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Which is your favorite Frederic Malle fragrance and why?

post #1 of 56
7/9/12 at 5:10pm
Thread Starter 
Hi there guys, I'm new here. My name is Alex

I made a board a little while ago discussing the signatures of certain perfume houses, and found out that Frederic Malle's approach is really fascinating, with all of the different perfumers and the lack of restraints they're under creating new fragrances. Because of this, I was curious if anyone who had sampled a lot of his fragrances could note their favorites and why they feel that way. I'm looking for fragrances to put on my wish list for samples, and so any insight would be much appreciated
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post #2 of 56
7/9/12 at 9:52pm
Noir Epices and Portrait of a Lady: both are dry and sophisticated, just lightly floral
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post #3 of 56
7/9/12 at 10:16pm
Vetiver extraordinaire: the freshest vetiver around. But it will probably appeal only to vetiver aficionados.

On my wish list, there is also Lys mediterranee (as I don't have a lily yet) and Fleur de cassie (rich animalic floral). But really, all are interesting and worth exploring, whether one ends up liking them or not.

cacio
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post #4 of 56
7/9/12 at 10:46pm
Carnal Flower; surely the most beautiful tuberose it is possible to find, l adore it's "florist's fridge" coolness.

Lys Mediterranee; languid, salty, true lily.

Geranium pour Monsieur; fresh but classy garden mint, perfect for cutting through heat & humidity.

En Passant; true, rain-kissed lilacs.

Musc Ravageur; the intimate, comforting smell of one's ideal lover.

Dans Tes Bras; not my cup of tea, but wonderfully weird!
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post #5 of 56
7/9/12 at 10:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by teardrop View Post

Carnal Flower; surely the most beautiful tuberose it is possible to find, l adore it's "florist's fridge" coolness.

Lys Mediterranee; languid, salty, true lily.

Geranium pour Monsieur; fresh but classy garden mint, perfect for cutting through heat & humidity.

En Passant; true, rain-kissed lilacs.

Musc Ravageur; the intimate, comforting smell of one's ideal lover.

Dans Tes Bras; not my cup of tea, but wonderfully weird!

Seconding Carnal Flower. Teardrop's description "florist's fridge" is aptly put.
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post #6 of 56
7/9/12 at 11:08pm
Lys Mediteranee is a gorgeously relaxed lily with salty ocean in the background - it's completely transporting

Dans Tes Bras salty skin and violets - unusual, but a little too intense on the skin for the first couple hours

Une Rose is a beautifully clean almost soapy rose with an earthy mushroom undertone

I could happilylist 4 or 5 more - a house with too many great fragrances to name.
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post #7 of 56
7/9/12 at 11:24pm
Carnal Flower. You should definately try this. It's kind of a recent classic already. I'll never forget the first
time I smelled it at Barney's. One of the few times I remember a fragrance impressing me that deeply.
It's funny how much less I like it over time. But I never forget those first few samplings.
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post #8 of 56
7/9/12 at 11:52pm
Parfum de le Theresa, one the perfumer and his other creations. I wore Rochas Femme as a teenager, then in 1989 they changed it and added cumin!!!!! Theresa has most in common with the the one I remember and wore.

Noir Epices
L'Eau d'Hiver I have the 100ms in this one. I am a big heliotrope fan.
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post #9 of 56
7/10/12 at 12:21am
vetiver extraordinaire - the highest concentration of vetiver that you can find in a perfume, raw, earthy, vegetal, pulls no punches, there's nothing else like it.
french lover (bois d'orage in the states) comes a close second - a most severe, bone dry, cold and hot in the same time, elegant and refined, hard and merciless, incense, woods, cedar, galbanum and angelica, this is what a smartly dressed man in his 40's would wear (probably CEO or running his own company).
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post #10 of 56
7/10/12 at 1:11am
Vetiver Extraordinaire (the grassiest of them all)
Une Fleur De Cassie (huge, out of the world indolic floral)
Geranium Pour Monsieur (understated elegance)
L'Eau D'Hiver (just next to Apres L'Ondee)
French Lover (a modern masculine with a twist)

