lunaticana Report post Posted April 2, 2015 With a touch of cinnamon, tobacco, and oudh. I have tested this from a friend that bought it The moment I spritzed this in my hair it really smelled DELICIOUS!But ...... it was all gone in a flash Very strong vanilla but on me NO THROW (at all)So, not worth the money, too badbut offcorse I did buy another HG Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LiberAmoris Report post Posted April 6, 2015 Ok, I've tried Black Vanilla and Cardamom a few times now, and feel qualified to join the fray in this review topic. When I first sniffed it, I thought I smelled a bit of the black tea note that I love...there's definitely a resemblance, but I think it must be the cardamom. I get primarily black vanilla, tobacco, and oudh, with the cinnamon and cardamom in the background. It's definitely a dark vanilla, like a caramelized vanilla. Even though it smells different than I'd imagined, I like it and it's growing on me with each usage. Today when I applied it, I got a lot of oudh and vanilla, and was kind of in love. So, YMMV, but I rather like this one. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
milo Report post Posted April 7, 2015 (edited) This is amazing! I'm getting the dark vanilla, tobacco, and cardamon, all perfectly balanced. As with other glosses this year, it fades almost immediately. No upgraded because of this, but it truly is an amazing scent, and wish it could be made into a perfume. I'm not sure what it is with the glosses lately.... On second try, I'm not getting this wonderful fragrance. Maybe I should have shook it a bit. In fact, as I was doing my makeup, I wondered where the moose pee smell was coming from. It has a very distinct musky odor, and you can smell it in the woods around this country. Yeah, my head smells like moose pee. Not strong, thankfully, I will be shaking the next time. Edited April 18, 2015 by milo Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Erinofhere Report post Posted April 10, 2015 This is just beautiful (but fleeting). Heavy dark raw vanilla backed up with sultry tobacco and heavy on the Oude. The cardamom/cinnamon note is there but adds just a bit more sweetness to the blend. This is just so sexy! But then...poof...it's gone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ziggystardust13 Report post Posted April 18, 2015 (edited) This stuff is GOOD. To me, it smells exactly as described. I use a black vanilla shampoo, so it layers so well with that too! I get a strong whiff of the black vanilla, which to me has always smelled like a grown up, sophisticated vanilla. Followed by the cardamom and a cinnamon note. mmmm spicy vanilla! I'm not exactly what sure what oud smells like, but I do picky up on a faint woody scent. Overall, I find this to be very rich, warm, and intoxicating. Edited to add: The bottle art is beautiful, so I keep this baby on display in my bathroom! Edited April 18, 2015 by ziggystardust13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
thekittenkat Report post Posted June 20, 2015 A cold sniff of the decant gave me a blast of the last three notes. Once on my hair, at first all I can smell is the black vanilla (may I have an SN of this, please and thanks!), but then the cardamon (a fave scent/spice), the oudh, and the tobacco make their presence known, but in a subtle fashion, adding a depth and richness to the vanilla. I really like this, and can see it as a lovely HG for the autumn. ) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LizziesLuck Report post Posted January 5, 2016 This is lovely. It's not what I expected at all - I had actually completed failed to read the notes and thought this was going to be straight up Black Vanilla and Cardamom. Oops! It was a strange coincidence that had me wearing Loved To Death earlier today, and so when I tested this I knew immediately exactly what it reminded me of - Loved to Death! I think I also solved a mystery for myself. Loved to Death always smells of creamy vanilla and anise to me. So does this. Both have blackened vanilla. So now I am thinking that blackened vanilla reads as anise on me (or to my nose). It all makes sense. (they also both contain cinnamon, so it's also possible that black vanilla + cinnamon = anise to my brain). The cardamom in this is subtle but persistent. The tobacco and oudh combine in a way that reminds me of Antikythera Mechanism, but they aren't dominant to me. It's mostly creamy vanilla and anise, and I love it. I will be pairing this with Loved to Death on a regular basis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lizabelle Report post Posted March 4, 2017 This seems to be a love it or hate it kind of scent, because it's not as obvious as the notes might suggest. Luckily, I love it, despite its oddities. Note that for this review I've sprizted some on my wrist as it's rather subtle on hair; that might influence how it develops somewhat. The opening is surprisingly root beer-y, and I'm not quite sure what's doing it. Perhaps the vanilla? When I get in very close there's a clear vanilla syrup aspect that borders on burnt sugar and vanilla orchids (and can that be the next LE, please??). The spices are much subtler, and smell like they've been toasted. They're mellower than in most of BPAL's spice blends. There's a definite smokiness going on but I don't get oudh outright--and I normally amp woods of all kinds. Overall it's dark and sweet, with just a touch of smoke and spice. This will probably go with 2/3 of my collection, or more (I have just a bit of a bias toward this type of scent)! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Minh Scent Report post Posted March 5, 2017 I love this scent! It is a rich lush non-foody vanilla to my nose with wood and a kiss of cardamon. I get no cinnamon and must strain to smell the tobacco. I might just be imaging the tobacco!!! It was a good thing I didnt read the whole description or I might have has a hissy fit over its absence!!! As it is, this is a top 5 HG and I am delighted I finally found a bottle for sale on FB. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
