Lattafa Fahad

Masculine · EDP · £39.99

Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF vs Lattafa Fahad

Lattafa Fahad — dupe of Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF

Description

Fahad is Lattafa's 2026 oriental fougère for men, an aromatic, incense laced masculine that sits closest to Yves Saint Laurent Myself, the designer release its own perfumer helped create. Product Overview Fahad launched in July 2026 as a standalone release from Lattafa, presented in an 80ml Eau de Parfum bottle and priced around £39.99, which places it in Lattafa's mainstream tier rather than its premium or limited lines. It was composed by Gaël Montero, the perfumer behind Lattafa's well regarded Kashan, working alongside Christophe Raynaud, a senior Givaudan perfumer whose credits include several major designer masculines. That second name matters more than it looks on paper: Raynaud was one of three noses, alongside Daniela Andrier and Antoine Maisondieu, who built Yves Saint Laurent Myself in 2023. Bringing him onto a Lattafa release, and building that release around an orange blossom and ambroxan and patchouli spine, is not a coincidence buyers have had to squint to find. The brand frames Fahad around the image of a panther at full sprint, control rather than chase, and markets it as a departure from the sweet, dessert driven direction that made Lattafa famous. Scent Profile Fahad opens on a bright, slightly sharp citrus rush. Mandarin and pineapple arrive together, juicy and energetic, before black pepper cuts through almost immediately and strips away any risk of the opening reading as candy or fruit cocktail. Several early wearers compare that first quarter hour to a disinfectant sharpness before it rounds out, which is the black pepper and citrus doing their job rather than a flaw in the blend. As the top notes fade, the composition moves into its most distinctive stretch: orange blossom softened by lavender and, more unusually, artemisia. Artemisia is rarely used at this price point, and it brings a dry, faintly medicinal, herbal bitterness that keeps the orange blossom from tipping into soap or old fashioned floral territory. This is the part of Fahad that reads as genuinely considered rather than assembled. The drydown is where the Myself family resemblance becomes clearest: patchouli, cedarwood, ambroxan and incense settle in together, dry, smoky and woody rather than sweet, with the ambroxan doing what it always does and gluing the whole structure to the skin for the long haul. Technical Structure and Development The pyramid, confirmed directly from the brand and matched across independent retailer and community listings, runs as follows. Top notes are mandarin, pineapple and black pepper. Heart notes are orange blossom, lavender and artemisia. Base notes are patchouli, cedarwood, ambroxan and incense. Fragrantica's community tagging lists the dominant accords as citrus, woody, white floral, amber, patchouli, sweet, warm spicy, fresh spicy, fruity and lavender, which lines up closely with how wearers describe the actual development on skin: fruity and peppery up top, herbal and floral through the heart, dry and ambery underneath. Classified as an oriental fougère, Fahad borrows the lavender and aromatic backbone of the classic fougère family but skips the traditional coumarin heavy sweetness in favor of incense and artemisia, giving it a drier, more austere character than most fragrances marketed at this price. The double Givaudan perfumer credit is unusual for a Lattafa release at this tier and reads as a deliberate signal that the house wanted an original, well constructed composition rather than a quick reformulation of an existing brief. Performance Fahad is not built to be a room filler. The pepper and ambroxan combination gives it a strong, noticeable projection through the first one to two hours, after which it settles closer to the skin and becomes an arm's length rather than a full room presence. That closer, more discreet character is by design rather than a weakness: several early wearers note it performs like a well made, pre reformulation designer masculine rather than a typical loud Middle Eastern release, and it does not carry the oud or amber wood heaviness that shows up in the base of many Lattafa fragrances. The material list favors longevity even where projection tapers off. Ambroxan, patchouli, incense and cedarwood are among the most persistent materials used in modern perfumery, and on skin that translates into eight or more hours of a quiet, dry, ambery trail that survives a full working day without needing a top up. It is not made for high heat, gym use or situations where you want to be smelled across a room. It is built for closer, longer range wear. Wear Scenarios - Office and daily professional wear, where the dry, non sweet profile avoids the complaint prone territory of louder gourmands - Evening dates and dinners, where the orange blossom and incense read as considered rather than aggressive - Transitional weather, spring and autumn, where the aromatic heart and dry base feel more at home than in peak summer heat - Everyday rotation for someone who