I am rarely in a mood for vanilla. I am always in a mood for a fragrance that is masterfully built on an interesting contrast. In Micallef's Vanille Aoud, the contrast is announced right in the name. The sweet, milky innocence of vanilla is juxtaposed with the dry, dark sensuality of aoud. Vanilla turns aoud into a mouthwatering delicacy, while aoud turns vanilla into "the little deadly demon among the wholesome" vanillas.It is a very simple scent, all there is to it are two accords intertwining: one toffee-like, creamy and childish, the other slightly spicy, woody and the very opposite of innocent. A touch of citrus adds fresh tangyness to the blend that otherwise could have been too sweet. I would compare Vanille Aoud to a less saccharine and much lighter Matin Calin mixed with oud. It is a "not a girl not yet a woman" kind of perfume, the kind to which one feels almost ashamed to be attracted and yet can't help but be enthralled.
This Dolores Haze of a scent seems to be one of the newest Micallef creations and will be available at Luckyscent in the near future.
Image source is unknown, and I would be grateful if somebody could tell me who is the author of this photo of Natalya Vodyanova.
Hmmm...."the little deadly demon among the wholesome" - how could I possibly resist adding this to my awkwardly growing collection of gourmands? :-)
ReplyDeleteThat's a perfect Lolita image of NV.
Ах ты Гумберта... )
ReplyDeleteL,
ReplyDeleteMine is also awkward and is also growing at a slow but still scary scale :-)
Анонимм,
ReplyDeleteЯ в восхищении :-), что ты опознал коннотации.
Ну уж, прямо обижаешь меня! )
ReplyDeleteНу недооценила, недооценила :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are all about the aouds -- and in the middle of summer! Love the Lolita metaphor...
ReplyDeleteHow does it compare to White Aoud?
Dare I hope that my local boutique will be carrying these new Micallefs? I am pretty sure I will really like this one! I adore both vanilla and oud, so I am eager to experience the combination.
ReplyDeleteWell, you have persuaded me that I will have to try Micallef Note Vanillee, but this is clearly not for me.:)
ReplyDeleteWith word verification "SILWS", your Vanille Aoud is clearly calling out to me ! Must try it. I love MM's Note Vanille and it's on my forever growing birthday wish list + I am a big oud fan, so this sounds like an irresistible combo. I don't think I no longer qualify as a vanilla hater since there are at least 3 ones I lust after (SDV, Le Labo's and Note Vanille): what is happening to me !!!???
ReplyDeleteI think this sounds delicious. I know this is sacriligious (or something) but all I get in 'White Aoud' is the dry medicinal note, I can't seem to detect the flowers at all. Maybe I'm anosmic to something in the blend. I find it comforting on occsion, but often a little too stark for my tastes. This, on the other hand, might be right up my alley - with a touch of vanillic sweetness to contrast with the aoud.
ReplyDeleteAlyssa,
ReplyDeleteIt is not rose-heavy like white aoud, is "lighter" in feel and less oudy.
Donna,
ReplyDeletei think you will love it and I hope they do carry it!
J,
ReplyDeleteI don't think it is for you either, but NV is a must try because of its smokiness.
Silvia,
ReplyDeleteThat was a sign! :-)
Whatever is it that is happening to you is happening to me too. Scary stuff :-)
Mimi,
ReplyDeleteI think that, if White Oud was too oud heavy for you (which is what, I believe, the dry medicinal thing is), then this might really suit you much better.
I think I may have found my godchild's b-day gift!
ReplyDeleteTom,
ReplyDeleteHow old is she turning? I think it might be perfect for any age though, 12 to 112 :-)
Want. Micallef is a bit of a step out of my price range & I was lucky enough to find a split of Note Vanille. It's gorgeous on me in winter. The contrast of this one sounds right up my alley; I love bittersweet things & have a feeling this would appeal even more.
ReplyDeleteM,
ReplyDeleteI wore Note Vanille the other day, in the heat, it was wonderful too.
Hm, Marinochka, you said it's less oudy than my beloved "white oud" - than it's not for me... (I can't get enough of oud... - off to Oxford Street !)
ReplyDeleteMelinda,
ReplyDeleteThen this really won't be oudy enough for you. Have fun at Oxford St.! :-)
Oh, this sounds so gorgeous. I must try it. I'm back on a vanilla kick again. :)
ReplyDeleteLinda,
ReplyDeleteI am confident that you will love it. :-)
Yummm....
ReplyDeleteMilky vanilla and roses.......reminds me of a yummy Persian dessert that a foreign student from Iran used to ply me with. Between that and pistaschio nougat with roses I am a goner. Most delicious and that picture is spectacularly sexy. What a good review.....Thanks , I've been starving all day!
Beth,
ReplyDeleteI've been starving too, don't know why.
Sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteAs for the photo of Natalia, it is the editorial: "Republican Party"
W Magazine, July 2002 issue
Photographer Bruce Weber.
By the way, there is a very interesting film (in Russian) about Vodianova:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLkhahEp--o&feature=related
Vika
Vika,
ReplyDeletethank you, so great! :-)