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Dark,..of the darkest of scents..?Totally mediveal..gothic..victorian..DARK!!

post #1 of 67
Thread Starter 
What are your deep....dark....scents...??Totally....mysterious.. .dark ages.....gothic..victorian?
post #2 of 67
to me Alexander McQueen Kingdom is very dark. I actually own this and have never worn it in public .... it just seems bigger and darker than my personality.
post #3 of 67
If not for the semi-sweet vanilla note, I would say Parfum Lucifer from Damien Bash but I've taken to it for more quotidian occasions now. I remember Dior Poison being quite dark when I was little but now I've relegated it to something far more ethereal, too. I guess Helmut Lang's Veliviona brings out the dark chords for me, albeit far more akin to the renaissance than medieval ones.
post #4 of 67
Black Aoud, which sounds extremely dark, is my absolute favorite scent, but I don't consider it medieval or gothic, as it is too beautiful on me to be considered anything but noble. But the beautiful rose in it is indeed a black-red rose, and would be comfortable in a graveyard at night.
post #5 of 67
Call me boring, but I think Stella is very dark and victorian. What's more gothic than a dark rose?
post #6 of 67
It's difficult for me to associate a perfume with medieval times or with gothic stuff. Maybe it's because I like dark perfumes but am not into the goth stuff? The one perfume I highly associate with the (modern) goth look is Kingdom. I don't like this scent though, and I don't think it's dark either. It just sits on my skin and takes over it, no development or interaction. Just like those goth kids who wear the exact same clothes for about 5 years in a row (hope I am not insulting anybody here, I have nothing personally against this fashion style, this is just what Kingdom makes me think of...).

Caron, in my opinion, is the ruler of dark scents. They do it in such a magnificent manner. The Caron perfumes are so complex and most of them have a dark, dense base. They are not medieval though.

My favourite dark scents include quite a few Carons (and I haven't tried their entire line yet...):

Nuit de Noel (Caron) - parfum
N'Aimez que Moi (Caron) - parfum
Tabac Blond (Caron) - parfum
Narcisse Noir (Caron) - parfum only, the EDT is too cheerful
Youth Dew (in parfum only)
Feuillles de Tabac (Miller Harris)
Arabie (Serge Lutens)
Muscs Kublai Khan (Serge Lutens)
post #7 of 67
I've got to agree with Ayala - Narcisse Noir is definitely the darkest scent in my collection. I don't think of it as a medieval Goth scent, but I do think of it as a 1930's vamp scent, which carries its own kind of darkness.
post #8 of 67
The only thing that pops in my mind is Frankincense - Myrrh - Rose Maroc by Regina Harris.
post #9 of 67
I second Andrew with the Regina Harris, and will direct people who like that one to DSH perfumes Une Robe de Zibeline, which is quite similar and has a balsamic/vanilla base so it just a bit sweeter.
post #10 of 67
Messe di Minuit is the 'Gothicest' fragrance I know.
post #11 of 67
L'Artisan's Passage d'Enfer always reminds me of medieval, gothic churches in England. Dark churches and dark scent and I am loving both.
post #12 of 67
If I keep going on about Zagorsk, I know somebody is going to want to slap me, BUT do I find it a cheerfully dark fragrance.

I am currently in Denmark, and Winter is setting in fast; in a few weeks it will be twilight by 16.00, a nice time of day to sit an a warm, dimly lit coffee shop, enjoying the scent of lovely baked goods and coffee while looking out at the chilly blue darkeness outside.
Zagorsk embodies this sort of dark Winter, warm inside atmosphere.
Then again, I grew up in Florence, and find massive stone buildings with gargoyles cosy, so the warm aspect of Zagorsk's darkness may note be present for everyone.

