Oriflame Mirage: fragrance review

One of the few and far in between fragrances composed by Françoise Caron for Oriflame (as per the company's official info), Mirage had the stunning visuals to turn heads even before smelling its intense "magical broth" scent. The intensely green bottle and the red-haired heroine representing it, dressed in emerald flowing gowns (red enhancing the green) had me salivating even before holding the lovely rollerball vials they used to make and trying it on my own skin with all the apprehension reserved for ritualized experiences.

This most striking of colors, green being the color of horror movies and sorceresses' brews, is taken for a wild ride in Mirage. The peppery, mysterious and lush smell of vetiver and sticky, sweetly spicy peppery resins engulf its core of dark, gothic rose with thorns attached. One can almost feel the ache of those "pricked thumbs" and the foreboding of [the] "wicked [which] our way comes" as per Macbeth's second witch's famous lines. But unlike Lady Macbeth you won't long to wash it off your hands, if it catches your heart. And it very well might, unless you're of the gourmands and fruity florals brigade, in which case step away like hordes of Huns are stampeding down your path.

Unusual for Oriflame fragrances Mirage was very potent and with a high sillage, making it a true love-it-or-hate-it perfume. And I say "was" because it is discontinued. In the hopes of having it re-introduced, even under another name, I am writing this elegy of its emerald-hued heart of darkness.

Heeley Hippie Rose: new fragrance

James Heeley needs no introduction to perfume enthusiasts; some of his creations like Cardinal or Esprit du Tigre are considered cult favourites thanks to their unusual inspiration and technical merit. His newest launch is Hippie Rose, a perfume all "peace and love", inspired by India and the hippy movement, so you know it's got patchouli in it. But not only! "Californian desert breeze, Himalayn temples atmosphere and long shiny hair on bronzed skin" is how he supplements his vision.

Notes for Hippie Rose by Heeley:
Top: bergamot, green musk
Heart: Bulgarian rose, patchouli
Base: incense, Haitian vetiver, amber, musk




Hippie Rose will be available in Eau de Parfum 100ml.

news via extrait.it