MUGLER Aura perfume photo by Robert H

MUGLER Aura perfume will be available for sale in the USA as of December 14, 2017. I had a bottle sent earlier this fall from Europe and it sits in my hand like a small faceted emerald heart, practically alive, beating with its’ own inherent energy and reminds me that in the heart of beauty a little poison lurks. The flacon itself is flat-out terrific, a green heart of darkness if you will, and reason enough to love Aura.

Zhenya Katava via MUGLER

Thierry Mugler once dreamed he would create a fragrance named Aura. He is the visionary behind Aura, which "recounts the genesis of my other perfumes. I looked for a universal symbol common to all living things. The animalistic and mystic power of life. The M shaped heart imposed itself; a perfume is nothing without the heart." –Thierry Mugler. The name starts with an “A” just as Mugler predecessors Angel, A*men, and Alien.

Idina Menzel as Elphaba (Broadway production of Wicked 2000) via wiki

MUGLER Aura may not be the easiest or the most approachable of the MUGLER fragrances I suspect, but it is outrageous and compelling. From the beautiful bright green flacon, to the unique ingredients and neo-aromachemicals used, MUGLER Aura brings to mind a perfume that might be worn by the “bad girls/ boys)” of the world or those who are distinctly different and follow their own path. This is the perfume that you can imagine the two misunderstood witches, green-skinned Elphaba from “Wicked “and “Sleeping Beauty’s” villainess Maleficent wearing. MUGLER Aura  will be relished by those who consider being an outsider or different a character trait to be cherished not punished.

Zhenya Katava via MUGLER

Two new ingredients from Firmenich© are used in MUGLER Aura, and they provide the perfume with undeniable intrigue and drama; Tiger Liana© and Wolfs Wood©. Tiger Liana is found in traditional Chinese medicine which has both sweet and dusty-smoke facets, and Wolfs Wood provides a dry patchouli/cedar-woody vibe with a scintilla of something a bit carnal and a hint of oud. MUGLER Aura opens with a rush of orange blossom made sweetly bitter with the poisonous rhubarb leaf, as if to proclaim innocence while hiding a venomous kiss. This opening is like a magic spell that absolutely fascinates and captivates me and I can’t stop sniffing my wrist trying to deconstruct it. The Tiger Liana, with that honey-like medicinal and slight whiff of incense adds sweetness and an almost-but-not-quite overbearing and odd chemical/synthetic feeling. That may sound unsettling to you, but curiously it works incredibly well in its unique and mysterious way. These notes never disappear completely, but ultimately fade to the background as MUGLER Aura settles down into a delightful wood, musk, and vanilla gourmand.

Zhenya Katava via MUGLER

MUGLER Aura is the perfect scent to wear in the dark, or while howling at the full moon on a chilly winter’s night. It has a magical quality to it that leaves me totally enchanted. It’s both familiar and oddly different, and for me that equates perfection.

Notes: rhubarb leaf, tiger liana©, orange blossom, bourbon vanilla, wolfs wood©

Disclosure: The perfume and opinions are my own.

 –Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

-Art Direction and contributions from: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Editor's Note: “Olfactory creation was led by Sandrine Groslier, Pierre Aulas, consultant and Olfactory Artistic Director, and four perfumers: Daphné Bugey,Amandine Clerc Marie, Christophe Raynaud and Marie Salamagne; visual creation was inspired by Christophe de Lataillade, and the marketing team headed during development by Alexandra Brichet-Wolf designed and built together the shared dream of a unique object. In the same spirit of co-creation,Virginie Courtin-Clarins, Director of MUGLER Fashion, was involved in choosing Zhenya Katava as the face of the advertising campaign, alongside the fragrance team”.

All images used are from the MUGLER Aura ad Campaign or press materials and feature Zhenya Katava unless otherwise noted

MUGLER Aura refillable perfume flacon via MUGLER

Thanks to the generosity of MUGLER USA we have a 3 oz refillable flacon ($125) of Aura  to one registered reader in the USA, so be sure to register if you have not done so. To be eligible please let us know what appeals to you about Robert’s review of MUGLER AURA and either your favorite MUGLER perfume or Favorite misunderstood villianess. Draw closes on 12/15/2017

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