Itqan Gold vs Siada Nova: Zimaya Vanilla Guide, Sabah

If you're in Sabah and want a perfume with a vanilla side that you can actually wear every day, Zimaya has two unisex options worth knowing: Itqan Gold and Siada Nova. Both are 100ml eau de parfum, both are made for men and women, and both suit daily wear in our hot, humid weather. The question is which one fits you better. Let's break it down.

Itqan Gold: Saffron, Jasmine and Vanilla

Itqan Gold opens with saffron and jasmine, moves into a heart of amberwood and vanilla, then finishes with musk and cedarwood. So the vanilla here sits in the middle of the fragrance, wrapped around that amberwood, with a spice-and-flower opening on top.

When it comes to occasions, the list is pretty wide: formal events, special occasions, casual days and everyday wear. That makes it one of those perfumes you can reach for whether you're heading to the office, a dinner in Kota Kinabalu, or just out and about on a weekend. Since it's listed as suitable for Malaysia's tropical weather, you don't have to save it for air-conditioned rooms only, though it'll feel right at home in a cold mall too.

Siada Nova: Bergamot Opening, Vanilla Base

Siada Nova takes a different route. It opens with bergamot and jasmine, then a heart of amber and cashmere wood, before landing on a base of vanilla, white musk and a hint of patchouli. So instead of vanilla showing up in the heart like Itqan Gold, here it's part of the dry-down, creamy and soft, sitting on that white musk.

For occasions, it covers everyday wear, formal events and special occasions. It doesn't list casual the way Itqan Gold does, but everyday is everyday, so it still works as a daily driver. It's also described as suited to Malaysian weather, which is exactly what you want in Sabah, where it's basically warm all year round.

So, Which One Should You Pick?

Both perfumes have vanilla and jasmine, and both are unisex 100ml EDPs, so you can't really go wrong. The differences are in the details:

Go for Itqan Gold if you like a spicier, woodier take on vanilla. The saffron opening and cedarwood base give it more structure, and it's the only one of the two that lists casual wear, so it stretches across slightly more situations.
Go for Siada Nova if you prefer a fresher opening and a softer finish. The bergamot start feels brighter, and the vanilla, white musk and patchouli base gives it a creamier, smoother trail.

If you're still unsure, think about where you'll wear it most. For a mix of office, casual outings and the occasional formal event, Itqan Gold's occasion list covers more ground. If your days are mostly everyday wear with some formal moments in between, Siada Nova fits that just as well. Either way, you're getting a vanilla presence from Zimaya that works for Sabah life, not some heavy scent you can only wear in cold climates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do both Itqan Gold and Siada Nova have vanilla?

Yes, both. Itqan Gold lists vanilla in its heart notes with amberwood, while Siada Nova has vanilla in its base alongside white musk and patchouli.

Which one is better for casual daily wear?

Itqan Gold lists casual wear among its occasions, on top of formal, special occasion and everyday, so it covers slightly more ground. Siada Nova covers everyday, formal and special occasions.