October 31, 2011
New Fragrance Review: Illamasqua Freak + Abracadabra Draw
This is why I try NOT to read press releases; I expected a witches brew straight out of Macbeth.With listed notes of belladonna and poison hemlock, it seemed that only fillet of a fenny snake, eye of newt, and toe of frog were missing from what sounded like hell broth.
In the initial release and subsequent video Freak by Illamasqua's connection to Studio 54 and my love of their surprisingly wearable but outrageously feminine beauty brand (which reminds me of the 80s brands M.A.C, Madeleine Mono and Pupa) captured my attention. I missed some important clues; it is a fragrance for your alter ego and 'real' notes of oud, black davana and datura are powerful aphrodisiacs and opium flower is addictive.
The history of the datura plant is as captivating as Freak.The plant is indigenous to the New World and the flowers – which are used in this perfume – exude a beautiful, narcotic scent, especially at night. Spiritual master Carlos Castaneda learned about Datura from his mentor Don Juan. The wise old brujo was never too fond of the 'devil's weed', claiming its power as like that of a woman. "She is powerful, She distorts men.. She makes them weak in the middle of their great power.
And oud? In my interview with Maurice Roucel he explained the aphrodisiac properties of Oud. Notes of Frankincense and myrrh in Freak's composition are meditative, but notice in the painting by artist Fidel Garcia the masculine is ghostly.
Freak is a fragrance for your alter ego and unisex (the Company's term) in the sense that we all have feminine and masculine traits. It's speaking to my feminine side and is sweet seduction on my skin. As for Studio 54. I may just become addicted. I wouldn't dance to Le Freak by Chic wafting Freak, but to Abracadabra by the Steve Miller band circa 1982 , because this scent will reach out and grab you.
llamasqua's cauldron boiled and baked a perfume charm of powerful trouble.
Outstanding longevity and above average sillage.
-Michelyn Camen, Editor in Chief
The draw is for 15ml of a lab sample. Please leave a comment on your favorite songs from the 80's, your favorite song to dance to or since its still Halloween,who was your alter ego. Draw ends November 3, 2011
We announce the winners only on site and on our Facebook page, so Like Cafleurebon and use our RSS option…or your dream prize will be just spilt perfume
oh dear god, favorite songs from the 80s:
* yello and shirley bassey: the rythm divine
* tuxedomoon: 7 years
* thomas leer: letter to america
* wire: the other window
* the the: august & september
* bauhaus: bela lugosi’s dead
* the gun club: carry home…
i could go on (but i won’t.)
id’ love to try this, but forgive me if i laugh at that little clip.
i am freak.
oy vey.
so yes.
freak, indeed, is the new normal.
and we non-freaky normals can bask in the knowledge that *that* makes us *truly* freaky.
I’m a freak and this one sounds like something for me.
Reading this review a song from the 80′s comes to my mind
Lords Of The New Church – Dance With Me
Favorite songs from the 80′s:
Sweet Jane-Cowboy Junkies
Wild Gift-X, entire album
Sexy Eiffel Towers-Bow Wow Wow
Favorite song to dance to
Groove is in the Heart
Alter Ego
Sméagol
Sorry Graham, I believe those songs are from the 90′s or at least I’m hoping they are because it doesn’t seem that long ago – haha!
That said, ANYTHING Prince would draw me out to the dance floor back in the 80′s (Purple Rain album was/is classic). However, since I am still celebrating Halloween, Whodini’s “Freaks Come Out At Night” would be the top jam in particular that I’ll mention. Thanks for the drawing opportunity.
For me it was Billie Jean and Beat it by M.Jackson, also a few from Queen and Cyndi Lauper (Time after Time). Best to dance on on the Halloween was of course Thriller
Most of my favorite 80s songs were by The Clash. London Calling was a particular favorite.
Oh, and Psychedelic Furs, especially Love My Way. I also always had a fondness for the B-52′s Planet Claire.
Oh my, 80s was my pure and naive childhood – and it seems like it was million years ago.. My favourite songs from that period would be Aerosmith Janie’s Got a Gun, Eurythmic Sweet Dreams, New Order Blue Monday as well as every single song from Depeche Mode’s album Music for the Masses. And Freddie Mercury was still alive..
