Skip to content

Noa by Cacharel

Women 1998

Brand
Cacharel
Perfumer
Olivier Cresp

Description

Noa by Cacharel is a musky floral woody fragrance launched in 1998 for women. The nose behind this composition is Olivier Cresp. The top notes unfold white musk, peony, freesia, green notes, peach, and plum; the heart reveals lily of the valley, lily, green grass, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and rose; while the base notes settle on coffee, vanilla, sandalwood, coriander, incense,…

Show more

Quick summary

When to wear it (votes)

  • Winter 17%
  • Spring 37%
  • Summer 24%
  • Autumn 21%
  • Day 81%
  • Night 19%

Key notes

Community

13,383 votes

  • Positive 77%
  • Negative 17%
  • Neutral 6.6%
positive reviews 13 k community votes
LongevityModerate SillageModerate Best momentDay CharacterFeminine

The olfactory pyramid

A guide to the opening, heart and lasting trail of the fragrance.

The community speaks

Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.

In the collection

Leading answer I owned it

33,218 votes

Season

Choose several

Leading answer Spring

11,441 votes

Time of day

Choose several

Leading answer Day

6,082 votes

Each question has its own vote count. You can choose several seasons.

Fragrance profile

About Noa

Main accord floral Year 1998 Gender Women Perfumer Olivier Cresp

Noa by Cacharel is a musky floral woody fragrance launched in 1998 for women. The nose behind this composition is Olivier Cresp. The top notes unfold white musk, peony, freesia, green notes, peach, and plum; the heart reveals lily of the valley, lily, green grass, jasmine, ylang-ylang, and rose; while the base notes settle on coffee, vanilla, sandalwood, coriander, incense, tonka bean, and cedar.

Flowers Green, herbal and fougère Fruits, vegetables and nuts White flowers Spices Woods and mosses

How it wears

Compare the results and tap an answer to add your vote.

Longevity

Leading answer Moderate

4,253 votes

Sillage

Leading answer Moderate

4,451 votes

Character

Leading answer Traditionally feminine

2,549 votes

Value perception

Leading answer Good value

2,320 votes

Community reviews

40 reviews

Share what you noticed: opening, drydown, sillage and the moments when it works for you.

Write a review

Add your review

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with an asterisk.

Your rating optional
Your take, in one line optional
Your take, in one line

  1. Clari Soriano

    It smells like that hotel soap that smells like Cacharel, and honestly, it doesn’t do justice to such a gorgeous bottle. I absolutely don’t like it, even though I love clean fragrances.

    Reply
  2. I stumbled upon Noa online at a price we couldn’t have imagined 30 years ago, so I didn’t hesitate to order it. Does it smell like soap? Yes, but like a balanced floral bar soap, featuring lily, lily of the valley, jasmine, and musk—sweet but not cloying, romantic. It reminded me of Reve de Van Cleef and YSL Paris, that ballerina, fairy, society lady vibe. It’s truly lovely, classic, and clean. I was a kid when it launched and I remember the advertising perfectly; it’s tattooed in my mind: the perfume with the pearl inside. I wanted it without knowing what it smelled like; it was beautiful, a bit hypnotizing. I also remember Beyond Paradise at the same time; you don’t know what a letdown it was when Estée brought it back but not in the original bottle. Anyway, Noa today, after so many years, represents a beautiful memory. I don’t know what else you could ask for: it’s a room spray with a price that’s beyond friendly. The trail is moderate, not loud, but you can carry it further if you apply generously. The longevity is great on skin, very present for 5-6 hours, and on clothes it lasted all day. I have nothing more to ask for; it owes me nothing.

    Reply
  3. I can’t help but love it. It immediately reminds me of my mother, who always wears it on special occasions. So I’ll always associate it with her, something soft, safe, and maternal. It’s fresh, clean, delicate, and as feminine as it gets. I’d even say it’s timidly sensual. It’s the fragrance of an elegant, sweet, and even slightly mystical woman. It seems like a perfume that can’t fail you; it’s very versatile and compliments are guaranteed. It stands out much more on cold days, like a rainy day or a cool summer night, but it won’t feel out of place in spring or fall. It has a very lovely powdery scent and feels just as cozy as lying in clean sheets after a good bath. Simply put, it’s a beautiful perfume and I can’t wait to buy another bottle.

    Reply
  4. I bought it blind because I love fresh, soft perfumes with a clean scent. The reviews seemed wonderful and I wanted to smell it for a long time. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to my liking. It’s true that it smells very soft, like talc, but there’s something in the aroma that I dislike and even bother me to the point of feeling nauseous. I still can’t figure out which note it is, maybe incense or coffee, but I feel it’s so predominant that I can’t stand it. The bottle is gorgeous and gives that feeling of something light and clean. I’m still searching for a clean-scented perfume that drives me crazy.

