collage by Steven©

Steven and I usually wear perfumes just to please ourselves. When they get compliments that’s a bonus. The topic “Fragrances that Get the Most Compliments” is much discussed in online perfume communities. Yet there are perfumes that attract tons of compliments that fly under the radar.  We put together a list of our top ten (which will be a two-part series) These are scents that don’t require you to overspray but rest assured people come up to us and ask what is that perfume that you are wearing because you smell so great.

Frederic Malle Musc Ravageur (Maurice Roucel) 2000: In French, Musc Ravageur translates to devastating musk; it is one of the most sensual of all the Frederic Malle perfumes, so wearing it is bound to get you plenty of compliments. This ambery vanilla fragrance has absolutely no musk in it, which is confirmed by perfumer Maurice Roucel himself; it’s a classic amber with pillowing puffs of vanilla and sweet spices. Kind of cool, a note from Maurice Roucel,” I met Frederic Malle in the 90s, in NYC. He was sent to me by Pierre Bourdon, because at that time Frederic wanted to be an editor of perfume. I told him I had something in my drawer, it was a finalist for Fragile by Jean Paul Gaultier. I gave it to Frederic, and we added a little fresh on the top, and it became Musc Ravageur.” (Editor Ermano Picco wrote that Musc Ravageur is a modern masterpiece) We agree.

Gallivant Naples (Luca Maffei) 2021: We adore all of Gallivant’s perfumes (Michelyn is wearing Tel-Aviv a lot this summer) but Naples gets the most compliments.There is a BIG Calabrian bergamot at the top, which most people notice first. A mix of juicy ginger, pink pepper follows and offsets the ozonic and salty notes. With  green textured patchouli and incense that creates smoke on the water, Naples is much more than a generic “freshie”.

Escentric M +mandarin (Geza Schoen) 2021: When the M series debuted Michelyn gravitated right away to +Mandarin (and Geza Schoen knew she would). A word from the perfumer: “Mandarin is so alive, the radiation it creates on the skin and its fruity aroma, a stunning ingredient combined with Molecule 01. A top note ingredient like Mandarin and a base note like Iso E Super to dance together naked like this without other notes in between is rare. -Geza Schoen

Kajal Perfumes LAMAR (Mark Buxton) 2020: While Kajal Homme II and Kajal Faris might seem like the obvious choices as compliment getters, don’t underestimate the appeal of Lamar. Straight out this is a fruit-centric fragrance. It’s not Carmen Miranda fruity-much more urbane and sophisticated, with hints of spices (coriander and cardamom), a touch of toffee and rich rose. Mark Buxton was a great choice for perfumer as he’s able to balance the explosion of tart fruit (pineapple, bergamot, berries) with an ambery vanillic, honeyed base. You can read more about Kajal Lamar in Editor Ermano Picco’s Pitti 2021 report (a Best of Show Award) here

Initio Parfums Oud for Greatness (2018): Oud For Greatness has a cult like following and we understand why. Opening with lavender and saffron  at the top— leathery saffron is the star. The two ouds “complement” each other and this perfume never gets too “oudy” and animalic, rather it has both sweet and savory touches that makes it easy to wear. Did we say it is VERY SEXY. A real crowd pleaser (and that bottle also gets lots of compliments). Notes: Lavender, Saffron, Nutmeg, Natural Oud Wood, Natural Agarwood oil, Patchouli, Muscs

–Michelyn Camen. Editor in Chief

Top 10 Fragrances that Get the Most Compliments (part 1) that fly under the radar review by Steven

For our Part One 10 Fragrances that Get the Most Compliments That Fly Under the Radar Giveaway

Thanks to the generosity of Kajal Perfumes and Moe Khalef we have of 100 ml bottle of Kajal LAMAR in the USA, UK, EU

Thanks to our friends at Escentric Molecules there is a 100 ml bottle of Escentric M + Mandarin for a US or UK reader

Many thanks to Initio Parfums 90 ml for Oud For Greatness in the USA and Canada ONLY

Thanks to each of the above three brands, we have a reader’s choice ONLY for one of the  three ABOVE (Escentric M +Mandarin, Kajal Lamar and Initio Oud for Greatness) to a registered ÇaFleureBon reader and Redolessence subscriber. YOU MUST REGISTER and leave a comment on this site with your choice should you win, what you thought of BOTH MICHELYN’S WRITTEN AND  STEVEN’S  VIDEO reviews of Fragrances that Get the Most compliments that fly under the radar and where do you live. COUNTRY RESTRICTIONS APPLY. If you want your comment to count twice, please follow us on our Instagram page @cafleurebonoffical. Draw closes 8/29/2022 but will be announce within 2 weeks after.

Stay tuned for part 2 next week.

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