Cé Noir

Updated 5/18 - just purchased a second bottle of this, which I will use more sparingly as I blew through almost the entire bottle in around 3 months...! I’m surprised no one has commented on the bait and switch in the notes here — when the bottle arrived, I was shocked to see white patchouli listed in the base notes (which the website still does not reflect). Having felt comfortable blind-buying this specifically because patch was NOT included, I was so disappointed I didn’t even smell it the first day I opened the box. Even when patchouli is well blended, I get a weird “fuzzy” smell that I find nearly impossible to shake. So, while this did initially have a hint of that, I pushed past (non-refundable blind buy and all) and got complemented on it the first day I wore it. I liked the scent but was still bummed - mentally couldn’t get past that I had been duped into buying a patchouli perfume. Well, fast forward a couple of months and this has become my go-to — I’ve already used up over a quarter of the bottle. The perfume is huge, and people can smell you from six feet away with just a few sprays. I absolutely hate how in every perfume ad on IG/TT, they say the same thing, that they’ve gotten the most complements on this perfume, etc. For me, this is actually true with Ce Noir - it wears incredibly well on me, longevity is great, and I want to smell like this for as long as possible. On me, the honey and clementine mix to form this deep sweetness, and the rose and jasmine mix in to give it this floral backbone, and the amber and white patchouli give this beautiful warm depth. Rihanna’s Fenty is listed alongside this as “people who like this also like” and that’s hands-down one of my least favorite perfumes I have ever smelled —with Kilian’s Angels Share close behind. BR540 is pretty high up on “reminds me of” and this shares 0 similarity — no idea why people would link them together.

Lo and behold, Cé Noir is here and I can finally share my thoughts on this fragrance. First off, I am in LOVE with the bottle! The bottle having a base/holder reminds me of Ariana Grande's fragrances. It's very cute and extra lol. Upon first spray, this was very pleasing to my nose. I get a blend of Rose and Clementine, sweetened by Honey. This is kind of reminiscent of the Rose & Citrus in Rihanna's Fenty fragrance, but better. A few people compared it to Mancera's Roses Vanille, and I kind of understand why. There are elements of both fragrances in Cé Noir, but it doesn't smell identical to either fragrance. As this fragrance settles on my skin, the Myrrh and Amber accompany this composition, making it warm and slightly boozy. For some strange reason, it reminds me of Angel Shares' warm, spicy base, minus the cinnamon apple pie. But it works so well with Cé Noir and kind of helps give the fragrance its own identity. What surprised me the most is that I don't really get much Jasmine. The warm, Ambery Rose, Clementine, and Honey kind of runs the show through its entire duration all the way to the dry down. Cé Noir pulled about 6 hours of wear on my skin, which is pretty decent. The projection is very moderate. It radiates past arms length reach for almost 2 hours before it becomes more intimate. NOW, the big question is, is this fragrance worth 160+? To me, absolutely not! Overall, it's a very well composed fragrance with great packaging and decent performance; I'm really fond of it, but this fragrance doesn't bring anything scent, packaging and performance wise to be that expensive. But do I regret my purchase? Not at all. I feel like Cé Noir is what I hoped the Fenty fragrance would smell like. It's alluring, elegant, gentle and sexy. So, I will definitely enjoy and treasure this fragrance while it's in my collection. Scent: 8/10 Packaging: 8/10 Performance: 7/10

Opens with a splash of clementine and definitely get the honey. Honey is most dominant to me, followed by rose which quickly reveals itself. I dont pick up the jasmine but I believe its there, it's blended in nicely. It has a warm fuzzy ambery/myrrh base. Ce Noir reminds me of being hugged by a woman as a kid lol, don't know why. But it has this cozyness and comfort which feels safe, sweet, and sensual. To be honest, I haven't worn it more than twice since I got it 4 months ago. Perhaps feels too safe and intimate for me but I'll still be keeping it as I do think it's beautiful. Won't repurchase though. I haven't done a trial with someone to tell me if they can still smell it on me hours later, but I dont feel like it lasts as long as I'd like for the price (could be wrong). Maybe 4 hours. I also got a lil Delina hint when I first smelled it, but it really is not like the Delinas at all. It's just the rose. As a big B fan.. it does smell like something she would make but I don't feel it suits the marketing. I love the bottle but the silver doesnt match how it smells and feels (not really relevant but oh well - a gold bottle would've been cute)

Setting a wilting rose soaked in liqueur aflame then dousing it in honey.. a boozy witchy night out in the dead of winter- an unyielding and narcotic concoction... This is a behemoth and kind of beats your a** upon first inspection. Monstrous silage, you cannot douse this on yourself like an average celebrity perfume! This will knock you on the head if you treat it like a body mist, and for good reason. Like rose infused honey, it's extremely sticky, warm, and sharp. The myrrh and amber provide an understated incense-spicy undertone that confounds and allures, spray delicately! You are rewarded for your patience as it dissolves and fizzes into a quiet vision of a sweet aromatic liqueur. I think this scent demands to be utilized exclusively in cold nights lacing the insides of a coat heading to an intimate and/or romantic setting personally. It's hypnotic, luxurious, and extremely inebriating- definitely NOT for going out to a crowded sweaty bar or in the workplace. Time and place! This smell reminds me of a nostalgic and well crafted cocktail I've enjoyed a long time ago, now crave to have again, but is lost on me. What a shame..

Presentation is aces, the box wrapped in a mirrored paper sleeve was sturdy, almost like unboxing an expensive electronic device. The vessel called back to 30-40s era perfumes, the Guerlains and Schiaparellis with their rococo intricacy in form factor but as an obvious love letter to art deco. The metal (probably) atomizer sits neatly within a slick glossy plastic holder that fools the eye with consistency. I hope they're planning on selling refills. There's a clever amber tinted window into the atomizer to see how much of your 50 ml you've run through. The scent is a rose and honey that borders being a gourmand, brightened by citrus. If you know Fenty's selfsame perfume: it is similar with a less heavy rose, Cé Noir is thinner but with the same syruped floral effect. If you know Lush's Rose Jam scent: Cé Noir vibrates at the same frequency, with more amber and less citrus - to my nose less Geraniol rose, no geranium. It has a strong, punchy, imposing first 2 hours and then it settles into mellow close skin contact all day floral. Gorgeous high femme.