Desert Star

I have never ever gotten so many compliments in a day from a fragrance. Needless to say, after testing this fragrance, I left it at the shop because I decided on another niche fragrance, and the moment I was driving to work, the sun was hitting me directly, and this thing started exploding on my nose. I could not believe it at this time. I am so mesmerized and amazed. I turned around and went back to the shop to purchase it, knowing I would not forgive myself if I left it behind. The following day I wore it to work out of excitement, knowing that it might not cut through the thick air of winter, but it sure did, maybe because it was sunny even though the temperature was below 22°C. The front desk lady said I left a scent trail at the front desk all the way to the passage and into my office. I knew it right then; this is the one. The day went on, and compliments multiplied with each and every encounter I had. If I am being honest, I got like 11 compliments, and the following day two of my colleagues asked me what you were wearing yesterday, and for the first time I knew I wanted to gate keep a fragrance, which is something I rarely do. Let's talk performance The fragrance lasted way longer than I expected, and even at night I was still getting compliments; it lasted more than 12 hours with 9 sprays. I enjoy the fact that its an aromatic woody fragrance, and if I may add, the perfume consultant is the one who pointed me to Xerjof's Torino 21 after smelling it on me on my arm after testing it, and when I tested Desert Star on a paper strip, you could say this was a twist take on the Torino DNA. This must be one of the best purchases and discoveries of 2024. I can't wait for spring and summer to really enjoy this. The fragrance is unisex to my nose but slightly male-leaning. Armaf did a wonderful job on this one; it's nothing short of greatness, and gentleman, do not sleep on this. side note: I am also getting the swimming pool DNA by Bibbi Paris

I now know what it feels like to have a fragrance before the hype. For the first time I blind bought a fragrance which has 1 English YT review and 1 review on Fragrantica. Nqobie your review here was so intriguing that I pulled the trigger and I'm completely blown away. I didn't know Armaf could make such quality juice, and that bottle, WOW (coming from someone who doesn't usually care for presentation. From the "reminds me off" section I have a sample of Dior Home 2020 and I can see some resemblance but this is so much better! I haven't smelled Torino 21 but I have smelled Bibbi Swimming Pool way back. It's definitely musky, almost creamy smooth with some woods popping through, and when I was looking at the notes of Torino 21 and Bibbi Swimming Pool I was expecting something very green, but Armaf Desert Star evoked a feeling of green without actually smelling green if that makes sense. I can't wait to wear this more and for the first time I'm actually considering a backup bottle of a fragrance. I need to test drive this fragrance still for longevity and sillage, but it was quite good from first impressions and I can still smell it after a shower.

WTF? Imagine that smell of hot tar in summer that you always smelled when you were a kid playing on the road with friends, turn it sort of fresh, wearable, versatile and somehow even a bit sexy. That's Desert Star. Insane niche smell and performance is stellar. To answer @TripleBee , I see what he means with the Kenzo comparison, I'd say Desert Star lacks completely the marine part though, I own Wajood which is a clone of Kenzo EDTI and they share the same vibe somewhat but different smells altogether. Update: GF says it smells like the sea, I guess my nose is broken lol.

Good Lord, this thing really blasts off your skin, almost nuclear performance, certainly on clothes. This is very well-blended and personally I love this scent profile, but I didn't expect so many compliments; I can also imagine that it is a bit daring for some people. This smells much better in the air than when you sniff it directly from your skin. Desert Star is very different from what most people are wearing, but it works, that's for sure!

99–100% similar to SHK I. I won't bother reviewing it separately, just read my other review. I love it, so it's a great backup of the same profile. Maybe it's a little weaker, but on a test strip I can't tell which is which. Get whichever is cheaper. EDIT: After thorough testing, this is maybe 95% identical. Desert Star is perhaps a little sweeter, and SHK I is more concentrated, but this is only my guess.

I tested it in store and wow it's interesting unfortunately it makes me go agnostic fairly quickly but it's interesting to say the least now. Presentation is impeccable the price around 50 euros is a little high but understandable. I won't buy it personally

This is a clone of Lui Rochas for men, it smells pencil shavings but with a niche standard. The sillage is strong, the longevity is long lasting. Others might find this cloying but for me it's addicting. Love it.

This is the most complimented fragrance in my collection. The ladies and men love it, and let me tell you, it’s stroooooooooooong! You wash your clothes and you can still smell this thing.

Very elegant and very good smell. Luxury classy and fresh in a woody way Reminds me of Kenzo homme edt intense which i also have 10/10

To me it is very similar to Loewe 7 Anonimo, the original one

If you plan to purchase this fragrance as an alternative to Dior Homme 2020, as did I, you may be disappointed. But quite frankly, as I have worn Desert Star more and more, I have been alone allured to this fragrance because of the abundance of compliments I have received. Unlike the mass appealing, classy, clean, and woody profile of Dior Homme 2020, this scent is very green, musky, smoky, possibly vintage, and vetiver leading, it can be an acquired taste for some. If we solely think attention and compliments (who doesn’t sometimes), I have no doubt that because of the bounding performance and masculine scent profile, you will also get the same results as I. Vetiver is the forefront of this scent as its mossy and dark woody aspects shine the brightest, but if over-sprayed can be headache inducing. An almost smoky incense note lingers that is found also in Lattafa Ameer Al Oudh. The cashmere brings the sharp edges together through the dry down, and the maturing dry down makes for a more approachable scent than the opening. The bottle and packaging is beautiful for $40, reminding me of a Christian Clive atomizer cap in aesthetic terms. The atomizer is average, no magnetic cap, beautiful box, and pleasing heavy hand feel, are some other notes for consideration. Edit: I am enjoying this fragrance more and more as the vetiver and incense is so unique compared to the heavy hitter vanilla based fragrances of today’s era. I love mixing it with a couple sprays of Dior Homme Intense, increases the powedery notes for both.

