Lost Alice by Masque Milano

What a lovely thing! It’s a stroll through a gathering of bohemians drinking tea, and however bohemian they may be, they still follow strict rules of etiquette. It’s a softer, dustier, and more delicate version of Wonderland, where English and Victorian civilisation predominates over chaos. The perfume is beautiful, like few gourmands I’ve ever smelled. It’s black tea with milk, accompanied by cake and small sandwiches. The guests don’t wear perfume, but talcum powder. The longevity is good, but the sillage is minimal; in my opinion, this makes it more special. I bought a 5ml decant, but I’m tempted to buy the 30ml or 100ml. Every time I wear it, I feel like a character from a book, whether a lady in an Empire dress or a woman who wore trousers before they were accepted, discussing philosophy over a cup of black tea.

This house is an absolute wonder. I bought the discovery set (which is a treat) and I was dying to try them all. WOW, it blew my mind with almost all of them. Lost Alice is exactly what it promises: a fantasy made into perfume, a childish delirium of colours and shapes. It’s sweet and salty, a milky cake of pepper and orris. An olfactory madness that transports you to a parallel world of nonsensical but very pleasant contrasts. You must try it; it’s extremely complex, nothing traditional. It’s novel and groundbreaking, yet not challenging, and I doubt anyone will dislike it. Like a Disney film, it may or may not be your genre, but you can’t deny it’s beautiful. Unisex, though the feminine side feels more drawn to it. The development is intimate, long-lasting but close, like a caress.

My first Masque Milano, blind bought. I chose this over Madeleine because the notes promised something new and the Alice theme had me absolutely floored. The box is matte black with gold lettering and story details in shiny black; the notes are labelled ‘eat me’, ‘drink me’, and ‘smell me’, how cute! The scent is very niche and challenging for someone who has been at this for months: lots of pepper, ambrette musk with a sweaty touch, carrot, and something that hits me hard at the start, I think it’s angelica. The first few minutes reminded me of Baruti’s Dama Koupa; in its dry-down, Lost Alice is how I would have liked Dama Koupa to sound on my skin, without that spiky, metallic fir phase. Then, after half an hour, a creamy orris appears with a sweet, powdery accord just right, soft, like a caress, alongside the black tea, giving it an incredible character. It’s like facing a table with a slice of carrot cake and a cup of tea with a splash of freshly boiled milk. The sandalwood is the cherry on top, like smelling a sweet, tender carrot cream. Sillage and longevity are moderate, but I don’t need more; this type of scent is better when intimate. Wow, fascinated by the tour Lost Alice has given me. Successful blind buy.

I received a decant of this wonder yesterday. Delicious, enigmatic, and unisex. That milky touch mixed with sandalwood and white rose gives it a performance of distinction, ideal to perceive with a glass of wine. Perfect for the evening and cold weather. Excellent longevity, though with moderate projection. If you’re looking for something eccentric, this isn’t it. It is the very definition of niche perfume. Rating: 9.5/10.