Black Comme des Garçons Comme des Garçons 2013

Black Comme des Garçons by Comme des Garçons

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Black Comme des Garçons (Comme des Garçons)

7.9 / 10212 Ratings

Black Comme des Garçons is a popular perfume by Comme des Garçons for women and men and was released in 2013. The scent is smoky-spicy. It is being marketed by Puig.

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Top Notes	Madagascar pepper Somalian frankincense
Heart Notes	Leather Liquorice Birch tar California bay laurel
Base Notes	Cedarwood Vetiver

Ratings

Scent

7.9212 Ratings

Longevity

8.0149 Ratings

Sillage

7.0149 Ratings

Bottle

7.0138 Ratings

Submitted by DonVanVliet, last update on 19.09.2021.

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Reviews

04/17/2021

9.5
Scent 9
Longevity 8
Sillage

Mourant

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Mourant

Helpful Review 7

Bittersweet

The short and concise name BLACK sums up this perfume. Pepper, smoke, leather, birch tar, smoldering wood, a black symphony, all infused from start to finish with the underlying, unobtrusive sweetness of licorice, giving the collected darkness a soft break and sensual appeal.
Fortunately, I cannot smell or confirm gourmand barbecue associations mentioned by some reviewers here. Rather, I perceive a radical, yet elegant fragrance. A pretty punk in black velvet. Ambivalence.

Not only do I think BLACK is a unique scent, but I quickly discovered an emotional connection to it. It smells to me like a friend that I connect with a lot. My brother at heart, my lover only in rare moments that are fleeting as smoke.
Crypt punk, lean and striking, big dark eyes in black-smeared sockets, dark hair, shaggy mohawk, scuffed leather coat, heavy boots, all black. Heroin addict. The relationship with him bittersweet, as addicts often are. A contradictory swell, one moment connection, fun, sympathy, affection, closeness, unfortunately always followed by disappointment in some form or another. One is tossed back and forth between hope, sympathy, disillusionment, sadness and anger within a toxic relationship.
Every time I just smell the bottle of BLACK, it's like this friend's shadow is visiting me. I can't be as close to him as I would like. But when I put BLACK on, his ghost is there, the memory of his distinctive leathery scent and the cloying smoke of his hair in my pillow that, regrettably, fades much more quickly, leaving me with longing. BLACK is my little harmless heroin. It quenches the longing, the (craving) addictive pressure, enveloping me with its warmth until, after eight to twelve hours, it's time for.... cold turkey or the next fix.

2 Replies

02/27/2021

SayYes

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SayYes

Memory of an African Freemason

In the distant year 2016, when global pandemics were more associated with the horror/sci-fi genre rather than daily world events, I worked as an unsuspecting young professional in a German-African theatre production on the subject of secret societies, conspiracy theories and political manipulation. The sense and artistic value of the production, which was accompanied by the outraged departure of the Freemasons present at the premiere, are better left aside at this point. But there was a moment in the course of the roughly two-hour performance when an Ivorian performer performed a magical empowerment ritual in which he sprayed himself (as the president of an unnamed African state) with some thirty sprays of this scent. At times there were forty, depending on the mood of the audience. The ruler, who had gained power by means of black blood magic, wanted to unmistakably demonstrate this to his surroundings olfactorically. The reactions that followed were mixed, but they followed. Some fell into frightened gasps, others left the hall with their noses held shut, some contested the rest of the evening with a handkerchief in front of their noses, and individuals, brave ones, sat stoically and acted as if nothing had happened.
According to the production team, the scent was meant to evoke the intense mix of scents found in West African bazaars, along with their rich incense and abundance of spices. Olfactory theater in the Western style, so to speak. For me, it was mainly the warm, enveloping incense that made me (actually) like the scent. But as so often, it's all a question of the (right) amount. From more than five sprays, "Black" develops the penetrating power of a highly toxic insecticide; also the present caraway note (which is apparently not included at all;) seems too screaming, shrill. During the rehearsal phase, one actress even suffered an asthma attack and from then on refused to take part in the scene in question and the following scenes. The space-filling cloud that reached all the way to the last row was too strong and who could have blamed her? The actors involved, however, liked to wet themselves with "Black" even after rehearsals ended and had little understanding for the female high sensibility, which did not contribute to the general harmony.
The production was a single failure and was played off after a few times, but the memory of the scent lingered. Who knows, maybe someday I'll track it down in the prop room and give it a second chance in a more carefree setting. Miracles do happen.

01/30/2021

1
Scent 2
Longevity 4
Sillage 3
Bottle

Barbalix
27 Reviews

Barbalix

Where should I wear this?

I usually never write bad reviews and give bad score to a fragrance. Actually I think I never did it until now.

Where should I start. I like heavy, smoky fragrances, I am not afraid of animalic, oud fragrances. But this one made my head spin around.

