Perfume Review: Andrea Maack Parfums Coven + The Magic of The Moon Draw

03.sunrise.030210.bbc

Andrea Maack is a visual artist from Iceland, who creates fragrance; specifically she has been focused on having her intricate line drawings interpreted into perfume. She is interested in the notion of stripping nostalgia from fragrance. As a Creative Director, Ms. Maack sees herself as developing fragrances that possess a futuristic clean approach, and create a simple yet strong message. She believes fragrance can take us where we want to go, and become a vehicle for who we want to be.

andrea-maack coven at elements cafleurebon

Andrea Maack display at Elements 2012

I was introduced to Andrea Maack and her perfumes in 2012 at Elements Showcase in NYC. Her installation at Elements highlighted one of her large line drawings that she cut into rectangular pieces. Each rectangle was pinned to the wall, once you figured out which fragrance you liked from the line, she would take a rectangle piece down from the wall and spritz it so you could take it home. I still have my signed and numbered slice of art that I dowsed with her Sharp, and plan to frame in the near future.

andrea maack coven oriental cafleurebon

Illustration by MClelland Barclay

When her seventh fragrance Coven arrived, I suppose I had some preconceived notion about what it would smell like. My mind imagined a dark fragrance complete with three witches stirring a bubbling cauldron, but of course there is nothing stereotypical about Coven. Coven is a modern fresh take on an oriental that is graceful. Coven is the liquid embodiment of ritual. This is a friendly coven where the journey into the night is full of comfort and celebration. A friend of mine described a modern-day coven as, “being in a in sacred space and creating ritualThe rituals mainly have to do with celebrating the earth holidays, cross-quarter days, and the magic of the moon.” This is exactly where this fragrance lives metaphorically.

andrea maack coven cafleurebon

Paper cut illustration by Beth White

Wet soil, and green grass fill the air. Coven seems to saunter onto the skin and infuse into the room. It has a powerful, distinct, and tenacious presence. It settles on the skin, sexy and skillfully, and brings us to a moonlit night that is chilly and the air is moist, earthy and woody. Moss covers the earth and surrounds bark. Patchouli, aromatic spices, specifically licorice, anise, cinnamon seem to rise up and coexist with its earthiness, yet it always stays fresh, transparent, and uplifting. We are left with a dispersed almost flickering dry-down that glistens powdery like a full moon with a silver lining.

Notes: Wood notes, green grass, soil tincture, oakmoss, whiskey, and spicy notes. Perfumer Richard Ibanez.

Disclaimer: I received my sample from luckyscent.com

Valerie Vitale, Editor

Andrea Maack COVEN bottle cafleurebon - Copy

Thanks to the generosity of Greg at Babalu at the Raleigh we have a generous sample for one reader in the US.  Please let us know what appeals to you about this perfume and if you have a favorite Andrea Maack Fragrance. Draw ends June 10, 2014.

Editor's Note: We have reviewed Andrea Maack's previous six perfumes: Coal (2012),   Silk (2012), Dark 2012), Sharp, (2011) Craft, (2011) and Smart (2011).

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

 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

− 1 = 2

18 comments

  • Barbara B says:

    Have never tried an Andrea Maack fragrance but have read great reviews of Coal.
    Coven appeals to me because of the wood notes,whiskey, and spice notes.

  • I have never tried Andrea Maack but you have aroused my interest. How could I not want to try a fragrance with a “flickering dry-down that glistens powdery like a full moon with a silver lining.” Your description and imagery makes Coven very appealing.

  • I have not heard of this fragrance creator before.. but the scent rather speaks to me….. I think it’s the idea of a mossy/woody meets patchouli with some spices that I like yet remains transparent and fresh that captures my attention. I like the metaphorical description.. and the twist on the scent’s evolution.

    Would love to get my hands on this.

  • christinal says:

    The soil note sounds interesting, don’t think I’ve experienced that yet. I’d love to try it. This would be my first Andrea Maack.

  • Anastasia says:

    Coven is my favorite Andrea Maack Fragrance. It is PARADISE to the nose of the Oakmoss Lover!!! Thank you for both this great view and the opportunity! 🙂

  • Oakmoss and whiskey sounds like an interesting combination! I have not tried any Andrea Maack perfumes yet. I am in the US, thanks!

  • I’ve heard a lot about this particular fragrance if not the perfume house. I have been wanting to try it because of the hype if for no other reason. Im in the US.

  • My favorite is COAL 🙂
    I’d like to win this for the possibility of smelling licorice. US

  • Elizabeth T. says:

    I love anything with that grass note. This sounds so fun! I’m in the US. Thank you for the draw!

  • I have been wanting to get my hands on some of Coven since I heard about it. What draws my attention to it the most is the soil tincture in the composition.

    Thanks for the draw! I am located in the US.

  • Fazal Cheema says:

    I have not smelled any Andrea Maack fragrance so far but Coven has some deep earthy and woody notes i really enjoy such as soil tincture and green grass.i am in US

  • soil, woods, patchouli, grass…what’s not to love???

    alas, i do not know know any andrea maak perfumes.

    adn yes, i’m in the u.s.

  • I’ve never tried any Anrea Maack scents, but have always wanted to. I’m drawn to Coven because it is both earth, and otherworldly. Thanks so much for the opportunity. I’m in the U.S.

  • I am in the US and thank you for this draw. I have not had the pleasure to try Andrea Maack but this perfume sounds lovely. I’m most drawn to the wood and spicy notes in this fragrance.

  • The description makes me curious to try Coven, although I can’t imagine what it might smell like. I have not tried any other Andrea Maack perfumes. I like Orientals so I imagine I would like this.

  • Cynthia Richardson says:

    A rich blend of darkness and dirt – this sounds wonderful and a little evil. I have not tried an other Andrea Maack fragrances but would like to try Silk. I live in the US.

  • The earthiness appeals to me the most–love the smells of dirt, leaves, wood, grass, and the way it feels as the day cools off and new depths of green usher in the evening. Also the sense of friendly and comfortable ritual. Thanks for the review and draw!
    USA

  • Valentine girl says:

    I am in total accord with Andrea Maack’s vision of perfume taking us where we want to go and fragrance being a vehicle for who we want to be! I love the concept of celebrating rituals in sacred spaces, as I personally have my own rituals to celebrate the Celtic earth holidays and cross quarter days because of my connection to nature and my Welsh heritage, As a wannabe, amateur perfume maker, I have journals filled with ideas, and one of my concepts for a fragrance line will celebrate the eight holidays in Druidic tradition of the Celtic Wheel of the Year. Although I have never tried any of Andrea Maack’s perfumes, it would be a privilege to try Coven. The notes of soil, leaves, whiskey, spice, and oakmoss sounds like a fragrant celebration of Mabon (aka the Autumnal Equinox). USA resident.