Nightfall Patchouli

The Confidential line is a wonderful collection and is, as I've said a few times on here recently, underrated and a bit slept-on by the community. This is a shame in some ways, but also good for the likes of me because I have a few of them and I really enjoy them. Nightfall Patchouli is arguably my favourite, or certainly one of them. It isn't a huge, spicy statement maker in the way Stallion Leather, Sandal Ruby and Saffron Lazuli are, but is equally fine and equally lovely. The opening is labdanum and patchouli right from the off. It sets its stall out early, as befitting its name. It is quite a bright opening but darkens as it dries down which is where the name is derived from. The cinnamon and benzoin make things very tender against the iris and the ever-present patchouli. It is a fairly linear drydown which retains the same profile, but just gets darker and spicier as the florals and the rather short-lived bergamot accords die down. What you're left with is a sweet, rich and extremely attractive scent that takes about four hours to settle into the skin. It isnt a huge performer, but I actually don't mind that. The nice thing is that when it settles into the skin it does stay there for a long time. This quiet confidence screams date night fragrance to me. There is no bitterness to the patchouli and the accord is in its really alluring, quite regal style and not the medicinal, herby type we see sometimes. This scent typifies the term "unisex" and does not lean one way or another. Ive layered it in the past with Lord Of Misrule by Lush to add some more greeny texture to Nightfall Patchouli and it does work nicely, if you want it a bit fresher. You can layer it over Oud Wood by Tom Ford as well to darken things down a little if you need it. Honestly though I think it doesn't need it most of the time. I love how the patchouli sticks with the fragrance across the opening and drydown and into the skin scent phase but is never very powerful. This isn't a dominating powerhouse in the way others in this line are, but it is extremely attractive. As with so many things in modern perfumery, not everything is about power and performance and this is a wonderful example of that view. For me, wearability and profile are more important and that is why I love this fragrance. I don't agree with the idea of a signature scent but if I had one, this would be on a short list. It goes without saying that this would be a superlative office wearer but it does flourish in casual situations too in a way the others in this line do not always manage. I think Nightfall Patchouli is about as wearable as a high end fragrance gets. It is so unisex, so attractive, so rich and refined but also universal. Anyone can wear this, at any point, for any occasion and would always very much enjoy it. I'd even suggest the patchouli note here is subtle and sweet enough to appeal to those who do not like patchouli, whilst somehow managing to stay alluring for those that do. I am not sure Carolina Herrera set out to develop this fragrance as a universal crowd please par excellence, but that is what they have produced. I find myself wishing it was a bit stronger, but again, I think I can see why it isnt. Carrying a decant of this top up at lunchtime is not great hardship in my opinion. Three word summary: All Round Appeal Scent - 9/10 Drydown - 9/10 Sillage - 7/10 Bottle/packaging - 10/10 Performance - 5/10 40/50

I just purchased this, my third from this amazing collection. I've not yet recieved it but thought I'd mention the discepency in the notes prior to a full review. CH's website stipulates: "Nightfall Patchouli is an intoxicating blend of patchouli with bergamot, cinnamon, rose and labdanum - an aromatic journey to the fantastic night-time universe of New York." Which sounds so much nicer than just the notes on here which state: "Patchouli, Cinnamon and Benzoin" UPDATE: This is the strongest one from the 3 I have from the line so far. It's a strong and intoxication cinnamon spicy, sweet Patchouli. It is very simple, but again like the others deep and mystical. it creates an aura and a sillage trail as such, which is glorious. I'd be very intrigued to find out if this layers with anything else, it smells like it hs it's own character and therefore would either not layer well, or would be a shame to dilute it's own aura. This bottle will last, I have Amethyst Haze (my favourite) and Amber Desire, which are as glorious as this in their own way, and I still want to at least grab Mysterious Tobacco. This line is a killer and very much under the radar. They are not extremely monolithic but do not develop much either, but carry themselves very well, this one is extremely intoxicating and I encourage you to at least give it a sniff. God bless and enjoy :)

I got a decant of this and I'm almost mad at myself because it smells so good and it's so expensive. I dont know enough to explain but despite there being only three notes listed this unfolds as much more complex than many sweet-ish patchoulis, with something almost floral at the end. In some patch fragrances the spicy sharpness turns almost bug-spray like at the end for me (Lord of Misrule is one of these) which I don't actually hate, I kind of like the sharpness, but on this one the spice stays spice to the end of every sniff, probably from the cinnamon. It still has that patch OOMPH! but without turning antisceptic. I do wish it was a bit of a bigger fragrance--it's not quite a skin scent on me but it's definitely not a powerhouse. But it's one of those 'I can't stop smeiling my wrist' frags for me. For me it's got a lot of the spiciness I love in Black Orchid crossed with the grown-up, elegance I love in Gucci Oud. So basically key elements of two of my faves in one bottle. If anyone has a suggestion for subs to try PLEASE lmk because I won't have £200 for this for a long time.

I saw Australian you tube perfume reviewer Ami Loves Perfumes talk about these Carolina Herrera perfumes. No online retailer or store sells them but Ami mentioned one Ebay seller from UAE. I bought this Nightfall Patchouli perfume new in the box and received it in a week even though customs held it for a couple days. It arrived today! I tested it and love it! This perfume projects at least 6 feet leaving a beautiful scent trail. It is 90 degrees and after 7 hours it is still going strong leaving a trail! This smells expensive, spicy, and exotic. Clove and cinnamon are strong which I enjoy. Normally I hate patchouli but this is not skanky, dirty, or hippy smelling. I don’t notice any chocolate or citrus but it is slightly powdery with a deep earthy woods scent after 7 hours. I’m glad I blind bought this perfume and recommend it. Fall and winter I will wear this perfume a lot but not on hot weather over a hundred degrees it would be too much. No headache or asthma problem from this perfume. I love finding a winning scent!

Nightfall Patchouli was a blind buy for me. Being marketed for the Middle East I was expecting it to be a strong fragrance. On first spray I thought it reminded me of Portrait of a Lady. However, it ended up developing into its own uniqueness. After serious an liberal spraying on my skin and clothing I find it’s classy, very soft, and projection discreet. Not a heavy hitter at all. I'll be able to wear it day and night, all year round in the tropical climate I live in. To me the frag comes off like a tea note with detectable delicate, sweet patchouli. It's nice. I really like it and I'm glad I bought it.