Figuier Noir

So it opens up with, well, fig. The thing is it's a bit leafy green, woody, and first and foremost very spicy. There's an overload of black pepper in the opening with some cardamom. The clove? Yeah, might be, but if so it's only a support to the fig accord, not a real note you obviously get. Luckily, as I hate cloves. The more it sites down the more fig-y and woody it becomes. It's never really a sweet perfume because of that wood and fig leaf, but the fig itself is a honey-like candied thick fruit, and it's the same here. Iris and jasmine? Forget it. It's a dark fig with wood, great fig leaf and lots of pepper as it opens. Now it's a unisex, but don't expect a feminine fruity cocktail. It's woody spicy leafy. You can wear it anytime but it might die in the cold. The thing is - I tested it and it was stronger. A brought a bottle home and it's way weaker. As the bottle was absolutely filled up to the brim maybe it just needs some air - I hope. The sample I had was 7-9 hours with a strong projection for an hour and then being more moderate. The bottle I own? Moderate to skin from the start.

Gorgeous scent! I feel that it's really strong, but it is summer now, so maybe in the winter it will tame down a bit. For me, it's a little sweet, but for most people it's probably the right amount of sweetness. Full bottle worthy. It's on my list to buy. Love it. Edit: Ok, I bought a full bottle. Very happy that I did. I'm really enjoying this one. I'm a little surprised that I'm liking it as much as I do. So, it's not as strong as I originally stated. Also, it's perfect for summer. Probably most seasons. So, now I get it, it does start very green as others have stated. Green fig leave, light black pepper and zero sweetness. After about 15 minutes it starts turning where you can smell the fig fruit and it has a light sweetness. The Fruit takes over but the Fig leaf is still there. I can smell a soft pepper, I don't small the clove and I don't smell or experience the iris. On the main accords above: I would amp up the green accord and dial down the warm spicy. To me, I get more fresh spicy! Really love this stuff.

This is one of those fragrances where I get a euphoric feeling when I smell it. I mainly get this with greener fragrances. Absolutely beautiful scent. I usually don't stick to certain occasions or seasons when wearing a scent but I can only wear this on a special occasion because I just can't help but I feel like I'm doing an injustice by wearing this fragrance in a casual setting. Beautiful fresh fig with some spice to add a bit of warmth, has some sweetness in the dry down. This sounds snobby (trust me I'm not made of money), but its fragrances like this which is why I love niche perfumery. You'll never find something like this in the designer realm. There are some designer gems and masterpieces and fragrances which smell niche but this is only something you'd find from a niche house.

It’s... interesting. It is definitely a masculine fig fragrance, and it isn’t bad, but it is very synthetic smelling. There’s something strong and sharp in its base that reminds me of Gris Charnel Extrait. I wasn’t really a fan of that sharp, synthetic base. It’s more tolerable here, but still annoying. Maybe it’ll grow on me. Edit: I like it after further testing. The weird smell just came from sticking my nose on my hand. It smells better in the air and on the body. 3 sprays works for me. Edit 2: Smelled a fig tree today and this is surprisingly accurate. I’m very impressed now. I’m not sure why I thought this fragrance felt synthetic. It’s really cool how accurate it is to the smell of figs and a fig tree.

This is one of my favorite fig fragrances and it stands out among all the smoky pineapple going on these days. I personally use this as a Fall and Winter scent, but it can be worn any time. Even though it's a "dark" fig, it's not too gloomy for cold weather and not too sweet for the heat. The green fig leaf along with the bark of the tree is really nice. It starts to get creamy after the green zing evaporates, but the woody dry down smells very masculine and hangs around for quite a while Great longevity, especially on clothes. It projects strongly, but it's s not a room filler, so it can be controlled. I sometimes layer with Philosykos or Matcha 26 when I'm in the mood for extra fig.

Recently got a sample of this beauty from a store that sells this perfume as "unisex". Only by looking it up here I noticed it is officially branded as a male perfume. I don't know why other have voted this up as more masculine leaning, I think it is a perfectly unisex perfume. As a woman I do enjoy wearing this perfume. As it's a more heavy perfume, I do like to wear it for special evening occasions. But also can imagine wearing it an a very cold winter day. Very addictive, sweety, spicy and woody fragrance. Makes me feel sexy, sensual and very confident. Longevity and sillage are amazing. A full bottle is a bit hefty priced, but you do get some good quality in return.

