Liwa

This is a stunning scent. Firstly, the presentation is outstanding, with a truly beautiful presentation box and bottle that exudes pure class. It really does look and feel quite special and possibly my favourite flacon out of all the fragrances I own. As for this smelling like BR540, I remember smelling BR540 when it very first came out and I really didn’t like it so either my tastes have changed or this is different enough for me to like it (probably a combination of both). In fact, I get some similarities to CC Matsukita, which I also own. They both have a burnt floral sweetness and woody base although the CC also has a very dominant mate tea note that adds a contrasting bitterness, which this doesn’t have at all. I do find it quite sweet, a little too much at the start with it’s jammy sweetness, although this eventually subsides slightly once the woodier base notes shine through and it’s the drydown that I prefer. There’s a sharpness in the top notes that gives some fresh definition against the sweeter and more floral aspects of the fragrance. A fragrance that really is the sum of its parts. The only way I can describe this fragrance is amber rich burnt sticky sweetness with a floral heart, resting on a bed of smokey wood. It is quite opulent, rich and intense but not in a cloying way because the notes are so delicately balanced. I would imagine it’s even better smelt from the silage than the skin. This won’t be for everyone but there’s no denying that this is classy perfumery and quite an experience, combined with excellent performance. Definitely unisex, perhaps tipping ever so slightly on the feminine side in the top notes, due to the sweetness and florals but slightly more masculine in the bass with the smoky wood. In fact, it makes a great masculine floral. It really is quite beguiling and an exciting find amongst so much mediocracy. Great job Widian, I can see why it gets so many good comments. Edit: personally, I’ve found a lighter spray works best for this fragrance to really bloom. Spraying lighter allows the sweet jasminess to die down and the spicy, woodier aspects to flourish.

Every frag from this house is stunning. It has this gorgeous aura it creates around you that if you're within it, then you smell the fragrance pretty potent, and if you're not, then you can barely smell the fragrance, it hardly leaves a trail. I call that aura the saint authority of Widian, which I've not found any other house to be able to re-create and it's awesome. The fragrance starts off with a nice lovely fresh burst of Bergamot, followed by a hint of jasmine, and all the while the remaining top notes and heart notes start to mingle together and you feel the gorgeous saffron make it's appearance, which lives through the life of the fragrance with the amber and a hint of rose. I don’t really get incense nor oud, I think they are what create the backbone of the fragrance, kinda cushioning it, with the saffron, vetiver and amber being the sort of main players. I say 'sort of' because the fragrance is so well blended and the notes and accords seem to shift from one to the next seamlessly, creating this perfect orchestra of notes and accords. The fragrance is a 100% yes. It is extremely versatile, can be worn anywhere by anyone at any time, although in my books, leans a tiny bit into masculine territory, just a hint. Enjoy and God bless :)

AMAZING scent! Worried about the reviews that say masculine leaning, spicy, and a noticeable strong patchouli, I paused for a while on this one....Until I got my nose to this scent. Fabulous. Very well blended. First this is not BR540. Yes, there are dry down facets of a similar note profile in BR540 and Liwa, but this is a different scent. Yes, BR540 has more sweetness, but don't let that deter you from testing Liwa. The patchouli is actually very nice, almost minty, and it does not overwhelm, and it is a quality patchouli note. Nothing here is dirty/hippie/sweaty whatsoever. I am very impressed. I don't find this scent leaning masculine or feminine. Very balanced. Really like the combo of notes. The artemisia is nice, gives a lovely facet to this fragrance, adds to the blend so nicely. This scent is SEXY, date night, gorgeous well made fragrance. In a world where everyone is wearing BR540 or a clone of....this is stands out. This is a scent to try if you don't like BR540.

I did not buy Widian Liwa because of the comparison to BR540. I have not even smelt Br540 yet. I got Liwa with samples from another fragrance i bought, but i remember really liking it and having smelt nothing like it! I'm not the best at explaining notes, but to me it has a special, somewhat piercing, note that i really like! Overall the frangrance has a sweet undertone without being too sweet! It has an oriental vibe without being too oriental. It's definitely a fragrance that's more suited for nighttime use.. Performance is great with massive longivity and good projection the first few hours. You will smell this on your clothes for at least 24h! It's not cheap, but if your looking for a frangrance that smells of quality, is very intoxicating and has a mysterious seductive vibe about it.. go sample it :-)

I love this. It is like the darker, more mysterious and mature version of Baccarat Rouge 540. BR540 is a lot sweeter and more mainstream. I love them both. I agree with other reviewers that this is not a copy of BC540, but I do find it very similar. EDIT: @ayalew - Liwa is similar to 540 extrait (imo). However the incense and patchouli are really noticeable (at least on me), so this is like a darker/dirtier version of 540 extrait. It almost smells like 540 mixed with rubber?... but in a good way?... maybe i'm crazy but does anyone else get this (at least in the opening). I have not yet smelled OFG or Bakhoor tho so I cannot comment on that.

