a few thoughts from Musette.
But before I forget: the winner of Beloved Man is Nina Z! Email me your info (anitaAT PerfumePossedotcom) and…a little while from now, the fabulous Amouage folks will send out a sample. But remember: it will be a bit of a wait. It launches at Harvey Nicks in HongKong at the tail-end of February. The rest of the world gets it shortly after.
Before I start on the perfumes, may I just say how very jealous I am of Maria Candida Gentile? Sigh. She. Is. Gorgeous. And extremely chic. But in that way that is totally ‘real’, totally ‘accessible’ – and So Not Me! LOL! No, seriously. What is it with French and Italian women? sigh. Maybe because you wouldn’t catch her stone dead in a fleece pullover? sigh…….
anyway…not only is she gorgeous, she is a very talented perfume artist (my ‘new phrase’ because I like to celebrate the artistry in creating and creative directing perfumes. Sometimes they overlap in the same person or position, sometimes not, but both require a creative artistry)….I already reviewed the beautiful Luberon in our Best of 2012 post. Today I want to chat about a few others in her line.
My biggest crush of the group: Gershwin. It opens with a sparkly Italian citrus note, reminiscent of my great urban summer love, Cartier Brillante. Where Brillante stays all gin-cocktail sparkle, though, Gershwin softens up with some watery white flowers. I get the Sicilian lemon and black pepper through the entire course of this perfume, and the sandalwood comes in towards the end, providing a bit of lift and warmth. This is a very close scent and, as is usual with citrus scents, the longevity isn’t great. But that’s okay – I think of this much like a Fred Astaire movie. Lots of sparkle and fizz and flirty/floaty fabulousness, which is best experienced in short bursts. It’s a great pick for a grey winter day, when you need some sunshine! And maybe a gin gimlet. 
Sideris is another beauty. I had to take off my NPR hat (I kept hearing David Sedaris’s voice in my head, reading off the notes…..that was just weird)….but once I got him out of my head, riffing on ‘cysts laudanum’ I could focus on the herby-rose of this perfume. According to the Gentile website ‘cysts laudanum’ is a very Mediterranean essence and that, combined with the Turkis rose, is what gives Sideris that herby-rose loveliness. The benzoin gives a nice, resinous heft at the drydown makes Sideris one of the more intriguing scents in the line. It has a very faceted journey, from application to drydown. Even though I love the daylights out of Gershwin, for sheer interest this is probably the one I would wear most often. The fact that it has a rose focus probably doesn’t hurt, either! I does love me some rose! 
anyway, I promised a giveaway. So here ’tis: drop a line letting me know what your thoughts about this perfume line. Or what you think about me ever having a snowball’s chance in a firestorm of gaining that level of chic ( LOL~ you can fuggedabout it right now – certainly not in Il in January – you can’t pry me out of my fleece until April)…..do you have a David Sedaris earworm now? I do. I will have Carmine hit the random.org button and we’ll send you a couple of MCG samples!
I smelled her perfumes first in the Milan fragrance fair last year and fell in love with Burlesque. It’s on my to buy list, but that list is too long already…
I tried the Cinabre and loved it! It thought it was bergamot, but there was nothing in the notes about bergamot…maybe it was the ginger?. Anyway, I find it very sophisticated, almost, dare I say like Shalimar.
I like the sound of Gershwin. I’m drawn to the name due to the respect towards the composer, but the scent does sound lovely too.
I will never attain that level of chic, especially at my age. A stress fracture and torn meniscus ( my knee) have me wearing supportive tennis shoes or my Danskos when I’m at work. The worst was wearing black flats to a wedding in late December and feeling like a frump!
I haven’t tried any MCG scents, though if one of them could actually lend me something of Maria’s own chic, I’d be on it like a terrier with a rat… Sideris and Exultat sound gorgeous.
They all sound lovely. I was sent a sample of Sidaris with an order and it is gorgeous. It reminded me of something in the drydown and could not put my finger on it. Then, voila.. it smells like the drydown of Vanille 44, to me at least. Thank you for the draw!
Brand new line to me! Cinabre sounds lovely. As to chic, a scarf and good boots can make me feel chic, no matter the objective truth.
MCG’s line is one I read about a few months ago online, and am very curious to sniff in person…
Most curious about Sideris, which is on my must-try list, followed by Exultat, Cinabre, and Burlesque. Please count me in! Sideris sounds so mystically wonderful.
I am not chic, though I try to be put-together, and have a collection of silky scarves, mostly from my grandmother, that I never wear. A red silk one from a thrift shop gets worn most. I think it’s hard to wear scarves with layers of coat and sweaters in winter and look equally good in all the permutations, and stay warm enough walking in below-freezing weather. But I like the idea of it and admire the chicness of others.
She has a wonderful name – I would like to try some of the frags just for that!
Ooooh! I’ve been wanting to try this line. I’ve read so much about it…thank you!
Gershwin sounds ideal as a means of coping with North Texas winters (icy one day, warm the next), not to mention North Texas summers (brutally hot, all the way). I’m intrigued by this line, though I’ve never sampled it – clearly something to rectify when my budget recovers from the holidays. As for chic – I gave up on that long ago. But I usually have on lipstick and my shoes often match – does that count? even a little?
