Usher VIP.. Overlooked and underappreciated.

Usher VIP, although a celebrity fragrance, is anything but that. Usually mass marketers or mainstream frags tend to play it safe by doing something more common; as well as celeb frags. While VIP isn't exactly 100% unique, it definitley takes more of a risk. It reminds me of a more wearable Polo Explorer. As much as I enjoy Explorer, it's very difficult to wear. VIP has this awesome pine and cypress thing going on, with a very synthetic element to it that actually makes it easier to wear. A cypress fragrance without all that natural cypress smell that may be difficult for some to wear. I've been consistently getting about 6 hours from it on my skin, which is good considering it's a celeb frag, and considering it's an Usher frag. Usher had below average longevity and Usher UR was way way below average. I got these in a box set, each being .5 oz. In conclusion, I'd say next time you see VIP, make an extra effort to try and get a whiff. The bottle is tacky, the name isn't exactly a favorite, especially amongst Basenoters, but it is a bit different. Cypress with a synthetic edge; I wouldn't be able to detect individual notes without seeing a list and then saying "Oh, that's in there" -- it is actually a bit more complex. Anyways, not my favorite, but worth mentioning. Has anyone else tried this?

Pardon me if my typing may be off or if you find stuff shuffled around, I'm beyond tired, but really wanted to start this thread before I crash.

Doesn't smell anything like Fahrenheit to me. Fahrenheit emphasizes on the honeysuckle and a little bit of melon in the very beginning, then gets "dirtier" as it develops. Fahrenheit being my absolute favorite fragrance ever made, I see no similarities to VIP whatsoever. Fahrenheit is in a category by itself that is far beyond oriental, woody or any other classification. The closest thing I've seen to Fahrenheit was Lucky Number 6, which strongly resembles it in the first minute or so before it changes into a cheap synthetic mess as expected from Claiborne.

VIP is very synthetic both in smell and feeling, but nothing like Fahrenheit, it's more of a cypress/pine smell. I still highly recommend those of you that haven't tried it to give it a sniff, I wouldn't buy this blind though. Those of you who have tried it, perhaps give it another wearing. As you said you sprayed them on tester cards which doesn't really bring out anything in a fragrance, as many Basenoters can testify that fragrance may smell completely different on a card than it does on the skin. The skin helps a fragrance develop, not the juice sitting on paper. If you check out magazine such as GQ and MAXIM, you'll notice these fragrance sample inserts that only offer you the top notes to smell with no development. I'm not saying fragrances can't develop on paper, but your skin isn't paper, so it's best to actually wear something.

As for "Celsius" -- I don't bother with imitations unless they're like a buck, then I may use it as a room spray. Buying a bottle of VIP @ Macy's won't be any cheaper than a smaller bottle of Fahrenheit.

I agree to an extent, the problem is that fragrances that don't "make it" in malls, are off the shelves in a couple months, sometimes even less. VIP, I still see at Macy's, so it must be doing ok. I "might have a case if it were 5 years"? I don't understand, if that were the case I would have said "underappreciated and forgotten" or something along those lines. What I said was correct.. "overlooked" because people tend to pass right by it; and "underappreciated" because people don't take the time to smell it, give it a full wearing, give it a chance. The idea behind this thread was to share my opinions of the fragrance and perhaps enlighten others who are looking for something that's easy to get their hands on, that's more mainstream and that doesn't smell like everything else out there.

As for the differences in opinions of those who have tried it, I can't change peoples mind. Where some people may perceive the smell of alcohol, i get a synthetic pine aroma that takes a few minutes to settle before it turns into more of a light cypress with a little citrus. I know there's Tom Ford fragrance with a lot of cypress that this reminded me of instantly (and it's not Italian Cypress) I can't think of it, I gave it a bad review (if it even went through) only because it was far too strong, and not something very versatile and easy to wear, though the smell itself wasn't bad.. just pretty hardcore.

I'm not suggesting to buy this blind, and I'm not saying this is the best stuff, because it isn't. It is different though, so it gets my vote on that. Blue Seduction by Antonio Banderas is a different take on an aquatic.. it's tangy, yet has this soothing mint component accompanied with a cappuccino note; but a lot of people get this heavy dose of alcohol from the opening. I get a tangy citrus instead. So perhaps where others are getting this alcohol from VIP, it's more of a tangy/sharp pine/cypress. Either way, it's worth a sniff.

+1.

Actually I regret making this thread lol. Ever make a thread or post a review too early.. yaaaa.. I didn't spend enough time with the fragrance to realize it's genuinely boring. Not horrible, but not something I'm gonna buy again.

You too! Not me though, but many seem the compare it Fahrenheit. I just don't get it.

Though it has been said that Fahrenheit has been significantly reformulated, I have yet to try this new juice. As for the bottle I purchased back in 2003/2004, It is NOTHING like VIP. VIP is a very synthetic smelling cypress fragrance that is sort of in the same genre with Polo Explorer (funky, different and hard to wear)

Fahrenheit (based on its 2003/2004 formulation) is my favorite fragrance ever. Beautiful honeysuckle note, combines with a super dirty feel and smell. Longevity is great and so is projection. Not to mention it is by far the most unique fragrance I've ever come across. VIP may be like 5% of Fahrenheit to me.