This is woman power in a bottle. I imagine Beyoncé smelling like this on stage. Completely fierce, badass, a woman who knows her worth, hard working, and intelligent. This smells extremely expensive, sexy and sweet spicy. I can definitely smell the saffron, that's the note that makes the whole perfume so memorable. This is indescribable, one has to smell this for themselves to experience this. It honestly is an experience, this perfume. It's 100% a head turner, going to last you so long, you'll smell it the next day as if you've just applied it. Don't overspray, it will choke you and the people around you, so keep that in mind.

i was immediately blown away by this perfume, and i prayed that the intoxicating sweetness that contrasts the woody earthiness from the patchouli and oud stays. it does. the jasmine really shines here and it's accompanied by perfect amount of spice. kinda get baccarat rouge deep into the drydown but liwa remains its own distinct fragrance. i haven't smelled oud for greatness as it doesn't seem like my thing so i can't comment on the supposed similarity there. mmmmmm liwa is so good i love it! can totally see this for a date night, formal event, or just when you want to feel extra put together, sophisticated, and powerful.

Instant heart eyes for this. Reminiscent of Tom Ford's Jasmine Rouge but so much better! This is a woody ambered jasmine. Simultaneously spicy and fresh, this glamorous extrait is classy and sophisticated; a true floriental. There is a delightful burst of fruitiness presumably from the bergamot which juxtaposes the amber, spices and florals beautifully. I have an inexplicable sense of a 'me-in-a-bottle' affinity with this. Unisex leaning feminine with wonderfully robust performance. Swiftly and firmly *adding to wishlist*

Simply gorgeous, as if the red fruity sweetness of Oud for Greatness was isolated and amped. The patchouli and darker elements are stripped away, but there is an underlying old school masculinity. Grail material, it warrants its price tag with undeniable quality of its components and a meticulously refined smoothness and richness. Finding Liwa after years of collecting justified every bad blind buy and accumulation of questionable bottles in my collection. Perhaps the apex of my journey, an absolute love.

I just love this perfume. Sillage is fantastic, longevity is superb(eternal just like the most of you had voted) I love the uniqueness of the scent, absolutely a niche perfume with its spicy/rare undertones. Overall sweet, but not too sweet like your cheap american chocolate. Very sophisticated -smt.I bought blindly, reading your reviews but glad I did..... "London" widian was a disaster to me, after one spray was clear -the ingredients are not for me, very masculine. This one is a gem!

Exactly what I've been searching for. I love the scent profile of Oud for Greatness and Haltane, but found them both a touch too masculine for myself. This has the same underlying DNA but more fruity and aromatic while still retaining that dark, almost smoky woodiness. If Fragrantica is to be believed, I am surprised that this actually came out before OFG - what an underrated gem. My hunt for that sexy and mysterious cold-weather scent is finally over.

Liwa instantly takes me back to my visits to Saudi Arabia and Makkah. The combination of saffron, amber, incense and woods reminds me of the beautiful scent of bakhoor and fine perfumes drifting through the air around the Haram, hotels and shops. It feels warm, elegant and almost atmospheric rather than note driven. More than anything, it smells like a memory. A truly special fragrance.

Quite an alluring scent. Classy, elegant, opulent, demands respect. Reminds me of NOTHING ELSE. It takes me to places with a lot of sunlight and culture. Sensual. Easily wearable everywhere.. everyday in the office , when attending events, clubbing or during sex. I'm impressed.

This is my absolute favourite fragrance, been wearing it since 2017. Very very long lasting have a shirt that got some liwa on it and after two washes can still smell it strong. Lasts a good 20 hours on my skin. If you haven’t tried this get a sample it’s amazing.

If BR540 had a dream of becoming a successful business owner that has yacht money, this is what that dream would be. It's that good. Compliment monster. Perfect for date nights or when you want to make a statement at social gatherings. 10/10 full bottle worthy

Smoky magnetism of exotic honeyed flowers laced in dry spices with an overdose of sweetness in the heart that seduces my olfactive senses over and over again. Like perfumed dunes flying in the desert, I honestly can’t get enough of Liwa.

