We love testing fragrance blind, I mean just look at our monthly #EscentualScents box; we think that trialling beauty products without brand, gender or price is the best way to show how good it really is, so we’ve created this vs. series to blind test every beauty category from makeup and skincare to fragrance. Every month, the Escentual team will participate in a series of head-to-head beauty battles; the course has been laid out for February, so let’s begin.
I’m kicking off my first ‘vs.’ edit by putting some of the most iconic luxury fragrances up against a new scent from the same collection. Our Beauty Team will be participating in a fragrance blind trial (in the form of a beauty assault course) to help them answer the all-important question: which fragrance is the icon?
From a four-hour longevity test to a celebrity match challenge, we put each scent through its paces, so that we can help you to find the perfect fragrance for you or a loved one.
Shocking reveals, unbiased answers and lots of sniffing, there’s so much in store for you in this month’s ‘vs.’ edit. Discover who picked out the fragrance icon and who missed the mark. Let the beauty battle commence…
Round 1: Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium
The Icon (A): Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Eau de Parfum Spray
The Newcomer (B): Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Illicit Green Eau de Parfum
What’s The Difference? Illicit Green joined the sensual Black Opium fragrance collection in 2022, as a fresh, vibrant take on the iconic Sunday Times 2021 Award-Winner. In true YSL style, Illicit Green contains the same deliciously addictive signature notes of energising coffee and vanilla but with a fresh twist of juicy fig and pear. Inspired by Mixology, YSL perfectly balances the notes for an even louder take on the original adrenaline-inspired scent. I’d view Yves Saint Laurent’s newest take on Black Opium as the perfect daytime or summer alternative to the original sexy scent, with a citrusy freshness that lives up to its name ‘Illicit Green’.
Notes:
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium: Top notes of black coffee accord, mandarin and bergamot. Heart notes of orange blossom, tuberose and jasmine sambac. Base notes of white musk, vanilla bean and cashmeran.
Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Illicit Green: Top notes of pear accord, green mandarin and fig leaf accord. Heart notes of orange blossom absolute, jasmine grandiflorum and fig. Base notes of coffee accord, vanilla bourbon, patchouli and cedar essence.
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Round 2: Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb
The Newcomer (C): Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Eau de Parfum
The Icon (D): Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid Eau de Parfum
What’s The Difference? When Viktor & Rolf created the best-selling Flowerbomb fragrance, they wanted to use flowers to spread positivity, fantasy and beauty across the world. Now, for 2022 Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid joins the mix, with a sensual and confident twist, inspired by the glamourous Art of Burlesque. The first Viktor & Rolf fragrance for her is an ultra-feminine, elegant projection of flowers with a citrus twist, while Ruby Orchid is a warmer and richer take on the original but still holds the same celebration of flowers within its heart.
Notes:
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb: Top notes of bergamot and tea. Heart notes of freesia, centifolia rose, osmanthus, catleya orchid and sambac jasmine. A base note of patchouli.
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Ruby Orchid: Top note of vine peach accord. Heart note of Ruby Flower Orchid accord. A base note of red foxy vanilla bean accord.
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Round 3: Hugo Boss Boss The Scent
The Icon (E): HUGO BOSS BOSS The Scent Eau de Toilette
The Newcomer (F): HUGO BOSS BOSS The Scent Le Parfum
What’s The Difference? Carrying on the theme of seduction, the 2022 Le Parfum variation of the iconic 2015 Boss The Scent Eau de Toilette, amplifies all the qualities we fell in love with from the original: ginger, fruit and leather. Although the note structure is very similar, Hugo Boss has cleverly switched Manika fruit into the top note, so you’re hit with a fruity, rich rum from the get-go. The addition of iris softens the fragrance for a smooth heart, compared to the original’s aromatic lavender centre. But the most noticeable change, is of course the longevity, with the EDP offering a more powerful and longer-lasting scent.
Notes:
Hugo Boss Boss The Scent EDT: Top note of ginger. Heart notes of Manika fruit and lavender. A base note of leather.
Hugo Boss Boss The Scent EDP: Top notes of ginger and Manika Fruit. A heart note of iris. A base note of leather.
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The Results
We’ve counted and recounted again… it’s a draw! Keavy & Kate both guessed two fragrance icons correctly. Viktor & Rolf seemed to be the most difficult to identify, having the most surprising answers and pairings. Join us next month where we put cleansers to the test in Luxury vs. Affordable (Psst… French Pharmacy favourites)
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