Best Perfumes for Women

Black Opium EDP by YSL

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In addition to the recent men’s cologne samples that I’ve gotten a hold of as of late, I also managed to pick up a lot of ladies fragrances, to give my review of. Today, is an entry from Yves Saint Laurent and is a name inherited from the classic perfume Opium, Black Opium eau de parfum.

As always, I want to give my thoughts on how the fragrance smells, performs, when it should be worn, and whether or not it is worth a purchase. Note: I have come back to edit and update this page, a few years after the initial review.

What Does Black Opium EDP Smell Like?

black opium perfume review

Notes include: coffee, vanilla, patchouli, pink pepper, orange blossom, cedar, pear, jasmine, bitter almond

Click here to try: Yves Saint Laurent Eau De Parfum Spray for Women, Black Opium, 3 Ounce

My Full Review

The opening of Black Opium is somewhat of a jumbled mess, in my opinion. For the first 10 minutes or so, it feels like a very synthetic blend of vanilla, flowers, and a hint of cedar.

However, despite this poor start, once it settled down Black Opium was quite a lovely experience. I get more of the pear sparkle coming through, once some of the other notes have taken their place in the composition.

This stuff is sweet, so if that’s not your bag, don’t bother with this one. The coffee note begins to emerge after the start and forms a lovely duo with the vanilla. I happen to really like coffee and vanilla (both in fragrance and in beverage form), so Black Opium appealed to my sensibilities.

One thing that I definitely detect in this perfume is the pink pepper note, which reminds me of the men’s cologne, Guess Seductive Homme. It was a part of that messy opening act, but gets more breathing room within the composition, later in the wear.

This Yves Saint Laurent perfume, isn’t all that complex to my nose. The final dry down here, is the vanilla and coffee, with a jasmine background. At the base sits: pink pepper, patchouli, and a bit of fresh cedar.

I was surprised that the patchouli note wasn’t stronger on my skin. Also, that almond note barely shows up for me. I think it’s more apparent on other people, but for me, not really getting much.

It’s warm and sweet, with a slightly powdery quality to it. It isn’t baby powder or anything, just gives off that sort of aroma.

While this is another fragrance that uses the ‘Black’ title and isn’t all that dark in its presentation, I’ll give it a pass, since it seems to be a dark roast coffee at least. Black Opium is such a warm scent, that sort of envelopes you as you wear it, and the light floral notes in the background give it an added layer of complexity.

Sillage, Longevity, Seasonality, Versatility

Projection wise, Black Opium is some pretty strong stuff. Honestly, a few sprays would do it. It also has good longevity, as I could detect it all day on my wrist.

I also sprayed it and a few other ladies’ perfumes onto a sweatshirt a few days ago, and the Black Opium is still the strongest, whilst others have faded completely.

At least with this original formulation, the reach of the perfume could be detected from 8+ feet out, at its height. This is one of the more powerful designer scents, in its early stages, to my nose.

For me, it easily goes 8 hours, and can hit double digits. I wouldn’t call it an absolute beast with the sillage, but the strength/performance overall, is very good and has a time where it is close to being great.

This is more of a fall and winter type of scent. I would avoid wearing Black Opium in the heat or high humidity, as it will fall apart, and feel pretty gross. It could absolutely be an everyday wear during the winter, but also double as a date night kind of fragrance.

In an office or classroom type of environment, go easy with the sprays, 1-2 should suffice. This isn’t a formal sort of perfume, so, you probably don’t need to worry about it for those occasions.

It is actually quite sexy, and as a man, I can say that I would want to be closer to a woman who was wearing Black Opium. This perfume has a really cozy and enveloping scent, with its sweet gourmand aroma, being pretty appealing. It’s not something that drives me wild or anything, but I can say, it is enjoyable.

Overall Impression

Overall is it worth a buy? Maybe. While not the greatest thing I’ve ever smelled, Black Opium is still a very solid fragrance, that does smell very good. It’s not for everybody, especially not those who don’t enjoy sweet gourmand perfumes.

