The Different Company Majaïna Sin (Émilie Copperman & Luc Gabriel) 2017~ New Perfume Review + The Heart of Madagascar Draw

Vanilla Seller in Madagascar (photo by National Geographic©)

"The first Eau de Parfum of The Different Company's Esprit Cologne Collection,"Majaïna Sin" underlines the transgressive aspect of the perfume, reminiscent of the vanilla plants in Madagascar.  "Aïna" means "life" in Malagasy, and the color reminds us of the color of amber rums, and unveils its addictive facet. The vanilla base notes take us on an exotic trip to the heart of this mysterious island.” –The Different Company

image via alphacoders.com©

Inspired by the extraordinary natural ingredients of Madagascar, which is located off the southeastern coast of the African continent,the fourth largest Island on Earth, and home to plant and animal species (including the iconic Baobab tree), 90% of which are found nowhere else on the planet. Madagascar is also home to some of the finest vanilla and ginger available for both culinary and olfactive use, and these ingredients factor heavily and beautifully in  Majaïna Sin.

The Different Company Luc Gabriel and founder Jean-Claude Ellena

I am a huge fan of The Different Company. Founded in 2000 by Jean Claude Ellena and Thierry de Baschmakoff, with Luc Gabriel, the company's creative director and owner, joining them in 2004 (right before M. Ellena moved to Hermes). Their mission from the onset was to work in collaboration with renowned perfumers (Jean-Claude Ellena, Celine Ellena, Bertrand Duchaufour, Christine Nagel, Alexandra Monet and Émilie Copperman)  to “bring back true contemporary luxury and emotions in the fragrance world, with a twist, an angle, a different perspective for every scent we dare to bring out in the open.” It is no surprise that they continue to succeed seventeen years later. The Different Company creates perfumes that delight, engage, and push boundaries. I love their aesthetic, their manifesto on the art of perfumery, and eagerly anticipate each new release.

Perfumer Émilie Copperman in Madagscar working with growers and producers via TDC

With Majaïna Sin, perfumer Émilie Copperman journeyed into the heart of Madagascar to work with growers and producers of the very best vanilla she could procure to create an unforgettable oriental gourmand perfume.

Carolyn Murphy by Alexi Lubomirski for Vogue Germany June 2012©

Opening with pithy and juicy blasts of orange bigarde citrus, Majaïna wastes no time at all introducing the vanilla gold extract from Madagascar, a spicy herbal, and complex vanilla which glimmers with facets of chocolate and musk. The ginger note is the uplifting sting of a ginger-root being freshly grated, at once sharp and astringent and sinus-clearing and sweet/spicy like the ginger hard candies from the Chinese grocer. The amber and sandalwood create a velvet cushion for the other notes to rest upon and take their ease. The florals peek through, the chestnut and cinnamon vie for attention, but the story here is all about the extraordinary vanilla shining through, slightly dusty and adding to the overall feeling of a very grown-up gourmand. Leave the pink and spun sugar-sweet fragrances to the babysitters and the kids, Majaïna Sin will be out with the adults having cocktails, attending a cutting-edge art installation, or just creating a scene by being seen. Notes: Orange Bigarade, Bergamot, Neroli, Orange Blossom, Ginger from Madagascar, Orchid, Heliotrope, Chestnut Cream, Cinnamon from Madagascar, Tonka bean from Guatemala, Amber, Sandal Album (Indian Sandalwood), Vanilla Gold Extract from Madagascar.

Disclosure: Thank you very much to The Different Company for supplying my sample. The opinions are my own.

Robert Herrmann, Senior Editor

-Art Direction: Michelyn Camen, Editor-in-Chief

Thanks to The Different Company, we have a  100 ml bottle of Majaïna Sin for one registered  reader in the EU, USA or Canada 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 Majaïna Sin, where you live and your favorite The Different Company perfume. Draw closes on 10/5/2017

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

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49 comments

  • Sure hope my over a year old registration is still in effect!