wants a designer feeling masculine without designer pricing - Situations calling for restraint over impact, since it sits close to skin rather than filling a room Scent Family Positioning Fahad sits in the aromatic oriental fougère lane, built on a lavender and artemisia heart over a dry ambroxan and incense base, closer in spirit to a classic barbershop leaning designer masculine than to a modern gourmand. That is a deliberate pivot for Lattafa, whose biggest global hits, Khamrah, Yara and Asad, are all built on sweetness: spiced dates, vanilla and praline, warm amber. Fahad has none of that architecture. There is no vanilla, no tonka, no praline anywhere in the pyramid, which for a house that built its reputation on dessert in a bottle amounts to a statement of intent. It positions Fahad as the drier, more restrained, more office appropriate option in Lattafa's masculine lineup, aimed at buyers who want something closer to a designer aromatic than to the brand's usual sweet crowd pleasers. Inspired By and Style Comparisons Lattafa does not market Fahad as a direct alternative to a single named fragrance, and it is worth being straightforward about that rather than overstating the connection. What is verifiable is that Christophe Raynaud, one of Fahad's two credited perfumers, co created Yves Saint Laurent Myself, and that Fahad's heart and base, orange blossom over ambroxan and patchouli, echo that composition's own structure closely enough that community reviewers reach for the Myself comparison unprompted and often. Where Fahad diverges is the top and the added lavender, artemisia, cedarwood and incense, which give it a drier, more herbal, more smoky character than Myself's cleaner citrus opening. Reviewers have also placed Fahad in the neighborhood of Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Parfum, describing it as feeling like an older, pre reformulation version of that fragrance, and drawn a softer, vibe only comparison to Yves Saint Laurent Y Le Parfum, though the orange blossom is far less prominent in Fahad than in Y. A handful of reviewers stretch the comparison further, to Azzaro Wanted by Night or Gucci Guilty, though these read more as general designer adjacent vibes than structural matches. The honest summary: Fahad captures real elements of the Myself DNA through a shared perfumer and a related note architecture, presented as its own original composition rather than a one to one recreation. Flankers and Variations Fahad launched in July 2026 as a single, standalone release rather than part of an existing collection, and it has not spawned flankers of its own yet, unlike Lattafa staples such as Khamrah or Asad, which now run to multiple line extensions. It is sold primarily in an 80ml Eau de Parfum format, with some independent retailers also carrying a 100ml bottle at a proportionally higher price. Given how recently it launched, any Qahwa, Elixir or Intense style flanker treatment would still be speculative at this point. Market and Community Reception Fahad is a genuinely interesting case because the reception so far runs against the usual Lattafa playbook. The brand's biggest wins of the last few years, Yara, Khamrah and Asad, all became TikTok and Reddit staples through loud, easily summarized dupe comparisons and enormous view counts. Fahad launched more quietly than that, and some of the earliest Fragrantica community reaction was openly cautious, with commenters flagging up front that they did not expect it to repeat that kind of viral hype cycle. What has followed instead is a smaller but noticeably warmer wave of connoisseur level praise. On Fragrantica the fragrance currently holds a rating around 4.3 out of 5 from close to a hundred votes, with reviewers using language rarely applied to a budget tier release, calling it an old school designer scent that has not been butchered by reformulation, and noting that it is too well executed and too restrained to read as a typical loud Middle Eastern release. One reviewer summed up the divide plainly: most Lattafa fans expecting the brand's usual bombastic sweetness will likely dismiss Fahad as weak, while people who skip Middle Eastern brands on principle will probably miss it because it is not being sold as an obvious dupe of anything. Parfumo's community score sits in a similarly strong range. The throughline across independent reviews and retailer copy is consistent: the double Givaudan perfumer credit is treated as a real signal of seriousness rather than marketing dressing, and reviewers who tried it describe reaching for comparisons to pre reformulation designer masculines rather than to other Lattafa releases, which is unusually specific praise for this segment. It has not yet produced the massive, single number driven virality of Yara or Khamrah, and it likely will not in the same way, since its whole appeal is built on restraint rather than spectacle. What it has built instead, in a short window since launch, is a smaller, more engaged following among fragrance enthusiasts who buy on composition rather than hype, and early signs point to Fahad growing that reputation steadily rather than exploding and fading.

