Sintra

So this was an enemies to lovers romance for sure! Ordered a sample online and at first the green note almost made me think I wouldn't like this fragrance....ALMOST. The strength of that green note fades rather quickly and then blends out into this beautiful warm, marshmallow orange blossom that's absolutely divine. It's absolutely stunning. It's definitely too warm and cozy for my climate in the summer (hot, humid, south) so I can't imagine it being a summertime fragrance -- only fall and winter for me -- but maybe for someone in a cooler environment. It's absolutely beautiful. I definitely recommend ordering a sample and giving it some time before making a decision because I've grown to love everything about it including the green note. I smelled this and Oriana side by side and I do not think they smell the same at all other than that they are both warm and sweet. I do not own LDBS and have only smelled it on a blotter at the fragrance counter so I can't comment on that one, but I'm ordering a sample before I purchase a full bottle of this because I want to do a side-by-side before I purchase a full bottle. I absolutely love Sintra though, it smells elegant and feminine (doesn't read masculine to me at all), and I will totally buy a full bottle unless LDBS blows me away. Update: Got in my sample of LDBS from Killian and initially I don't think they smell much alike at all, it's in the dry down that they start smelling similar -- after a few hours LDBS starts smelling like a weaker version of Sintra. But the top notes and mid notes of LDBS aren't really that similar to me. I understand why people would compare the two scents -- It just takes LDBS a lot longer to get there and Sintra has much better longevity and projection. If you don't mind the green note at the top of Sintra, I definitely think it's the superior fragrance in the dry down. Plus they end up being the around the same price if you order Sintra from Twisted Lily with a 15% off code. (They send you a discount on a full bottle whenever you purchase samples.) I just purchased a full bottle of Sintra and absolutely cannot wait for it to get here! I find myself not wanting to wear anything else b/c I only want to smell this all the time. It's more than likely going to end up being my Winter signature scent. I can understand why people feel like owning both Sintra and LDBS is redundant, but it's obvious that there are enough differences for people to feel so strongly towards one the other. For better or worse, it's the green note in Sintra that makes or breaks this fragrance. Try them both! Update 2: Did a side-by-side of Sintra/LDBS/Oriana Here's my thoughts: Sintra – the green note in the top sets it apart for better or worse, the dry down is almost exactly the same as LDBS with more longevity and projection. It also moves through the top/mid-notes really quickly (the sharpness of the green note is gone in 10minutes for me, and after 20 it’s so stunning) so you get the beautiful dry down for the bulk of your wear. LDBS – The top and mid notes aren’t my favorite, the dry down is where it’s at with this fragrance but it takes FOREVER to get there. If you smell a blotter of Sintra/LDBS after 10-24 hours its almost exact, Sintra is just stronger. You either love the journey of this fragrance or you don’t. Oriana – It’s the delicate and powdery version of the dry down of both Sintra/LDBS. It is not as distinct. I understand why the comparison but I feel like the similarity floats in the background weaving in and out through it as opposed to being the main show. At the end of the day Sintra is my pick. Oriana would be my second choice. I can’t imagine myself ever buying LDBS. But these are all beautiful in very different ways, and although I don’t necessarily think they are redundant, I can understand why someone would only want one of these in their collection. I think if you like one of them, definitely sample all three next to each other before deciding which one you prefer. I can see why they are all popular and I think one of these could fit almost any nose/personality.

