Seduction in Black

The last time I reviewed a fragrance on Fragrantica was probably around 2015 or 2016. I had to make sure I recovered my login credentials just so I could post my thoughts on what I think is the best $14 I spent on a 100ml bottle of fragrance ever (outstripping the vintage Nautica Voyage). I've had this on my eBay cart forever and I have always come across positive reviews of this fragrance even though it received zero coverage in YouTube channels. Finally pulled the trigger and when upon first spray, it came out completely different to what I was expecting... Seeing how almost everyone has likened this to Armani Code and even La Nuit, immediately I knew that all these reviewers are wrong. The astringent first 30 seconds of synthetic citrus/plum/berry is taken over by warm cardamom and nutmeg notes and the projection is amplified into what turns into a rounded 'suede' note that is unquestionably reminiscent of and 90% identical to the now-rare gem Midnight in Paris by Van Cleef and Arpels...and just like Midnight in Paris, Seduction in Black stays linear through most of its lifespan of 4-5 hours on skin and 8+ hours on clothes. It surrounds you with the warm cashmere-y suede and cardamom note that projects extremely well from clothes and with enough gusto to earn compliments from 10 feet away. It's a dry scent but it's a happy scent. Definitely does justice to it's namesake 'Seduction'. It invokes warmth, intimacy, and maturity. Confident, classy and yet understated. The woody organic suede notes are not for everyone, but its creamy undertones of musk may help you graduate from the highschool of perfumery into college. Most will shy away from this, but the rest will know what I mean when I say this is one of the best memory-weaving scents out there even for bottles costing 10 times as much. This is not a holiday scent, but it calls for a fireplace, flannel, hot cocoa or even a black-tie dinner date - its linear lifespan isn't constrained to just one setting. Any place that calls for intimacy is the right setting for this fragrance. Towards the end of its life, you'd notice subtle sweet notes of tonka that is extremely well rounded with amber, cardamom is ever-present. Its synthetic opening a distant fading memory by now.. Definitely cooler weather scent, but I have a feeling its quality is subjective. The whiffs of this scent would catch you off-guard with its goodness everytime. It is addictive. I could be writing about Midnight in Paris at this point and it would still be true for Seduction in Black. Antonio Banderas is one the rare celebrity fragrance houses that makes it worth every penny with most of its products and although I haven't tried all his offerings, this could very easily be the crowing jewel of the line. I never keep backup of cheapies...well because they are cheap and accessible. However, I won't think twice about ordering ahead for this bottle because if it were to ever be discontinued or changed, that leave my heart Black. As far as the cliche goes with cheapy goodies, YSL or D&G or Dior could be making this exact fragrance and people would be raving about it's quality. Scent - 9 Longevity - 6/8 (skin/clothes) Sillage - 7 Presentation - 8 Uniqueness - 7 (only MIP and Bvlgari black remotely identical) Value - 10 Repurchase rating - 10 I still have my 3 empty bottles of MIP stored away because I may never have the opportunity to buy another again. However, for the juice itself, I can happily say that I may easily replace it with Seduction in Black for chump change and be graced by the same wonder. If you spent anywhere between 14-18 dollars on a 100 ml, pat yourself on the back son, because this is a legal steal.

FRUITY SLIGHTLY CREAMY LIGHTLY POWDERY/MUSKY MILD INCENSE/SMOKEY SPICY LIGHT AQUATIC AB Seduction in Black is a really GREAT SMELLING frag (even though the quality might not be that great) with GOOD PERFORMANCE and DECENT PROJECTION: Starts off like alcohol, which dissipates into fruity (like berry fruity) then light vanillic creamyness (from the tonka) along with a mild watery note that gets more prominent as the fragrance dries which creates this slight fruity juicy watery/light aquatic scent with light musk and light wood, the musk and wood adds a light powdery/smokey incensy/slight spicy accord, all the notes blend well to create a subtle yet still alluring fragrance (hence the name seduction), none of the notes are overly loud (which is a good thing because of the frags syntheticness) however none of the notes smell cheap i think this allows them to make a great smelling composition, definitely a "mass appealing" fragrance; smells very similar to Ralph Lauren Polo Double Black, fruity fresh clean with slight darkness but without the coffee & spiciness of Double Black, i'd say it's more AB Seduction in Blue but built for cooler weather or night use. Projection/Sillage: DECENT; it's a light scent not a projection monster, but it's aromatic and definitely noticeable when initially sprayed for about 1-2 hours then remains an in-close fragrance. Performance/Longevity: GOOD; will last on avg about 5-7 hours (last 24 hrs on clothes).

Seduction in black is a solid fragrance and one of my favorites in my collection. First I’ll start with how it smells, fruity sweet slight citrus is what I get especially the black currant (one of my fav notes) and not to long after I get the cardamom with the amber and tonka bean to give it that vanilla vibe. Smooth and soft all around as well being woody with a lil spice still similar to blue seduction so it does have an aquatic feel still. Longevity is lacking lasting anywhere from 3-6 hrs (I get about 4-6 and becomes soft skin scent after the first 2-3 hrs). Layering could help but is weaker to many others you may pair it with. Arm’s length projection for the first hour & half then stays close to body. IMO anyone should wear what they want but I think this leans more masculine still. Most likely for 20-30+ as an evening, (date) night fragrance for the spring and summer time maybe early fall. $19 for 200ml on fragrancenet so you definitely can’t beat that and for sure over spray. Overall I’ll give 7/10 objectively , 8.2/10 personally .

hello guys, will tell you something funny, dont kill me, but this fragrance has a bit of Aventus in it on the opening, its def not a clone as it goes in different direction on dry down. but the bergamote and blackcurrant definitely reminds me of fruity Aventus, and also mont blanc explorer as well as benz select. on drydown it goes lil sweet bt the freshness stays like blue seduction, similar citrus used on the opening for both. people say its similar to Code by Armani but its more like a bit darker version of Suduction in blue really. rock this after the sun goes down. inexpensive gem.longevity is moderate but buy a 200ml, decant some of it and keep refreshing every 2/3 hours, people will love it on you so much. not offensive at all. i LOVE how nice blue and black seduction are, well done Antonio Banderas. 8/10

damn this thing is just gorgeous. Even better than blue seduction. I bought the small 50ml for 11 bucks but I should have gone for the big 100 or 200 ml bottle and soak myself in it because its hard to overspray and the longevity is just average. Very seductive as the name already suggests. Perfect for a summer evening but useable all year round except for winter. Also not generic, pretty unique with its sweet and strong black currant note. Maybe the slightest slightest hint of Aventus but only with some phantasy. Girls absolutely love it. PICK IT UP, trust me for that money you get something you won't regret. You will only regret buying the 50 ml like I did...