Black Onyx

I'm not getting Rive Gauche here. I'm getting something in that vein. Heavy spicy for sure,. I think it reminds me of 80's powerhouses that I have, but not exactly like any one of them particular. This is very manly smell, enough to be just a bit pungent. It's Bold with a capital B. I can see professionalism in this one. It certainly fits the situations I'd wear Rive Gauche in, that's for sure. It's too sophisticated to be genre'd as a pure barber shop fragrance. It doesn't smell like Brut, like Rive Gauche though. Sung homme, quorum, rive gauche mixture maybe. Very sophisticated spicy clean. It says power to me. Like, wear a black suit, red tie, and wear this as the power scent to accompany that. I wouldn't go so far as to take elegance away though. It's not brutish, but clean, but you can tell the guy who wears this is top dog. Definitely a work scent for a top tier businessman, lawyer, judge, type. It tells you, I smell good and care, but I'm not sweet or fresh, so don't get too comfortable. These scents do have a good place in my wardrobe. My dad worked for the Feds and always wore Old Spice. This has the same ambience. Not my favorite of the Niche line, but it's doing what a scent like this is supposed to very well. I'd make it a daily wearer for any or all of the jobs I previously mentioned for sure. It's not inviting or alluring, but it's dang confident.

Is ut good? Is it good!? It is real good! Manly and classy that's what it really are, my favourite from 'Niche' line armaf created. The only setbacks is, it's just too harsh and cloying on its first spray, so if you already stressed over something you'll gonna have that bad bad case of migraine hence it's a bad idea if you wear this for 'Pleasuring' yourself except if you're an Masochist in the first place... it's more to like a show off or pleasing someone fragrance kinda things. The Pros: -Cheap Cheap Cheap but smells Classy when it comes to the drydown -Lasting strong through the first 4 hours -Someone around 1~2 range may will said you smell so good! -Manly AF but not like some oldman or fukboy. The Cons: -Having a bad time because of headache -Rub it off with water? No can do, there's still a trailing scent! -I hope it doesn't that harsh -Smell kinda cheap before the drydown. 8/10 I'm a combination of both a sadist and masochist, so I like to overspray this frags reason!? It's just real real cheap bro there's no reason to not go overboard except if you're not that strong enough! Weak boys only sprayed it 3 or 4 times but not me not me!!!!!

I tried this one today and I find that the initial notes are a bit difficult for me, but as it dries down, it's a little better. I love cardamom, patch and cinnamon, but I get more oud and myrrh than I like. Not exactly what I expected, but I layered later with Armaf Club De Nuit Intense for women and that made a lovely perfume in my opinion. Follow up review: Got another sample of this one because I was very intrigued by it before and I got my hubby to try it. OMG, I love this stuff, on him and on me. Def not like all the sweet stuff that is so popular now. It's more spicy and sharp with an oriental leaning, but without any vanilla, etc. to tweak it toward the sweet side, which is such a nice change. Very unisex to me and a great change of direction. Mind you, I love Polo Green and Aramis Aramis so you may have to factor into my feelings about this one. It's not the same, just leans more toward those type of scents compared to today's perfumes. Anyway, definitely not a good blind buy, but totally worth exploring more that once if you are looking for something different :)

Black Onyx is an olfactory journey of the uncommon It is a bold and enigmatic fragrance that defies conventional profiles, delivering an extraordinary olfactory experience. It opens with a rich and smoky accord, immediately captivating with its mysterious intensity. Notes of deep amber, resinous woods, and smoky incense dominate, creating a layered and textured scent that feels both exotic and refined. The fragrance is unapologetically daring, evoking images of darkened halls and ancient rituals. Its progression is seamless, blending warmth with earthy sophistication. Unlike many mainstream offerings, Black Onyx’s unique structure avoids predictability, offering instead an evolving experience that keeps you engaged. Performance is excellent, with strong projection and remarkable longevity. This scent is best suited for evening wear or cooler weather, perfect for those who appreciate fragrances with character and depth. Black Onyx by Afnan is a standout for lovers of the uncommon. A true statement of individuality.