...then the "crowdpleasers"...Portrait Of A Lady, Carnal Flower and Musc Ravageur.
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post #11 of 56
7/10/12 at 2:25am
Musc Ravaguer since it's the only one which to date has resonated with me and I've felt compelled to purchase.
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post #12 of 56
7/10/12 at 3:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

Vetiver Extraordinaire (the grassiest of them all)
Une Fleur De Cassie (huge, out of the world indolic floral)
Geranium Pour Monsieur (understated elegance)
L'Eau D'Hiver (just next to Apres L'Ondee)
French Lover (a modern masculine with a twist)

...then the "crowdpleasers"...Portrait Of A Lady, Carnal Flower and Musc Ravageur.

Good list - there are no duds in the line when it really comes down to it.

If push came to shove for me it would be Une Fleur de Cassie because it is so unique and it somehow manages to speak of another time altogether - the 1930's for some reason. L'Eau d'Hiver would be second up, especially now that Aprés l'Ondee has been diluted.

Actually Bigarade Concentrée is quite lovely - it sits midway between Déclaration and Terre d'Hermes in Ellena's ongoing riffing with this theme - I like it better than the other two.
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post #13 of 56
7/10/12 at 3:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. reasonable View Post

I like it better than the other two.

Agree!
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post #14 of 56
7/10/12 at 4:17am
Portrait of a Lady

... (of those I have tried): Probably with this one's relative popularity, there's no need to explain, but I'm a shameless slave to patchouli and rose--yes, the pairing has been done ad nauseam, but rarely with such magic, strange precision...like a photograph but elegant and out of time like an early portraiture indeed. I want it to be my signature, but Portrait of a Lady is the only entirely wearable fragrance I have ever been too in awe of to yet wear freely. It's an old style poetic love: courtly.
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post #15 of 56
7/10/12 at 5:52am
I'd have to agree with everything teardrop said, too ....that's a great, concise list! However, since you asked about our personal favorites, the three I own are Une Rose, Lipstick Rose and Portrait of a Lady, simply because I love a gorgeous rose perfume and these rosy beauties are three of the very best I've come across.
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post #16 of 56
7/10/12 at 9:09am
Carnal Flower -- the creamiest tuberose imaginable, it's the one that ushers in summer for me every year.

Une Fleur de Cassie -- wonderfully skanky floral. I saw it described somewhere as a lovely garden with dead bodies. Spot-on description for a fabulous fragrance. This is my go-to February/March floral when I'm dying (hehehe) for spring.

Musc Ravageur -- sweet, spice, and musk. When I feel naughty, I reach for this one.

En Passant -- an amazing springtime lilac. When I feel nice or when there's a gentle spring rain, I reach for this one.
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post #17 of 56
7/10/12 at 9:18am
Une Fleur de Cassie - it is in my near future and the sample I have I hoard like no other. I agree with everyone above that from what I have smelled from this house they all are great, not just good. Une Fleur de Cassie is my absolute favorite because it is so complex, sultry, dark, and dangerous. Love it.
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post #18 of 56
7/10/12 at 10:24am
I like Noir Épices most. I read Catherine Deneuve wears this, among others. A female friend of mine once commented it would not be t h a t precise; her favourite on me is Opus 1870. And in comparison NE certainly has a far broader perspective to offer. That's why I like it, this mixture of a bright (very blond, indeed) top and the scent-development in the realm of chypre and oriental characteristics.

