Madeleine Parfumerie Particulière

…a beautiful woman. Even though her alabaster skin had lost some of its youthful freshness, one could not get enough of her aristocratic features. Next to her perfectly curved lips and sweet little upturned nose, it was especially her eyes that captivated you. There were days when they appeared more blue…on other days rather gray…and then there were days when he could have sworn they were purple…as purple as the heliotrope blooming in the garden.
While she poured Earl Grey into his cup, she looked at him with those purple eyes, framed by long, black eyelashes. God, how much he loved this woman. She drove him crazy. He knew that she no longer loved him…and that it was his fault that this love had faded over the years. But he couldn't help but constantly check on her…and yes…it was also difficult for him to keep his jealousy in check. Why did she always have to provoke him…“is that an almond cake?” he asked her as she served him a piece on a dessert plate. “No, what makes you think that?”…“it smells like almonds and lemons here”…“oh no. That must be my new fragrance, do you like it?” She sat down opposite him and poured herself some tea as well. “Aha, that’s already your third new fragrance in a very short time. I’m just wondering if collecting fragrances has become your new hobby or if your interest lies more with the young man who recently started working at Madame Julie’s perfumery.” She paused briefly in her movement and set the teapot down on the table…“You mean Raoul? A really interesting young man. He studies pharmacy and makes some money on the side at Madame Julie’s”…“Oh really, you’re already on a first-name basis” he felt anger boiling up inside him and clenched his fists…“I beg you, why do you always have to overreact like this? Have I ever given you a reason to be jealous? I have always been faithful to you!!!”. She grabbed her cigarette case and went to the window. With trembling fingers, she lit one. “Madeleine! Please forgive me, you know I don’t mean it that way and no, you have always been faithful to me. How foolish of me to think that such a young man could be interested in you. After all, you’re not exactly the youngest anymore. Come my darling, don’t be angry with me, the tea will get cold and I can hardly wait to try that delicious cake.” She turned back to him and while she took a drag from her cigarette, she watched her husband eat the cake. Soon she would finally be free. Free from him and his pathological jealousy, his need for control, and the constant humiliations. Free for Raoul, who did everything for her, even getting the cyanide for her…

I can understand why Madeleine is referred to as toxic, as there are two components that are toxic…bitter almond and heliotrope. On me, the almond is noticeable from the beginning to the end, and the heliotrope makes it wonderfully vanilla-like, soft. I find the bergamot interesting in it, which, although not dominant at all, is still present and gives the whole thing a slightly fresher feel. I don’t know if it’s due to the musk or if I’m imagining it…but I have the feeling that after a while the fragrance actually settles on my taste buds, as unusual as that may sound…and I perceive a bitter taste in my mouth. Nevertheless, it’s a fantastic fragrance that makes the wearer appear both attractive and distant…

By the way, I was inspired to write this little story by Can's comment, who kindly sent me a sample of this perfume, many thanks for that ;-)