Masque Milano L’Atessa & Hiram Green Dilettante

Masque Milano and Hiram Green have been two lovely new’ish perfume companies that keep making perfumes that I wind up loving.  New releases – Masque Milano L’Atessa and Hiram Green Dilettante – from them have also wound up in the “love” pile, and both are perfect for summer.  My summer is still without AC in my bedroom. Two repairmen, now waiting for a computer board to get shipped. I’ll be sweltering for at least another week to ten days or more.

Masque Milano L'Atessa & Hiram Green Dilettante

Hiram Green Dilettante is that – a celebration of summer with notes of Orange flower, petitgrain, orange essential oil.  A gorgeous, light, straigthforward, sunshiney perfume, it shimmers with light.  This quickly became one of my top three orange flower perfumes, it just floats. It’s not complicated or layered, it’s beautiful and stays that way, and I love having beautiful perfumes to wear.  It reminds me a lot of Shalini without the $900 price tag.  Just $165 for 50 mls, which is practically free.  I’ve become a huge fan of Hiram Green. This added to Moon Bloom makes me wonder why I haven’t tried his other perfumes. Need to fix that immediately.

Masque Milano is another great perfume house.  They released Romanza this year – their narcissus perfume – and now have L’Attessa, centered around an incredibly buttery iris.  Notes of Italian Bergamot, Moroccan Neroli, Champagne accord, Italian Iris absolute, Italian Iris Root Butter, French Iris Root Butter, Tuberose absolute, Ylang Ylang Madagascar, Sandalwood Mysore, Oakmoss, Leather accord. Leathery iris, honestly.  I mean, it’s not that leathery on the open, it’s just really buttery and perfect, a little bubbly almost, and the leather sneaks in over time. A layered iris that I find perfect.

Listen, I put on Hiram Green Dilettante on one arm and Masque Milano L’Attesa on the other arm.  These two together are even better than separate, and I think they are great alone.

So of course there will be a sample giveaway!  I’ll do three sample sets of the two perfumes to commenters drawn at random.  Which would be your fave of these two just based on notes or tell me what your favorite summer perfume is.

Winners of last week’s Waiheke Dreams carded sample giveaway – Luanne, Connie and Tatiana.  Just click on Drop Us a Note at the top, send me an e-mail, remind me of what you won and get me your mailing address. I’ll send you a quick e-mail to let you know I got your e-mail and it didn’t land in a spam filter and then get it on the way to you.  I only check Posse e-mail like once a week, so it can take a few days sometimes to respond there.

  • PrincessTonk says:

    I have been in NC Outer Banks on vacation with my family and was just reading. Both of these perfumes sound wonderful and would love to try. Never tried either house. Thoroughly love orange blossom AND Iris so couldn’t choose. Xo

  • Melissa Rosen says:

    I love gardenia and tuberose best in summer. I would love to try these…my fav so far is f. Malle… Carnal flower

  • Stephanie says:

    Ooh, Dilettante sounds wonderful, like others I am on such an orange blossom kick right now. Though I love iris as well.

  • PJ says:

    Oh, my. Dilettante sounds so very nice. I can almost smell it in my head. My fav summer perfumes are Tom Ford’s Violet Blonde and l’eau by Narciso Rodriguez. Mmmmm

  • I haven’t tried anything from either Masque Milano or Hiram Green, and both of these sound really good.

  • Sherry B. says:

    I’ve loved all the Masque Milano scents so far and, of course, leather notes always slay me! I just know that I’d really go for it!

  • Zazu says:

    Hiram Green Dilettante sounds amazing. I am a huge Orange Flower Fan but it is a scent that needs special handling – this sounds like it was done right!

  • mikasminion says:

    I have been wanting to try Dilettante since I read the first review and you aren’t helping any. I’ve been on an orange blossom kick lately (as happens often in the hot weather), and want to try every single one I hear about.

  • london says:

    My favourite summer perfumes are Iris Nobile and pretty much any orange blossom so I am desperate to try both of these with Dilettante probably edging it. Thanks for the draw.

  • Koyel says:

    The Masque Milano sounds fabulous; I think it’d be my favorite. I’ve heard so many great things about the Hiram Green, though! I haven’t decided on a favorite summer perfume, but Dame Verbena, Freesia, and Musk always seems to do the trick. Thanks for the draw 🙂

  • Mariann says:

    Both are on my to try list. But since its summer and summer is all about orange blossom for me, I’d love to try Dilletante. Thanks for the draw!

  • SublimiSomnium says:

    Sorry about your AC – close blinds in the day and open all windows at night. Also, freeze some water in a jug and have a fan blow on it until the water melts again, so the fan moves cold air. My friend also got a huge barrel of water that helped moderate the temperature in her greenhouse.

    Hard to say which I would love more without sniffing first ;). On the one hand I fell hard for orange blossom when I encountered Seville a L’aube. On the other I regularly love and wear Cuir de Russie and No. 19. I think I might. I’m leaning toward Shalini since I can’t imagine a more perfect orange blossom, but I’m willing to be proven wrong. 🙂

  • Marianna says:

    Thanks for the draw. Just based on the notes, I am leaning towards L’Atessa

  • Sapphire says:

    I’m with the L’Attesa crowd. Buttery Iris sounds great. I can’t say I have a favorite summer perfume since I tend more toward orientals, but En Passant and Eau de Camille would be up there. So would Knot.

