Malbec Noir by O Boticário

We Brazilians have very good perfumes; this brand has many… Natura too… My wife gifted it to me, and I live in Brazil… Its longevity is very good and it’s excellent. I recommend it for its price.

Clarification: I don’t usually write reviews, but this one blew my mind. I own the Nuit d’Issey, but I always try similar fragrances. I was surprised to see O Boticario instead of an Arabian house; fortunately, there are O Boticario stores here. When people smelled it and I saw the price, I bought it instantly. It’s very similar to Issey Miyake’s: both are dark, elegant, and woody. The big difference is that Malbec Noir becomes sweeter as it dries due to the wine (the name ‘Malbec’ is very present). Although both declare pepper, I feel much more of it in the Issey Miyake, assuming it’s because of the amount of wood in the Nuit d’Issey compared to the Malbec Noir. If you’re looking for something dark with woods for night dates or autumn/winter, I recommend it wholeheartedly, or if you want an alternative without finishing your bottle of Nuit d’Issey. Moderate trail, projects heavily upon application, and lasts 7 hours on my skin; afterwards, you only smell it when bringing your nose close. I recommend two sprays instead of one. The atomiser is good for the price; I paid $35 and have no complaints because it’s exactly what I was looking for. I received compliments, great performance for the price.

El Nuit de Issey Miyake from Boticario: good overall performance.

I absolutely love this fragrance; it has an immense opening that permeates the room. It’s dark and seductive yet light, with aquatic and citrus notes at the start, followed by intoxicating freshly crushed grapes. Then comes the pepper, adding elegance, alongside the softness of cashmere and sandalwood, a slight sweetness from amber and tonka bean, and that gin tonic note which smells more like iced wine to me. Everyone who has commented says it smells of grape or cold wine. On skin, it lasts 7 or 8 hours; on clothes, days. It has a great trail; you can tell where you’ve been. It’s a proper perfume, and for the price paid, it’s bloody brilliant.

I bought this fragrance and it took two weeks to arrive from Brazil. Upon spraying, it smells like Paco Rabanne’s Invictus; as it dries, a very subtle grape note emerges, finishing with wine. It has strong projection but doesn’t last long on the skin: five hours on skin and 20 to 24 on clothing. I tested it with five friends and it lasted the same for everyone; one said four sprays made them dizzy. I recommend testing it before buying. It’s rich, but it’s not just grape to feel powerful. In the first week, I received nine compliments from different women, all asking what I was wearing. A blonde at university took a deep breath and asked what I had on. I’ve had it for a month. Rating: 8/10 longevity, 4/10 sillage, 5/10 projection (strong at first, then disappears by hour five), 7/10 value (cheap, though there are better options). I feel happy to be the first to review this fragrance that I love and hate at the same time. Best regards.