Plus, it is limited to the colder months of the year, and not for those living in certain warm climates.

I’ve tried a lot of the flanker fragrances that have been released since this original came out and this is still among my favorites of the line. See: Neon, Intense, Nuit Blanche

The coffee and vanilla dry down is where this one shines. Nice floral contributions from the jasmine and orange blossom. This is when Black Opium really achieves a balance in its composition and is at its most attractive.

Again, the performance is good and the price isn’t too bad. It’s a solid choice, I’d just caution those who want to avoid the super sweet stuff, because this can be that kind of perfume for much of the wear.

However, as a popular mass market option, Black Opium will do the trick and could be a signature scent for some ladies.

Pacific Chill by Louis Vuitton

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Pacific Chill is a new perfume release from Louis Vuitton for 2023. I bought a sample of this scent, as soon as I saw one available, because I really wanted to try it out. I’ve like a lot of the brand’s summertime fragrances and hoped that this one is a hit too. How does it smell? Does Pacific Chill last long? Is it worth a try?

What does Pacific Chill Smell Like?

Notes include: blackcurrant, lemon, orange, ambrette, cedar, coriander, basil, carrot seeds, peppermint

My Full Review

Here’s how Louis Vuitton describes it: Evoking the regenerative vigor of the infinite ocean, Pacific Chill translates the pleasure of the warmth of a new day on the skin. An audacious olfactory creation by Master Perfumer Jacques Cavallier Belletrud, this detox-oriented cologne captures nature’s vitality which revives the senses and opens the mind.

Pacific Chill opens up cold, sharp, and very fresh. The citrus notes lead the way, but I get a lot of greener notes involved early on, on my skin. The peppermint, coriander, and basil right away give this fragrance a lot of flavor and makes the opening act quite interesting.

To me, the peppermint is the strongest of the latter three notes and the other two just sort of play background support. That will shift and the basil, will come out more in replacement of that mint note.

Blackcurrant only adds to the sweet-tart kind of vibe that Chill puts out.

After a short while, the mint and blackcurrant notes back off. Pacific chill will be a citrus and basil based fragrance. The orange and citron are distinct on my skin and there is that apricot-like effect coming in, as well. Louis Vuitton doesn’t officially list that as a note, on the page that I saw but something similar is present at least.

Still kind of cool and icy drink vibes. Kind of spicy fresh still, with a greater musk cleanliness than in that initial spray.

Early, this has a refreshing drink feel to it. Later, Pacific Chill is more of a clean shampoo sort of scent. The fruit notes kind of combine into a amalgamated citrus and apricot smell, with the carrot seeds and ambrette giving it a muskiness.

Peppermint and basil are basically non-factors by this point. Fruity clean with a bit of sweetness, but more of a tartness, however.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Pacific Chill opens like an absolute bomb, on my skin. Seriously, this one envelops me in a cloud of iced fragrance for about an hour. Then, it kind of goes into a lighter moderate mode.

It’s certainly got a steep drop off from what it starts off like versus how it finishes, but I was surprised I even got that much of a loud projection. Should give you a nice scent trail.

Even in that lighter state, Chill doesn’t fade away, and carries on. I get about 7.5 hours of wear. With more sprays from a full bottle, I wouldn’t be shocked to hit 9, but 7.5 is about what I expect.

Seasonally, this is spring and summer all the way. Very much a warm weather fragrance, fruity citrus greenery.

Pacific Chill is unisex, but I’d say leans more feminine. Doesn’t entirely stray into the zone, but the fruity shampoo aspects of it certainly push it that way. It also feels a lot more youthful than the other LV summer fragrances. Not a super mature fragrance, kind of like a refined teenager’s perfume.

This one is more for daytime casual wear, anyway. Not going to be something for the nightlife or even formal wear during the summer. So, even if it is somewhat immature, it should be too much of an issue.

