The Noir 29

What an intriguing perfume! It reminds me of the subtle aroma found in country clubs where older gentlemen gather to play cards. I was surprised by its soapy quality, which is refined and understated, like a person's natural scent rather than a traditional fragrance. The fig note is remarkably quiet yet adds depth to the overall composition. On my skin, the tobacco note stands out as the most prominent and realistic, unlike any other tobacco scent I've encountered. Despite being described as "strong," it projects mildly for me, with a moderate longevity that doesn't last longer than three hours. The scent leans towards masculinity but is certainly unisex in nature. Unfortunately, this perfume doesn't escape the cleaning product aroma on my skin, which is a common issue with citrus-based fragrances. The overall impression is of a light, whispery skin scent, and I'm unsure if the musk note is detectable to me due to its subtlety.

I had high expectations for this perfume due to its fig, bay leaf, tobacco, and tea notes, which are all among my favorites. Unfortunately, these notes clash together, rendering them unrecognizable and transforming The Noir 29 into a completely different scent. Initially, it smells like pine and Christmas, making me think of a winter wonderland. However, this pleasant yet cloying aroma lingers for hours before morphing into an unpleasant aftershave scent that I'd rather scrub off.

When I initially encountered The Noir, I was dissatisfied with its performance on an extremely humid 85-degree summer day. All I detected was pungent hay, which failed to evoke any delight in me. A part of me felt inclined to set it aside until fall.

I've had an intriguing experience with this perfume. The initial impression I got from smelling it on someone else was incredibly captivating - it had the aroma of rare, dark reddish fruits and fresh, damp leaves after a rainstorm, accompanied by the subtle yet soothing essence of unsweetened hibiscus tea. Moreover, I noticed its presence immediately upon my friend's entry into the room and could detect it lingering on her belongings, indicating impressive sillage and longevity for this brand. The enchanting way it suited my friend led me to believe that this perfume is truly perfect. However, when I tried it on myself, the scent transformed into a tart, stale red wine that had been open for some time - a testament to the unpredictable nature of skin chemistry.

This perfume boasts an enchanting dark fig aroma, which only improves with time. The drydown is particularly noteworthy, as it retains its fig essence while introducing subtle undertones of tobacco and rose/musk that add a seductive edge. I'm so impressed that I've decided to invest in a full bottle, thanks to the remarkable longevity and strength it exhibits on my skin.