SOTD – Black Influence by SÜS-SKÏND - Fresh Start October

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Good Morning Brotherhood!

Today I come to you with a “Fresh Start October” fragrance, Black Influence by SÜS-SKÏND. This is a niche fragrance introduced to me by my local niche dealer, D’or Prestige (https://dorprestige.com/). After doing a bit of research on the brand, I learned that Black Influence was crafted in Grasse, France, and launched in 2016.

According to the brand’s website (https://www.harsalong.be/sus-skind-black-influence), “Perfume is much more than a combination of molecules and components. It expresses a feeling, a desire that is interpreted by the perfumer to bring to life memories of past emotions or emotions one would like to experience.”

The fragrance comes only in a 30ml bottle, presented in an elegant, minimalist design with a sticker logo that gives off true small-business charm. I’d classify this as Indie Niche, since it seems to be sold exclusively through the perfumer and select niche retailers like D’or Prestige but I hate to throw around the word Indie out of respect to true Indie perfumers. Maybe

@Lon Chaneyfield

can weigh in here to help me out a little to see if the term “Indie” fits this house?

On first spray, I’m immediately greeted by white florals that are warm and inviting, drawing me in for more. There’s a fleeting touch of animalic funk in the opening, but it quickly fades as the fragrance settles. The dry down brings a soft, white powdery feel, reminiscent of old-school baby powder. Though iris isn’t listed in the official notes, I definitely pick up an iris-like vibe likely from the tonka bean and vanilla. It’s vanillic, slightly cola like, but not gourmand. As it continues to evolve, woody nuances emerge, giving the powdery notes a smooth wooden base to rest on.

To put it in perspective, I’d compare this to Dior Homme 2020, but softer, creamier, and with a touch more wood in the base.

Performance is excellent and not “beast mode” by any means, but very respectable. Projection sits about an arm’s length with 8 sprays, so I’d call it moderate. However, the longevity is outstanding. You can tell the ingredients are high quality as it stays rich and creamy for 8+ hours.

At $55 USD for a niche fragrance of this quality, it’s an absolute steal. I’ll definitely be exploring more from this house.

What do you think, Brotherhood? Anyone else tried anything from SÜS-SKÏND?

Have an amazing day everyone, and remember to stink up the place goooood!

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