Notes

Top Notes

Heart Notes

Base Notes

Main Accords

Community Reviews

1 review with an average rating of 7.8 out of 10.

Compare Fahad

Community Ratings

Overall: 7.8/10
Scent Accuracy: 7.5/10
Longevity: 8.2/10
Projection: 6.8/10
Value: 8.5/10

What Reviewers Say

Atlas AI Analysis — 7.8/10

Lattafa Fahad represents a strategic pivot for the brand, moving away from the high-sugar gourmand profiles that defined its global successes toward a more disciplined, aromatic oriental fougère structure. The composition benefits significantly from the involvement of Givaudan perfumers, resulting in a scent profile that balances bright, peppery citrus against a sophisticated, herbal heart of artemisia and lavender. Unlike many contemporary releases in this price tier, Fahad avoids the heavy-handed application of maltol or amber woods, instead relying on the dry, medicinal bitterness of artemisia to temper its orange blossom accord. This creates a refined, masculine profile that feels more akin to a high-end designer release than a typical budget-friendly dupe. Technically, the performance profile prioritizes persistence over presence. While the initial projection is assertive due to the black pepper and ambroxan, it quickly settles into a consistent, arm’s-length scent bubble. This behavior is deliberate, reflecting a composition built for longevity rather than room-filling impact. On the skin, the base notes of patchouli and incense provide a resilient, eight-hour trail that survives a full workday. This makes Fahad an outlier in the Middle Eastern market, where the expectation is often for extreme sillage; here, the value is found in the architectural stability and the quality of the blend rather than sheer volume. In terms of market positioning, Fahad occupies a unique space as an 'inspired by' fragrance that utilizes the same creative talent as its target, Yves Saint Laurent Myself. By securing Christophe Raynaud, Lattafa has effectively captured the structural DNA of the original while expanding the herbal and smoky facets, making it less of a direct clone and more of a thematic evolution. It is positioned for the professional male demographic, serving as a versatile daily driver for office or transitional weather wear. The result is a high-value proposition for enthusiasts who prioritize perfumer pedigree and restrained composition over viral hype.

Where to Buy

Check current price and availability on Amazon.co.uk

Atlas Insight

Why It Stands Out

Fahad utilizes the expertise of Christophe Raynaud to bridge the gap between niche oriental sensibilities and modern designer accessibility. It offers an incense-laced fougere profile that balances citrus sharpness with depth.

Who Should Buy It

Those seeking a masculine scent that pivots away from cloying gourmand trends. It serves users who appreciate a modern aromatic profile with a distinct woody, white floral, and smoky incense character for daily wear.

Who Should Skip It

Those who prioritize long-lasting performance or significant projection will find this disappointing. The fragrance is designed to sit very close to the skin, limiting its impact in social or outdoor settings.

Compared With the Original

It leans into the core orange blossom and ambroxan structure of the original designer inspiration while adding a layer of smoky incense that grants it a slightly darker, more textured finish than the standard.

Best Alternative If This Isn't for You

If you want a modern masculine scent without weak projection, Rasasi Hawas Thunder is the natural next step. It moves into intense amber territory, emphasizing sweet and woody notes rather than thin incense.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lattafa the best brand for affordable luxury perfume?

Lattafa is the global leader in the "affordable luxury" segment, famous for producing high-performance fragrances that rival $200+ niche brands. By manufacturing at a massive scale in the UAE, they offer exceptional value, high-quality presentation, and "beast mode" performance that has made them the go-to house for fragrance collectors worldwide.

What are the most famous Lattafa fragrances for men and women?

Lattafa’s "Hall of Fame" includes Khamrah (a viral spicy-gourmand), Asad (a top-rated aromatic spicy scent), and Yara (a massively popular creamy-fruit fragrance for women). These releases are global best-sellers, consistently praised for their unique DNA, massive projection, and incredible longevity.

Are Lattafa perfumes safe to blind buy?

While scent is subjective, Lattafa is considered one of the safest brands for blind buying due to their high crowd-appeal and consistent quality. Their "Pride" and "Luxury" collections are particularly reliable, as they focus on well-blended, smooth compositions that avoid the synthetic harshness sometimes found in budget-tier alternatives.

What is Lattafa Fahad a dupe of?

Lattafa Fahad is a dupe of Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF. It interprets the original scent profile using high quality alternative ingredients at a fraction of the price.

What does Lattafa Fahad smell like?

Lattafa Fahad opens with Mandarin, Pineapple, Black Pepper, moves into Orange Blossom, Lavender, Artemisia, and settles on a base of Patchouli, Cedarwood, Ambroxan, Incense. It is built to capture the character of Yves Saint Laurent MYSLF.

Is Lattafa Fahad long lasting?

Lattafa Fahad is EDP with a community longevity score of 8.2 out of 10 and a scent accuracy score of 7.5 out of 10. It offers a budget friendly alternative to the original.