Narcisse Blanc was created by perfumer Ernest Daltroff specifically for the American market and released in 1923. Caron described the fragrance as Narcisse Noir "reinterpreted in a far more sober register". The notes are orange blossom, neroli, petitgrain, orange, jasmine, rose, linden, iris, amber and musk.
He says: You’ve just emerged from a relaxing shower and a faint echo of orange blossom soap emanates from your slightly damp skin. A cool breeze heavy with the scents of a late summer afternoon caresses you through soft white linen curtains. As a rainstorm approaches, the air begins to change with a flash of metallic lightning. And then the rain begins to fall.
Narcisse Noir is one of my holy grail fragrances, with its intoxicating notes of sandalwood and orange blossom, and Narcisse Blanc is just as wonderful, though perhaps more so with its surprising iris note that slowly reveals itself such that just when you think you know Blanc, she turns her shoulder and offers you an entirely new perspective. A floral on all accounts, Blanc is not all that different from Narcisse Noir, but whereas Noir dries down to civet and sandalwood, Blanc is musk and iris. Stunning, and a definite new favorite.
She says: Based on the descriptions I had read of Narcisse Blanc, I was expecting something lighter, less complicated, and probably more suited to my personal taste than Narcisse Noir. I'm afraid that is not exactly how it turned out.
Narcisse Blanc is, in fact, much lighter in tone than Narcisse Noir. All of the dark undercurrents have been erased, but so has everything else that made Narcisse Noir interesting to me. There is nothing left to temper the sweet notes; it teeters right on the edge of cloying for several hours before it finally settles down to a cold, soapy, still very sweet iris. It is only available in parfum form, and it is a very strong fragrance. Even a mere drop was too much. I will stick with Narcisse Noir.
Narcisse Blanc is one of the urn parfums, meaning simply that it is kept in an urn (see picture above) at the Caron boutiques. You choose the empty bottle of your choice, and have it filled with the fragrance. You can find a complete list of boutiques on the Caron website. Samples are available at the New York boutique for $5 each, fully refundable on subsequent purchases.
I love Narcisse Blanc. Was given a sample as a surprise and at first thought it was Narcisse Noir!
But after testing I did notice a big difference.Blanc is big white flowers with a metalic like quality. This was the first urn I lusted after. Strangely I find it a harder fragrance to wear than the Noir.
I love Narcisse Blanc especially for its metallic quality, which contrasts in such an interesting way with the other notes. However, I can completely understand why it can be difficult to wear. You inspired me to dig into my Caron samples and wear it today.
For metal, I much prefer Metallys by Guerlain. I've kind of lost the ability to appreciate and wear most Carons, but I hope and assume it will return.
I agree with LauraAnne. When my Shalimar parfum arrived yesterday, I ripped open the package.
I can't muster that same passion for the Carons. :(:(
Hugs!
I prefer noir to blanc. The comment about the rainstorm and lightning are very romantic but Blanc doesn't impress me the way Noir does. It's too sweet on me.
When I think of thunder and lightning in a fragrance my mind jumps immediately to Demeter's Thunderstorm which is muddy and accurate and could use a little burst of flowers and leaves. IMO
D, I agree there is a big difference. The Noir is just closer to my own tastes. Actually, I even wish the Noir were a bit less sweet!
V, I am so sorry I cannot appreciate it, but I can't. I will set it aside for another year, but in the meantime, I find it extraordinarily hard to tolerate the sweetness.
L, I have a sample of Metalys waiting patiently, and will have to make a special effort to catch up with my testing.
R, congrats on your new bottle!! I am not sure there is a Caron I love as much as Apres L'Ondee, although Alpona may come close. Hmmm, will have to think on that.
C, Sounds like we have similar tastes!
Yes, Apres L'Ondee! I have a bottle of the parfum in that, too.
As much as I complain about LVHM or whatever the initials for the new owner are, I love Guerlain!
However, I have heard some amazing things about Alpona, so I will have to try that one.
Hugs!
My productville review pretty much echoes what you say here. Too sweet, cloying, not nearly as interesting as Narcisse Noir. With regards to Carons, we seem to have similar taste, since Alpona is also my favorite!
R, Do try Alpona!! I think you would like it.
L, did you buy Alpona? I am going to have to wait for their next sale. I really want one of the horizontal/lay-down bottles. Whatever you call them.
R, I don´t know Narcisse Blanc, but if it´s as sweet as you described it I´m pretty sure I won´t like it that much. (Sweet scents go on my nerves pretty quickly.)
Today I´m testing AG Sables – that´s really the opposite of sweetness. Have you ever smelled it?
So sorry, it´s of course smelt nor smelled – how silly!
Dear S, “smelled” was correct! I need to try Sables again. I only remember that it reminded me very much of maple syrup poured over spice cake, with maybe a bit more amber than I usually like. I should no doubt try it again, especially if you say it is not too sweet.
R,
Is it as sweet as Caron Tubereuse? I find that a bit more cloying than I'd expected.
A, I would say it is considerably sweeter than Tubereuse. I agree that Tubereuse is sweet, but it doesn't overwhelm me the way that NB does.
R, okay…”smelled” *blushing*
No, Sables isn´t sweet at all, it´s rather smokey, thankfully i didn´t get too much amber. Please tell me, when you tested it!
Late to the party as usual. Interesting that there are so many Guerlain fans here. I am, strangely, just beginning to get into Guerlains (late again–I think my problem is that until recently, I had just tried EDTs), but I've never met a Caron extrait I didn't like. Particular favorites are En Avion, Tabac Blond, and Poivre. But I also love Alpona, Or et Noir, and Tubereuse. I do like Narcisse Blond, although it's far from the top of my list. Re: Sables–I do find it sweet, or at least very “foody”–overpowering maple syrup in my opinion, though many love it. Best,
Judith
P.S. The duelling sniffers format is great!
No need to blush, it makes no sense that it isn't smelt, does it?
J, We must be complete opposites: I find the Guerlains easier to understand, somehow, while the Caron urn fragrances have such a different, more old-fashioned esthetic to my nose. In general I prefer light to heavy, so it is no wonder — in many cases I prefer EdT to parfum.
I used to like this very much and then I found this too sharp. Agree with Laura – I prefer to wear Metallys for metallic notes.
NB is a lot of sharp FdO.
Great review.
N, I suppose it is sharp, but I tend to like sharp & only object to the sweet part. Need to try Metalys again!