The Dark Side

HOW CAN ONE NOT LIKE THIS SCARY PERFUME? Francesca Bianchi creates amazing perfumes. I like all of the ones I have tried so far, but my favourite is the mysterious, spicy and resinous Dark Side. I remember when I first tried it a long time ago when "The Dark Side" literally scared me! It has an amazing longevity, making one believe that the "suffering" will never end. I couldn't get it out of my head for a long time. It smells like an odyssey to the underworld. Knowing Francesca, you'd never suspect that such an angelic, ethereal creature could create such erotic intensity through scent. But she can, and she does! She doesn't just create perfumes... She creates a tangible, vivid atmosphere mixed with emotions and desires. The Dark Side is one of the first three perfumes commercially produced by Francesca's own brand. In my opinion, even though all of her works have their own inner magic, the first three perfumes still contain the almost untamed power of her passion. Francesca's personal preference lies with oriental perfumes. Spices, woods, resins and copious amounts of sensual black honey have been thrown into The Dark Side. The Dark Side is intended as an homage to Marrakesh and Morocco. If you have ever got lost in a large medina maze, you probably already have experienced the frills inspired by The Dark Side. Morocco's mystical markets in its imperial cities are filled with hypnotic scents and fragrances. The dark alleys lead your imagination into a mysterious nowhere. And so does this perfume as well. It is arguably the darkest and most multifaceted scent of her collection. The fragrance pyramid may be a small warning on what to expect from this scent. The Dark Side is hypnotic, seductive, stuffy, sultry, and dirty-sweet. On her website, Francesca reveals that the idea for this fragrance began in Marrakesh, her Moroccan favorite city that she visited several times and always returned with many wonderfully fake oils, fragrant stones, incense resins, carpets, swords, and other useless but important objects. Inspired by a Moroccan oud imitation, she then attempted to create her own base at home, creating a sticky-sweet, woody, smoky, oriental stuff that she called 'My Oud.' This later became 'Into Darkness' and finally 'The Dark Side. It's a completely different level and form of oud and a different picture of an Oriental perfume. It's the dark and forbidden side of a medina alley that is proposed as an olfactory journey. The fragrance opens with an overload of resins and spices. Then honey comes across both animalistic and dirty-sweet. Violet and iris add a powdery mist to this dark olfactory interplay. Swirls of incense help to create thea fearing established mood. It takes a while for the honey to clear this somber clouds and make way for the vanilla to rise and shine. The Dark Side is a true witch's potion. It is sensual and dark enough for any gloomy scents lover to devellop a passion for it. This perfume is no exception. Arguably, it is the darkest and most multifaceted scent in her collection. The fragrance pyramid offers a sneak preview of what to expect from this perfume. The Dark Side is hypnotic, seductive, heady, sultry and sweetly dirty. On her website, Francesca reveals that she was inspired to create this fragrance during her visits to Marrakesh, her favourite city in Morocco. She would always return home with wonderful fake oils, fragrant stones, incense resins, carpets, swords and other useless yet important objects. Inspired by a Moroccan oud imitation, she attempted to create her own base at home, producing a sticky-sweet, woody, smoky oriental concoction that she called 'My Oud'. This later became 'Into Darkness' and finally 'The Dark Side'. It's a completely different form and level of oud, offering a new interpretation of an oriental perfume. It's the dark, forbidden side of a medina alleyway, offering an olfactory journey. The fragrance opens with an overload of resins and spices. Then the honey is both animalistic and dirty-sweet. Violet and iris add a powdery mist to this dark olfactory interplay. Swirls of incense help establish the mood. It takes a while for the honey to clear these sombre clouds and allow the vanilla to rise and shine. The Dark Side is a true witch's brew. It is sensual and dark enough to make any lover of gloomy scents develop a passion for it. MY OPINION: I am a sucker for dark scents. This one is just amazing. Despite being a perfume for connoisseurs and not for the masses, the price is very attractive. I can only recommend this perfume. MUSIC: 'Cette nuit restera éternelle' from the musical 'Le Bal des Vampires', created by Roman Polanski. (published in: https://www.facebook.com/groups/733041855168347)

