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What does Magie Noire smell like?

Magie Noire is a complex, shapeshifting chypre that lives up to its name, translating to "Black Magic." It opens with a sharp, startlingly green edge driven by hyacinth and blackcurrant bud, creating...

Details

House: Lancôme
Concentration: Eau De Toilette
Gender: feminine
Year: 1978
Longevity: 8.4 / 10
Sillage: 7.8 / 10
Scent Profile: Woody, Spicy, Floral, Oriental, Chypre
Best Seasons: Fall, Winter
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Gerard Goupy

Community Insights

Based on 66 discussions

The fragrance is widely regarded as a staple for "goth" or "witchy" aesthetics, praised for its dark, uncompromising complexity compared to modern, sweeter perfumes.
Performance is consistently rated as exceptional; enthusiasts describe it as a "marathon runner" with longevity that can easily exceed 12 hours and a sillage that leaves a confident, memorable trail.
While some modern enthusiasts find its animalic and sharp green notes polarizing or "vintage," loyalists view it as a piece of fragrance history that exudes self-confidence and timeless elegance.
It is frequently compared to other green and sharp classics like Chanel No. 19 and Niki de Saint Phalle, though Magie Noire is noted for being darker and more oriental.
The community consensus identifies this as a strictly cold-weather fragrance, with the vast majority recommending it for fall and winter evenings or formal nightlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Magie Noire suitable for daytime wear at the office?+

While it can be worn daily by those with a bold style, the community generally suggests it for evening wear and special occasions. Its intense sillage and deep animalic base notes may be overwhelming in a conservative business environment.

How has the fragrance changed since its original 1978 release?+

Long-time fans often note that vintage bottles, particularly the older "mini" collectibles, contain a more potent animalic profile. While the current Eau de Toilette maintains the "black magic" DNA, it is often described as slightly cleaner and more emphasizing of the green and floral notes compared to the original formulation.

Is this fragrance considered unisex?+

Although marketed for women, its heavy reliance on oakmoss, vetiver, and animalic notes gives it a dark, woody character that many men in the fragrance community find easily wearable, especially those who enjoy classic chypres.

Which seasons bring out the best in Magie Noire?+

Appears in Collections

Date Night Fragrances1836 Evening Fragrances2333 Classic Perfumes944 Eau de Toilette Fragrances847 Feminine Fragrances2169 Fragrances Starting With M479

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from $18.89· Checked Jun 26 Compare

$112.69

Typical priceChecked Jul 6

FragranceNetTrusted

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$112.69

Typical priceChecked Jul 6

FragranceNetTrusted

Buy now Compare all 2 prices Compare 2 prices

We may earn a commission.

What does Magie Noire smell like?

Magie Noire is a complex, shapeshifting chypre that lives up to its name, translating to "Black Magic." It opens with a sharp, startlingly green edge driven by hyacinth and blackcurrant bud, creating...

Details

House: Lancôme
Concentration: Eau De Toilette
Gender: feminine
Year: 1978
Longevity: 8.4 / 10
Sillage: 7.8 / 10
Scent Profile: Woody, Spicy, Floral, Oriental, Chypre
Best Seasons: Fall, Winter
Best Occasions: Evening, Night Out
Perfumer: Gerard Goupy

Community Insights

Based on 66 discussions

The fragrance is widely regarded as a staple for "goth" or "witchy" aesthetics, praised for its dark, uncompromising complexity compared to modern, sweeter perfumes.
Performance is consistently rated as exceptional; enthusiasts describe it as a "marathon runner" with longevity that can easily exceed 12 hours and a sillage that leaves a confident, memorable trail.
While some modern enthusiasts find its animalic and sharp green notes polarizing or "vintage," loyalists view it as a piece of fragrance history that exudes self-confidence and timeless elegance.
It is frequently compared to other green and sharp classics like Chanel No. 19 and Niki de Saint Phalle, though Magie Noire is noted for being darker and more oriental.
The community consensus identifies this as a strictly cold-weather fragrance, with the vast majority recommending it for fall and winter evenings or formal nightlife.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Magie Noire suitable for daytime wear at the office?+

While it can be worn daily by those with a bold style, the community generally suggests it for evening wear and special occasions. Its intense sillage and deep animalic base notes may be overwhelming in a conservative business environment.

How has the fragrance changed since its original 1978 release?+

Long-time fans often note that vintage bottles, particularly the older "mini" collectibles, contain a more potent animalic profile. While the current Eau de Toilette maintains the "black magic" DNA, it is often described as slightly cleaner and more emphasizing of the green and floral notes compared to the original formulation.

Is this fragrance considered unisex?+

Although marketed for women, its heavy reliance on oakmoss, vetiver, and animalic notes gives it a dark, woody character that many men in the fragrance community find easily wearable, especially those who enjoy classic chypres.

Which seasons bring out the best in Magie Noire?+

This fragrance performs best in the fall and winter. The cold air allows the spicy woods and honeyed florals to bloom without becoming cloying, whereas high summer heat can make the castoreum and civet notes feel too heavy.

How does the performance of the Eau de Toilette hold up?+

Despite being an Eau de Toilette, its performance rivalries many modern Eaux de Parfum. It is known for lasting all day and into the night, often still detectable on clothing the following morning.

Does Magie Noire smell like modern floral perfumes?+

Not at all. It lacks the sugary, gourmand sweetness found in many contemporary releases. Instead, it focuses on "bitter" greens, dry woods, and a waxy, honeyed floral heart that feels much more structural and atmospheric.

Where to buy Magie Noire

from $18.89 (10ml) · 1 retailer

Every retailer shown here is a seller we’ve vetted.

75ml

Checked Jul 6

FragranceNet

$112.69Buy

PerfumaniaOut of stock

$90.95Check

Today's best price of $112.69 is about the typical price for this size, based on 15 days of tracking.

10ml

Checked Jun 26

FragranceNet

$18.89Buy

Today's best price of $18.89 is about the typical price for this size, based on 15 days of tracking.

Price history

75ml price trendAt tracked low of $112.69

Amazon

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Prices are collected from third-party retailers and updated periodically. Always verify the price on the retailer's site before purchasing. We may earn a commission on purchases made through our links.