Introduction
Tom Ford – a name that hardly needs an introduction in the world of luxury fashion and fragrances. But for those who might have been living under a rock (or perhaps just blissfully unaware of the latest in high-end scents), Tom Ford has been a powerhouse in the fragrance industry for years, known for bold, sensual, and often provocative creations.
Their latest offering, Black Lacquer, comes with a description that’s about as subtle as a sledgehammer to the nose. Tom Ford waxes poetic about “glossy, seductive amber woody” notes and throws around fancy terms like “incandescent black lacquer accord” and “Makassar ebony wood.” They’re practically painting a picture of smoky opulence with a side of leather-scented birch trees. Oh, and let’s not forget the “irrepressible mystery of a dark peony accord” blooming beneath it all. Quite a mouthful, isn’t it?
Released in 2024, Black Lacquer has been generating quite a buzz in fragrance circles. It’s marketed as a unisex scent, aiming to captivate anyone regardless of gender. The fragrance world seems divided – some hail it as a daring masterpiece, while others see it as just another iteration in the ever-growing list of “dark” fragrances.
Intrigued by the hype and the grandiose description, I decided to give Black Lacquer a proper test run. I spent an entire weekend wearing this scent, determined to uncover its secrets and figure out if it’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. From morning coffee to late-night outings, I put it through its paces to bring you an honest, no-holds-barred review.
About The Notes
First things first, the main question – what does it smell like? The note breakdown for this fragrance is ink, ebony wood, peony, vinyl, fresh and warm spices, amber, apricot, rum, olibanum, and balsamic notes. But let’s be honest, to many people, a list of notes doesn’t mean much. So let me break it down in a way that might make more sense to someone with an untrained nose.
When you first spray Black Lacquer, it hits you with a sharp, almost chemical scent that’s reminiscent of freshly printed pages or a newly opened vinyl record. It’s an unusual opening that might make you raise an eyebrow, but stick with it. As it settles, a warm spiciness emerges, like the scent of mulled wine wafting from a neighbor’s kitchen on a cold evening.
Give it some time, and the fragrance begins to soften. The sharpness of the opening fades, revealing a floral heart. It’s not your grandmother’s rose garden though – imagine instead a single, dark peony in full bloom, its petals glossy and slightly damp. There’s a subtle fruitiness here too, like biting into a ripe apricot, its sweetness tempered by a splash of dark rum.
As the day wears on, Black Lacquer settles into its base notes. The woodiness of the ebony comes through, but it’s not the fresh-cut lumber smell you might expect. Instead, it’s more like walking into an old library, all polished wood and leather-bound books. There’s a warmth here from the amber, and a resinous quality from the olibanum that adds depth and complexity.
Throughout its wear, there’s an underlying inky quality that ties everything together. It’s not the smell of a leaky pen, but rather the sophisticated scent of high-quality paper and premium inks – think of leafing through a beautifully printed art book.
In terms of similar fragrances, Black Lacquer reminds me quite a bit of Comme Des Garçons “Black” and Akro “Ink”. They share that same avant-garde, slightly challenging quality. However, Black Lacquer feels more refined, more polished than its counterparts.
Overall, I’d rate the scent profile a solid 8 out of 10. It’s unique and intriguing, balancing edginess with wearability in a way that’s quite impressive. While it might not be for everyone, those who appreciate unconventional scents will find a lot to love here.
The Longevity & Projection
Ok, now let’s talk about the performance. I tested Black Lacquer in various real-world situations to get a good sense of its staying power and how it projects.
For my tests, I applied four sprays – two on my neck, one on my wrist, and one on my clothes. I found this to be a good balance; any more and it might have been overwhelming, any less and it might not have shown its full potential.
In terms of longevity, Black Lacquer is a bit of a mixed bag. On my skin, I got about 4-5 hours of solid scent before it started to fade significantly. This isn’t terrible, but for a Tom Ford fragrance, I was honestly expecting a bit more. By the 6-hour mark, it had become a skin scent, detectable only if you pressed your nose right up against my wrist.