Cabochard also has a warm enveloping darkness (or at least the original did, don't know about the reformulated version yet).
post #13 of 67
Very nice topic - dark > im smelling turkish rose- patchouli - labdanum - leather - musk .
post #14 of 67
Hmmm, I don't have it yet, but on the way a decant of Paestum Rose --rose and incense. High hopes!
post #15 of 67
Avignon CDG, Incense Norma Kamali (dry, dark and pure), Paestum Rose (a beautiful, spicy, dark rose!), Angelique Encens (dark and lovely oldfashioned, etheral), Borneo 1834 SL (hippiedark), Voleur des Roses (another dark rose with patch).
post #16 of 67
I agree on Stella, the Rose Absolute version, esp.
Have you thought about Donna Karan's Black Cashmere?
Féminité du Bois is darkness in a cool and elegant japanese-medieval way.
post #17 of 67
Thread Starter 
We have talked about Gothic scents before..Any new oideas for deep...dark..gothic...etc..????And deep..dark..Rose??
post #18 of 67
You simply MUST try Paestum Rose from Aedes. The rose is not the usual kind. It's a deep damascus with some dark woods, patchouli and the myrrh provides the most amazing finale. I can't think of a more 'Gothic' rose.
post #19 of 67
interesting - i have to disagree about paestum rose. i like it because it's LESS gothic than the usual suspects (VdR, #88). Nor is there patchouli listed in the pyramid, nor do i detect it in the frag. There are other woods, indeed, and a bit of incense, but none of the dark earth that the other two i mention possess. I think of it as technicolor/deeper version of costes. I love both paestum rose and costes, btw. And i really can't stand either VdR or 88 because of that patchouli note (i can rarely tolerate patchouli). So for a gothic feel, i'd recommend the OP seek out VdR and 88 before PR. I suspect atht house like phoenix alchemy lab do even more gothic scents however....
post #20 of 67
You're right, I should have checked before I shot my mouth off. I could have sworn it was patch. It has a slightly lemony edge to it that reminds me of it. I guess it's mainly wenge and cedar and incense. Whatever it is, it's lovely.
post #21 of 67
My current Dark Rose Scents include:

L'Artisan Voleur de Roses
Ava Luxe Rasa Xtreme
Caron Parfum Sacre
Paco Rabanne La Nuit
Montale Black Aoud
Ava Luxe Incense Rose
Caron Coup de Fouet
post #22 of 67
I'm sure alot of incense fragrance would go under that category, I haven't smelled enough of them to say, but the few I have were, MdM, & Black Cashmere, they both seem kind of Gothic or Dark in my opinion, but I'm sure there many others I don't know about yet.
post #23 of 67
post #24 of 67
L'Artisan VDR, for one

Ungaro III is for men, but is dark and rose strewn. Could work on most women.

Many of the Incense Series from Comme des Garcon are pretty dark and could function for women.

That's just my experience as a guy.
post #25 of 67
I agree, read those previous threads posted by Tigrushka. Great recommendations. My own include Black Aoud and Messe de Minuit.
post #26 of 67
La Myrrhe the most enigmatic gothic scent

Tubéreuse Criminelle the most sensual vixen gothic scent

Noir Epices and Black Oud, a black rose on a grave!

1000 the darkest and most luxurious floral
post #27 of 67
The whole friggin' CdG Incense line...

Chaos by Donna Karan

No. 88 by Czech & Speake
post #28 of 67
How about Fracas?
post #29 of 67
how's about Norma Kamali's Incense....
the gargoyles at Notre Dame would be stunning in this frag!
post #30 of 67
These are what I wear when I'm in Goth Mode:

1: CdG Zagorsk
2. CdG Avignon
3. Gucci pour Homme layered with Crazy Libellule Encens Mystic (only $16)
4. my own strange creations

Zagorsk in particular has a very melacholy, edgy feel to it. My husband and I share it. He wears it when he's wearing his skull jewelry....
post #31 of 67
One of my all time favorites Parfum Sacre. Beautiful and dark, but never "heavy".
post #32 of 67
Oh....And another one that comes to my mind is Nu edp....Leathery,incency and a bit strong.Defenitely a bit femme fatale scent that I can picture on a gothic look
post #33 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by rtamara41

how's about Norma Kamali's Incense....
the gargoyles at Notre Dame would be stunning in this frag!

