Magie Noire

Barely a month later, he launched 5 perfumes with highly evocative names: “Conquête, Kypre, Tendres Nuits, Bocages and Tropiques.” He also presented his brand new house at the Brussels World's Fair. The story of the perfume Magie Noire has its origin in the 1950s, when the fragrance was simply called Magie. Then in 1978, the house decided to bring the perfume up to date by renaming it Magie Noire.

Magie Noire, a name evocative of esotericism

The 1970s marked a turning point for the world of perfumery. Fragrances were meant to be richer and heady. Lancôme decided to adapt and revisit its perfume Magie by giving it a darker side. This name, evocative of esotericism, sets two essences in total opposition. White, gentle magic, synonymous with purity, contrasts with a darker, more mysterious magic. Magie Noire is the most bewitching love potion imaginable. Women surrender to it without being able to resist, like a devastating passion, and men cannot resist it either. With Magie Noire, all the senses are bewitched in less time than it takes to notice. Beware!

The many facets of Magie Noire

A trio of perfumers is behind Magie Noire, namely Jean-Charles Niel, Gérard Goupy and Yves Tanguy. At once green and oriental, Magie Noire is defined as the most oriental of orientals. Magie Noire opens with the freshness of bergamot. This is then joined by blackcurrant bud and galbanum, which lend a significant green aspect. The heart is very elegant and feminine thanks to the presence of jasmine, Bulgarian rose, narcissus and ylang-ylang. The base is as sensual as can be. First, castoreum delivers an animalic sensuality, further paired with amber and sandalwood. At launch, the bottle was signed by Pierre Dinand and formed a crumpled still, as if swept by waves and flames. This bottle was replaced in 2011 by a more massive, more geometric bottle, streamlined and free of any eccentricity. The latter was designed in 1960 by Georges Delhomme, the house's artistic director.

Released in the 1950s, Magie gave way to Magie Noire in 1978. More bewitching, more mysterious than its predecessor, Magie Noire is an oriental composition with astonishing multiple facets. A legendary Lancôme perfume, Magie Noire has become a perfumery essential.