Interestingly, it lasted much longer on my clothes. I could still catch whiffs of it on my shirt the next day, though it had lost most of its complex character and was mostly just the base notes hanging on.
As for projection, Black Lacquer starts off strong but quickly settles down. For the first hour or so, people could definitely smell me coming from about 1.5 feet away. After that, the scent bubble shrank considerably. By hour three, you’d need to be within arm’s length to catch it.
I wore it to a dinner with friends, and while they could smell it when I first arrived, by dessert, only the person sitting next to me commented on it (we’re both fragrance fanatics, so go figure).
One positive note: despite its relatively short life on skin, Black Lacquer doesn’t disappear completely. It leaves a pleasant, subtle aura that, while not projecting, still gives you little wisps of scent throughout the day.
Considering its price point and the brand’s reputation, I have to say I was a bit disappointed with the performance. It’s not bad by any means, but it’s not outstanding either. I’d rate the longevity a 6/10 and the projection a 6/10. It’s the kind of fragrance you might need to reapply midday if you want it to last through evening events.
Who Is Black Lacquer For?
After spending considerable time with Black Lacquer, I’ve formed some thoughts on who might enjoy this scent and where it might shine best.
I see Black Lacquer as an excellent choice for those who appreciate avant-garde fragrances and aren’t afraid to stand out a bit. It’s for the person who wants to make a subtle statement without shouting it from the rooftops. If you’re the type who enjoys art galleries, indie film festivals, or cozy bookstore corners, you might find yourself drawn to this scent.
In terms of when to wear it, I found Black Lacquer particularly suited for evening events. I wore it to a friend’s book launch at a trendy downtown bar, and it felt right at home among the dimly lit, artsy crowd. The inky, woody notes seemed to mesh perfectly with the atmosphere of intellectual conversation and creative energy.
That said, don’t discount it for daytime wear, especially in cooler weather. I found it added a nice edge to my usual office attire, giving me a boost of confidence during important meetings. Just be mindful of the initial projection – you might want to apply it a bit before heading into close quarters.
Age-wise, I’d say Black Lacquer leans towards a more mature audience. It’s not that younger folks can’t pull it off, but its complexity might be more appreciated by those who’ve had time to develop their scent preferences. Think late 20s and up, rather than fresh out of college.
As for gender, while it’s marketed as unisex, I found it leaned slightly masculine. However, it’s 2024, and fragrance has no gender – if you like it, wear it with pride!
One word of caution: this isn’t a “safe” office scent for conservative environments. If you work in a place where bold fragrances might raise eyebrows, save Black Lacquer for after-hours or weekend outings.
Should You Buy It?
After spending the weekend with Tom Ford’s Black Lacquer, I’ve formed a pretty clear opinion on this intriguing fragrance. Let’s cut to the chase: I’m giving it a 7.5 out of 10.
Why this score? Black Lacquer is undeniably unique and well-crafted, with an intriguing evolution of scent that keeps you interested throughout the day. Its blend of inky, woody, and floral notes creates a sophisticated aura that’s hard to ignore. However, its somewhat limited longevity and the fact that it might be a bit too avant-garde for some hold it back from a higher score.
In terms of value, let’s be real – Tom Ford fragrances aren’t cheap, and this one’s on the higher end of Mr. Ford’s pricing scale! As you probably already know, you’re paying for the brand name as much as the scent itself when it comes to scents like this. Is it worth it? While I probably won’t be dropping that kind of money on it personally, if you’re a fragrance enthusiast looking for something different to add to your collection, then yes, it could be worth it. If you’re just starting out in the world of fragrances, you might want to sample before committing to a full bottle.
If you prefer more traditional, long-lasting fragrances or work in a very conservative environment, you might want to think twice. This isn’t a “crowd-pleaser” in the conventional sense – it’s more of a conversation starter.
One of Black Lacquer’s strengths is its ability to evolve on the skin, creating an interesting olfactory journey. However, its relatively short longevity (4-5 hours) might be a dealbreaker for some, especially given the price point where you’d probably expect “beast mode”.