Opsomming: Part of a series of bargain fragrance recommendations that review scents for $35 US or less, Burani’s 2001 Messages is a surprisingly daring take on green pepper, iris and tonka bean.
Jy sal graag hierdie as jy wil: Iris, vanielje, orientals; sweeter gourmand fragrances or unusual note pairings.
Notas: Red Pepper, Green Pepper, Kardemom, Coriander, Star Anise, Iris, Helio troop, Acacia, Ingrediënt, Sandelhout, Tonka boon, Sweet Sultan, Musk.
Price: 3.4 OZ CEST Spray: Retail price – $75; Discount price – Van $35 US via Perfume Station at Amazon.com
Die Bottom Line: Oor 4 years ago I tried the men’s version of Messages, a warm, herbal brew of vetiver, legende, and patchouli. I’m not sure why, but I never thought to consider the women’s version. Fast forward to 2007, and I found myself exploring the fragrances of Mariella Burani, a highly under-rated and little known Italian designer (here in the states, at least). As I was re-reading info about Messages for Men, I decided to check out the women’s scent. WHOA! Take a look at those notes! Pepper! Star Anise! IRIS! Ingrediënt! This stuff reads as if it was made especially for me. Having recently become enchanted by the green pepper in L’Artisan’s Piment Brulant (green pepper and chocolate), I figured “How could this be bad?” I love Burani’s Eau Rosee and the original and sadly discontinued Mariella (does anyone know where I can find this?), so I figured I would give it a shot. When it arrived, it was love at first spray.
Here’s my take on why this scent was never popular – it’s a tad bit masculine, but is housed in a decidedly feminine bottle. Nou, I’m the first to avoid gender associations at any cost, but it’s true, the bottle gives the impression of a white floral, when this is actually a unisex, oriental gourmand. Messages for women seems to be a scent with a severe identity issue! On my skin the dewy sweetness of the green pepper melds with the white, poeieragtige (and no, there’s not an aldehyde in site, thank goodness) notes of iris, heliotrope, star anise, and vanilla. The entire composition rests on a very tame base of musk and sandalwood (I don’t get the patchouli at all here). This reminds me quite a lot of L’Artisan’s Piment, but with more depth, lasting power, and the magic of iris and vanilla. The inclusion of sweet sultan even adds a hint of cocoa.
Om af te sluit, get on over to Amazon and buy this. I would go so far as to suggest that this one would be hard to hate. And a note to the gentlemen: Don’t let that bottle dissuade you – buy the scent and decant it into something plain if you must. The women’s Messages is not nearly as dark and stereotypically masculine as the men’s version (which in my opinion is a throwback to the days of Antaeus and Yatagan), but if you love iris, vanielje, or green pepper, this one is a must-try!
Verwante poste:
Dankie Marlen! I’ve always enjoyed reading your bargain fragrances.