I perceive the sensuality of NE as a bit hidden, like a treasure in a forsaken garden. Where Musc Ravageur speaks of instant and complete conquest, NE conveys the aura of a subdued desire for communication. NE is like this tall girl in class with her long, straight (blond) hair, her huge blue eyes of immense depth, the one who is much more evolved than her classmates, a silent one, encapsulating the youthful storm of emotions deep in her heart, admired by many but approached by none. The one that some day, out of a sudden, begins to talk to you in her thoughtful and sonorous manner and you feel like it's christmas and your birthday at the same time. She probably won't mention her much older, worldly and a bit shady mentor-friend, the one that currently has disappeared from the screen once more, the one who taught her not only the beauty of the arts but also introduced her to carnal pleasures of highest refinement...but you are soon to discover.
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post #19 of 56
7/10/12 at 12:19pm
Don't know all of them. So far:

My least favourites are

Musc Ravageur
Noir Epices
Parfum de Thérèse

My favourites so far

Bigarade concentrée - juicy, jummy AND very sensual!
Eau d'hiver - love the transparent heliotropin (contrary to the disgusting stuff called heliotrope by Etro), the hay notes...
Angeliques sous la pluie - great green bitter
yet have to try French Lover, sounds so promising...
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post #20 of 56
7/10/12 at 12:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alfarom View Post

French Lover (a modern masculine with a twist)
.

This. Maybe both of these VVV. Unfortunately the other one never got labeled Malle though it 100% should be.

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post #21 of 56
7/10/12 at 2:55pm
Favorite is probably Carnal Flower, because it's the most exceptional tuberose I've ever smelled.

Other favorites are Iris Poudre, Un Fleur de Cassie, Lys Mediterranee, Lipstick Rose, En Passant, Portrait of a Lady and Eau d' Hiver.

Didn't care for Parfum de Therese at all, but maybe I had a bad sample, I need to order another decant to be sure.

Cologne Bigarade is a very nice citrus.
Angeliques Sous La Pluie, Une Rose and Dans Tres Bras were okay.
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post #22 of 56
7/10/12 at 4:11pm
I vote for Musc Ravageur, and it's the only scent from this house I own. I despise Carnal Flower, sorry. Tuberose in general is not usually a favorite for me, and Carnal Flower has the heaviest tuberose ever, supposedly. I think I will have to buy Une Fleur de Cassie too. I love this as a floral that doesn't make me smell like a bouquet of flowers. There's a naughtiness here that is different and delicious.
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post #23 of 56
7/10/12 at 9:54pm
I have and love Le parfum de Thérèse, Musc Ravageur and En Passant.

Angéliques sous la pluie and Vétiver Extraordinaire are on my wishlist.

I also like Bigarade concentrée, Lipstick Rose and Une Fleur de Cassie.
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post #24 of 56
7/10/12 at 11:13pm
Frederic Malle is my favourite perfume house, to me they offer the highest quality and biggest variety in scents. Anyone remember the brilliant test kit, they've offered in the beginning? When I ordered mine in the beginning of 2003, there were 12 little 5ml size glass spray bottles in one box and although I found them all fascinating, my favourites were at first only Bigarade concentrée (which I've been wearing constantly since then) and Le parfum de Thérèse. The latter I kind of grew out of, although I still find it fascinating. A more recent favourite is Carnal Flower, but I don't get the fridge association, to me it's the sexiest and hottest tuberose scent out there. Angéliques sous la pluie, Portrait of a Lady and Une Rose are the other current ones, I wear. I also love the candles, especially Santal Cardamome.

Cheers
Safran
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post #25 of 56
7/14/12 at 10:11pm
Out of them all, Noir Epices has to be my favorite.

I use it much less than French Lover and Vetiver Extraordinaire and Bigarade Concentree and Portrait of a Lady but it is the most unique in terms of blend.
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post #26 of 56
7/15/12 at 7:33am
My absolute favourite of Frederic Malle is Portrait of a Lady. PoaL is an aristocratic and precise blend of rose, patchouli and Ribes nigrum (blackcurrant - but without the feline note. Stunning longevity.

