I’ve had my eye on Noème Paris fragrances for a while, so when I finally got my hands on Soma, I was eager to dive in. Known for bold, intricate scents, the brand has a reputation for pushing boundaries—and Soma definitely lives up to that. From its luxurious packaging to its intense, complex fragrance profile, Soma was full of surprises, and not all of them were what I expected. Here’s my honest take on this unique fragrance experience.

Let’s start with the packaging: it’s beautifully designed, with rich colors, golden accents, and intricate artwork on the inside. It feels like a lot of thought went into the presentation. However, the paper is a bit thin, which turned into a minor disaster when I tried to take out the bottle and tore it—unfortunate, especially for such a well-crafted box. But the colors on the outside perfectly match the bottle, which I thought was a nice touch.

The Bottle: Luxurious Red with a Thoughtful Twist

The bottle itself is stunning. It’s a deep, warm red that immediately reminds me of Christmas and cozy winter evenings. The cap is a solid, heavy gold and feels custom-made, complete with Einstein’s famous quote, “Fantasy is more important than knowledge,” engraved around it. I love this little detail; it adds a sense of mystery and imagination that fits perfectly with the fragrance. The bottle shape is meant to resemble the ouroboros—a symbol of infinity. While I wouldn’t have noticed that without a hint, I appreciate the connection to the brand’s theme of timelessness.

The Scent: Sweet, Smoky, and Full of Surprises

Now, onto the fragrance itself. Noème Paris fragrances are known for their intensity, and Soma is no exception. Right from the start, it’s a powerful gourmand, warm and sweet. Tonka beans add a rich, cherry-like sweetness, combined with vanilla and caramel for a comforting, almost edible aroma. It feels like the ideal scent to curl up with on a cold day.

But, as the fragrance unfolds, there’s this dark, smoky edge that starts to come through. I wasn’t entirely expecting it, and I wasn’t sure how I felt about it at first. Checking the notes on Fragrantica, I couldn’t quite put my finger on everything I was smelling, but I noticed a black tea-like vibe with a hint of smokiness, which I suspect is the suede.

Here’s where it gets tricky for me. I love the initial sweetness, but the smokiness brings in a darker element that I’m still on the fence about. It’s definitely one of those scents that requires a full day to appreciate. Soma is bold, rich, and intense—qualities that make it a love-or-hate kind of fragrance.

Would I buy it? Still undecided. It’s a fascinating experience, and I’m glad I tried it. For anyone who enjoys complex, smoky gourmands, Soma is worth sampling, but it’s definitely a fragrance to try before committing to a full bottle.

Rating the fragrance: