SOTD: Ocean Noir – Michael Malul London
Finally gave Ocean Noir a full wear today. First spray was around 12:36 p.m., and I’ve been paying close attention to how it develops on my skin. 12:36–12:40 p.m. (opening): Right away, this opens soft and pleasant, with a slightly floral and airy feel. I’m not getting an aggressive marine note or anything salty. It leans blue-adjacent, but in a smooth, modern way rather than a traditional aquatic. What stands out most early on is a powdery, creamy smoothness that makes it very easy to wear. I wasn’t exactly sure what “black coconut” or “tangelo” were supposed to smell like here, but overall it feels clean and rounded, not sharp or citrus-heavy. Around 12:45 p.m.: The scent starts to open up more in the air while staying soft on skin. Still no heavy marine character, which I appreciate since those notes don’t usually work well on me. The profile remains light, fresh, and approachable. By 1:00 p.m.: At this point, it’s settled into a blue-leaning freshness without going into Acqua di Gio–style marine territory. That’s a big plus for me. It feels uplifting, clean, and comfortable, with a noticeable skin-like musk giving it a creamy, slightly powdery texture rather than sharpness. So far, this has been another solid hit for me from Michael Malul. Very wearable, crowd-friendly, and clean without being watery or overly aquatic. To me this is Full Bottle Worthy!