Blood OrangeOpens with
Madagascar PepperHeart
Vanilla BeanDries down to
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Carolina Herrera · Sold as masculine
212 VIP Black Smiley
The energy of a city night where the zing of blood orange and ginger meets the cozy comfort of vanilla and almond, perfectly capturing an urban evening's vibrancy.
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 Black SmileyPremium · $100–250
29%Similar accords, often for lessSpell Caramel · ZaraBudget tier, under $40 · shares blood orange and ginger8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
TopOpening
HeartThe Soul
BaseFoundation
The story behind the bottle.
Launched in 2022, 212 VIP Black Smiley by Carolina Herrera is an aromatic fragrance for men crafted by perfumers Carlos Benaïm and Juliette Karagueuzoglou. The composition opens with a zesty blood orange and Tunisian neroli, followed by the warmth of ginger and Madagascar pepper. This freshness gives way to more complex notes like sesame and lavender extract before settling into a sweet vanilla bean and almond base. It captures a modern sensibility, blending unexpected contrasts to create a dynamic olfactory experience.
Apply two sprays to ensure the initial burst of citrus and spice stands out before transitioning into its warm base notes. This fragrance is best enjoyed close to skin for a personal touch rather than filling a room.
Fig. 01 — 212 VIP Black Smiley, Carolina Herrera
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Carlos Benaïm
The quiet geniusCarlos Benaïm is a master perfumer at IFF whose name may not be widely recognized outside the industry, yet his creations have shaped the olfactory landscape of the past four decades.
“Perfumers always strive to create a scent that will have long lasting appeal but we never fully know in advance.”
Carlos Benaïm · The Candy Perfume Boy, April 2015
Co-created with Juliette Karagueuzoglou
The 212 line
84 fragrances, compared side by side
Designer Carolina Herrera
More from the house · founded 1980 · Venezuela
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Similar notes and accords, from other premium and luxury houses
Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The original212 VIP Black SmileyCarolina Herrera · Premium · $100–250Zara · 2023Spell CaramelShares Blood orange and Gingerunder $40★ 4.21 (411)30%Match
Zara · 2019For Him Silver SportShares Gingerunder $40★ 4.15 (20)
With Areej Le Doré Siberian Summer
Adds woody, leather and musky; shares three accords.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Well loved by wearers: loved by 63%, disliked or hated by 5%.