I understand (I think) that when a scent is designated as "white" that means it features white floral notes such as tuberose, stephanotis, etc., with their characteristic purity and intensity--is that right? For example, Sensi White Notes emphasizes these notes more than plain old Sensi. Caswell Massey's White Rose, or Hove's Rose Celeste, are examples of soliflores that also have this "white" character, meaning they don't have the heavy richness of a typical rose. They are lightened by the addition of typical white floral notes.

So correct me if I've got that wrong. But my real question is, what does it usually mean (in terms of specific notes) when a scent is described as "black?" For instance, I have black lotus, black rose, and black ginger perfume oils. It seems to me that all of them simply have a patchouli note added. Does the term have any more general meaning than that? Are there typical "black" notes other than patchouli?

I always thought that the term "white floral" referred only to the color of the flower petals.

Patchouli is actually anything but black:









It's qualities are usually defined by its origins, aging and processing, as well as by its blending: With rose, it will be balancing, but with sandalwood and amber, it will take on an aura straight out some gothic novel, for example.

So, in Voleur de Roses, patchouli makes the fragrance a tad drier, more masculine, but in Costume National Scent Intense, you end up with something easily imagined in the tales of 1001 nights.

HTH!

I am TOTALLY not sure.

I know I've seen White Musk, Black musk, Coconut, Dark or Black Coconut, White Tobacco, Dark Tobacco...and so on.

Tabac Blond has tobacco, BUT I would say it has a LIGHT tobacco note compared to Voo Doo Love. To me, Voo Doo Love has a DARK tobacco note.

Tabac Blond is lighter than Voo Doo Love. Maybe its just that way on me, I'm not sure.

I am having trouble explaining it. Maybe what I am trying to say is that it is DEEPER....STRONGER?

I had Tabac Blond and swapped it. The tobacco note in it was very light, not strong enough.

Voo Doo Love is much stronger and darker. Its lasts all day long even though it is only a cologne.

I don't know if I helped any cuz I am not sure how to explain it myself. I just smell something and determine if its light or dark according to what I smell.

Maybe some people label them that way because of their color?

Black by Kenneth Cole was anything but dark....a very light "white" floral blend to me... reminded me of flowers that bloom at easter time.... I always though the name didnt fit the scent....



Dawn

I'm not sure I understand my own question. Ha!

I guess what I'm really asking is, do perfumers actually mean anything in particular by these designations (i.e., an identifiable note or accord)? Or is it just a sort of blathery marketing thing--"white" is young, fresh, pure; "dark" is heavy, earthy, mature?

The latter!

I wish we could decode the names of perfumes so easily! I may be wrong, but I think the use of White or Black in the name of a fragrance only refers to an abstract image the designers or perfumer is trying to convey. Kenneth Cole's Black is a sleak little black dress, lovely creamy and bright gardinia.