Esxence 2018: Map of the Heart Pink Heart v.6 Review + Ode to Joy Draw

Map of The Heart Pink Heart v.6 Ad campaign

The heart has for centuries symbolized our tenderness, our ache, our joys, jealousies and desires. For Australian house Map of the Heart, it is the epitome of everything we are. In the creative vision of co-founders Sarah Blair, Jeffrey Darling and Givaudan perfumer Jacques Huclier, Map of the Heart’s fragrances are olfactory embodiments of the strongest pulls on our hearts: of freedom, of tenderness, of heaven, of valour, and of our darker, destructive elements. In their unique, coloured bottles (designed by 2018 Perfumed Plume winner Pierre Dinand) each shaped like the human heart laid flat and bare, the heart is not only the figurative engine of emotion but also represents the blood that fires our veins, our very life force.

Photo by Zee Nunes for Vogue Brasil, Feb. 2014©

Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6, (Jacques Huclier and NIsrine Grillie) a finalist for this year’s Art and Olfaction Awards, is the fragrance of ecstasy. Based on narcissus, it summons the uncomplicated joys of childhood while riffing on more adult pleasures. Pink Heart plays with contrasts: synthetic and natural aromas; smells that reach from childhood into a grown-up world. At one moment sultry and warm, another, fresh and girlish, Pink Heart is a chameleon with a liking for all types of fun.

Enchanted Enfant fashion editorial, Vogue Bambini, April 2011©

Applying the perfume on both wrists at the same time, I am surprised to find Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6, smells quite different on each. On my left is a lush narcissus in full bloom, tinged with neroli and young jasmine, the sweet sweat of cistus coursing quietly underneath. Something green and piquant drifts up, which gradually becomes discernable as shiso, with its soapy tang. It’s a lovely, spring-like green floral, a lighthearted cousin to Patricia de Nicolai’s gorgeous Le Temps D’une Fete or Jacomo Silences. Imagine rolling down a hill into a bed of daffodils on a late Spring day, and Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6, takes you back to that perfect jumble of exhilaration, grassy damp ground and jonquils weaving in the breeze.

Hedy Lamarr in the film Extasy, 1933

But move to the other arm, and I am in adult territory. This Pink Heart purrs and prowls, a powder puff orris swirling cloudlike alongside a cherryish tobacco note. The bright greenness has muted. Broom adds a mulchy, maple richness, like a low guitar chord, and cool, polished sandalwood tones down out its sweetness. Now, the jasmine and neroli seem to turn from fresh to silky, and that cistus has become quietly animalic; a vintage oriental suggested.

Photo by Marc Philbert for Grazia France, Feb 2013©

Then, in the middle stages, the composition begins to coalesce, and the narcissus takes center stage in all her narcotic, indolic beauty. In perfumery, the flower’s heady fleshiness can overcome its dewy, almost virginal quality. But Huclier surrounds the animalic aspects of narcissus and jasmine with vivacious green notes from shiso, sumac and basil, allowing Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6, to swing back and forth between the more sensual facets of the flower to its exuberant May sweetness. With its fine balance between sensual sophistication and the simple beauty of a brilliant spring day, Pink Heart is a perfumed valentine to joys past and present.

Notes: Shiso leaf accord, neroli oil, basil oil, narcissus absolute France, jasmine absolute, broom absolute, orris butter, sumac accord, pipe tobacco accord, cistus absolute, Australian sandalwood.

Disclaimer: my sample of Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6 provided at Esxence 2018. Opinions are my own.

Lauryn Beer, Senior Editor

Pink Heart v.6 via Map of the Heart©

Thanks to the generosity of Sarah Blair and Map of the Heart, we have a 90 ml bottle of Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6, for one registered reader worldwide. To be eligible, please leave a comment saying what appeals to you about Pink Heart based on Lauryn’s review.  Draw closes 5/6/2018

We announce the winners only on our website and on our Facebook page, so like Çafleurebon and use our Site feed … or your dream prize will be just spilled perfume

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36 comments

  • Patsi says:

    It sounds like the perfume is actually ‘growing up’ from child to adult on the wearer’s skin! I’m loving the thought of that, As well as looking really pretty, the notes are very lovely as well.
    For me, perfect joy would be the soft furry, musky smell of my cat.
    Thanks for the drawing – I’m in the UK.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Sarah, Jeffrey, and Jacques spent time brainstorming about the deepest desires of our heart and used the ideas to create the perfume. it seems they succeeded since Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6 was one of the finalists at the Art and Olfaction awards. The review also notes some similarities to Jacomo Silences which I have and love. thanks for the draw. I am in US.

