Velvet Hour

Velvet Hour is my third perfume of Kate's, the first being, well, "Kate", and the second, "Vintage". "Kate" and VA share a bit of DNA... a mellow black tea effect... not sure how that is possible since they don't have any notes in common. There is no honey, citrus or milk in this tea... it is almost more about the steam rising from the teacup. Reading reviews before I got my hands on it, I'd hoped and expected that VH would be dark, mysterious and unique... and it is, successfully, all of those things. It is sexy, but not a playful sex kitten or a dressed-up bombshell. It smells vaguely vintage, but much more translucent than most older perfumes, with similar complexity. It smells of an unlit stick of Nag Champa Incense, on a table next to a hot cup of black tea being sipped by a serene, dark-haired lady wearing a simple silk robe, in a cool bedroom, lit only by the setting sun through a sheer gray curtain. Maybe the woman's neck is warming a dab of freesia perfume oil from a few hours ago. Cool, silky, smoky, translucent, and utterly addictive. Sillage is intimate, longevity is respectable. Kate has me in love with yet another of her unicorns.

What a welcome suprise ! Velvet Hour is nothing you would expect from a celebrity scent ! This beauty can't be judged on the first spray. As most fragrances these days, for the first minute or so, seem strong and heavy..... Or, so light that the scent can appear to be barely there at all. BUT NO ! Velvet Hour is not heavy, and yes, it's most definitely THERE ! Velvet Hour is subtle and perfectly balanced. Velvet Hour is unique, and so expertly blended that every note melts together into one super smooth, very high class scent. It's "dressy", elegant, rich, understated, impressive, and is very appropriate for a "black tie affair." The individual notes don't jump out at you individually. Instead, they glide together in unison, like a beautiful, perfectly executed waltz performed by the most highly professionally trained dancers. Siliage is moderate, with lasting power easily 8 hours or more. Velvet Hour is pleasant, fresh, soft, easy to wear, and completely inoffensive. The longer I wear it, the more I love it ! Velvet Hour demonstrates the very height of the perfumer's art. BRAVO !

My immediate thought on first application was that this is a lighter, fresher version of EL’s Sensuous, which I love! Velvet Hour has that same spicy woody vibe going on in the drydown with a touch more sweetness and a bit less smack you upside the head intensity. This fragrance manages to be warm and smoky as well as fresh and young at the same time, making it suitable for any age. The heart of patchouli and nutmeg gives it a very distinctive and uniquely sexy smell. I actually find this more wearable than Sensuous and even though it is relatively cheap I was thrilled that it lasted an amazing 10 hours on my skin. I think I’ll use this for office and Sensuous for evening in the cold winter months. The bottle’s not perfect, but then neither Britney nor Paris got it right either! At least here, I find that the content does not cheapen the brand. Elegantly refined, opulently blended and beautifully feminine. For me, this one’s a keeper.

I blindly bought hilary duff's with love according to very good reviews here, but I hated the scent and regret the money I paid for it and decided not to buy any celebrity frag ever again..but I could not help buying velvet hour (again according to the reviews) and wow!! it really did surprised me a lot.. first of all it is nothing like any other perfume I have tried, and second of all a very diverse perfume changing every half an hour on my skin, starting with creamy freesia with a hint of patchouli, than changes into woodsy vanillic phase (I can detect the nutmeg here and also a little amber) but then it turns to a totally different direction and becomes soft clean and musky..this phase is very much like john galliano..longevity and sillage is amazing and it is CHEAP:)) however this can only be a rare exception and did not change my opinion about celeb frags, I am still planning to avoid them..

I own and love both YSL Nu (original) and Velvet Hour. Whilst I agree there is a similarity between the two, Velvet Hour is at the same time sharper - the black pepper can be a bit full on at first - but also smoother : the black pepper rapidly takes a back seat and gives more room to the freesia, sandalwood and nutmeg. It reminds me also of another YSL fragrance : Opium Vapeurs de Parfum, but in that case, Velvet Hour is a bit more smokey, heavier on the nutmeg, and the black pepper makes in sharper. To me, Velvet Hour is somewhat of a Light edition of Nu or a Night edition of Opium Vapeurs de parfum. On another level, it also reminds me of Chopard Madness: the woodsy notes are somewhat reminiscent of pencil sharpenings in both, and they both have slightly overwhelming peppery openings that both rapidly fade and let the other notes shine.