Overall Impressions of Pacific Chill

Overall, do I like Pacific Chill? I certainly liked the opening act. When I first sprayed this perfume, it really grabbed my attention. Not that it was a complete love for me, but it was very unique and interesting.

But, even with that being the case. That sharpness can be bothersome at times and not always what I want to smell. Though, the way it comes across as a cold and refreshing drink is really great.

The back half of this fragrance? It’s fine. It has too much of that fruity shampoo aroma for my liking. On the whole, while this is a unisex scent, it does seem to skew towards being something a younger woman would wear.

Personally, I think Vuitton scents like: Afternoon Swim, Cactus Garden, and City of Stars are better overall than Pacific Chill.

For the current $300 price tag, I think it’s too much of a stretch for most people. I don’t think that Pacific Chill is going to be a Louis Vuitton fragrance that is universally beloved. For some folks, sure. I think that it’s worth trying to see if you fall into that camp or not.

That being said, it won’t be a must-have for most people.

The One EDT for Women by Dolce & Gabbana

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For today’s review, we have the eau de toilette version of The One for Women by Dolce & Gabbana. This obviously is a newer take on the EDP release, that has been a popular ladies scent for years now. As usual, I’m going to cover: how it smells, what’s inside, how it performs, when it should be worn, and if it is even worth a purchase.

What does The One EDT for Women Smell Like?

Notes include: lily, vanilla, bergamot, mandarin orange, lychee, peach, ylang ylang, orange blossom, vetiver, and musk

Click here to try: The One EDT for Women

My Full Review

Before we get started into my thoughts on this perfume, let’s see what D&G has to say about it in their description:

The One eau de toilette is an enchanting, sensual, and feminine scent, with a new twist of freshness that magnifies the key note of Madonna lily. Oriental Floral. 

The opening of the EDT version of The One is very sweet with the vanilla note leading the way and smooth floral notes such as the orange blossom and lily. While there are multiple citrus ingredients listed, what I mostly get is peach coming through, and the bergamot/orange is a much weaker aroma.

Though, with orange blossom as well, you do get some bursts of citrus during the wear. To me, that is a good thing, as I really do enjoy the smell of orange blossom.

You do get a lovely top from this fragrance, with some juicy fruit and sweetness, beyond just being another floral scent. Yes, floral notes do take over more as it wears on, but I like the peach and the light citrus touch from the start. Still, all of this is experienced within the embrace of the floral and woodsy notes.

The One EDT is quite a rich and warm perfume. Lily, vanilla, amber, and musk create an enveloping cloud of sweet white florals. Moving forward, I also detect a very lovely ylang-ylang note which adds another dimension to the floral composition.

It becomes quite creamy and a sweet floral during the latter stages. The lily does indeed begin to fully dominate the fragrance, but I still get enough vanilla and amber, for this scent to keep its appeal.

Ultimately, it is a lily, vanilla, and amber scent with a bouquet of floral notes surrounding that trio. Also, a peach note, which still has a good deal of strength during the later periods of its cycle.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, this can start out with some pretty heavy sillage, but later on it becomes much more moderate. Now, it can be overdone with too many sprays, but a normal application should have no problems.

That opening strength might last from 30-60 minutes, depending on the day. But, even after that the strength is fine and The One is quite usable.

The longevity is fairly good as well, The One EDT lasted around 7 hours on my skin. Not the best of the best, but good enough for most purposes. It’s actually much better than the men’s EDT version, so, I won’t complain too much.

Seasonally, this Dolce scent feels like it’d be best in cold weather, but fine in anything but the hottest days of the year. Even though this is a fruitier scent, the other notes have enough body and thickness to make it less than ideal for the summer.

It is a versatile fragrance that can be worn everyday at the office, class, but is attractive enough to pull double duty on a date or a night out.

I certainly found it quite pretty and appealing, with a certain amount of sexiness to it. But, it doesn’t stray too far into the seductive nightlife wear. Mostly, just an attractive and versatile scent.

