Best 212 VIP Black by Carolina Herrera Alternatives & Similar Perfumes
212 VIP Black by Carolina Herrera is an aromatic fougere with a striking blend of absinthe, anise seeds, and fennel, softened by lavender and warmed with vanilla and musk. Its distinctive character combines herbal sharpness with creamy sweetness and a musky base, creating a modern, enigmatic scent. Those interested in fragrances with aromatic green notes and a balance of fresh and warm elements should explore options highlighting absinthe, anise, or fennel for a similar vibe.
Moonglade by MINT £170.00
- Key notes:
- anise seeds
- coconut
- lavender
- nutmeg
- orange
- patchouli
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- fruity
- leather
Perfumer: Chris Maurice
From the master perfume responsible for most of the Xerjoff range, Moon Glade is a very unconventional take on lavender. The perfumer added a charred coconut shell nuance and poured sweet peach compote to the clean musky vibes of the herb.
ABSINTHE by Headspace £175.00
- Key notes:
- absinthe
- leather
- narcissus
- violet leaf
- wormwood
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- green
- leather
Perfumer: Nicolas Beaulieu
Conjuring the complexity of iced absinthe where the balance of heady wormwood and fresh ozonic greenery surrounds violet leaf for a seductive euphoric tone. This is set against a dark aromatic base that is smooth and warming. The head-turning diffusion of sweetened leathers and earthy woods offers a contemporary enticing edge.
Wind from mount Kailash by Anna Zworykina £95.00
- Key notes:
- absinthe
- cedarwood
- sage
- Aromagroups:
- green
- woody
Coniferous bliss of a high altitutude forest. Quiet wisper of centruries old giants conversing in their woody rustle language.
For Hindus, Kailash is the home of the mountain god Shiva and a sign of his power symbol om. Legends say that Garuda was born on the top of the mountain to protect the men's race from disasters sent by the serpents' race of Nags.
(these fragrant materials reanacted the Wind from mount Kailash):
White sage e.o.
Elemi e.o.
Guayak wood e.o.
Lavender bulgarian e.o.
Lavender
Lavender abs
Acacia farnesiana e.o.
Boswellia carterii e.o.
Cedarwood, Himalayan e.o.
Cistus e.o.
Angelica root e.o.
Oregano Onites e.o.
Vetiver e.o.
Sweet myrrh e.o.
Important notice:
Anna Zworykina’s blends are olfactive smellscapes (but neither aromatherapy, nor ‘spray-and-go’ perfumes). Her blends are sensory experiences, closer to works of art created in the scented plane (rather than, say, visual or audio).
Certain essential oils and absolutes that are used in her 100% natural perfumes may potentially cause allergies in some people. Please spray Anna Zworykina’s blends on fabric (on sleeves, scarves, etc.). This said, Anna Zworykina has acquired a huge fan base over many years and people interacted with her blends for quite a while now. We are not aware of any reports of any skin reactions so far.
However, Anna advises that those who are prone to allergic reactions, pregnant and nursing women, as well as people with chronic illnesses to be extra careful. Before trying natural blends, study the list of ingredients and consult with a doctor if you are not sure or a had a history of allergies. If you do decide to put these blends on your skin (unable to resist the temptation) always test the blend on the inside part of your elbow first and wait.
Do not spray these blends liberally as a cloud in the way you would spray a conventional perfume. Anna’s smellscapes need to be… carefully applied and experienced. Be mindful that some oils can also make your skin hyper-sensitive to UV.
Blue Flame by Insenf £125.00
- Key notes:
- anise seeds
- benzoin
- coriander
- mugwort
- sambuca
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
Cool herbs, the sweetness of anise, the warmth of a boozy flame at the bottom of a glass. Blue Flame begins in that glass. It opens bright and bitter, like lemon peel twisted between the fingers. Mint leaves and dry coriander seed steadies it. Then comes sambuca, the anise liqueur that lingers with chilly sweetness, shadowed by bitter/herbal Mugwort. Vetiver and cedarwood trace the outline of dry wood, and benzoin resin adds a low hum. Finally, white musk emerges, turning this cool customer into a warm, languid skin scent, its sweet herbs still held within.
