On a recent trip to the big city, I popped into Neiman Marcus. They had played musical chairs with the beauty/fragrance lines since the last time I was in there, so as I wandered about trying to get my bearings, what should I spy over on one counter but a slightly familiar- looking bottle with a white flip-top cap. It was the Ramon Monegal Mariposa, exclusive to Neiman’s. If you’ll recall, Musette mentioned it a while back with her RM post.
So I made a beeline for it and spritzed the back of my hand (the only skin real estate I had left). Whoa! For the first 10 minutes or so, I was so intrigued, almost mesmerized, thinking, “Oh, my –- this is like nothing I’ve ever smelled before.”
And then — out of the blue — epiphany over. The scent took a nose-dive deep into fig territory and never left. Not that I don’t like fig, but it’s not one of my top 5 favorite notes, and this wallop of it was utterly unexpected. So understandably, I was disappointed. After that amazing opening, I was hoping for something equally striking from the later phases of the scent. The end result felt like I had a slightly more floral Philosykos
on my hand. Nice, but not exactly what I had in mind. I mentally berated my freaky, fig-amplifying skin.
Oh, if only I could capture the Mariposa top notes, hold them on my skin and keep them there for a while longer, using a combination of surgical skill and perfumer’s precision to neatly lop off the back end of it.
But such is life. I will give the Mariposa another test (this time on my wrist) next time I’m in there, just for the sake of fairness. (And to enjoy that wowza! opening again while it lasts!) I do adore the bottle (waves to Musette), and opened and closed it joyously several times at the counter, while the SA looked at me like I was nuts. Alas, it’s still not enough to warrant forking over the required bucks. Guess I’ll stick with Entre Naranjos or Kiss My Name as my fave Monegals so far.
Here’s hoping the Mariposa smells wonderful on some of you; I would love to see how it develops on someone else’s skin. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that it’ll be easier to sample before too long.
BTW, all you lucky folks going to Scentsation could hit the Beverly Hills Neiman’s and give it a whirl. If you get to try it, do come back and let us know what you think.
Available at Neiman Marcus stores and online; 1.7 ounces, $200.
Notes from NM: orange, grapefruit, bergamot, yuzu, black currant, plum, helional, melonal, calone, ultrazur, oakmoss, grass accord, fig, osmanthus, jasmine, lily of the valley, rose wardia, tuberose, sandalwood, cashmeran, iris, anchouli, peach, tonka bean, amber.
So please share with me: What scent have you loved a part of, but were disappointed with the rest?
And was it a deal-breaker for you?
The fun, boozy opening of the eponymous David Yurman perfume made me giggle with delight - for all of five minutes, after which it became a watery, nondescript FAIL. You would think a brand like that could afford to launch a fragrance that has something to say!
Flora, I hear you! I liked this one, too, for a while and then something in it just turned me off. I did rather enjoy the body cream though.