![PetitePinup]()
PetitePinup
7
Original, lovely, but no safe blind buy
In the last 15 years my perfume collection has certainly changed - ageing, different skin chemistry and different interests contributed to that, but Molecule 01 is one of the handful that remains from my early to mid 2000s stash.
And with good reason. While TikTok and YouTube is en messe raving about the originality of Juliette has a Gun - Not a Perfume we older youngsters (or younger oldies) and/or the informed/researchers know they're not as original as they'd like to be. With Molecule 01 and in 2008 Molecule 02 (Ambroxan like JHAG) they were first in the "one note fragrance" biz.
I remember it well. One of the better known perfume stores in my country had an Amouage & scent note intro course night and I ran to the opportunity of learning new things. While I didn't learn that much - other than understanding I'd never be able to afford Amouage - the docent of the evening told me I "would be ideal for this new polarising fragrance with just one synthetic note". Some could smell it, some couldn't. Some could smell it on others, not themselves or vice versa. Intrigued I let him spray me and the rest is history.
Not only can I smell it, but most can smell it ON me and when wearing it I always get compliments - men and women, young and old. That particular evening I had half the town hanging in my neck. I haven't been pawed like that since...
I'm usually more of a Floriental, Amber Floral, Chypre or even Fruity-floral gal (gourmand rarely) and shun freshies and unisex, so Molecule 01 changed the game for me.
Not only can I smell it on myself and will I suddenly get an extra strong whiff during the day, but the scent seems to develop during said day and also change with the seasons. I prefer it most on moderate summer days and warmer spring ones, but it's definitely yummy in colder months too.
The scent ranges from fresh laundry, to a spicy wood, from sweet creamy cedar to a musky, almost vanillic touch on its own. Layered with, imho preferably a floral or Fruity-floral, other fragrances Molecule 01 enhances the other perfume or creates a wonderful marriage where a new fragrance emerges. I used to love to combine it with Lempicka's Fleur Defendue and have now found a worthy partner in Libre Intense. I am eager to try out a relationship with the Middle Eastern fragrances coming my way. And if I can ever find an affordable truly good vanilla or luscious jasmine perfume I'll definitely give it the Ol" M01 try.
Longevity of this perfume is amazing and with my dry perfume eating skin that's no mean feat to begin with. On some days it's even as if Molecule becomes stronger the longer I wear it, only to go back to normal after 6hrs and then taking a few extra hours to slowly fade to a skin scent afterwards. But... even when you think you've lost projection/sillage you can suddenly get a "cloud" of Molecule 01 in your nose, almost out of nowhere, reminding you he isn't gone at all. All in all, it definitely lingers and on clothing it can be a matter of days. In winter, if I put on my fragrance just before going outside, my scarf catches "the brunt" and the wool will keep its soft Molecule 01 flavour for 2 to 3 days. Because it's such a great layering scent and I've never known one to dislike it I never mind that.
As for sillage... I'm thinking moderate - about an armslength up to 2 meters based on the comments. Because I'm quite chill in my sprays, unless a fragrance is really too soft for me and I need to double down to keep it for a few hours, I don't think my sillage is that heavy-duty. However, most people do notice it when I walk by and my previous downstairs neighbour always knew immediately when I wore it when I opened my door and she was on the outside doorstep (that's a separation about the length of an NBA player lying on the ground).
I do like the bottle, the very sleek simple design with the I000II0 numbers and just Molecule 01 in small silver lettering and on the back silver/ black bubbles conveying molecules in a liquid shining through to the front. It's a masculine design, but I like it and it suits the scent and brand. (I really want to try their other perfumes, especially now that they've added 1 flower note to the ISO.) However the nozzle and spray are somewhat...challenging. My travel/refill package 30ml was okay, but the 100ml bottles seem to have a rather - almost - singular spray instead of a fine mist. No idea if I've been just unlucky with the larger bottles, but it makes it harder to get the amount right and I just don't like it. I want my Hugo Boss/Zara nozzles! Those are so so fine and soft... sigh. But that's about the only thing wrong with Escentrics' number 1.
Would I recommend it? As a blind buy, definitely not. But I do recommend for a sample/decant. Molecule 01 needs to be tested and at least 24-48hrs experienced before you pull the trigger on it. Depending on your skin chemistry and even your olfactory senses you'll know how it'll smell, if you're anosmic to it or will become so fast, or if you can smell it and get a nice or even divine scent out of it.
For me it's a keeper. If it was a man I'd marry him. For now I'll leave that up to my other fragrances.