Narciso Rodriguez for Him Bleu Noir Eau de Parfum

Classy, sexy, clean, fresh, dark, powdery, warm, cozy. This is a great fragrance, and one of my favorite buys of 2020 thus far. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, and will definitely smell familiar to most noses. This woody-musky-fougereish DNA has doubtlessly been done before. However, the blending, quality, and the manner in which Bleu Noir EDP pulls off that DNA off is notable. First off, I will say that I have not smelt the EDT, so I can't say how it compares. I will say, however, that this has absolutely NOTHING to do with Terre d'Hermes beyond the fact that they both contain vetiver and wood. There are shades of Cartier's Declaration here, but only just; this is not by any means a clone of that fragrance. Bleu Noir EDP is dominated by a smooth, creamy, clean musk and supported by woods and amber. None of the spiciness, bitterness, dirtiness, or really complexity of Declaration is present here. This like Declaration trimmed of all its sharpness and edge, rounded off and smoothed over. Overall it is an exceedingly simple fragrance (in the best way) with little evolution which is completely inoffensive, comfortable, and easy to wear. If you love clean musk, this is one of the best in the designer realm for men. As others have commented, this is a fragrance of contrasts. It absolutely lives up to the name "Bleu Noir", i.e. "dark blue". There is definitely darkness here - dark woods, deep amber, rooty vetiver - but there's light, despite the lack of citrus, and transparency too. The musk is at once dense, creamy, and fresh. The mental image I get when I smell Bleu Noir is almost exactly the same as the bottle - a sheet of dark, cobalt blue glass, opaque but transparent enough to see through, with a light shining behind it. Because of the contrasts, I could easily see different facets of the fragrance emerging depending on the weather. I've only worn it in warm weather thus far, and I've been getting mostly the lighter side of things in the heat. At the moment, the dark ebony and cedar only seem seem to emerge in the deep drydown. However, I could easily see this being just as well-suited to the cold as it is to the heat, with the woods and amber taking center stage. It truly fulfills its role as a "blue" fragrance, being a Swiss Army knife that can be used for all occasions in all seasons. I have not had the performance issues that others have had at all. 4-5 sprays lasts me about all day (7-8 hrs) with soft but noticeable projection for the majority of the day and arm's length sillage. It creates a very pleasant but somewhat restrained aura around you, which in my book is the best kind of projection. I'll have to test how well it performs in colder weather, but performance in warm weather has been surprisingly strong. Overall, Bleu Noir EDP is an easy to wear, dark, classy, clean, and sensual fragrance that I've worn the hell out of since picking it up two months ago. It's become one of my favorite dumb reaches, and my girlfriend has started to refer to it as "your scent". I think this one has flown under the radar, which is easy to do in this blue designer market. If you wear Bleu Noir EDP, you won't necessarily smell "different" per se (though rest assured, this smells nothing like Bleu de Chanel, Sauvage, Dylan Blue, or Elysium), but you will smell great. For men looking for a great all-rounder that stands apart from the currently trending, I rate this is as a top pick. This is the kind of fragrance that wears like a perfect pair of jeans. It's comforting and cozy, stylish and suave, sleek and a little bit sexy. It's not a statement piece, and it's not even necessarily a huge compliment getter, but what wardrobe is complete without a great pair of jeans? For the price I paid ($56 for 100ml with a great presentation), I couldn't be happier. 8.5/10

