Fragrance trends are all about ink scents right now. Not everyone's a fan, but those who love the smell of ink are always on the lookout for new and exciting fragrances to try. And sometimes, you stumble upon a hidden gem, like I did with the Vercage Crystal Noir.
I've got a pretty interesting story to share about a perfume that was gifted to me. My mom bought it on a whim at the 'Funny Prices' store, and I was initially skeptical. But after giving it a try, I was pleasantly surprised.
She loved the smell at the store, but once she got home, she was like, 'Uh, no thanks!' She'd paid just 400 rubles for it, and I thought it was just a cheap knockoff. But it turned out to be a great find.
The packaging was in a nice, smooth plastic. Everything was done really well and looked professional. The design was clearly inspired by the original.
The barcode, license, and all that jazz were on the back. It was made in [country of origin].
On the back, there's the ingredient list. Everything's listed as it should be. Uniflame's the one behind this magic. I've actually encountered their products before, and they're decent.
The bottle's got the same design as the original, and that's a good thing. What's more important is that the quality's great. Even the sprayer's perfect.
The bottle itself feels nice in your hand, it's heavy and made of thick glass.
I have to say, the label cracked me up. It reminded me of those knockoff sneakers I saw years ago at Cherki Zon in Moscow – fake Adidas, but with 'Adibas' scribbled on them. Those Chinese copycats are something else.
But with perfume, it's a whole different story. You've got to get the scent just right.
The box with the bottle looked pretty good, but what about the actual perfume?
I managed to find some info on a Polish delivery website:
Volume: 50 ml EDP
Notes:
Top notes : pepper, cardamom, ginger
Heart: lily of the valley, jasmine, orange blossom
Base: musk, amber, sandalwood
Perfume families: oriental, floral .
The perfumes were originally wrapped in foil.
This product is 100% legal – there are no registered trademarks on the packaging.
It's a dead ringer for the original Versace Crystal Noir, almost identical. The only thing missing is a hint of coconut.
I'm sorry, I don't have the original to compare it to, and to be honest, I don't remember it that well anymore. It's hard to say how similar it is.
If we look at the scent as a standalone, that's where things get really interesting.
One of the things that really stands out about Vercage Crystal Noir is its ability to balance all the individual notes. They sound amazing on their own, but even more so when they come together to form a cohesive melody.
And then there's the packaging – it's beautiful and truly nighttime-inspired. The bottle and its contents are a perfect match. I'd say it's a night crystal, a crystal night, or whatever you want to call it – it's all about capturing the essence of sensuality, those long, drawn-out sighs, and a dark, velvety sky studded with diamonds.
But what's even more interesting is that I never would have picked out the ink note in Versace Crystal Noir on my own. It's not something that would have occurred to me before, but maybe that's because I wasn't looking for it?
I have to say, the scent of this perfume is much more floral and sweet. You could almost draw parallels with ink if you're into that. It's a mix of spices, flowers, wood, resin, a hint of acidity, and a touch of sweetness, with a smooth, velvety texture. The notes are clearly labeled as floral and oriental.
In the world of perfumery, there's a note called ink – it's often associated with high-end fragrances. It's not a particularly popular trend, so fans of unique scents often have to hunt for affordable options or look for ink-inspired fragrances in the mass market.
As someone who's passionate about the smell of ink, typewriter ink, libraries, archives, old and new books, and ballpoint pens, I can attest to this firsthand. I always have a few bottles of ink for my fountain pens on my desk, as I often write or draw with them.
For me, it was easy to pick out the subtle ink note in Vercage Crystal Noir. Of course, it's not a direct replica of the smell of ink – and it doesn't need to be. I have a bottle of ink for my fountain pen that's so strong, it makes my eyes water – it's super smoky and iodine-like. The ink note in Vercage Crystal Noir is more reminiscent of the smell of old ballpoint pens we used in school back in the Soviet era.
The longevity of this perfume is actually quite impressive. The sillage is initially quite noticeable, with a decent length, but it's not overpowering – it's moderate. But the scent quickly becomes intimate and settles close to the skin.
The staying power of this perfume is a bit of a letdown, though. I thought a scent this bright and deep, claiming to be evening-worthy, would last longer. But no, it lasts only 4 hours. That's acceptable for a budget-friendly fragrance, but it's still a bit too quick for my liking. As I mentioned earlier, it quickly becomes skin-friendly. You can detect it after 6-7 hours if you sniff really closely, but only if you're right next to the application point. Maybe I'm just getting too used to it and no longer notice it.
I was about to say this is a feminine scent, but it's actually quite unisex – it's spicy, woody, and has a bit of an edge.
Let's just say it's suitable for those 18 and above.
The scent from the bottle suggests something evening or night-time, but I wear it just as easily during the day.
For me, it evokes autumn – I get a whiff of damp leaves in the scent. But I've worn it in the summer too, and it works just fine, especially on a rainy day.
So, to sum it up, I'm really impressed with the direction and quality of this perfume. The scent is interesting, but I'd need to test it out some more. I picked it up at 'Funny Prices', but it's hard to find online. If you're a fan of ink and pen notes in perfumery, I'd especially recommend giving this a try.
Well, that's all for now, and I'll catch you all in the next one!