— fragrance, video reviews —

Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP Perfume Video Review

January 23, 2012

Mainstream Monday – Sniffing a Popular Perfume

Tom Ford’s “first” fragrance, a floral amber launched in 2006 was something that took some time to grow on me. It’s a weird one but of course, I didn’t think it was weird enough initially. Now I see it. Tom Ford Black Orchid is glamorous, a statement fragrance – the presentation, the packaging, the “loud” notes. Because it is described as a statement fragrance, it is a fragrance that I go in and out of wearing. Sometimes I feel like this fragrance is too bold; I’m feeling shy. Other times Black Orchid is exactly what I want; it’s me. Despite my many moods, this is always a fragrance that I like. I just may not wear it often.

Tom Ford Black Orchid

I have to get this out first. I like Black Orchid but I am really disappointed at the lack of truffle played up in this. Nothing can describe the taste and the smell of black truffles except for black truffles. This underground fungi is very unique. Because it is so unique, it is my favorite smell of weirdness. I’m guessing that the truffle used in Black Orchid is Périgord or a perfume-y black truffle. So imagine something earthy, nutty, and musky…dirty. What I’m getting at is I don’t really get truffle from Black Orchid, I get earthy. Some people say that this is “mushroomy”, well, truffles don’t smell like other mushrooms. So the fragrance failed in the area of fungi.

Black Orchid opens with this strange incense cucumber-melon wrapped in ylang-ylang petals. This top is a fruity floral amber and fresh but with an unusual dirty earthiness. With time I get cucumber floral amber with dark cocoa powder and patchouli. The base is dry, cocoa powder earth – mainly patchouli. Overall, Black Orchid smells dark and has depth.

Black Orchid has above average sillage and is very long-wearing. It’s one that smells different from afar and up close. I actually like it from a distance better which is good because this one leaves a trail.

Notes listed include truffle, ylang-ylang, black currant, bergamot, orchid, fruity notes, lotus wood, dark chocolate, incense, patchouli, sandalwood, vanilla, and vetiver.

Tom Ford Black Orchid ad

Give Black Orchid a try if you like loud fragrances or floral ambers like Cartier Baiser du Dragon, Jean Paul Gaultier Classique Femme, Estee Lauder Spellbound, Dior Addict, and/or Tom Ford Private Blend Noir de Noir. Because the florals bloom on me, I see this as a feminine fragrance. However, I know many men that wear this and it is more earthy on them. Surprisingly, Black Orchid can be unisex. And I love the deco bottle.

Tom Ford Black Orchid comes in a few sizes with prices ranging from $100-$145. You can find it at Sephora and Nordstrom.

EauMG’s Final EauPINION – A strange, bold cucumber floral ambers with a dark, earthy cocoa powder base. This is one you’re going to love or hate. I’ve had people tell me this is their favorite perfume ever and I’ve had people tell me that it is traumatizing. I think it’s one of the most interesting mainstream perfumes on the market.

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*Sample given to me with a purchase. Post contains affiliate links. Thanks! Product pic from Nordstrom. Ad from The Gloss.

16 thoughts on “Tom Ford Black Orchid EDP Perfume Video Review”

  1. I love your video reviews, they make me smile! 🙂

    I have a dear Male friend who lists “Tom Ford” as his religious views..this friend also REALLY loves Oscar Wilde. I couldn’t help think of him when you were talking about your Grandmother…if that makes ANY sense.

    I now need to try this one again.

    1. Your friend sounds awesome. And it does make sense. I have friends that remind me of my grandmother just because they are opinionated and you never have to guess what is on their mind.

      Like I said, I like this one. I really should wear it more but I have to be in the mood for it. It’s a showy one.

  2. I like Black Orchid but do not wear it too often – probably it’s too intense for me for the office wear but not dressy enough for a special-occasion type of wear. But it is nice and I’m glas a have a mini bottle in my collection.

    About truffles: I don’t understand what’s the problem of getting it into the perfume since most “truffle oils” on the market use known artificial truffle chemicals that smell very believable.
    Undina recently posted..Three Pieces of Neela Vermeire’s India Puzzle

    1. That’s my deal with Black Orchid too. It’s too much for day wear and it doesn’t “fit” with anything I’d do on the weekends. But, I like to have it around.

      Thank you for mentioning this. You’re absolutely correct. I don’t understand how getting a fragrance of black truffle is so difficult when the flavor oils do it. I often wonder if it is because people don’t want to actually smell like a truffle but like the idea of the luxury of such a note.

  3. Ok, I’m a male, so I guess I’m guilty as charged 😛
    I belong to the Black Orchid male worshippers. Yes, it’s floral but not sweet and nice: it’s deep, complex but not disturbing. As a fan of floral unisex, I just think it’s perfect. Curiously, it doesn’t seem feminine to me. it’s too complex to fall on either side.

    1. That’s cool. I think Black Orchid is great. And I love a good “masculine floral”.
      I think I should do my list of favorite “unexpected” masculines. Black Orchid would be on it for sure!

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