First off, let me say this. Some of these fragrance review descriptions are laughable, at best. Others are just downright cringe worthy. Example; comparisons to Terre d'Hermes & CK One with a reviewer stating as follows. "The fragrance becomes similar. Not completely but, to a great extent. Dirty Orange & Vetiver feels." What?? But, wait as it gets better my fragrance bro-hams & sisters. A comparison to CK1 and this individual states "I haven't smelled CK1 in years but, this is exactly how I remember it." Huh?? Ok, first Terre d'Hermes and its scent profile. Citrus up top with Orange & Grapefruit. That opening leads to a powerful yet masculine peppery, Flint and floral accord. Finishing it off is Cedar, Patchouli, Vetiver and a touch of Benzoin. Dirty Orange juiciness with woods. The Vetiver here is more rooty and more pronounced compared to Bleu Noir edp which is cleaner and softer. Now this part is really important frag-heads. Pay attention. Musk is a predominant note in Bleu Noir edp throughout the whole wearing and life of the fragrance. That is a fact and is not debatable. Ok now, how much musk is in Terre d'Hermes? Wait for it. Absolutely NONE!! I know, mind boggling. See what I'm getting at here? It's not that hard to draw up a conclusion here on how similar or dissimilar these two fragrances are. You be the judge. CK One is not even in the same planet as it is a total green, citrus and tea like fragrance. I'm not going to address this fragrance in comparison to NR BN edp. It's an embarrassment to suggest or think that they are alike. The truth of the fragrance reviews have gone on the side of pathetic to sheer lunacy. A travesty to be honest as it dilutes the very nature of what this forum was created for. The overall impression of what a fragrance represents and portrays has been gutted by clueless fragrance rhetoric that just confuses and deters the average/casual fragrance follower from seeking unbiased and proper fragrance descriptions in a concise manner that is thoughtful with a semblance of intellect and some intelligence. The shit that is said/written here is purely whimsical and profoundly incoherent. But, I do giggle quite a bit. NR Bleu Noir is floral, woods and musk. I get nothing more. There is that blue nuance to it a la Bleu De Chanel but, it has none of the citrus opening and much less of the ambroxan vibe though it is lightly present. This has quality craftsmanship with a subtle elegance and sophistication that is equal to Bleu De Chanel with a much softer projection yet serves its purpose beautifully as an everyday scent with better than average longevity. It evolves simply but, masterfully on the few ingredients and accords that it implies and carries. It's simply a gorgeous blue, woods and musk fragrance with a floral touch that is impeccably done. Musk is this house's bread and butter and it is done and represented here to near perfection. If you like clean musk and woods with a floral undertone adjacent to a light shower gel blue vibe, this just might fit the bill.

wWOWw! Has anyone noticed a "Buttery Richness" whenver you sniff where you sprayed this fragrance up-close? (Maybe the Amber or Ebony wood?) Idk, but this truley smells FANTASTIC, and after having NR Bleu Noir edp for about a year now, I just noticed it a few days ago! Now I do own a lot of fragrances so I dont wear this all that often, and its actually been about 4 to 5 months since Ive last worn it so it could be a "Maturation Thing", but man this smells really very nice! I really love the slightly powdery soapiness offered by the Vetiver note and if NR Bleu Noir edp reminds me of ANYTHING, it would have to be John Varvatos Artisan Pure except the John Varvatos is much, much more citrusy whereas this has no citrus that I can detect, but these two are in the same genre imo. Also, folks say that this Bleu Noire edp does not lasts very long, but I beg to differ! On me this lasts a good 6 to 7 hours on skin with Moderate to good projection and lasts DAYS on clothes. Also this scent is preeetty easy to go nose-blind to bc Ive noticed that whenever I spray a good amount on my neck and chest I just cant even smell it after say.. 2 hours. Yet if I spritz it on my forearms and lower torso away from my face, Im getting pretty good wiffs of it throughout an entire 8 hour work shift! Now the good performance may be the "Maturation thing", but thats what Im getting, and Im a "Performance Whore" if a fragrance doesn't have decent to great longevity then I really do loose interest and therefore wouldnt be defending Bleu Noir' honor like this, LOL! So yeah, try NOT to be like me where whenever I het a new fragrance and it performs poorly, I get to leaving little rants on here and other forums, where then I have to basically EAT MY WORDS bc ya best believe that Ill go back and correct myself when at times "Maturation" really does help with over all performance and even the actual scent its self. Give Bleu Noir edp a little times after using it a few times having let some air into the bottle so that the scent can properly Maturate. I mean it just really works and can COMPLETELY change a fragrance 99.9% of the time. NR Bleu Noir smells fantastic, classy, and although its no beastmode frag, it does infact have good performance. A wrll deserved 8 outta 10 in my book, veeery nice!☺️

