Bvlgari Black, revisited

Preface: It's been one day short of a year since I last blogged. I miss writing and I miss writing about scent. I doubt anyone's reading this any longer, but what the heck. . .back into the fray with a revisit:

It warmed up into the 40’s one day last week and my nose yearned for a scent more appropriate for Spring. Bvlgari Black. There’s nothing “black” about this scent (to my nose or mind). Yes, there’s that rubber note. Rubber equals tires equals black (I suppose). When I first sniffed the stuff I thought “latex and talcum powder!” and that might’ve been The Black Thing as in dungeons and fetish gear, but while those two smells remind me of the days when I would deign to go out in latex, still. . .nope. Bvlgari Black is altogether too bright a scent for the word “black.”

I forgot how much I love the stuff. Frankly, I can’t figure out what about it intoxicates me so. The day I was wearing it, I kept bringing my wrist up to my nose. I love the opening notes. When they quieted down, I applied more, which is something that is so not my usual modus operandi. I just could not get enough.

The next day, I could smell it on my turtleneck and thought, “mmm,” but isn’t a scent I want to wear two days in a row, and I haven’t been in a scent monogamous mood these days, but still, I am thinking it’s time for a new bottle. What if I run out??!!

What if indeed. Are there no new scents on the market?!

None that have intoxicated me as much as this. When all is said and done, I think it may be my favorite scent. I’m a bit shocked.

I still don’t understand Bvlgari Black. I can’t “read” it besides the citrusy black rubber and what I imagine of talc (for I’ve not seen anyone else write about the powder note - or have I?) I’m no nose. I have a good memory for scents that have emotional resonance, but I’ve not memorized much. I can say, “Oh yes, basil. . .” or any number of scents that are things one cooks with, but perfume? I have read that Black is supposed to smell of lapsang souchong tea, but I just don’t get that.* That makes some sense, because before I tasted pu-erh tea, I’d thought lapsang souchong was the one tea I did not like (and oh boy - now I have two!)**

I googled “Why do I love Bvlgari Black so very much?” when I was feeling particularly intoxicated (with the smell, not with drink). This scent has many admirers. Others dont’ get it. Some suggest a woman shouldn’t wear it, and I think, “Oh. Is it really offensive?” Then I remember what most folks wear for perfume and stop my thought nonsense.

*Afternoon update: Oh, what an idiot I've been. Why have I not stuck my nose in some lapsang souchong tea when I'm not drinking it? There was a large glass jar of some in my presence (or was I in its presence) about an hour ago, and I did just that. Heavenly. Transporting. I wanted to keep my nose in their. Al said, "Burning transformers, especially transformers in model trains." Doesn't sound good, but he liked it. I find it implausible when something that smells so good doesn't suit my taste buds. Now, I just sprayed some Black on me wrists and I'm finding it altogether too sweet. Don't get me wrong - I still love it - but I want something as dark and smoky as that tea. Is there such a thing? I shall look into it. Fresh pepper, lapsang souchong tea, and something light and ethereal. That's what I want to smell. . .

**New favorite tea: A teaspoon of Tippy Assam with a tiny pinch of cinnamon, two cardamon pods, a small bit of fresh pepper, steeped for six minutes and finished off with a half teaspoon of local honey and a splash of half & half. Yum!

Image note: Bvlgari Black (obviously). I don't really care what a perfume bottle looks like since I keep them inside the boxes and then within boxes or cupboards as well, but this one is lovely. I love the industrial elegance of it.