Madness by Chopard
 Madness is a discontinued gem by Christine Nagel, which, were it to be born into a different brand and market, could have thrived as a niche favorite. It has all the markings of one. A woody oriental with an interesting, oddly sweaty yet dry, fruity top and a sueded rose woven throughout the composition, it has a beautiful incense accord that lends the blend an atmosphere of darkness, which is neither sensual nor sinister. Rather, the presence of the smooth, polished, warm rosewood note and the crystalline, musky hibiscus makes the fragrance serene. Serene doesn't seem like the right description for a perfume called Madness, but the only crazy thing about the scent is its name, the ugly color scheme of its packaging and its fate, which treated it so badly by placing in where it had. Simultaneously very "human" (what with that sweaty lychee note and a leathery feel) and thus familiar, yet comfortingly detached, this is a great contemplative fragrance, which to me inhabits the same realm of softer incensey/woody comfort scents as Costes, 10 Corso Como and Eau Egyptienne. Madness can be found fairly easily online. I see it for as little as $18.64 for 2.5oz on Amazon. Image, Jiang Guo Fang's Palace Gate, is from art-center-berlin.de. Labels: Chopard |
posted by Marina |
12:00 AM
17 Comments:
I'm also a Madness fan but I'm surprised you didn't comment on the very noticeable pepper note that actually makes me sneeze right after I put it on. I find it extremely sophisticated and well made but I would use words like "energetic" more than "contemplative". Reformulation or body chemistry?
I gave this to a friend a few years ago for Christmas....it just "fit" her somehow. She calls it her "Opera" scent, claiming that it "smells like the lobby of a theater, full of women sipping champagne cocktails". I don't know if I get ALL of that, but I do think it is a gorgeous scent (on me AND her...)
YESSSS!!!!! Finally some love for the incomparable Madness! Thank you! I remember the day I went to sample the new perfume arrivals. I liked YSL "Nu", but it paled before Madness. I love the way that skanky, spicy note cuts through the opulent rose. Madness is my go-to scent. I find it ... centered. A quiet place from which you can go forth and relax or become active, whichever you need at the moment.
I'm finishing my first bottle of Madness. I think it's a great winter perfume (night at the opera is a good description). I don't get rose, I'm afraid. Pepper and woods done smooth and opulent is what my nose gets. Too peppery for the first few seconds but a great rich yet refreshing wood perfume I love when it settles. I almost think I smell a hint of spruce! Thanks for reviewing it.
Was this inspired by Victoria's recent discussion? Because I totally ordered a bottle unsniffed. It hasn't arrived (hmmm...really should be here by now) but I'm looking forward to it even more now. Hope mine has that peppery top--love that kind of thing in Nuit de Tubereuse and Ta'if.
I love the name. Sounds intriguing, though I can be sensitive to pepper in fragrances (Parfum Sacre was too peppery for me) so I'll have to resist the unsniffed purchase!
I love it, that peppery top note paired with the dark chocolate and cardamom is simply delicious!
I have always tuned out to Chopard in the past, probably because I associate the line with remaindered bottles of Wish in T K Maxx, but I am a big fan of woody orientals, and a sueded rose sounds just up my street, if not the "oddly sweaty" aspect. Sounds like it is well worth a shot regardless!
: - )
Maggie
I don't think had a reason or time to reformulate it. Must be body chemistry or difference in perception :)
Marko
I love the way your friend describes it! Makes me want to be in a theater lobby sipping champagne :)
Dinazad,
Centered is such a great way to describe it!!
Danielle
Now I need to look for more spruce in it. And more pepper!
Alyssa,
Which one? Link me up! :) You and your Nuit de Tubereise! :)
Elise
I don't get that much pepper in PS either, my skin must gobble it up or something. Just like food is often not spicy enough for me :)
Victoria
Why am I under-served on pepper then? :)
Word verification- golowag :) Sometimes I feel it speaks a language of its own.
Vanessa
Welcome back from your travels!
You now, I used to wear Wish for a couple of years. It is an Angel wannabe that I like more than Angel itself :)
Do you hate NdT? I guess I do talk about it a lot. It's not so much that I think it's the greatest thing of all time, it's just that I can't seem to stop wearing it. ;)
You know, I went to try and check on my order after I posted my comment and though I have a distinct memory of pulling the trigger I can find no record of doing so anywhere. So we will just have to wait. I suspect it was from one of those shady sellers on Amazon.
Post a Comment
<< Home