Frankly, sometimes I wonder if many of the people who write so loudly here have really smelled the fragrance... Because there are things subject to opinion, but there are others that absolutely not. And much of what I have read about this perfume here, is simply a lie. First of all, I got it... So at least, I know perfectly what I am talking about: I don't write a review based on four snorts on a cardboard. For me - without a doubt -, this perfume is at the highest level of designers quality... And in my honest opinion, one of the best recently launched: the definition of a modern masterpiece. This perfume is deep and fresh, comforting and modern, creamy and elegant... A highly seductive fragrance. The main player here is musk, wrapped in sophistication, romanticism and mystery. Characteristics: - Mood: Sensual, seductive, elegant, classy. - Projection: Moderate. At the opening, it has the length of an arm (<2h.). Afterwards, a persistent half an arm throughout its development. - Sillage: Dense & consistent. Suitable for clubs and perfect for dates and close encounters. -Longevity: > 10h. This scent acts as a deep cloud of refined musky aroma around you, for a looooong time. ... So if you really know the perfume, in no way will you believe the words of someone saying that it doesn't last: Possibilities: - 1: The guy in question simply hasn't been tried the true perfume. - 2: It's a simple lie. - 3: His nose doesn't work or is broken; I have read that some people are not able to detect the smell of musk well, but I don't know if this is really true. - 4: Maybe his body odor is so smelly that it exceeds the perfume; musk is a "bass" smell (making an analogy with sound), which can be completely masked with body odor, if it is excessive. ... But if you are a clean and neat person, this would not be a problem, right..? NOTE: It should be noted that this EDP version it is quite different from the EDT, which is the one that has a slight resemblance to TdH & Declaration. That doesn't happen in this EDP, although the versions still maintain some common DNA. Between the two, I prefer the EDP: It's more elegant, more seductive and lasts longer, but the EDT hits and projects more in the opening, if you're looking for that. It's different... But a solid fragrance, too.

Narciso Rodriguez for Him Bleu Noir Eau de Parfum, launched in 2018, is the refined evolution of the 2015 Eau de Toilette. Here, we have a perfume that carries the house's unmistakable musk signature, but now enveloped in a denser, warmer, and more intimate aura. If the EDT was fresher and sharper, the EDP focuses on depth and mystery. The fragrance presents itself as an elegant and seductive combination. From the first spray, vetiver and cedar provide a dry, clean woody base, at once sophisticated and comforting. Then, amber enters the scene with a warm, enveloping touch, while musk, a central element of the brand's identity, delivers just the right amount of sensuality and softness. Ebony wood adds a dark, mysterious, and slightly exotic touch to the composition. It's a fragrance that exudes effortless class, perfect for those who enjoy understated yet striking perfumes. It's captivating without being invasive, sensual without being obvious. Longevity is moderate to good, lasting around 7 hours on the skin, and can last longer on clothing. Strong projection in the first two hours, then becomes closer to the skin, creating an intimate aura. Ideal for elegant evenings, romantic dates, and social events. It also works very well in the workplace if applied sparingly. Although best suited for fall and winter, its clean and sophisticated character allows for use on cooler spring days or even in air-conditioned environments in the summer. Final Score: 9.1/10 A refined, elegant, and seductive fragrance in perfect measure. Bleu Noir Eau de Parfum is a safe choice for those seeking a modern woody fragrance with a touch of mystery and plenty of personality. It's versatile, well-constructed, and perfectly represents Narciso Rodriguez's sophisticated DNA. If you're looking for a men's fragrance that's off the beaten path, but without overdoing it, Bleu Noir EDP is a sure bet.