Madonna Truth or Dare (discontinued)

Last week was busy. I’m not used to being that busy anymore. So, positive and negative.

Anyway, I was in town on Friday and had originally planned to find something perfume to write about from our one remaining department store’s stock. But, our own alityke stepped in (sending a lovely sample parcel) that included a decant of Madge’s own offering. I’ve been mooning about Neela Vermeire’s new one that is tuberose but I really am not buying right now. So, this was a serious treat.

I love Malle Carnal Flower and Lutens Tubereuse Criminelle. I’ve even managed to make a sort of peace with Fracas. Clearly, tuberose is something I’ll pay attention to. I’ve even tried to grow it (got one stalk with a small set of flowers but only once).

I was aware of T or D (launched in 2012). Years ago, when it was still easily findable I visited our local The Perfume Shop to test something and there were loads of T or D testers out. I didn’t try it then … because I don’t appear to do things in a simple or logical way sometimes. I have to turn myself into a pretzel (eg, Shalimar) or someone steps in (alityke, in this instance) and sticks the item in front of my nose.

So, Madge and her perfume. Portia wrote about it here and Tom here. Both posts back a ways.

I read their thoughts before testing this and I have to say the pic on Portia’s post: it’s worth revisiting the writing just for that pic.

I have mixed reactions to Madge. I adore some of her music. Think it’s ground-breaking in its own way. I love that she does what she wants even if I think some of it is misguided and other things ever so slightly cringy. I’d far rather she did it though. She’s a middle finger to people who think women should behave ‘properly’ or be a certain way only.

Anyway, perfume. This was surprisingly gentle. So, hmmmm…

I get a menthol opening, with some Big.White.Flowers. This smooths out and we’re in gentle B.W.F. territory. Definitely peppery lily. Drydown is soft floral. Whereas the three tuberoses I mentioned above have serious presence and are challenging, this is a tuberose for someone who wants to wear tuberose but maybe isn’t quite sure about it – or wants to wear tuberose in the workplace and doesn’t want to clear the office out.

It’s really nice. Don’t get me wrong. I just don’t love it and don’t really feel I missed much by not trying it when it was easily available. It’s got very good longevity — like eight hours — though for having a meant-to-be challenging name, it’s really quite quiet in the end.

NB: alityke also sent a bit of Truth or Dare Naked as well. It’s the second thing she released apparently and Fragrantica calls it a floral woody musk. Also launched in 2012, it’s got gentler white flowers than T or D. It has a much more interesting opening vs T or D. Sappy rather than menthol. Maybe some mint. Or maybe that’s gentler menthol. This is a bit milkier than T or D on me but also I get the woody aspect. Some cedar, which is not a favourite note. Sweeter than T or D — a lot — which I might ascribe to the milkiness. And the sweet plus lily doesn’t sit terribly well.

Finally, and just to round things out, here are my favourite Madge songs: Don’t Tell Me, Frozen, Bad Girl, Express Yourself, Ghosttown and Candy Perfume Girl (of course).

Pics: WikiParfums and Pexels