    Amazingly, I have never tried A Different Company fragrance!

    I was intrigued by this one, especially given that there’s a vanilla shortage in the world right now (or at least a huge spike in the price – I am not entirely sure).

    Robert has done a great job of describing this fragrance. I feel like I could practically smell, and admittedly, want to taste it too! Sounds yummy!!

    I’m in the US.

  • Amazing photos and delicious description! The notes sound intriguing. I haven’t tried The Different Company perfumes. Thank you for the chance!
    I live in Europe

  • The notes in this fragrance are just perfect 🙂 and the draw is really generous. Thanks for this chance, i live in EU.

  • GrandmaGaga says:

    Robert’s review of Majaina Sin makes it sound amazingly delicious. I love The Different Company and my favorite would have to be Bergamote. I am in the US and would love to be entered for the opportunity to win this!

  • The descriptions of Madagascar, and of the scent itself gave me a real wanderlust. This sounds like the vanilla to bring vanilla back!

    My favorite scent from the Different Company is Adjatay Cuir Narcotique. So decadent and beautiful! Tuberose and leather are totally debauched. Love.

    I am in the US.

  • The notes looks very promising, if the quality of ingredients will be superb, there is a chance for great première or beautiful citrus/spicy/vanilla scent. I love this combination of notes. My favourite TDC scents are Tokyo Bloom and After Midnight (to be honest, they are only 2 I know, but I like them both). I live in EU.

  • Wonderful review, as always. Majaïna Sin sounds fabulously from the review. I very like the vanilla note in perfumes. I have never tried any perfume from The Different Company. Thank you very much for this amazing draw. I live in the EU.

  • fazalcheema says:

    Majaïna Sin is a scent of two personalities, with citrusy juicy elements and warm elements due to gourmand notes like Vanilla. It has been inspired by Madagascar the 4th largest island and home to very rich biodiversity. My favorite from The Different Company is Oud Shamash. I am in US.

  • I have yet to find a gourmand fragrance that doesn’t bore me. From Robert Herrmann’s review, this is a scent for mature people. I am intrigued to sniff it and, hopefully, I will be able to wear it.
    I think Adjatay would be my favourite The Different Company perfume.
    I live in the E.U. Thank you.

  • I am also a very big fan of The Different Company. I love vanilla in fragrance but have not yet found a vanilla-centric fragrance that I am crazy about. Majaïna Sin could be it. Gotta love ” Majaïna Sin will be out with the adults having cocktails, attending a cutting-edge art installation, or just creating a scene by being seen.”
    I have never tried a perfume from TDC that I haven’t liked to some degree or another. Rose Poivree is gorgeous but it is my daughter’s #1 perfume. I really like I miss Violet a lot.
    In the USA.

  • Thank you to Robert for this review. The spicy and complex vanilla sounds delightful. I tried Twilly today and liked the ginger there. Perhaps because I wore Vanille Galante this morning, Twilly made me wish for a hint of vanilla. Et voilà, here is ginger+vanilla and so much more in Majaïna Sin. I am in the US and have not found a favorite from The Different Company, though I must say the dandelion note in Tokyo Bloom is incredible.

  • Fantastic review and good pictures!! I’m more excited by the new releases from the different company than before, they successfully snatched my interest this year with Paolo Santo then this. Vanilla is all divine if done right, I mean real vanilla, not some Body Bath cheap aroma mist, I haven’t found a perfect vanilla yet, so I have high hopes towards this one, first off the main notes are spot on,Neroli+Ginge+ Orchid, Heliotrope,then Cinnamon with a nice good amber base, what’s Sandal Album? I’m even more intrigued, finally the star, Vanilla Gold Extract from Madagascar.Geez I think this should be a new hit from TDC, spicy chocolate with velvet cushion, that’s exactly what I’m looking for! Go vanilla, Go TDC!
    Texas, U.S based here, hope to win! Thank you!!

