FREDERIC MALLE: Which one is the best?

[30 Roses]

When I had read your post, I immediately googled Les Senteurs, having some kind of euphoria that I finally might have found a shop with "normal" prices that sell FM samples.

Now I see their samples do not have a spray

Any easy problem to solve, though-- we decant our non-spray samples into 2.5 ml atomizers that we buy from accessories for fragrances.com. Sure, costs a bit, but I've found that if a perfume is sold as a spray, I need to test it by spraying it on, as the effect from dabbing will not be the same.

[Jock_With_Scents]

Being someone who does enjoy the line for the most part, I actually kind of agree with that. I guess I would call them "precise" rather than "soulless and clinical" ...and I think that's what I like about them. They're designed with certain goals in mind, as far as notes and themes, and they achieve those goals with astonishing efficiency and accuracy.

Anyway, I like Vetiver Extraordinaire, French Lover and Bigarade Concentree the most so far. I would like Angeliques Sous la Pluie a lot more if it was a bit stronger. Have not tried Carnal Flower yet.

OK souless was harsh, but I stand by clinical. Can I replace souless with methodical?

[teger]

If I had to choose one it would undoubtedly be Bigarade Concentree. Bitter oranges combine with rose and hay to produce an light, long lasting, and surprisingly sensual fragrance. You could use an entire bottle, and it wouldn't overbear. One of Jean-Claude Ellena's finest works.

Aside from BC I enjoy and own Bois d'Orage (French Lover), Carnal Flower, and Vetiver Extraordinaire. Sold my bottle of Noir Epices as I couldn't endure the vapid combination of orange, aldehydes and spices.

[Sensual]

My only memorable experience was with Musc Ravageur. It wasn't fitting for me, personally, but I remember the uncanny ability to detect every single note. Not sure if that was totally due to its design or if the method of testing had an effect (the sales associate sprays a bit into this walk-in tube, about the size of a phone booth, the fragrance gets dispersed, then you walk in).

Avoid buying a lot of this particular fragrance, blindly. Due to its balance, I can imagine this frag developing in many different ways depending on the individual. It might not work on you.

I don't doubt the quality, it just wasn't good for me.

[Suppressor]

Any easy problem to solve, though-- we decant our non-spray samples into 2.5 ml atomizers that we buy from accessories for fragrances.com. Sure, costs a bit, but I've found that if a perfume is sold as a spray, I need to test it by spraying it on, as the effect from dabbing will not be the same.

I totally agree.
But indeed, when you need to order atomizers next to your samples, it's getting quite expensive.

I am really wondering why these companies don't use spray samples.
Is there any logic behind it?

[teger]

I totally agree.
But indeed, when you need to order atomizers next to your samples, it's getting quite expensive.

I am really wondering why these companies don't use spray samples.
Is there any logic behind it?

Because it's slightly cheaper and a lot of people don't know any better. I'd be willing to bet customers use atomizer samples faster. That in itself may boost sales.

That said, I would much rather have a 1.5-2ml vial of fragrance for $5/£3 (les sentuers), which you can then decant into your 50¢ 2.5ml atomizers, than the $5 1ml atomizers / $3-4 .7ml vials at luckyscent.

If you buy samples often, it's a small difference that would add up to a bottle.

[Hasupk@gmail.com]

Personally for the most part the house is overpriced, but, if I had to choose one, it would be Musc Ravageur
I decant a lot of fragrances, and whenever MR is one of them, it is the only one that I can smell. It just dominates with this sweet animilic spiciness that gets addictive if your not careful!

[chocolateguy]

Malle has so many good scents. But if you wanna pick one first scent for you, I think Musc Ravageur is what you will like. It smell like sex in the first 2 hours, and then, cinnamon and vanille makes this scent smell so romantic and lovely.

[Kevin Guyer]

I owned a bottle of Musc Ravageur, I loved it the moment I first smelled it. After about a month I felt out of love and sold it. I found it well made, but a bit monotonous.

[volley2]

Interesting comments. Thank you all guys! Well, hopefully my MR sample arrives soon.

[Killer_Vavoom]

I don't understand that Geranium Pour Monsieur! I tried to appreciate it but failed miserably. I had to confront myself with the truth that I'm not the connoisseur I thought I was. It smells just like the 10-dollar geranium essential oil I have. All those nuances are wasted on me. The awesomeness that is only felt by the 'nose' people seems to skate over me *tears are falling*

It was created by Ropion, right! Ehhhh... Maybe in another life I will be able to heed its genius.

FM has many great scents, nonetheless. My most fave is Musc Ravageur.

[Larimar]

I fully understand how you feel about Geranium Pour Monsieur. I too have the essential oil of rose geranium and it is cheap, yes! I like the chill it gives me, but unfortunately it is very short-lived on me and altogether not complex or outstanding enough. Not even mentioning the price tag.

