New Perfume Review: Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle Eau de Magnolia Carlos Benaïm + Summer in a Bottle Draw

 

Frederic malle eau de magnolia summer magnolia cafleurebon

 

Eau de Magnolia; Summer Magnolia #1" by April Richardson

I have been anxiously awaiting the release of the new perfume from Editions de Parfums Frédéric Malle, Eau de Magnolia. Magnolia is an interesting, waxy flower with an aroma that can run from tart and lemony to voluptuously ripe. I tend to like the more corrupted end of the spectrum, but perfumer Carlos Benaïm has made a fragrance that successfully brings out the lemony side of the flower without losing its central floral personality.

frederic malle eau de magnolia sikora cafleurebon

"Magnolia" by Christine Sikora

Opening with a juicy blend of bergamot, grapefruit, and lemon, Eau de Magnolia is one of those "summer in a bottle" perfumes. The sweet lemon-tinged quality of the flower is full-bodied and very pretty, and the citrus notes make it bright and cheerful. Toward the middle of the wearing I get a bit of tree moss, which I don't wear well, but the magnolia covers most of it. I know a lot of people will be just fine with that, and it always feel like a bit of a weirdo perfumista for not caring for the mosses. Anyway, the drydown is lovely as can be; a little bit honeyed, like the flower ripened a bit during the wearing of the fragrance. Longevity is quite good. I first tried this on a warm day when I was feeling the heat, and it bloomed nicely. For review, I had to wear it in cooler weather and the sillage was much quieter. Eau de Magnolia is definitely a summer perfume.

frederic malle  eau de magnolia Carlos Benaïm cafleurebon

Carlos Benaïm

Master Perfumer Carlos Benaïm was raised in Tangier and studied perfumery under American perfumer Ernest Shiftan, (who was a well-regarded perfumer working for IFF from the 20’s through the late 50’s). Mr. Benaïm  is the recipient of The Fragrance Foundation's 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award and has an impressive portfolio of work including perfumes for Elizabeth Taylor, Calvin Klein,  Prada, Viktor & Rolf as well as for mainstream and niche perfumeries such as A Lab on Fire Liquid Night. Once again M. Malle has allowed a talented perfumer to shine, which is his métier.

Notes: Magnolia, bergamot, grapefruit, lemon, vetiver, patchouli, and tree moss

Disclosure: I obtained my sample from Barneys NY in San Francisco. It is available by pre-order at Barneys. It is also available on the Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle website and at Frederic Malle boutiques in both 350 and 100 ml sizes.

Tama Blough, Managing Editor

Thanks to Barneys New York we have a small sample for one USA reader. Please leave a comment including your favorite Frederic Malle Perfume and why you would like to try Eau de Magnolia Carlos Benaïm. Draw closes 6/20/2014.

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 spilled perfume.

Editor's Note. This is Mr. Benaïm's first personal perfume for Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle. He has created home fragrances for the brand including Rosa Rugosa, Jurassic Park and Cafe Society. – Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

 

 

 

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19 comments

  • Donna Spiegel says:

    I saw the announcement of this new release Eau de Magnolia from Frederic Malle on an email from aedes de venustas. The notes sound lovely. I have been so drawn to lemony fragrances recently that I would love the oportunity to enjoy this. I have Carnal Flower which is yummy and lots of samples of Frederic Malle frags. Love that this new one has that lemon side and would be delighted to receive a sample.

  • Would love to sample Mr Benaim’s first personal perfume for Editions de Parfums Frederic Malle. Dries van Noten & Iris Poudre are two of my favorites. Thanks for the review, Tama and to Barneys for the Draw. I am in the US.

  • I have to say that the line ” I tend to like the more corrupted end of the spectrum…” tickles me to know end. I’m with you Tama!
    Would love to try this one. I have 3 magnolia trees in my garden and they run the spectrum from Lemon to WTF! 😉 Carnal Flower is a fav of mine. I’m in the US. Thank you!

  • My favorite Malle is Noir Epices. I want to try Eau de Magnolia because I love Magnolia. A friend of mine in Paris tried it and had absolutely loved it. Thanks so much! I’m in the US.

  • I am in the US. Thank you for this chance. My favorite would have to be Lipstick Rose. I am not too familiar with Magnolia perfumes, and would love to try Eau de Magnolia to truly understand its beauty.

  • Jennifer witt says:

    My favorite FM scent is Carnal Rose. I would love to try the Magnolia scent as it sounds perfect for summer. I live in the US.

  • I have not tried any perfumes from FM’s, but most of them are on my to-try list! I definitely am in search for a “summer in a bottle” perfume. I live in the US, thanks!

  • I think my fav Mall scent is Lys Mediterranee – fresh, green; I like several other but have not much experience wearing them. I do love Magnolia flowers fresh on the tree, so am very excited to sniff this new one. I live in the US, thanks for the draw.

  • My favorite FM at the moment is Lys Mediterranee. It will probably change though. I’m in the US. Thanks for the draw!

  • It sounds lovely and I am so looking forward to Malle returning to perfumer collaboration
    I love so many but En Passant by Olivia Giacobetti and lEau dhiver by Jean Claude Ellena are my very favorites

  • Favorite FM is L’Eau d’Hiver. I’d like to try this because I don’t live anywhere near a magnolia tree. 🙂 U.S.A.

  • My favorite Malle (and one of my all-time favorites!) is L’Eau d’Hiver. I have no experience with magnolia fragrances so I would like to try this. I am in the US.

  • Always good news when new editions are released by Frederic Malle! My top favorite of the house is Portrait of a Lady, but lately I’ve been wearing Iris Poudre a lot.

    I would love to get my nose near this one as magnolia is one of my favorite flowers to smell when walking around the neighborhood, and I’m intrigued at how well that smell was captured in this composition.

    Thank for the draw. I am located in the US

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    my favorite Malle is Musc Ravageur..i think i have probably tested only one fragrance with prominent magnolia note but cant recall the name….i want to try this because previous Malle’s florals have mostly been centered around more popular flowers like rose ..i am in the US

  • tomate farcie says:

    I’m a Carnal Flower lover. There are many Frederic Malle’s that I love. The Magnolia has been getting great reviews and I’d love to try it.

  • Musc Ravageur fan here. Magnolia is to me a rare note, love to win this one. Thanks. USA

  • My favorite FM is Musc Ravageur, but there are so many I have yet to try. I would like to try this because the lemony side of magnolia sounds so perfect for summer! Thanks, I’m in the U.S.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    I was checking out the FM website and found it so interesting that there is a color rendering next to each . I have not yet tried any of fragrances, but can’t resist summer-in-a-bottle.

  • Favorite Malles are DVN and Bergamote. I want to try Eau de Magnolia because it sounds lovely and because this year I found a more waxy honeyed citrus type of tree and it was so delectable! Near my house they’re more fleshy/salty, which is good but not quite as wearable for me