Honestly, it kind of fits for any age range. The sweetness that it does have doesn’t put it into ‘teenager only’ perfume category. Though, they could certainly wear The One as well.

Overall Impressions of The One EDT

Overall, is The One eau de toilette worth a try? I’d say, yes. It is a very attractive scent but it is also a very sweet scent. You’re going to have to enjoy lily, peach, and an enveloping warm sweetness.

Honestly, the perfume can be a bit much at times, but as a white floral fragrance it works well in totality. Still, I think that it is an improvement upon the EDP version, in a lot of ways. I got a good performance from it and it does have quite a lot of beauty within that sweetness.

It’s not an amazing fragrance. The peach and the citrus up top are a highlight for me, even if things can feel crowded at times, with all of the notes jockeying for position.

Again, if peach gets on your nerves, this is probably one to avoid. Otherwise, it is a very nice D&G release, which does almost everything well. It’s been around forever, at this point, and so no new ground is being broken with this one.

Vert des Bois by Tom Ford

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Getting back into the Tom Ford fragrance reviews, today, we have another one from the Private Blend collection: Vert des Bois. This is one of the offerings from the ‘Vert’ series, on fragrances which really focus on the green notes. How does this one stack up? What does Vert des Bois smell like? How long does it last? Is it worth a try?

What does Vert des Bois Smell Like?

Notes include: plum, olive leaf, poplar, anise, jasmine, mastic, and patchouli

Click here to try: TOM FORD VERT DES BOIS EAU DE PARFUM SPRAY 1.7 oz / 50 ML

My Full Review

The opening of Vert des Bois is very green, as you’d expect from the name. Poplar buds and olive leaf are joined by a distinct anise note and a healthy dose of patchouli. At the heart is a solid wood structure, but at the start, there is a sweet plum note, and a bit of the oily olive smell.

I know, it sounds weird and shouldn’t work, but it actually does. It’s listed as a part of an ouzo accord, which while I am familiar with the name, I’ve never actually had. So, I can’t really speak to its aroma.

The plum note isn’t around for too long and isn’t all that strong while it is. I thought it might play a stronger role, when I saw the ingredients list, but nope.

Vert des Bois is quite a natural smelling fragrance, and about 20 minutes into the wear, I get the emergence of a jasmine note, which takes away some of the initial spiciness of the anise. At this point, it is a smooth wood and floral combination, with that olive leaf and the patchouli.

There’s also a really great smoky note that is sitting gently in the background of this perfume, which adds another level to the rich Greek nature theme.

From there on, this Private Blend scent, stays roughly on the same path. The jasmine weakens and it becomes more wood dominant, with the poplar really taking hold. It is flanked by olive and patchouli, among some other woodsy aromas.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

Projection wise, the sillage on Vert des Bois, isn’t terribly strong. It strikes me as more of a moderate, but it is noticeable, and consistent throughout the wear.

That initial 30-45 minutes does create a nice enough scent trail. It’ll probably reach in the 5-8 foot range, at its peak, before retreating closer.

The longevity is really good. I got somewhere in the 8-10 hour range of wear, I kind of lost track, but it was going strong well into the evening. I wouldn’t doubt the ability to routinely get double digit hours. You do get your money’s worth in terms of the performance.

So, Vert des Bois, is very green but it doesn’t seem like it falls strictly into the spring or winter months for wear. I had it on during a warm spring day and it worked fine, without issue.

It is also definitely a unisex fragrance for most of the time, pretty much square in the middle of the spectrum, not overly manly or feminine. Then, it does dry down quite woody, and masculine. Another well blended Tom Ford scent.

Overall Impressions of Vert des Bois

Overall, do I like Vert des Bois? I do. Though, it is much more of a niche scent, than many others that I review here. It is a really unique fragrance, that captures a natural Mediterranean woods concept very well, but I’m not sure who it is for specifically.

