Creating Cologne With Black Licorice: Is It Possible?

Black licorice is a polarizing food item, and its scent is no different. Some people love it, and some people hate it. However, it is an unusual and intriguing fragrance note in perfumes and colognes, adding a subtle sweetness. It is an unusual note in men's cologne, but some options on the market include Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin and Dior Eau Noire.

Licorice fragrances for men and women

Licorice is a popular fragrance for both men and women, with its sweet, soft, spicy, and anisic scent. Here are some of the best licorice perfumes and colognes for each:

For Men:

• Yohji Yamamoto Yohji Homme
• Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin
• Yves Saint Laurent Body Kouros
• Annick Goutal Myrrhe Ardente
• Aquolina Blue Sugar
• Thierry Mugler BMen
• L'Artisan Parfumeur Mechant Loup
• Tommy Hilfiger True Star Men
• Emporio Armani Remix
• Freedom by Tommy Hilfiger
• Au Masculin Eau de Minuit 2012 Lolita Lempicka
• Habit Rouge Eau Legere Guerlain
• Indigo Gant
• Memoire D'Homme Nina Ricci
• Vetiver Extreme Guerlain
• Fahrenheit Le Parfum Christian Dior
• B Men Thierry Mugler

For Women:

• Demeter Fragrance Licorice
• Solstice Scents Black Mallow
• Lolita Lempicka Minuit Noir
• Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau de Parfum
• Hermes Hermessence Brin de Reglisse
• Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Intense
• Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire
• Lolita Lempicka Minuit Sonne
• Emanuel Ungaro Fruit d'Amour Black Liquorice
• Caron Eau de Reglisse
• Amouroud Licorice Woods
• Givenchy Play for Her Eau de Toilette
• Bon Parfumeur 501 praline, licorice, patchouli
• The Body Shop Black Musk
• Poesie Something Fierce
• Alkemia Perfumes Trick or Treat
• Diesel Fuel for Life Unlimited
• Dior Hypnotic Poison Elixir
• Guerlain La Petite Robe Noire
• Guerlain Vetiver Parfum
• Dior Fahrenheit Le Parfum
• Guerlain Black Perfecto by La Petite Robe Noire
• Lolita Lempicka Au Masculin
• Lolita Lempicka Transcendant Sin
• Dior Hypnotic Poison Eau de Parfum

These are just a few examples of the many licorice-based fragrances available for men and women. Whether you're looking for a sweet and spicy scent or something more subtle and soft, there's sure to be a licorice fragrance that's perfect for you.

Long-lasting licorice perfumes

Licorice is a beloved note in perfumery, and many fragrances feature it prominently. Here is a guide to long-lasting licorice perfumes:

Lolita Lempicka

The eponymous women’s perfume combines anise with sprightly, sweet green violet notes and a cherry-almond-heliotrope twist reminiscent of LouLou. The Midnight Couture edition intensifies the licorice note with resinous benzoin and myrrh. Lolita Lempicka also offers Au Masculin, a fougère structure (lavender and coumarin) crossed with a post-Angel gourmand.

Caron Eau de Reglisse

Similar to 1000 Flowers Reglisse Noire but lighter-weight, Caron Eau de Reglisse adds a delicious touch of lemon and coffee, giving it a morning/cologne feel.

Dior Eau Noire

Like a dark, spicy aftershave, Dior Eau Noire smells of rooty, unsweetened licorice, lavender, and dried herbs.

Guerlain La Petite Robe Noir

With a great licorice note, Guerlain La Petite Robe Noir is a plush, fluffy floral-vanilla-musk with hints of almond and star anise.

Annick Goutal Myrrhe Ardente

With a smoky licorice note, Annick Goutal Myrrhe Ardente is very unisex and smoky!

Kerosene Black Vines

Kerosene Black Vines is not a straight licorice scent but plays up the spicy quality of anise with a surprising hot cinnamon note, producing an olfactory illusion of spiced apples.

Parfums Nicolai Kiss Me Tender

Inspired by anise-flavoured Guerlain L’Heure Bleue, Parfums Nicolai Kiss Me Tender is a plush, fluffy floral-vanilla-musk with hints of almond and star anise.

Huitieme Art Myrrhiad

Huitieme Art Myrrhiad plays up the licorice facet of myrrh and sets it against creamy vanilla.

Parfumerie Generale Aomassai

Another strange gourmand, Parfumerie Generale Aomassai smells like caramel and hazelnut from arm’s length and vetiver and hay up close, joined by part-herbal, part-sweet licorice in the middle.

Serge Lutens Boxeuses

Serge Lutens Boxeuses is a dusky, plummy leather with woods and just a hint of anise.

Comme des Garcons Black

Comme des Garcons Black butches up licorice with lots of smoky birch tar.

Licorice as a divisive fragrance

Licorice is a highly divisive fragrance, much like its food counterpart, which people tend to either love or hate. Its scent is described as earthy, sweet, and caramel-like, or similar to anise and tobacco.

Some people find the scent of licorice in perfume to be pleasant and "perfumey," while others find it too earthy and reminiscent of tobacco. The inclusion of licorice in a fragrance can be polarizing, as it is a strong and distinctive note that can be off-putting to those who are not fans of the taste.

However, when used in the right combination with other notes, licorice can add a touch of sweetness without being too sugary. It can balance out fruity or floral scents and make them more refined. For example, in Lanvin Me, a fruity-floral blend, the licorice note balances out the jamminess of the blueberry, resulting in a more elegant fragrance.

Additionally, licorice can be used to create a salty-sweet scent, as seen in Hermès Brin de Réglisse, a unisex fragrance that combines licorice with lavender to create a unique, briny scent.

Overall, licorice is a bold and unique fragrance note that can be challenging to work with due to its strong and polarizing nature. However, when used skillfully, it can add depth and complexity to a perfume or cologne.

Licorice body sprays

The licorice fragrance in these body sprays is described as strong, clean, light, and gentle, with a subtle aroma. The scent is said to be true to the original licorice candy, creating an addictive fragrance. The product is suitable for both men and women, making it a versatile option.

Some reviews mention that the fragrance does not last long, while others praise its perfect smell and strength. It is recommended to hold the bottle 6 to 9 inches away from the body and spray on the torso, arms, and legs, repeating throughout the day as desired.

In addition to the licorice body spray, Eclectic Lady also offers a range of other products, including essential oils, bath oils, body washes, car diffusers, car sprays, handmade soap, linen sprays, and more.

Licorice-scented colognes

One popular licorice-scented cologne is Lolita Lempicka, which has a distinctive licorice note alongside other powdery and chocolatey elements. Another option is Diesel Loverdose, which combines fruity and floral notes with a punch of vanilla and a hint of licorice. For a unisex option, Hermès Brin de Réglisse is a salty-sweet scent that blends licorice with lavender.

If you're looking for a more affordable option, there are also body sprays and mists available in licorice scents. These tend to be lighter and less concentrated than traditional colognes, but they can still provide a subtle and refreshing aroma. One example is the Black Licorice Body Spray by Eclectic Lady, which offers a strong true licorice fragrance.

When choosing a licorice-scented cologne, it's important to keep in mind that the scent of licorice may not be to everyone's taste. Some people find it too earthy or reminiscent of tobacco. However, for those who enjoy the unique aroma of licorice, a well-crafted cologne can be a delightful and unexpected choice.

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