Darin's Musk by SweDoft £120.00
- Key notes:
- anise seeds
- rose
- white musk
- Aromagroups:
- transparent
- woody
The name of the perfume is a reference to the ancient port of Darin (located on the Tarout island/جزيرة تاروت in the modern day Saudi Arabia).This port was famous in the Middle ages as the musk exchange hub, where merchants from everywhere would come to buy deer musk.
Darin’s musk was legendary (top quality and genuine). Swedoft are treating us to that fabled musk aroma in a poetic modern perfume way. Darin’s Musk is a bright, voluminous fresh musk cloud. It’s not animalic. It’s white musk, clean and exquisite. It did however inherit the outstanding longevity and diffusiveness of the original deer musk traded centuries ago in the port of Darin.
Ibiza Nights by CARNER £150.00
- Key notes:
- anise seeds
- benzoin
- mandarin
- pear
- Aromagroups:
- citrusy
- spicy
- woody
Sun soaked dayz and disco nights, this scent captures the character of Ibiza with white florals and aromatic star anise. Chic, cool, joyful!
Sirenide by Beaufort £125.00
- Key notes:
- anise seeds
- lotus
- orris (iris root)
- woodruff
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- leather
- marine
Orkney, an archipelago located to the north of Scotland, plays host to the inspiration for this fragrance. According to ancient Orkney myth, shapeshifting creatures – selkies – inhabit the bodies of seals who, coming out of the water, shed their skin to walk among humans. Often in these legends the selkie’s skin is found and hidden by local men, and they are forced to marry their human captor.
But in our version of this tale, the selkie takes control. Furious that he has tanned her precious skin, the selkie poisons her captor, reclaiming the leather and returning finally to the tumbling sea.
Sirenide Eau de Parfum is a suitably formidable fragrance: powerful and haunting, with triplicate aspects of ‘skins’ developing on your own. PVC melds with pinseal and an unnerving bitter almond note; water flowers blossom and die, returning to the water.
Stercus by Orto Parisi £155.00
- Key notes:
- anise seeds
- heliotrope
- leather
- oud
- Aromagroups:
- leather
- spicy
Stercus never lies.
A part of the essential body functioning and a natural way to fertilize the soil.
It is the secret sweetness that attracts, and the animalic side that offends.
A sign of an infinite life circle.
The smell of an end and the beginning.
Bean by And Fragrance £125.00
- Key notes:
- fennel
- neroli
- tonka beans
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- leather
For far too long, Tonka has been sacked off as poor man's vanilla. But no one should put this baby in the corner. In actual fact its warmth and richness make it a classic in its own right.
And once you’ve chucked in ethically sourced and sustainable Brazilian orange oil, lavender, neroli and fennel, you’re really cooking.
All oomph and sophistication. Like a rich, yummy posh pudding with none of the calories or the guilt.
Bloomin’ delicious.
- Key notes:
- angelica root
- fennel
- fougere
- galbanum
- mint
- oakmoss
- petrichor
- pine
- vetiver
- Aromagroups:
- aromatic
- green
- vintage/old school
After the first rains of autumn, the woods exhale salubrious scents of peat, moss and petrichor — the ideal antidote to the scorching summer heat. Chypre-Mousse was first launched in 1914 for the dandies of the new century, and this iteration reinterprets a classic fougere with contemporary materials. This explosively aromatic blend hums with wild mint and fennel in a swirl of earthy oak moss, peppery green angelica and fresh pine. Bring the outdoors in with Chypre-Mousse.
Perfumer: Hugo Lambert
About 212 VIP Black by Carolina Herrera
- What makes 212 VIP Black stand out from similar fragrances?
- 212 VIP Black is distinguished by its unique combination of absinthe and anise seeds blended with vanilla and musk, balancing herbal sharpness with creamy warmth. Many similar fragrances share some notes but differ in the presence or absence of vanilla, musk, or smoky elements.
- Which note in 212 VIP Black is most important to its character?
- Absinthe plays a key role in 212 VIP Black’s character, providing a distinctive green, slightly bitter herbal edge. Anise seeds and fennel also contribute to its aromatic freshness.
- Are these similar fragrances suitable for both day and evening wear?
- Many fragrances with aromatic fougere profiles, like those listed, can be versatile for day or evening depending on their intensity and additional notes. Fresher, cleaner scents tend to suit daytime, while smoky or leathery variations may be more suited to evening occasions.









