Alright, so you guys have been asking what I’ve been trying out lately, and one that’s been on my radar, and finally on my skin, is Spicebomb Night Vision. I’ve got a bit of a history with the original Spicebomb, you know, that warm, spicy kick it has. Loved it. So, when Night Vision came out, I was curious, a bit skeptical too, if I’m honest. The name itself, “Night Vision,” kinda paints a picture, doesn’t it? Dark, mysterious, for the evenings. That’s what I was hoping for, anyway.
Getting My Hands On It
So, I was browsing online, looking for something a bit different for the slightly warmer evenings we’ve been having. The original can be a bit much when it’s not properly cold, you know? I saw a few write-ups on Night Vision, some good, some not so good, which, to be fair, is pretty standard for any fragrance. I figured, what the heck, I’ll give it a shot. Added it to my cart and waited for it to arrive. Nothing too dramatic there, just your standard online purchase.
First Impressions – The Unboxing and First Spray
When the package finally landed, I was pretty keen to rip it open. The bottle, well, it’s the classic Spicebomb grenade shape, but with that green-ish hue. Looks pretty cool, I’ll give them that. It definitely stands out on the shelf.
So, I did the usual, a spray on the wrist. My first thought? Green. Definitely green. And a bit fruity, almost like a tart apple. It wasn’t what I expected, especially coming from the original Spicebomb. The original hits you with that cinnamon and tobacco straight away. This was… fresher? Brighter? Yeah, brighter is probably the word. It wasn’t bad, just different. I remember thinking, “Okay, this isn’t just a rehash, they’ve actually tried something else here.”
Wearing It Out – The Full Experience
So, I decided to give it a proper wear test over the next few evenings. Here’s what I found:
- The Opening: That initial blast is all about the green notes and a kind of zesty, almost citrusy fruitiness. Some say green apple, and I can see that. It’s quite sharp and energetic for the first, say, 20-30 minutes. It’s the part that screams “Night Vision” the least, if I’m being honest. It feels more like a daytime freshie at this point.
- Drying Down: After that initial freshness starts to settle, some of the classic Spicebomb DNA tries to peek through. You get a bit of warmth, a hint of spice – cardamom, maybe some pepper? But it’s much more subdued than the original. There’s also this nutty, almond-like sweetness that comes into play, mixing with some tonka bean. This part is more interesting to me. It’s where it starts to feel a little more complex.
- The Base: What’s left after a few hours is a soft, slightly sweet, woody, and vaguely spicy skin scent. It’s pleasant enough, but not a powerhouse by any means.
Now, let’s talk about performance. This is where things get a bit… well, average, for me.
Longevity? I was getting maybe 4-5 hours, tops, where I could really smell it properly. After that, it became a very close skin scent. You’d have to really bury your nose in to find it. For something called “Night Vision,” I was expecting it to last through a whole evening out, but it didn’t quite manage that on my skin.
Projection? It’s pretty moderate for the first hour or so. People close to you will smell it. But it doesn’t really shout its presence. It’s not one of those fragrances that enters the room before you do. Maybe that’s a good thing for some, but again, the “Night Vision” branding had me thinking it would be a bit bolder.
Did I get any compliments? A couple, yeah. Mostly along the lines of “you smell nice” or “what’s that you’re wearing?” Nothing over the top, but it was noticed. It seems to be pretty inoffensive, which I guess is a plus.
So, What’s The Verdict?
Look, Spicebomb Night Vision isn’t a bad fragrance. It’s just… maybe not what I, or many others, expected from the name and the Spicebomb lineage. If you’re going in expecting a darker, more intense version of the original, you might be disappointed. It’s more like a fresher, greener, slightly sweeter cousin. Almost like they took the Spicebomb DNA and tried to make it more versatile for spring or cooler summer nights.
Who is this for? I’d say it’s for someone who wants a pleasant, modern, slightly sweet and spicy scent that isn’t too loud. It’s pretty safe for most situations, maybe even office wear if you go light on the sprays. Younger guys might really dig the initial fruity freshness.
For me, it didn’t quite hit the mark as a “night out” powerhouse. It’s more of a “casual evening in” or “meeting friends for a low-key drink” kind of scent. I’ll use up my bottle, for sure. It’s enjoyable enough. But am I rushing out to buy another one? Probably not. I feel like there are other fragrances out there that do the “night” theme with a bit more oomph or character.
It’s one of those things, you know? You try something new, you see what it’s about. Sometimes it blows you away, sometimes it’s just… alright. And Spicebomb Night Vision, for me, landed squarely in the “alright” category. Worth a try if you can sample it, especially if you like fresher takes on spicy scents, but I wouldn’t go in expecting it to be a game-changer.