  • Caroline says:

    One of my summer go-tos is AG Neroli–got a bottle of the edt just before they switched over to the huge cologne bottle. Used to love Eau Sauvage in the summer, but the reform isn’t to my liking. Thanks for the draw, leaning toward the Hiram Green, but both sound sample-worthy.

  • Bastet says:

    Very exciting draw today, thank you! My favorite perfumes this summer have been the Annick Goutal Roses, esp. Rose Splendide, Ce Soir ou Jamais, and Quel Amour.

  • Kathryn says:

    II’d choose Dilettante since I love everything else Hiram Green has done so far. Moon Bloom is just wonderful. I think I’ll dab some on right now!

  • Janet in California says:

    Hiram Green’s Dilettante sounds perfect. I would be extremely happy if Hiram had a coffret of all his perfumes.

  • tandaina says:

    They both sound lovely. But I’d probably chose Hiram Green Dilettante if I had to bet on which would be a favorite. I love light, bright fragrances and really love orange flower.

  • spring_pansy says:

    They both sound amazing. If I had to choose, I’d choose the Dilettante as Shallini is one of my favorites. I want to point out that you can own 10 mls of Shalini in a plain bottle for $250, rather than $900. Yes, still expensive but not quite so out of range.

  • Jirish says:

    L’Attessa sounds wonderful, as leather and iris are one of my favorite combinations. And I actually love to wear Cuir Ottoman in the summer heat.

  • Tiara says:

    Favorite summer perfumes are Straw Hat, the old Faberge scent, Zizonia and Terracotta voile d’ete. Once I get my hands on Waiheke Dreams, it might be added to this list. I’m still thinking about that one!

  • Civet says:

    The Hiram Green, but both sound interesting!

  • Rosie says:

    Just installed AC in my bedroom and it’s one of the best decisions I’ve made this summer! Hope yours gets fixed sooner than later. One of my favorite fragrances if all time is Shalini so if they are similar, I’m bound to like Dilettante as well.

  • HeidiC says:

    You had me at “top 3 orange blossom perfumes,” so Dilettante is my jam! Also, I’m intrigued by L’Attesa — I’m not usually a big iris lover, but if it’s more buttery than powdery, I can do it. And the leather note sounds like just the thing! Thanks for the draw!

    Hope the shipping gods favor you and the computer board arrives swiftly — unintentionally sweaty bedrooms are no fun!

  • I’m enjoying Masque Romanza so the Attesa sounds lovely too!

  • SunnyDay says:

    I would love to try Dilittante since I did like Voyage and Shangri la, but then again the iris and leather in L’Atessa is also compelling.

  • Tora says:

    I have always wanted to try Shalini ever since reading your favorite orange blossom perfumes. so if this Diletantte smells like that, I would be very happy to try it. My favorite summer perfumes are Annees Folles, Grand Neroli, Battito d’Ali, and Rubj VdE

  • elisa p says:

    L’Atessa sounds lovely. I’ve sampled the older Hiram Greens and think they’re amazing naturals. Thanks for the draw and hope the AC gets fixed soon.

  • AnnieA says:

    I liked the MM I’d sniffed so a vote for them. I like BP PC01 for the summer and Guerlain Vetiver Pour Elle.

  • Neva says:

    Both sound lovely in your description and I have not tried the two perfume houses. I think that Dilettante would be better for me. Perfumes with orange and neroli cannot be wrong in the summer heat. It’s extremely hot around here too and without the A/C I would not be able to work. Fingers crossed you get it fixed soon. My favourite summer scent is something from the Acqua di Parma range of colognes.

  • foxbins says:

    I don’t think I have tried anything by Masque Milano, but I own both Moon Bloom and Voyage, so I think I would pick Dilettante. I wear a lot of citrus in the summer–the Ateliers, Jour d’Hermes, and Aqua Allegoria Pamplemousse. Thanks for the draw!

  • Kandice says:

    I love, love, love Hiram Green! And orange blossom is one of my favorite floral notes, so I must definetly check this out. I would have to say magnolia is probably my favorite summer scent, especially those that are more cologne based, but orange blossom is a close second. Thanks for the opportunity to try it!

  • AnnJune says:

    I have high hopes for the Hiram Green! I completely fell for the Hermes Eau de Neroli Dore, but after 10 minutes, can barely smell it at all. My hope is Dilettante is along the same line, but with (much) more longevity. I’d like to try the L’Atessa also, but am a bit leery of iris as it sometimes does not sit well. Favorite summer perfume is L’Artisan Cote d’Amour, but am still not in the summer vibe here in New England quite yet… cool spring/early summer. Right now wearing mostly SJP Lovely and SMN Pot Pourri (love the green herbs on a cool damp morning). Thanks for the draw!