I have always known that Kate Moss is a Capricorn but I never believed it until I smelled Velvet Hour. This fragrance is deceivingly devilish. It is too linear for me when I first smelled it---maybe that is because I wasn't paying attention. When I got to try it again, I finally understood it. It is never meant to be "in-your-face". Its very subtlety makes it complex and allows many different facets to shine through. It is a hard fragrance to describe---it is as though it is a textured fragrance and is not as simple as you think it is. I can smell the nutmeg and pepper beautifully tempered by the woods and the incense. The freesia gives it a nice lift and makes it just enough feminine. This has no universal appeal and is an acquired taste---I believe that makes it interesting. If you love the sweet stuffs, find something else.

I love it because I can get patchouli, nutmeg and pepper in it. I'm totally crazy about those things, which are more commonly found in perfumes for men not women. At the same time this one is feminine and sexy! ^_^ And as an oriental theme perfume it is not powdery at all! ^_^ I will wear it when hanging around the pubs. That is exactly what I want for night. Sadly the longevity and sillage is not that good, compared with the same kind of feminine scents. The sillage is ok for a summer fresh cologne, but toooooo weak for a women's perfume at night. Once I applied it a lot, but later I found it make me feel uncomfortable, especially when combined with the cigarette smoke. So using too much to get the sillage is really not a good idea

I purged the majority of my perfume collection when I realized my habit was getting out of control, but I couldn’t bear to get rid of Velvet Hour. It wasn’t an expensive perfume, and it was endorsed by a celebrity, but there’s really something unique about it. It’s rather hard to describe, but it starts out rather masculine—something like incense or smoke, but clean at the same time. It sweetens a bit as it dries down. Something in it reminds me of fresher YSL Nu. I really love it and will never get rid of it! I tried a few of Kate Mosses perfumes back in the day, and they were all quite interesting. I think Madewell’s “Indigo” & “Beau” perfume is in the same realm.

Marketed for women, could've been unisex or straight up for men. One of my signature winter scents. Woody, smoky yet fresh an ever so slightly fruity. I smell a tiny bit of apricot, which appears as the peppery top notes disappear. It's nothing overly sweet or juicy, it only softens the woody/smoky notes that would've been a bit too dry and masculine otherwise. (I know it's not listed in the heart/base notes, but I can most definitely smell it.) All-in-all, very unique and rock-chic, in absolutely no way cloying. Sexy in a "calculated careless" way, to be worn with a LBD, messy hair and a hint of khol.

this is my all time fav perfume it lasted a long time on my skin and when i had it on all night its smell got nicer, its a very comforting smell i am very sad its not available anymore i am on my last bottle (as i stocked up on them when they went cheap in the shops just before they stopped selling them) im becoming scared of using my last bit as i will be very upest when its gone i cant sleep without it. i am currently on a mission to find a perfume as much like it as posssible if anyone knows any smell alike perfumes i would like to know some idears

I can smell the midnight poison here. It has a lot of freesia so if you do not like that then avoid like the plague. It is fresh and spicy all at the same time. I think a guy could wear this. My husband likes it. It does smell a little like a mens deoderant but I would not think in an overly masculine way. I use the lotion and it stays on much longer with that rather than the perfume on it's own in that case it does not last at all.

Normally I give "celebrity" type perfumes a wide berth, so imagine my surprise when I sprayed this on my wrist at the local chemist and loved it straight away....it's like a drug....I find myself spraying it liberally....even onto light bulbs throughout the house - spray it on before you turn the light on. There's something in it which I find addictive - maybe it's that cashmere incense. I'm a dusk girl, too, Kate!!

I find this perfume very interesting. It changes so many times while it is on my skin. First it starts out kind of fruity then to somewhat floral then to this creamy incense sandalwood vanilla type smell. I love it. I think this is one of those "love it or hate it" type of scents. Very different and sexy. I do not envision wearing this alot in summer but for fall and winter this is a must. Nice.....