a brilliantly multi-phased, kaleidoscopic trip through ambers, resins, purple florals and woods that could be two or three entirely separate scents - and in fact recalls some of my favourites of all time as it unfurls. the opening is a powder blast, a floral and wood din that threatens to lose me. i am admittedly a hard sell on powdery or violet-forward scents, they remind me too strongly of parma violet sweets and i find myself oft repulsed prima facie. if you have more time for violet and iris hits then this will likely be wonderful to you: the incense and spice notes play a brilliant counterpoint, racing in where the natural ebb and flow of the florals takes the violet out, while the honey/styrax/amber/sandalwood base gives plenty of syrupy, almost earthy grounding and prevents the fragrance becoming entirely heady. it's no surprise FB knows how to balance a powder-heavy scent, she does it time and time again across her oeuvre, and this may be among her best (though, as detailed above, i am more of a witness to than sharer in her devotion to these accords). the mercurial drydown begins as the violet and iris recede almost entirely, leaving us with an almost carnation-esque accord that burns with earthy spice, flanked by that syrupy-woody-earthy juggernaut of an accord. it approaches pure amber but manoeuvres around it, skipping deftly over the trap so many scents that try their hand at amber fall into as they let it become sickly sweet and unbearably cloying. i imagine some of that deftness is attributable to the spicy floral accord previously detailed, but undoubtedly the sweeter side of the composition is in and of itself wise enough to know better. it begins, now, to oscillate wildly between impressions of two favourites of mine in a way that completely caught me off guard. I had never drawn linkages between the scents i was primarily reminded of up until this point and I can only thank FB for her revelatory work here. first, the carnation accord began to remind me of perhaps the best perfume of this year, hiram green 'philtre', in a way that was elucidating for both scents. the bubblegum sex magick of 'philtre' is sharper (I postulate that this is a result of black pepper being the sole spice in philtre, while dark side has a veritable shop-front array that translates far earthier) and greener than anything here, but the quality vetiver note that emerges in 'the dark side' circa hour 3-4 has a greenery-aligned edge that approximates the beautiful use of flower stems in the former. ever the restless beast, however, 'dark side' then reveals further nuances, approaching one of my favourite scents ever composed in slumberhouse 'ore'. it reveals a chocolatey facet (perhaps this is the titular 'dark side') that becomes syrupy-boozy as a scant whiff of patchouli fills out the scene, dancing around the rum-and-dark-choc DNA that makes 'ore' an all-timer for me. a careful vanilla, that has remained quiet and perhaps lost in the amber core of the scent so far, shows face and further solidifies the 'ore' connection while never resting. it then appears to flit between the two - occasionally the spice and the pseudo-green hints would appear again before quickly receding and allowing space. anything that can recall the glory of ore's decadent glow is an intriguing prospect to me, but to be able to do that while offering at least two other compelling appearances is incredible. i dont mean to reduce Bianchi's work to mere imitation, however, as (1) there's no way she could have been aping from philtre as it did not yet exist when this was composed, it is better understood as a happy accident of a sort, and (2) my comparisons should be understood more in the light of drawing parallels between master perfumers (if there is such a thing) rather than making one's work about another. perhaps, in an alternate timeline, i smelled this one prior to philtre or ore capturing my heart, and i might have then dedicated time waxing poetic in the inverse. but that is not so. consider this, then, a glowing review of the three best amber or amber-adjacent niche frags on the market. 'the dark side' is a must-try for any powder-heads or anyone with an eye to quality amber - even more so if you've got the hots for both.

EN If you're looking for a fragrance that truly makes an impression, *The Dark Side* by Francesca Bianchi is a genuine revelation. When you wear it, you're enveloped in a warm wave of honey that perfectly blends with soft, captivating leather notes. It's like wearing a piece of haute couture: elegant, sensual, and capable of making you feel confident. This fragrance is both intriguing and enveloping, thanks to its masterful balance of sweetness, depth, and a smoky hint that enhances its allure. Floral notes like iris and rose add refinement, while incense and dark woods lend a mysterious and seductive aura. *The Dark Side* isn’t just a perfume, it’s an olfactory accessory that enriches the wearer, offering a sense of uniqueness and magnetism. Wearing it means immersing yourself in a luxurious and sophisticated atmosphere, perfect for those who love to stand out. Whether it's for a special evening or moments when you want to feel incredibly refined, *The Dark Side* surrounds you with an irresistible aura of charm. A fragrance to wear with pride, making you feel like the star of any situation. IT Se stai cercando un profumo che possa realmente lasciare il segno, *The Dark Side* di Francesca Bianchi è un’autentica rivelazione. Quando lo indossi, ti avvolge con un’ondata di miele caldo che si fonde perfettamente con note di cuoio morbido e affascinante. È come indossare un capo di alta sartoria: elegante, sensuale e capace di farti sentire sicuro di te. Questa fragranza sa essere sia intrigante che avvolgente, grazie al suo sapiente bilanciamento tra dolcezza, profondità e un accenno fumoso che ne amplifica il fascino. Le note floreali, come l’iris e la rosa, aggiungono raffinatezza, mentre l’incenso e i legni scuri donano un’aura misteriosa e seducente. *The Dark Side* non è solo un profumo, ma un accessorio olfattivo che arricchisce chi lo indossa, regalando un senso di unicità e magnetismo. Indossarlo significa immergersi in un’atmosfera lussuosa e ricercata, perfetta per chi ama distinguersi. Che sia per una serata speciale o per quei momenti in cui vuoi sentirti incredibilmente raffinato, *The Dark Side* ti accompagna con un’aura di fascino irresistibile. Una fragranza da indossare con orgoglio, che ti farà sentire protagonista di ogni situazione.

