Here’s a bit of trivia I picked up somewhere: Mother Nature never made anything black.
So that black cat or dog of yours isn’t black, its a very deep shade of blue or purple. Its also why we rarely see black flowers. Well unless its dead 😛 So when you are faced with a fragrance named Dahlia Noir, the first thought that went through my head was “I wonder where they found a black dahlia”.
Turns out they didn’t.
Dahlia Noir is a flower that does not exist, but is conceptualised at the House of Givenchy. Givenchy wanted a flower that represented them, and the flower chosen was the dahlia – structured, yet feminine and soft. Black to add an air of mystery.
Another interesting bit of trivia : The Dahlia flower has no scent.
So how does a Dahlia Noir smell then? Ah, that was up to the imaginations of the creators. Interestingly, Dahlia Noir smells of roses. Interestingly also, the EdP and EdT both smell totally different! They could even be different perfumes.
While both flacons are shaped the same – a square glass block, the Eau de Toilette comes with a white cap and the Eau de Parfum in a black cap. The scents too are markedly different.
The EdT has a light scent of fruity roses. I personally found it a bit too powdery and floral for my tastes and it did not dry down well on me either. I will note that the scent is quite strong and does last quite a bit on my skin, so although its an EdT I don’t think longevity will be too much of a problem.
My personal preference is the EdP version, with the black cap. The colour of the perfume in the bottle is a little deeper than that of the EdT but still clear. Without the box, you won’t know what the name of the fragrance is.
All you see on the solid glass bottle is the name Givenchy Paris. Turn it over and nope, still no name. How do you know what this is called then? Ah, you have to have a spritz to find out 😉
Ah there it is! Lift off the rectangle cap and there, right where the spray is, is the name etched onto either side of the spray pump.
Dahlia Noir Eau de Parfum has a rather strong musky powdery scent that smells like roses and spices. I can tell you that most people surveyed during the press launch preferred the scent of the Eau de Toilette, because it is lighter, sweeter and just a little more girly. The EdP is stronger, more womanly, more exotic. Like me! HAHA! 😀
Ok maybe not like me, but I preferred this scent, and I have to say that it works with my skin. It starts out stronger and more musky but over the day, smells warmer. The scent of flowers almost disappears on my skin after a while, leaving behind a musky spicey scent that I happen to enjoy. Someone told me it smelt different and more unique than some of the other perfumes I’ve been using. I like that.
I will also tell you that many people weren’t too thrilled with the scent of the EdP but you know the drill with perfumes. Words are insufficient to tell you anything because perfumes react with our skin and body chemistry. My body disliked the sweet, light, floral EdT and instead preferred the stronger, muskier, spicier EdP. Its just how we roll 🙂
So I suggest you head on down to a perfume counter, and test it out for yourself to see if its something you may like. I like the clean lines of the bottle and the hidden surprise of the location of the name of the perfume. But above all, I like how Dahlia Noir EdP smells on me and that my friends, is the most important thing of all 🙂
For anyone who knows their notes, the notes in the Dahlia Noir EdP are: Pink Pepper, Mandarin, Cedrat, Rose, Peach, Cedarwood, Sandalwood, Vanilla, Amber. See, spicy, musky notes – just how I like ’em 😉
Because a perfume isn’t much fun without also viewing its commercial, here’s the commercial, with the hauntingly beautiful Mariacarla Boscono.
Do you think this is a scent you might like? Do you like musky spicy scents or something more light and floral?
I don’t usually go for floral scents and if the scent of roses is too strong, it tends to leave me with a headache. There are, in fact, very few florals that I can handle so I tend to go for something spicier or muskier. Its a bit unusual here, because in the hot weather, most people prefer lighter scents. I guess I’m just a little more unusual that way 🙂
Paris B
Givenchy Dahlia Noir Price: EDP RM234/30ml, RM333/50ml, RM396/75ml ; EDT RM190/30ml, RM267/50ml, RM324/75ml Availability: Sephora and major department stores
Raquel M. says
December 7, 2012 at 8:45 amI usually like both sweet and “warm” scents (like the one by D&G, for example) for cold weather as much as flowery and light ones (like the CH L’Eau by Carolina Herrera) for hot weather.
