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.

I don't understand the hate this is getting. This is STUNNING. No, it doesn't smell like a stew lol.

I received it for my birthday...and I love it.

The 'sweet' and 'fruity' accords, listed prominently in the accord stack at the top of this page is wrong, imo. Those accords should be moved lower on that accord stack. Any sweetness from the fig fruit, cloves or candied fruit notes manifest only in the drydown, where it is more of a generalized diffuse slightly sweet milkiness, hovering at a skin scent level or just above. But it is a pleasant drydown. But the opening is sharp, green, spicy, dry, a bit astringent, and slightly bitter. The black pepper seems to figure prominently in the opening, and persists through the life cycle but becomes more tame. I have a collection of Fig scents, from Philosykos and AdP Fico di Amalfi to Dior Dune Pour Homme, among others. Figuier Noir is more toward the slightly astringent end of the spectrum. Maybe closer to a Dior Dune Pour Homme on that end, an artistic profile that may compromise just a bit on wearability. But it is interesting and well done. I'm trying to make a decision on whether it's full bottle worthy for me. It wouldn't be my favorite fig scent. But it would be a good addition to my Houbigant collection, now consisting of Fougere Royale, Bois Mystique, and Duc de Vervins L'Extreme. Update 5/8/25: I bought a bottle. It grew on me over time. Good stuff. The most artistic of my fig scents.

Finally a wearable fig scent. This doesn't go into the usual lactonic category, which I personally never liked(Philosykos, Premier Figuier, Basilico & Fellini, etc.) Figuier Noir smells green, earthy and woody; the fruitiness/sweetness is kept to a minimum. The only scent this remind me of is l'Arbre de la Connaissance, but the latter is too strong and too sharp for me. Big like.

Very bright, bitter green eye opening blast. Not piercing, but it will definitely engage your senses. I like it a lot. Stays like this for a while. At hour 2, it becomes more creamy with very light sweetness which showcases the overall house DNA. If you have other Houbigant, this is when you will see similarities. Great early morning Spring scent or cooler Summer evenings.

I’ve been waiting for a different take on fig and this doesn’t disappoint. It starts off very leafy green, peppery, then develops towards a caramelised fig vibe with a sappy sweetness, earthy grit and great performance. It brings to mind being in a field in a hot country in late summer where the heat is heavy and sweet. Really enjoyable.

A very bitter dark green fragrance. If you have a real green thumb and a taste for fig leaf you might like this one, but definitely don’t go in expecting ripe or sweet fruits. I like it enough. It is a dark green that definitely strays away from the typical pine/oak/cypress/fir/vetiver that you often see. 7.9/10

The fig trend seems to have died down a bit, but I have only just gotten around to trying this properly with a sample. I remember thinking I really liked this in-store, but at home it’s a different story. A sort of darker, lived-in version of Gris Charnel. For the first hour or two of its life, the perfume battles this contrast between fruity and spicy. It smells like waiting for your black tea to brew in a dark Moroccan qahwa, surrounded by heaps of spices and dried herbs punching out their aroma in the humid air. The steamy hues of purples and blacks become cloying, trapping and rough around the edges. It’s disappointing really, coming from a house of such prestige and heritage as Houbigant. It’s a shame to see them chase trends and even worse, become derivative of other successful perfumes.

I really wanted to like this one. I am generally a fan of Houbigant and to give them credit they really took a chance here. However, I think they missed the mark. Figuier Noir is a dirty, woody take on a fig fragrance. Unfortunately, I think the fig leaf note is too astringent for my personal taste.