I do not understand what happened... When I got the sample pack from Francesca, I immediately adored Angel's Dust and Sex and the Sea, but when I smelled The Dark Side, I was dismissive. Oudh, eeeeek...I hate oudh. But there is no oudh among the notes! And actually no oudh in TDS, just the illusion, the ghost of it. Still, I thought, I cannot abide even the ghost of my nemesis of perfume ingredients. Days passed, and one evening, working on my computer, I wanted to spray a drop of S&tS on my arm to enjoy the glory. However, by mistake I spayed TDS. I was slightly annoyed, but not enough to go and scrub right away. And then....WHAT IS THIS OTHERWORLDY AMAZING VIOLET-EARTHY-POWDERY,EMBRACING, WARM BEAUTY??? I was totally stopped in my stride and could not for my life imagine what was wrong with me before! In my nose there was THE PERFECT autumn fragrance I was looking for. I love violet in every shape or form, but when it is paired with iris and earthy, balmy notes, it is at its best. I totally agree with steveniox, it reminds me of a dense, damp forest with violets, but drenched in honey coloured sunlight, maybe at sunset. The reviewers before me wonderfully described the evolution of notes, so I am not going into details. What I would like to add is that all three of Francesca's perfumes - althought substantially different - clearly have the "Bianchi DNA", her unique fingerprint on them. All are "personal", "human", intimate and to me extremely cosy. I rarely have felt such deep affinity with perfumes, they are just "me". When I am wearing them, some knot deep inside me gets undone and I feel relaxed, safe and settled. In the centre. At peace with myself and the world. If I was a queen of Perfumia, I would respectfully invite Francesca to be my Royal Perfumer and I would grant her highest nobility and richess. Thank you, Lady Francesca! Looking forward for more of your work!

From the first scent i was like "wait, is that a Sheldrake composition?" It doesn't seem to be the case, but someone have learned their best lessons from his compositions in order to create this. The opening of this fragrance is a book called "All about the Violet Leaf". Fresh, cool, green, incredibly photorealistic sensation of a freshly mowed lawn. Not long into the opening, you start to sense the strong backing the violet leaf receives from the resins, powdery flowers, the combination between them turning almost spicy. Honeyed amber melting and mellowing down the sharper notes come into play, this is where a lot of people draw parallels with Chergui, but major differences - no tobacco leaf, instead you have the fresh green violet leaf, and the incense in Chergui is very prominent, and while it being listed in The Dark Side, at least i cant get any smokey, metallic vibes from it. In contrast Chergui comes of as cold, metallic and smokey, as a nice freshly put out cigar, while this one is like a dark herbal tea with honey. Developing through the drydown, no the violet leaf no longer dominates the scent, and the woody qualities come out to play with the balsamic resin and honeyed vanillic notes. But unlike many fragrances in the same family, this one albeit it mellows down, does not disappear into a skin scent, it stays very present - being an extrait de parfum surely helps there. A fragrance creation that understands perfumery as an art form. Francesca Bianchi's are quite difficult to find in my country, so that being my first step into her house, i can say it matched my already high expectations and some more. Can't wait for the next step in that journey.

(disclaimer english is not my first language) As a new comer to this hobby i would say im so lucky to know this brand this early, especially the dark side by her. The Dark Side is so complex yet so easy to understand, it is artistic and beautifull but not in a way of people would call it “ultra niche” or so the kids nowdays called it. At the top (which stays for hours) you can detect a beautifully blended combination of star anise, amber, and woody notes with a hint of incense that doesnt smell smoky but more towards a bukhoor (an arabic incense which generally smells oriental and spicy with less smokiness) type of incense, and a little bit of dark honey. Or to put it simple, it smells like having a black tea in an old warm cozy wood cabin with dark honey in it. After 4-5 hours this fragrance starting to loses its top notes and gradually becoming more buttery, powdery, almost lipsticky iris with a hint of animalic notes that almost smells like a stinky feet, but it might be the best smelling stinky feet that I’ve ever smelled in my life. The more time i gave for this perfume the more it loses it’s sweet and ambery notes, leaving me with this unique dark, almost creamy buttery skin scent notes with powderyness as the base locking in with the dry, old, almost dusty woodiness left in it. For me this a 10/10 niche perfume, you don’t really need to understand it that much yet you will still see how beautifull it is, this is a beautifull wearable unique niche fragrance, you can almost blind buy it online if you really knows what are you getting with this one.