#1080 in my "Tour de Fragrance" This was a blind buy that I am very happy with. Woody, floral, oriental. If you like myrrh and oud, and I do, you'll go for this. Basically there are two fragrances out there almost identical to this: Aramis "Perfume Calligraphy" and Abdul Ahmad Al Qurahshi "Safari Homme". The Aramis goes for $140-340 on eBay, and the "Safari Homme" is significantly harder to find running. $175-300. This cost me $25. The aforementioned also have a saffron note. This doesn't, but I don't miss it. Frankly this is more than floral enough with the rose note. If it were any more floral I wouldn't wear it. Leans male, but I know many women who would not hesitate to wear this. This lasts all day on the skin and has strong sillage for hours. Definitely not for office wear. Not car pool, elevator or small office space safe. More for romantic use. If I'd opened this before my date yesterday, I'd definitely have worn this.

Black Onyx is a spicy fragrance with cardamom and cinnamon the two dominant notes. I do get a whiff of sweetness though. Maybe it's the myrrh or vanilla? Regardless, the notes are not too synthetic or screechy, but gentle and soft that creates a calming ambience around me. BO does possess a soapy texture hence the similarity to Rive Gauche Homme. BO reminds me of a certain Masala Chai (spiced milk tea) that I came across in the Middle East (Dubai, Doha, etc). I believe it was called Karak. The milk is put on the fire infused with tea and spices. The aroma is wonderful and warm. BO is a favourite of mine from the house of Armaf. My experience with a couple of other offerings is a very bad one. BO's performance is acceptable and could draw compliments. There aren't many better fragrances out there that go for £24 (including P+P on eBay). A regular starter for any occasion during autumn and spring. 7.5/10

Very strong, I get 12+ hours and at 12 it’s still noticeable in the air from just a couple sprays on my arm. I’m guessing on fabric this would never go away. It’s a dry spicy scent, I get mostly cardamom and myrrh (thats 75%) with a light woody non-funky oud and musk. I get very little patchouli and I’m normally very sensitive to that note, and little to no lemon or rose. This smells of quality unlike most other Armaf frags imho. I have a large collection, 600ish bottles with a ton of other middle eastern and Oud frags, and this doesn’t smell close to anything else in my collection so I don’t think this is redundant and would be a safe blind buy if you’re looking for something new/different. The bottle and velvet case/stand in comes with are very nice. The sprayer is great but not Dior quality. For $30 online this is an extraordinary buy. Cheers

To my nose the only thing somewhat similar is encre noir a la extreme but 20% max. To me this is a real barbershop from a 100 years ago. This smells like straight up stinging Nettle. It's also superior to but in the family of Ajmal Verde. This is bitter green nettle smell, it's somewhat fresh, tea like, NO SWEETNESS WHATSOEVER in this. This can grow on you if you like bitter green smells. I used to take showers with nettle shampoo. It's something like that but also dry and bitter. Masculinity 100% with this one but it doesn't jump at you like 80s frag. This wraps around you like a green anaconda and lingers. It's very unique. Something close would be ajmal verde, encre noir a la extreme and crushing nettle beneath your fingers. It's dryer then all of it.

عطر جميل قنبلة هيل مع بهارات جميلة العطر قوي جدا ما ان تتعود عليه حتى تعشقه غير مناسب للاجواء الحارة والدافئة ابدا احس بوجود الفيتفر في هذا العطر مع انه غير مدرج في المكونات رائحة جميلىة جدا الثبات عالي والفوحان عالي جدا الرائحة = 8/10 الثبات = 8/10 الفوحان = 9/10 -------------------------------------------------- Lovely perfume a cardamom bomb with a very nice spices The fragrance is powerful as soon you will get use to it you will fall in love with it Not suitable for hot and worm weather at all I sense some Vetyver in it although it is not listed in the notes A very beautiful smell, high longevity and very high projection Scent = 8/10 longevity = 8/10 projection = 9/10

What a powerhouse of a fragrance, I've been wearing it for 10 hours now, and it's still projecting like crazy. The myrrh and spices are very dominant with a touch of amber and the most lovely musk note, once you hit the mid,plus its smokey as hell. I didn't pay much for this,just £24 off Amazon, and I wasn't expecting this much quality. The box it comes in plus the round container,that the bottle sits in is very well done and looks expensive. This could end up being my favorite winter frag, if you like dark frags like encre noir,you are probably gonna love this stuff..9 outta 10..