Noir epices comes second. NE is a cool Nordic beauty: ashblond or brunette with formidable ice gray eyes. Perfect companion for a night at the opera and Wagner's Der Ring des Nibelungen.
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post #27 of 56
7/16/12 at 9:28am
Vetiver Extraordinaire and Iris Poudre The finest warmest, mellowest vetiver I have found (unless they have changed it in the last 3 years) and the most charming, feminine iris floral you would ever find.
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post #28 of 56
9/21/12 at 9:06pm
I own Musc Ravageur and Le Parfum de Thérèse in FB.

I also quite like Portrait of a Lady, Une Rose, En Passant, Lys Méditerranée and Bigarade Concentrée, but none of them are FB worthy.

I ended up rather unimpressed with Carnal Flower, as it is a tad too creamy and bright for my liking. Noir Epicee is a very polarising scent and I need to revisit it again to come to a decision about whether I like it or not. Cassie was absolutely horrid. I think it's highly likely that I'm anosmic towards vetiver, since I don't quite remember how Vétiver Extraordinaire smelt, or for that matter how any vetiver scent smells on my skin. I haven't tried Angéliques Sous La Pluie or Dans Tes Bras, albeit I do own samples of these. Hiver was lacklustre, but then again I rather dislike the iris note in any fragrance.

All in al, the must-smell scents from this line would be Musc Ravageur, Portrait of a Lady, Carnal Flower and EN Passant.
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post #29 of 56
9/21/12 at 9:08pm
Un Jardin Sur Le Nil

& Bois Vanille Pour Homme Extreme
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post #30 of 56
9/22/12 at 7:12am
1. Une fleur de cassie,the more interesting of the line imo, haunting !
2. Lys med (my second best lys)
3. Une rose / vetiver : among the best in their categories (if you are in rose or vetiver you must try them)
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post #31 of 56
1/26/13 at 7:51pm
Musc Ravageur. The drydown is one of the best.
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post #32 of 56
1/26/13 at 9:01pm
VE not bored of it after two years.
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post #33 of 56
1/26/13 at 11:44pm
On me: Vetiver Extraordinaire, Bois d'Orage

On my girlfriend: Une Rose, Le Parfum de Therese

Love these also but prefer them on someone else:

Carnal Flower
Lys Mediterranee
Iris Poudre
Noir Epices

I like all of the rest of them. Dans Tres Bras is unfortunate, but not terrible. Same goes for Outrageous. I don't wear a lot of them but this is a great house, much better than the Creed watercolors.
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post #34 of 56
1/27/13 at 2:16am
For me, Musc Ravageur followed closely by Carnal Flower.

For my husband, French Lover followed loosely by Bigarade Concentree.
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post #35 of 56
1/27/13 at 2:54am
Une Fleur de Cassie by far. From an artistic point of view, the 'funky' floral-skanky smell, the reference mimosa/cassie perfume and its vintage feel and amazing longevity, albeit comfortably moderate sillage.
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post #36 of 56
1/27/13 at 4:47am
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The Bigarade Concentratee and Vetvier Extrodinare look interesting.

I think im going to sample when in London on Friday.
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post #37 of 56
2/10/13 at 1:31pm
Portrait of a Lady. I love it on me because it has strong sillage and longevity, I love the black currant and the roses interplay.
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post #38 of 56
2/10/13 at 2:52pm
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Une Rose for winter, Iris Poudre for spring.
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post #39 of 56
2/13/13 at 6:41pm
I love the whole collection, each fragrance is well crafted and distinct. There are three Malles on my "most worn" list here: Le Parfum de Therese, Geranium Pour Monsieur, and Une Fleur de Cassie. I'm not sure I could single out one as my favorite, but the first two are extremely elegant and versatile, while UFDC is a piece of artistry.
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post #40 of 56
2/15/13 at 4:18pm
For Me: Iris poudre & angelique sous la pluie

I think bois d'orage/french lover is a really elegant sophisticated masculine fragrance.
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post #41 of 56
2/16/13 at 6:49pm
Carnal Flower. The green opening makes me tear up a little bit in a good way. As a fan of tuberose I do love that as well as it's not stifling or overly creamy like Fracas but it's the greeness that gets me.