It opens immediately with a lot of smoke, dark and heavy birch note, literally it smells the same like a wet woodcut thrown into the campfire. Heavy, dark tarry smoke cloud, yes maybe there are some woody earthy supporting notes but this was smelling to me like fresh tar.
I think this was the only one tested fragrance by me, where I have no idea how, when and where could anyone wear this one. I was testing it for many days, I am not a beginner, but simply I am not able to understand the purpose of this creation.

Do not blind buy this one, find a sample and test it first. Not for beginners!

04/02/2020

8.5
Scent 9
Longevity 7
Sillage 7
Bottle 7
Pricing

Leko

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Leko

Helpful Review 1

Interesting exotic through lactite

The first impulse "interesting" remains with me also the final. Writing that in advance is of course not that clever, but it reflects my overall impression well. While I'm already at the conclusion, it should also be said that the sillage and also the durability are rather below average for me. With other smoking candidates this is clearly better
Speaking of smoke... it is almost harmless and therefore accompanies rather pleasantly. The smoky tyrannos and in the finish Norne, for example, I find to be much more dominant and smoky. Maybe that's because Black has this component only in the top note and others in the heart or base. Pepper is also a harmless companion and brings a light, necessary freshness to the spice. But only as a prelude.

Liquorice is immediately and strongly perceptible. This does not reveal itself later, but immediately sets its mark. This is probably the reason for the interesting overall impression, because the exotic liquorice remains until the end, but after a short time it is well supported by birch tar. In the end, warm cedar wood comes to the fore, which also harmonises wonderfully with birch tar. With smoked, spicy and liquorice this results in a very special, final blend.

More of a niche fragrance, Black is not necessarily the "ripper" at every party, but if you like this direction, a relaxed and exotic companion. Not too intrusive, but interesting due to the extraordinary mix.
Clearly unisex the scent has only a limited effect on me, but of all things liquorice and the warm wood make it possible. Conclusion is already through and so I am now enjoying a new exotic in my small collection.

1 Replies

01/31/2020

7.5
Scent 10
Longevity 8
Sillage 8
Bottle

Valdar

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Valdar

Helpful Review 1

The horror clown at a barbecue party

One of my favorites, "Bois d'Encens" from the Armani Privé series is a bit too expensive to wear it permanently as a signature scent, so I looked around for alternatives. In the course of this, I sometimes came across "Black Amber" by Agonist, as well as the aforementioned "Black Comme des Garçons". This one seemed to me very similar to the Armani at first and the price is absolutely okay. In the meantime, I must confess I was wrong. The smoke/pepper prelude is pretty much what I wanted, but as it progresses this perfume comes across as much clumsier, more saturated and somehow much warmer than my beloved Armani Privé. I miss the cool, aloof, sacral and yet so filigree aura that "Bois d'Encens" radiates here.
This is of course my subjective feeling. Don't get me wrong. Objectively it is a good composition. Unbelievably unique, the fragrances cleverly interwoven and an exciting progression, which undergoes a change of mood, especially due to the later use of liquorice, from exclusively evil and gloomy to a more sarcastically crazy aura. It makes me think of a horror clown at a midnight barbecue. This is funny, but at the same time a point of criticism for me, because the smell loses its seriousness through this association with grilled, spiced, smoked, i.e. generally edible things, and creates a warmth that is too high for me to feel.

As suitable for everyday use, I would see the whole thing less (durability is enormous and sillage is initially very bulky). Sometimes I wear this perfume at work (because I just don't care) and I always get exactly one compliment for it. Always by the same colleague, a native Egyptian, who associates the fragrance with some holiday from her former homeland. But since this colleague is already married anyway, I will rather not annoy the rest of my colleagues too much and look for other Bois d'Encens alternatives for everyday life. Nevertheless I like to keep this one and I will wear it from time to time, if the mood suits me or if I have a gig as a horror clown at a midnight birthday and barbecue party.

1 Replies

05/12/2019

FrauHolle
1 Review

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FrauHolle

WATCH OUT! Spoilers! Because of the liquorice!

Many, who want to get this scent, ask themselves probably surely: Do you actually smell the liquorice?
LOOK AHEAD! From HERE no more reading, because I will tell you that one smells the liquorice.
It's like this, let's say like this, you can smell the liquorice already, but ONLY if you just know.

Your problem is now, after you have read these lines, and you have that: Yes, liquorice smells you, and from now on you will smell it too, next to the incense, but ONLY YOU now have the knowledge about the liquorice, but the people around you don't, and they won't smell it because of that, the liquorice, IF they don't know my contribution.

So the best thing to do is to be silent when someone asks you what you're wearing, don't say anything, or: NIX!
Or say: NIX WITH LAKRITZE, MAN! And also say unrelated, fateful words that you will later feel sorry for, such as anise, Haribo snails, or salmiak cats. They'll find out, and then you'll have the salad. Liquorice perfume is unbelievably difficult to explain.

