Shopping writer Lauren’s partner swapped his usual cologne for two popular scents and she’s obsessed – and even stole one
As a beauty writer, I love recommending products to friends, family and, increasingly, my boyfriend. So when he recently picked up two aftershaves that have been quietly blowing up online, I was intrigued. But I wasn’t prepared for just how much I’d love them myself.
He’s recently added two fragrances from Cremo to his rotation: the newly launched Italian Bergamot (£34.95), 100ml, and the cult-favourite Spice and Black Vanilla (£30.95), 100ml. Both have earned praise from fans for their unique scent blends, impressive quality and surprisingly affordable price tags – and after smelling them for myself, I completely understand the hype.
I was there when he sprayed them on for the first time and I instantly knew he (and I) were in for a treat. Italian Bergamot, inspired by the elegance of the Italian Riviera, is fresh, crisp and refined, with notes of neroli and vetiver layered over a sparkling citrus base that feels clean, expensive and effortlessly summery.
On first spray, it’s bright and uplifting, but once it settles into his skin, it becomes warmer and undeniably sexier. That’s the funny thing about fragrance – sometimes it genuinely makes you more attracted to someone. And this scent absolutely did that for me.
My only gripe, and his too, was the longevity. While the scent smelled incredible, it faded after a while, before needing a top-up. I’d love to see Cremo release travel-sized versions so people could easily stash them in a pocket, gym bag or work tote for on-the-go reapplication.
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£34.95
Cremo
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This fragrance is a bright and fresh blend of Italian bergamot, neroli blossom, and fresh vetiver.
The next day, my partner tried Spice and Black Vanilla, one of the brand’s most talked-about scents, and this one ticked every box for me. With rich notes of black vanilla, tobacco and cardamom, it’s sweet, warming and slightly smoky without being overpowering.
I tend to gravitate towards deeper, spicier fragrances anyway, and it turns out my boyfriend does too. It immediately reminded me of Maison Margiela’s Jazz Club (£62 for 30ml), a cosy, addictive scent that evokes dimly lit cocktail bars and winter evenings.
The longevity was slightly better with this one, too, although it still didn’t perform quite as well as some of the other fragrances he’s worn before. Lush’s Lord of Misrule (£30 for 30ml), for instance, is one of his regular scents, and it tends to cling to skin and clothes for most of the day. However, both Cremo scents are 100ml, meaning more bang for the buck without worrying about reapplication.
Alongside the fragrances, we also tried the matching body washes, and they were a surprisingly luxurious addition. I couldn’t resist jumping in his shower and stealing the Spice and Black Vanilla Body Wash (£12.95 for 475ml) for myself.
It lathered beautifully, smelled incredible and left my skin feeling genuinely fresh and clean afterwards. Even the packaging looks far more premium than the modest price tag would suggest, sitting neatly on his bathroom shelf like something far more expensive.
Overall, these fragrances made me understand why Cremo has built such a loyal following online. They smell far more luxurious than their price point suggests, offer genuinely distinctive scent profiles, and, in my case, even made me fancy my boyfriend a little bit more.
The Notes: Cremo Spice & Black Vanilla
- Cardamom (top notes)
- Tobacco (middle notes)
- Black vanilla (base notes)
The Notes: Cremo Italian Bergamot
- Italian bergamot (top note)
- Neroli blossom (middle note)
- Fresh vetiver (base note)
