EauDeMadame De Femme BlackNRose

Conclusion

BlackNRose offers a respectable interpretation of Essence des Palais, capturing around 79% of its DNA. If you enjoy the rose-incense-patchouli combination and are looking for an affordable entry point, this is worth considering. However, if you crave the ultimate refinement and smoothness, the original Givenchy remains superior, though its price is significantly higher.

How it Smells

EauDeMadame De Femme BlackNRose opens with a discernible saffron note, accented by a spicy ginger. The incense is present but reads more like a generalized "amber" accord. Compared to Eaudemoiselle Essence des Palais, the opening is approximately 79% similar. It lacks the refined brightness of the original's citrus elements. The heart reveals a prominent rose, sweet but not jammy, layered with benzoin's vanillic warmth. Myrrh adds a slightly balsamic, resinous edge. The drydown is patchouli-dominant, supported by the powdery tonka bean and a dry cedar. This is where the divergence from the original is most noticeable. The original has a smoother, creamier finish; this leans more towards a sharper patchouli.

Projection Power

Longevity is moderate. On skin, I achieved around 5-6 hours of noticeable presence. Projection is initially strong for the first hour, then settles into a more intimate scent bubble. Expect about arm's length projection initially, fading to a skin scent by hour three. These are reasonable numbers for this price point.