  • DespinaVnt says:

    I loved reading about how all the contrasted elements that this particular fragrance composition hosts reflect all the diverse, often seemingly contradictory, things that the human heart encompasses.
    I live in EU (France).

  • Timea says:

    From the review it sounds like a fun, happy and unique scent. And the bottle is “WOW”! I would very love to try this fragrance.
    perfect joy smells? For example a coconut drink by the sea or the smell of the horse while riding.
    Thank you for the chance. I live in Europe.

  • fleurdelys says:

    What a unique bottle and scent.
    Thank you Lauryn for this great review !
    I love when a fragrance has a great development from top to drydown. It makes it multifaceted and everytime it can be discovered from a different perspective.
    Narcissus is one of my favorite flowers. Always one of the first to bloom in the spring.
    The contrasting aspects of the perfume reflect our different emotions.
    Thank you for the draw !
    I live in the EU.

  • Nataly says:

    This fragrance sounds like a beautiful balance of being soft yet having that tough edge which I find really beautiful sometimes we don’t want a fragrance to be too sweet or floral but to have a kick to it!
    I love the packaging! If I win I would love to gift this to my mother who is the toughest yet gentle soul I know. USA BASED thank you for the opportunity!

  • Maya says:

    What appeals to me of Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6? For most perfumes the answer is easy. This one is a bit harder since the same perfume on two arms smells different and one sounds much better to me than the other. Then I realized how much this intrigued me. What would it do on my skin? Also, I love narcissus. Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6 has the potential to be a new love. In the US.

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    All you ahve to say to me is narcissus. I’m on a quest for the perfect narcissus, but haven’t quite found it yet. Ostara was perfect in the opening, but I was a bit disappointed as it developed. Could this be my true love narcissus?? I would love to find out. And those bottles are so very interesting! Thank you for the review and oh so generous draw! I’m in the USA.

  • RoseMacaroon says:

    This sounds, in addition to exquisite and seasonally exactly perfect, the olfactory equivalent of the extended contemplation on the arc of my romantic/emotional life I’ve been having for this last looooong epoch. I love that it sounds uplifting overall, since all of that content can tend to be difficult to feel affirmative about. I would absolutely love to try this, as I’m deep in a narcissus infatuation and would love to experience what I’m sensing to be an homage to the feminine side of romantic life. Thank you so much for the chance, I’m in the US.

  • Alen says:

    Really interesting and original bottle. Also i’m really curious on how the cistus or broom absolute smells, i’ve never heard of this notes. Thanks for the draw, i live in the EU.

  • Just Add Light says:

    I’ve never smelled shiso, so that note alone make Pink Heart intriguing. But once somebody mentions cherry and tobacco in the same sentence, the blood starts draining from my head into another part of my body….yeah. LOL Lauryn’s description makes the experience sound like a rollercoaster. Green, floral, rich, sweet, animalic, what a nose full! Was it really that different on each arm? Curious…curious indeed.

  • NiceVULady says:

    “Huclier surrounds the animalic aspects of narcissus and jasmine with vivacious green notes from shiso, sumac and basil, allowing Map of the Heart Pink Heart v. 6, to swing back and forth between the more sensual facets of the flower to its exuberant May sweetness. ” Well, that sounds really interesting. I’m not familiar with some of these notes, so it would be an experience to try it. Thanks for the draw. I’m in the USA

  • INYA says:

    Yes, I agree, fragrance evolves differently on various parts of my body. It seems that some notes are more noticeable when sprayed on pulse points as opposed to a more dry area of my skin. In the US.

  • Diana D says:

    This sounds like such an interesting fragrance! How intriguing that it smelled different on each wrist! I love the herbal notes of Shiso leaf accord, neroli oil, basil oil mixed in with pipe tobacco accord and sandalwood. The bottle is just darling, as well!
    I live in the US.

  • doowtnehpets says:

    The note breakdown is what appeals to me from her review. The description sounds fantastic when Lauryn puts it into words. Seems girly from the packaging and pictures, but it sounds unisex from the note breakdown. Would love to try this.

  • jeremyn87 says:

    The animalic and oriental notes sound good. Also that sandalwood tones it down from being too sweet.
    I’m in the US

  • ElenaChiss says:

    The combination of narcissus and pipe tobacco sounds very unusual. Also, the note of shiso is unknown to me, therefore I am curious about it. The poetic name only adds mystery to the whole creation.
    Thank you!

