BDK
IMPADIA
2025
PERFUMER
Jordi Fernandez
mandarin
bergamot
pear
bulgarian rose
turkish rose absolute
orange blossom absolute
vanilla absolute
akigalawood
sandalwood
If you’re reading this review, there’s a good chance that you’ve already heard that Impadia is a take on Amouage Guidance… and I’m here to reaffirm that notion. At some moments it deviates a little bit, but it’s hard not to view this is a blatant copy or at least attempt to jump on the Guidance bandwagon. Which… if you love Guidance, but want to spend less, is a good thing. It’s also pretty sad of course and it’s one of many confirmations that there’s no real difference between ‘niche’ brands with well-known perfumers and your average Middle Eastern clone house; maybe in quality (but you also pay for that), but not in morals and originality. In this case, at least Jordi Fernandez comes from the same stable as Guidance-perfumer Bisch and the two seem to make similar fragrances with the same Givaudan set of ingredients constantly, so I assume there’s no hard feelings there.
Impadia is definitely not identical in the opening minutes. The opening is most different (if my memory of Guidance serves me correctly). I get more green and tart citrus; sharper, almost reminding me of a louder Chanel Chance. For a moment, I thought, well, these Guidance comparisons are overstated. But no, give it some minutes and the ‘Guidance DNA’ (perhaps a mix of Guidance and Guidance 46) is undeniable throughout the rest of Impadia.
It reminds me of rose water, non-descript designer fruitiness and body lotion / body milk off warm skin. An instantly recognizable mix of sweet and sour sun tan lotion-esque scent. Fresh, yet cloying? As I said in my initial Guidance EDP review; I wouldn’t consider wearing it, but it definitely found a specific recognizable scent that fits in right between the popular designers and a niche fragrance, without smelling identical to anything that I’d smelled before. It’s not hard to see why it’s become so successful. And why BDK won’t be the last brand making their own version of it. For me personally, the originality was the thing that made Guidance stand out, so trying to give any credit to Impadia becomes futile.
The rose feels more prominent at one point, which I think is why there are a lot of people also comparing Impadia to Delina, but for me, that falls more in line with Guidance 46. Which I do prefer over Guidance EDP and I think Impadia is an overall solid take on this DNA, setting aside my personal taste and gripes with its lack of originality.
I feel like Impadia dives into the gourmand vanillic base even more and definitely faster, making for a bordering on cloying sensation. It feels just a tad more thick and sweet than I remember the original Guidance being earlier in the wear. This DNA will never be for me, but I don’t mind it in passing/on others. However, combined with its near-extreme projection (I smelled myself throughout the day, without having to get close to the skin) it becomes a borderline nauseating experience after a while that still haunts me and my clothes now during the following day.
One very simple conclusion to draw here; if you like Guidance, you’ll like Impadia. If you, like me, don’t care for Guidance, this won’t be much different, nor better.