Ok -- I originally made a review but I'm going to edit and update it to be more clear and consice. This perfume is strong. It smells immediately like spice, resin and incense. It takes about two hours before winding down into a powdery, sweet and softer smell. When you first spray this you will smell like an incense stick. It's almost a tobacco smell, but not quite. Once it settles you get the honey, violet, sandalwood and iris. The vanilla and honey stick around for a long time after it dries down completely. But you can still smell the spices, incense and resin for a long time. It's a very pretty scent, and I personally think it's more feminine but I could see it being unisex as well. It's very mature, sophisticated and obviously DARK. I imagine this is how a dark, gothic witch would smell. Like she's burning the incense while making her tinctures. She's dark but she loves life. It's complex and it's definitely going to be my signature scent from now on. I will say I blind bought this. I will also say DONT BLIND BUY THIS. I spent months looking for a specific perfume with notes akin to this exact one and I was hesitant to commit. I wanted something different. Something that mixed powdery florals, spice and honey all together. Now I did vote this a spring fragrance. Let me say I mean COLD SPRING. If it was a warm spring day I wouldn't wear this. I haven't tested it on a warm day and I live in a rather cold area, so I may never.

The Dark Side is a scent which evokes a distant memory of covered spice markets and a bustling nightlife, as it is inspired by the city of Marrakesh. It’s an oriental, but not as you know it - the scent is an intensely rich and complex display of rare and exotic smells, enough to transport you completely to another world. The base of this perfume is made up of a traditional Amber accord, with its sweet resinous facets amplified by the inclusion of chewy styrax, as well as soft woods. Overlaying this, is a rich darkness of dry incense and earthy patchouli, casting a shadow over the sweetness to pull you further into the night. Above all, you’re blasted by an intense concoction of honeyed spices - the warmth of this deliciously aromatic sweetness is incredibly captivating, I could spend hours trying to describe it. I’ll be honest, I wasn’t a fan of this fragrance initially. I didn’t think it smelled bad, I just dismissed it early on, assuming I knew the depth of its allure and composition. The more I test it the more I realise I was wrong, and at this point realise I actually rather love it. To me, this is a scent you have to spend time with and really form a relationship with.

the sort of smell that sticks with you like a bad dream, and that lasts for about as long as one, too. i’ve seen it described as “scary”, “witchy”, which i confess is what drew me in in the first place. its decadent complexity makes me think of a nightmare from which you will wake up sweating & screaming but that you will not be able to stop trying to decipher in your mind: the dark side agrees with sweat, agrees with movement, agrees with fear — cultivates it, even. it’s a perversion. styrax lingers patiently while patchouli and powder open; the sweetness is definitely there, but with a profoundly sinister, animalic taste. it’s not cloying, not suffocating as much as it is like being choked in bed by someone who loves you. never mind what’s “feminine” or “masculine”; the dark side is only “too much” if its wearer decides it is. the smoky, grungy incense phenomenon that everyone refers to as the “catholic church effect” is the post-coital cigarette (& bonus cherry coca-cola) of this entire olfactory affair, though i would argue it’s more like the sweetness of dust & antiquity unique to the attics of old, long-untrodden houses. nothing holy here. brava, signora francesca.

Nose Note #873 I wasn't expecting much as I was totally new to the brand, but I didn't expect to be THAT blown away. Man, this is just like nothing else that I've had. It's expensive, but one of the few times like with Amouage and Xerjoff I can say - it's worth it. Where do I begin... It has such a naturalistic honeycomb note, not just the honey, but the beewax too. A strong beewax note. Then you have the incense and very slight barnyardiness, but not poopy - it smells like sheep, a little! Or like the super fat creams that make from sheep fat or whatever - it's similar. Wow, what a unique thing. It's super niche, but 4.11 is completely justified. Just smells like something from a hall of fame, which it rightly enters in my domain. It's SUPER strong, don't smell it upclose too much. Super long-lasting, just what I look for. And it's so strange in the best sense and and the same time it's so down to earth and belonging to the real world. This and The Black Knight. What a discovery! Bianchi is a master of perfumery. Definately looking forward to sampling more of the masculine stuff from her brand. 9.5/10, another entry to the hall of fame, one of the most curious

The opener is a sweaty, but living, fresh, open-air spice market. Not powdery to me, but very dry, with a sharp-sour-sweet note that keeps it from being overbearing. I can see the fake oudh inspiration here. Can briefly drift cheesy and funky but it's only in passing. The mid-notes are FASCINATING. I would dare call it gourmand, but not in the way of Tyger Tyger's honeyed peaches - it smells EXACTLY like pickled fruit. Stone fruit, specifically, like Japanese umeboshi, or Chinese pickled plums. A Nepali friend also compared it to pickled amla fruit. It's a lovely clean, sour, fruity note I have never encountered before. I would compare it to the olfactory effect of ALD's Le Mitti - it's briefly shocking, but is so bracing and fresh as to produce something akin to the feeling of having taken a shower. Not at all sweaty or putrid. The intense spice and incense top notes mask the sourness completely such that it sneaks up on you. The spice and incense segment is longer in the extrait, but the sour fruit note is stronger in the more dilute body oil Francesca sells. The extrait also has a stronger "body" smell to it, as is typical to FB fragrance.

