Mauboussin by Mauboussin

I agree with the others’ descriptions of the notes, but not their interpretation. It is true that it’s heavy, enveloping, and even dizzying, but it suits me perfectly on sunny, hot days, thanks to the patchouli. It transports me to a corner of San Francisco or Los Angeles in 1968, with all that dense, overwhelming atmosphere of the era. When I put on Maboussin and ‘Hush’, and step out onto the street, I feel like I might bump into Rick Dalton, or even better, Cliff Booth.

A nocturnal winter aroma, a blend of Myrurgia’s Maja, Magno soap, and Shalimar with an extra touch of plum. Very long-lasting but not invasive. Not for daily wear or the office; it’s not sweet, youthful, or clean. I perceive more wood and fruit than flowers. I’m drawn to dark scents, although finding occasions to wear them is difficult. Given its good price, it’s worth buying even if just to wear it at home in pyjamas and a dressing gown, purely for personal enjoyment. In short, it’s very good, but not for everyone’s taste.

I bought it blind after being fascinated by a sample of ‘L’Histoire d’eau’ that I have half-finished, with just two drops, and it’s incredible. It’s potent, warm but not cloying or intrusive. Being by the same perfumer as ‘L’Histoire d’eau’ and seeing an offer, I didn’t hesitate. Few scents are as indescribable and addictive as Mauboussin’s. It literally caught me; I use it even to sleep. I love it and it has entered my list of favourites, although it’s very particular and not for gifting.

I bought it for the notes and the good reviews and I can’t stand it. Very rarely have I been so wrong, but it was a total failure; I hate it, it gives me a headache and makes me feel unwell, even nauseous. I don’t perceive fruit or almost any flowers, just a rose that would have been in water for too long, rotting, with that repulsive sweetness of things in a bad state, bathed in an oppressive amber. I don’t know if it’s good or bad; I can’t be impartial because I can’t stand it. It will stay in my collection only as long as it takes me to gift it; I don’t even want it as a room spray.

A totally different fruity amber perfume from everything I own. I was wondering if I should buy it, thinking it would be too vintage. While it doesn’t give me that vibe, it’s a particular scent that I don’t feel is for everyone, and you’ll have to try it before deciding. For some reason, fleetingly, it makes me think of Dana’s Tabú, which shares notes, in a fruity version. At first, the plum stands out, but the king is the peach, which appears a bit later. In the base, amber and patchouli stand out, the latter quite prominent. The floral part is led by ylang-ylang, which adds sweetness. In the dry down, although not listed, I sense something animal that isn’t unpleasant but rather cosy. There’s also a hint of smokiness. It feels dense, resinous, slightly talc-like, warm and sweet. It has moderate-to-notable sillage, very consistent, and a skin longevity of over 12 hours. Perfect for autumn and winter, cosy at home but wearable for going out. Scent 7/10, Longevity 10/10, Sillage 8.5/10, Value for money 8.5/10, Versatility 7/10, Packaging 5/10. Would I buy it again? Probably yes.

Love at first sniff. Spiced, enveloping, long-lasting and warm. The Fragrantica notes are present, but the whole is DIVINE. I chose it because of the creator (Cristina Nagel) of my perfumery avatar, Fendi’s Theorema, which disappeared years ago, and for its declared longevity. Blindly… and by divine providence, I got it right. I let it rest for two weeks and applied it for the first time yesterday. It lasted about three hours outdoors and then would reappear intermittently with the movement of my head or the breeze. Given the price and lack of media hype, this beauty is a joy to enjoy.

I wonder how it’s possible for such an exquisite scent to have so few reviews. I’ve been mentally wallowing in pleasure for almost six hours, like a cochineal in a warm mud puddle. What a lovely thing… It doesn’t reach the magnitude of original Poison and Lou Lou, but its sensuality and mystery are up to the mark. Mauboussin is capable of transforming the mood, empowering and lifting the body regardless of whether you are modest or your age. A drop makes you feel like Mae West, who never needed a grandmother or anyone to do her favours. Am I 85 years old, with a boxer’s face and a waist like a Mahou barrel? It refreshes me because there is no one like me (of magnificent quality). And you can already get down on your knees, little lamb. Like the previous ones, it opens with juicy, lubricious plums that push the citrus out of the way. It continues with a medicinal syrup nuance, between sweet and bitter, fascinating, born of ylang-ylang, vanilla and peach, the latter nothing innocent, but sharp and aggressive (and how much I like it…). The rose shows up delicately without pretensions and culminates with a magnificent vanilla-woody talciness. The base alchemy is superb. It seems like an updated version of Bill Blass’s Basic Black, boosting amber and vanilla while removing cloves and honey. I agree with mitsouko19: it doesn’t feel like Cyprus; it’s fruity, floral, and very ambered. Over the years, I’ve increased my desire for powerful perfumes, and Mauboussin is showy and nothing if not ungentle, so it has the potential to generate loves, hates, or love-hate. But indifferent, it won’t leave anyone untouched. If you are bold and like strong emotions, it’s for you.

I was looking for a perfume similar to Le Secret d’Arielle from this brand, Mauboussin, that wasn’t so expensive. This was the second one I saw on Amazon; I read the mostly positive reviews and decided. On my skin, it doesn’t last long, but that usually happens with many perfumes; on clothes, yes, with Le Secret d’Arielle it’s one of the few that lasts all night and leaves a trail. When I put it on, I note the plum aroma, which I don’t dislike, but it’s the most noticeable. After about half an hour, I start to notice the amber with lily notes, but on my skin it’s an illusion because it lasts so little. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve read reviews in other languages saying the current perfume has nothing to do with the original, as they always change formulas for the worse; others say they last up to six hours, but this isn’t it. Perhaps the very low price is the dilemma, since the Secret one is triple the cost, though that doesn’t mean it lasts longer on other people. It’s a pity because I like its aroma. The colour is dark, not light.

Floral fruity with an amber base, nothing as dry as a classic chypre. Sweet without being cloying: the plum balances the bergamot and mandarin. The flowers shine with a happy, serene luminosity in the heart, which then sweetens with more plum before closing with amber. I don’t detect patchouli or cedar; perhaps they fled before the perfume vanished. I only notice a powdery touch at the end, like a lily bulb. 3.5/4. This is the original EDP; if not for the short longevity (under six hours), the rating would be higher. In this revised edition, it is very interesting. Edit: the original was brandy-coloured, now it’s pale, but the bottle still has an iridescent sheen.