3
The dark side of the fig
After burning through a small bottle of Fico di Amalfi way too quickly, I looked for a fig fragrance that was equally good but also strong enough to be actually perceived by people around me. I got to test the Houbigant discovery kit and was pleasantly surprised by Figuier Noir, I realised I needed the full bottle after I found myself taking the sample apart to retrieve the last droplets of the precious juice. A pitiful sight for sure.
Don't get me wrong, the scent is nothing like our beloved AdP fig, or most unisex fig fragrances for that matter. No citrus or clean notes to make this thing brighter, instead it veers towards a very green and pungent shade. I distinctively recognise the candied fig note on opening, which is bizarre given it's a base note, but perhaps the cardamom is playing tricks on my nose. That quickly dissipates to expose the darker notes, represented by black pepper and patchouli, softened by some bland floral notes and the prominent fig, which remains the superstar throughout the whole progression. The fragrance somehow manages to play well with my skin chemistry (which is rare), and balances the sweetness of the fig with its greenish blend, giving out a cozy but bewitching, multifaceted scent that widens my eyes every time I get a waft of it. The projection with two sprays is about 1-2 meters, and it lasts a couple of hours, which is good enough for me.
Figuier Noir quickly became my go-to scent in case I want something easy to wear but also sophisticated. Good for all occasions and pretty safe overall. Lovely stuff.
Don't get me wrong, the scent is nothing like our beloved AdP fig, or most unisex fig fragrances for that matter. No citrus or clean notes to make this thing brighter, instead it veers towards a very green and pungent shade. I distinctively recognise the candied fig note on opening, which is bizarre given it's a base note, but perhaps the cardamom is playing tricks on my nose. That quickly dissipates to expose the darker notes, represented by black pepper and patchouli, softened by some bland floral notes and the prominent fig, which remains the superstar throughout the whole progression. The fragrance somehow manages to play well with my skin chemistry (which is rare), and balances the sweetness of the fig with its greenish blend, giving out a cozy but bewitching, multifaceted scent that widens my eyes every time I get a waft of it. The projection with two sprays is about 1-2 meters, and it lasts a couple of hours, which is good enough for me.
Figuier Noir quickly became my go-to scent in case I want something easy to wear but also sophisticated. Good for all occasions and pretty safe overall. Lovely stuff.