Narcisse Noir by Caron

Doc Elly

The sample that I have must be the newest reformulation of the EdT because I didn’t find anything in it that would justify the name. I tried it three times with the same results. At first it reminds me of cheap Indian incense sticks, and then it dries down into a nondescript floral that does not smell like narcissus, orange blossom, jasmine, or any of the other things that are supposed to be in there. It’s just flat. At the end it fades into a slightly woody floral note, completely unremarkable. Maybe I got a bad sample, or maybe the newest reformulation has completely ruined what used to be a good fragrance. I don’t know. All I know is that this one is going to perfume purgatory.

Kterhark

(Parfum review, previous review pulled)

Matt Kramer, in 'Making sense of wine', said "Great wines taste like they come from somewhere. Lesser wines taste interchangeable; they could come from anywhere."

This parfum comes from somewhere: Caron, and that will be obvious when you line it up to other orange fragrances and smell the difference. I've worn my sample about 8 times now, developed a taste for it and will be keeping it in my collection.

This is a darker floral, and in parfum form is deep, smooth, luscious and rich.
To date I'd say it is one of the best orange compositions I've tried. The orange is slighty oily with a touch of incense, and does not tip into the sharp, citrus territory. The narcissus is fresh and dewy.

A great fragrance for those who like their wines with a little dust on the bottle.

Noelia

Caron Narcisse Noir is pure narcissus in a bottle!At first sniff i could clearly detect narcissus!It is an old scent almost vintage!I don't like narcissus so this is not my cup of tea!For all those who like it,you can give it a try!

Chris v.V.

A member sampled me a reformulated EDT of this. And I like it!

Two thoughts on Narcisse Noir:

1. I am almost positive that my grandmother wore this. I don't remember smelling it on her, per se (although it is familiar to me once it's applied). What I DO remember is: she used to have several teensy weensy miniatures of brandy-coloured perfumes on her vanity. I'd sneak in there, lift the stoppers off the bottles, and sniff away. This scent brought me back to her bedroom instantly.

2. Ivory laundry detergent (which I LOVE!) comes to mind after it has dried down a bit.

deannagraham

This has always had a dry down of honey for me, in both an ancient original bottle and in a new decant. Absolutely top of the list as a favorite, although both Sacre and Poivre are close competitors and distinctly dfferent.

sherapop

My bottle of Caron's NARCISSE NOIR is clearly the reformulation--I just bought it at parfum1.com (plus my cat, a fully certified civet detector, has not been following me around...). But I go against the grain in liking the reformulation, what to me is a deep, dark, somewhat intense perfume that I can really sink my nose into.

The opening feels like singed flowers--I am assuming that this is the effect of the neroli on the narcissus ('neroli' contains 'noir', after all...). From there, NARCISSE NOIR seems to me like a chypre, not a "sweet and fresh" floral fruity perfume!

In fact, there is no point in my experience of NARCISSE NOIR where I can agree with the aptness of either adjective. Neither fresh, nor sweet, NN is dark and deep. The orange comes in the form of dried, not candied, peel and imparts more of an oriental than a citrus quality.

The singed flowers mingle with vetiver, thick musk, and a touch of sandalwood in the drydown, with excellent longevity in the edt--a good thing, unless one happened to be hoping for something, sweet, fresh, and fruity, as opposed to musky singed velvety flowers.

Mals86

I think the sample I have must be reformulated, because it's the most linear, insipid, pale little nothing of a scent. It smells like green tea and lemons, soap and orange blossom. Where's the d**n narcissus? I wanted narcissus, with all its hay-in-the-sunshine, dusty-sweet-cat-fur qualities. I am so disappointed.

Hermesfan

I don't understand the concept of this reformulation. The only impression I have had is a woman emerging from the ancient times (let's say the 17th or 18th century) suffering incontinence and not liking to have shower on frequent basis. Sorry but this one I wouldn't wear even if I was paid for it. I have never had a chance to try the original version but the reformulation is awful and disastrous. God save us.

hollivomitsyou

i tried the vintage narcisse noir without expectation since i had never seen the notes. even without expectation, i was a little shocked because it smelled like grape faygo on my wrist. it definitely doesnt feel classic or dated. victorias secret could sell it in all seriousness.

Moyra

In hopes of this potion being as dark and magical as described, I recently (April 2009)bought a very affordably priced bottle.
Bad news: It has been reformulated.
The "New" Narcisse Noir is nothing like the wonderful descriptions given here and in other places that praise it to the heavens, its really REALLY vile Jasmine Soap. No dimension whatsoever, nothing else but essence of cheap, artificially perfumed soap.
I gave it away as quickly as I could to someone who lives in another part of the country.
But I would so love to find a bottle of the original, and am very grateful to Karena for the description of the original bottle.

karena

I am wearing a vintage-so called "original" Narcisse Noir edt...Flat bottle black cap -abstract square figure on bottle, Box is black flat similar motif. I just got it.
I last smelled this scent nearly 30 years ago. TS description("Perfumes the guide") of the old fragrance is spot on.
It had an amazing sense of an age-1920's to 30's swank.
I don't know how old this bottle is -for sure,no 30 years ..at very first a nose clearing blast -let it settle-The scent fades quickly..maybe a ghost of the old NN is in there. God- I would give my eye teeth for a 30 year old sealed bottle!

Malegria

What can be written about this classic scent?I heard so many opinions on it - some find it stinky, some find it beautiful, but there is one memory of it in common - it is difficult to forget. As many old perfumes, it starts sharp and strong, with overwhelming citrus note, and it takes quite a while before you can feel daffodil at all.When it finally comes to daffodil, it is worth waiting - the warm and feminine jasmine adds charm to this strict victorian old maid of a flower.I can feel rose, but in the very end, supported my vetiver, which adds a fresh spark to the composition.The base is not for cowards - civet scent makes it picante and - what some would call it - stinky.
My favorite of Narcisse Noir is the heart - though the fragrance gives me headache.It`s a very old fashioned daffodil between the pages of an old book of Yeats.