It feels like I am walking down a dark, almost entirely pitch-black corridor that has no end. In the nearly complete darkness, only two elements are visible: the dark brown shade of rosewood from which the walls are made and the delicate white incense smoke, which has no visible source. This smoke plays the same role as light in some of Caravaggio's paintings: unearthly, supernatural, theatrical. Well...this theatre is empty and it's haunted. At one point, I feel the sweetness of fatigue and drowsiness; I feel as if I am drowning in the warmth of this dark weakness, as if I am sinking into an ocean of black, cursed honey. The infinity of this corridor is something truly terrifying. At some point, you become one with the whole thing; it kind of consumes you. It brings to mind Nietzsche's famous saying: "Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss, the abyss also gazes into you" (Friedrich Nietzsche, ’Beyond Good and Evil', §146 trans. W. Kaufmann).

After smelling the whole Francesca Bianchi line over the span of three days, going back and forth, trying to find my new signature scent for the colder days, specifically for the nights and evenings... taking into account how I dress, The Dark Side immediately spoke to me, it wasn’t the first or last fragrance I tested by FB, I don’t even remember clearly. Not like it matters anyways, this scent, as its juice color already shows is dark, mysterious, unapologetically strong and sweet. It reminds me of walking through the night, alone, listening to some eerily ascendant shoegaze, like Midrift while lighting your last cigarette thinking about everything that could’ve made you happier. It’s a scent not for anyone, it’s strong, two sprays lasts an entire day, the sweet honey mixing with the beautiful flowers gives it such a uniquely beautiful yet distant feeling that anyone who goes by you will look back and think about it forever. 10/10

You have to have a love&appreciation for Francesca Bianchi and her daring creations to like The Dark Side. I happen to be a HUGE FB lover, so naturally TDS is a staple in my collection. It is one that only deepens&gets better with time.(As is often the case with her frags). There's prominent iris in here, so if that's not for you, neither is TDS. This could have possibly been created by J. Guerlain in his time as it has remnants of his fondest aromas. It's for a 'mature' audience that's for sure. It's a date night in the 1940s with the woman dressed in a purple silk gown, boa included. Her date is in a tux that has soft wafts of cigar smoke permeating from it. By the end of the night her bright red lipstick has stained his tux&he's high off the memory of her. There's spices and honey, and a bold iris embrace. It's certainly a niche fragrance. Not for all but boy do I love getting intoxicated off Francesca's magical creations. Brava!

Another masterpiece from Francesca Bianchi. I don't know how come I have not tested it all this time. I know I need a backup bottle. It has everything I am looking for in a perfume, in the right amount. It starts with a cashmere scarf which bears the perfumes of yesterday and day before, layered in a perfect combination you've only dreamed about. It exists, and it has a name: Dark Side. There's no leather, but it smells of nice, soft, expensive gloves. It smells exotic, expensive, exquisite, of great taste, maybe a bit too classical. It has incense without being too church-like. It has a fresh vibe, an airy demure, it is chocolaty with a coat of honey and a drop of sandalwood. It is not sweet but it is gourmand, decadent, sensual. It is not loud, not brazy. It does not shout. It whispers to your ear and enters your blood, becoming part of your DNA.

I find myself loving pretty much everything from this brand, and, among the ones I’ve tried, this is the most beautiful and powerful iteration of Bianchi’s typical heavy amber-y iris butter DNA. I find the honey note very prominent on me, but not in its cozy, edible iteration you would instinctively think about: it's an insanely spiced up, sticky, animalic honey, surrounded by smokiness. The result could be described as a sweet incense, which sweetness has some very big, sharp teeth - hence my adoration. I see that here it's currently marked as more masculine-leaning, but if I had to assign a gender to The Dark Side, I'd say it's actually extremely female, without a doubt; savage, divine feminine, to be precise. This is the smell of Lilith, the smell of rightful violence. -- for more reviews: @sharpteethstarlet on TT @saintannahaze on YT 🌝

I got the FB Discovery set, and this is the 4th extrait that I sample. Previously I tried Tyger Tyger, Angel's Dust and Sticky Fingers; all are very nice and I'm staring to identify the DNA common to FB's perfumes. I didn't know what to expect from The Dark Side, but this has been love at first sniff. My nose picks up mainly the Incense, Styrax, Spicy notes, and Sandalwood, it even reminds me of Zoologist's Camel, its very exotic like a caravan of precious resins and spices. But in this case, it's all supported by the Iris, giving it a soft powdery base. This is absolutely great. Furthermore, this extrait evolves a lot from beginning to end, has amazing longevity and just the right amount of sillage. I still have more FB's perfumes to try (there are 12 in my Discovery set), but The Dark Side for me is a strong contender for a full bottle.

This fragrance truly warms my heart... Among all the scents in my collection, it might be the one that makes me feel truly special. It's impossible to go unnoticed with The Dark Side. At first, it can come across as very spicy, and the incense might seem intimidating, but after about an hour, the story completely changes. You're wrapped in a buttery iris embrace, luxurious but not overly sweet honey, and a realistic waxy aroma that blend together perfectly. It's a hug that envelops you, making you feel protected and special, but at the same time, as you pass by, it extends a hand to those you meet, inviting them to be part of this mystical and seductive experience. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Francesca, for this masterpiece and for all the emotions it evokes in me!

