Mignon Black

By the editors · 2 min readGalbanum slashes first, a raw green blade that cleaves the citrus arc of lemon, bergamot and grapefruit, keeping their zest from turning sugary. Neroli and lavender arrive seconds later, cooling the cut with a faintly metallic orange-blossom steam while pear adds a watery transparency that softens the galbanum’s resinous bite. The heart is dominated by rosewood’s pink, pencil-shaving wood and a clean jasmine-lily duet; cardamom and nutmeg provide a cool brown spice that keeps the florals crisp rather than creamy. Vanilla never dominates; instead it acts like a thin lacquer over sandalwood and cedar, letting oakmoss maintain a dry, shaded forest floor that lingers for hours. Projection stays at arm’s length, making it office-safe yet quietly distinctive through a full workday, especially in spring and early fall when its green-citrus contrast feels most alive.