First song that comes to mind is Girls just wanna have fun (which I love)
and the one I cannot but dance to whenever I hear it is Footloose.
Loved the review. my favorite song from the 80s is sexual healing by marvin gaye. that’s why its my alter ego
so call me -blondie
Thanks for the draw! My friend and I dressed up yesterday as ladies from the 80s and I channeled Madonna, so that would be my alter-ego. lol
My favorite song from the best decade?
) That would be an impossible choice. Only from 80-82: Physical, Don’t you want me? , Billie Jean, Little red corvette, Beat it, Sweet dreams, Sexual healing and the list goes on.
Freak sounds poisonous. I would love to try it.
Favorite song by far was Thriller by Michael Jackson, fits in with the Halloween theme and song of the 80′s. Fun draw.
I was Madonna (circa 1984
) Wasn’t hard to channel my inner 16 yr old to make this look happen 
This is an interesting one, hmm…..
favorite 80′s song:dexter’s midnight runners-Come on Eileen. Still no power for me -Thanks for this draw!
Thanks for the draw! I can’t help dancing when I hear Enjoy The Silence by Depeche Mode! And it feels like a proper tune for this fragrance, too!
I love 80s music so much, very hard to choose. Just a few: “When Doves Cry” by Prince, “The Promise” by When in Rome, “Cruel Summer” by Bananarama.
I love everyone’s suggestions
The short list:
Like a virgin- maddona
Im your man- wham!
faith-george michael
brass monkey-beastie boys
Carribean Queen- Billy Ocean
So Lonely- The Police
King Of Pain-The Police
Time after time- Cyndi L
Girls just wanna have fun- Cyndi L
Good memories and great songs. I was growing up a kid in Ozone Park NY in the early 80′s and WBLS was the station that played rap music which I loved it was so new and so wonderful. Run DMC for example.
I loved reading these other song lists. For Halloween I was myself but, I was wearing 100% black so maybe thats my dark side:) thanks xo
As someone who was a teen in the 80′s, I love the music!!! For me, I loved bands like RATT, KISS, Def Leppard, and Metallica. I also loved new wave such as Depeche Mode, New Order, and Duran Duran. I could sit and talk about 80′s music for hours (can you say Freak?)
For Halloween, I was myself-I’m not much into dressing up.
Just a few on my list of 80′s favorites:
Tainted Love – Soft Cell
Kiss On My List – Daryl Hall & John Oates
Every Breath You Take – Police
Do You Really Want to Hurt Me-The Culture Club
Careless Whisper – Wham!
Shout – Tears For Fears
Higher Love – Steve Winwood
Sweet Child O’ Mine – Guns N’ Roses
.. and my list can go on forever…
She…..
had to leave…..
(bam bam bam bam bam)
Los Angeles!
X
But there are too many great dance songs from the 80s.
I want a bottle of this juice! The bottle is to die.
OMG…bold approach to bodily decoration, so it follows that their first foray into the world of fragrance is strong and unique.
I think my 80′s fav was “beat it..”and I loved to dance in those days ” the big gig in the sky…” ( was dancing solo..)
thanks for the draw
I was a child in the 80′s and I have many good memories of my brother and me listening to the radio on summer afternoons, pretending we were doing “siesta”.
My favorite songs from those years are:
“What a feeling” – Irene Cara
“Holding out for a hero” – Bonnie Tyler
“Time after time” – Cyndi Lauper
“If we hold on together” – OST The land before time.
“Don’t stop believin” – Journey
“Walk like an Egyptian” – The Bangles
“Take on me” – A-ha
“Wake me up before you go-go” – Wham!
And many more!
Love that song Abracadabra…would love the fragrance too.
I think my favorite 80′s song is “Golden Brown” by the Stranglers. The first time I heard it, I fell asleep during the song and had amazing golden brown dreams.
Ah, the 80s… I danced my little booty off to the strains of The Cure, Depeche Mode, Bauhaus, Bowie, Souxie Sioux and the Banshees, Terrance Trent D’Arby, Cindy Lauper, Joy Division, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, oh my goodness, I could go on and on. 80s pop is still my favourite music to dance to!
Embarassingly, I sometimes catch myself bopping along when these old favourites come on at the grocery store. Happily, one of the great things about getting old is you don’t mind making a bit of a fool of yourself.
Thanks for the draw!