You're so right! Made my eyes BURNNNN!!!
post #34 of 67
"London" by Black Phoenix Alchemy Labs. I'm surprised their fragrances aren't on this site, come to think of it. Their perfume oils are cheap, long-lasting, and they smell great. blackphoenixalchemylab.com, you can find London by clicking on Wanderlust. All of their perfume oils have a gothic twist.
post #35 of 67
I second (or third) Black Aoud and Voleur De Roses.
Black Aoud is in your face, more high energy, more black leather. VDR is moodier, more somber - the dying rose garden at the end of summer.

Also try The Goth Rosary - she's got some wicked stuff at a good price:
http://www.gothrosary.com/
post #36 of 67
Try Etro fragrances.

For example, Shaal Nur.
post #37 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by baald

I suspect that house like phoenix alchemy lab do even more gothic scents however....

Another vote for checking out Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab, which a dear friend highly recommended as "wonderful scents for Goth girls and boys, with names to match."

She then gifted me with a marvelous mistletoe/juniper berry/pine/myrrh beauty from BPAL called "Winter of Our Discontent" just to prove her point.

Happy hunting, and let us know what you find!
post #38 of 67
I have only came across one this year, which is the Black Aoud by Montale. It is a very lonely scent... the smell of withered roses carried me away. the frightening thing is that I could imagine myself being totally isolated or living in a coffin when I wear this.

* I have asked a friend to get a full bottle for me in Paris~~~
post #39 of 67
Kingdom, blatently!
post #40 of 67
I'm a huge fan of dark, Gothic scents, although I haven't smelled most of the ones mentioned here. I'd love to!
I personally love Encre Noir by Lalique, that's a pretty dark one in my opinion. But it may be too modern to be right for a sort of burlesque gothic thing.

OH and Icon by Lush (or now, Gorilla Perfumes) That is awesome, churchy and dark and mysterious.
post #41 of 67
This is so interesting. I was sitting here at my desk, before hopping on BN to post my SotD and thinking to myself, "if I could have only one word to describe what I'm wearing today, what would it be?", and the word I came up with was "GOTHIC." And then I pull up the forum and, boom, there's your thread! It must be something in the air today....

What am I wearing? Tom Ford's Amber Absolute. I get none of the sweet, syrupy opening that some of the reviewers mention. I get dry, dark incense with just a hint of amber at the base. The incense stays and stays and stays until about 5 or 6 hours in, and then it softens and sweetens into a more "traditional" amber and vanilla.

So my two "gothic" scents (and I lovelovelove them both) are Amber Absolute and CdG Avignon -- dark, church-y, incense-y fabulousness.
post #42 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ayala View Post

........The one perfume I highly associate with the (modern) goth look is Kingdom. I don't like this scent though, and I don't think it's dark either. It just sits on my skin and takes over it, no development or interaction. Just like those goth kids who wear the exact same clothes for about 5 years in a row (hope I am not insulting anybody here...).......

Ayala, I love your notion that "Goth" is a static aesthetic and finds its fragrance equivalent in Kingdom, I couldn't agree more. I realize most young people that this movement appeals to don't have a lot of money to spend on their clothes, but there is way too much pre-made, plastic/polyester China goods, basically suburban mall crap, going on to make it a true artistic statement.
When I think of the real Goth, I think of priests, nuns and Emily Dickinson and yes, Youth Dew extrait and Muscs Kublai Khan, preferably layered together!
post #43 of 67
Tauer's Orris. It's the darkest fragrance I know, bar none. Not Victorian, however... or even particularly in line with modern western perfumery. It smells like some ointment you'd find sealed up in medieval tomb.
post #44 of 67
Tom Ford Black Orchid. Dark, Deep annis gourmand. Amazing and long lasting.
post #45 of 67
I think Neil Morris's "Gotham" is very deep, dark and mysterious. It has top notes of black pepper and yuzu, heart notes of rose and narcissus, and base notes of ambergris, myrtlewood, russian leather, tonka bean, and labdanum.
post #46 of 67
Tom Ford Black Orchid +1 here. Black bottle and a "dark" scent. I associate aquatics and light florals with "light" or lightness. I associate "heavy" with dark.