I keep getting a vibe of Kalan when it drys down. I like it a lot, no smell of Argarwood at all which is good. very unpredictable flavour indeed! Its very masculine and really would not like to smell on a lady. Good sillage and longevity is a good 10hrs. Smells boozy slightly fruity to me Its a hit from me. I like Armaf and I just bought Black safron which is very dark spicy and warm cozy vibe, perfect winter frag

Really like this - different to anything else I own. As per a previous comment, this opens quite heavy on the cardamom- I don’t get any cinnamon or sweetness here, but dries down into a woody incense fragrance. Leans more masculine but could see this being unisex. 8 hours good performance on my skin and a good buy for the price. Packaging is rather smart too.

Absolutely love this! Gorgeous cardamom (I love cardamom so much), and the other spices, and the lovely rose! Oh I love it! It's fabulous. So rich and STRONG! I love strong perfumes! It's ideal for me. Oh and not to forget the oud, which is one of my favourite notes in perfume! Very beautiful and dynamic. Wonderful!

A real gem from Armaf. Opens with a blast of Cardamom. Like one guy bellow said, the dry down is similar to ysl m7. This is for 35+, mature and classy. 10/10

My wife gives this five stars,it go's on with a strange sent but at dry down becomes sweet and almost fruity smell that I really like. Get this one.

Different and unique. It's a like for me right now but may eventually turn into a love. We'll see... 7/10

I love this, very strong and long lasting.. A brilliant cheapy.

Update the dry down sent is warm spicy and woody not fruity.

When I first test-sprayed Black Onyx after unboxing, I thought it was just another bland, inevitable disappointment — pure barbershop, herbal mint with a soapy, shampoo-like undertone, darkened by a pitch-black ink drop. But the next day, after a full-body spray, exactly 30 minutes in, I started to really enjoy it. A cinnamon note emerges, blended with balsamic, smoky, and black-peppery myrrh, all laid over cardamom. This transition between the opening and the creamy green mid-phase feels like its best part — almost like having coffee and dessert in some exotic country. What begins as dismissively familiar suddenly becomes intriguingly foreign, a reassuring memory warped by unfamiliar spices. The further it develops, the more I appreciate the fading of that default barbershop accord. Each phase dissolves elegantly into the next. It takes on a lemony bitterness and becomes increasingly complex, eventually drying to an earthy patchouli with dry vetiver. The oud, at best, comes across as woody. If it weren't listed in the notes, I would never have guessed this was an oud fragrance. And while I could argue about whether oud is even present, one thing is certain — there's absolutely no rose here. Maybe some general floral nuance. As others have noted, it has a dated '80s fragrance vibe but with a fresh, modern twist. It doesn't feel Middle Eastern at all. I can't compare it directly to anything else — it seems to have elements of many things, yet ultimately, it doesn't resemble any of the hundreds of scents I've tested. It does, however, faintly remind me of a hotel — a bit like the cinematic atmosphere of dimly lit corridors in '80s movies. The biggest issue for me is the discreet projection, which only reaches a satisfying level after about 20 sprays, but unfortunately, for a short time. Maybe it will improve over time. Longevity is solid — above average. There's no way this is a fragrance for women; it's ultra-masculine, mature, elegant, and high-class. A sleeper aromatic fragrance that shouldn't be judged from the cap — because at first sniff, it simply smells like a classic barbershop fragrance. Its high complexity and evolving nature create dramatic shifts between phases. Once it settles, it's outstanding, but before that, it's at best average. Definitely one for the patient — it takes time to reach its phase of being unlike anything else, revealing its unique character. A locked-briefcase scent. Opening note: 5 Sillage/Projection: 4 Drydown: 8+ Longevity: 8 Blend/Composition: 8 Versatility: 5+ Uniqueness: 8+ Value for money: 7 Bottle design/Aesthetics: 6- Overall experience: 7+ Blind-buy rating: 4+