Cologne Bigarade is amaaazing with the freshly zested citrus opening but IMO beyond that I'm not a fan. It's the cumin.
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post #42 of 56
2/18/13 at 9:53pm
Geranium Pour Monsieur
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post #43 of 56
2/20/13 at 1:21pm
Musc Ravageur and Carnal Flower. You have to ask?
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post #44 of 56
2/20/13 at 1:49pm
They are all excellent, but the one I own so far is Iris Poudre because it is the opposite end of the spectrum of the way I like iris. It is wonderfully executed, sweet and floral. It is as "pretty" as I want to get with iris, and it is a perfect example of what iris can be on that end of the spectrum.
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post #45 of 56
2/23/13 at 9:20pm
My favorite is L'Eau d'Hiver. It's light, transparent, honeyed-heliotrope is clean, calming and introspective all-at-once. One of Jean Claude Ellena's masterpieces.
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post #46 of 56
3/24/13 at 2:42am
I really want to try Portrait of a Lady but cant get a sample. Should I blind buy it? Or maybe someone here can sell me a sample?
My favorite Frederic Malle is french Lover.
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post #47 of 56
3/24/13 at 3:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by pluran View Post

Dans Tres Bras is unfortunate, but not terrible.

Lol Yeah . . . I bought it. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

Gonna meet 'the lady from Malle' tomorrow at the Dries van Noten par FM launch - looking forward to trying this one.
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post #48 of 56
3/24/13 at 7:53am
My favorite is Portrait of a Lady. Something about the way the currant carries the rose is so beautiful, to me, and the longevity is kind of ridiculous. One of the few fragrances that truly holds up over one of my superlong days. Also one of the few where a single spritz can, later in the day, draw comments from further than arm's length.

Carnal Flower is a close second. Can't wear it every day, it overtakes my thoughts. But I love it.
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post #49 of 56
3/24/13 at 9:23pm
Lys Mediterranee, but I wish that it had better longevity.
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post #50 of 56
3/25/13 at 4:20am
Carnal Flower is the best tuberose I've ever tried -- and I've tried just about all of them. I love it. It's amazing.

L'Eau d'Hiver. I blew through a 10 ml travel size of this. I like it better than Apres L"Ondee (heresy, I know). It's such an unusual, addictive scent. Wonderful in hot weather.
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post #51 of 56
3/25/13 at 8:08am
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RHM View Post

Une Rose for winter, Iris Poudre for spring.

I'll add a new found love of Carnal Flower.

The body butters are amazing & can be worn alone. Highly scented & moisturizing without being sticky.

I own the body butter in Un Rose and would love it in Carnal Flower & Iris Poudre.

My next Malle purchase will be En Passant & Vetiver Extraordinaire soap.
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post #52 of 56
3/25/13 at 6:51pm
the whole line of F.Malle is unique and very well well composed

Vetiver Extraordinaire and Carnal Flower are my personal fav, they unique and masterfully made, love it!
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post #53 of 56
3/26/13 at 1:03am
en passant because the acquatic true lilac makes me think of happy summer days when I was little, it is ethereal and beautiful and my fiancée goes all bouncy when i wear it

lipstick rose because it is a true happy scent. it instantly puts you into a good mood, it sparkles softly, is including a good portion of humur ,yet it is classy.

i love it from start to drydown
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post #54 of 56
3/26/13 at 9:28pm
Dans Tes Bras, Noir Epices, Portrait of a Lady and Une Rose are my favorites, but I also enjoy most of them. Did not care for the new Dries Van Noten at all though - sickeningly sweet on me and not to my taste.
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post #55 of 56
3/27/13 at 3:04am
Carnal Flower, a masterpiece.
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post #56 of 56
3/31/13 at 2:54pm
Carnal Flower because it is cool (at first), green (not herbal green),and fresh. I love tuberose.
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