[supperman]

Well, I never tried geranium, so Geranium pour Monsieur was my first, and it was very barbershop for me, which I'm not so keen on.

My top 3 are Musc Ravageur, French Lover and Noir Epices. I would definitely suggest that you try everything first, because you're looking at fragrances where the notes are really accentuated, for example tuberose in Carnal Flower. When I first tried it, I felt like I was hit by a tuberose bomb, and Parfum de Terese was like a super intense Diorella. As much as they got much praise here, and I can see why they are so loved, but I just could not take them.

[volley2]

Hey supper, thank you for the input! =)

[lovecraft]

I feel like each may be a different 'person'. Some I dislike greatly. I prefer Noir Epices, and I prefer it above most other perfumes. To me, it smells faintly evil, in the best possible way. Like witchcraft should smell......! But a rather expensive bad date if you pick the wrong one...

[volley2]

Hi Lovecraft! Welcome to basenotes!

I got the Musc Ravageur in the end and loving it! Noir Epices is a very interesting frag. If I would get another bottle from the Malle line, it could be Noir Epices, who knows?!?

[SculptureOfSoul]

I agree with JWS assessment that the scents are methodical (Outrageous excepted, although I suppose it could be argued that it's methodical in how hard it is trying to be different). That's not a bad thing, per se, but it is a house style and that isn't going to jive with everyone. It's just like how Bond has a house style that many people here dislike. I'd try sampling a number of them first. They actually tend to be fairly simple scents on the conceptual level, but they are executed very well and with great ingredients.

[Oslo-Fjord]

In this ranking:

1. Musc Ravageur
2. Vetiver Extraordinaire
3. Noir Epices

[Chasing the Dragon]

My vote goes to Geranium pour Monsieur. There is no better, more masculine mint that this, IMHO.

[DULLAH]

Bois D'Orage

[Fullbuster]

I love L'Eau d'Hiver. It's a light air, milky almond and refreshing, kind of a morning scent. Easy for daily wear, comparing to some heavy and unique Frederic Malle frags. It's another Jean Claude Ellena's creation, so expect the minimalist masterpiece yet perfection.

Other Frederic Malle's perfume came close to be my fav. are: Musc Ravageur and Le Parfum de Therese.
Anyway, all perfumes from this line are also worth trying.

[deleted]

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[Kevin Guyer]

I approach Frederic Malle's line the way you go looking for artists in a museum......One doesn't have to like everything but one ought to sample each and everyone of them.....

I agree. However, IMHO, this rarefied presentation creates an air of pretentiousness that can really put the kibosh on all the potential fun. As a result, the only ones I've connect with so far are the vulgar Musk Ravageur and the rakish Boisd'Orage/French Lover.

[mrclmind]

If you contact Frederic Malle, they will send you samples... you don't need to buy blind or based solely on recommendations from Basenotes.

[deleted]

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[Kevin Guyer]

It is all a matter of how one approaches things, perfumes in this instance. This is simply my take on them, which is a byproduct of my way of doing things.
And one's idea of fun maybe light years away from others' views.
Variability of expression makes this world diverse, doesn't it?

I certainly didn't mean to offend you and hope I don't come off sounding like a philistine. I do, wholeheartedly, agree with you. After 6 years at an art school, resulting in an MFA, I can still experience joy and, at times, fun visiting an art exhibition.

[30 Roses]

On the issue of samples, although it has been posted recently, it bears repeating that Aedes now carries Malle and they do have a sampling program-- 7 samples for $15 postage included (see: http://www.aedes.com/samples.php.)

Granted that Aedes-decanted samples are small vials, whereas Malle's own samples are 2 ml sprays, but still it's a way to sample that doesn't break the bank.

[sym]

If you contact Frederic Malle, they will send you samples... you don't need to buy blind or based solely on recommendations from Basenotes.

Be prepared to drop €20 for 3 samples

[dumdidum]

I own MR and would actually consider it relatively safe.
A great, well behaved sensual oriental that almost anyone will appreciate who likes cinnamon, vanilla, musk and sweet frags in general.

I dont yet want to recommend on others as I have to revisit this line myself, last samplings were over a year ago.

+1. If you like orientals, this is a pretty save bet. Especially good for the evening. I haven't sampled any other Malle fragrances and therefore cannot say which one would be the best for me, but consider this to be really really well made. You'll probably end up with a bottle anyway .

[Roc_Xel]

One of my fav line. My order among the ones I own would be

1. Carnal Flower (Holy grail)


2. Une rose
3. Vetiver Extraordinaire
4. Iris poudré
5. French Lover
6. Musc Ravageur
7. Fleur de Cassie
8. Lys