Mark BuxtonThe nose · 31 fragrances · also made Comme des Garcons 2 Man (2004)Portrait →Will you like it? Mark a few fragrances you own or love and we'll tell you.
Van Cleef & Arpels · Sold as unisex
Cologne Noire
The quiet assertiveness of an early morning commute, where the crispness of fresh air meets the warmth of a coffee in hand.
Full bottle: Premium tier, typically $100–250. Links open each seller's own page. We may earn a commission; it never changes the order.
Cologne NoirePremium · $100–250
52%Similar accords, often for lessTommy Now · Tommy HilfigerMid-range tier, $40–100 · shares 4 of its 7 notes8 matches →How it wears
From community votes · bars are each option's shareComposition & Character
Notes Pyramid
Main Accords
When to Wear
Who Wears It
The story behind the bottle.
Cologne Noire by Van Cleef & Arpels was launched in 2009 and was crafted by perfumer Mark Buxton. This fragrance stands out with its fresh spicy and aromatic opening, which gives way to a heart of citrus notes that add an unexpected brightness. The base, a blend of warm spices and woody accords, creates a contrast that keeps the scent dynamic throughout the day. Cologne Noire is neither overly sweet nor overpowering; instead, it offers a subtle complexity that feels both modern and lasting.
Cologne Noire’s citrus notes fade within two hours, so apply it close to your skin for a more intimate experience. The warm spices and woody base will last longer, providing a steady presence through the day.
Fig. 01 — Cologne Noire, Van Cleef & Arpels
Where to buy.
Wear it for a week first
A decant costs a fraction of a bottle and tells you how it lasts on your skin.
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Mark Buxton
The blind-test prodigyMark Buxton, born in England and raised near Hamburg, entered perfumery almost by accident: at 21, a German game show challenge to identify 600 perfumes by scent alone caught the attention of Haarmann & Reimer, who offered him a place in their Paris training program.
Designer Van Cleef & Arpels
More from the house · France
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Chosen from what wearers say it smells like, what its fans also love, and its notes
Love it, not the $100–250 price?
Matched by accords and notes. Sample first, then decide.
The originalCologne NoireVan Cleef & Arpels · Premium · $100–250Tommy Hilfiger · 2018Tommy NowShares 4 of its 7 notes$40–100★ 3.92 (390)50%Match
Alfred Dunhill · 2020Amalfi CitrusShares 6 of its 14 notes$40–100★ 4.40 (325)54%Match
Zara · 2020Sport 9.0Shares 5 of its 9 notesunder $40★ 3.86 (37)
With Navitus Parfums Lautus
Adds lavender, powdery and floral; shares neroli.
Suggested from accords and notes · not yet tried by wearers
What people
are saying.
Respected, if divisive: loved by 26%, disliked or hated by 13%.