In my opinion there should be 2 entries for this fragrance one for the extrait and one for the edp as the 2 are very different I terms 9f performance etc anyway fragrance is fire 10/10 for me

It’s only a slight masculinity over feminine smell,No matter the gender this will smell absolutely divine. I might be glazing but this is one of the best niche fragrances I’ve ever smelt😭

Beautiful. Unisex. Unique. Sexy. Powerful. I can’t identify any note in it, I don’t what’s in it but all together it creates magic:) sophistication!

If Xerjoff Alexandria II, Initio’s Oud for Greatness and Baccarat Rouge 540 had a baby this would be the result

I love this! I was looking for rose-amber perfume, with prominent sweet and rich amber and luscious queen rose, thick and oriental but WITHOUT oud. And when my search started to look like mission impossible (if there is no oud in the fragrance then other woody notes make impression like there is) this beauty appeared. It was love at first sniff. I have found my perfect oriental rose. Superb quality, long lasting and potent, but not over the top. Now, it is not easy to describe the scent itself. First time I tried it, it was very similar to MFK Baccarat rouge 540 (guess due to warm bottle under lights in shop). When I bought it and wore it, it wasn't like that anymore. It's all about saffron, spicy patchouli and rose, with warm ambery ground. But then, when I took shower while wearing it, the hot water again did something and it strongly resembled BR540. So I guess this one is a chameleon and both that say that is the same, and those who say it is nothing like BR540 are right. In any case, this is an utterly beautiful oriental jewel that screams exclusivity, and must try for all rose lovers.

i dont know if they have changed the formula, but i got the new bottle style and at first sniff it smelled very floral (mostly rose) and a bit animalic, fecal smell in the background. I dont see any oud in the note breakdown but it smells like there is some, unless it is something else that give of the slight fecal smell. Im not an expert so i dont know. But as it dries down it just gets better and better. all the notes blend together and it becomes very smooth. the florals tone down a bit and the warm spices comes up and the fecal smell goes away. Im liking this the more i smell it. So dont get put off by it from the initial spray. wait a bit and you will love it. But i recommend you sample it first. it is not a safe blind buy (even though that is what i did). I personally would not wear this during fall because of the heavy florals. there are way better choices for that, but for winter or cold spring days i see this working amazing.

This is a really nice fragrance and I definitely get the similarity to Oud For Greatness. They are similar but very different at the same time. This to me smells nothing like Baccarat 540. This is much better in my opinion. It’s a heavy scent with lots of woody notes and very slightly I get some floral popping thru. Upon first spray this smells more manly to me but the dry down leans ever so slightly more feminine. I didn’t like this fragrance at first cause of the manly smell but once I got a chance to wear it more I am loving it. The dry down for me is everything. Long wearing and for the scent profile on me it’s not beast mode . It’s there at arms length but it’s not going to knock someone out. Between this perfume and Oud for Greatness I appreciate Liwa more.

I agree that it is closer to Initio Oud for Greatness than BR540, it is almost a doppelganger except that it has that extra sweetness that you find in BR540 but it is not as sweet as BR540, maybe we can say it is a combination of these two. It has saffron, amber, cedarwood, and jasmine which are found in BR540. Longevity was about 7/8 hours on my skin, it projects very well and leaves a trail everywhere. The saffron that Widian uses here and in Gold 2 is quite exceptional. The blending is to perfection that any master perfumer would be proud of. This is totally unisex and very versatile. I do prefer the darker and more masculine Oud for Greatness personally which has been compared to Widian's legendary 71 Extreme. 8.5/10

This is my second blind buy, and this thing is gorgeous, high quality and very well blended. Not among my favourite ones but i like it. When i first sprayed it i was like how tf do people see similarity's with BR540, definetely gives these OFG and even Haltane vibes. But when i walked out after like 20 minutes, that's the moment when i started to get big hints of a beautiful saffran, even tho it's not as dominant as in BR540, it's there and it's beautiful. It's Unisex but leaning masculine imo, a very Smooth masculine scent. Performance is also very good, good longevity and projects well.

Oof, this is beast mode with hella sillage. If you like Ganymede, this one is in that same range, and you don’t need both. FYI: Ganymede is the “cheaper” option then. Its an odd, somewhat harsh, cold scent, and yet it has that airy sweetness that makes it wearable. Its definitely not a safe blind but, as it’s a loud scent. Do sample on skin, it’s sweeter and more powdery on the test strip than it is on skin. The warmth in combination with (my) PH makes it more herbal and spicy. Personally I find this one leaning more on the masculine side.