  • Dosva says:

    When I saw the bottle picture in this article, I thought it will be ordinary ” pink” perfume based on rose and musk combination. But after reading this beautiful review I was surprised- Pink Heart is rich floral perfume with animalic aspect.
    from Armenia

  • Scentedwow1 says:

    First, i love pink color)) The bottle is really eye-catchy. I love complex perfumes that every time you wear them surprise you and reveal their new facets, giving you new impressions. According to Lauryn it’s exactly this time of perfume! I hope to be lucky enough to get a chance to check if it’s like that:)
    I’m in Switzerland.

  • Hasib says:

    A unique bottle and scent. The orris and sandlewood notes are to my liking.. would like to check this out. Thanks for the giveaway
    California

  • Sérgio Teixeira says:

    Lauryn’s review, to me, is a true description of a woman’s heart: multifaceted, layered, complex. On one hand childish, sweet and filled with bright chords and nuances, then on the other, mature, luscious, carnal, red and sensual. Exquisite review for a seemingly fenomenal perfume. Portugal

  • llaws72 says:

    Lauryn really captured the complexity of this perfume in her review. I love that it goes from childhood to adult. I loved that when sprayed on both wrists that each of them smells differently. The shape of the bottle is quite unique and goes well with the complexity of the perfume. Thanks for the opportunity!

    I live in the US!

  • Vahagn says:

    I really, really enjoyed this very beautiful review full of rich artistical comparison. I find descriptions of notes very “live”- ” lush narcissus in full bloom”, “spring-like green floral”, “perfect jumble of exhilaration, grassy damp ground and jonquils weaving in the breeze” and etc.
    I like this bottle very much.
    Armenia

  • Teresa says:

    Interesting review of a very interesting fragrance, not to mention it’s unusual bottle! I love a complex scent and if this can smell so very different on different patches of skin, I imagine it would be a very personalized scent on different wearers. I am in the US and appreciate the chance!

  • roxhas1cat says:

    Orris and the tobacco is interesting to me. The bottle is just crazy fun! Love the pink!! I think of the changes this fragrance takes and compare it to wandering through the chambers of one’s heart. I’d love a chance to smell this and hold the heart in my hand. I live in the US. Thank you!

  • kaitracid says:

    It is the narcissus season and I love the smell of this flower! Paired with orris and sandalwood, among other notes, this sounds so intriguing! And the bottle is quite cool. I like the description of this one soo much! thanks, I live in Europe.

  • doveskylark says:

    I really loved the image of rolling down a hill because I used to do that all the time when I was a kid and my mom would get mad because of all the grass stains. This review made me think of finding a hill that overlooks some narcissus and just rolling down in abandon despite my age.
    I live in the USA.

  • esz says:

    I am unabashedly a floral lover. There’s just so much complexity and nuance in florals. They will never get boring if done right. There are so many depths to plumb. Would love to win this! And bonus, it wouldn’t need to be shipped far as I am in Melbourne Australia. Bonus!!

  • Lauryn says:

    Many thanks for all your comments — do check this line out. They have some really creative perfumes.

  • bumbuliuki says:

    A very creative bottle and scent !
    From Lauryn’s review Pink Heart sounds like a fun and hypnotic fragrance. The combination of florals, sumac and cistus absolute sounds intriguing and unusual.
    Would love to try this one out !
    Thank you for the great review and for a generous draw.
    I live in the EU.

  • Annatar says:

    I’d almost decided not to take part in this draw but then again, a perfume with a narcissus in its heart is hard to pass by. What makes Pink Heart so appealing to me is its slightly duplicitous nature: you have tender daffodils there but also powerful cistus and tobacco! Must be a delight to smell and wear.

    Lauryn, your likening the broom absolute to a low guitar chord is just spot-on. Thank you for the review, it’s such a great read!

    I live in Russia.

  • psebi101 says:

    You make this sound so good! Narcissus, which has a dirty feel to me, paired with cistus, making it even more dirty…this should be fleshy and fun 🙂 Thank you for reviewing this. I’m in the EU.

  • Kayla says:

    The bottle is interesting and I love narcissus. I like the idea that is smells different on each wrist.

  • StaceyW says:

    I’ve been intrigued by this line for some time and this one sounds like a good scent to start with. I enjoyed Lauryn’s description of the different notes appearing on each wrist, I love when that happens as it makes each wear a surprise!

  • minorlionz says:

    Wow, what a treat! Lauryn’s description of the notes makes me want to try this perfume. I love narcissus. I live in Montreal, Canada.

  • Rosa says:

    That bottle is gorgeous! I’ve never tried Map of The Heart line. In fact, this perfume house is new to me. This scent sounds fantastic, love Lauryn’s description.

    I live in the US. Thank you