AbsintheOpens with
LavenderHeart
Black Vanilla HuskDries down to
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Carolina Herrera · Sold as masculine
212 VIP Black
The hush before a grand event begins — a mix of anticipation and the subtle scent of absinthe in the air, just as the first guests arrive.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
212 VIP BlackPremium · $100–250
41%Similar accords, often for lessLe Male In Blue · Jean Paul GaultierMid-range tier, $40–100 · shares anise and lavender8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2017, 212 VIP Black by Carolina Herrera is a fragrance that captures the essence of modern sophistication. Created by perfumers Anne Flipo and Carlos Benaïm, this aromatic fougere composition opens with absinthe and anise for a crisp, slightly bitter edge before transitioning into the heart notes of lavender and black vanilla husk. The base of musk and powdery undertones rounds out the scent, creating a balance between warmth and freshness that is both intriguing and inviting.
Apply two sprays to your pulse points. The absinthe note is bright but fleeting, so it's best used during the day when its crispness can complement a daytime outfit. The base notes of musk and vanilla will linger into the evening, making this fragrance versatile for various occasions.
Fig. 01 — 212 VIP Black, Carolina Herrera
Where to buy.
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Anne Flipo
Elegance distilledAnne Flipo is a senior perfumer at IFF and one of the most accomplished noses of her generation, responsible for some of the most commercially successful and critically admired fragrances of the 21st century.
“Orange blossom takes a huge part in my signature too. It is the ingredient I would never be fed up with. I could create a thousand perfumes around it, without it ever being redundant.”
Anne Flipo · Everfumed (from Fernweh Editions), July 2020
Co-created with Carlos Benaïm
The 212 line
84 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Carolina Herrera
More from the house · founded 1980 · Venezuela
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Giorgio ArmaniEmporio Armani Stronger With You IntenselyEDP · ★ 4.57Loved by the same people
Jean Paul GaultierUltra MaleEDT · ★ 4.44Loved by the same people
VersaceErosEDP · ★ 4.05Loved by the same people
Carolina HerreraVIP Black Red★ 4.29Wearers say it smells similarStill deciding?Try the Scent Finder →Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The original212 VIP BlackCarolina Herrera · Premium · $100–250Jean Paul Gaultier · 2026Le Male In BlueShares Anise and Lavender$40–100★ 3.54 (508)41%Match
Zara · 2018Scent #2Shares Anise and Lavenderunder $40★ 3.98 (62)42%Match
Lolita Lempicka · 2023Lolita Lempicka Le Parfum Edition Limitée Flacon MinuitShares Absinthe, Anise and Musk$40–100★ 4.61 (38)42%Match
Victoria's Secret · 2018Wild FlowerAll 2 of its listed notes are in this oneunder $40★ 4.33 (12)
With Tauer Perfumes Golestan
Adds white floral, tuberose and woody; shares two accords.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 52%, disliked or hated by 6%.