This was a blind buy and a 'like' that I suspect may turn into a 'love'. However, it's not all fun and games, this fragrance is a challenge and has that kinda stale smoke smell you get with something like Rasasi Tobacco blaze (not near as bad) It's a very very dry woody smell. The opening does have some spicy notes and hint of cinnamon but that is soon overwhelmed by the main accord or dirty woods. This gets warmer and softer and more appealing throughout. This is undoubtedly an oud fragrance, it's pretty glaring and soft but no slouch on projection or longevity sitting low but humming away. I was slightly thrown out of the 'Niche' vibe after opening the 'fancy' looking but ultimately cheap and tacky box when confronted with a bottle that when I removed the top half of it broke off and remained in situ. Ruining the 'Niche' illusion for me. Thankfully the fragrance itself stacked up and I'm not so bothered about such things. I can't wait to wear it properly as it keep me sniffing. Oh also I have really wanted to find an alternative to the discontinued Rive Gauche intense and for long periods I was wondering why this was even compared, but sure enough this does resemble it in the drydown somehow, but this is still a dirtier, stranger cousin. I liked it.

Black Onyx smells like fresh cardamoms in the start. Also, slight vegital and bitter on a whiff close to the skin. The diffusion of this scent is a very clean and green aroma. Reminds me of something that I can't put my finger on. I'll update this review soon after testing. For now this seems like a decent-good buy. Update: it reminds me of memoir man by Amouage. Maybe it's the vegital nuance at the top. On side by side comparison they were not identical, just a similar start. MM was stronger and less cleaner with a semi sharp tobacco note. The green cellary type nuance is strong in MM. One note that is not listed but i can smell in this fragrance is vetiver, a dark Encre Noire type vetiver, in the dry down, though not as dirty/earthy. Black Onyx is a good casual scent. Great for a relaxing time at home after an afternoon shower during a lazy weekend. Excellent for office as well. Longevity is very good. I get 10 to 12 hrs easy. Projection excellent in the first 3 to 4 hours ........ and it stays on cotton shirts forever! 8 outta 10 for me.

Well I have had this fragrance for several years now. When I first got it, I didn't like it at all.... Avoided it for years... tried to sell it... no luck. Decided to try it ONE MORE TIME. Well I don't hate it. I think I might actually really like it/loveit. LOTS of cardamom, myrrh, oud and patchouli. It has a minty vibe behind the opening that is very interesting. Pungent to start and that lasts for a few hours getting softer and softer.... By hour 3 it is a very nice gentleman's scent for cooler days and nights. NOT a safe blind buy... sample first. Enjoy!

Opens with a heavy yet fresh cardamom, becomes a powdery and noticeably waxy amber and rose-oud scent with lots of powdery patchouli, still has an air of freshness to it. Wearing this for a dinner party tonight, received compliments upon entering. This definitely leans more male, but a woman who enjoys this scent profile like I do will definitely like this, especially layered with something more balsamic/gourmand/oriental. Not a major projector but definitely leaves a mark, perfect for cool weather.

This is a highly masculine and unique fragrance. Not your typical sweet fragrance that the market is saturated with currently. It smells very spicy, almost like a soap, and I don't really get any sweetness from it. It evokes feelings of an old school powerhouse, while at the same time managing to not smell dated at all. Excellent performance. This isn't going to be everyone's cup of tea, but if you like these type of fragrances then it's very much worth checking out.

