Maison Alhambra
Forbidden Love
Reported as inspired by Tom Ford Lost Cherry (retailer/community-attributed, not an official brand claim). The cheapest entry to the Lost Cherry trend in SA — the R129 30ml put cherry gourmand on a lot of SA dressing tables.
At a glance
Forbidden Love by Maison Alhambra — Oriental. Price in South Africa: R129–R199 (30ml). 80ml SA pricing not found.. Best for: date night, black tie evening, power meeting, garden party.
- Scent profile
- Oriental
- Price in South Africa
- R129–R199 (30ml). 80ml SA pricing not found.
- Gender
- Unisex
- Best for
- Date Night, Black Tie Evening, Power Meeting, Garden Party
Main Accords
Fragrance Pyramid
How this scent unfolds on your skin
Community Opinions
Wear It When
Date Night
“Candlelight, slow conversation, and a scent trail that draws them closer.”
Black Tie Evening
“When the invitation says formal — this is what you reach for.”
Power Meeting
“Quiet confidence in a bottle. Let the work speak — the fragrance just underlines it.”
Garden Party
“Blooming hedgerows, pastel dresses, and sunlight warming bare shoulders.”
Drag the knobs to explore
This Scent Is For
Warm & enveloping — leaves an unforgettable impression.
Scent Mood
Peak season: ❄️ Winter (100%)
Spr
Sum
Aut
Win
📖 Related Reading
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Layer It With
Curated scent pairings to build a signature from Forbidden Love. Each combination is vetted by perfumers, editors, and community.
Adds an uplifting citrus accessory to anything richer — works whenever a scent feels too heavy for the weather.
Layering Tip
Spray the heavier scent first, then the lighter one on top. Start with two scents — more than three quickly becomes muddled. Always test on skin first.
AI Review Summary
Synthesised from fragrance data
Forbidden Love is the cherry gourmand that put an entire trend within reach for South African fragrance lovers, and at R129 for 30ml, it's hard to argue with its place on the dressing table. The opening leans into a sweet, slightly medicinal bitter almond and black cherry combination that softens beautifully as the Turkish rose and jasmine warm up in the heart, adding a touch of floral depth that stops it from reading as pure dessert. The base is where it gets interesting — sandalwood, tonka, vanilla, and a whisper of patchouli and clove give it an oriental warmth that anchors the sweetness and adds some grown-up complexity. It's best worn in the cooler months, particularly for an evening out or a casual date night when you want something approachable and unapologetically pretty. If you've been curious about the cherry gourmand trend but not ready to commit to a higher price point, this is a genuinely solid starting point.
Customer Reviews
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