  • Patsi133 says:

    Oh wow – i would love to try the Hiram Green Dilettante – have wanted to try this line for a while now. One of my summer favourites is another orange, Pomelo Paradis – sweet and delicious!
    I would be crazy if i lived in really warm temperatures and the AC was not working…. i mean really crazy…. grrr. Hope yours gets fixed soon. Meanwhile here in the UK its just the right temperature for me… about 17 degrees Celsius (not sure what that is in US temps…. but low i’m sure). Thanks for the drawing.

  • Sun Mi says:

    Hmm, I love your description of Dilettante, so I want to say I’d prefer that one, but I’m very very interested in iris fragrances these days, so it’s hard to say! Both sound lovely!! My favorite summer scent is California Reverie.

  • Sara says:

    Ooooh, how to choose, I’m crazy about Moon Bloom (contender for favourite summer perfume) so eager to try the new Hiram Green, but also I love leathery iris, and with a sandalwood oakmoss base! At the moment the weather here is cold and bucketing down rain, so I am comforting myself with Mona Di Orio’s Ambre…

  • Sonia says:

    I am having a hard time choosing but I think I’d like to try the l’atessa. Iris and leather- yum!
    In the other hand, Dilettante would be fun also. Hope they get the ac fixed!! Very very soon!!!! thank you.

  • Sonia says:

    I am having a hard time choosing but I think I’d like to try the l’atessa. Iris and leather- yum!
    In the other hand, Dilettante would be fun also. Hope they get the ax fixed!! Very very soon!!!! thank you.

  • Judy says:

    The Masque Milano piques my interest more- layers of iris, mmmm! Thank you for your inspirations!

  • Irina says:

    L’attesa would be my favorite, I’m love iris scents so much…

  • Connie says:

    I think L’Atessa sounds like it would be my favorite. My most summery perfumes are Eau de Mandarin Ambree and Philosykos. Easiest to bear in this heat and humidity (we never use an AC unit).

  • Fleurt4fleurs says:

    Some favorite Summer fragrances: Van Cleef & Arpels California Reverie (even more for Spring), Archipelago Botanicals Milk, Frederic Malle Iris Poudre, SSS Jour de Ensoleille, Frau Tonis Rose, Sminta…

  • Fleurt4fleurs says:

    Mmmm: buttery Iris (French and Italian), leather, Mysore Sandalwood. I love Iris, Leather (Cuir de Russie) and Sandalwood. I’ve been tempted to try Moon Bloom and other Hiram Green fragrances, but have been afraid I might like them too much.
    We bought a portable AC for our guest room since we have killer heat spells in the summer. Now if it gets really unbearable, we know we can use the spare room for a few days ( when we don’t have guests). Hope yours is repaired soon.

  • Tatiana says:

    I’m guessing I would like the Masque Milano L’Attesa, because of the iris. I would venture to say 1/3 of my perfume collection has iris in it, another 1/3 green galbanum scents and the remaining third I play with. I’ve been hearing good things about Masque Milano scents, I just haven’t gotten around to seeking them out yet. It sounds like this situation needs to change.

  • Oh these noth sound amazing! I love Romanza like crazy so I think L’attessa sounds terrific., this summer I’m wearing Chanel Boy and Pure eVe by The diffetent Company almost daily! Thanks!

  • MaureenC says:

    Favourite summer perfumes Andy Tauer’s Zeta, Caron Eau de Reglisse and good old fashioned and cheap O de Lancôme. Mind you we haven’t actually had any summer yet here in the UK!

  • eldarwen22 says:

    I hope your AC gets fixed soon. Thus far, I have been living in Chanel no 19 and I am halfway through a bottle. It will be quite an accomplishment, especially if it’s done before September.

  • Ellen M says:

    I am unfamiliar with both of these fragrances, but I think the Hiram Green sways me just a tad more.
    The humidity is so high where I live than without AC we would all simply float away. I can’t imagine what you are doing. We would immediately take a pan of ice and a fan to blow over it to give some relief. I hope the guys fix your AC really quickly.

  • karibub says:

    Whoa…..the second you mentioned Shalini and Dilettante in the same sentence I was a goner. Yes, please!!!

  • BostonScentGuy says:

    Both of these sound great! The Masque Milano appeals to me ever so slightly more, since I can’t get enough iris ever and enjoy all sorts of ways it is paired with leather (from CdR to P. Generale’s weird band-aid like Cuir d’Iris). Thanks for the draw!

  • The L’Attessa sounds devine. Wow.

  • Gigi says:

    Ok, I’m just shaking here! I really can’t tell which I want to try more. I’m crazy for all the Hiram Greens but Shangri La is my #1 HG, so there’s that. On the other hand, Iris is one of my favorite notes and I’ve been seeing some outstanding reviews for this one.
    Oh my, I’ll just try to breathe now.

  • Akatchoom says:

    L’Attessa sounds like a crazy mash-up of my most favorite smells: Bergamot! Iris! Leather! and sweet Neroli…I was just concluding that orange is both my favorite summer & winter note (as asked in a previous post). Dilletante sounds like marvelous simplicity, so the purist in me is fighting with the mad scientist.