So, with my very wide scented nose, I had high expectations for this perfume because the concept is beautiful, the bottle design is fancy… But it turned out the scent was just too musky and spicy for me. A bit old fashioned, in my opinion.
I did not like it at all :\ I guess we can’t all like the same perfumes.
Paris B says
December 7, 2012 at 6:54 pmHaha yes, we can’t all like the same ones, Raquel. The world would be quite boring then! 😉 Thanks for sharing your input on this one. I will admit, it won’t appeal to everyone – most people complain of the powdery factor and the muskiness, but I really like it and it wears well on me – whew! 😉
xin says
December 7, 2012 at 12:01 pmwe are on totally different end on this – i can’t stand spicy nor musky perfume, it gives me a funny finish like i just walk out from a wood shop. i would prefer a fruity one.
Paris B says
December 7, 2012 at 6:54 pmIts our body chemistry. I’m a woody person, maybe LOL! 😛
Millie says
December 7, 2012 at 2:25 pmI prefer citrusy scent than floral or musky. It is more refreshing and my nose loves it better I guess. I don’t mind fruity scent but not too sweet coz it gives me headache. Also I tend to fall for beautiful and classy perfume bottles.
Paris B says
December 7, 2012 at 6:56 pmI like citrus scents too but those don’t wear very well usually 🙁 There was once I tried on a lovely Guerlain grapefruit perfume that smelled gorgeous. It was like a freshly peeled grapefruit! After 15 minutes of it being spritz on my wrist, I couldn’t wait to scrub it off because it smelled like pee >.< I'm not kidding. I endured a 5 hour flight with my wrist smelling like pee >.<
Marina(Makeup4all) says
December 7, 2012 at 6:47 pmI actually really love the promo video and photos but haven’t tried this perfume yet. Will have to do so, when I am at the Givenchy counter next time 😉
Paris B says
December 7, 2012 at 7:00 pmOnly if you like spicy musky scents, Marina! 😀 The promo video and images are really lovely!
Ting says
December 8, 2012 at 12:04 amHmm… Vanilla as one of the notes. A big no no for my ‘dog nose’ husband. 🙁 The vanilla scent makes him headache. So I guess this wont be on my shopping list then. 🙁
Paris B says
December 8, 2012 at 4:19 pmI just learnt recently that most people in Asia dislike Vanilla scents because its too heavy and sweet. I quite like it in small doses 😀
Catherine says
December 8, 2012 at 8:22 amNow, that info about black surprised me 😀 I had no idea! I didnt like the scent but then again Im not sure which one sephora lady spritzed me on blotter. You make it sound amazing tho! 😛
Paris B says
December 8, 2012 at 4:21 pmHaha the trivia I store for moments just like this 😉 I think scent is a very personal thing so reviews only serve to tell you how I feel about it and what is out there. Some people get very tetchy about fragrances, I find. Granted its less easy to be universally appealing as a blush, but we’re all entitled to our preferences 😀
Firn says
December 8, 2012 at 10:03 amThe only “true” rose perfume I wear is Paul Smith’s Rose. It doesn’t have any powderiness and I get compliments on it all the time. It smells like a fresh rose in bloom. The EDP doesn’t last that long on me, but it’s absolutely beautiful on its own or layered with Clean’s Skin. 🙂
I find too many commercial perfumes smell too fruity for my taste or have *horror* vanilla.
Paris B says
December 8, 2012 at 4:22 pmI haven’t sniffed that one but a nice fresh rose scent is very lovely and feminine. I recently sniffed the upcoming DKNY Drop of Rose which also has a fresh rose scent that I think many people will like although I personally am not a fan of rose scents 😀
Firn says
December 10, 2012 at 9:01 amOoh can’t wait to check that one out! DKNY scents last a really long time on me so will be better than my current one which only lasts 3 hours maybe.
