Spicebomb Night Vision Viktor & Rolf 2020 Eau de Parfum

As the word "curiosity" already suggests, it is driven by the desire to discover something new. Normally, this desire is greatest when one assumes, through hearsay or reviews, that the new thing is something incredibly desirable.

In the case of the new Spicebomb Night Vision Eau de Parfum by Viktor & Rolf, the situation is a bit different. By "a bit," I mean quite different. Why? Simply because many of the reviews and YouTube comments have been mediocre to very poor. Essentially, there should be no reason for curiosity. However, it is precisely this circumstance that piques my curiosity to investigate whether I can agree with the general opinion or refute it for myself personally. So much in advance, I can only disagree with the general public on this point.

First, let's discuss what is actually being criticized and, more importantly, why. The scent is often described as a very synthetic shower gel smell. There is also talk of a lack of depth. I can confirm the former. Night Vision EdP is not a very natural composition, like, for example, the fragrances from Chanel. This conclusion can already be drawn from the fragrance ingredients. However, I cannot recognize a lack of depth from my perspective, but it is also important to consider who Viktor & Rolf actually targets as their audience. Compared to niche fragrances from houses like Creed, Parfums de Marly, or Amouage, Night Vision is flatter than the Wadden Sea. Definitely!
In comparison to more mass-appealing designer fragrances, however, Night Vision can definitely hold its own with great success. For me, as a relative perfume novice who does not yet have the authority to judge the big names, Night Vision EdP appears to be a very fresh yet spicy scent that also brings a certain unique nuance. My individual perception is also reflected in the fact that I do not like Spicebomb Extreme at all, despite its outstanding reviews. It shows once again that tastes vary. This is probably one of the reasons for the massive criticism. The direct comparison between Night Vision and Extreme is naturally tempting, not only because of the same brand but also due to the name Spicebomb and the striking bottle design. Nevertheless, I believe Night Vision should be evaluated as an independent line. The addition of the EdP to the line only shows that it is also its own line with individual aspirations.

Regarding the performance of Night Vision EdP, I can also report only positive things. While it cannot top the nuclear longevity and sillage of Azzaro's Wanted by Night, which fragrance can? I perceive the perfume for a good 7-8 hours on my skin, potentially even longer on clothing. The sillage is also fully satisfying without being completely intrusive. The scent is best suited for cool days and evenings, whether casual or for a date.

I would like to conclude with a request to give the Night Vision EdP a fair chance. Perhaps many sniffers are a bit biased due to the EdT or the brand itself, but if one approaches the composition completely freely, one can only be positively surprised. Of course, I do not recommend ordering the 90ml bottle directly! Instead, in my humble opinion, one should take the opportunity to try a sample or a decant. Alternatively, one can also simply visit the perfumery of their choice. I would be happy if I could convince one or two perfume lovers here.

I wish all perfume lovers a wonderful week :-)