And don't, NEVER, refer to Parfumo!
Just say to these curious people (my goodness, where did you meet them?)
: "Vanilla Kisses" like I always do when a Spakko asks me for my perfume.
(nobody asks anymore, because everybody already knows: Vanilla Kisses)

You all right? Okay, GaLiGrü!

9 Replies

12/29/2018

9
Scent 9
Longevity 8
Sillage 8
Bottle

Rhubarbara

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Rhubarbara

Top Review

... jekoled

Dit smells like ... to the jeko! Mmmmmh that's exactly what I was looking for! What it smells like when good, purpose-built things burn. Twigs, branches, leaves...
No food, no. If I wanted to smell of food, I could go to the kitchen and cook with the window closed.
The smell when the birds migrate and the cold slowly returns. Then a leaf fire in the garden with grandma.
Leather and liquorice... actually on my please-not-page. But exceptions confirm the rule, or ?
I wonder if women can wear this black too Anyone can, of course!
It suits me, even though the other might not see it that way. Didn't the "Man in Black" at the entrance to the fragrance consumption recommend "Tresor in Love" by Lancome to me years ago with a wink. He'd suit me very well! Thank you, but no thank you!
Then you'd better have leather and liquorice, but only in exceptional cases!

10/29/2015

5
Scent

Silverfire
130 Reviews

Silverfire

Helpful Review 2

Wispy Burning Woods

Black smells fruity in the pipette, but goes on smoky. It's a nice quality smoke, not artificial, but faintly acrid burning woods. About two hours in, the smoke has burned away to reveal a deep, sweet wood -- is this elmi? It smells like Azzaro Onyx (not the peppermint aspect). A little while later, the smoke returns and dies down gently, fading away completely by hour eight. This is not a bad scent, but it's certainly nothing groundbreaking, and I definitely don't get the impressions that others have received. (I feel cheated, honestly.)

08/23/2015

MasterLi
375 Reviews

MasterLi

Top Review 4

Something really special...

This is a fragrance I love because it challenges me. Whenever I find a fragrance like that I am always pleased. The house of Comme des Garçons is one which always pushes the limits and is able to challenge people's noses. I really admire them for that.

So the fragrance... to me this has spices and leather, liquorice & incense, and a heavy dose of birch tar. Personally, what comes to my mind when I smell this is the smell of a spice market full of busy people. In a busy street. I used to live in Cairo and at different times I used to remember the exact smell of a market full of all kinds of spices... cumin, caraway, black pepper, cinnamon, aniseed, paprika, cardamom, all sitting in sacks by each store. Sometimes because of the busy street you would find a man on a motorcycle pass by you, bringing the smell of the street with him (petrol, black engine smoke, engine oil ) and I would smell the black tar on the road which had melted in the hot sun. So many smells which rush in my imagination from all directions when I wear this one.

Personally, I don't agree when people say this is "unwearable". There is no such thing. I agree that this could smell challenging to some people, but to me I feel right at home! I would happily wear this. It's not too strong, it stays on the skin for a long time but it doesn't project to people in an offensive way. I think people who smell this on you would be intrigued and interested to find out this smell. I think that if you are a person who likes "interesting" or challenging fragrances, and who wears a fragrance for yourself, and not to "please" others, then you will enjoy this one. Personally I enjoy it very much, and it fires my imagination. Well done CdG!

01/25/2015

8
Scent 7.5
Longevity 7.5
Sillage 2.5
Bottle

Flavorite
240 Reviews

Flavorite

Helpful Review 3

Sensual Gamelan for Ghouls and Goblins

Black by Comme des Garçons is a woody licorice treat. My first thoughts are of Halloween candy and just as I wait for the sweetness- I realize, I have been tricked! Good Show! Dry, sugarfree, earthbound, fairly-traded (?) and masculine-leaning. Black gently takes my hand as offers to show me the city- I get a reality check dose of hot-tar-on-the- sidewalk note blended with a piquant fresh cracked black pepper on a base of smoky vetiver incense, just as promised by the name. This is in the same olfactory family for me as a scent-memory of shopping/walking in a heat-induced trance, in the galleries and kiosks of Ubud, Indonesia in the sedate radiant warmth of September, listening to the chime of Gamelan music. This is a passionate high energy scent for the evening on both men and women. Yet there is something dry ancient and artifact like about the wood note that is soothing and wise. Personally, I want my closets and house to smell like this in the Summer heat, instead of like Great Pyrenees. If you like fragrances like "Wonderwood" and "Hinoki", you should try this one. I would call this unique within that tight genre- and I would feel compelled to turn around and ask a gentlemen what he was wearing...but have to expect a sly wink and a silent kiss blown to me instead of an answer. Be sure to leave an appropriate offering of dragon-fruit for the guardians of the Monkey Forest before your evening dip in the cool lotus pond pool.