Black Magic by Bombi c1945

Black Magic by Bombi Perfumer, a New York-based perfume distributor, was introduced in 1945, a pivotal year in world history. The name Black Magic was likely chosen for its aura of mystery, allure, and seduction—qualities that have long been associated with the phrase. The term itself originates from Middle English, deriving from the Old French magique and ultimately the Greek magikos, referring to supernatural or occult practices, the phrase conveys an air of forbidden enchantment, drawing upon deep cultural associations with the unknown, the exotic, and the dangerously irresistible.

The words Black Magic evoke powerful imagery—moonlit rituals, hypnotic spells, and the bewitching gaze of a femme fatale. It suggests something both forbidden and captivating, a force that cannot be resisted. Emotionally, it stirs feelings of intrigue, seduction, and perhaps even danger. In the context of a perfume, the name implies an intoxicating, almost spellbinding scent—one that lingers on the skin like a whispered incantation, drawing admirers closer with its irresistible charm.

The year 1945 marked the end of World War II, a time of both devastation and renewal. The world was transitioning from the hardships of war into an era of hope and reconstruction. Women, many of whom had taken on roles in factories and offices during the war, were now expected to return to more traditional domestic roles. However, they carried with them a newfound sense of independence and confidence. This period would soon give rise to the ultra-feminine, glamorous aesthetics of the late 1940s and early 1950s, characterized by nipped-in waists, voluminous skirts, and structured silhouettes. Hollywood's golden age was at its peak, with stars like Rita Hayworth, Lauren Bacall, and Marlene Dietrich setting trends with their sultry, sophisticated personas.

A perfume called Black Magic would have resonated deeply with women of the time. After years of rationing and sacrifice, there was a collective longing for luxury, sensuality, and escapism. The name itself promised transformation—an ordinary woman could become an irresistible enchantress with just a spritz. It spoke to the post-war desire for romance, intrigue, and a touch of indulgence after so much austerity.

In olfactory terms, Black Magic would have been interpreted as a deep, seductive oriental floral, a style that dominated the decade. One can expect the notes of opulent white florals of gardenia, jasmine, and  tuberose, paired with sensual elements of ambergris, musk, and patchouli to create a mysterious, long-lasting trail. Spices, resins, and dark woods further enhanced the "magical" aspect, evoking something exotic and otherworldly.

At the time of its release, Black Magic would not have been entirely unique, but rather in line with the prevailing trends. The 1940s saw the rise of bold, statement-making fragrances designed to exude elegance and seduction. Perfumes like Tabu by Dana (1932), Shalimar by Guerlain (1925), and Magie Noire by Lancôme (though it was launched later in 1978, its concept echoes the mystique of earlier scents) all embraced similar themes of mystery and sensuality. The name Black Magic fit perfectly into this world—suggesting not just a fragrance, but an experience, a transformation, and a touch of the forbidden. 

Black Magic’s advertising campaign embraced the mystical and alluring imagery of witchcraft, drawing women into an enchanting world of seduction and spellbinding charm. The perfume’s bottles were adorned with black enameled serigraphy, depicting a cauldron bubbling over an open fire, releasing delicate wisps of perfumed smoke into the air. This imagery was not just decorative—it was deeply symbolic, reinforcing the idea that Black Magic was more than just a fragrance; it was a potent love potion, capable of transforming the wearer into an irresistible enchantress.

Bombi’s advertisements leaned into this theme with playful yet provocative messaging, encouraging women to "be witching tonight" by anointing themselves with Black Magic. The phrase was a clever double entendre, suggesting both bewitching beauty and the act of casting a spell, perfectly capturing the fragrance’s mysterious and seductive allure. In an era when post-war femininity was being redefined, this campaign allowed women to indulge in a fantasy—one where they could command attention, captivate admirers, and embrace their own intoxicating power. The combination of dark, magical visuals and sensual advertising language made Black Magic an alluring proposition, appealing to women who sought to add an air of mystery and seduction to their evening rituals.

In a bold and innovative marketing move, Black Magic by Bombi became one of the first fragrances to captivate consumers through scented print advertising. In 1945, readers of San Francisco newspapers were unknowingly drawn into a new sensory experience when The Emporium department store, in collaboration with Bombi Perfumer, infused their full-page perfume ads with actual Black Magic fragrance. By mixing the perfume directly into the ink, the advertisement became more than just a visual lure—it was an olfactory invitation, enveloping readers in its heady, exotic aroma as they turned the page. The response was immediate and overwhelming; captivated by the scent wafting from the newsprint, eager shoppers flocked to The Emporium, causing the store’s entire stock of Black Magic to sell out in less than a day.