I was a bit scared by Francesca Bianchi as a brand, but someone was selling The Dark Side for a really good price, so I had to give it a try. The opening is honey and spices; the texture is out of this world. It's rich, warm, and decadent; you already get the amber. After a few minutes, on my skin, I get an incredible blend of violet and powdery iris. The thing is, it's super powdery, but the warmth from the amber, honey, and spices is still there. It's so good. The incense and the styrax come and go, making it pretty mysterious at some point. To me that's the sexiest fragrance. If I had to go on a date with someone that I find really attractive, I'd wear this. It's a huge yes for me, and I'm going to try the other one; I hope they'll be as good as The Dark Side.

My favourite niche balsamic perfume. A witch, powerful, mysterious, whose gaze is initially overwhelming and makes your knees weak, but the twinkle in her eye betrays her inner warmth and kindness. This is how I see this perfume. On me, it is primarily violets - lush, sticky with honey, enveloped in heavy smoke. The scent itself has some sweetness to it, but is not candy-like, which I love; it’s in all in perfect proportion of darkness and light. Combination of flowers and spices makes the impression as if it had a leather accord in it, giving it additional sultry vibe. There is something very inviting about it. I keep sniffing my wrists as I wear it. Parameters are brilliant. Rather for cool/average temperatures, than for hot days.

Wow, the opening of Dark Side instantly reminds me of the plum and cacao on Czarnecki Shihan EDP, and feels equally delightful on the skin, except that it blooms into a beautifully powdery, full bodied experience. The combination of incense, anise, and cinnamon blends seamlessly with a honeyed sweetness that adds a wonderful spiced dimension. As it evolves, patchouli steps in, adding depth, and in the drydown, it lightens up smoothly with vanilla and cacao. It's like sipping the best quality of black tea, with floral aroma tingling your nose and the indulgence of vanilla cacao nibs 🤤 It lasts impressively long! Incredible, the amber awakens after the vanilla drydown! This is definitely too rich and delightful to be named Dark Side.

This is a true masterpiece. This is possibly my favourite perfume in my collection at the moment. A gorgeous incensey honey scent, dominated by exotic spices that remain through the duration of the perfume, and animalic facets. The amber comes through beautifully after around an hour of wearing. And it is STRONG. Beware, if you don't like strong, smoky, spicy scents, then stay away!! Scent: 10/10 Performance: 9.3/10 Price: 7.8/10 Versatility: 5/10 Bottle: Subjective, not objective/10 Overall: 9.5/10 My ONLY issue, is that the atomiser is a little too effective. I feel as though my 30ml could run out very quickly. On the other hand, you don't need a lot to be smelled, so 30ml will still last you a long time.

an intense opening of sticky syrupy honey and dark, rich, incense, with a deep spicy amber and wood base. smells like a well varnished, old mahogany desk in a study with wooden walls and creaky old wooden floors, lit by a dim orange-yellow candlelight. there's old papers scattered on the desk, and a bouquet of gently wilted flowers. a window opens up in to a courtyard of black iron fences and a dark grey sky, gently saturating the dark green grass. richly and deeply balsamic and full of spice, with the slightest sweetness (almost maple-esque) deep within the layers of scent. as it sits slightly a vanilla sugar begins to creep up from the depths of the spice and incense to light that darkness up slightly.

I could wax poetic with an overly analytical perfume nerd comment about this but honestly? It really reminds me of eating Clove and Teaberry gum in an old car with my Dad, who favors spicy smells and always keeps star anise and cloves in the ashtrays of used vehicles old enough to have them. The lightly barber shop sweetness of Krew Comb hair wax and the spiciness of his Bay Rum mingling with the smell of spices in the air and the powdery sweet coating on pocket-warmed sticks of old school drugstore gum. It gives top ten childhood memory vibes. It's easily an 8/10 perfume across the board to me for a multitude of other reasons, but that one alone is enough for me to think it's something special.

This is really nice. Iris for days, so if you’re not into the orris/iris thing, this may not be for you. It’s not overly powdery tho, so maybe don’t let that deter you. I took a chance on this one, as Iris can take a turn for me in the worst way. I find the note can be very powdery and suffocating. It’s neither of those here. This perfume reminds me a bit of Stephane Humbert Lucas’ floral perfumes. The performance on this one is not as beastly as some of her others. It lasts long, but projection is just slight to moderate on my skin. Overall, I’m very pleased with this purchase and it makes me excited to try more from her. I would def try to sample this before purchasing, tho.

i don't know if you explored so-called haunted houses in your neighborhood as a teenager, but me and my friends did just to get the creeps and slowly create an adrenaline addiction that we still suffer from. this fragrance at the first smell, no waiting until drydown or nothing, gave me the same creeps. old wooden floor, resin dripping from the ceiling, the suffocating smell of dust. and then i find an old picture from a wedding. a tasteful banquet, flowers, sweet smiles and reminders of the passage of time. forgotten memories of people who passed on to the dark side long before i went in there. a beautiful creation, perfect name tag. lasts forever, medium to soft projection.