Very happy owner of a more than half full 30ml bottle, a purchase from 'Marktplaats' recently for 15€, the juice is like new, still bright and fresh, and what a beautiful and unique gem this is!! Normaly not a huge fan of patchouli, but in here it s heavenly wrapped in velvet, all the notes are wrapped in velvet in here, I m now on the hunt for a big bottle, that s for sure!

This perfume is quite interesting. It is long lasting and lingers on clothes/hair for days. It reminds me of the beginning of winter and those foggy nights. It's not a scent for summer, that is for sure. I am looking forward to colder weather just so I can spray it on and enjoy its spicy warmth.

This is a fantastic example of celeb perfume going right. I have and enjoy kate and this one. Its so woody and lovely. A light woody fragrance but still deep. Never smelled anything like it. So glad I found a box set!

Not normally a fan of celebrity fragrances, usually find them smelling cheap and tacky...HOWEVER, absolutely love this. Sexy, smoky and sophisticated smell. One of my favourites these past few years.

To me it smells at first like Midnight poison and after a while like Belle D'Opium, both of which I love, but with an interesting twist. On me it's smoky and sensual, a dark and rich fragrance.

My special scent. This scent is Smoky, seductive and slightly dirty which I so love. This scent reminds of me a whiskey cigar bar. If Kate Moss smells like a fragrance, this would be it.

Best perfume I've ever tried, I got so many compliments! Good for all day- everyone liked it from my boyfriend to my Grandma. Such a shame it's so difficult to get hold of nowadays.

I really like this - its different - and it lasts a really long time on my skin,something which i usually have a problem with. This probaly isn't for everyone though. =)

This was very nice for a modern celeb frag, lasted all night on me, better than her original frag, very 'smoky' and intense

I love this fragrance, i love the smokiness in it, but i cant find this anywhere anymore :(!

Was lucky enough to find a bottle of this discontinued fragrance on Ebay and I think I paid $40 or $50 for it but I bought it on the reviews stating how good it smelled and that it was unique. Well...let me tell you, it is unique and yes, it's very true that it's on the masculine side. Pros of this fragrance: -Smells good. (Not amazing, but pleasant.) -Lasts long for a celeb fragrance. (About 6 hours.) -Sillage is decent but not overpowering. -And yes, it is unique. -Most definitely unisex. Any man can pull this off. Cons of this fragrance: -Deff too expensive for what it's worth. -Deff not a crowd pleaser. It's one of those fragrances that CAN be offensive if it isn't someone's type. So all in all...do I like this fragrance? Yes. But if I'm being completely honest here, it isn't something I reach for very often at all. I probably wear this about 2 times a year on a cold rainy day where I'm in the mood for the warm, incense-but-masculine type smell that this offers. It smells nice, but isn't something I would wear to the office or the gym, and those two places are where I spend most of my time. Scent Itself - 7.5/10 Sillage - 7.5/10 Longevity - 7.5/10 Overall Rating : 7.5/10 Not bad, but not something I would spend the $50-80 for which his what most listings on Ebay are asking for it now a days. If you find it for $20 or something, give it a shot. As I said, it's deff unique. Doesn't remind me of anything that I own or have smelled. Overall, nice job Kate for trying something new. Major props to you. Also...when stored in a place where a lot of light hits it...the bottle is beautiful. The box, not so much, but the bottle is gorgeous.

This fragrance was a huge departure from KM's previous eponymous scent, which I found to be a generic, cheap-smelling floral-fruity, typical of the celebrity offerings at the time and not at all to my taste. Then came Velvet Hour. First of all, I loved the sultry TV ad as a young teen featuring a seductive Kate extinguishing a candle with her fingers. The bottle design was also a draw for me: low and compact with a lovely deep blue hue to go with its name and the scent inside. The opening is peppery and sneeze-inducing with a haze of incense. The use of patchouli here is inspired, it complements the other notes beautifully, adding some dirt and sexiness. After the sharp pepper notes fade, other spicy notes come to the fore. The nutmeg is smooth and warm, and I get a hint of cinnamon. The floral notes are subtle and add a hint of creaminess, but are barely detectable above the smoky, spicy and woody notes. As it dries down, it becomes sweetly woody and balsamic, and the spice remains. Sillage and longevity are both moderate, but after a strong opening, it fades fairly quickly. This is a well-thought-out scent, unusual and very interesting. An underrated gem among celebrity fragrances. Sultry, slightly dirty, alluring and mysterious, it is completely Kate. 4/5.

