Petra Viola, Fahad and Dynasty by Lattafa: Three Captivating Fragrances Worth Discovering
Lattafa Petra Viola Perfume Review:
Lattafa Petra Viola is a brand-new release that takes the Petra name in a completely different direction. If you are expecting a continuation of the original Petra, I want to be very clear from the outset: this is not that.
Petra Viola Is Loosely Inspired by Bal d’Afrique Absolu
Petra Viola is said to be inspired by Byredo Bal d’Afrique Absolu. That reference point is associated with blackcurrant and praline, followed by amberwood, cedar, and a touch of vetiver in the drydown.
How Does Lattafa Petra Viola Smell?
The opening is all about a bright, juicy red-fruit accord. Raspberry is the main character, delivering a sweet, cheerful, almost candied burst that immediately gives the fragrance its flirty personality.
Instead, Petra Viola stays focused on its sweet fruity profile:
- Opening: Bright raspberry, red fruits, blackcurrant tartness
- Heart: A lightly floral impression, with violet potentially playing a role
- Drydown: Praline, cotton candy sweetness, soft woods, and amberwood
I suspect there is more going on in the floral construction than violet alone. There may be several floral molecules working in the background, even if the fragrance does not read as an overt floral. The red fruits remain quite resolute throughout and are what define the scent from beginning to end.
Lattafa Fahad First Impressions:
After wearing it for four straight days, I can say this is not your typical old-school barbershop fragrance. It keeps the lavender freshness people expect from the genre, but adds sweeter citrus, orange blossom, ambroxan, cedarwood, and a touch of incense that changes the whole mood.
What Does Lattafa Fahad Smell Like?
It is clearly part of the barbershop family, but it does not smell like a straight recreation of classic masculine fougères.
If you are expecting something in the old-school direction of Paco Rabanne Pour Homme, Tom Ford Beau de Jour, or Dior Eau Sauvage Parfum, this is a different take. Fahad is fresher and sweeter in the opening, smoother through the heart, and warmer in the drydown.
The Opening: Sweet Citrus Rather Than Sharp Citrus
The Heart: Lavender, Artemisia, and Orange Blossom
The Base: Ambroxan, Cedarwood, and Incense
I think that incense is an important part of why Fahad does not simply smell like another classic fougère. It pushes the scent away from the standard barbershop formula and gives it more depth without turning it into a heavy smoky fragrance.
Lattafa Dynasty Fragrance Review:
Lattafa never sleeps. Seriously, keeping up with the brand’s release schedule is becoming a full-time job. Between Fire on Ice, Nebras Elixir, the upcoming Eclaire releases, Give Me Gourmand, and now Dynasty, there is always something new around the corner.
What Does Lattafa Dynasty Smell Like?
The fragrance opens with a fresh burst of bergamot and ginger. That combination gives Dynasty a sparkling, citrusy lift with a touch of spice. It is refreshing without becoming acidic or overly energetic, and it makes the opening feel clean and inviting.
That bright phase does not last forever, but that is not the point. Almost immediately, the tea takes over. From there, Dynasty becomes a smooth, calming tea scent that feels cool, peaceful, and incredibly easy to wear.
The structure can be understood like this:
- Opening: Bergamot, ginger, and a fresh citrus brightness
- Heart: Rooibos tea at the center of the composition
- Drydown: Cashmeran, cedarwood, and a soft suede leather accord
The Cashmeran and cedarwood give the drydown a gentle woody texture, while the suede effect keeps it plush and refined. It never turns rugged, smoky, or aggressively leathery. Instead, the suede works as a smooth extension of the tea’s soft character.