I put my eyes on this perfume as soon as I saw the name and the reviews describing this as dark/gothic and "what vampires would wear". Give me those, and you own me! Believe what they say. Softer sillage than I imagined, but hauntingly beautiful. This scent to me is purple velvet. Yes, I feel wrapped in a deepest, purple velvet gown while wearing this. The violet is not overwhelming, but very present until it sets into a sweet, ambery scent with a leathery feeling. Just perfectly smoky. I was very hopeful about this, and I am so glad my expectations are met. Francesca Bianchi is a house worth exploring, and I will continue doing that. Next, Angel's Dust!

This is not necessarily a fragrance for me, but oh my is this a masterpiece! Francesca knows what she's doing, and I think this is her magnum opus, this fragrance draws from vintage perfumery, modern perfumery and artisanal perfumery. Every note is here for a reason, every note has space to breathe, even though there is no empty space in this fragrance! It's sticky, dark, sexy, powdery, sweet, bitter and soooo so smooth! An intoxicating olfactory journey through the streets of Marrakesh. If You like fragrances, then this is a must try! And if You try, then look for the violet hidden in the depths of this fragrance, You will not be disappointed.

Okay, so I love this! I grew up in a family owned health food store. We had all kinds of incense and perfume oils imported from India. This smells like those Indian perfume oils, but sexier and smuttier. The incense definitely stands out to me and seems to be the star of the show. When I first opened the bottle all I could smell was the incense. As it settles on your skin it turns into a warm and spicy honey scent with florals in the background. Absolutely love this! I only got the 30ml bottle but will definitely be looking to get a full bottle if or when it ever goes on sale!

I had to delete my review from last year. I appreciated and admired this, but now I am head over heels in love with it. Before I felt it was too strong and animalic, but I went back to it after watching a Persolaise interview with her which reminded me that I had this. I don’t know what changed but this is absolutely my new signature scent. It’s strong and long lasting but doesn’t have huge projection, which is perfect. It’s bold but it’s powdery incense, warm honey, and gently musky on my skin. Such a masterpiece. I feel like a sexy undercover witch.

I bought a sampler set and it’s genuinely taken a while for me to choose my first full bottle purchase. This is my favourite- it truly does remind me of travel to North Africa and the Middle East, and certain music I like. I agree that The Dark Side is similar to Under my Skin. The difference is that the dry down of UMS turns musty and dull, whereas TDS stays bright and alive for hours (on my skin anyway). Worth a try if you’re into deep, spicy, mysterious, witchy, unique and unctuous fragrances. A little goes a long way so be careful of overspraying.

A truly masterpiece fit for adventurers of dark side. A complex and layered creation that enchants you with powerful blend of honey but never too sweet or cloying, on my skin Francescas signature leather and iris comes in front row very quickly, then balsamic and animalic accords makes it mysterious with gorgeous projection and trail but never dirty or intrusive, patchouli and vetiver just help the dry down to be seductive and sexy and completely addictive perfume. A staple perfume cuz I am drowning in it and I overspray with no feeling of guilt.

I've noticed "Church" mentioned several times, and with this I'd have to concur. The incense, the beeswax polished woodiness of old pews, slightly musty faded florals from the yet-to-be-replaced bouquets sat at the end of each pew. Yet there is a slumbering animalic note that seems almost too, devilish, to be part of this holy construct. Despite its good longevity, and good sillage, Dark Side feels more intimate than it actually is. One I savour wearing. This is the sort of thing Etat Libre d'Orange wishes it could create.

A man that grew up in the hustle and bustle of a busy city like NY and disciplined by necessity. The city sharpens him. He’s been through enough nights to know what danger is, but chooses to work instead — the art of control amid chaos. He’s the one who stays a bit longer after everyone leaves. There’s a romanticism buried under that fatigue — like someone who’s earned his solitude and wears it like a leather jacket that’s softened over time. It's something sexy that I would put on to set the mood, romantic and nuanced.

Dark Side is a masterpiece in oriental vanilla category. Not for fainthearted or people with young nose. For real fragrance connoisseurs and people with taste who do not want to be mainstream but still viable for wider audience to enjoy uniqueness. Balsamic, spicy, leathery, vanillic with a touch of honey and kind of woody oud accord, but not really animalic. Adore Francesca Bianci perfumes. Great quality, unique blends,fair prices and they are one of the most long lasting fragrances. In my top 10 fragrance houses.

This has quickly become my signature scent. It's just so sensual and long lasting. The warm amber, spicy and honey notes are comforting but alluring, it's got moderate to strong sillage, and the drydown is a lovely vanilla with incense notes that smolders for hours. I could see this being great on any gender but I do think it's important that you are going for slightly evil and seductive here. Imagine a perfume cloud in the shape of a long and creepy finger beckoning you toward it and you have this fragrance.