This is unusual and lovely. Black Onyx is a potent floral/soapy/woody perfume with a very good performance both in longevity and sillage. It seems really well blended. The dry down is the best part with the soapiness coming through more. The Rose note is nicely blended in and helps the dry down improve. This is a "proper" parfum strength. A great unisex perfume. *Update* There is an earthy note here that is gorgeous

This fragrance to my nose is heavy cardamom at the top, then turns spicy green and woody trail at the base. It is soothing and not offensive. Very nice well designed fragrance that stay more than 6hrs though not strong in silage. Does not evolve much and pretty linear. Its not very versatility and may not suite to all. It does well in hot and humid weather. Considering the price and quality it a good buy.

This was a blind buy that didn’t disappointed me at all. It is a spicy fragrance, at the opening you fell a sharp citrus with cardamom and cinnamon the two most dominant notes. A very pleasant smell with high longevity and projection. The bottle is great and the packaging is one of the best I have seen.

My frgrance notes: Top notes: Dried nettle plant Mid notes: Salt Base notes: Masculine soapy notes. The fragrance to me smells really like a masculine nettle shampoo with some salty coolwater notes... Not bad, but its also really not my style. Quite mature actually.

A bold, masculine, daring yet a subtle & smooth scent. Not for the faint of heart. A true masterpiece

I know II am going to get some furrowed brows and head shakes but, for me this is reminiscent of something Roja Dove might produce, not in terms of quality but in essence. It has that old classic chypre style that Roja seems to push for men. I get the impression of a classic that has been revived but (unfortunately) quite cheaply, Like a really bad CGI Dirk Bogarde doing a cameo in a Johnny Depp comedy caper. 7/10 - I am tempted to buy it

This isn't a perfume for anyone, on first spray i hated it. And then it reminded me of my grandpa. This is like a perfume for older people, im 25 and couldn't pull it off. If ur 50+ u could wear this perfume. Its quite herbally and fresh, pretty good date night scent for an older gentleman. But for the price this is an excellent fragrance. Will probably give it to my grandpa as a gift

I have had this frag for year or so and wear this regularly in Autumn / Winter. For me it starts with a sharp citrus peel and cardamon seed blend and then goes straight to sour woods. It is very strong and lasts for hours, all day in fact. As they dry down deepens the smell darkens patchouli smeared dry wood. It is great, I wear this scent for me and me alone.

Gorgeous packaging more suited to male taste, as is the smell. This is redolent of an 80s aftershave with a generic woody/lemony smell. I was expecting a powerhouse of spices but was disappointed in its linear profile. Not suited for women but would make a great gift for an uncle.

Nothing like Rive Gauche which is one of the manliest barbershop fragrances ever created. Black Onyx is the typical unisex fragrance which has no masculine or feminine qualities. It's just there and boring af.

Very strong synthetic smell, the drydown is a very strong bug spray smell. However, not any kind of bug spray. It's the classy one, used at a 5* hotel. But it still smells like bug spray to me. Hard pass.

It smells nothing like (YSL - Rive Gauche) not even 1% Doesn't smell La Nuit de l'Homme also Don't trust the reviews, had to offer it for sale.

I have no words to describe how awful this fragrance is! I'll never blind buy a cologne based on the reviews and ratings on Fragrantica again.

Test before purchase, I ended up selling my bottle on ebay after listening to a youtube review.

I blind buy it. when unboxed it i sprayed it on paper. i knew immediatly i cant wear it. very strong cardmom for hours and hours. may it will work with me if i layer it with other perfume.

Armaf has many gems but this one stands supreme! Cardamom, my favourite note, reigns throughout and releases majestically its spicy aspect from the start. After a while other notes join in, myrrh and rose peek through and cinammon, Oud is at the very back and blends rather than standing out on its own. After the lapse of many hours the spice calms down and the scent gets smoother the myrrh creamier but still strong and pungent, more on the masculine side ( or for a woman who is ballsy enough to go around smelling like a bloke on the pull...). If your personality and nose can take this heavy hitter then go for it.