The MCG line is an unknown quantity to me — haven’t sampled any of hers yet. The Sideris sounds great. I know I love Turkish rose, so that would be a beauty. Gershwin is very evocative to me. Love their music, so the scent would have to be jazzy and swoony, too, right?
As for elegance and chic-ness, I agree with all of those who opt for daily make-up regardless of a woman’s agenda or itinerary. Scarves are a lovely addition, especially in winter. I hate getting a draft on my neck, so they’re practical as well as pretty.
Thanks for entering me in the drawing. 🙂
These both sound lovely and I would love to try them. And yes, David is now in my head!
‘Gershwin’ is such an evocative name for a fragrance – I hear music and think of spring sunshine! That said, Sideris sounds the most intriguing for me, though I could do without the complimentary Sedaris earworm. 😉 I havent explored this line but looks like I need to!
I too long to be scarf girl but feel like I can’t have big boobs and wear a scarf withouth looking matronly. Surely there is a way?? At any rate, my fragrances make me feel fabulous so hopefully they help me look more elegant, sexy whatever. I can hope right?
I love this line! Sideris is a favorite of mine as well! High heels, mascara& lipstick and a silk scarf around the neck and you are instanly chic.
This line is new to me but the two you wrote about sound right up my street. I will search it out.
I would love to try Cinabre and Gershwin the whole line sounds excellent and a must try.
Thank you for the giveaway – the Gershwin sounds lovely!
My fondness for scarfs comes from my nana, who would never be seen in public without powder, lipstick, scarf, and a few dabs of No.5 behind the ears. She was always chic, wish I could say the same of myself right now! 😉
Omg. Scarves!!
Begone, voice of David Sedaris, begone! Ah, Miss Musette, what have you done to me??? 😉
NP
Oh please, some Italian citrus…better yet, some Italian roses. I love the labdanum note and can just imagine it combined with lovely uplifting rose. By the way, Musette, if you ever had to limit yourself to a few rose scents, what would you choose? By “a few,” I mean “a finite number ” (-). Thanks for the giveaway!
Italian citrus? What can be more uplifting and soft at the same time. Gershwin sounds divine. Perfect for the hideous winter here in the apple. Give me some Italian spring please! 😉
Thanks for the giveaway
“Cysts”, “Turkis”… strange, there was no rain of typos in the weather forecast. I have been meaning to order sideris from MCG’s official site for quite some time now but the high postage cost has stopped me from doing so. Exultat is the other one I believe will be fabulous from the range. About the line in general, all these reviewers with their possitive reviews can’t be wrong. Can they? CAN THEY???
Now about the style thing. I’m afraid I can’t help you with that. I have a dressing disability to the point that I can’t find anything to wear that would do my best perfumes any justice. I mostly go about looking like a hobo that just raided a posh perfumery (while my well dressed friends smell of Polo and Angel. pfff).
Mmm, they sound very appealing, as does Lady Day!
Excellent post, lovely Musette!Those MCG scents sound wonderful, but of course, no draw for me.
I’m already a hat girl (love me some wool or velour boaters/Bretons and also straw for warmer months), and am working on the scarf end of things. I wear a warm, functional one around my neck most winter days as I don’t want my neck to lock up. That happened a few years ago — a major “crick” in my neck kept me from turning my head to the right for about three days, so am keeping it toasty at all costs. I have a couple of fancy silk ones, but can’t tie them well myself, so I was always taking one into the newspaper office and getting our resident scarf expert to arrange it on me. 🙂
I would love to claim that I have more chic days than not, but…I’d be lying. And, about the fleece, I’m wearing it right now , and probably will be until sometime in late April. However, I do have some good scarves, and they get a lot of use when I’m trying my hardest to look put together. Perfume is my ace in the hole (at least in my mind, or nose) when I want to at least IMAGINE I’m chic. Or smell chic anyway. I’ve read about MCG perfumes and would love to try Sideris.
I’ve been yearning for “Cinabre” since I first read about it, and I’d like to get and grow the inspirational Ayrshire rose “Splendens” too. The Maria Candida Gentile perfume line makes for a very long wish-list!
I haven’t tried anything from the MCG line but I sure would love to. Also I don’t leave the house in the Winter without a scarf I love them. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway and for the chance. Happy New Year.
This is the first time I’ve heard of this line, which is exciting. From your descriptions, I would particularly love to try Gershwin. Thanks for the draw!
If I had not read this article, I would not have known about this perfume line. Gershwin and Sideris both sound like winners and I would be happy for either one. Thanks for the draw! 🙂
This line is completely new to me – thanks for the heads up, I’m off to find out more! And thanks for the draw. 🙂
Haven’t had the pleasure of sniffing anything from this line yet, but would love the chance. I love scarves and love smelling the remnants of various fragrances on them.