Smells like a stew made of only potatoes 🥔 carrots🥕 and celery. The

Tested on paper: The opening is a really very beautiful portrait of sweet fig. The dry down starting at the half hour mark smells like urinoir to me. I still don't know which ingrediënt causes me to interpret it this way.

wow really lovely. Lots of fig scents out there, but this is now near the top for me. I must say though, part of the appeal is from something that Eddie Bulliqi mentioned in his rather critical analysis linked above- there is a deep, sweet-spicy woody aroma that borders on something you'd find from a designer brand like Armani or even YSL and has a resemblance to some kind of amberwood material. I don't usually group perfumes into categories like this, but it has a "date night" kind of vibe to it- dark, a little classy, seductively sweet. To that end, if you are sensitive to sweetness like myself (I associate it with fruit) you will identify this as a sweet perfume. It reminds me of jam or sweetened mulled wine, but there is a bitter-fresh, woody ruggedness that balances it nicely. Clove and pepper bring it alive but also turn it earthy and slightly camphorous. Because of that the top feels cold and leafy which might be giving the mint impression for some. I don't sense mint exactly but that camphor and fig leaf is a nice pairing. The fact that it doesn't lean into creamy, lactonic musks is also something I appreciate. The only downside is again that distinct sweet amberwood quality that reminds me of other mass-marketed perfumes. Anyways, the quality and attention to more of a natural fruit and bitter-green set of notes raises this to a bar above typical designer releases and is ultimately very pleasent. I'm also surprised at how deep and layered the "black fig pulp" feels, and somewhere in there is a subtle floral component that brings a small amount of air to the heart and feels just right for spring.This feels like a dumb reach kind of thing that wouldn't offend anyone, and again borders on safe, designer styles. edit: after buying a decant, I'm a little less impressed but it's still enjoyable and my opinion hasn't really changed. I don't think I'll be upgrading to a full bottle.

If you are familiar with Celine Ellena's work, you could guess that this fragrance follows her creations at The Different Company. It is refined and delicate. Like her father, she mostly focuses on the scent itself, striving for harmony, balance, and perfection. To me, both Jean Claude and Celine Ellena's fragrances are poetic, and as you know, they are often compared to watercolor paintings. If you can forget for a moment about how strong or potent a fragrance is, and just focus on the scent, you can discover its beauty and the various dimensions it possesses. This particular fragrance is marketed as a men's scent, but it could easily be unisex. Apart from the obvious fig notes, what makes it unique and intriguing is the combination of three different spices: cardamom, black pepper, and cloves. These spices give the fragrance a more masculine character, providing warmth and texture to the scent, similar to the slightly rough texture of a fig leaf. When the rough-textured, warm spices are combined with the fruity, milky fig accords, they create a contradictory olfactory composition, similar to a gentleman with a masculine appearance and kind heart, which was an inspiration for this fragrance. 7.5/10

Figuier Noir offers a complex blend of resinous saps, woody notes, earthy roots, and a combination of spices and black fig pulp. The resulting scent is warm, earthy, and aromatic, with depth and richness. The fragrance's combination of saps contributes a resinous and aromatic quality. This gives a deep and rich aroma, reminiscent of tree saps and resins. It adds a warm and earthy undertone to the overall scent. The presence of woods in the fragrance emphasizes sincerity. This gives a woody aroma that adds depth and naturalness to the composition. Different types of woods used, such as cedar, sandalwood, and oak, each contribute its own unique characteristics to the scent. The interlacing roots in Figuier Noir anchor the fragrance's signature. This gives an earthy and grounding aspect. Root notes, such as vetiver and iris, provide an earthy and slightly powdery quality that adds depth and stability to the fragrance. The presence of exquisite spices and black fig pulp shapes the fragrance's sillage. This gives a combination of spices that add warmth, complexity, and a touch of intrigue to the scent. Black fig pulp contributes a fruity and sweet note, with a hint of darkness and richness.

Poszukiwań figi idealnej ciąg dalszy. Czy figa po męsku czy damsku czy gender nie ma znaczenia, choć mój nos zdecydowanie żeński doceni każdą przyzwoitą kompozycję. Pierwszy niuch "O łał". Męsko, ale przez chwilę. Potem wchodzi figa, taka jaką toleruję. Dojrzała, soczysta, choć one nie tryskają sokiem. Jak przystojny Pan, który przyszedł po mnie by zabrać mnie na wieczorny spacer. Trzyma mnie pod rękę i nie musi nic mówić. Wystarczy, że tak pachnie. Czuć paczulę ale ona dodaje charakteru ale nie piwnicznego. Dobry jakościowo zapach, czuć jasność i przejżystość składników. Raz wybija się paczula, raz figa, potem paczula i owocowa słodycz. I tak migocze do samego cedrowego końca. Zapach jest intensywny ale nie ostry. Nie świdruje nosa. Partnerowi się podoba. Polecam każdemu mężczyźnie, który chce pozostawić po sobie niesztampowe wrażenie.

