“Warm, spicy and subtly sweet, it feels particularly well suited to crisp autumn days and cosy evenings”
Shopping writer Lauren (left) has lots of fragrances – but she’d still rather steal her boyfriend’s £25 signature scent(Image: Lauren Codling)
As a beauty writer, I’ve accumulated my fair share of perfumes, ranging from sweet, floral notes to deeper, more alluring fragrances. However, recently I’ve found myself doing something unexpected: borrowing my boyfriend’s aftershave.
And not just on the odd occasion, either. I’ve become so captivated by one scent that I’ve seriously considered buying a bottle for myself. The aftershave in question is Cremo’s Spice and Black Vanilla Eau de Toilette (100ml), an aromatic, warming fragrance that’s ideal for autumn.
Fortunately for my finances, it’s currently on offer. It’s reduced to £24.76 from £30.95 with the discount code CREMO20 , making it somewhat easier to justify adding another fragrance to my collection.
READ MORE:
The scent combines black vanilla and spicy cardamom, producing a warm, slightly seductive aroma that consistently catches my attention. In fact, during our most recent date night, I asked my partner to wear it, and I’m convinced it makes me fancy him more whenever he does, reports the Mirror.
There’s something about the blend of sweet, creamy vanilla and warm cardamom that’s attractive without becoming overly sweet. It’s both sexy and comforting, with a spicy edge that adds depth.
Spice & Black Vanilla Eau De Toilette
Shoppers can use the discount code CREMO20 for 20% off.
Regarding longevity, the fragrance endured throughout our date night, and I could still detect it on my boyfriend by the evening’s end. Despite its lasting power, it never became overwhelming. Instead, it stayed close to the skin, creating a warm, subtle aura that I found myself drawn to again and again.
Even better, the Eau de Toilette is accompanied by a matching body wash (£10.36 from £12.95 with the CREMO20 code), which my boyfriend also owns – and yes, I borrow that too. The body wash creates a luxurious lather and leaves me feeling clean, refreshed and prepared for the day ahead.
Cremo’s Spice & Black Vanilla Eau de Toilette is an aromatic, warming fragrance that’s ideal for autumn(Image: Lauren Codling)
Another fragrance I enjoy borrowing from him is REHAB’s Hair and Body Cologne (£33.60 from £42). It’s a more earthy, woody scent that consistently makes him smell fantastic, and applying it to his hair as well as his body is an added benefit.
Alternatively, another masculine fragrance on my wishlist is Acqua Di Parma Oud and Spice Eau de Parfum Spray (£145.99 from £327, JustMyLook). It showcases bergamot, raspberry, and rose with spiced notes of cinnamon and pink pepper, settling into a rich base of agarwood oil, patchouli, and cistus labdanum.
However, Cremo’s Spice and Black Vanilla is the one I continually return to. It possesses that elusive quality I seek in a truly excellent fragrance: it smells great without trying too hard.
Cremo also offers a matching body wash to layer with the cologne(Image: Cremo)
The Notes: Cremo Spice and Black Vanilla
- Cardamom (top notes)
- Tobacco (middle notes)
- Black vanilla (base notes)
I don’t have any criticism of it either. The bottle isn’t my favourite design ever, but the affordable price and beautiful scent more than compensate for it.
Warm, spicy and subtly sweet, it feels particularly well suited to crisp autumn days and cosy evenings – and, in my case, date nights when I want my boyfriend to smell particularly irresistible.
