Crystal Noir Parfum

This fragrance has a story, albeit a petty story, but a story nonetheless! As most of you know, I collect fragrances and I have scent wardrobes to suit seasons, moods, occasions, settings and to make and retrieve scent memories. I am known amongst my girlfriends as a perfume expert, and I often introduce and recommend scents I think they'll like, and for the most part they do! This girlfriend of mine, let's call her Tilly, just came back from a 2-month Eurotrip last weekend. I've introduced Tilly to most of the fragrances she has, and I've gifted her many, up until this point. So, I went over to hers for drinks and sunshine last Sunday, she showed me the two perfumes she bought on her trip; some Tresor La Nuit (which I've had for years), and this one; Crystal Noir Parfum. Now, I've smelled the edt and edp and was unimpressed by them, a bit too spicy, not enough sweetness, and just generic perfumey perfume (like I get with most Versace frags)... but not this Parfum one, this 2024 version is EXQUISITE! I sprayed it once on my hand and it was heavenly jasmine, caramel, vanilla, sandalwood, soft tuberose and amber/solar/coconutty goodness (even though there's no coconut listed, the combo of notes is giving plasticy coconut which I dig), and it lasted from 4pm until the next day, surviving 2 hand washes! I was completely shook! And also green with envy, not gonna lie. So what did I do? Well on Monday I ordered myself the big bottle of this, you bet I did! The cherry on top? It was half off, I am over the moon! Ladies, this potion is sweet, sultry and super sexy and, unlike the edp which is a bit too spicy and not sweet enough, I think you could rock this potion any time of the year, as long as it's in the evening and night! PS: Upon reflection, I think what really elevated this fragrance to me is the Lily of the Valley! This is a scent that, when added as a middle note, always seems to elevate a perfume to OBSESSION status for me. If you, like me, are also into this note, try Annicke 5 by Eight & Bob, Dior J'adore L'or, MFK Aqua Universalis, Dior Pure Poison and Dior Hypnotic Poison, so don't think that only super flowery/spring perfumes have Lily of the Valley.

After three weeks of using this, I will say they have successfully created the closest they will ever come to re-creating the original. This is very strong and I get compliments from people more than anything else because of how strong it is. This is very well layered, complex and evolves beautifully. My only complaint is that a fragrance like this can be damaged very easily from conditions like humidity or not being stored properly. Which means you will see a lot of unreliable reviews on here. This is one you get nose blind to fast and if you wear fragrances every day, it won’t smell as strong, but believe me everybody else will!! I can smell it on my skin at the end of the day and on my clothes the next day. The milkiness from the original is back and it smells extremely addictive. Family and friends who remember my old Crystal Noir signature scent have told me that it “smells nice again.” It smells like something extremely expensive. Again, it’s not the exact same scent but 70% of it is there. Some people discovered it after 2020 and are upset it smells nothing like the new version they are used to. And then there are people who can’t just appreciate something beautiful for what it is because it’s not exactly what they used to have. It very much has a lot of DNA of the original crystal noir more than the reformulated versions do. This bottle smells more like 2020 than today’s EDT or EDP of crystal noir. The caramel might be a deal killer for some. However, I think the caramel gives Crystal noir back the silkiness and some thickness it lost in 2020. Crystal Noir is once again my signature scent only Parfum. Who cares if it’s marketed for women.

I’m the guy who filmed that long video on the reformulation on YouTube years ago. I wasn’t sure what to anticipate, I didn’t read reviews, I just bought it. The 2017-2020 formulation of the EDP was my signature scent. The newer EDT grew on me... alas is not the same despite being greatly improved in early 2024. This new parfum is almost identical to the logo and font used for the original Noir in 2003. Is it the same scent we all miss and love? No. But MAN is this addictive, it sticks to your clothes and skin just like the original did. It follows you wherever you go. Everyone will smell you and compliment you like in the old days. I’m a man and I wear this frequently and layer the EDT/EDP on top of it occasionally. This is extremely seductive and reintroduces much of what was lost in 2021, the thick milky plastic but heavenly good, only the plasticy is toned down which I don’t like. I know that sounds weird. I get compliments on this the way I used to before Covid hit. When I wear this and sit on someone’s couch or chair, someone else knows I was there, it just leaves a cloud. This is well layered and high quality. It has that luxurious vibe that was lost in 2021. No it’s not the same scent, but it traded some of the soul left in the new EDT/EDP and restored much essence of the original with the main elements restored.

I will preface this review by acknowledging that I am a long time fan of Versace Crystal Noir EDT, but I will try to keep it objective. I love Crystal Noir Parfum 2024! Is it better, not just double the price of the classic EDT, than the OG version??? I don’t think so... It maintains the line DNA very well even though the note structure seems quite different at first glance: a sensual, alluring, unique, creamy, warm, powdery, woody, soft spicy floral with a rich vanilla/sandalwood base. To my nose, it smells like there’s some coconut in here, and I can’t figure it out what else from the notes listed could smell like coconut. Performs well, it’s strong and has moderate sillage. Do I need the 2024 Parfum version when I have 3 bottles of the EDT?? Not really!!! Will I add it at some point to my collection? Definitely, I love this line from Versace! In my opinion, Crystal Noir line is the best one, out of the three Crystal collections created by Versace! I would recommend it to anyone, who wants something different (no matter the age) than what designers offer currently. Crystal Noir will make you stand out and get you compliments! Beautiful 2024 reinterpretation of an iconic perfume!

I have left a hasty opinionated review on Versace Crystal Noir Eau de Perfume, so now its time for PERFUME version of this fragrance and oh my god, they are two DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT fragrances. What I hated about the edp is that it is inremarkable, boring and just plain. Which is the worst, for perfumes in this pricerange. It also had a sour quality which i didnt like. This one is so cvnty. It opens with sharp soapy flower, Versace perfumes have this unique quality to kick you into liking them... Then, after a minute, it settles. Its cold soap, with wood and white flower. It is like cashmere in a bottle. Balanced, huggable and recognizable. Kinda fresh but in a warm way. This evokes in me pure emotions, washed and ironed white clothes, sandbeaches in satin dress, a hug from a stylish but cool friend. After an hour or two, the pepper and spice comes out, the warmth of your body will pulse this perfume trought every limb, you will become a woman with big W. I am 100% reccomending and buying this perfume for good, I feel new, I feel grown now.