Magie Noire

Magie Noire by Lancôme is a feminine-leaning eau de parfum from 1978 in the designer price tier. It opens with blackcurrant, galbanum, bergamot, hyacinth and raspberry, moves into bulgarian rose, jasmine, tuberose, honey and narcissus and dries down to patchouli, oakmoss, castoreum, civet, musk and vetiver. Expect around 10 hours of wear, and it projects strongly.

Notes, explained

Opening

Blackcurrant Tart, dark and slightly catty. Adds bite to florals.
Galbanum Intensely green resin. Smells like snapping a plant stem in half.
Bergamot Sharp citrus with a faint bitter edge. The opening of about half of all men's fragrances.
Hyacinth Cold, green, watery floral. Smells like early spring.
Raspberry Tart, jammy and slightly fuzzy. Very popular in modern sweet scents.

Heart

Bulgarian Rose Fresh, dewy and green. The 'real rose garden' version.
Jasmine Heady, sweet and slightly animal underneath. Rarely subtle.
Tuberose Creamy, waxy and enormous. The loudest white flower.
Honey Sweet, waxy and slightly animalic. Can smell dirty in large doses.
Narcissus Green, hay-like and slightly animalic. Strange and beautiful.

Dry-down

Patchouli Damp earth and dark chocolate. Either you love it or it's your least favourite note.
Oakmoss Damp forest floor. Bitter, green and the backbone of every chypre.
Castoreum Leathery, smoky and warm. Adds depth and a bit of danger.
Civet Sharp, faecal and intense on its own. In trace amounts it makes florals glow.
Musk Warm, skin-like and slightly sweet. Makes a fragrance feel like you.
Vetiver Dry, earthy, smoky grass root. Smells like soil and citrus peel.

Smells like this

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