Saint Hilaire 2018 EDP

M £ Favourite

Private Black

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Saint Hilaire Private Black is an Eau de Parfum launched in 2018. Private Black opens with Spicy Notes and Bergamot, settles into a heart of Cinnamon and Saffron, and dries down to a base of Musk. Saint Hilaire's Private Black carries a Favourite verdict, a spicy-led wear.

This is for the person who likes a dark, warm, and spicy fragrance with an animalic edge. It's an affordable alternative to more expensive scents in the 'Noir' family, delivering potent performance and a complex, old-school charm that some will adore and others might find a bit dated.
What our verdicts mean →
  • Confident
  • Bold
  • Mysterious
  • Sophisticated
  • Warm
£12.00 at The Fragrance Shop 100ml Check price on → Check prices ↓
Private Black Eau de Parfum bottle

Scent Profile

Composition

Timeline

Showing: Overall Blend
Topas listed
Spicy Notes65%
Bergamot35%
Heartas listed
Saffron60%
Cinnamon40%
Baseas listed
Musk100%

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:
Fall Winter

A cold-weather scent - best worn in autumn and winter.

Best Occasions

Best For:
Date Formal
Also Works:
Casual

Its strong, dense, and dark oriental character, coupled with decent longevity, makes it less suited for a professional office setting where subtlety is preferred. However, it excels in colder weather and evening events, such as dates or formal gatherings, where its mysterious and sophisticated aroma can truly shine. Some reviewers note it's versatile enough for day or night in cooler seasons.

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

  • Bergamot Citrus Aurantium Bergamia Peel Oil from Bergamot
  • 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 a brisk, peppery spice, underpinned by the bright, zesty whisper of bergamot. The heart unfolds into a rich tapestry of warm cinnamon and exotic saffron, adding a sweet and subtly leathery nuance. As it settles, a deep, earthy oud merges with a powerful, sensual musk, softened by a touch of amber, creating a profound and enveloping dry-down.

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Compare & Pair

Layer

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

Complement

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

Where to buy

Prices for the United Kingdom · · checked 29 August

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