By Sandra
With all due respect I understand if you want to turn off your computer now. This is another city exclusive and it is available only at Bloomingdale’s in Dubai.
I hear you! I wanted to throw my arms up in the air as well. Then, the kind people of Ramon Monegal sent Birgit a sample of this exclusive perfume and I have had the joy of testing it for you.
I don’t know if you will be flying through Dubai any time soon or if you can find yourself a mule to schlep it back for you or if you can find someone with whom to split a bottle. If you can find a way to get your hands on some of this please do.
Bloomingdales Dubai
I will be perfectly honest with you – this perfume is too masculine for my tastes. Or so I thought. When I tried it the perfume started dry and continued to get drier. There was lots of wood, spices, oud and leather. Perhaps I will have better luck in the warm weather.
But then, a few days later, the Norwegian (Editor’s Note: The Norwegian is Sandra’s longsuffering husband) walked by my laptop and picked up the sample, asked what it was and sprayed some on. He is not adventurous at all when it comes to scenting himself. He plays it safe and clean. So, needless to say I was surprised when he offered himself up as a guinea pig.
Fragrantica describes Dubai Next to Me as follows:
“Dubai Next to Me by Ramon Monegal is an Oriental fragrance for women and men. This is a new fragrance, created exclusively for Bloomingdale’s Dubai and launched in March 2014. The nose behind this fragrance is Ramon Monegal. Dubai Next to Me begins with vital and courageous fruity notes, tempered by the wisdom and nobility of spices. The heart offers lovely and sensual florals, with resins adding a touch of solemnity and magic. The base of Dubai Next to Me rests on strong and serene woody notes, enhanced and perfected by the presence of Spanish leather.
Top Notes: Coconut, peach, melon, Spanish saffron, nutmeg and black pepper
Middle Notes: Jasmine, rose oil, rose absolute, frankincense and labdanum-cistus
Base Notes: Oud, sandalwood, Cashmeran, Spanish leather, tonka and ambraceme absolute.
Let me just tell you – this is an entirely different beast on the Norwegian than it was on me. It is simply stunning. I did not get any of the fruit in the opening. Upon spraying he smelled of peaches and melon tinged with a little bit of spices. He smiled and said “Oh this smells like those divine dates we bought in Doha once, remember?” I am baffled at this point wondering why he is getting all the fun out of this start and I didn’t.
The middle part of the development is so smooth on him it is mesmerizing to be honest with you. It is still fruity and spicy but now come the florals singing their tune. They make the sweetness of the fruit more tart. Then comes the frankincense which is the part I adore most. The frankincense has a cooling effect. Everything up to this point has been warm and juicy and then it starts preparing us for the finale.
The oud is not medicinal or sharp at all. In fact it is rounded and smooth. It blends beautifully with the sandalwood and yes, in the late drydown there is a slight leather vibe. It is not too strong but it is there and beautiful.
This is a gorgeous woody spicy leathery perfume that I wish I could get my hands on. If the Norwegian likes it and is more than willing to wear it then I need to find a way to Dubai or recruit a mule or go in on a split!
The Norwegian on his home turf, not yet thinking of Dubai
I look forward to the warmer weather so that I can steal some of the sample back. I can’t wait to see if I get the beautiful fruit and florals like the Norwegian does.
Olfactoria's Travels 
I have a decant of this. Spritzed it and immediately thought of Trayee.
Lovely! Trayee is beautiful.
This fragrance sounds so wonderful. Maybe someone will have a sample draw or something. Thanks for the great review!
Fascinating Sandra.
I sniffed this when sprayed on a friend (a woman) a couple of weeks back and it was all base notes on her. The kind of oud/spice/wood thing I’m used to coming from Tom Ford. So I was surprised when I read the note list. I wonder if the men are going to have all the fun with this one? 🙂
Tara, It was definitely very masculine on me and quite oudy and spicy. I will try it when it hits 30 degrees and see if that helps. Otherwise the hubby gets to use the sample up. 🙂
Interesting how it behaved so differently on the two of you. I got a bottle when Mr. Monegal was here doing the launch and I have always wondered why he associated it with Dubai because it doesn’t seem to have much oud or incense or Middle East type spice to it on me. I like it a lot though, the creamy notes in the heart and soft woody dry down are really beautiful. And I really think it does better in warm temperatures (perfect for around here now!). If anyone desperately needs a bottle you can email me at lolabug at gmail dawt com and I am happy to procure one for you 🙂
Oh how nice that you got to meet Mr Monegal! I think you are right in saying that it needs warm weather. I find it very interesting that you don’t get much Oud or incense.
How wonderfully generous of you to offer procuring a bottle. You are such a kind person.
Peaches and melons tinged with spices – and Doha dates?!!
Mmmm. How unfair, Sandra, that the Norwegian has these delicacies show up on his skin and you don’t, but the happy part is that you get to enjoy it on him.
Another example that skin chemistry really does play a role (because despite those who refute it, I’ve experienced such differences many times).
It is unfair! On the other hand I am also tickled pink that he found something different to wear.
Great story Sandra,
One of the good things about different chemistries is that the same frag can be worn by partners. Bombay Bling is a totally different experience on Jin & I. For Jin it is a dark woods and spice dream after about 15 minutes and stays that way for a full day. Way sweeter and creamier on my skin and the fruits go ape shit.
Portia xx
Hi Portia. Amazing that Jin gets dark woods and spice out of Bombay Bling. My skin turns it into a fruit cocktail and not in a good way at all.
Personally I think it has all to do with the magical skin of us Norwegians. Pale, but infused with fjords, fish, endless winters (and for some) midnight sun. 😀
Hahaha! Good one! Could very well be true… I will see the midnight sun one of these summers. Tromsø is next on my list.