This groundbreaking technique was revolutionary for its time, predating the widespread use of scented inserts in magazines by decades. It demonstrated the power of fragrance to evoke desire and urgency, transforming passive readers into engaged customers. In post-war America, where consumer culture was flourishing and women sought luxury, escapism, and sensuality in their beauty rituals, Black Magic’s mystique and allure were irresistible. The perfume’s hauntingly seductive blend of florals, spices, and deep oriental notes was not just advertised—it was experienced, ensuring that the name Black Magic lingered in the minds—and on the fingertips—of those who encountered it.

Product Line:

The Black Magic product line by Bombi Perfumer extended beyond the perfume itself, offering a comprehensive range of fragranced beauty and bath products that allowed women to fully immerse themselves in the seductive allure of the scent. This extensive collection catered to various personal grooming rituals, ensuring that the mystical, enchanting essence of Black Magic could linger from morning until night. Each product in the line reflected the brand's commitment to creating an atmosphere of luxury, glamour, and intrigue, inviting women to weave the spell of Black Magic into their daily routines.

At the heart of the collection was the perfume, the most concentrated and luxurious form of the fragrance. Housed in elegant bottles featuring black enameled serigraphy of a cauldron, the perfume promised to be a potent, long-lasting elixir that could transform the wearer into an irresistible, bewitching presence. For a lighter application, Toilet Water provided a more delicate yet still lingering impression of the fragrance, perfect for daytime wear. Cologne Pic Up, a playful and portable option, offered a refreshing and convenient way to reapply the scent throughout the day, making it easy to maintain an air of enchantment wherever one went.

To complement the fragrance, Bombi introduced a range of bath and body products infused with the Black Magic scent. Creme Sachet was a rich, fragrant cream designed to be smoothed onto the skin, leaving it softly perfumed while providing moisturizing benefits. Bath Essence was a luxurious addition to the bath, transforming an ordinary soak into an indulgent, aromatic ritual. For a more playful experience, Bubble Bath created fragrant, frothy lather, while Bubble Salts dissolved in the tub to release the captivating scent while softening the skin. A unique addition to the line was the Bath Mitt, a scented exfoliating glove that combined gentle cleansing with the alluring fragrance of Black Magic, offering a sensory and tactile indulgence.

The product line also extended to personal grooming and cosmetics, allowing women to incorporate the Black Magic mystique into their beauty routines. Bath Powder, likely housed in an ornate puffed container, provided a silky, scented veil for the skin, leaving it softly perfumed and smooth. Adding to the glamour was Rouge (Blush), an essential beauty product that allowed women to enhance their complexion with a touch of color while subtly tying their makeup to the mysterious fragrance line. This inclusion of cosmetic and bath luxuries reflected a broader mid-20th-century trend in which fragrances were not confined to a single product but rather expanded into a fully integrated beauty experience.

The Black Magic product line’s diversity allowed women to layer the fragrance across different aspects of their beauty rituals, ensuring that the seductive, mysterious aura of the perfume could be seamlessly woven into every part of their day. This multi-faceted approach not only deepened the sensory experience but also reinforced the brand’s narrative—inviting women to embrace their inner enchantress and cast a spell of irresistible allure.

Motion Picture - Volume 73, Part 2 - Volume 74, Part 2 - Page 95, 1947:

"Bombi Bath Ensemble, sparkling lucite tray holding Black Magic Bubble Bath, Bath Powder and Toilet Water. $10."

Printer's Ink, 1947:

"A clear plastic tray securely holds the new bath ensemble created by Bombi Perfumer, Inc., New York. The combination is made up of Black Magic bubble bath, talc, toilet water and bath powder."

Fragrance Composition:

So what does it smell like? Black Magic by Bombi is classified as a sweet, heavy oriental floral fragrance for women with a dominant gardenia note.

• Top notes: Calabrian bergamot, aldehydes, Italian neroli, Spanish mandarin, Persian galbanum, Sicilian lemon
• Middle notes: Bulgarian rose, French carnation, Indian tuberose, Nossi-Be ylang ylang, Tunisian orange blossom, Chinese gardenia, Ceylon cardamom, Saigon cinnamon, Zanzibar clove
• Base notes: Tibetan musk, Mysore sandalwood, ambergris, Sumatran patchouli, Mexican vanilla, Tyrolean oakmoss, Siamese benzoin, Maltese labdanum, Omani frankincense, Peruvian heliotrope, Venezuelan tonka bean, Abyssinian civet, Somali opoponax, Sudanese myrrh

Motion Picture, 1946:

"Black Magic, Bombi's new perfume, as sophisticated as its name."

The Southern Pharmaceutical Journal ... - Volume 40, Part 1 - Page 6, 1947:

"Bombi recently has introduced a delightful new perfume called Entre Nous. The Bombi Halloween promotion on its Black Magic line received wide store acceptance and many special promotions in drug stores carrying the line."

Scent Profile:

Black Magic by Bombi unfolds as a rich, intoxicating spell of fragrance, enveloping the senses in layers of exotic and opulent ingredients sourced from the farthest corners of the world. It is a composition that seduces with its mystery, a heady oriental floral that casts an irresistible spell, lingering on the skin like a whispered incantation.

