Lion of Dua

Lion of Dua, like its inspiration Le Lion by Chanel, reminds me pleasantly of cleaning fine old saddles with saddle soaps. A bit like a butcher, bossier Chanel No. 5. It has that refined and expensive quality that all the perfumes in the Les Exclusifs line seem to have, different as they are superficially. I wish Dua would restock this and all the other vaulted frags that I covet. I received four samples of sold-out Chanel and Guerlain dupes, and now I'm sending whiny messages on the store's website, abasing myself at the altar of my own frugality! On a full wearing, some time into the drydown, Lion of Dua (probably like the Chanel OG) begins to resemble a simpler, butcher Shalimar. I don't mean this as an insult: Guerlain is genius with vanilla-amber-labdanum concoctions, and Shalimar is the apotheosis of that accord. Nevertheless, when I put this on, I perceive it as the missing link between Shalimar and Coco Noir.

I wore this over the weekend at a family event and received multiple compliments. It’s not an exact dupe of le lion, but it is “inspired by”. It lacks the og smoky opening that settles as the fragrance develops on the skin. I actually prefer lion of dua over le lion, which some perceive as more masculine. I layered the dua with devotion (for women) and they played harmoniously together. Longevity is 12+ hours with strong sillage.

Good copy of Le Lion, but I have both and Chanel reigns supreme. Lion of Dua shines especially on the drydown, and the price is a whole lot affordable. A whole lot affordable and let’s say that again. Dua is a great, I am a fan and have many of their bottles.