A Fragrance That Doesn't Quite Work for Me

I recently picked up Noir By Night, a fragrance that's marketed as unisex, so I decided to give it a shot on myself instead of sending it to a resale shop. I've had mixed results with purely masculine fragrances in the past, so I was curious to see how this one would play out. Unfortunately, it just doesn't sit well on me, despite being pretty pleasant. I think it would be interesting to see how it would work on a guy, but since that's not an option, I'll have to rely on my own judgment.

My Noir By Night packaging is understated yet charming. The matte finish is incredibly tactile, with a nice gold embossing. The sides have a pleasant pattern to them. The back has the ingredients, information about the manufacturer, and so on. The bottle itself is simple yet well-made – thick glass, a pleasant matte cap, and a sprayer. It feels nice in the hand, without any cheap feeling. The text is printed on the glass, so it shouldn't wear off. Check out the bottle – I'm showing you the bottle, not the box. All its sides are visible in other photos.Atelier des Ors Noir By Night bottleWhat's going on with that pyramid is completely lost on me – it's drawn in a very strange way.

Top notes: coriander, frankincense

On me, it starts off with a faintly salty, pickled-cucumber-like note. It's incredibly subtle and hard to detect. But after a few minutes, it picks up steam and becomes brighter and louder, but not overwhelming. But the saltiness in it is so pronounced that I find myself wanting to lick my lips. I've never tried a scent with a salt start like this before, and it's a bit disorienting. But I wouldn't say it's bad, and I don't dislike it.

Heart notes: NaturePrint® caviar, Dreamwood™ molecule, absolu mate

But 15 minutes later, the cucumbers take a backseat and the grass comes into play. It's your run-of-the-mill green stuff growing underfoot. Fresh and young. The scent is a natural accord, and the wind changes direction again, turning it into a bright and even slightly aggressive masculine perfume. Not for long, but you can't deny the masculinity if it's there) The same note, but muted by a factor of ten, pops up from time to time, but of course not intensely, and I'm not really fond of its presence.

I have to say, my nose was replaced with pickled cucumbers when I smelled the caviar note. A bit of an unexpected swap, but the brininess and lack of caviar are noted by many. As is the pronounced saltiness.

Base notes: guaiacwood, sandalwood, cashmeran

About an hour and a half in, it settles in intimately on the skin, becoming incredibly comfortable for very intimate interactions. It calms down and quiets down, but it's still pleasant to the point of almost being ticklish. If it were on a guy I liked, I think it would be a clean, straightforward sex scent. That's when I started to really like it on myself, but the loud start is a deal-breaker even for occasional wear. I don't want to bathe in vinegar for a cozy aftertaste.

Throughout the entire wear, Noir By Night has some chord that's typical for a men's perfume, I don't know what it is, but it's noticeable. On guys, it's pleasant and familiar, but I don't feel it on myself very much. I don't smell any iodine. On me, it doesn't reveal any amber or other scents that might give off hospital corridor vibes on others, it just goes into burnt caramel. Although I didn't pick up on any caramel. But I do smell smoke and wood. It's a beautiful, complex, multifaceted, and interesting scent. And not 'my' scent.Longevity is decent. It lasts over 12 hours on the skin, and I can still feel echoes after 14-15 hours. But the intensity drops off around 3-4 hours. After that, it becomes a calm, soothing scent. For me, the aroma is clearly dominated by warm, sun-kissed, and sea-salted wood chips, rounded and weightless. Sunset, a gentle smokiness from a fire made from the same wood chips.

I was really looking forward to trying this, but the scent just didn't stick with me. Even though I got a generous 15ml, it's a shame because I was excited to see how it would perform. But the story behind this fragrance is definitely a masculine one. Although I've seen plenty of women raving about it in reviews, saying it's a beautiful, sensual scent. But it's just not my cup of tea...

The packaging is really nice, by the way. The fragrance comes in a cardboard box with a beautiful, dark glass bottle that has a lovely gradient effect. Inside, there are golden sprinkles that add to the overall aesthetic. It looks really premium, and I like it. My sample, on the other hand, is a bit more minimalist. It's got a clear glass bottle with a matte black cap, and it's all packaged in a matte box with a gold design on the side. It's not the cheapest packaging, but I think it's nice. The fragrance itself is clear and almost transparent. The sprayer is really fine, and it gives off a tiny cloud of scent. I haven't noticed any residue on my clothes, at least not yet.

Where to buy and how much?

The 15ml bottle is a bit of a weird size, but at least it's available in smaller sizes, like 2.5ml and 15ml. Prices range from 12,000 to 24,000 rubles, depending on where you buy it. I've seen some people selling the 15ml on Avito for around 2,500-3,000 rubles. I think it's a good idea to start with a smaller size, just to see how you like it. The fragrance is nice, but it's not exactly screaming for attention. It's definitely a unisex scent, but on me, it's more masculine. I think it's perfect for a man in his 30s or 40s who wants a nice, elegant scent for a special occasion. It's like a warm summer evening by the sea, with a hint of salt and a touch of smokiness from a dying fire. It's really nice.

So, what's the verdict?

I'd recommend this to fans of light and salty scents, but not a full bottle. I'd probably give it 4 stars, although I initially thought I'd give it 3, but it really grew on me. Unfortunately, it's not something I'd wear myself.