Malibu - Party in the Bay

WORTH IT! I had to import my bottle to the US from Italy because this is impossible to find here. I blind bought, and was expecting this to be overhyped, overpriced, and poor performing, like every other summer/tropical/suntan oil-like scent I've tried from all the top designers/niche houses/department stores, plus I tried every cheap beachy coconut tropical spray from malls, drugstores, BBW, Yves Rocher, etc. I have a large frag collection, and the summer/beach/tropical scents are hands down the most expensive and worst performing out of the bunch. It's rare that I find one that doesn't vanish within 2 hrs, less if I dare to wear it outdoors in the sun in the desert where I live. All the "best" summer frags seem to have been discontinued/reformulated and aren't as good as they used to be. I received my bottle of Malibu today, and eagerly opened it in my car and sprayed a couple spritzes on my wrist while sitting in the parking lot. First impression was that this is a STRONG and realistic lime. I assumed that was about all I'd get out of it, as I NEVER smell coconut in most coconut fragrances (soleil blanc, etc). I then went grocery shopping, with a mask on as we're still in the pandemic. I couldn't/never usually smell any perfume through my mask. About 10-15 min later, I was grabbing orange juice and started getting whiffs of a strong coconut daiquiri/malibu rum type-smell. It took another 10 min for me to realize the smell was coming from ME and the two tiny sprays I'd applied to one wrist. Through the mask, I was smelling the best coconut fragrance I've found to date (and I blind bought and resold over 3 dozen coconut frags in the past 6 months alone because I couldn't detect any coconut no matter how much I sprayed and only got weak woody bases, faint fleeting florals, and rapidly fading citrus notes from them). After a couple hours, this frag started to dry down to a coconut lime scent that is slightly aquatic/cologne/woodsy due to the green notes and sandalwood, that really smells like a better version of Creed VIW. When I tried VIW previously, it seemed more like a coconut-lime-verbena BBW body spray I used to wear 20 years ago,only a tad stronger with a slightly nicer citrus. I was on the fence about buying a FB of creed, as reviews are mixed saying some batches and newer formulations perform very badly. I bought this instead, and I've got to say, I prefer it SO MUCH MORE. This is probably one of the first frags I've tested where I can detect every note. Each note smells expensive, strong, and made from quality ingredients. This is what perfumes used to be 20 years ago before every perfumer started watering down and substituting cheap synthetic scents for the quality ones in their EDPs. As soon as I can I will be reordering a backup bottle. I usually like tuberose/white florals, coconut, and spicy sandalwoods in my scents. This is more citrus than I typically go for, but it's a truly divine scent and I'm thrilled to be able to mix it up. I would NOT recommend it for anyone who dislikes coconut. This is the strongest coconut frag I've ever smelled, and I own french niche extrait de parfum coconut scents that are "eternal." Good news is this is NOT the plastic/musky/dirty green coconut scent. It's boozy sweet coconut liquor/rum (appropriately, similar to Malibu rum). The wearer must also feel comfortable somewhat smelling like a coconut-lime tropical cocktail. If that's you, or you've been on the fence about buying/can't afford VIW, try this instead. You won't be disappointed. In terms of fragrance, I'd rate this a perfect 10 (higher than most of my fav scents). Performance-wise, this lasts over 6+hrs, still waiting to see when it fades! Most summery frags don't last more than 2-3hrs on me, this is stronger than all the others I've tried. Silage is MUCH stronger than most perfumes on the market. Two small sprays on one wrist and I can smell a bubble of this all around me. If I oversprayed, I feel like people would be able to smell me from 10+ feet away, haha. To me, this scent is unisex, but at times it feels sweet and a touch more feminine, and 20 min later I'll get more sandalwood/green notes that make it smell fresh and a touch more masculine. Then it switches back on me. I don't think women who prefer cotton candy marshmallow scents will like this as much as I do, nor will men who hate smelling like anything other than woods/oud/musk. It's such a fun scent, I'm in love. UPDATE: After a handful of wears, I've learned this fragrance will last 12+ hrs. It softens and looses a lot of its potency around hour 5-6, but still is strong enough that I will keep getting whiffs of it for 14 hrs and could detect it if I smelled myself closely. This is impressive as I go anosmic to a lot of perfumes or they fade/disappear on me within a few hrs. I applied it at 8am, drove a coupe hours to the beach, sweat in the 80+ degree sun for several hours, sweated through a short hike, changed clothing, went out to eat, and walked around town. Drove back a couple hours, and when I got home I could still smell this on me, pretty nice and clearly. I could still smell it on my clothing the next morning as I was sorting dirty laundry. I also discovered this pairs nicely with Gucci Bloom Profumo di Fiori. I wore Bloom the night before, wore Malibu the next day, and ended up with an intoxicating blend that smelled like Malibu with a soft summery tuberose and lingered on my clothing for days and stuck in my hair. These scents seem to bring out the best in each other. Also, I ordered another bottle of Malibu already because it's 100% backup worthy.