I bought this perfume on sale for $ 14. It's pretty cheap for a perfume in Denmark. I did not like this when I tried it on the wrist in the shop, but I thought it was so cheap that it would be perfect for a gift or a hostess gift when it was lowered to minus 50 percent. When I got home I could not help opening it and give it another chance - and I must say I think this is a new favorite. It ́s not to heavy on me, I get most of Freesia, and a little bit of amber, which becomes almost vanilla-like on me. Not too sweet, not too heavy, it's just a perfect evening perfume or winter perfume to me. I've also had Donna Karan Delicious Night, and this was very heavy on me, almost sickening. I got such a headache when I had it on. But this one is just what I've been looking for. I actually think it smells a lot more expensive than it really is. This one has moved into my perfume shelf, and I actually think I'll get it used up.

I just bought the Lotion thinking that it was the Perfume because it was sitting with all the perfumes at winners.Anyway,I really like the lotion even though its not my regular style. I really like that the Pepper shines through but not in an offensive way that peppery perfumes normally do on my skin. Perhaps the perfume is more peppery but thus far,I have no frame of reference other than this lotion. I am getting the slight incense smell as well which normally doesn't work on my skin either but this lotion works VERY well from begining to end on me :) Can't wait to get a bottle of the actual perfume because I'm pleased that I've found a different scent that I can actually wear with pepper that doesnt make me feel ill. I would only wear this one at night and I'm assuming that it was intended for night time given the name :)

I did not expect to like it. I enjoy floral perfumes, but freesia normally doesn't do a trick for me and I can hardly tell you what freesia actually smells like. One and only floral note among all these woods and spices would be enough to make me suspicious, but if you look at perfumes that I "dislike", you'd see that most, if not all of them, have no similarity in top and heart notes, but have sandalwood in the base. This one does too. So I did not expect to like it, but I did. The first blast was just lovely, spicy and smokey, then the perfume became fresh and woody at the same time (not sure about the notes), and then amber accord kicked into the base and sweetened the woody notes somewhat. I wouldn't mind getting to know that one a little closer!! Thanks for the sample, c3c!

I really enjoy this scent. I got some samples of it from the UK recently. It's like light floral incense. I don't notice the patchouli prominently. It's actually very light and clean for such a spicy composition. It's long-lasting on me, however I wish it were a bit stronger. The scent is uniquely comforting. I think it's targeted for evening wear, however I enjoy wearing during the day too. It's definitely longer lasting on me than Kate by Kate Moss. Well, I broke down and bought a full bottle of Velvet Hour with the accompanying lotion. It was worth it, though, as I haven't found anything similar that I like as much as of yet.

Unusual as a celebrity scent, dark, deep, rich and long lasting. I dont get any fruits (+no sweetness and no vanilla accords) here. I can't smell even freesia even I like it in fragrances. Instead, pepper and nutmeg and olibanum (the most prominent note on my skin which stays here from the opening till the drydown) goes very well together. It doesn't cost much to try it so try because it smells much more expensive than the price is. And it lasts at least on my skin - 8 hours plus. I would categorize this as oriental woody. The same style as Estee Lauder "Sensuous Noir" has.

Me and my sister have very different opinions when it comes to perfumes. For instance, all the perfumes she has bought herself or specifically asked for I find are not particularly nice (e.g Calvin Klein Euphoria- woody and spicy and Marc Jacobs Daisy-which is slightly too flowery for me). This perfume, however, was the the first perfume she bought which I actually liked! It's flirty and girly refreshing with a slight hint of spice. My only problem with it is it's quite a generic smelling perfume and isn't particularly unique...

I am in love with this scent and it smells magical on my skin. Many men and women have said 'you smell STUNNING' when wearing this. It is sensually sweet (not sugar-sweet), smokey, fresh and sexy with interesting depth. This smells best on me about 1-2 hours after application when it becomes deep and hypnotic. I wear this day and night in winter. I find it a shock that is is as highly underrated and highly discounted as it is. Do not want to live without it! Also, is quite similar to YSL Belle d'Opium (5 of the same notes).

