Chocolate Queen by Navitus Parfums

Chocolate Queen opens with a cloud of cocoa that explodes into textures: first the warm powder rising, then the creaminess of melted Nutella on the skin like a warm glaze. It’s a pastry opening that invites a bite. Soon it settles into the heart, where cocoa blends with a shot of Baileys and a nut frosting bathed in caramel. Everything melts into layers of toasted nuts, vanilla, and baked dough. At first, I admitted I didn’t feel like it was ‘me,’ as that dessert vibe usually turns me off, but the perfume takes an unexpected turn: the pastry steps back, and soft woods and a vanilla amber add mystery. In its dry-down, the sweetness is nuanced, becoming drier and less creamy, moving from dessert to perfume. It evokes a lady with a firm stride and fitted gloves walking into a fine patisserie to ensure the best cakes don’t escape. That, not an anxious little girl, is what makes it interesting.

For me, it’s a Black Phantom unisex: the opening smells quite feminine, but the dry-down is brutal. Longevity and projection are average.

I was shocked. I was excited after reading so many reviews and fell in love at first sight, but upon arrival, it was a total failure for me. It smells like a Tootsie Roll at first, then mixes with that synthetic and burnt scent from Pink Sugar. Plus, it lasts very little and has no projection. Not for me.

After being disappointed by Angel Muse, which smelled like Nutella on my skin, and reading conflicting reviews about Chocolate Queen, I decided to risk it and buy it blind with the Miel Extase deal. What a win! Chocolate Queen is everything I dreamed of: dark chocolate at the start, then dulce de leche, caramel, Baileys, vanilla, and creaminess. It’s an insane gourmand without being childish or cloying. For me, it’s not excessively spicy; the spicy note is just a delicate counterpoint. While it’s for sweet lovers, it can be unisex, leaning feminine. Abstain if you don’t like gourmands. It has high sillage and lasts over 12 hours; it’s one of my favorite chocolate scents. So far, my two Navitus perfumes have been unbeatable. Wish they had better distribution in Europe to avoid customs fees. In summary: congrats Gabby. Scent 8.5/10, Longevity 10/10, Sillage 8/10, Value 8/10, Versatility 6.5/10, Packaging 8.5/10. Would I buy again? Yes.

As a fan of Gabby Loves Perfumes and the gourmand genre, I had to grab this Chocolate Queen she made with Navitus. I bought it after trying the Dolce Passione by Pantheon Roma, and while they are very similar, this one has much more potency and projection, so I love the scent. Note: for my novice nose, I don’t smell the edible chocolate like when you eat it; for me, it’s a sweet, dark, creamy blend. What I feel most are the notes of Baileys, praline, and spices, I think cinnamon, even if it’s not listed. Everything is exquisite so far. I’ve read that letting it macerate (a new concept for me) improves it greatly, so I’ll wait a few months and edit the review to see if I notice changes. For now, I’m thrilled with the purchase.