Coco Noir Extrait

It is said that the parfum extrait concentration is the fullest expression of the perfumer's vision for a fragrance. This seems exceedingly true for Coco Noir Parfum. You can imagine my reticence, however, to pay such an exorbitant price for such a small amount of perfume that is nearly impossible to test. I took the plunge and am delighted that I did. The parfum's opening is with more bergamot than grapefruit, though both are present, diverging from the grapefruit-heaviness of the EDP. This combination of citrus top notes is mystic and otherworldly, especially in combination with a huge hit of some fine frankincense. I also get a good bit of jasmine and aldehydes, as well as the same butane-like note that is strangely addictive in Shalimar Parfum Initial. After the fragrance settles, I realize that the parfum is significantly more oriental and "noir" compared to Coco Mademoiselle, for which Coco Noir EDP is, confusingly, a flanker despite not smelling as noir-esque as it should. Having experienced the parfum in all its glory, Coco Noir as a concept extending from Coco Mademoiselle suddenly makes sense to me. Here is the Noir we were looking for. Was this what Chanel was trying to market but retreated from to a safer almost-fruitchouli? Was this what the perfumer was aiming to present to the world? It is a unique masterpiece. In the end, the increased oriental feel is really due, in my opinion, to spicy ginger and sandalwood. This combination makes the perfume seem to lean more darkly masculine because it is exactly the combination used in Chanel's men's line of Bleu de Chanel. (Interestingly, they also share a prominence of grapefruit, an uncommon top note that sets many of these Chanels apart.) However, in combination with the other notes it is really just as at home on a male as on a serious and intriguing female. Coco Noir Parfum is long-lasting yet staying close to the skin. It is mystic and not for the common market, smelling very niche and matching its price tag. It's also not extremely "now," rather holding to classic themes and refusing to give in to popular trends, while never in danger of smelling dated, only mature. Unfortunately I don't think that the Coco Noir market is extremely interested in or able to afford the parfum concentration, and I'm afraid it may fall by the wayside as a result. I wish it could get more recognition, possibly by becoming available as a spray and being reduced in price (comparable to the Bleu de Chanel Parfum), or being offered as a micro-mini gift with purchase of the EDP. I will use my own sparingly, as I'm sure it will become nearly impossible to find should it become discontinued.

I have been contemplating buying this extrait for about two years, only to eventually succumb to temptation yesterday. I first smelled it at a Sephora in Dijon, France, in autumn 2014, literally harassed into it by a slightly pushy young salesman. This fine young French chap, having just complimented me on my good taste in perfume (I bought a Shalimar extrait), insisted that I absolutely had to sample this juice as I would certainly love it, possibly assuming that a customer looking for a certain extract would content herself with just anything as long as it had the word "parfum" on it. Anyway, I was extremely unimpressed; I could not imagine a more banal, fabric freshener-like stuff targeted toward the tween-to-early 20s demographic. Don't be mistaken, that is not to say this extract is not very well executed, it certainly does smell the best of the bunch. It is just... well, so not extraordinary, in stark contrast to what the hefty price tag would like to suggest. So, what made me come back over and over again and eventually part with my euros? Over the two years, I have come to realize this juice was my guilty pleasure, an utterly banal yet comforting stuff reminding me of my childhood home. It reminds me of the smell of the old wooden cabinet in which my grandma used to keep sweets she rewarded us with for being good, of the sickly sweetish, camphorous smell of my dad's man cave filled with the odor of sawdust, turpentine, and oil paint in which we would spend hours and hours on end watching him paint, of Christmas sweets and the like. It is the ultimate comfort scent for me. Although I do not see myself wearing this fragrance every day as I would tire of it soon, it will find its use on days that I just want to enjoy myself and don't give a damn about what others might think. Edit: longevity is monstrous (24h+) on skin, hair, clothes, sheets... you name it.

CHANEL COCO NOIR EXTRAIT Jacques Polge and Christopher Sheldrake 2014 (edp 2012) I took a risk based on some reviews and it was worth it. I was anticipating the darkness of Coco Noir and found it in “Extrait de Parfum”. Fell in love earlier with luminous edp because of other reasons though. When the name “Coco Noir” was given I think it was based on the Parfum concentration. It’s in overall darker than edp, it has a seductive femme fatale character while edp is more a ladylike, happy and pretty. Extrait is intense, all the notes are very deep, dense and it’s more complex. It’s somewhat glamorous with a richness of 80s and 90s perfumes. It’s extravagant compared to edp which is very charming for sure yet very bright and easy to wear. Coco Noir Extrait is for those intimate passionate moments and mysterious evenings when someone is coming close to your skin. It’s potent but I’m sure you don’t want to bath in that precious juice in tiny 15ml bottle to get more projection. What comes to the notes this is a strange perfume - it’s very difficult to separate them and that is the reason why I don’t even try to analyze them. You have to experience the scent yourself. ✨ “A voluptuous and enveloping ambery scent with a noble accord of Egyptian jasmine and May rose that adds depth and sensuality. The trail unfurls with magnetic notes of Indonesian patchouli and Venezuelan tonka bean, along with the more pronounced notes of bourbon vanilla and New Caledonian sandalwood.” Thank you for reading, I hope my review was helpful. I would appreciate a lot if you want to follow me on IG and/or YouTube (English subtitles): @ninamariahperfumes It gives me a lot of motivation to write more. 🤗

This is not a spray bottle. Little 15 ml bottle. It is finally back at Chanel website and US department stores. Last time in late 2023 it was available at Harrods only. The perfume is different than Eau de parfum version. It is softer warmer and more intimate than eau de parfum. Ingredients notes are different. The parfum consists of very essence of the flowers. And a lot softer patchouli thsn edp version embraces your uniqueness. Vanilla and tonka is on the light side in this mix. Definitely not old fashion but slightly vintage. I consider no5 as old fashion and for elderly. This bottle is not for everyday. it is for the days you need to cheer yourself up. You are welcome to use every day if the price point doesn't bother you. it suits for everyday use too. And a little goes long way. You just need to tampon your finger to the bottle and drop a little and apply on your wrists or neck. You will not see the bottle is gone quickly for long time. Currently 15 ml bottle only and it is 305 dollars. And it has potential of narcotics. It is hard to find something similar to this when it becomes unavailable and edp is never its equivalent. And please don't overuse it. Hasn't cut out to heavy applications.

I am impressed. I tested this today, a generous application on one arm over nine hours ago, and I am still aware of the drydown, without lifting my arm to my nose. This is the noir version everyone expected with the original Coco Noir EDP. Smokier, darker, more resinous, than Coco Noir EDP, with more tonka and musk, and less patchouli. I love Coco Noir, in part for the beautiful grapefruit and rose accord. In the extrait, the grapefruit is more subtle, drier, and less prominent. I never thought I would be tempted to buy this, since i still have quite a lot of Coco Noir. The parfum wears closer to the skin, and is more of an evening fragrance than Coco Noir EDP. The EDP is great for professional setings and daytime wear. This is sophisticated, dark, sexy, semi-formal evening wear. I am going to go back and test this again soon. I am tempted.