I usually don’t like honey in fragrances because it can come across too sweet, but this is a beautiful beeswax balanced with spices, incense and wood in the dry down and violet in the opening. Giving it a full wear I enjoyed it even more as it lasted most of the day as the base notes lingered on in a cozy cloud. Looks like this scent made me a honey convert. Impressed by most of the Francesca Bianchi line and this one and Sticky Fingers are my favourites so far.

L ho comprato alla cieca valutando solamente piramide e gusti personali. Devo dire che non ho spesso male i soldi. Anche se 30ml per 80€ non è proprio un regalo. L impatto è forte e intenso, sento subito il miele per poi lasciare spazio ad incenso e legno. Rimane a distanza di ore un po’ di violetta, miele e spezie. Molto “arabeggiante”. Profumo 8/10 Longevità 7/10 ( mettendo 7-8 spruzzi) Impatto 8/10 Prezzo 5/10 Per donna?: si, senza problemi

i love this. this is what i wished ELDO's 'putain des palaces' would smell. it has a wild iris/violet saltiness on me. gorgeous. reminds me a bit of nicolai's 'baikal leather intense'. however, that one didn't work on my skin. 'the dark side' does. with 'under my skin' i only got spicy gingerbread. this one is more smokey dirty violet/iris combo on me. potent and slutty in a sophisticated way. lol. it totally makes sense to me.

This fragrance makes my heart race and my hands shake. It’s the only scent that’s ever given me such a visceral response. I would say this inevitably makes it my signature scent, but I did not choose it. It chose me lol. It’s a shame I can’t wear it as often as I’d like. I work in a healthcare adjacent clinic (aesthetics and sexual wellness) and it’s too much for that environment, in all the best ways.

AHHHHH I like it a lot! Sweet, resinous, warm, dark, mysterious, dangerous, sexy... so many things come to mind. This perfume is a bottle of art. I would definitely say try it. Edit: This perfume is VERY strong, I recommend not using too much. You may disturb the people in the environment by spraying too much, but if you pay attention to the dosage, you will smell amazing imo.

'Her perfume smells like burning leaves, every day is Halloween'. This is very very strong and very very beautiful. Styrax and incense heavy with some brown sugar, amber, and syrupy violets. One spray is plenty, projects like a beast and lasts an entire day. Definitely unisex (even leaning masculine, I would say), but would smell best on a strong, fiery, and mysterious woman.

I haven't been this impressed with a scent in a long time. It's so beautiful I can't stop smelling myself. Francesca Bianchi is truly a perfume genius. SHE DESERVES EVERYTHINGG.... Dark, smoky, incredibly sexy, unisex but I think it would suit men much more. (Perfumes have no gender of course, in fact nothing has a gender :D) I definitely recommend it. Amazing experience.

Just another stunning creation by Francesca. It truly is a honeyed smoky dark masterpiece. So carnal, warm and visceral like a lot of her fragrances. I cannot recommend this one enough but be careful because once you try one of Francesca's creations there's no going back. You will want to try them all and you will for sure stand out when wearing them.

First a little like candy, smells like makeup and old timey films, overall perhaps a little like something a lot of the comments have been saying: Regal. It’s a very lovely scent, I can certainly see this working on both men and women and anyone in between. Perhaps more of a sophisticated or “earned” feeling. That only comes with age I imagine.

Dark, heavy incense, almost nauseating. Powdery, spicy, dusty fragrance, agree with the comments about an old cathedral. Smelled The Dark Knight before and they definitely have the same DNA. While The Dark Knight is more leathery and you can smell the beeswax, The Dark Side is sweeter and spicier. But both are heavy fragrances. Love it

After trying this and a few other perfumes by FB I finally understand what people mean when they say she has a certain DNA. This perfume is vaxy, deep, warm and for some reason almost mouth watering. I really enjoy it and it lasts forever! It can however be a bit too much sometimes so I mainly wear it alone or when walking outside.

A darkly resinous open jar of honey kept in a slightly dusty cupboard that's also used to house spice satchels. The scents have mingled together and you get the full blast once the cupboard is opened. Perfect for autumn and winter, no other seasons are appropriate. Long-lasting on skin and clothes as Bianchi's scents tend to be.

The incense-ashed boudoir of a black witch mid-ritual, Nude beneath the warmth of a candelabra. Forbidden magicks and permitted sins. Paralytic fever dreams lined in Ugaritic text. A deep inhale of the Akashic records. A flower that only blooms in shade - Its petals unfurl and then quickly dissolve into mauve smoke.

A very dark and sweet fragrance. Definitely not a good blind buy. You either love this scent or you absolutely hate it, there's no inbetween. The notes, especially the honey and the insence make this scent incredibly unique in its smell, causing you to stand out immediately. I personally love it.