I’ve never tried this line so I don’t really have many thoughts about it… I haven’t tried many Italian perfumes, period. I’m definitely game to try. 🙂
I don’t think being chic is that hard, really. Just gotta change the wardrobe so you don’t own the frumpy options, and do AT LEAST mascara, lip gloss, and blush daily. I don’t live up to it myself, but I know that I could if I wanted to. 🙂
Even though I mostly work at home I make sure I take a shower and put on makeup, even if I’m in pull-on fleece from head to toe! Oh! perfume too!
It really does make a difference.
I would love to try the Gershwin. I have a decant of Sideris and the incense is so beautifully done. Hanbury is another favorite of mine, a perfect day in the garden.
Always wanted to be a Scarf Girl too (and a Hat Girl), but that is beyond my bifocaled vision, especially since The Great Menopause.
I have a small decant of Cinabre and absolutely love it. Thanks for the draw. I’d love to try Sideris! Is there a way to wear elastic waist trousers and still be chic? Don’t answer that….
Great post and thanks again!
LOL! if there is, I haven’t found it. Of course, I haven’t found my waist, either! xo
I haven’t tried anything from the MCG line, but it’s been calling my name since November when Michelyn at Cafleurebon recommended that I give it a try. Maybe this will be my chance!
To look more chic? Running a “hot air brush” (sort of like a curling iron and a brush combined) through my hair makes me look infinitely more put-together. That plus earrings glam me up quite a bit.
Oooh! I love the idea of a hot air brush. My hair is so ridiculous. Curling irons have to be tiny, otherwise it just gets weird. I’m going to look into a hot air brush – maybe it’s time to go a bit straighter!
xo
I just received a sample of Sideris and LOVE it! I have word this two days in a row and I must have more. The lab is quicky becoming my favorite note. Yes, I think of David Sedaris too, how can you not?? I never even heard of this line until very recently and now I’m obsessed with trying more. The bottles are quite charming and the scents sound amazing. Thanks for the raffle!
You can leave me out of the draw this time. Just had to comment on your NPR reaction; David Sedaris cracks me up and that’s exactly what I heard after reading the name. On the other hand, Gershwin is a very evocative perfume name; such beautiful music the Gershwins created! Stay warm, Ms A. Unless Walmart becomes fashionable, I don’t stand a chance at chic in my fleece layers, either.
Can you imagine The People of Walmart, clad in Dior?
Me neither.
xo
Having tried incredibly elegant Hanbury, I’m very eager to try MCG’s Barry Lyndon and Sideris!
I am eager to test Hanbury. I tried it earlier but it was a quick sniff and didn’t make a huge impression – but your description of ‘incredibly elegant’ is intriguing. Must try again!
xo
Since we are in a place where we have dressy jeans AND everyday jeans, it’s hard to imagine ever being really chic. Plus, the dog hairs from our cars and the smell of Carmex kinda keep the chic at bay, lol. But, I’ll wear Amouage Jubilation with any of my clothes, and feel my inner chic emerging as I shovel snow from the back porch.
LOL! on the Carmex and dog hairs. and the shoveling of snow…!
I can relate.
I have never tried anything by MCG but Gershwin sounds wonderful.
I love the idea of throwing on a scarf for instant chic! My cruddy Uggs might ruin the look though.
No! throw the scarf on anyway. I see women in Uggs and scarves all the time. Looks great! xo
What a great opportunity to try some new perfume. I’ve heard of the brand but haven’t tried any yet, it’s not available in Poland at the moment. I’m willing to give them a try.
well, you’re definitely in the draw! Good luck!!
Thanks for the giveaway–you all are always so generous! This brand (and the woman behind it) sounds so interesting. I hadn’t even had it on my radar until I received a tiny sample of Sideris (and I am right there with you, Musette, on the Sedaris ear-worm/sound-alike issue), which is stunning. I can’t wait to try her other scents eventually.
it is a beautiful scent. That and another one, Burlesque, which is very intriguing. I could see myself wearing these a lot, come Spring.
Throw a silk scarf over the fleece—instant chic! I have a 100-year old resident where I work, she throws a long flowy scarf over everything she wears—says she started doing it cause she won’t wear a bra anymore—and always looks effortlessly chic! I would love the Sidaris—love trying new scents….enter me in the giveaway…
This is such a good idea. Scarves look so lovely, elegant and natural on most women… so why do they feel so strange on me when I wear them? Is it something that you get used to?
I truly want to be a scarf girl. Think of the simplicity: I could buy 5 pairs of black pants and black shirts in several sleeve lengths, and then just vary the scarves. Not only are they beautiful to look at, but they can be spritzed with an HG scent, and many scents last on fabric for weeks.
I LOVE scarves – the bigger, the better. Black and brown are my basics in pants and tops and the number of color combinations you can incorporate is astonishing. Scarves do take a minute to get comfy with but once you do (once you stop feeling ‘strange’ on you) you will wonder how you did without them!
xoxoA
Scarves are the mainstay of my wardrobe. I combat the gray, rainy winter in Seattle with a bright yellow coat combined with a orange scarf and purse (I love the idea of wearing comic book intensity colors) . For a change, I use a blue scarf and a very pretty blue enamel pin from my hubby. Change the scarf, change the look – how easy is that!
Sounds very interesting, this perfume line, my preference would go to Sideris. Thanks for this opportunity.