I don't know what to say except "WOW." This perfume was on my ultimate wishlist for years since I first started collecting niche fragrances. And today I finally own a full bottle! (It took long as it is not easy to find in my country except having to travel and I was just a broke fresh undergrad who couldn't afford it back then lol) I feel like my life is complete and my mental war is finally over. It may sound funny but when I received the bottle in the mail, I actually had tears in my eyes and my hands were just shaking. When I first opened and sprayed on myself and had a sniff, I knew this is not just a perfume, but it is ART to me. I can get why people said it's similar to Love, Don't Be Shy especially the drydown, but I would want to call it 'LDBS if it's not suffocating and actually slays' lol. The thing is, I cannot tolerate the sweetness of LDBS cuz of how sickly sweet it is. I was also scared that I would feel the same way towards Sintra, but I was wrong. It's just a fresher, greener, creamier, and less sweet version of LDBS. I don't see myself making it a signature scent as it's probably not suitable for the weather here. However, it's still so close to my heart and I wish to only use it on special occasions when I'm surrounded by people that are close to my heart. It just means a lot to me. I know some people might think what it gives doesn't really justify the price, but to me, it's worth everything ❤️

This is such an interesting perfume. I’m confused at how much it’s being compared to Oriana and LDBS because I have all three and Sintra to me doesn’t smell like either of them, sure all of them have a strong orange blossom note but so do many other fragrances. Sintra is it’s own perfume. It’s more aromatic and green than I usually prefer but it has enough sweet notes that makes this the perfect summer fragrance for me, it’s too fresh and citrusy for me to ever wear it in the cold months. Is it worth 250$ +? No, but I was lucky enough that I got it on an amazing discount so I paid less than half of the original price. The first spray is quite bitter and green but surprisingly it doesn’t bother me considering i’m a huge sweet gourmand enthusiast. The petitgrain and bergamot are super strong in the first 10 minutes, after an hour it settles into a more sweet, citrusy orange blossom scent. There’s something very childish and innocent about this perfume. It brings me back to my childhood and makes me think of summer afternoons, sitting in the grass and eating a popsicle, which is how this perfume smells to me. Also reminds me of old school kids shampoos. It’s kinda funny to think that a perfume that smells so juvenile would be so costly but I guess it’s good that they make perfumes that cater to different preferences.

I adore Sintra. It's definitely an interesting fragrance, which is partly why I like it, and I can see why the strong pettigrain in the open can be a turn off. I personally enjoy pettigrain, but it's quite strong on first spray. The beauty of Sintra is in the dry down. The marshmallow and caramel combo sounds like it would be overwhelmingly cloying, but it dries to a much softer, creamy sweetness. The pettigrain is still there to ground it, the cinnamon adds a savory aspect, and of course the neroli and orange blossom share the stage with the sweet notes. These are some of my fave notes and I think this blend is wonderful, somehow alluring in its uniqueness until it quiets into a sweeter softness. I'm a sucker for orange blossom, so it's no surprise I like Sintra! It's a gorgeous spring bouquet, and brings back memories of my own visit to this charming Portuguese town a few years ago. I know the reviews below are mixed to comical in reaction to this fragrance, so it's definitely not for everyone! But I really love Sintra and am so happy to own a full bottle, esp in the more colorful, tiled design (I'm so bummed by the new packaging). I am excited to wear it on late spring/summer evenings for some bright sweetness, and also in the fall for a more cozy vibe

A gourmet fantasy with a twist. The blast of petitgrain and orange blossom with some very distant, but still present berries and cedar, after you spray it, is very strong. After a few moments, it vanishes, leaving a sheer veil of bitterness. And then it's like you're in a Middle-Eastern sweets shop. It doesn't smell exactly like marshmallow to me, but more like a mix of sweets like tahini halva, locum and baklava. Very sugary, with a noticeable caramel. And then it combines with a very sweet note of a dry milk candy. That candy with light petitgrain and orange blossom lasts on me for around 10-12 hours, and on clothes for a few days. The milk candy note is prominent and exceptionally sweet. Strangely, men around me usually found it more appealing, than women. And be careful, that if you wear clothes from natural wool or fur, it will blend with their smell, creating a distinctive animalistic aura around you. Personally, I love it, but I see why it might be disliked. As of seasons, I think it performs ok during every weather and temperature. Very sweet in summer, a little sharp in winter, but nevertheless it is recognizable throughout the year and remains pleasant if you like it in general.