Monoi is a fragrant Polynesian oil derived from steeping macerated Tahitian gardenia flowers, also known as tiare, in coconut oil. It is used to condition and scent body and hair and can sometimes have other scents added. When you are slathered in monoi, you feel like a part of island culture no matter where you are. One of my favorite and always interesting perfumers, Patricia de Nicolaï, has captured the languid, tropical aroma of monoi and combined it with salty marine notes and sandalwood to create Musc Monoï for her Nicolaï brand, a transportive fragrance that will send you right to a place where you are luxuriating on a white beach under the palms, looking out at an azure sea.
The first spray of Musc Monoï is an exhilarating concoction of exotic florals and coconut, with a shot of sea spray. unmistakeable ylang ylang adds sensuality and glamour. What is quite special about the perfume is the shimmer of florals in the sillage above your skin, while your skin itself is scented with the ocean. If you have ever spent a day alternately basking in the sun with tanning oil on and splashing around in the ocean to cool off, you'll recognize the unmistakeable aroma of the way a body can smell after a few hours. Sweetly scented and coconutty from the oil, and lightly crusted with sea salt, baked by the hot sun; it's an aroma that is the sign of a great day.
"Tahiti Sunset" by Jay Buangan
Underneath this sun-soaked, aromatic skin is the light scent of the human animal. Mme. de Nicolaï has combined the notes very effectively, to create a shimmer of animalism while bypassing carnality. This is the glow of the person inhabiting the skin; warm and friendly, a day at the beach making for rosy cheeks and browned limbs. The perfume is undeniably sexy, but not in the traditional "Dorothy Lamour in a sarong" style of some of the headier tropical fragrances on the market. The sexiness is more natural and pure than lustful. I wore this on a day that was very hot, and although it doesn't have trmendous longevity I did enjoy the salty skin scent for quite a while. I consider this a unique and welcome addition to even the most extensive beach scent collection.
Notes: Ylang (benzyl salicylate), jasmine, magnolia, neroli, calone, coconut and sandalwood
I received my sample from the kind people at Nicolaï. Musc Monoï is available on the Nicolaï Parfumeur website and Twisted Lily Fragrance Boutique and Apothecary.
Tama Blough, Managing Editor
Our friends at Nicolaï Parfumeur have generously offered a 30 ml bottle of Musc Monoï to one reader in the US, EU, or Canada. Please let us know why you would like to try Musc Monoï, if you have a favorite Nicolaï perfume and where you live. Draw ends on June 15, 2014.
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