Figuier Noir is quite simply the finest fig fragrance I’ve experienced. It carries a subtle creaminess with a fougère twist, yet feels effortlessly unisex because in 2025, fragrance knows no boundaries. I can visualise confident, powerful women wearing this with grace, exuding elegance, beauty and sophistication. That said, younger Gen Z noses might overlook Houbigant’s classic fougère style, as many lean toward sweet, gourmand scents. They may find this composition a touch too traditional for their taste. Personally, I reach for Figuier Noir during cooler spring and autumn days. It’s perfectly office-appropriate, provided you keep it to two sprays - any more and it risks becoming a little cloying. When it comes to fragrances, my motto is 'less is more', even though I have way too many bottles in my collection.

Maison Houbigant has existed since 1775 and it was there that the Fougère family was born, thanks to their Fougère Royale, from 1882. And that's where FIGUIER NOIR comes from, a jewel created by Céline Ellena (I imagine you know that surname). With notes of fig from head to toe, FIGUIER NOIR reveals the scent of black fig in all its splendor, with all the succulence of someone eagerly taking a bite of the freshly picked fruit. Spicy, fruity and woody, the fragrance of FIGUIER NOIR reveals all the facets of cardamom and pepper, in addition to the brightness of jasmine and the warmth of patchouli. Masculine, sophisticated, addictive...an example of quality and know-how of traditional perfumery that has left its name in world history.

I bought a sample to try after watching a video featuring fig fragrances. Off my skin, I got a jammy, sweet/spicy, balsamic fig. It's not too bad, but I think this may wear better in the winter or cold evenings. Is it bottle worthy? I've never been a fan of balsamic notes, so right now I'm inclined to say no. If I don't forget about the sample, I'll do a full wearing on a cold night out and follow-up.

Wait a minute! How come mint is not a note listed in this fragrance. I get a overshadowing vibe of mint gliding amidst other fresh greens when I sniff away on this, though in a good way. This is a very nice smelling masculine fragrance but has the potential to bore after a while of wearing it but the cycle of gorgeousness begins again the moment you respray. I'll give it a respectable 8/10.

It's a creamy, bitter/green fig scent. Not sweet by any means but nevertheless, very realistic. I remember being a kid, climbing on a fig tree that we had in our family vineyard. Occasionally I would damage the bark of the tree and the juices would flow all over my hands. This perfume manages to capture the smell of the fig tree sap almost perfectly.

Due to my interest in fig and cardamom, I had high hope for it. After trying this, I was disappointed ☹️ The scent is very sharp and annoying. The cardamom and fig smell completely unnatural and most probably they used cheap oils. I will stay with Gris charnel BDK EDP and extrait Rating 6/10

My girl loves this. It starts off as a leafy fig, and turns into a whole smooth creamy woody fog experience. I love it. Will shine any time of the year. I avoid it in the scorching heat though. Anything but citrus gets nauseating when it's 50°c.

یه انجیری جذاب، متفاوت و ماندگار تر و تازه و چوبی ----------- Scent & Quality: 8/10 Longevity: 8/10 Sillage: 7/10 Creativity & Uniqueness: 7/10 Affordability: 5/10 ----------- Overall: 7/10

Do not expect ripe fig here. It is rather green and bitter lige fig milk from leaves. It is woody. There are better fig fragrances on the market imho.

There are overlapping notes with Gris charnel from BDK. I’m excited for this I will order a bottle and update my impression here.

The name is "Figuier" not Figuer.