Have you ever bitten a ripe fig down a fig tree at the end of the summer ? Well I did and That's what the opening smells like to me, the combinaison of the fig leaf and the candied fruits make it green and sweet, but not too sweet just sweet enough, it almost feels like a ripe fruit that you cook on a hot oily pan but I guess it's the addition of the cloves and pepper that leave that impression but overall the whole opening is pretty glorious. Then come the Iris that gives complexity and body to the juice and finally the cedar gives a relaxing and welcomed woody touch to the ensemble. Beautiful perfumery. Bravo Céline Ellena ! PS : it's not synthetic at all

Spicy, green, fresh fig at the top with a creamy dark fig mid with a very subtle sweet touch in the dry down! Can be worn spring and summer but it peaks on cool spring days. Full blown cold weather will eat this fragrance up though. Solid 6 hours with decent projection. Very elegant scent so I personally savour it for occasions, though it also makes for a very unique signature, so if you really appreciate the more artistic side of perfumery, I think you'll enjoy this one.

One of the most realistic fig leaf scents I have come across. There is the green facet, yes, but also lactonic and spicy notes. It has a nice, grounding warmth as well. The drydown kind of reminds me of Bon Parfumeur 602. I’m surprised to see iris listed; I don’t detect any powder, thankfully. That absolutely ruined Gris Charnel for me. I’m not sure if I would wear this in high summer; seems like it could be a bit overwhelming, especially in the opening.

Masterpiece. Best fig frag that exists. Period. Update: it's a masculine, green, musky, natural smelling fig leaf and fig sap fragrance. One of the best things I've ever smelled. Very lightly sweet, clean, sharp, crisp, green, tremendously realistic smelling. Smells expensive and niche. I dont understand the poster who said this smells synthetic. This is extremely natural smelling and three dimensional. Great quality. Amazing. 9.0 rating

It's not milky or sweet Fig, which is already cliché. It portraits a fig tree, from stretching branches, to green leaves to not-yet-ripe fruits. A hint of green, astringent, and slightly bitter fig scent lasts from the beginning till the end. From a spicy dryness, it transcends into a saturated richness, then at the very end turns back into dryness which is the patchouli base note. Unique and beautiful.

The more I wear this, the more I love it. It captures the essence of a whole fig tree very well. It’s also my girlfriend’s favorite fragrance on me. She’s like a lot of what I have in the collection, but this one in particular stands out. 3-4 sprays is perfect and it lasts all day for me. I don’t normally believe in backup bottles, but I’m seriously thinking about it for this one.

I slightly smell coconut, the smell of bitter ripe mango skin, green crushed woods and leaves in my hand, and creamy fig. That bitter facet is hard to ignore and makes it a bit challenging in the beginning, but I have grown to love it due to the vivid vivid olfactory imagery it brings. This leans towards the extremely artistic side, making it a love for me.

I have been trying some fig fragrances because I love the note, but this is the first one I bought. For me, Houbigant Figuier Noir gets everything right: not too sweet, not too fruity (it is fruity of course, but also fresh and green), and I agree with the fragrance description that it's bitter and sensual. Really a stunningly beautiful fragrance!

Beautiful, warm, green fig that's gently sweet without being sickly. Some of my happiest childhood memories involve playing in the garden under a fig tree, and this fragrance is almost photorealistic. It's very different from any of the other fragrances I own, which is exciting. I'm super impressed!

Finally, a decent fig scent. This reminds me of the fig tree we had in our garden. Not at all like the lauded unripe, insipid milky fig perfumes from other houses, this one is bursting with vibrant flavour and it performs well into the day with ease.

Perfectly balanced fig scent: green tartness and juicy sweetness with an added freshness from some aromatic notes. It’s very complex! The base is quite dark and woody with a touch of something musky and even animalic. Stunning unisex fragrance!

Spicy and a hint of mint, with a perfectly placed fig. I'll wear it with dark clothes in the spring and fall; the mint keeps it light but the fig and the rest of the mix seems to suit blacks and purples.

Gorgeous. Fresh, green, sweet and earthy from the off with a slightly gourmand vibe. Lasts all day on me and I can’t help but sniff my wrist all day. Beautiful blend and a wonderful scent

Absolutely masterpiece. Probably the best fig based scent ever created. I never smelled before a scent which displays all fig facets.