The first impression is bright yet mysterious, an effervescent sparkle of Calabrian bergamot, its citrusy sharpness softened by the honeyed floral facets of Italian neroli—both grown in the sun-drenched orchards of the Mediterranean, where the warm climate intensifies their essential oils. Spanish mandarin adds a burst of sweet, juicy warmth, while the golden Sicilian lemon lends a crisp, tangy brightness that dances on the skin. A whisper of aldehydes creates an airy, effervescent lift, like the first flicker of a flame igniting in the darkness. Just beneath this luminous facade, Persian galbanum weaves in a touch of green bitterness, its resinous sharpness reminiscent of crushed stems, hinting at the depth yet to come.

As the fragrance unfolds, the heart reveals a sumptuous floral tapestry, dominated by Chinese gardenia, its waxy white petals exuding a creamy, narcotic richness. This is no ordinary gardenia—it is deep, hypnotic, and almost carnal, mingling with the spicy, clove-like nuances of French carnation, a bloom that lends an unexpected fiery twist. The velvety Bulgarian rose, prized for its unparalleled depth and honeyed warmth, blooms at the center, its intoxicating aroma heightened by the sultry, indolic richness of Indian tuberose, a flower known for its heady, almost narcotic presence.

A breath of Nossi-Be ylang ylang, sourced from the remote Madagascan island, lends a lush, tropical creaminess, with hints of banana-like fruitiness and warm spice. This floral intensity is enhanced by the Tunisian orange blossom, its honeyed, neroli-like sweetness draping the composition in golden radiance. But Black Magic’s heart is not purely floral—it is darkened and heightened by spice. The Ceylon cardamom introduces a cool, camphoraceous contrast, followed by the Saigon cinnamon, its red-hot, woody heat simmering just beneath the surface. The Zanzibar clove, pungent and fiery, adds yet another layer of warmth, accentuating the carnation’s natural spiciness and pulling the wearer deeper into the fragrance’s mesmerizing spell.

As the floral heart begins to subside, the true dark magic of this composition is revealed in its sensual, resinous base. At its core is the rare and exquisite Mysore sandalwood, its creamy, sacred woodiness imbuing the scent with a deep, meditative warmth. This is intertwined with the earthy, smoky Sumatran patchouli, whose damp, camphorous richness creates a sense of old-world mystery, reminiscent of ancient spellbooks and forbidden rituals. The balsamic sweetness of Siamese benzoin drapes the fragrance in a golden, amber-like warmth, melding with the rich, animalic sensuality of Abyssinian civet, its musky depth adding a feline seductiveness.

The sacred Omani frankincense, sourced from the legendary groves of Dhofar, introduces a mystical, smoky incense trail, heightened by the haunting, bittersweet whispers of Sudanese myrrh and Somali opoponax, both of which deepen the scent’s resinous, church-like aura. Tibetan musk, rare and profoundly warm, anchors the entire composition in an animalic embrace, entwining with the mossy, forest-like darkness of Tyrolean oakmoss, lending a shadowy, almost gothic sensuality to the drydown. The final touch comes in the form of ambergris, whose salty, marine richness glows softly against the lingering sweetness of Mexican vanilla, the delicate heliotrope from Peru, and the creamy, almond-like warmth of Venezuelan tonka bean.

Wearing Black Magic is like stepping into an ancient ritual, wrapped in layers of incense, smoke, and velvet petals. It is a sweet, heavy, and utterly hypnotic fragrance, one that moves seamlessly from a bright, spellbinding opening to a lush, floral heart and finally into a dark, resinous, and musky embrace. In its time, it would have been considered both daring and decadent, following in the tradition of grand oriental florals but with a distinctive twist—one that captivated the senses, seduced the wearer, and left a trail of mystery in its wake.

Bottles:

Black Magic perfume, photo by ebay seller julieniabean

Black Magic Toilet Water 3 oz, photo by etsy seller VintagePickle

Black Magic, Toilet Water and Talc Set, photo by ebay seller gidgetpup

Fate of the Fragrance:

Black Magic by Bombi, launched in 1945, was a fragrance that captured the allure of mystery, seduction, and enchantment. Its exotic oriental floral composition, paired with its evocative name and spellbinding marketing, made it a coveted perfume throughout the late 1940s and 1950s. However, despite its early success, Black Magic eventually faded into obscurity, with its discontinuation occurring sometime in the early 1960s. Whether due to shifting fragrance trends, changes in Bombi’s business operations, or evolving consumer preferences, the perfume—once hailed as a bewitching love potion—became a relic of a bygone era. Today, it remains a lost treasure of mid-century perfumery, remembered through vintage advertisements, surviving bottles, and the lingering nostalgia of those who once wore its intoxicating scent.