Tom Ford – Black Orchid
Perfume: Black Orchid
House: Tom Ford
Source: Swap – TWolf
Size: 1.5 mL spray
Sephora Notes: Bergamot, Citrus, Mandarin, Black Gardenia, Jasmine, Ylang-Ylang, Lotus Wood, Orchid, Spicy Floral Accord, Orchid (Tom Ford Black Accord), Patchouli, Sandalwood, Incense, Vanilla
Date: 5/19/08 Weather: 55 degrees, clear
Comments: Starts shockingly minty, then morphs to a cucumber/melon scent (not unlike Bath and Body Works cucumber/melon shower gel). Within 15 minutes, picks up a patchouli note which occasionally registers “litter box” in the sillage. This is not entirely unpleasant. 45 minutes in – a hint of chocolate, wood, patchouli and the minty note returns with a spicy floral underlay. This is a really complex scent. “Fresher” than I would have expected, if that makes any sense. 60 minutes later, settles into a spicy woody floral. 90 minutes: wood on the arm, vanilla on the chest. Slowly becomes more vanillic on the dry-down. Very faint after 5 hours.
Date: 6/28/08 Weather: 90 degrees, humid
Comments: Brief minty blast, then very melony. After 30 minutes, a hint of patchouli and a spicy floral note. In an hour, a very pretty incensed woody floral with a lashing of vanilla. Love the dry-down on this. Becomes more incense and vanilla as it progresses. 6 hours later, still very faint incense.
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I too, find it (Black Orchid) very complex. I’m wearing it right now, and I can’t figure out why I’m so attracted to the scent. This is not the type of fragrance that I would normally wear. It is a bit sharp when first applied but it settles on different notes very nicely as my moods fluctuate. As the color black is very mysterious and vague, so is this fragrance. But I like it!
I’m probably going to wear this scent again soon to see if my opinion changes and to compare it to the new sample of the lighter Black Orchid. I have a feeling this is turning into one of those benchmark “must smells” that an educated perfumista must try.
I think there is more than a hint of grapefruit in this own. Some people report a really bitter smell from this but that doesn’t happen with me
Cilian – Haven’t picked up grapefruit from this one yet. But I find this is a scent that is quite different each time I wear it. I’m due for another wearing…..