I’ve finally got the legendary Liwa! I was expecting a heavy Arabian rich syrup but this is airy, soaring and vibrant. It’s sheer but lively and has an ozonic feel that’s reminiscent of coconut. I think I’m the first to describe Liwa as ‘ozonic coconut sheerness’. There is a BR540 likeness (I didn’t want to admit it at first, but as it develops it becomes more apparent into the dry-down. It’s more majestic than BR540. And don’t even bother with Oud for Greatness as Liwa rules hands-down.

The comparisons to OFG & BR540 are warranted. There's a good deal of similarity in the saffron/amber combo. This smells a bit more natural and smooth than both. There is a more herbal/earth nuance present and citrus/floral supporting. Drydown is extremely smooth with sandalwood and mild incensey oud emerging. Very well blended through and through, longevity, sillage, and projection all above average. FB worthy if you like this DNA but don't love OFG/540.

This is not really giving BR540. THANK GOD. And it's also not Oud for Greatness. This is it's own quality fragrance. Smooth blending, a perfect strong-moderate projection. Unisex. Sophisticated. Worth checking out if you are into those other types though. I see a small similarity but it truly is just a "Reminds Me Of" than "Similar To", if that makes sense. This is something I would wear but wouldn't buy a bottle of. Just not my type.

This smells closer to Initio's Oud For Greatness than Baccarat Rouge 540. Think OFG with added spices and a tiny bit of added sweetness in the background. Of course the saffron note is the link between these three fragrances, but this is a totally different scent than 540 EDP or Extrait.

I’m surprised at how many people find this to be a cold weather scent! To me it reads very floral fruity, summer would be my first impression.

Smells absolutely same like Initio Oud for greatness 🙃🙃🙃

Beautiful but it is very masculine imo.

This is a scent reminding of Baccarat Rouge, Oud for Greatness and Rouge Chaotique all together. If you own one of them you maybe don't need Liwa. If you want the same type of scent (precisely identical, leaning masculine) for less, get Liwa and enjoy it. I like it and I like the price, I just don't need another saffron-oud combo on the shelf.

Burnt caramel with a bit of citrusy freshness and metallic spices. But it’s mostly about realistic smells of burning sugar and some Oriental base with deep and dark woods. We all know what it reminds us of.....) Follow me on IG: scent.guide

This is just Baccarat Rouge 540.

I grew up spending winter breaks in AlMaryah in liwa , it’s a beautiful oasis . Liwa conjures images of 800 ft dunes , endless palm trees , campfires , oh and balaleet , rice with tomato paste and meat for us kids . This doesn’t capture anything remotely Liwa or Liwa adjacent ! If you want a Liwa scent I’ll spell it out for you . Capture red ore sand , campfire accord and savory/sweet foods like balaleet . There you go , thank me later .

The opening is beautiful! It is a fresh spicy, clean, and deep scent. However the dry down on me is a no go. This must not react well with my skin chemistry. It smells like sweat/body odor on the dry down.

The opening was impressive but quickly turned into a dry rubber tire scent on my skin. Smells much better in the air rather than on my skin. I personally feel this actually leans more masculine than BR540.

out of the ten scents from widian i've tried so far, this is the only one i don't like. and it make sense due to this fragrance reminds me of BR 540 which i'm not either is a big fan of.

It’s like what Howard Stern’s sweet but complaining elderly mother Ray would say about this perfume, “It’s tooooo much, waaaa.”

A union of east and west, the mixing of old and new. Liwa, from the brands Velvet collection is the olfactive exploration of a brand deeply rooted in Arabian traditions and influenced by the subtly of contemporary French perfumery. The opening of Liwa is characterised by razor sharp acidity coloured by diffusive herbal accents. An incredibly photorealistic bright and zesty bergamot mixes with the bitter aromatic edge of artemisia. As the fragrance evolves, saffron dusted jasmine tempers the sharpness of the opening as the fragrance reveals sweet floral and deep earthy accents that is utterly bewitching. Amber adds sweetness to the florals and spice against the delicate rosy accents of geranium while the artemisia has receded into a soft herbal backbone. The final stages of the fragrance are a smoky blend of oud-incense and dry woods that is perfectly balanced by the residual sweetness of the amber and white florals. Liwa is magnetic, complex and entirely opulent. It’s a fragrance that surrounds you in a cloud of olfactive bliss but never feels overpowering as it manages to be dense yet simultaneously ethereal. Liwa being one of the most popular offerings from the brand is often compared to MFK’s BR540, and Initio’s Oud for Greatness. While I do get the comparison on a superficial level, Liwa’s complexity, richness and subtle nuances that are absent from the other two make for a much more satisfying experience. Simply, Liwa in on an entirely other level. Widian is a brand that I have completely fallen in love with, from the quality of the fragrances themselves to the luxurious presentation and the stunning bottle design everything it so beautifully executed. In my opinion it’s a brand that warrants its asking price. IG: Nathan__Jamesj