I don't associate the Victorians (at least the early ones) with anything dark at all. They were more into the eaux and violets, jasmines and orange blossoms.

I associate Medieval with spice scents. The Crusades brought many spices/perfumes to Western Europe: myrrh, cloves, Eastern jasmine (yasmin), olibanum (frankincense).
post #47 of 67
Well, if we're not talking about cheap disguisting stuff marketing towards teenage emo girls. I'll have to say black aoud and rose aoud by kilian. Also, Narciso Rodriguez EdP is very dark, but it's more of the cold, dry type of dark.
post #48 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ekove View Post

Well, if we're not talking about cheap disguisting stuff marketing towards teenage emo girls.

BPAL! *cough* *cough* Sorry, just an odd tick I've developed lately...
post #49 of 67
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sugandaraja View Post

BPAL! *cough* *cough* Sorry, just an odd tick I've developed lately...

LOL, Suga. I actually like their "Cathedral," a "gothy" incense oil.
post #50 of 67
When I think of dark fragrances in general (not necessarily victorian or gothic), Chanel Antaeus, Drakkar Noir and Halston z-14 come to mind.
post #51 of 67
To be fair to BPAL, their line is so huge I've only tried a handful. Most of my negative associations with the line come from enthusiastic purchasers of the goth persuasion ( with alter-egos like "Rotunda Tragique" ), and fragrance names along the lines of Death's Crying Unicorn. If anything there's a twinge of embarrassment along the lines of "Crickey, the people I used to hang out with" added to the mix too.
post #52 of 67
Czech & Speak No 88. How hasn't this been mentioned yet?!
post #53 of 67
Cabochard by Gres
Bandit by Robert Piguet
Amouage Lyric Woman by Amouage
Habanita by Molinard
The Infidel by Agonist
Voleur de Roses by L Artisan Parfumeur
Voleur de Roses by L Artisan Parfumeur has a bit of a Victorian Goth side due to the wet patchouli and roses.
but the rest are more Mysterious and modern then Medieval.
post #54 of 67
Voleur de Roses by L Artisan Parfumeur Smells like an graveyard
post #55 of 67
What about L'Air de Rien Miller Harris(amber, vanilla, oak moss and musks) ?
post #56 of 67
Avignon by CdG; Rossy de Palma from ELDO, Le Labo's Rose 31, L'Artisan's Voleur de Rose come to mind. Bulgari Black.
post #57 of 67
Among male frags- another vote for Ungaro III, one of the utmost Gothic I know
Among female frags- though it would work easily as a male or an unisex frag too, since it's a very dark and edgy leathery scent: Ispahan by Yves Rocher
post #58 of 67
John Galliano and Agent Provocateur
post #59 of 67
Quorum is another one that came to mind.
post #60 of 67
I think of Mystère de Rochas as being very shadowy, velvety and darkly elegant. Ungaro's classic Diva is still possibly the darkest, deepest rose fragrance I know, with L'Arte di Gucci at a close second (there's something about oud that smells bright and fresh to me, otherwise I'd agree with Black Aoud for the dark quality of the rose. And Dark Rose smells bright and fresh to me too, nothing dark about it.) Knowing by Estee Lauder is deep dark mossy green and very earthy, maybe sort of witchy or goth. Hermès Rouge is very dark and smoldery, too, rich and mysterious.
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