Name: Black
Brand: Max Philip
SKU: 6219157d-f461-45ef-aa44-01b5444d7d5d
Rating: 3.5 (5 reviews)

Question 1

How long does Black by Max Philip last on skin?

Accepted Answer

Black holds a 6-8 hour arc on most skin types, starting strong in the first hour and easing into a quieter, more intimate presence by the afternoon. The opening reads fruity and bright for the first 20-30 minutes, then transitions to a heart of jasmine, rose, and birch smoke that carries through the middle hours before settling into an ambergris and vanilla drydown.

Question 2

What year was Black by Max Philip launched?

Accepted Answer

Black by Max Philip was launched in 2019, joining a French niche house that approaches fragrance as abstraction, a translation of feeling into scent. The 2019 release brought a modern fruity Chypre structure to a market that was beginning to appreciate scents with both accessibility and depth. Max Philip has since expanded its color-named and concept-driven catalogue, but Black remains one of the more polarising entries: bold and moody despite its approachable top notes.

Question 3

What are the main notes in Black by Max Philip?

Accepted Answer

Black opens with a quartet of citrus and fruit: bergamot, blackcurrant, pineapple, and apple. Since its 2019 launch, the heart has settled into a saturated floral blend of Moroccan jasmine and rose, warmed by birch and patchouli. The base, musk, oakmoss, ambergris, and vanilla, provides the Chypre signature and the longevity that keeps wearers coming back. The composition moves from bright to moody over the course of a workday.

Question 4

Who is the perfumer behind Black by Max Philip?

Accepted Answer

The 2019 fragrance is attributed to Max Philip as a house composition rather than a named perfumer. Max Philip operates as a collective that blends natural extracts, citrus, floral absolutes, woody tinctures, with modern synthetic aroma chemicals for stability and depth. Each batch is blended in small quantities in France, allowing the perfumers to monitor the scent's evolution from top note to drydown.

Question 5

What is the sillage and projection like?

Accepted Answer

Black projects moderately, close enough to be noticed by someone leaning in, not far enough to announce itself across a room. Community ratings place sillage at moderate, with longevity at 6-8 hours on most skin types. The opening projects a bit more than the drydown, which settles intimate and skin-close. It's a workday fragrance: present in the first few hours, then a quiet companion for the rest of the day.

Question 6

Is Black by Max Philip safe for a blind buy?

Accepted Answer

Yes, broadly. With a 6-8 hour longevity and moderate sillage, Black behaves predictably on most skin types and won't overwhelm. The opening is accessible, fruity and bright, and the drydown is warm and grounded. The main risk is preference: if you prefer dense, projecting fragrances, the moderate projection may disappoint. But the composition itself is safe for a blind buy at this price point.

Question 7

Should I wear Black by Max Philip to the office?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Black's moderate sillage makes it well-suited for professional settings, it stays close to the skin rather than projecting aggressively across a meeting room. Launched in 2019, it has a composed, contemporary character that reads as polished without being loud. The woody-musky drydown holds up through a full workday and won't compete with colleagues. For the office, it's a reliable choice.

Question 8

Is Black by Max Philip similar to any other fragrances?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some wearers compare Black to Creed Aventus, both share a fruity, woody structure with a birch and patchouli heart. However, Black was designed as a distinct artistic niche composition in 2019, and the two differ in execution: Black leans more into the Chypre tradition with oakmoss and ambergris anchoring the drydown, while Aventus takes a different approach. If you've worn Aventus and wanted something with a moodier, closer drydown, Black is worth exploring.

Question 9

Which seasons does Black by Max Philip wear best in?

Accepted Answer

Black performs across all four seasons, though spring and fall show it best. The 2019 launch brought a fruity Chypre structure to a market that was rediscovering complexity, suiting transitional weather when neither warmth nor chill dominates. Summer works if worn in moderation; winter lets the ambergris and vanilla base come forward fully. The birch smoke in the heart gives it an edge that suits cooler months especially.

Question 10

What occasions suit Black by Max Philip?

Accepted Answer

Black is versatile enough for daily wear but has the depth to earn evening occasions. The woody-musky drydown has a quiet authority, evening wear, dinner, the kind of setting where presence matters more than projection. Since 2019, it has built a reputation as a fragrance that works without announcing itself. Spring and fall transitions, professional settings, weekend evenings, Black adapts without trying too hard.

	This fragranceBlackMax Philip	AventusCreed	CassiopeaTiziana TerenziFull comparison
Concentration	Eau de Parfum	Eau de Parfum	Extrait
Top Notes	Bergamot, Blackcurrant, Pineapple	Bergamot, Blackcurrant, Apple	Passion Fruit, Blackcurrant, Lemon
Longevity	6-10 hours	6-10 hours	6-10 hours
Sillage	Moderate	Moderate	Moderate
Best Season	Fall	Spring	Spring
Rating	3.67/5	4.32/5	3.93/5

Black

The Scent Journey

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As It Evolves

What Lingers

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