My encounter with this fragrance was more of a coincidence. I had to return a fragrance to my trusted perfumery in downtown Frankfurt. Still freshly sealed, unfortunately I had grown tired of it after bottling, I received a credit note and, as always, was well supplied with new fragrances and bottlings (after several tests).
Fully loaded, I went back to test everything new that I had liked in the store at first go.
The next day, it was the turn of
Musc de Soie. My skepticism towards newer and more modern fragrances and fragrance directions can be found in detail in my review of
Safran Musc.
And what happened? The ladies ran after me. Well, not like in the movie - but I was approached (and that happens very rarely in this country). What is that...that would be so pleasant.
Wow, I thought. So let's take a closer look in medias res:
At first, I found the fragrance fresh. More precisely, fresh and powdery. Cashmeran, ambroxan, benzoin, aldehydes and co. always worry me a little - I'm incredibly picky when it comes to synthetics in fragrances.
I know the fabrics are always mostly synthetic these days - but if it smells like that, I'm out immediately!
The fragrance is neither synthetic nor artificial, nor do you get that impression throughout the fragrance! That's already wonderful.
The fragrance opens fresh and powdery. The style of the fragrance reminds me a little (without iris) of
L'Homme. Which, because I don't like iris, I don't like either, but the fresh powdery notes, not feminine sweet-powdery but fine and fresh, go in a similar direction.
The fragrance is not only fresh - not refreshing (don't confuse!) - it also has a progression. Over time, the fragrance becomes soapy. But soft-soapy, I would say silky-soapy!
Apparently it's supposed to be silk on bare skin; personally, I (frankly) don't wear it that way myself and don't plan to (as of now).
But I actually don't find this metaphorical comparison so inappropriate or far-fetched.
Where was I? Soapy, exactly. But not soapy in the sense of grandpa's aftershave á la
Paco Rabanne pour Homme Eau de Toilette or
New York Intense (which also always reminds me of a frustrated Carry Bradshore, but that's for another post).
It's a very, very fine French soap that you wash yourself with and that leaves you smelling fresh-clean-powdery-fine-freshly-washed all day long.
More freshly washed than freshly laundered, in my opinion.
To put it bluntly: simply deliciously pleasant
The fragrance is soft. Absolutely unisex.
Here I even read feminine and rather feminine. Honestly : No!
Men, take it. Smell it. That's how a man should smell.
I find all those sweet plonks from princess vases that they pour over the lords of creation much more feminine (and much more annoying too, but that's another topic).
This one envelops the wearer in a fresh cloud of the finest French soap. A visit to a fine Florentine, springtime in Tuscany or strolling through the alleyways of Florence in May, style, elegance, beauty, aesthetics, timelessness - all of these come to mind.
Not loud, not prolo! But present and potent, underlining the personal aura and personality.
A visit to the French barber and the pleasant, soapy, subtle scent in your nose all day long.
But be careful - 3/4 sprays are enough here, otherwise it may be too much for the office in a closed room or towards spring or summer.
This is not quite so dramatic in winter.
The fragrance can already have steam.
But dosed appropriately, the fragrance (as described) is wonderful.
And besides, if you want to smell like this and like this fragrance, you don't need the overdose!
Top Notes 
Aldehydes
Neroli
Heart Notes 
White musk
Cashmeran
Iris
Base Notes 
Sandalwood
Benzoin
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