A great every-day-scent and perfect for the office. Fresh pepper, patchouli, woodsy, amber - mix. Not loud but here around me in a very nice way. A scent for fall and winter in my opinion. A keeper. En superfin varje-dag-doft som passar perfekt för kontoret. fräsch peppar, patchouli, träig och amber-mix. Inte högljudd men här runt mig på ett trevligt sätt. En doft för höst och vinter i mitt tycke. En självklar doft att ha i samlingen.

I have been hunting for a perfume that smells of rich frankincense to uplift my spirit. This is not it, but it comes close. I don't get much freesia or sandalwood or even patchouli, but the incense comes though clearly and lasts well. I can see why it might be considered masculine as there is a certain sharpness, but there is nice warmth in the drydown, maybe from the amber. Very good for the price. And a change from my usual florals.

This perfume its beautiful but strange at the same time. It make's me think about crazy bohemian hippies doing an orgy at the soud of Doors. It's a great night scent for people that smokes, because the fragrance has it own habitat. For me it smells like incenss, spices and lots and lots of pepper. It's a little bit to strong for me. For women over 30's, that go out to alternative bars and stuff I think it's a great and cheap smell!

I like the light fresh smell it has to it,its not over done and,it has a very youthful aroma and can be worn for all occasions,although it has spicey and woody undertones its not overwhelming and niether is it harsh.The fragrance sort of has a smooth flow to it and the floral combination compliments the woody spicey notes. I think its a good choice,so thumbs up to Kate for Velvet hour

The best one from Kate Moss. My friend bought it for me 6 years ago when we were togehter on a holiday in Barcelona, so this fragrance just brings back those party memories or lack of it. I like it, can't say it's my favourite. I still own a small bottle just for the sake of good old times. I just wish for the lasting power to be better.

This is soft, mildly sweet and a bit powdery. Has practically no sillage and wears exceedingly close to the skin. I like it and wouldn't mind smelling it on others but wouldn't want a bottle for myself. This would be a good starter fragrance for a budding perfumista who has yet to realize her fragrance identities. ;')

Now I write again after a few days wearing Velvet Hour. It definetely reminds me on another perfume, I think Rochas Absolu is the scent but it's less fruity and more woody, very beautiful, excellent staying power - on my skin - , very comforting. I like it more and more.

Hopefully I can do a better review of this once I stop sneezing....only thing I know so far is I like the pepper note in it:it's the same as the one in her original scent and is one of the very few interpretations of pepper I can wear.Darnit stupid sneezy nose!!!

My sister gave me this scent, I love the sultry and heady spiciness of it, but it borders on making me dizzy with its power. I almost smell a tobacco note in it, which wasn't listed. Its reminiscent of an 80's power scent to me, but not as intoxicating.

I was never a fan of celebrities' perfumes but this one is really unusual and very pretty. I tought I smell lavender at the top but now i see lavender is not mentioned here. Anyway, it's a nice spicy one, not too sweet, and definetely a good scent.

Very unique scent not like the other feminine fragrances, maybe masculine a little bit, I don't know why but I feel watery lavender and wood. I recommend to use at night or in colder weather:)

I got this one for free when I bought Vintage. It is so spicy and strong. reminds of Poison. later the smell softens, but still very strong. would consider it wearing in winter evenings.

Definitelly not my favourite by Kate. It is quite unique frag, but it's way too heavy for me. I like to wear it in winter or when nights are colder. It gives me headaches in summer.

According to me, Velvet Hour is more like I would imagine Kate Moss. Mysterious, sensual, a bit spicy. I think this scent is a good one but it doesn't last. Such a shame...

If not general, but I have enough resemblance to Dior Midnight but less intense and citric at least. An output Oriental , acid and forest tones. Nice*

A great celebrity fragrance that is criminally under-rated. For sultry nights and beautiful clothes. A rich, modern twist to a smoky perfume.

I got this a couple years ago. Its perfect for fall. Its sensual and mysterious. Its more of a warm deeper scent.

Interesting fragrance best for office use...light.