I am a bit disapointed with Black Onyx. It's often compared to Rive Gauche. It smells nothing like RG to me, zero resemblance. I do like the scent of Black Onyx though so this wasn't a bad blind buy for me. Powerful spicy woody scent. There are some incense notes here and it has a cola-like vibe that I get from some other oud scents like Versace Oud Noir. Oud is listed as the wood note but it smells like a different wood note to me than oud. Performance is excellent. A good one to try if you're looking for a cool weather spicy woody scent but I would not recommend if you're looking for a Rive Gauche replacement.

On my skin it come off very very similiar to YSL's M7. though they are not the same, they have similiar vibes. very good performance too, 3 hours good projection and stays as a skin scent semi personal scent bubble for another 3 hours. for the money you pay this is pretty much quality. This was a blind buy unexpected beautiful surprise. from me it'll get Scent: 8/10 longevity: 7/10 sillage: 5/10 pretty liniar versatility: 4/10 +30years, vinter, non office scent price: 9/10 blind buy only if you're into orientals and want something diffrent than the main stream blue scents.

Got this today. At first it smelled like a generic barbershop smell to me but after a few hours of getting acquainted with it, it's really starting to smell beautiful. The cardamom is gorgeous and goes so well with the citrus. One of the notes had an almost liquorice/cola vibe, maybe the myrrh? I get no oud (thank goodness, as it's indistinguishable from petrol to my untrained nose). It does lean heavily masculine but I discovered today that is goes beautifully with Police Dark, which femmes it up nicely.

What a disappointment! I was so looking forward to this, what I expected to be a strong and spicy fragrance. Sadly, I've had more uumph from a Dove deodrant. Seriously, it has a small waft of freshness when first sprayed....then.....nothing.... Even on my shirt I get a whiff of what could be iron on starch, but nothing to be remotely memorable. I'm not against a light fragrance, although I prefer the heavy hitters, but this is just meh!! I'll try to use it up as room spray....if I can be bothered.

Wow, spray this and run out of the room. The smell is soooo strong its ridiculous in a good way off course. Still getting used to the smell it reminds me of Encre Noir to be honest. Not a massive fan of this compared to Club De Nuit - Armaf but getting there. Might have to do a 2nd review in time but men who are definitely into power house scents! This is one of them and the beauty of it, it's unique. You won't smell any Tom, Dick or Harry wearing this.

Back again . 2nd review. The first one wasn't a negative review I would say but it did not glorify these scent either. So only one thing I have to say. BUY! BUY! BUY! MY GOD, SPRAYING IT AGAIN AFTER TAKING SOME TIME OUT MADE ME APPRECIATE THIS SCENT MORE. THINK IT WAS A DAY I AS TESTING A TON OF FRAGRANCES. This is an Onyx indeed. No better way to describe! You are dripping in gold, diamonds and steel with this scent.

@Markot.juboja Man, I haven't pulled the trigger on this yet, but YOU gave an awesome discription! Plus Ive been looking for Ajmal Verde EVERYWHERE, but the only place I can find it is on ebay for close to $80! Not paying that much for a middle easter fragrance thats meant to be affordable. Not that all Middle Eastern fragrances are supposed to be affordable, but I know Verde is meant to be.

Really nice scent. It projects very well for about a good 4 hours but can still smell it on myself for over 10 hours. It is a very nice spicy scent which is great for cooler weather. I assure you, no one will smell like you unless they were lucky enough to discover this scent. 8.5 out of 10 for me.

I absolutely love Rive Gauche but, I can't get it to project on my skin for an hour even. This gives me the same vibe only spicier. Rive Gauche has an ozonic freshness that this one captures, only this one is even manlier in my opinion. This is becoming my signature scent.

Tested it today, it indeed smells like a perfume from 80's or even earlier. Powdery but not modern powdery, yes real barber shop powdery. Not even 1% close to La Nuit de l`Homme. Strangely I get a huge dose of pine/juniper in this....