Launched in 2001 by Serge Lutens, Datura Noir is a gorgeous interpretation of datura plants blooming at night.

It opens with a citrus sparkle from lemon blossom and juicy mandarin, followed by apricot-tinged osmanthus and almond-smelling heliotrope. These are swept up in a heady, indolic note of tuberose, making the florals swirl, kaleidoscope style, sometimes stronger and sometimes fainter. A note of vanilla adds a delicious sweetness, while apricot adds a dimension of bitter almond. Somewhere in the mix is a note of creamy, fatty coconut oil. The effect is like turning a light on in a dark room – everything comes to life, and I can smell each note distinctly. Where there’s heliotrope and vanilla, you’ll usually find bitter almond, and it’s here at the base of Datura Noir. That lick of vanilla sweetness? It stays until the end, counterbalanced by Tonka bean’s bittersweet almond facet and a note of bitter, balsamic myrrh. Musk adds warmth and the smell of skin.

Datura Noir dries down to a sensuous summer skin scent with a perfect sweet/bitter balance and a headiness that hints at danger.

Notes: lemon blossom, mandarin, osmanthus, heliotrope, tuberose, vanilla, coconut oil, apricot, myrrh, bitter almond, Tonka bean, musk.