Someone will have to be in the market specifically for what this offers, because while it does what its designed to very well, it’s not a mass appeal sort of scent. If you like green, woody, with notes you’d associate with Greece, Vert des Bois is a great choice.

The performance is great. I enjoy the mix of unique notes, which often don’t get used or at least not paired together. It’s for sure one of the more unique mainstream designer offerings.

The olive tree wood, the great anise, mastic, and even a little plum. It does become more of a traditional jasmine and woods aroma, as it dries down. But, it’s still uniquely attractive, fresh, and with a smoky background.

Not one for the masses, but a cool option to wear from Tom Ford.

Nirvana Black by Elizabeth and James

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Nirvana Black was one of the Elizabeth and James fragrance releases back in 2013. It’s been a while since I’ve had this one around, never wrote a full review of it, and decided that I should get a sample to do so. How does this Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen scent perform? How long does it last? Is it worth a buy?

What does Nirvana Black Smell Like?

Notes include: violet, sandalwood, and vanilla

Click here to try: Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black Edp Spray Womens Perfume Nib, 1.0 Ounce 

My Full Review

Let’s see how this one is described: Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black is an addictive blend of alluring violet, sensual sandalwood, and rich vanilla that strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine.

Nirvana Black opens up with a sweet blend of vanilla and violet. The violet note here is less of a dirty/earthy aroma and more toward the powdery side of the equation. These two come together with an air of smokiness surrounding them.

The early stages are where the violet is going to come through the most. It’s honestly not one of my favorite floral notes, but I really like it within this composition. It comes across as dark and a bit candied when paired with the vanilla.

As it moves along, Nirvana Black starts to get woodier with the sandalwood coming into its own. Very fresh, with a smokiness. I’m pretty sure the vanilla here is the Bourbon vanilla, found in the other Elizabeth and James fragrance, as it does add to that quality.

The final dry down is a powdery and slightly creamy aroma, as all of the notes have fully developed. Others seem to get more of a musky finish with Nirvana Black. On my skin, that doesn’t really come across. Sure, some is present, just most of it is our three main ingredients.

Nirvana Black isn’t highly complicated, which isn’t a bad thing, as this one delivers a great experience.

Sillage, Longevity, and Versatility

The sillage with Black isn’t huge, pretty standard issue and middle of the road for me. It hangs around nicely and it can project itself somewhat, but it’s not a monster.

Initially, it actually projects pretty far and casts a decent radius around the wearer. After an hour, it’ll be more in that 3-5 foot range, getting closer during the duration.

On my skin, I can get about 6-7 hours of wear from Black. It’s solid, though, it doesn’t deliver a marathon performance. Maybe an extra half hour or so, if you spray a bit more. I can’t imagine that it would go much further than that.

Seasonally, autumn and winter all the way. This one thrives in the colder weather and I wouldn’t want to wear it in the heat at all. It sits perfectly in the air, when it is crisp and cold outside.

This is a unisex fragrance and doesn’t lean particularly feminine to me, versus some of the other E&J perfumes. Really can fit anyone’s style. That being said, I would prefer to wear this one out at night or casually versus having it be a daily office wear or something along those lines.

Overall Impressions of Nirvana Black

Do I like this fragrance? Yes, the whole Nirvana series is pretty underrated in my book. This one is simple, but great.

The performance isn’t insanely good, but it also isn’t bad. I had seen some people say things to the contrary. For me, the ability for Black to project was enough and felt really substantial at times.

But, the nuance of the aroma is a treat, especially only utilizing these three notes. I’m not even a violet fan in most cases, this one just works well. Not a violet leaf or too synthetically harsh. A good powdery representation.

It is kind of limited to cooler temperatures, but it sells at a very affordable price point, so you should still be able to get plenty of use out of it. Smoky, powdery, smooth, and somewhat sweet.

If the notes sound appealing to you at all, I would recommend giving it a try. This was one of the best of the Nirvana releases for sure.