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What does Matière Noire smell like?

Matière Noire feels like a dive into a deep, shadowy pool filled with dark fruit and floating petals. It opens with an immediate hit of jammy blackcurrant that feels thick and syrupy, rather than bright or tangy. This fruity weight is quickly joined by a watery cyclamen and the heady, indolic presence of jasmine sambac and narcissus. The floral heart isn't light or "sunny"—it is dense and velvety, capturing the feeling of a garden at midnight. As the fragrance settles, the "dark matter" of its name begins to surface. A very smooth, clean oud emerges, stripped of any medicinal or animalic harshness, providing a woody backbone for the rose centifolia. While the opening is lush and sweet, the dry down leans into a smoky, resinous finish of frankincense, patchouli, and benzoin. Wearing it feels like wearing a dark silk garment; it is sophisticated and elegant, offering a sense of mystery that works best when the air is cool and crisp.

Details

House: Louis Vuitton
Gender: feminine
Year: 2016
Longevity: 7.8 / 10 · 217 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 7.4 / 10 · 218 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (70 votes), Spring (59 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (66 votes), Night Out (63 votes)
Scent Profile: Woody, Floral, Fruity, Spicy, Sweet
Perfumer: Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

RedditFragrantica

The community is divided on performance; while some enthusiasts find it lasts through an entire evening, others report that it moves quickly from a bold, fruity opening to an intimate, powdery skin scent within a few hours.
It is frequently compared to other "dark rose and oud" silhouettes like Penhaligon's Halfeti or Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme, though many note that the specific addition of blackcurrant and watery florals makes it smoother and more approachable than its competitors.
Value is a major point of debate; while the scent is praised for its complexity, many collectors question the high luxury price point given its moderate projection.
Recently, there has been significant discussion regarding its availability, with community members noting rumors of potential discontinuation, leading many to stock up on larger bottles while they are still accessible.
Most users recommend this for evening wear or formal night outs during the fall and winter, though its airy floral notes allow it to transition into spring for some.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Matière Noire suitable for men, even though it is marketed to women?+

While classified as a woody floral for women, the heavy presence of oud, frankincense, and patchouli gives it a deep, resinous character that many men in the community find easy to wear as a unisex fragrance.

How does the oud in this fragrance compare to other Louis Vuitton releases like Ombré Nomade?+

The oud here is much more restrained and "clean." While Ombré Nomade is known for a bold, smoky, and intense oud profile, Matière Noire uses the note to provide a subtle woody texture beneath the blackcurrant and rose.

Is this a good choice for a daily office fragrance?+

It is generally viewed as an evening or "night out" scent due to its depth and syrupy sweetness. While it can be worn during the day, it is most popular for leisure or business-formal settings in cooler weather.

What are the main differences between the opening and the dry down?+

The fragrance starts with a prominent, jammy blackcurrant syrup and fresh florals. Over time, the fruitiness recedes, and the scent becomes more resinous and smoky as the incense and benzoin take over the base.

Appears in Collections

Evening Fragrances2333 Feminine Fragrances2169 2010s Fragrances3361 Fragrances Starting With M479

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No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

No tracked prices yet

We are not tracking a current retailer offer for this fragrance yet.

View price details

What does Matière Noire smell like?

Matière Noire feels like a dive into a deep, shadowy pool filled with dark fruit and floating petals. It opens with an immediate hit of jammy blackcurrant that feels thick and syrupy, rather than bright or tangy. This fruity weight is quickly joined by a watery cyclamen and the heady, indolic presence of jasmine sambac and narcissus. The floral heart isn't light or "sunny"—it is dense and velvety, capturing the feeling of a garden at midnight. As the fragrance settles, the "dark matter" of its name begins to surface. A very smooth, clean oud emerges, stripped of any medicinal or animalic harshness, providing a woody backbone for the rose centifolia. While the opening is lush and sweet, the dry down leans into a smoky, resinous finish of frankincense, patchouli, and benzoin. Wearing it feels like wearing a dark silk garment; it is sophisticated and elegant, offering a sense of mystery that works best when the air is cool and crisp.

Details

House: Louis Vuitton
Gender: feminine
Year: 2016
Longevity: 7.8 / 10 · 217 Parfumo ratings
Sillage: 7.4 / 10 · 218 Parfumo ratings
Season votes on Parfumo: Fall (70 votes), Spring (59 votes)
Occasion votes on Parfumo: Evening (66 votes), Night Out (63 votes)
Scent Profile: Woody, Floral, Fruity, Spicy, Sweet
Perfumer: Jacques Cavallier-Belletrud

Historical community ratings and votes imported from Parfumo. Values may have changed since import; the observation date is unavailable. Ratings reflect community opinions, not measured wear tests. Categories show up to two leading vote counts; votes are category selections and may overlap.

Community Insights

RedditFragrantica

The community is divided on performance; while some enthusiasts find it lasts through an entire evening, others report that it moves quickly from a bold, fruity opening to an intimate, powdery skin scent within a few hours.
It is frequently compared to other "dark rose and oud" silhouettes like Penhaligon's Halfeti or Atelier Cologne Rose Anonyme, though many note that the specific addition of blackcurrant and watery florals makes it smoother and more approachable than its competitors.
Value is a major point of debate; while the scent is praised for its complexity, many collectors question the high luxury price point given its moderate projection.
Recently, there has been significant discussion regarding its availability, with community members noting rumors of potential discontinuation, leading many to stock up on larger bottles while they are still accessible.
Most users recommend this for evening wear or formal night outs during the fall and winter, though its airy floral notes allow it to transition into spring for some.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Matière Noire suitable for men, even though it is marketed to women?+

While classified as a woody floral for women, the heavy presence of oud, frankincense, and patchouli gives it a deep, resinous character that many men in the community find easy to wear as a unisex fragrance.

How does the oud in this fragrance compare to other Louis Vuitton releases like Ombré Nomade?+

The oud here is much more restrained and "clean." While Ombré Nomade is known for a bold, smoky, and intense oud profile, Matière Noire uses the note to provide a subtle woody texture beneath the blackcurrant and rose.

Is this a good choice for a daily office fragrance?+

It is generally viewed as an evening or "night out" scent due to its depth and syrupy sweetness. While it can be worn during the day, it is most popular for leisure or business-formal settings in cooler weather.

What are the main differences between the opening and the dry down?+

The fragrance starts with a prominent, jammy blackcurrant syrup and fresh florals. Over time, the fruitiness recedes, and the scent becomes more resinous and smoky as the incense and benzoin take over the base.

Accords

Notes

HeartBlackcurrant

Has Matière Noire been discontinued?+

There have been persistent rumors in the community and among retail staff regarding its discontinuation. It is currently becoming harder to find in some markets, so those who enjoy it often recommend purchasing it sooner rather than later.

//

Benzoin//

Oud//

Appears in Collections

Evening Fragrances2333 Feminine Fragrances2169 2010s Fragrances3361 Fragrances Starting With M479

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Where to buy Matière Noire

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Amazon

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Fragrance Fragrance is an independent price-comparison service, not a retailer or marketplace. We do not sell, stock, ship, or accept payment for products. Purchases are completed on third-party retailer sites. We are not affiliated with or endorsed by fragrance brands. How buying works.

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.