There were a bunch by SA i wanted to try but have spent a lot on samples lately so ended up getting the one I had wanted from the start, and it did not disappoint. I had read reviews about how Malibu was held in high regards as a good substitute for VIW with better longevity and found this to be true. As a long time fan of Virgin Island Water but not an owner, just one that’s always sprayed it whenever I’ve passed by it at my local Saks, it’s one I’ve wanted for a while. Malibu has the wonderful parts I like the most in VIW; the lime, the coconut and sugar. It’s mixed well and smells expensive, just like VIW, both are winners. Each have similar notes, but due to the various reformulations of VIW, I’d prefer to own an older batch which would be more expensive of an already pricey bottle, and may not even be worth it in the end if a 2013 batch smells identical to a 2023 bottle. Therefore, it’s a bit of a head trip, but have a recent decant of VIW from the newer bottle from my local Saks that I haven’t tried yet. When I do, I’ll know for sure, as I’m a bit dubious after I’ve read mixed reviews on the newest (updated bottle) reformation with some saying it’s the same juice just different packaging, and others mentioning how the newer has more citrus notes which isn’t my thing. Malibu is aquatic without steering into marine territory and perfectly unisex. Its tropical vibes aren’t ruined by refraining from having the same old tiresome note often used in “beachy”/way too many frags in general - (the unnecessary bergamot), allowing for lime and coconut to shine without taking away from the ripeness you can smell in the lime, and the slightly boozy laced coconut and swirl of sugar to seal the deal. Projection is decent, it may be stronger if you spray more, I didn’t try that but do tend to be more generous on lighter frags, despite it not being a skin scent. It’s got about 5ish hours of longevity before it began to fade (smells lovely on clothing too). It’s $60-100+ less than VIW, value wise it’s a better deal. Both are great scents but I’ll be saving up for a FB of Malibu next spring. It’s an ideal classic scent for warmer weather and not something I’d tire of. If you want a bit more sweetness particularly at night, I think a quality coconut/vanilla scent sprayed first with this over it would be a nice touch.

I absolutely hate how much I love this fragrance, and that alone should tell you how good it is. It’s deceptively complex, and the way it unfolds over time is genuinely addictive. What starts out simple quickly reveals layers you don’t see coming, each phase better than the last. The opening is sweet and slightly burnt, lifted by a bright, zesty lime, but crucially, not in a harsh, cleaning-fluid way. It’s vivid and energetic without feeling sharp or synthetic. About ten minutes in, a faint camphorous note appears, hovering in the background alongside a soft impression of green vegetation, adding freshness and intrigue rather than medicinal bite. After an hour, things really get interesting. A toasted sugar accord emerges, turning almost marshmallow-like, cushioned by that same sharp, luminous lime. It’s playful but controlled, and I say this as someone who hates sweet fragrances. Truly. The word “gourmand” gives me hives. And yet... here we are. By the five-hour mark, it settles into a gentler lime scent, threaded with an aromatic trail you can’t quite identify but don’t want to stop smelling. It’s restrained, smooth, and strangely comforting. This was a total blind-buy surprise and is now something I reach for constantly, so much so that I already know I’ll need a second bottle. It’s completely unique within my collection, and honestly? It’s special. I love how it leans masculine while remaining effortlessly wearable for anyone. It’s office-safe if you go easy on the trigger, but it’s also versatile enough for anything else you throw at it: date night, boardroom, gym, it just works. And yes, you can still smell it the next day. Reluctant love, but love all the same.

I never smelled Creed VIW so I cannot compare side by side the two fragrances. So let’s talk about Malibu PITB as if VIW never existed. Malibu starts sugary, boozy (rum?) and citrusy, with the coconut note in the background. It smells like a tropical drink with woodsy nuances. I do not smell any coconut in JPG Le Beau le Parfum nor in Davidoff cool water intense, but I can definitely smell coconut in Malibu. A creamy, buttery sexy coconut which gives to Malibu a tropical holiday vibe. The coconut is present in the opening, in the middle notes and stays till the very dry down when it mixes with woodsy notes giving to them a touch of creamyness. Malibu is a perfectly unisex fragrance, maybe a tiny bit leaning masculine, but just a hint, so it can be pulled out by women as well. Performance wise Malibu is really good (at least on my skin), 8-10+ hours longevity, with 3-4 hours of decent projection. Malibu is perfect for summer daytime, it’s beach appropriate and fits a more casual look (not appropriate with a suite). Being very summery, i don’t see it being appropriate in cooler seasons, even if it’s strong enough to survive to the colder seasons i guess (never tested). On its own Malibu it’s a lovely fragrance, very well performing and it’s a coconuty tropical fragrance, appropriate for men (there are not so many out there which can do the same). The retail price is not bad (145€ 100ml) and according to the comments here, it seems a valid alternative to Creed VIW. For me Malibu deserves a thumbs up and a bravo to Simone Andreoli.

Yes, this is just what the name on the bottle advertises! I get a refreshing lime, some minty freshness too amongst other green notes, coconut (not of the sunscreen lotion kind) and a note of sugary coctail drinks, that sweetens the scent (this is making my mouth water constantly). The sweetness is perfectly balanced with tart lime, giving a feeling of fresh and sweet. Kind of like children's sour candy. The coconut gives it a nice body, and a slightly creamy feel. The mint is green, not toothpastey, and is done perfectly to give that refreshing and energizing impression. I love lime notes, green notes, and non-sunscreen lotion coconut, so this is really right up my alley. However, I think this is too youthful for me to wear, to be honest with myself (a man in his earliest part of 40's). I'm nit that guy anymore. But, for a 20-30 year old, this would be an awesome summer scent for late nights and happy days (not that older people can't wear it). Time of year: Definitely late Spring, Summer, early Fall. I'd say night time wear, but could work for daytime too, if the occasion is right. Perfectly unisex, In my opinion. Personal score: 9/10. It's lively and fits the name pretty well. It does have sort of "young people having a party in the bay" vibe. In Malibu, apparently. I would have Loved wearing this 20 years ago, even 10 years ago, maybe even 5 years ago. But, I'm feeling too old to wear this now. Otherwise, this would be a full bottle purchase right away.