Perlmutt

As confusing as the title is, the fragrance is just as bewildering at first. It is truly very complex and a real chameleon among niche perfumes.

The longevity is truly unbeatable and (unfortunately) worth its high price. Just one spray on the décolletage is enough, and the scent lingers for 12 hours. So far, a good impression. If you're curious about the fragrance, then really dose it carefully; one pump is already sufficient. If you overspray, it gives Alien Eau de Parfum a big high five because they perform similarly in terms of heaviness. This is not a direct comparison of the two fragrances, but a high dose is a guarantee for a headache candidate.

Now to the fragrance itself:
The beginning is very smoky, soft, and present. The fog machine that is turned on in the rose garden carries its smoke stealthily among the reserved roses. Is someone hiding in the bushes, nibbling on dark chocolate?!

Ah! Hazelnut, it’s you. The hazelnut behaves very elegantly and is not too sweet. More like a 70% dark chocolate at room temperature. Smells delicious!

The rose remains in the background and is not a classic 0815 rose like the one perceived in "Toy 2 Bubble Gum (Eau de Toilette) | Moschino." More like a washed-out rose that has been told:
Your time is over, but you may continue to perform as a supporting actress. Gladly seen and warmly welcomed.

So now we have the rose garden and the incense fog machine. After the initial flood of scent, the incense transforms into a pleasantly woody note. I’m happy to stay here!

Then comes the leading actress, the pear. The pear struts through this fog Armageddon with a delicious fruit liqueur and provocatively sips from it. This fruity note is the conductor of this scent symphony and gives the entire perfume its character. This component lovingly throws the other ingredients in the face with a dodgeball, sending them to the "bench" where they can still perform quietly. Well played!

Osmanthus & jasmine cheer on the pear but are also just minor supporting actors here. The scent is now dominated by a sweetness that continues to be carried by the incense.
Confidently, the pear takes its place on the throne. And while snacking on vanilla crescents, it relaxes.

The dry down is my personal favorite because all the hustle and bustle that one previously felt in the nose settles down, and the fragrance unfolds finally, showing its mature feminine face.

Your surroundings will perceive the fruity and feminine aura of this perfume, whether you like it or not.

Here, the dose definitely makes the poison. Impulsively, I would recommend it for colder days due to its heaviness. But in low doses, it is an absolute early summer "I'm-wearing-my-first-summer-dress-of-the-year" scent!

It is sold as a unisex fragrance but is extremely feminine in its effect.

This perfume grins at you and says:

Love me or hate me, I don't give a f**!

The thick fog settles over the alpine meadow while the sun is still resting. The earth is wet and still cool from the night. The wind brushes through the grasses and kisses the lily of the valley awake, carrying their scent away. The sun sneaks into the day and slowly awakens the world.

This fragrance is like the feeling of being gently kissed awake. It starts softly, without overwhelming notes. The musk in the opening is fresh, clean, and evokes that "freshly showered and moisturized" feeling. It smells like skin, only better. There is a hint of sunscreen... Amber, is that you? The combination of musk and amber feels rather timeless, but in this fragrance, the two create an incredibly harmonious duo. It radiates a subtle flirtiness.

For a brief moment, really just for milliseconds, I think of Trésor (1990) Eau de Parfum .. the common denominator:
The lily of the valley that announces itself here but still holds back.

It is not an animalistic musk, yet it feels very "close" in its performance and gives the perfume the ultimate feel-good vibe. It’s like a warm hug from someone you care about.

As if that weren't enough, in the next moment, the woody notes break through, freshly cut wood, which does not perform too aggressively because the "fog" and the subtly powdery notes suppress the intensity of the woods. Refined and complex!

The lily of the valley now shows its beauty and radiates a room-filling warmth that lasts for hours. Addictive. The longevity is incredibly good and especially shines in warmer and autumnal temperatures.

Here, Le Labo has truly created a unique masterpiece of seduction, as this fragrance composition stays in memory and stands out completely from the crowd.

Pure love and sensuality in a bottle.

Contre Moi builds a small bridge into the world of elegance. At the beginning, one perceives bergamot and mandarin, truly fine and fresh notes, but not too sour. The scent starts off very bright and luminous.

Once you have crossed the bridge, the citrus notes fade, and many beautiful flowers awaken, as if they had just been waiting at the other end of the bridge. A wonderful atmosphere, rather warmer notes, very elegant and inviting. No headache-inducing scent. A very present aura.

The intensity of the flowers diminishes, yet this hint of elegance remains ever-present.
The vanilla in this fragrance is very understated and refined. However, it continues to hold its ground and forms the foundation for the floral bouquet. Only upon closer contact, like in an embrace, does one truly perceive it.

I perceive this scent as very feminine and mature. A sophisticated and complex perfume.

I can't quite understand why this fragrance is rated so poorly here. But that's okay and shows once again how individual and sensitive our smelling and perception systems are.

For me, the scent begins with a subtly plush note that is very soft, pleasantly soft. This is carried on with a hint of vanilla... Strange? Vanilla is not listed in the fragrance pyramid?

With a lightly floating sweetness, this fragrance settles on the skin; you smell somehow naked and freshly creamed. Warm and sweet, but not too sweet. Almost like a salted caramel bonbon, but with significantly less sugar.

The sweetness fades, and I am soon enveloped by woods. The combination of freshly creamed and warm woods reminds me of "This Is Her! | Zadig & Voltaire," but in a more elegant, mature form. So, you are the big sister of "This Is Her! | Zadig & Voltaire," at least your relationship cannot be disputed. You seem to share the same sandalwood DNA. But it is perfect.

This perfume is great as an everyday scent, but also for going out when layered with another fragrance. My personal tip:

A pinch of Molecule 01 combined with "Faith For Fantasy | Philly & Phill" and voilà: the perfect evening companion with a touch of sexy.

Is this perfume worth its price? Not really, as €196 is a challenge for such a fragrance that convinces more subtly.

Has this perfume made it into my collection? Definitely! Because I find this scent very pleasant, mature, and seductive. The factor of smelling like freshly creamed after a shower also plays an important role here.

This scent is definitely a main character that elegantly but very assertively sneaks into the foreground.

I tested this fragrance at my trusted perfumery by spraying it on my wrists, and I have never received compliments from strangers so quickly. I wore it while shopping, and the cashier approached me, and I extended my wrist to her. Enchanted, a bit like catnip for cats.

A scent that definitely makes you addicted.

At first, you perceive this sweet opening of apple rings and cinnamon. Almost like a delicious syrup.

It radiates a certain warmth. Too warm for summer days, but perfect for colder temperatures, as this scent wraps around you like a beautiful scarf.

The cinnamon notes are subtle and not overpowering.

After a sweet start, the fragrance settles a bit more and gains depth... is that rum? Whisky? Ah! Cognac, I’ve found you.

Woody notes then underline the still present softened sweetness... what do you remind me of? Roasted almonds, you smell like Christmas! A walk through the Christmas market.

This scent is for confident women who are not shy about standing out. This perfume is by no means shy and definitely has very attractive and feminine nuances due to its sweetness. A head-turner.

You are my grand prize for winter. You are my bag of roasted almonds at the Christmas market.