Paris B says
December 13, 2012 at 11:05 amIt should be out in February to capitalize on Valentine’s Day 😀 It does last quite a long time I found. Very rosey
Beauty Box says
December 8, 2012 at 1:26 pmI def prefer darker, spicier scents as they blend in with my skin better than citrus light scents, though I am a big fan of floral, esp jasmine. I love everything about the Dahlia Noir perfume – the elegant bottle would so nice on a vanity table – which attracted me to test it but unfortunately I found it a bit too ordinary for me. It’s got that powdery tone to it which is common in a lot of heavier fragrances…but perhaps my skin just didn’t bring out the best in it. Perfume is so highly subjective and personal.
Paris B says
December 8, 2012 at 4:23 pmHaha I can’t handle jasmine – gives me a headache. Its pretty interesting how we can all feel so strongly about a scent but that’s what makes fragrances sell I suppose. How it feels on someone and the images they evoke. I wasn’t terribly taken with Dahlia Noir on first sniff, but I liked the dry down. Makes me feel warm 😀
lisa says
December 8, 2012 at 9:25 pmThe bottle looks appealing but the note list looks rather long and complicated.
i like Jo Malone’s Black Vetyver Café Cologne for something spicy and warm. I quite like fragrances with vetiver notes. And sandalwood. They have a soothing calming effect on me. But i don’t do vanilla well. Nor am i usually a floral person. The only floral i’m wearing is the Chanel No 19 Poudre. It is a somewhat comforting floral powdery scent that i can wear without inducing a headache. On the whole, citrusy light fresh notes are what i generally like.
Don’t you agree this ad is better than the Brad Pitt one?
Or rather, I feel that almost any ad can easily beat that ad anytime.
Paris B says
December 10, 2012 at 6:40 pmI still haven’t gone to check out the Jo Malone counter. I have a sampler set I’d been playing around with and I have to say the notes are very different and very clear and simple for the colognes. I like how the different scents smell when they are layered. Its what I enjoy the most – mixing up my own except I sometimes get it wrong LOL! And as for the ad, you’re right. Any ad beats that Brad Pitt one by a mile… and a half!
MisSmall says
December 9, 2012 at 5:27 pmI’m drawn to clean, floral scents compared to sweet fruity ones. I haven’t tested this in person yet, but I have a feeling that I’ll like the EDT more. 🙂
Paris B says
December 12, 2012 at 5:35 pmEven the EdT is a bit strong, so definitely test it properly first. If you like clean floral scents, it may not be for you 🙂
casey23 says
December 10, 2012 at 3:27 pmOh this was such a blow up for me :(( So much that it still hurts me everytime I see this damn bottle!!!
I do remember Dahlia Noir and Guerlain’s Little Black Dress (I can’t remember the french name le petite noir something..) came out in similar times and I was wondering around the mall with my boyfriend and passing through Sephora when I pulled him inside and tried both perfumes. I didn’t much liked Guerlain’s because the cherry smell remind me of a cough syrup I used to take when I was little (vietnam flashback!!) but I really liked the floral smell of Givenchy! And my boyfriend liked it too, so I ordered it to a friend abroad to buy it from duty free. But I said (stupid me!!) “Buy the EdP version, they usually last longer!”… Needless to say, I hated it (sorry Paris) it was toooooooo powdery for my taste and I felt so heartbroken, and ended up giving the perfume to my bfriend’s mother 🙁
Paris B says
December 13, 2012 at 11:31 amAww sorry to hear it didn’t work on you Casey. Yes, the EdT and EdP smell totally different. The EdP is definitely strong and musky and definitely also not a scent many will like. Fortunately, there are loads of scents to suit every taste 😀