    Reply
  5. I was curious to try it since, on the website, according to the fragrances I like (including Amor Amor), it came up in the recommendations and wow! The recommendation was spot on. It’s subtle and soft as I like it, nothing cloying, and as it dries down, it stays richly impregnated. I’m not sure yet if the trail is big, but regarding longevity, I perceived it all day. I picked it up as a sample from Fräiche and loved it; I will definitely buy the original.

    Reply
  6. It smells like a very soft, clean body cream. It’s very soft and its longevity is short, but it’s a beautiful scent.

    Reply
  7. Megustaolerbien

    When I tested it I thought: it’s a princess perfume. Extremely feminine. Upon spraying, you feel a twinge of something artificial and plastic, like fluorescent hospital lights with a blinding white. I like this bold, fresh opening, but in a sense that isn’t usually explored. It’s a cold perfume, without warmth, and it doesn’t need it. I notice a lot of lily of the valley with a bouquet of white flowers over a soft cloud of musk. The duality of the cold plastic opening with the base of soft cushion musk makes an interesting combination. Rainy days bring out the best of this facet. I don’t think it smells like cream or soap; it lacks a creamy and astringent character; it’s more like freshly hung laundry.

    Reply
  8. I’ve spent about 3 or 4 bottles and just bought it again. It’s an all-rounder scent, smells clean just like that, like body cream or soap. It’s the equivalent of a white chiffon dress made into perfume. I love wearing it in any season, when I want to smell freshly showered and not like a cupcake (almost my entire collection is gourmands). A classic but timeless scent.

    Reply
  9. Oh, what a beautiful perfume! I bought it recently and I’m in love with its scent. Every time a breeze touches my body, I feel like I leave a trail of fluttering white flower petals in my wake. Since I opened the box to try it, I fell in love. It was a blind buy; I felt it could suit me because of the white musk note and I wasn’t wrong. It’s a tender scent with a fresh, smiling sweetness, with a very cheerful spark; not the joy of an adolescent girl, but a very feminine one, of hugging your mom, of greeting with the smile of your friends, or the glow of feeling good on your best days. I think any woman can wear it, from a teenager to an adult in their 40s or 50s. On the opening, I notice a lot of white musk and peach, and I even found a certain resemblance to Burberry Women, which shares notes of peach, musk, sandalwood, vanilla, and incense, though at different times. Burberry is more autumnal and woody, while Noa is sweet but fresh, more summery and spring-like. Its white musk and peach note is precious, sweet, and attractive. The drydown evolves very nicely; its green notes hardly stand out (which isn’t a problem for me). In the final phase, the incense, tonka bean, and sandalwood really shine, a combination that fascinates me. I’m not too sure if I perceive the coffee note; maybe I need to train my nose more. Its longevity on skin is very good, about 6-7 hours, and on clothes it lasts several days. I’ve worn it this month with strong heat and rainy days; in both climates it has good longevity, but with cool and rainy weather it has more presence. I highly recommend it. It’s part of my pampered perfumes and must-haves in my collection.

    Reply
  10. I used this fragrance in the late 90s when it launched and it wasn’t anything special to me. We’ve met again and, oh, I find it delicious, tender, soft, very pretty, and I think I’ll buy a bottle sometime. Something to keep in mind: if you like soft florals.

    Reply
  11. Smells super clean, soft, and delicate—like a baby perfume that gives off a lot of warmth. The only downside is it doesn’t have much projection. I bought it blind and now it’s one of my favorites.

    Reply
  12. Noa is my most recent purchase, bought blind based on the notes and reviews, and I absolutely love it. It’s floral, very clean, and cozy, like a fancy soap bar. It doesn’t bother anyone and keeps that freshly showered feeling. The incense adds sophistication without being bitter. It lasts well on me and is ideal for any season. The bottle is gorgeous with its little pearl inside. Without a doubt, I’ll be buying it again.

    Reply
  13. Alafi kisieko

    Smells like cotton, rich and fresh, floral, and non-intrusive. It projects a lot even though it’s an eau de toilette and lasts on the skin. I wear it at night after showering, but it’s also perfect for going shopping or walking in the countryside. It’s a simple and very good perfume. Cacharel never fails for me.

    Reply
  14. At first, it smells very clearly like baby cologne. As it dries down, it seems to disappear, staying right up against the skin. It’s not complex, but its simplicity is charming; the more I smell it, the more I feel it’s soapy, clean, and pleasant. It’s an instant classic if you’re looking for a clean scent.

    Reply
  15. zoe_elPerfume

    First flowers, then amber. I used to wear it years ago. It’s wonderful, fresh, intense, and has good projection. It’s not heavy, quite light, but it stays on my skin.

    Reply
  16. Smells like baby cologne, kind of like Simonds Blue. It’s rich, smells clean, but still like baby.

