issue I have is that it does not last long. If you like 1 million or if you don't because it's too strong, give this a try.

I would say it's like tuned down 1 million, less sweet and longevity is not as 1 million. To me it's more wearable and even better. I love the pepper note in it. And for the price it's a must have!

It ́s definitely a decent copy of One Million and VIP but sweeter with strong blend of vanilla as well. I think is a good option because the price and the popularity of ones mentioned above.

For under $20, you can't beat this 1 million clone..Heck it was even created by the same guy. Sweet opening with a anamalic base, not the best but also a good cheepie.

This is a nice and kinda unique scent for all the season, it's very similar to the original but without the cinnamon and not made just for the winter season