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The Dark Side 2016

7.8 / 10 522 Ratings
A popular perfume by Francesca Bianchi for women and men, released in 2016. The scent is spicy-resinous. Projection and longevity are above-average. It is still in production.
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Main accords

Spicy
Resinous
Smoky
Sweet
Woody

Fragrance Notes

SpicesSpices FrankincenseFrankincense HoneyHoney StyraxStyrax AmberAmber SandalwoodSandalwood VioletViolet IrisIris VanillaVanilla CedarwoodCedarwood PatchouliPatchouli VetiverVetiver

Perfumer

Ratings
Scent
7.8522 Ratings
Longevity
8.7453 Ratings
Sillage
8.1453 Ratings
Bottle
7.4388 Ratings
Value for money
7.7234 Ratings
Submitted by OPomone, last update on 11/13/2025.

Smells similar

What the fragrance is similar to
The Dark Side (Sublime Oil) by Francesca Bianchi
The Dark Side Sublime Oil
Under My Skin by Francesca Bianchi
Under My Skin
Édition Rare - Ambrarem by Histoires de Parfums
Édition Rare - Ambrarem
Bella Freud by Bella Freud
Bella Freud
Byzantine Amber by Francesca Bianchi
Byzantine Amber
Moth by Zoologist
Moth

Reviews

35 in-depth fragrance descriptions
Mlleghoul

458 Reviews
Mlleghoul
Mlleghoul
Very helpful Review 7  
a savage lycanthropic metamorphosis under the full moon of a midnight bazaar
The Dark Side is actually the scent that drew me to this brand in the first place, and I’d been intending to order a sample for some time now. I was expecting darkness, but I was not expecting a savage lycanthropic metamorphosis under the full moon of a midnight bazaar. A whirlwind of feverish spices, the smoky char of glowing resins, the harsh metallic tang of hot breath, and the acrid sting of writhing, burning skin, a feral cocktail of predatory hunger and pitiless urges.
0 Comments
sebjar

55 Reviews
sebjar
sebjar
Very helpful Review 5  
My Francesca Bianchi The Dark Side Review on YouTube
This is my Francesca Bianchi The Dark Side Review recently shot with Dalya on YouTube. The Dark Side is a dark, woody and resinous perfume but it's brightened by the honey and vanilla notes to make a smooth, creamy woody almost gourmand, delicious fragrance. It's the perfect fragrance and both Dalya and I are big fans of this beauty, The Dark Side from Francesca Bianchi. To find out more about Francesca Bianchi's The Dark Side perfume please watch my review on YouTube. Thank you.
0 Comments
Smirky

483 Reviews
Smirky
Smirky
Helpful Review 4  
Unique opening followed by spices and wood
Opening has a very interesting, strong violet scent mixed with subtle honey and something I can only describe as metallic or mineral like. I've never smelled anything quite like it. The spices and incense start to develop as it dried down. Ends up as a strong spicy and woody fragrance which lasts for a very long time. The woody scent is very dry - almost like smelling the inside of some long closed cabinet or drawer - not musty or moldy - but dry, almost with a touch of varnish or shellac. After the opening, strikes me as quite masculine. Very good longevity - going on over 12 hours and still quite noticeable with strong projection and for quite a few hours after application.

2 Comments
Omnipotato

394 Reviews
Omnipotato
Omnipotato
Helpful Review 2  
Interesting and complex floriental - bit too powdery and granny-ish for me
The Dark Side is another Francesca Bianchi that I perceive as mostly floral while the notes and community accord votes don't really reflect that. It opens with a strong smooth violet note (as opposed to the sharp leathery violet in fragrances like Fahrenheit; this is much more feminine). It dries down to a sweet oriental fragrance with floral and powdery facets - I get a lot of rose in the drydown although it's not mentioned in the notes. Sort of like a dusty, spicy rose.

The performance is phenomenal, and it is definitely a complex fragrance, going through many changes during its lifetime. But again, it is just not something I'm drawn to personally. The powdery floral vibe it gives off is just too granny-ish to me, even with the oriental and spicy facets.
2 Comments
Pepdal

238 Reviews
Pepdal
Pepdal
3  
The Dark Side
Francesca Bianchi Perfumes currently have four fragrances in their line up and this is my third review to date. If you are looking for something a little heavier, resinous and yes, darker, this might be the one for you.
1 Comment
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Statements

178 short views on the fragrance
5
Incense-amber with a warm spicy opening, a honey-incense phase and some violets and vetiver later on. A goth dipped in honey.
0 Comments
8 years ago
5
How appropriate! The Dark Side smells both dirty and sweet.
0 Comments
4
Spiced buckwheat honey with a dark, woody backdrop. Dark sweetness. It's really nearly perfect, just don't know if it's truly meant for me.
0 Comments
7 years ago
4
A dark woody amber with a pronounced lipstick iris note and a retro vibe.
0 Comments
3 months ago
3
Towards the end of the day one almost forgets this was a ride full of violets. Could have sworn there was cypriol in this. Cedar drydown.
0 Comments
3
The name of this fragrance is The Dark Side and it's extremely appropriate
0 Comments
3
Unapologetically confident in its nature. Dense, rich & high quality. Extremely unique. No one note stands out & has animalic tendencies.
0 Comments
2
A rich, spicy blend of honey, incense, iris and woods, with smoky, sweet and resinous undertones. Powdery and dark, it unfolds with depth.
0 Comments
2
Discover the alluring darkness with this enigmatic fragrance. The scent blends sweet honey, earthy patchouli, smoky incense & velvety woods
0 Comments
2
100% beeswax candles, a perfect 1:1 recreation and incredibly authentic. Enhanced by subtle undertones of frankincense and amber. This one b
0 Comments
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Images

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