This was one of the most intoxicatingly incredible fragrances I’ve stumbled upon. It’s a freshie but somehow woody and comforting, hence why it is suitable for year-round wear. The others in this line are fine, but Desert Star is immediately captivating and was so memorable it had me thinking about it for weeks before I returned to my nearest fragrance store to purchase it. I think the most recent batch has a somewhat fishy smell that I can’t quite get over. I thought my nose developed and taste changed, but my girlfriend even pointed it out that it’s not the same. It was once her preferred fragrance on me. Now it’s okay, but with something akin to the smell on your hands after fishing/handling fish. I can’t put my finger on it but this one has sadly gone down on my list of favorites.

Just got it, sprayed it, and the opening is definitely Santal 33. I saw a lot of YouTube videos and commenters here state that Santal 33 lovers would definitely love this, and it's like a more bergamot type Santal 33, pretty fresh, not too sweet. After it's sat for about 20 minutes, it goes into a more woody, moss type scent, almost like a very, very light Encre Noire Lalique, with hints of that Santal 33 in there. It's definitely mossy. Performance and sillage, not really sure, since I haven't worn it outside of the house yet. It's nice, but it doesn't fall under the category of perfumes I would usually buy. But it's a nice, fresh, mossy Santal 33/Encre Noire

Aroma medio oriental, bastante elegante antes no me gustaban este tipo de aromas pero he aprendido a disfrutarlos, si tuviera que describirlo es como si prendieras levemente un palo santo y lo pasaras sobre un perfume fouger tipo amaderado, Citrico levemente verde, no tenía nada parecido por lo cual me agrada tenerlo en mi colección y no he olido el loewe 7, tengo el cobalt pero no se me hace parecido igualmente lo veo un perfume mas para el frío o climas templados yo al menos lo evitaría en el calor.

Was confused at first, upon first spray I almost didn’t smell anything but it lingered on my clothes for a whole day. I know middle eastern frags need some time to macerate after introducing oxygen into the bottle. A woody and spicy cashmere that albeit is very linear, still is very good. That spiciness plays so well with that almost creamy cashmere wood and leveled off with a subtle earthy Vetiver. Very nice!!

Personally it reminds me a lot of Loewe 7 anonimo

I bought a bottle of this and desert night for 12 dollars a piece. Both are definitely something you need to grow with. I initially was choked out and made nauseated by my first smell of desert star. The suede note that many seem to mis identify, was overpowering and choke worthy. Its very similar to the suede note in Tuscan leather. This suede sat prominently in front of a sweet and somewhat creamy mess. I liked the sweetness but the suede was just too much. I let both bottles sit for over a year before I finally got courageous enough to try desert star again. This time I was impressed. For those who think maturation is a myth, your just wrong . The suede note though still sitting prominently in the for front has had its edges rounded and is much softer and well blended with the sweet part of the fragrance. Now that I was able to wear it without gagging I finally got to the musky mid or dry down and man im impressed. I really love the way this fragrance smells. I should say it smells much better in the air than it does up close to the skin though. The musk mixed with this sweet creamy profile just works. I will say i still got a headache and nausea again and so did my wife. This fragrance is not for everyone. But the quality is worth so much more than its price tag. The bottle is beautiful and heavy with a heavy cap. I only wish it clicked in place or was magnetic. Don't grab it by the cap. Your bottle will drop and literally could break a foot. This fragrance lasts for ages. You only need 2 or 3 sprays. You will choke everyone out of the room if you use anymore.

This smells nowhere near like Dior Homme 2020. Desert Star and DH 2020 are two fragrances apart. Armaf Desert star becomes musky, powdery and earthy within 30-60 min, while Dior Homme stays fresh, clean and woody during this same process. I can barely pick up any bergamot or citrus notes in the opening with Desert Star, while Dior homme had plenty of that. I know that's not an issue, I just want to point out that these two aforementioned fragrances have little to nothing to do with each other. Desert star is great if you like a dry, earthy woody and peppery scent with a little powdery undertone. Unfortunately, it's not really my cup of tea. I was hoping for a more stronger and potent version of Dior Homme, but it wasn't meant to be. They aren't even alike.

This is a nuclear, sharper and dryer version of Serge Lutens L'orpheline. Fresh off the box, it had an overwhelming synthetic quality that made me nausea. 4 months later, it is more acceptable. Whether my constitution improves or the maturation actually works its magic, it turns softer. Desert Star stays earthy and woody all the way through its life. Quiet linear and stiff compares to L'orpheline which loses the woodsy/smokey quality and turns into a gently sweet musk at the end. Last over 8 hours. Projection is good, not a big mass appealing. Not a blindbuy safe. Good scent, but lack characteristic.

I blind bought this one and i dont like the scent profile at all. For someone digging santal33 this would be an jackpot.. Very VERY Loud one