Perfume: Back to black

Think outside the bottle this year with seasonal scents that take their inspiration from the colour black

Phyl Clarke

Thu Nov 20 2014 - 00:00

Classic with a twist

Inspired by Coco Chanel's love of Venice and the colour black, Coco Noir is a more grown-up version of sister scent Coco Mademoiselle, and a less obvious gift choice than the best selling No. 5.

Sophisicated and sexy, €95 (50ml).

A little bit rock n’ roll

A lighter version of the heady original, YSL's edgy new release Black Opium blends the bitterness of rich coffee with sweet vanilla resulting in a warm and spicy scent, which is not overpowering.
The sparkly, textured packaging adds to its dressing-table appeal, €79 (50ml).

True romance

A woody floral for the sophisticate, Bulgari's Jasmin Noir is a full-bodied classic built around the sensual heart of Sambac Jasmin. Warm and enveloping with a velvety finish. From €126

Guaranteed to please

Looking for a lighter take on black? One of the original (and still one of the best) scents in the Jo Malone line is Pomegranate Noir Cologne.

This season it comes with festive red packaging and frosted glass bottle.

Sure to please. €107 (100ml), exclusive to Brown Thomas.

Fashionista

Renowned fragrance house Guerlain took inspiration from the classic "little black dress" for its fruity floral Le Petit Robe Noir.

Red berries blend with a rose heart for a sparklingly flirty scent – and the bottle exudes Parisian chic. €60 (30ml)

Elegance bottled

Si Eau de Parfum Intense by Armani uses concentrated elements of cassis and blackcurrent with a heart of neroli absolute.

The result is a richer, more seasonal take on this modern classic fragrance, €78 (50ml).

All man

If you've had enough of metrosexuals and want your man to smell like a man, look no further than Serge Lutens scent Serge Noir.

This blend of smoky ash, ebony wood and resins is blended with patchouli and crystallised ash, €118 (50ml).

Urban sophistication

Tom Ford Noir is what you'd expect the man himself to wear – think perfectly groomed and elegantly suiteds. Vetiver and Italian bergamot add freshness and a twist of black pepper and patchouli imply a hint of danger. Oh Tom! €75 (50ml).