TF Velvet Orchid is an Amber Floral fragrance. Top notes are Rum, Honey, Mandarin Orange and Bergamot; Middle notes are Black Orchid, Orchid, Jasmine, Heliotrope, Hyacinth, Rose Oil, Narcissus, Magnolia and Orange Blossom. Base notes are Vanilla, Myrrh, Suede, Sandalwood, Peru Balsam and Amber. I find it to have moderately strong sillage and great longevity.
Velvet Orchid has a boozy, rum opening. Within about 15 minutes the honey and orange brighten and sweeten it up. The rum and honey in VO is warm, gooey and indulgent.
About an hour in VO sparkles with the addition of the floral notes, but they quickly become dark, incensey, and even a touch balsamic. It's sweet without being syrupy or edible. It’s smooth, warm and deep but still sparkles.
The drydown is seductive, sexy, smooth, sandalwood powdery, and vanillic. Velvet Orchid smells classy and expensive. It lasts about 7 hours on my skin and 10-12 on my clothes. It’s smells classy and expensive. It also Lasts about 6 - 8 hours on my skin and 10-12 on my clothes.
Tom Ford’s Velvet Orchid is very well blended with no chemical sharpness or cheapness but a beautiful, indulgently posh scent that is for the woman who knows what she wants—a little daring with an edge, a little mature, and extremely elegant, and mysterious.
Not everyone can pull this off. If you’re looking for a head turning sexy fragrance this is it.
The price for the 100ml EDP WAS the best I could find on Perfumeonline. It wasn’t an incredible savings, but at least $30 cheaper than anywhere else.