Mainstream Monday: Marc Jacobs Mod Noir

Mod Noir

Mod Noir

As I read the info about Marc Jacobs Mod Noir on the Sephora Web site (it’s an exclusive there) and other places, I wondered if this might be a bit of a flanker to Marc Jacobs’ original scent, the one in the square clear bottle with the slightly curved black spray top and tiny black bow. Which was pretty nice, if you ask me, and not a whole not that he’s put out since has knocked my socks off. (I still wish I had snapped up the solid perfume in the original, housed in a beautifully sleek silver case.)

So on a recent foray into the big city, I decided to check out the new kid on the Marc Jacobs block.

Notes per Fragrantica: clementine, yuzu, gardenia, tuberose, water lily, orange blossom, nectarine and musk.

Mod Noir opens with a wash of soft green, which takes a gently sweet ‘n’ citrus turn, thanks to the clementine and yuzu. It’s got a bit more zesty/fruity vibe than the original, and is perhaps a bit creamier as well. A hazy mix of white florals carries through to the drydown, a soft breeze of said florals tinged with fruit and orange blossom. In comparison, her more elegant big sister keeps her green, slightly watery persona to the finish.

Mod Noir 2

Original Marc Jacobs

And speaking of ending, Mod Noir certainly did — and quickly — on my skin. Let’s just say that Mod Noir easily could have made our post from a week or two ago on fleeting fragrances. Which makes me wonder about the name: There’s not even the teeniest, tiniest shadow of anything dark here, like woods or even moderate-weight musks that might have anchored this and made it last longer. But that’s not really surprising, I guess, as not all that many scents really live up to or reflect their names these days.

Having said that, Mod Noir is definitely office-friendly; a quite pretty but safe fragrance for someone who wants a scent beyond the sugary-sweet celebuscents, but shies away from fragrant heavy-hitters.

The packaging, in its perky black and white stripes, has a retro vibe and is cute as can be. I also spied the scent in one of those fun rollerballs and originally thought it might be a nice late summer addition for me. But after finding that a spritz barely lasted an hour, I decided to pass. So for now I’ll be content to use up my spray samples as summer wanes.

Have you tried Mod Noir? What’s your favorite Marc Jacobs scent? I confess that I only tried several after the original, and after that, the line mostly fell off my radar, although I remember liking one or two of the limited edition ones with “Splash” in the name.

  • Neyon says:

    The notes of this sounds absolutely gorgeous, though it’s difficult to see how they match up with the ‘noir’ packaging and title!

    • Ann says:

      Exactly, Neyon! A very pretty scent but nothing “noir” about it. Do give it a try when you get a chance; it’s a nice scent for those no-brainer days, plus Sephora will make you a nice little sample spray.

  • Ann says:

    P.S. I’ve not tried that line — where do you find it? Thanks!

  • LaDona says:

    I bought a beautiful bottle of Volnay Perlerette, which I adore…but it lasts about 15 minutes. I probably should have thought of that, but it was just so lovely, I had to have it. Now I am wondering WHY, for the love of all that is holy, it has the lifespan of a Yugo, and the price-tag of a Maserati. I am very disappointed…but will spastically spray all day to refresh it. Dammit.

    • Ann says:

      LaDona, isn’t that always the way? But the upside is that you obviously love it, and so will use it up and won’t have to worry about it turning. Just spray away and enjoy every minute!

  • eldarwen22 says:

    I haven’t tried anything after trying the original Daisy. Found it pleasant enough but didn’t like the tomato leaf vibe. After that Marc Jacobs fell off my radar because Daisey was pretty boring.

    • Ann says:

      Hi! Yep, I wasn’t crazy about Daisy either, so I passed on Dot, etc., as well. But even they aren’t so bad compared to some I’ve smelled. 😉

  • Hey Ann,
    I have a few of his splashes that are excellent In-Bath-Additions to jazz up a bathtime. They leave you softly scented and create an amazing base for something similar as your frag-de-jour. Cranberry and Fig were my faves.
    Portia xx

    • Ann says:

      Howdy, dear! I remember liking the Cranberry one a lot, but didn’t try the Fig as I’m not much of a fig fan. And always wanted to try the Biscotti one but it disappeared before I could.

  • Victoria says:

    Lovely post! It’s a crazy coincidence that you posted about Mod Noir, because I recently smelled that at Sephora. I agree with it not being long lasting, and I decided to pass too. 🙂
    -Victoria

    • Ann says:

      Thanks — that is too funny — I guess great minds (noses?) think alike? 🙂 It’s a shame it’s so fleeting, but it is what it is. Guess I’ll just stick with the original MJ. Have you tried that one? If not, do give it a go next time you’re in Sephora.