September 29, 2017
aroma M Geisha Marron Eau de Parfum (Maria McElroy) 2017~ New Fragrance Review + Marron Mignon Draw
Maria McElroy of Aroma M via instagram
“Brown is surely the most underserved color in all of perfumery.” ~ Maria McElroy
Perfumer Maria McElroy of aroma M is known and loved for her initial Geisha series of roll-on perfumes; in 2011 she was showcased in ÇaFleureBon’s Profiles in American Perfumery. Maria has since branched out into Eastern-inspired beauty products based upon luxurious camellia oil for face, hair, body and bath. She also has expanded her original oil-based fragrances to include eau de parfum versions. When Geisha Marron assumed an edp format, I was thrilled to be able to share it with you. Like each of Maria’s offerings, it is a tiny jewel of fragrance with its own particular atmosphere.
Itō Jakuchū (Japanese, 1716-1800) ~ White Plum Blossoms in Moonlight
Geisha Marron is autumn unexpected, in that one doesn’t habitually associate this season with a primarily white floral fragrance.
Painting Nihonga Geijyutu
Marron has a double meaning: in French it serves as both the word for chestnut and the color brown. Although far less frequently nowadays, one can still find roasted chestnut vendors with their pushcarts (if you know where to look) throughout a New York or Boston autumn. It is in Japan where they still thrive, leaving seductively beckoning toasted trails in their wake as winds turn mordantly crisp. The sense of autumn’s brevity only adds to its charm; it presages still-slumbering winter, soon to awaken in howling earnest.
Hidetoshi Mito ©
How glorious the varied hues; how inadequate the simple monosyllable BROWN. Think sepias, ochres, ambers, burnt and raw umber, russet, sandy shades, coffee, mocha, tan, caramel, walnut, milk and dark chocolate, copper, bronze, even khaki! My mother loved to paint in oils, and she would point to the bark of trees and inquire: “What do you see? It’s not just brown – there are so many colors there…” I grew to love browns of every description.
Marlene Dietrich 1930s ©
So it is with Geisha Marron. Maria has chosen the spicy-nutty chestnut blossom, a white flower – to combine with a luscious Japanese white magnolia and a winking muguet note (classically French). This bouquet benefits from the scintillating lift of citrus notes: mandarin, bergamot, and grapefruit. Marron’s subtly leathery, musky base flirts discreetly with divine decay – but only just. As a lifelong connoisseuse of Japanese incense, art, music, food, tea and culture in general – and one who spends time regularly in Japan (her husband is Japanese and a chef!), it is not in Maria’s aesthetic sense to overdose. Balance and harmony must be achieved and sustained. This delicate, exquisite floral glimmers like nearly-extinguished embers, imparting a muted foreshadowing of looming wintertide lurking beneath the blossoms..Notes: grapefruit, mandarin, bergamot, muguet, japanese magnolia, chestnut blossom (white flower), leather, musk
Thank you for my sample, Maria! My nose is my own…
~ Ida Meister, Senior Editor
~ Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief
aroma M Geisha Marron EDP photo via Maria McElroy
Thanks to Maria McElroy, we have a dram of Geisha Marron edp for our US one registered reader or a dram of Geisha Marron Oil for our Canada and Europe readers. Please be sure to register. There is one winner. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Ida’s review, where you live, your favorite aroma M perfume, or what you love about chestnuts, brown, autumn!
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Ida’s breakdown of what the word “Marron” ment , the chestnuts and the color brown in French, was a very bright lesson, yet beautifully descriptive picture. I loved hope she described the pushcarts of old in New York. I live in Philadelphia, PA. In the USA
Such a gorgeous review — I really love browns, too. I have a lot of them in my wardrobe, and feel very much an enhanced version of myself in them. It seems to be an earth-energy affinity in my case. I also love the browns of perfumery especially with white flowers! I have a few like that and really treasure them. I would love to try this! I need to try more Aroma M, but so far my favorite is Geisha Verte (I also love green herbs!).
I live in Oakland, CA, which is a great place for fall, at least for me — it’s definitely autumnal, but not so cold as a lot of places.
Thank you for the drae, and the beautiful review!!
Fantastic review! But then any review of Ida’s s such a delight. I had all but forgotten about buying cones of hot chestnuts on the street, and this made me very nostalgic for them! I love AromaM perfumes, especially the Camilla perfume and Voluptuous Nostalgia.in the USA
A fragrance that “flirts with divine decay”… interesting! What I love about autumn is exactly the chance to bring out the ‘brown’ scents–cinnamon and clove and nutmeg and cardamom, coffee, and chocolate notes. I live in the US, thank you!
Beautiful, evocative review. I love autumn and its smells and colors . To me, it’s a time to start reflecting inward and to surround myself with nurturing, comforting things, perfumes included. I love Maria’s work and it’d be hard to pick a favorite from the 3 I own. Geisha Blanche, Noire, Vanilla Hinoki each have a special place in my rotation and evoke a different ambience and season. I would love the opportunity to try Marron!
Ida’s review captures the essence of Autumn! I love the cool, crisp air and the bright, colored leaves that fade and dry to warm and cracking brown. I would adore a brown perfume made with white flowers!
One of the many reasons I love the Fall is because I can start using my deeper, richer scents. Particularly ones that have incense and deeper vanilla notes. But I also love the crisp, cool air. I especially love being able to sleep with the windows open at night.
I’ve wanted to try Aroma M fragrances for quite some time now. Particularly Geisha Perfume Vanilla Hinoki. Marron sound beautiful and I’d be thrilled to win it!
I live in the U.S.
I love the language so suggestive of Fall. I’ve tried Geisha Amber Rouge and really liked it. Autumn comes to the southeastern part of the U.S. very slowly. Its hard to distinguish it from the short winter. The only change is a diminution of heat and humidity. Nevertheless, I take out the more “Fall” fragrances. This sounds lovely. Thanks for the draw. I ive in the USA
I love Ida’s image of “a floral that glimmers like nearly extinguished embers”. What a beautiful review. I love this house and own Pink, Green, Rouge, and White but I haven’t tried Marron. Thanks for the review and draw. USA
Ida’s review brought back so many wonderful autumn memories of my time living and working in Japan. I remember all the wonderful chestnut desserts in Japan, especially chestnut parfait. All Japanese people know the French word marron. Many people think it’s the English word for chestnuts. The Japanese word is “kuri.” They have a dish called kuri gohan which is rice mixed with chestnuts. It is simple yet so delicious.
I was never really a fall person, but Japan changed me. And it is the best time to visit Japan. I liked how the trees turned colors (in Tokyo and also Kyoto) in late November.
My favorite Aroma M fragrance is their Camilia Beauty oil.
I live in the USA.
This is poetry! “How glorious the varied hues; how inadequate the simple monosyllable BROWN”- the ellipsis almost feels like the end of September!!!
I love Geisha Noire. I live in the US. And I will absolutely be over the moon should I win.
Marron Mignon sounds stunning, I have a wonderful daughter called Marlene who loves chestnuts, tea and the songs of Marlene Dietrich. I live in Europe, thanks for the draw.