  • Patrick Echevarria says:

    The vanilla is one of the most overused ingredient in perfumery and I have sniffed a TON of them. I can’t think anymore of what new that can be done with it that will make it stand out as something fresh and new. Robert’s description makes it intriguing for me that this maybe something I haven’t sniffed before. Well I guess if given the chance,I shall know it then. San Diego

  • When I opened this page and saw in the title “Madagascar” I knew vanilla. I want to smell this creation with the ginger note. One of my faves is still Sel de Vetiver. US

  • What appeals to be about Robert’s Review? ROBERT! I love him to pieces!!! He is always so descriptive in a down-to-earth way -I love reading his descriptions. I am a die-hard huge Vanilla fan, the deeper and more exotic the better. This sounds right up my alley! My favorite TDC scent is Une Nuit Magnetique – I remember swooning upon first sniff and scrambled feverishly to order a bottle!
    I live in Maryland – thanks for this chance!

  • Being a big vanilla, cinnamon and tonka lover, this post really caught my attention. I love how Émilie worked with local growers to source the best vanilla possible. Sounds truly amazing … a scent I could fall in love with. I have heard a lot about The Different Company, but I have never tried any of their fragrances … this one would be high on my list. I live in the USA. Thanks!

  • My favorite perfume from this brand is Sublime Balkiss. Madagascar is among the countries I plan to visit in the following years. I like the composition of the new fragrance, it´s not simply vanilla and I really would like to smell it. I live in Slovakia, EU.

  • I LOVE that the article opens with a NG photo, and not a company-provided one. Feels more respectful to the ingredient that started this beauty.
    Please count me in…would love a sniff of Ellena’s most recent. I’m in the US.

  • Thank you for reminding us for how long TDC is successfully in the business, great achievement! Sel de Vetiver is my favourite, and even though I am not a figue fan the green figue in my De Bachmakov faszinates me in very warm weather. (to Germany, please)

  • Sounds to be the perfect match with the Belgian rainy and gloomy autumn. Thank you, in Europe

  • Sounds like it is very warm and cozy scent, and, as the fragrances of The Different Company are also very wearable, this could be very good choice for the autumn season. My favorite is After Midnight.
    Thank you!
    I live in Europe.

  • I have bottles of rose Poivre, Bergamote and I miss violet and all are favorites from The Different Company. 17 years is a long time and they are consistent that much I will say with good quality. I have never found a vanilla frag I like but with ginger and sandalwood it sounds terrific.
    I live in Canada
    Great review and photos

  • Thank you for the review and draw! The pictures go really well esp the first one.
    My favorite TDC scent is Divine Bergamote, which is luscious and refreshing. I’m excited to try Majaina Sin because quality Vanilla is my all-time favorite, and the surrounding ginger and grown-up gourmand notes are my cup of tea as well! Often orange does not work for me but I know TDC citrus can wear beautifully on my skin. Sounds gorgeous and perfect for fall!

    USA

  • Mmmmm…vanilla pods. I would love to smell what the Different Company does with this combination of notes. I have enjoyed several especially South Bay. 🙂 use

  • Yes, a grown up gourmand!!!! It sounds magnificent! And perfect for the cooler temperatures. I’ve never tried anything from the Different Company, so I’d love for this to be my first.

    I live in the USA.

  • I like gourmand vanilla scents, so this might be right up my alley. I have never tried any TDC fragrances.
    Thanks for the draw! I live in Europe

  • Tom Schroeder says:

    I very much like the description of the vanilla, and that is one of my favorite notes in perfume. Looking forward to trying this fragrance at the next opportunity. I don’t have a favorite Different Company perfume, as I haven’t run across the line yet, but will be on the lookout. I live in San Jose, California, USA.

  • I love the way Robert described Madagascar and the ingredients from the region. This vanilla fragrance sounds divine. My favorite Different Company fragrance in Pure Eve. I am in California. Thank you.

