Kenneth Cole 2003 EDT

M ££ Favourite

Black

by Harry Frémont , Sabine de Tscharner

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Kenneth Cole Black is an Eau de Toilette launched in 2003, created by Harry Frémont and Sabine de Tscharner. Black opens with Mandarin, Ginger, Basil, and Mint, settles into a heart of Woody Notes, Cedar, Lotus, and Nutmeg, and dries down to a base of Suede, Musk, Amber, and Violet Leaf. Kenneth Cole's Black carries a Favourite verdict, a green-led wear.

This one's a bit of an identity crisis - called "Black" but smells vibrantly green, fresh, and citrusy. If you're looking for an affordable, inoffensive freshie, this is a solid bet, but don't expect it to last for ages. The community loves its clean, uplifting scent but bemoans its often-lacklustre performance.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Clean
  • Fresh
  • Bold
  • Modern
  • Classic
£25.65 at Notino 100ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Black Eau de Toilette bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend

Top, heart and base are the brand's own listing, not a timing claim - the industry classifies a note by its character as much as by how fast it fades. Each curve here is modelled from that material's own volatility, so groups can overlap when a house lists long-lasting materials in its heart.

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Performance & Mood

Performance

Longevity
Moderate (4-6h)
Projection
Moderate
Intensity
Moderate

Mood

Mood Energising
Calming
Character Playful
Serious
Sentiment Uplifting
Brooding

When To Wear

Best Seasons

Best For:
Spring Summer
Also Works:
Fall

A warm-weather pick - at its best in spring and summer.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Office Casual Sport
Also Works:
Date

Its fresh, clean, and inoffensive profile makes it ideal for office, casual, and even sport wear. While some reviewers suggest it for date nights, its generally moderate projection and longevity mean it's less suited for formal settings where a stronger presence might be desired.

Declarable allergens

We derive these from the materials behind this fragrance's notes, not from the bottle. Each one is likely, not confirmed. The list is partial - the box can name others.

In standard patch-test panels

Other declarable allergens

  • Spearmint Mentha Viridis Leaf Oil from Mint
  • Synthetic musk Hexamethylindanopyran from Musk

The large name is the everyday one. The small name is the INCI form on the box, so you can compare the two. Reactions differ between people. A patch-test panel is not a ranking of risk. How we derive this

About

Opens with an invigorating burst of mandarin, sharp ginger, and fresh mint, uplifted by green basil. This vibrant start quickly segues into a watery lotus heart with a subtle, clean incense and woody depth from cedar and exotic woods. The dry-down reveals a blend of soft suede and violet leaf, grounded by amber and musk, maintaining a fresh and slightly powdery character throughout.

Similar

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Compare & Pair

Layer

Wear two at once. See what layers well with Black Eau de Toilette - the blends worth trying, and how each one scores.

Complement

Round out the rotation. See what complements Black Eau de Toilette - fragrances that pair with it, worn side by side.

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 2 October

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Drawn from community reviews and editor-reviewed before publishing on . See our methodology and disclosure policy.