This fragrance... Oh boy.. I guess first thing you want to know is.. is it close to BR540? Answer is in my own opinion, plain and simple no, there is a similiarity somewhere inside, maybe the saffron/amber combo (?) but this is another fragrance by itself and owning both of these is owning two different fragrances. This fragrance has a sweet jammy-like outside layer to my nose, and when you smell it up-close you can feel that mysterious and arabic feeling vibe, intoxicating... I really think its the Incense mixed with everything else that gives it this beautiful captivating smell, it is a very seductive fragrance when sniffing up close. I am not sure however how it feels in the air yet, since that sweet jammy-smell surrounding the outside layer is not what I would want to project, it is not bad but it ́s nowhere near the mystery beast that the core of Liwa contains.

Soapy sweet white woods. Overly sweetened and quite clean soapy with doses of sandalwood and hints of almost everything except for roses, sapphron and jasmines. The colder it gets, the more clear the notes will be, like the patchouli, the geranium, the incense, and white floral (not the jasmines!) And above them all is the vanilla sweet as it became less than what it was when first sprayed. Quite wearable, not risky and a good take for designers frag lovers. I believe it will be having quite good sell, but definitely not for me. Edit (Later same day): The colder it goes the calmer and better it gets! the sweetness become quite balanced in away that makes it interesting and it reminds me of "Flamenco" by Ramon Monegal ONLY when it cools down which makes it a drawback since I can't enjoy it till it's calmed down.

Upon first spray, I experienced that sauna effect coming from the amber and then the scent quickly becomes comforting and quiet elegant. Funny thing with this frangance which I've never experienced before is that when I sprayed it on myself, within 30 mins to an hour the scent amped up intensely for hours but no one around me could smell it. Even when my partner was standing right next to me. He could only smell it when he placed his nose right onto the areas I had sprayed. Will need to retest. Drydown IS of B540, I would say Liwa is the older sibling. This is great for those where B540 did not work on their skin (band-aid smell). This fragrance is quite a smooth and sophisticated one and is now the one that has sparked my interest in the Widian House.

I usually don't like to be influenced by other people's comments, so I tried Liwa on my own skin and in my opinion it doesn't smell like Baccarat Rouge at all. In the drydown it is a bit similar to Oud for greatness, but a lighter version of it. The opening is very spicy and aromatic and you can perceive the woody and dry base throughout the wear. The rose and geranium feel very discreet and at first I wasn't sure which one I smelled because it seemed more like the stem and leaves of the rose and less the flower itself. It leans more masculine in my opinion and for those who like Oud for greatness, but want a lighter version that they can wear all the time, I think Liwa is the perfect choice. I personally prefer Delma from the Velvet collection.

Ok....yes, the juice is strong with this one but no way does this smell like BR540 nor the extrait. It does have a resemblance to them in the dry-down but this does not have that strong cotton candy sweetness to it. Which is what seems to hold the BR540 lovers to it like gorilla glue. The top notes to this are really what makes this so different from BR540. It’s very much barbershop aftershave like & I can still smell hints of it into the dry down. I’d say this is more of a masculine scent. It does remind me more of OFG but not quite enough of that either. I feel like this has its own scent profile & is a masterpiece on its own. Definitely not as similar to BR540 as most seem to be saying.

I want your humble opinions, is this worth blind buy ? I like BR 540 but it's too sweet for me I believe it suits better for women, I love oud for greatness but to sharp for my nose, I find the edges r sharp but I still like it because for my nose it smells like bakhoor & I love that smell . generally Oriental woody style is my thing , I can tolerate a hint of sweetness but not too much. So is liwa the right choice ? Swap : i finally got it & i used it like 30% , i want to swap with similar quality juice , for further info E mail me.

Extremely sexy and magnetic, this is like confidence in a bottle. Not a fragrance for someone who wants to blend in. It has incredible sillage and projection. I truly do not understand how this is compared to BR540. It is much closer in its DNA to Oud for Greatness with the same sweet, synthetic oud and saffron combination. Liwa is a bit sweeter, more floral, and has a little more warm spice to it. It is (perhaps) just a touch more feminine leaning, although that's a hard call to make.

Reminds me of a thin, more airy version of OFG, beautiful though on its own, smells very smooth and sophisticated with complexity. Initially there's a subtle greenness to the scent, saffron is prominent slowly gives way to some soft gooey sandalwood, incense and oud, touches of patchouli and vetiver, with a cushion of floral freshness, has lots of depth and is done very well. 8/10