    Reply
  17. I bought it blind and didn’t like it… it’s not a scent I dislike (but I wouldn’t wear it to go out). I thought it would be more in the style of Light Blue or Pure Musk. I’m in a hype phase for clean and fresh scents, and if it smells clean, like after showering with deodorant, it just smells like floral deodorant, ‘obao’ style.

    Reply
  18. Goldcherry19

    The essence is reflected in the pure, simple, transparent, and white bottle, with that pearl that gives it a chic touch. That is Noa without complications or gourmand scents. I love it because I feel clean and relaxed with it. I don’t sense the coffee note at all, how great!

    Reply
  19. oliendobonito

    If you like white musk and peonies, this is for you. This musk isn’t animalic; it’s clean, soft, and delicate, blended with peonies. It’s an innocent, harmless perfume made for women. It’s perfect for the office or a dinner because it doesn’t overpower. It’s quite friendly. If you’re looking for something soft, delicate, feminine, and transparent, this could be your option. Unfortunately, the longevity isn’t the best, so I recommend wearing it on clothes rather than skin. It’s definitely a ‘no-makeup’ makeup perfume because if you wear it, it can almost go unnoticed.

    Reply
  20. Aurorakmz

    This was my first olfactory love; I was 10 years old when I discovered it. I used to use a friend’s mom’s, and whenever I went to her house, I’d always go to the bathroom and bathe in it (by the way, I thought she wouldn’t notice… how innocent). It smells clean, musky, talcum-powdered, and sweet all at once. It’s a very comforting scent that makes you feel comfortable. I love it, and I probably will buy it. The idea of revisiting it after so many years without smelling it excites me.

    Reply
  21. It’s been on the market for years, and I never approached it due to prejudice, being an EDT and by Cacharel. Recently I got one… what a beauty. One of the most beautiful musks I’ve ever heard, creamy without being cloying. Impeccable. A must-have for lovers of this type. Its longevity is worth noting, very good. I have to remind myself to be less skeptical. Enjoy.

    Reply
  22. Coni Macarena Miel

    One day my mother brought this perfume home; she worked at a hotel and a guest left behind Noa by Cacharel. What an ethereal scent—that’s the definition. It’s a clean aroma thanks to the musk, but more than that: the coffee adds a woody, sweet touch without being cloying. It’s strange, I remember it well, and although it’s pricey and rarely on sale, it’s worth it. Despite the years and being an EDT, it’s a beautiful classic.

    Reply
  23. Candycandy40

    I found this back in the 90s and recently rediscovered it. It smells like luxury soap, perfect for spring or whenever you want to feel impeccable.

    Reply
  24. keilarojasw

    With this fragrance, I understood what it means to smell clean, and I loved it. Although it’s been on the market for years and I never tried it, now I really like it. It smells fresh, clean, floral, and slightly talcum-like, super feminine. It’s one of the fragrances that has received the most compliments.

    Reply
  25. A very soft scent that doesn’t stand out too much to my taste. I think it works well for days when you want to smell fresh.

    Reply
  26. charlotinable

    Linearity, simplicity, minimalism, cleanliness, beauty, and lots of powdery softness. White musk predominates in a sensual way, reminding me a lot of Jovan’s White Musk. They are very similar. What a beautiful perfume that still smells as if it were just created.

    Reply
  27. Subtle among the subtle… I remember the ‘futuristic’ ad for Noa and Noa Perle. It was presented as something revolutionary, different, with an extravagant touch for coming from the future. It was a time before the millennium change, with powerful and complex fragrances. The new millennium seemed to promise simplicity and clean lines, and since Noa came from the future, it couldn’t be any other way. For me, it was a fragrance I wanted to treasure for occasional enjoyment, something to test at home. I don’t know why I never got one; I liked it but it seemed excessively plain to me, sometimes I swore it only smelled like alcohol. I tried it again and yes, it is excessively subtle. I define it as a musk-laden lily with a very subtle plum touch. There are infinitely better fragrances, but it has no substitute if it’s discontinued. It’s not expensive, so for its price, you can’t ask for more. It would have been wonderful with more character. To those who say it has a huge sillage, perhaps they bathed in it or have a hyper-sensitivity to scents.

    Reply
  28. I was drawn to its ‘clean’ scent, and after researching the notes, I was surprised by the amount. I bought it blind and… wow, what a beautiful aroma. Very subtle and light, talcum-like but without being annoying. An ethereal fragrance ideal for hot or rainy days. I really liked it, a Cacharel hit.

    Reply
  29. I don’t know if it’s because I’m used to sweet and powerful perfumes, but this was a great disappointment in terms of performance. It has a hetero, tender, and clean aroma like a neutral soap. The big issue is the sillage and longevity: I barely perceive it, very close to the skin, and the duration is minimal, less than half an hour. I have to reapply, something I hate. The good thing is I bought the 30 ml presentation and I’ll finish it, but I don’t think I’ll buy it again. If you like subtle perfumes, you’ll love it; if you’re like me, who prefer invasive aromas, it will be a disappointment.

    Reply