  • I am too a fan of TDC and can’t wait to try this new one. Spices, chocolate, flowers and vanilla sound like a winning combination. My favorite TDC is Sel de Vetiver. I’m in the EU.

  • Haven’t tried any from this House. Sounds interesting so
    I hope I can try it out. Please count me in
    Thanks.

  • great review loved how the writer wrote about how and where all the materials were gathered /sourced.My fav diff company frag is Santo Incienso. Im in canada.
    Thnnx for giveaway and article

  • Grown up gourmand, vanilla and chestnut. Sounds superb! I would like to wear this out having cocktails. Sounds perfect for the autumn. Thanks Robert. My favorite is I Miss Violet.

  • I’m from Italy and my favorite Different Company perfume is Osmanthus! ‘vanilla gold extract from Madagascar, a spicy herbal, and complex vanilla’ sound so interesting…

  • I just tried Majaina Sin and the review is spot on. Great for the coming colder season. I like Osmanthus a lot. I live in EU. Thanks for the draw!

  • I love that Robert describes this as a grown-up gourmand. I’m a gourmand lover, but the ones I enjoy most bring something more to the table than just memories of mouth-watering confectionery. This one sounds complex and interesting. I’m also a big fan of ginger and am intrigued by the ‘chestnut cream’ accord. My favorite fragrance from The Different Company is I miss Violet, but I’m convinced I’d also love Pure eVe and Oriental Lounge if I had the chance to try them.

    I’m in the US and would love to wear this scent this autumn! Thank you!

  • There is just something so transforming in a beautiful oriental gourmand. Loved the review and the ginger note sounds so uplifting. TDC is a fav or mine and always surprises me. I am a registered user in the US. Thanks for the lovely review, and the generous draw.

  • Everything about this perfume sounds fabulous and I would love to try it – it would be my first fragrance from The Different Company. I live in the UK. Thanks!

  • Thanks for the review! I’m looking forward to trying this – the sweet and spicy combo sounds good.
    I’ve never tried any The Different Company fragrances.
    In the US.

  • Ohh.. Thanks for interesting review about new The Different Company’ perfume. I am male, but like gourmand perfums very much. So I think I will like Majaina Sin.
    From TDC I like I miss Violet.
    USA, DE

  • I knew about Madagascar vanilla, but ginger from the island was pretty new to me.
    The notes combination is so promising and from the Robert`s review I guess it is a classy sweet, not much gourmand.
    Thanks to the Different Company and Cafleurebon for the opportunity!
    I live in the USA.

  • Iuno Feronia says:

    Sounds great for upcoming autumn and winter, thanks for this generous review. My favourite perfume is Sublime Balkiss. I live in the EU.

  • Thank you all so much for the kind compliments, this was a really great one to review and I’m a big fan of TDC especially Pure eVe and In Nuit Magnetíque! Again thanks!

    Robert H

  • doveskylark says:

    I am intrigued by the ginger and vanilla combination. I love vanilla, but the sugary vanillas out there don’t work on me. I’m definitely going to want to be drinking with the grown ups.
    I’ve always loved Tokyo Bloom by the Diffsrnt Company.
    I live in the USA.

  • This fragrance sounds good enough to drink! I am interested in how the ‘sin’ aspect shows up, as the notes sound more angelic to me than sinful. Maybe once applied its true character shows, I would like to find out. I live in the US and do not yet have a favorite TDC scent.

  • I love the description of the island and of the ingredients. These notes are so much of what I like, that Robert’s review had me almost off my chair. Thanks so much for the draw. I live in the USA

  • I love the idea of fragrance as travelogue. The notes sound wonderful. I have never tried anything from the TDC line. I live in the US. Thank you!!

  • Love the photos! My favorite part of Robert’s review is how he describes Majaina Sin as an adult vanilla. Thank you for another generous draw. I live in the US.