Crystal Noir by Versace

I had this on my mind because of social media, but trying it in-store was a total fiasco. I didn’t detect any ginger, cardamom, peony, or coconut. Everything went wrong; it doesn’t match that dark image they promote at all. I won’t buy it again.

Another classic from my mother’s 40s and 50s. I wore it at 16 to go out. It smells exactly like the Pachá Clandestine my ex gave me. My mother and I both love it. It has amber, which is my nightmare, but with coconut, it creates a harmonious blend: the coconut softens the amber while the amber highlights the creaminess. The trail I hate the most and the one I love most for heat creates magic. It’s a show. It reminds me of the Aliens. It’s spicy, creamy, and mysterious, ideal for winter here in the Mediterranean. Relaxing, not invasive, but people take notice. It works well for formal events. I wouldn’t call it coquettish, but it’s perfect for a romantic date. I wore it today and feel super comfortable and connected. I’m looking for something like this from a new generation, since both of us like it and it gets me inspired. Since it’s Versace, I think it’s made for a coastal, relaxed lifestyle, because with the humidity, the trail activates to 100%. I’ve worn Versace or Moschino in Berlin, which is super dry and continental, and it didn’t last half as long, plus it smelled like vomit, so be careful with that 🧐

I found it on Pinterest with the ‘dark vibe’ label, and it projects zero of that. Based on the notes, I thought I’d like it, but I didn’t. I didn’t detect any ginger or coconut at all. I didn’t add it to my collection.

I wanted something for a spring wedding. After reading reviews, they said it was for any occasion, though most label it as a ‘clubber’ or ‘seductive’ scent. When I tried it on my skin, the spicy opening notes and the creaminess that appeared afterward appealed to me so much that I bought it almost blindly. I wore it during the day in winter, and my friends said it smelled like an elegant woman, which is exactly what I was looking for as a signature scent in the cold. I also wore it one winter night and it was a hit. It’s really for any occasion. You don’t always have to follow stereotypes; you have to give it your own meaning, even though many fragrances are miscategorized. Regarding the coconut, the notes on Fragantica are wrong; there is no coconut. If you’re looking for dark coconut, this isn’t for you. It’s spicy and creamy, it grabs attention, and if you greet someone, they’ll smell it. It goes perfectly if you don’t mind being noticed. Sometimes it seems unisex, but once you wear it, you get used to it and start appreciating it. I’d like to try the EDT; I tried the Parfum and it’s super sweet; I’d love to have all three to use depending on the weather. For now, I can’t let go of my favorite for warm climates, so I’ll keep looking.

One of those perfumes that doesn’t get confused with any other, with an overwhelming personality for a designer brand. Its presence is noticeable, and you have to know how to wear it so it doesn’t steal you away, as they say. I tried it for the first time at a duty-free shop while traveling: one spray on my wrist that grazed my jacket. I went back and forth on the trip, and several more days smelling like Crystal Noir, without using any of the ones I had packed in my suitcase (I swear it’s not an exaggeration). Its almost solid ‘lactonicity’ (it’s like a coconut cheese, more than milk) lived on my nose for weeks. I eventually got tired and cloyed, but my god, what a great perfume. What a beautiful, mysterious, and even fun play of notes. If Morticia Addams decided to go on a cruise to tropical islands, this would be her fragrance.

I call it the ‘man-catcher,’ haha. It’s super sensual and striking, a dark femininity, almost unisex. I always get compliments when I wear it. Heads up: men love perfumes with a masculine vibe on women—woody, fresh, bordering on unisex—because they smell like themselves and their brains relax. This one fits the description perfectly ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°).

First half hour: what a weird perfume. It smells like defeated acrylic to me, the kind I had in my childhood art studio (probably flooded with it). Obviously, super spicy, I’d say masculine. After half an hour: coconut appears! And ups, it’s gone again, the loud spices return. It doesn’t balance well for me.

I have the misfortune of having an underprivileged pH (many will understand: I’ve spent a fortune searching for a night perfume, tried all the hype, and didn’t receive a single compliment; I’ve drenched myself in perfume and barely made others notice it, and you know how frustrating that is). After trying every technique to make it last longer, I was about to give up and accept that I’d never be the woman whose fragrance lingers as she walks through a door, but this perfume CHANGED MY LIFE. Years ago, I stumbled upon it in a perfumery, loved it, took a sample, and saved it in a notebook. I forgot about it, but every time I opened that drawer, a trace of that little perfume would invade my senses… so delicious. One or two months later, when I opened the notebook, the sample was still there, still noticeable, though not as fresh, but you could still feel its bite, its creaminess… for months. I loved it. So I saved up and occasionally smelled the paper strip until I could finally treat myself to it for my birthday last year. Love, love, LOVE. I can’t explain how powerful I feel. It has that spicy opening that tickles the nose and lodges in the brain, then slowly unfolds into floral and creamy notes that last forever (obviously, coconut is the star, but it’s not Hawaiian Tropic coconut that takes you to summer; it’s a sexy, mysterious coconut that makes you want to press your nose against the bottle). Its presence in its trail (whether you like it or not, everyone notices; I’ve been stopped at clubs to ask about it) and its longevity. It’s the only one that stays on my clothes, my bed, my seatbelt, for days. Now, I’m the one recognized by my scent when I arrive. 10/10 for me.

My feeling was weird because I don’t like coconut. When I tested it and smelled it after 5 seconds, it was a ‘no thanks,’ I’m not taking it. After 5 minutes, I smelled my arm again, my mind flew, and I fell in love. It reminded me of the old YSL Babydoll from the 90s, almost 2000. Its stuck-in-the-throat, bitter base made me fall in love with this perfume. Excellent longevity.

Pf, this is a MAN perfume. Without a doubt, one of my favorites, one of the best I’ve ever felt. Elegant, dark, mysterious, sensual, imposing, and majestic. It’s not for everyone; I don’t recommend buying blindly. It’s for someone who wants to stand out. In fact, it’s quite unisex. I think a man with personality could wear this fragrance very well. It’s for use on cold nights and don’t over-spray. For those who dare, maybe they can use it one summer night. I’ve done it and it worked well. This perfume made me step out of my comfort zone; I never thought I’d fall so in love with a spicy scent. It’s like a mix of spices with a shy coconut peeking out wanting to participate. Longevity, trail, and projection are excellent. You won’t go unnoticed. I used it at night and the next day I could still smell it close to the skin. Something interesting I noticed, and that I read in other comments, is that after a few hours, it smells like ‘moisture’ or wet old wood to me. And I can say yes, it gives me the same sensation, but for some strange reason, I love that dry-down scent.

Too spicy and lacking charm. It feels like walking into a pantry or kitchen closet to clean… It sounds more masculine than feminine. It went viral, but it’s not worth it. A resounding NO.

The best perfume in the world.

A creamy, soapy yet elegant, sophisticated, and complex coconut (spiced with a floral touch). Ideal for someone over 30 with confidence.

I love it. Definitely not for everyone: strong scent with character, probably due to the spices. They recommend it for night, but honestly I wore it during the day in cool weather and it didn’t disappoint; I’ve been complimented.

I bought it looking for a winter scent; it smells delicious and lasts until the next day, but it doesn’t seem feminine to me, more unisex. I never wore it again, I think it’s for someone with a very strong personality.